Gaming

Home Gaming Page 18

AI Slop and the Degradation of the Nintendo eShop

0
AI Slop and the Degradation of the Nintendo eShop


Late last night, I received an email regarding AI slop, this email:

The email not does make any sense at all, why would my complaining drive his AI usage? He’s also dead wrong about me and AI. I am not opposed to AI usage. I am opposed to “AI Slop,” like what Pakotime puts out. These games are quickly shat out cash grabs with minimal effort that clog up the eShop and drive better games off the list. I have complained about them endlessly, like with Jigsaw Ice Princess. Ice Princess came out in October 2023. Not only has the flow of slop not stopped, its arguably gotten even worse since then.

AI Slop and Me

But what about my usage of AI images? Doesn’t that make me a hypocrite? No, because I don’t have a problem with using AI. Its a tool, used for good or evil. In fact, that image he’s referring to was generated by WordPress itself as it has a featured image generator built in. Furthermore, AI images are useful for articles, as I don’t have money for an artist to draw an image or buy stock images. In addition, I am not charging money for these articles.

Meanwhile, AI slop can range from a few dollars, to twenty! A developer is charging real money for AI generated images, and often not very good ones either. The games attached are usually identical “arrange the tiles” or a jigsaw puzzle. I view it as an outright scam. Also a scam are the AI generated marketing images on some games that hide what a game really is. Look I don’t care if a developer is using AI for coding or back end stuff. I do care if they’re charging for a shitty jigsaw game with AI generated images and slapping “hentai” in the title. It reeks of sheer laziness for a paid product when honest developers spend thousand on actual art.

I wouldn’t even be writing this article if that email was the only one to bring my AI usage up, others have as well. AI slop has damaged the Nintendo eShop and frankly my usage of AI images is irrelevant because I’m not charging for a sub-par product. Instead of yelling at me, yell at Pakotime to stop releasing a game a week!

P.S. If you’re wondering, my response to his email was a condensed version of this article. It is as follows:

If the author had subscribed to this blog, maybe he would have made sense!



Source link

2XKO game director speaks out about the next “much smaller” online play test, a new fuse, and more ahead of February update

0
2XKO game director speaks out about the next “much smaller” online play test, a new fuse, and more ahead of February update


2XKO game director Shaun “unconkable” Rivera has posted a lengthy statement online (first on Reddit, later on X) shutting down speculation and misinformation regarding the game and its upcoming online play test. This includes the fact that the next play test will be “much smaller” than the first Alpha Lab test.

The entire statement, which you can read here, kicks off by acknowledging the “crazy memes and hysteria” of the game’s official subreddit, before revealing the team were initially planning on running a larger-scale play test next month, with the February update covering this event. However, it looks like plans have changed to a smaller play test instead, while the team builds up infrastructure for a larger influx of players later this year.

Manage cookie settings

Rivera also addressed the Pulse Fuse, as there have been discussions among the community of it going away. This fuse, for those who can’t remember, allowed for players to mash a single button and perform a decent combo (while retaining all their usual attacks). This, it seems, has been replaced with an auto-combo setting selectable during character select.

Instead, Rivera reveals more about a new fuse: Sidekick. This basically removes the ability for the two playable characters to switch at all, instead providing the point character with more health and providing the second player more of a “support” role. Think of it like Yummi in League of Legends, who is attached to another champion and assists them by throwing out abilities (in 2XKO, assists) that aid in their assault.

This information seems to have been suddenly posted in response to leaks that had appeared online earlier this month (we obviously can’t link to ’em here), which explains the sudden and largely unexpected post by Rivera here. He doesn’t provide a date for the February update, which remains the main topic of speculation in the minds of 2XKO fans.

Obviously, this post raises a bunch of questions. The first, and most pressing in my mind, is how much smaller the upcoming play test will be? The first alpha lab proved popular, with flocks of new and experienced fighting game players rushing for access.

It also begs the question of why a smaller test? If I may speculate, it could be to gather data on a specific user base, perhaps to better balance the game for a wider net of players. For example, they’re adding the Sidekick fuse, right? So maybe they want a smaller test aimed at a control group of 50/50 experienced and totally new testers? It’s something I’m personally keen to learn more about.

