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2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide: What’s New and What to Expect – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News

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2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide: What’s New and What to Expect – TGN – Tabletop Gaming News


Wizards of the Coast shared more info about the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide in a new video on the official YouTube channel. The book will bring a mix of expanded content, updates, and some new features. This release, part of the revised core rulebooks for the 50th anniversary of D&D, aims to build on the 2014 version with additions based on feedback from the community. Here’s a look at what was revealed in the video.

One of the goals for the new DMG, according to Wizards, is to improve the accessibility of information within the book. The layout has been revised to help Dungeon Masters find the sections they need more easily. The book has also been expanded, with more pages dedicated to advice on adventure and campaign creation, as well as tools for running games.

New Sample Adventures and Campaign Setting

One of the major additions in the 2024 DMG is the inclusion of five sample adventures and a complete campaign setting. This marks the first time a DMG has included a full campaign setting, which could help newer DMs by offering a ready-to-use world. The setting chosen is the classic Greyhawk, one of D&D’s earliest campaign settings, known for its rich lore and iconic characters. The book provides a starting point in the City of Greyhawk and extends outwards to the surrounding regions. However, it’s presented in a deliberately skeletal format, meaning DMs will need to flesh out the details on their own, in line with the original 1980s Greyhawk products.

The inclusion of these sample adventures, alongside an appendix of reusable maps, is a significant shift from the 2014 DMG, which focused more on advice than ready-to-play content. This could be a positive step for new DMs, though it remains to be seen whether these simplified adventure formats will appeal to more experienced DMs or those seeking more complex narrative tools.

The Bastions System: A New Layer of Gameplay

A completely new addition is the Bastions system, which allows players to build and manage strongholds. Starting at level 5, players can create their own home base, issuing orders, recruiting inhabitants, and harvesting resources. Wizards says this feature draws from older editions of D&D, where strongholds were a part of high-level play, but here, the concept is introduced earlier in the game. Bastions are designed to function independently from the characters’ adventuring, providing a place for narrative development while characters continue exploring the world.

Expanded Tools for Adventure and Campaign Creation

The new DMG includes a greatly expanded section dedicated to creating adventures, which is paired with the aforementioned sample adventures to help DMs visualize their own story-building process. The book provides adventure hooks and advice tables sorted by levels, which could make it easier for DMs to construct balanced and varied adventures for different tiers of play.

In terms of campaign building, the revised campaign setting chapter has been moved later in the book, with an emphasis on giving DMs tools to build campaigns once they have a solid grasp of running the game.

Updated Magic Items and Treasure

Magic items continue to have a significant presence in the DMG, and this edition aims to broaden the variety of items available. Wizards has added more common magic items and updated the art for many items, including nostalgic ones from older editions. Notably, items used by characters from the 1980s D&D cartoon, like Hank’s Energy Bow and Diana’s Quarterstaff, are included.

For DMs looking to craft magic items within the game, the magic item crafting rules have been expanded. While the 2014 edition offered basic rules, the new DMG promises to provide a more comprehensive guide for crafting items with your DM’s approval.

Lore Glossary and Expanded Multiverse

The lore glossary is a new feature, offering a quick reference guide to D&D’s most iconic characters, locations, and materials. This includes entries on classic figures like Tasha, Mordenkainen, and Iuz, as well as lesser-known but significant figures from various editions of D&D.

The multiverse remains a core part of the D&D experience, and the new DMG includes a chapter on the cosmology of D&D’s various planes of existence. This section expands on how different settings and planes fit together.

To assist with gameplay, the DMG will also include tracking sheets for DMs to use during campaigns. These sheets cover a variety of in-game needs, such as tracking NPCs, settlements, and major campaign events.



