Entertainment

JUST IN: TikTok moves to sell gaming arm

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2024

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TikTok owner ByteDance is in talks with buyers including Chinese tech giant Tencent to sell its gaming arm, a company spokesperson said Tuesday, as it seeks to shed once-promising assets in the highly competitive sector.

The discussions would see the firm sell Nuverse, a video game publisher that is a subsidiary of Beijing-based ByteDance.

Nuverse was once viewed by the firm as a vital component in its bid to catch up with Tencent, a leader in the global gaming industry and one of China’s largest media conglomerates.

Efforts to reach a deal are still ongoing, the spokesperson told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The development comes after ByteDance made sweeping reductions to its gaming division last November, including a round of layoffs cutting hundreds of jobs.

The move marked a retreat from the competitive sector — worth $42.2 billion last year, according to official figures – after Nuverse failed to achieve the commercial success ByteDance had hoped for at the time of its launch in 2019.

China is the world’s largest gaming market, and Tencent is the global leader in the sector in terms of revenue.

But it has faced increasing challenges as authorities impose tighter restrictions on gaming, especially for young people.

Since 2021, children under 18 years old have only been allowed to play online between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the school term.

And during next month’s Spring Festival Holiday, users under the age of 18 will face similar limitations, implemented through a real-name verification system, linked to national ID cards, Tencent said.

In a Tuesday WeChat post explaining the rules, Tencent said it hoped “adults and children alike can play games with self-discipline”.

Beijing last month said it might revise newly drafted online gaming rules aimed at limiting in-game purchases and preventing obsessive gaming behaviour, after the regulations triggered a sell-off in major tech stocks.

AFP

Entertainment

Rema to release new single ‘Oh No’ Friday

`Oh No’ adds to Rema’s growing catalogue of Afrobeats and Afrofusion sounds, following his recent musical exploits.

Published

5 days ago

September 10, 2026

OCHEFA

59 Views

Afrobeats star Rema is set to release his new single, ‘Oh No’, on Friday.

The singer announced it in a post on his X account, sharing a video of himself seated in a car and simply writing, “Oh No out this Friday.”‘

‘Oh No’ adds to Rema’s growing catalogue of Afrobeats and Afrofusion sounds, following his recent musical exploits.

The Mavin Records star, who continues to gain international recognition, is known for hit songs including ‘Calm Down’, his global collaboration with Selena Gomez, and tracks from his 2024 album, HEIS.

Entertainment

Ikenga becomes highest-grossing Igbo film of all time

The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.

Published

7 days ago

September 8, 2026

OCHEFA

83 Views

Ikenga: The Last Festival has crossed the N75 million mark at the Nigerian box office and is now the highest-grossing Igbo title of all time.

The film was directed by Darlington Kelechi and features Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwo, Zubby Michael, Beverly Osu, Jide Kene Achufusi, Regina Daniels and Destiny Etiko.

FilmOne Entertainment, announced the milestone on Monday in a post on X, revealing that the film has also maintained its position as the highest-grossing Nollywood film for three consecutive weeks.

The latest milestone marks another major step in the film’s cinema run, which has seen it maintain strong audience interest since opening nationwide in August.

FilmOne said the film’s performance reflects the strong response it has received from moviegoers since its release.

The distributor also thanked audiences who have supported the film, crediting moviegoers for helping drive its performance at the box office.

Entertainment

Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem dies of breast cancer

In the release signed by the state Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 1, 2026

OCHEFA

139 Views

Image credit : WhatsApp

The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Ogun State Chapter, has announced the death of Nollywood actress Atinuke Kareem.

She died as a result of breast cancer.

The news of her passing was officially announced on Tuesday by her colleague and the Executive Governor of TAMPAN Ogun State, Owolabi Ajasa, via an official statement posted on his Instagram page.

The statement was accompanied by a video clip of Kareem seeking support and prayers during her battle with breast cancer, highlighting the physical toll of the illness on her.

“I’m a breast cancer patient. It has been going on for a while. My family has spent a lot of money; I’ve come to seek help. The association I belong to, TAMPAN, has tried too, but it’s not enough,” Kareem said in the video.

” Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help.”