Then there’s the decision to build infrastructure for an increased number of future players, which itself is interesting. Perhaps, given the popularity of the first Alpha Lab, the team is anticipating a very significant increase in sign ups for a future test. This on its face makes sense, we saw plenty of players left in the cold last time, and these sorts of slow builds to release tend to gain interest the closer they get to that long-awated 1.0 launch date.

However the cookie crumbles, it’s February 21 as of writing, which means it shouldn’t be too long until we know for certain what the deal is. Still, an interesting peek into what’s going on, even if it was sudden.

What do you think of this new info? Does Sidekick sound like a cool new addition to you? Let us know below!



Source link

New Chinese Blockbuster Just Surpassed Inside Out 2 To Become The Biggest Animated Movie Ever

0
New Chinese Blockbuster Just Surpassed Inside Out 2 To Become The Biggest Animated Movie Ever


Screenshot: Beijing Enlight Media

Ne Zha 2, a new Chinese animated movie, has brought in $1.7 billion at the box office and dethroned Pixar’s Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated flick in history.

Released in January, Ne Zha 2 has been on a record-breaking run in China. Earlier this month the animated sequel became the first movie in history to cross $1 billon at the box office in a single market. The movie is currently only showing in mainland China and hasn’t been released internationally. It is also the first non-Hollywood movie to make more than $1 billion in ticket sales. And now it can add “Top-Grossing Animated Movie” to its growing list of records.

As reported by Deadline on February 20, Ne Zha 2 has now made ¥12.47 billion ($1.72 billion USD) at the box office in China since hitting theaters on January 29. That not only beats previous animated box-office champ Inside Out 2, but it also places Ne Zha 2 at number eight on the list of overall highest-grossing movies in history, above blockbuster hits like Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World, and The Avengers. The animated blockbuster, a sequel to 2019’s Ne Zha, is now projected to gross $2.08 billion in China. That would put it at number five on the highest grossers list, beating out Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Avengers: Infinity War.

If Ne Zha 2—an animated movie based on the 16th-century Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods—can reach $2 billion, it will make history as the first movie to ever do so in a single market. It would also be one of only seven films to achieve $2 billion at the box office.

Due to the film’s continued success, Ne Zha 2 will be sticking around in theaters for a bit longer. The movie has been given an extended run in China and will stay in theaters until March 30. It is set to release in Hong Kong later this week.

.



Source link

Now Activision is Teasing a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Announcement, Too

0
Now Activision is Teasing a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Announcement, Too


Following several rumours, Activision itself appears to be teasing some form of Tony Hawk Pro Skater announcement with the hints indicating it’ll be Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4.

The tease is actually hidden in a returning Call of Duty multiplayer map named Grind which has been added into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. In the map there’s a skateboard shop with a TV screen displaying the date “03.04.25”.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

But that’s not all because eagle-eyed fans have speculated that the silhouette of a skater above the date is a combination of the same ones found on Tony Hawk pro Skater 3 and Tony Hawk pro Skater 4. In other words, it’s a strong hint that the announcement will be a remaster like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2 from 2020 which combined the first two games into one excellent package.

And don’t forget to take notice of the date as well: 03/04 seems like a very direct nod to it being Pro Skater 3+4.

If you want a little more evidence, Microsoft themselves replied to CharlieIntel, an X user who posted a picture of the TV screen in Grind. They replied to his tweet with a simple eyes emoji, lending credence to the whole thing.

Tony Hawk himself also replied to the tweet with the same set of eyes. Don’t forget, the Hawkman also hinted at a new Tony Hawk game being in the works.

Of course, this official tease comes hot on the heels of a bunch of rumours about a new Tony Hawk game. A pro skater let slip earlier this week that he’s in a new Tony Hawk remaster that’s coming out soon. Considering the skater in question was added into Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2, his claims are very believable.

And shortly after that, a fairly reliable leaker confirmed that he had heard Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is in the works and will be shadow dropped at an Xbox event in June. That’s not all, because he also claims that it’ll be available on PS5, PC and the upcoming Switch 2 as well.



