Broken achievements & trophies should not still be a thing
For the βcompletionistsβ among us gamers, thereβs nothing more frustrating than fulfilling the requirements for a trophy or achievement and seeing it remain locked. Though rarely talked about, this is a significant point of tension between consumers and studios. Picture this, youβve just completed an entire playthrough of a game...
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Xbox introduces strict βstrikeβ system to prevent online abuse
Microsoftβs latest effort to curtail online abuse on Xbox will involve a new βstrikeβ system which may see offending players suspended for up to a year. The tired misconception that the gaming community is toxic has largely been dispelled, but thereβs always room for improvement. The latest in a slew of...
Microsoft beats FTC in historic bid to land Activision Blizzard
Microsoft has passed arguably the most vital hurdle to becoming sole owners of Activision Blizzard in the most expensive tech deal of all time. Is this the beginning of an anti-competitive market within gaming? The controversial deal which will dwarf what Disney paid for Marvel is a huge leap closer...
Developer of βGollumβ shutting down after disastrous launch
Publisher of the infamous βGollumβ game Daedalic Entertainment is shutting down its development studio. With big-name titles ballooning in budget, facing increased delays, and putting their developers at higher financial risk, is the industry becoming unsustainable? The studio behind 2023s worst video game βGollumβ is shutting down. Ridiculed online for...
Nintendo latest company to end trading in Russia
Russian gamers will no longer be able to purchase digital games from the Nintendo store, as it βwinds downβ operations. Nintendo has become the latest company to cease operations within Russia entirely, after suspending product shipments in March 2022. Russian consumers will no longer be able to purchase games digitally via...
What Nvidiaβs AI NPC demo could mean for game development
Nvidia demoed its capabilities for AI and unique character building during Computex 2023. The gaming giant showed how an innocuous NPC could provide generated, off-the-cuff responses to playerβs unique prompts during an in-game interaction. Contemporary titles can have anywhere between a handful and hundreds of non-playable characters (NPCs). Primarily intended to...
Is the upcoming bodycam shooter βUnrecordβ too true to life?
An upcoming shooter game called Unrecord aims to accurately simulate the bodycam of a tactical officer. But has its developerβs emphasis on overtly realistic mechanics, graphics, and themes created something a little too true to life? The technology available to game developers today is allowing them to create more immersive and marvellous experiences than previously thought possible. Thanks to digital toolkits such as the Unreal Engine 5, weβre able to...
CD Projekt Red announces menstrual leave for employees
CD Projekt Red, the studio behind Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, has announced menstrual leave for employees experiencing pain from their periodΒ or menopause. Is this an indication of a more progressive industry going forward?Β CD Projekt Red has had its fair share of turbulence in recent years, and rightfully so.Β In the run up to the release of its flagship title, Cyberpunk 2077, the studio entered a mandatory...
Heinz unveils Fortnite island to highlight soil degradation
Tomato and bean producer Heinz has unveiled a new community-built Fortnite island that highlights soil degradation. Named βS.O.S Tomato Islandβ, players will be able to explore a reconstructed Heinz tomato farm. Fancy learning more about Heinz tomato production? Need an excuse to jump back into the marketing juggernaut that is Fortnite? Heinz has announced a new playable community-built island called βS.O.S Tomato Islandβ, where players can learn about soil degradation...
Explaining the βAtomic Heartβ controversy and links to Russian state
This monthβs standout Game Pass title Atomic Heart has been a source of constant controversy since its development. Now, the Ukraine government is calling for Microsoft, Sony, and Valve to ban it. Hereβs why.Β When it comes to gaming controversies surrounding specific titles, feuds are typically fought between publishers and consumers.Β Unrest canΒ usually be traced back to either unethical business practices, lack of product quality, or greedy in-game mechanics. In short,...