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Marlow – A new platformer for the ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by The Great Giana Sisters

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Marlow – A new platformer for the ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by The Great Giana Sisters


The last news story from me today, as thanks to a recent contact by the developer(Amaweks) and our good friend Saberman(YT), we’ve been told if you remember playing the famous platformer of the Great Giana Sisters which was released from 1987 onwards. Then you may like the latest Amaweks ZX Spectrum game of ‘Marlow’. A game in which the developer says is a platformer for the ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by “The Great Giana Sisters”. To coincide with this news, as ever we’ve got some more information about the game as well as a gameplay video below.

This is what the website says about the game. “Malow in Apocalyptic Acid World is a platform game for ZX Spectrum 128k, inspired by “The Great Giana Sisters.” What? You thought the inspiration came from a certain mustached plumber? No way… Navigate this vast apocalyptic world by jumping, stomping on enemies, collecting crystals, throwing molotov cocktail, and breaking blocks with your head across 4 worlds, in a total of 17 levels and 5 Boss battles”.

Dev Notes :

This project was only possible thanks to MPAGD Gen2, modified version of the engine by Xavisan, that expands memory usage beyond the 48kb, without which the complex title screens, introduction, and ending, as well as the large number of music tracks, screens, and code, would not have been possible.

Marlow Key Features:

5 Bosses and 17 stages Spread through 2 Episodes (2 programs)7 catch sound tracks (more info on readme.txt)10 Full screen illustrations (loading, title, intro cutscenes and endings)Fluid gameplay mechanics in a style rarely seen on the ZX Spectrum



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Aldora Games and the Degradation of the Nintendo eShop!

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Aldora Games and the Degradation of the Nintendo eShop!


This was going to be a review of a shitty visual novel called Animal Kung Fu, but I decided to turn it into an editorial to call out its publisher, Aldora Games. You see, awhile back I reviewed another of their “visual novels” called Cyberpunk Paradise Elysium. It was crap too, using AI generated everything and a half-assed story I could write in my sleep if I wanted to. Ironically, it was removed from the eShop, probably for copyright violations. Not surprised at all.

Who are his family and friends? Never elaborated on.

Animal Kung Fu is no different, being a thinly-veiled ripoff of Kung Fu Panda. The protagonist is a clumsy red panda, who learns kung fu and goes on an adventure with lots of animal friends to defeat evil. I surprised they haven’t been sued. But lets say you don’t want a Kung Fu Panda ripoff, how about an Aldora Games’ Bambi ripoff? Or how about an Aladdin ripoff? Looking for something more adult, how about a zombie romance? There are sixty-five titles listed on the eShop under Aldora Games. More when including those removed for copyright violations.

Eight of these shitty visual novels in a little over ten days.

But why even care about Aldora Games? I’m singling them out for the same reason I singled out Pakotime. These visual novels are cheaply made, AI-generated garbage that clog up the e-shop and push out more deserving titles. There are tons of great visual novels on the eShop. They range from Sunlight Scream to ones I haven’t gotten around to reviewing but sound interesting, like Caffeine: Victoria’s Legacy. Aldora Games says, “We are dedicated to creating exciting and unique games for the Nintendo platform.” However, they are creating the exact opposite.

Describe the journey! *throws Switch*

Aldora Games could create great visual novels if they just took the time and energy to write and produce something good. But they don’t. Instead, they do the meme, “Mom: We have Kung Fu Panda at Home!” And its Animal Kung Fu. That’s how they make their money. So tell parents far and wide, if it is an Aldora Games visual novel, don’t buy it for your kids! So in conclusion, the tag line on their website reads: “Video games for gamers developed by gamers.” But we all know that is a lie. Let them die.

Update: A few hours after going live, I discovered Aldora released yet another visual novel today, this time based on Peter Pan. They never stop do they!

P.S. Read up on Artem Kritinin releasing dozens of asset flips on the eShop1



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Star Wars: Outlaws has sold a million copies in its first month

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Star Wars: Outlaws has sold a million copies in its first month


Although I actually quite enjoyed it, the rest of the world responded to the release of Star Wars: Outlaws with apathy. The critical reception was okay and there was at least some mild interest in it prior to release, but once it was out the discussions dried up quickly and people lost interest. It seems putting Star Wars on the box doesn’t draw in a crowd anymore.