Source link

2222 Abyss of the Universe Switch Review

0
2222 Abyss of the Universe Switch Review


2222 Abyss of the Universe is a two dollar game sold for ten. That automatically disqualifies it from purchase in my view. Right now, as this writing, it is on sale for eight, still too high for what you get. Well what is it? You’re in a rectangle flying along a track, you go through rings. In Endless Mode, the rings give you fuel to keep going. In levels, they’re simply points. There is one button, either A or B or d-pad up. It makes you go up, stop pressing to go down.

These games are everywhere on mobile and very cheap or free. However, what 2222 Abyss of the Universe has going for it are the bells and whistles. You have a 3d mode or 2d mode. You also have a leader board for endless, which currently has seven people on it. There is a soundtrack and a host of sound effects you can individually turn on or off. Finally you buy new ships with your coins you get flying through rings.

A runaway success I tell you…

As I said at the start, 2222 Abyss of the Universe is way, way overpriced. Yes you get a fair bit in this package, but its not worth it in my opinion. To back this up, look to the leader board. I’m betting the price is why the game has seven people on a leader board on release day. Nobody cares, nor should they. I’m going to sock it hard, giving it a Not Recommended with a five back-end score. I don’t think this was a scam, I legitimately think the developers think this game is worth its price. Unless it drops to two,maybe three dollars, stay away.

Overall: 2222 Abyss of the Universe is a one button game sold for ten dollars. Sure its fancy, but simply not worth it in the end.

Verdict: Not Recommended.

eShop Page

Release Date2/20/25Cost$9.99PublisherD-OESRB RatingE

P.S. I’ve reviewed so many games, they all blend together. So I’ll put a recent Must Play, Genome Guardian, here.

Subscribe so you never miss a review:



Source link

QuestWorlds Roleplaying System Launches Worldwide – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News

0
QuestWorlds Roleplaying System Launches Worldwide – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News


Chaosium has released QuestWorlds, a new self-contained roleplaying system designed for cinematic and larger-than-life gameplay. Inspired by classic pulps, comic books, and weird fiction, QuestWorlds aims to provide a versatile and accessible experience for players of all levels.

QuestWorlds is a complete roleplaying system that does not require additional books to play. Its rules-light framework focuses on resolving in-game conflicts quickly and efficiently, with a simple core mechanic and optional rules that allow for customization to fit various settings and genres. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of storytelling styles, from action-packed adventures to mysterious explorations.

The system includes streamlined character creation rules, enabling players to design unique characters in a short amount of time. Players can create characters ranging from ordinary individuals to extraordinary heroes, with no limits on creativity.

In addition to character creation, QuestWorlds provides tools for designing custom settings. Players can build their own worlds, whether inspired by classic genres or entirely original concepts, offering a high degree of personalization for their games.

QuestWorlds is currently available in PDF format for $19.99 through Chaosium’s website and DriveThruRPG.

The game reflects the philosophy of Chaosium founder Greg Stafford, who emphasized the cooperative nature of storytelling games. Stafford described such games as a shared experience where players contribute to an ongoing narrative through verbal interaction and imagination.

“In a storytelling game, the object is to participate verbally in the cooperative experience of a story. Everyone talks in order to contribute to the ongoing story. Inevitably, some people will talk a lot, some will talk only a little. Hopefully, everyone will talk a lot when their turn comes around and only a little at other times.

“Play is verbal and imaginative. The action takes place in the minds of the players. This is a social game in the most positive sense of the word. Aggressive competition or legalistic arguments over rules are alien to the spirit of a storytelling game.”



Source link

Phase Shift Games Announces “Widget’s Workshop,” a New Drop-Style Tabletop Game – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News

0
Phase Shift Games Announces “Widget’s Workshop,” a New Drop-Style Tabletop Game – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News


Phase Shift Games has unveiled Widget’s Workshop, the latest entry in its “drop-style” game series. The game is scheduled to launch on BackerKit’s crowdfunding platform on March 13, 2025, as part of the Pocketopia program, which emphasizes compact and portable board and card games.

