SpaceX test fires Starship engine; Snap launches gaming platform; Jam City buys 231 Play

Jam City Expands International Operations With German Acquisition

The Business Journal reports Culver City-based mobile game developer Jam City Inc. acquired Berlin-based game studio 231 Play for an undisclosed sum. Jam City has been expanding since raising $145 million for growth in January 2018, and this acquisition establishes its eighth studio.

Snap Launches In-App Multiplayer Gaming Platform

Santa Monica-based Snap Inc. is adding a gaming feature to its Snapchat app, a bid to unlock a new revenue stream. Beginning today, Snapchat users will have access to five games that will bring in revenue through in-game ads. Techcrunch reports the gaming platform was announced at Snap’s first “Partner Summit” event held April 4.

SpaceX Fires Starship Engine in First Test

SpaceX’s Starship test vehicle successfully fired its onboard engine for the first time April 4, according to The Verge. The Starship test vehicle remained on Earth during the launch, which was designed to be an assessment of basic technical functions. The test vehicle is a smaller version of a planned Starship passenger spacecraft that SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk hopes to use to take people to Mars and the Moon. When it’s finished, the vehicle will be able to launch roughly 220,000 pounds into low earth orbit.

Tech reporter Samson Amore can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8335. Follow him on Twitter @samsonamore.