That idea has been backed up by a new report from the excellent Grant Taylor-Hill of Insider Gaming. According to Grant, who presumably had to pull off some Sam Fisher nonsense to get into Ubisoft HQ, the game has sold just a million copies in its first month.

Grant goes on to say that he was unable to confirm exactly what sales Ubisoft was expecting, but I think it’s safe to say were thinking a bit higher than a million.

It puts Ubisoft’s recent comments and decisions into some perspective, though. Last week, the company announced it was delaying Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, in part because it wanted to make changes based on feedback it had received for Star Wars: Outlaws. The company also confirmed that sales of Outlaws were ‘softer than expected’.

For some context, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage managed 5 million in its first month, despite it being a much smaller game than the regular Assassin’s Creed entries. Perhaps I’m being too generous, but I imagine Ubisoft would have thought the Star Wars license alone would bring them at least somewhat close to Mirage’s numbers.

The real issue that Ubisoft faces with low sales is that Outlaws is a licensed game, meaning they have to pay Disney a chunk of the profits. It’s impossible to know the exact details of the contract, but we do know, thanks to leaks, that Insomniac’s deal with Disney for the Spider-Man games means the House of the Mouse gets paid a significant chunk of cash. On top of that, any copy of Star Wars: Outlaws sold on PlayStation or Xbox takes another 30% of the profits away from Ubisoft. The Epic store takes far less, but as we know sales there can’t be great as Ubisoft has announced its games will be launching on Steam on day 1 moving forward.



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Meta Quest 3S launching on October 15, 2024 – WholesGame

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Meta Quest 3S launching on October 15, 2024 – WholesGame


Meta is set to release its latest virtual reality headset, the Meta Quest 3S, on October 15, 2024. The upcoming device aims to enhance the already popular Meta Quest line with notable improvements in performance and user experience. Priced at $300 for the 128GB model and $400 for the 256GB version, the Meta Quest 3S offers competitive pricing, along with advanced features that will appeal to both newcomers and seasoned VR enthusiasts.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Meta Quest 3S launch is the inclusion of the highly anticipated game, Batman: Arkham Shadow, which comes bundled with the base purchase of the headset. This exclusive title adds significant value to the package and is expected to attract a large audience of both gaming and VR fans.

The Meta Quest 3S is touted as offering a mixed reality experience comparable to its predecessor, the Quest 3, but with less price. The headset delivers 4.5 times the resolution and improved color fidelity compared to the older Quest 2 model, creating a more immersive and visually crisp experience. In addition to these visual upgrades, users will notice faster load times and smoother performance, thanks to the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset. These improvements make the Quest 3S ideal for more graphically demanding applications and longer play sessions, aided by an upgraded battery life.

Meta is gradually phasing out older models like the Quest 2 and Quest Pro, as well as the 128GB version of the Quest 3, streamlining its product lineup for the future. The Quest 3 itself has also seen a price reduction of $150, bringing it down to $500.

The company’s virtual reality division has been undergoing a transformation throughout the year, with an increased focus on creating a more open ecosystem for both developers and users. This initiative includes the decision to make its Meta Horizon OS, the operating system behind the Quest headsets, available for other companies to integrate into their own hardware, promoting broader industry collaboration and innovation.

With the Meta Quest 3S, the company continues to push the boundaries of virtual and mixed reality, offering users cutting-edge technology at a more accessible price point while enhancing its overall ecosystem for developers.



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Indie publisher Merge Games closes after 15 years – WholesGame

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Indie publisher Merge Games closes after 15 years – WholesGame


Merge Games, the well-known indie publisher, is closing its doors after 15 years in operation, following recent layoffs and the closure of its office. The publisher, responsible for popular titles like Dead Cells and Darkest Dungeon, shared the news in a recent announcement on social media.