Widget’s Workshop blends card crafting and spatial set collection into a tabletop experience. The game begins with players dropping 80 custom-shaped, semi-transparent part cards onto the table, creating a randomized pile of components. Players take turns using one finger to extract parts from the pile, aiming to collect matching pieces to build robots and golems. The pile’s unpredictable nature—with parts often hidden, partially obscured, or flipped—introduces an element of strategy and chance to the gameplay.

Once players gather the required parts, including left and right arms, left and right legs, and a head or torso, they can assemble unique constructs. The game offers over 1 million possible combinations, each with its own illustration and name. Scoring is based on how well the attributes of the parts align, encouraging players to optimize their builds for higher points.

The game builds on Phase Shift Games’ signature “drop-style” mechanics, seen in previous titles like Dungeon Drop and Drop Drive. This approach randomizes setup and incorporates physical interaction into the core gameplay. Players must carefully extract parts from the central pile, navigating its shifting structure to find the pieces they need. The card crafting aspect allows players to combine collected parts into unique constructs, with scoring determined by matching attributes.

As part of BackerKit’s Pocketopia program, Widget’s Workshop is designed to be compact and portable, making it suitable for a variety of play environments. The small-box format aligns with the program’s focus on accessible and travel-friendly tabletop experiences.



Source link

Step Into the World of ‘Avowed’ on GeForce NOW

0
Step Into the World of ‘Avowed’ on GeForce NOW


Wield magic and steel as GeForce NOW’s fifth-anniversary celebration summons Obsidian Entertainment’s highly anticipated Avowed to the cloud.

This first-person fantasy role-playing game is ready to enchant cloud gamers, leading the charge of six titles joining the over 2,000 games in the cloud gaming library.

GeForce NOW day passes are available to purchase again, in limited quantities each day. Members can currently purchase one day at a time, based on available capacity. Day pass users get 24-hour access to powerful cloud gaming with all the benefits of a GeForce NOW Ultimate or Performance membership. Stay tuned for updates as more membership options become available.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Cloudy with a chance of dragons.

Embark on a thrilling adventure in Avowed, set in the captivating world of Eora. As an envoy of Aedyr, explore the mysterious Living Lands, an island teeming with ancient magic and shifting secrets, as a dire threat looms over the realm: a mysterious plague that defies nature and reason, spreading chaos across the sprawling wilderness.

The Living Lands offer a diverse array of environments to explore, each with a unique ecosystem. Engage in visceral combat by mixing and matching swords, spells, guns and shields. Companions of various species, each with their own abilities and quests, will join the adventure, their fates intertwined with the players’ choices. As the story unfolds, every decision will ripple across the Living Lands, shaping the future of its inhabitants and testing the players’ resolve in the face of intrigue, power and danger.

GeForce NOW members can dive into this immersive fantasy world with the power of GeForce RTX-powered gaming rigs in the cloud. Ultimate members can stream the game at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second with high dynamic range on supported devices. These members enjoy additional benefits like NVIDIA DLSS 3 technology for enhanced frame rates and NVIDIA Reflex for ultra-low latency, delivering a seamless and visually stunning adventure through the Living Lands.

Time to Play

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage on GeForce NOW
Some mixtapes are better left unplayed.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is the recently released narrative-adventure game by Don’t Nod, the creators of Life Is Strange. Set in the fictional Michigan town of Velvet Cove, the game follows four friends — Swann, Nora, Autumn and Kat — during the summer of 1995, as well as 27 years later in 2022.

Explore Swann’s world through a nostalgic 90s lens, complete with a camcorder for capturing and reliving memories. The story unfolds across two timelines, delving into themes of friendship and identity, as well as a mysterious secret that tore the group apart. With its immersive storytelling, interactive environments and choice-driven gameplay, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage promises a captivating journey through time, nostalgia and the complexities of lifelong friendships.