The company, which started as a small venture in an attic, had grown into a 22-person team and had published hundreds of indie games over the years. In a reflective statement, Merge Games acknowledged that its success was a collective effort, from the developers to the passionate players who supported their games. The company emphasized that the dedication of its employees was key to this journey, highlighting the hard work and commitment of everyone involved with the publisher.

Earlier this month, news surfaced about layoffs affecting an undisclosed number of employees and the closure of the Merge Games office in Chelford. This was part of a larger consolidation effort by its parent company, Maximum Entertainment, which had begun restructuring in February.

As part of this consolidation, Merge Games’ portfolio is being absorbed into Maximum Entertainment. While the future of the publisher’s catalog is being integrated into its parent company’s operations, further details and comments from Maximum Entertainment are still awaited.

It’s important to note that Merge Games was initially reported as the publisher of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. However, the company only handled the physical release, while the original game was published by Dotemu.



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Grand Theft Auto 5 tops European sales charts in August 2024 – WholesGame

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Grand Theft Auto 5 tops European sales charts in August 2024 – WholesGame


In August, the European gaming market saw significant movement, with 1.8 million console and PC games sold across the continent. This figure represents a 7% year-on-year increase, largely driven by discounted older titles and major new releases. According to data from GSD, which tracks digital sales from leading publishers and physical sales across major European markets, this growth reflects the dynamic nature of the gaming landscape in the region.

Grand Theft Auto 5 Reclaims the Top SpotAt the forefront of this resurgence is Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 5, which reclaimed the No. 1 position on the charts, nearly a decade after its initial release. Sales for the game rose by 5.7% compared to the same period last year, largely due to widespread promotions and discounts. GTA 5 continues to be a dominant force in the gaming industry, maintaining its appeal across multiple generations of consoles.

Star Wars Outlaws Falls Short of ExpectationsUbisoft’s highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws, the second best-selling game of August, had a rocky launch. Despite the strong brand power of the Star Wars franchise, its initial sales were disappointing, falling to less than half of what Star Wars Jedi: Survivor managed to sell in its first week in 2023. However, Outlaws did outperform 2020’s Star Wars: Squadrons, another EA-published title focused on space combat, offering some solace for Ubisoft.

Black Myth: Wukong’s Absence from the ChartsAugust also saw the release of Black Myth: Wukong, a game many expected to perform well. However, due to the absence of digital sales data, its impact on the charts was muted, with the physical edition of the game only managing to reach No. 68. This omission leaves a gap in assessing the full performance of this much-hyped title.

Legacy Titles Surge in PopularityA number of older games saw renewed interest in August. Kingdom Come: Deliverance skyrocketed to No. 4 on the charts, largely due to a substantial discount on Steam that brought the game’s price below £3. Borderlands 3 also experienced a boost, climbing the ranks following the announcement of a new Borderlands movie and Borderlands 4.

Disappointment for Sony’s ConcordOne of the most discussed titles of August, Sony’s Concord, suffered a particularly unfortunate fate. The game failed to capture the interest of players, leading to its removal from sale. It ranked at No. 347 across Europe, a disastrous result for a major release. Emio: The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, a Nintendo title, performed better, ranking as the 13th best-selling new game of August, though Nintendo’s digital sales were not included in the data.

Console Sales Decline Despite PS5 Leading the MarketIn the hardware sector, just over 300,000 gaming consoles were sold across Europe, marking a steep 42% decline compared to the previous year. However, this figure represents a modest 12% increase over July. Despite a year-on-year sales drop of more than 50%, Sony’s PlayStation 5 continued to dominate the console market. The Nintendo Switch maintained its position as the second most popular console, though its sales were down by 25% compared to August 2023.

For the year-to-date, overall console sales in Europe have fallen by 29%, underscoring a broader trend of hardware market contraction.