Look for the following games available to stream in the cloud this week:

Avowed (New release on Steam, Battle.net and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Feb. 18)
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (New release on Xbox, available on PC Game Pass, Feb. 20)
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (New release on Steam, Feb. 18)
Abiotic Factor (Steam)
HUMANITY (Steam)
Songs of Silence (Steam)

What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.



Source link

Explore a Serene World in Solir, Out Now on Xbox | TheXboxHub

0
Explore a Serene World in Solir, Out Now on Xbox | TheXboxHub


Solir
Solir – beautifully crafted and on Xbox

Old School Vibes have previously dropped a number of cheap and cheerful games to the world of Xbox; games like Porkshire Hero and Punch Monk, for instance. This time though they invite you to embark on a serene journey with Solir.

Solir is a beautifully crafted 2D platformer, available now on Xbox Series X|S (note that it is not playable on Xbox One), designed to provide a relaxing yet engaging experience.  

A Serene World Awaits

Solir immerses players in a tranquil world rendered with mesmerising hand-drawn landscapes. It’s here where you’ll get to explore a variety of environments, from lush forests and sun-dappled meadows to tranquil waterways and starry nightscapes.

The game’s visuals are a testament to the artistry of the developer, creating a captivating backdrop for your platforming adventure.  

Relaxing Gameplay, Gentle Challenges

The focus of Solir is on providing a calming and enjoyable experience. The platforming challenges are designed to be gentle and rewarding, allowing players to progress at their own pace without the stress of punishing difficulty.

This makes Solir the perfect game to unwind with after a long day or for those seeking a more laid-back platforming experience.

But the game’s serene atmosphere is further enhanced by its soothing soundtrack. The music complements the visuals, creating a truly immersive experience that invites players to relax and lose themselves in the beauty of the world. Whether you’re exploring hidden pathways or simply taking in the scenery, Solir offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Key Features

Hand-Drawn Visuals: Immerse yourself in a beautifully crafted 2D world.

Relaxing Gameplay: Enjoy gentle platforming challenges and a calming atmosphere.

Soothing Soundtrack: Experience a tranquil soundscape that complements the visuals.

Exploration and Discovery: Uncover hidden paths and secrets as you traverse the world.

A Calming Escape

Solir offers a unique and refreshing experience in a world of often frenetic and demanding games. Its focus on relaxation, exploration, and visual beauty creates a calming and meditative experience for players seeking a more tranquil form of entertainment.

Ready for a Relaxing Journey?

If you’re seeking a tranquil and visually captivating platforming experience, Solir is ready to whisk you away on a serene adventure.

You will find the Xbox Store providing a download of Solir for £4.19. From there, get playing on Xbox Series X|S.

Solir Description

Solir is a beautifully crafted 2D platformer designed to provide a relaxing yet engaging experience. With mesmerizing hand-drawn landscapes and a soothing soundtrack, players are invited to explore a serene world filled with light challenges and immersive gameplay.



Source link

Manic Miner – Classic 80’s platformer by Matthew Smith gets an unofficial remake by Langford Productions

0
Manic Miner – Classic 80’s platformer by Matthew Smith gets an unofficial remake by Langford Productions


We’ve recently been informed through our emails, that the all time classic of ‘Manic Miner’ by Matthew Smith, which was originally released way back in 1983, has been re-released as a rather impressive unofficial PC remake by none other than Langford Productions. The same creator behind other cool remakes such as PSSST, Cookie, The Hunch and our personal favourite nostalgic nod of Project ZX. In light of this news, Saberman has done a gameplay video viewable below.

Here’s the latest from the creator. “Check out my Willy! Miner Willy that is, in this expanded remake of Matthew Smith’s classic ZX  Spectrum game. Play all twenty original caverns  from the Spectrum version  or select to play the twenty brand new ones – or mix it up a bit and let the game decide what screens you’re going to play! You can even play with subdued lighting, darkening the caverns and using the light from Willy’s hard hat”.

Links :1) Website



Source link

Popular Posts

My Favorites

Astro Bot has sold 1.5m in its first month as the...

0
Sony’s latest financial report has revealed that critical darling Astro Bot has managed to sell 1.5 million copies in its first month. That comes...