Accessories See Steep DropThe decline wasn’t limited to consoles. Sales of gaming accessories also took a hit, with 1.1 million units sold across tracked European markets, a decrease of over 17% compared to the previous year. This indicates that consumers are becoming more selective with their purchases, possibly in response to economic pressures.

The August charts highlight the enduring popularity of legacy games like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, which have consistently performed well despite being years past their initial release. These titles, along with new entries like Star Wars Outlaws, reflect a mix of both timeless appeal and the shifting landscape of new game launches.

As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see whether Ubisoft can turn around the initial underperformance of Star Wars Outlaws, and how legacy titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 will continue to influence the charts.

Top ten best selling videogames in Europe in August 2024 (Digital + Physical Sales)

1. Grand Theft Auto 52. Star Wars Outlaws3. Hogwarts Legacy4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance5. EA Sports FC 246. Borderlands 37. Red Dead Redemption 28. Grand Theft Auto Online9. Titanfall 210. It Takes Two



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A Whole New World: ‘GreedFall II: The Dying World’ Joins GeForce NOW

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A Whole New World: ‘GreedFall II: The Dying World’ Joins GeForce NOW


Whether looking for a time-traveling adventure, strategic roleplay or epic action, anyone can find something to play on GeForce NOW, with over 2,000 games in the cloud.

The GeForce NOW library continues to grow with seven titles arriving this week, including the role-playing game GreedFall II: The Dying World from developer Spiders and publisher Nacon.

Plus, be sure to claim the new in-game reward for Guild Wars 2 for extra style points.

GeForce NOW is improving experiences for members using Windows on Arm laptops. Support for these products is currently in beta, and improvements will be included in the GeForce NOW 2.0.67 app update, rolling out this week to bring GeForce NOW streaming at up to 4K resolution, 120 frames per second and high dynamic range to Arm-based laptops.

Greed Is Good

Greed falls, frame rates rise in the cloud.

GreedFall II: The Dying World, the sequel to the acclaimed GreedFall, transports players to a captivating world set three years before the events of the original game. It features a revamped combat system, offering players enhanced control over Companions, and introduces a tactic pause feature during live battles for strategic planning. In this immersive adventure, step into the shoes of a person native to the magical archipelago uprooted from their homeland and thrust into the complex political landscape of the Old Continent. GreedFall II delivers an immersive experience filled with alliances, schemes and intense battles as players navigate the treacherous waters of colonial conflict and supernatural forces.

Members can shape the destiny of the Old Continent all from the cloud. Ultimate and Priority members can elevate their gaming experiences with longer gaming sessions and higher-resolution gameplay over free members. Upgrade today to get immersed in the fight for freedom.

Adventure in Style

The Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds expansion is here, bringing new adventures and challenges to explore in the world of Tyria. To celebrate this release, GeForce NOW is offering a special member reward: a unique style bundle to enliven members’ in-game experiences.

Guild Wars II reward on GeForce NOW
So fancy.

Transform characters’ hairstyle, horns and facial hair, customize armor and tailor a wardrobe for epic quests. The reward allows players to stand out as a true champion of Tyria while exploring the new lands of Janthir.

Members enrolled in the GeForce NOW rewards program can check their email for instructions on how to claim the reward. Ultimate and Priority members can redeem their style packages today, and free members can access the reward beginning on Friday, Sept. 27. Don’t miss out — the offer is available through Saturday, Oct. 26, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Something for Everyone

Remnant II DLC on GeForce NOW
The apocalypse never looked so good.

The hit survival action shooter Remnant II from Arc Games this week released its newest and final downloadable content (DLC), The Dark Horizon, along with a free update that brings a brand-new game mode called Boss Rush. In the DLC, players return to N’Erud and uncover a mysterious place preserved in time, where alien farmlands are tended by robots for inhabitants who have long since perished. But time corrupts all, and robotic creations threaten at every turn. Stream the game instantly on GeForce NOW without waiting for downloads or updates.

Members can look for the following games available to stream in the cloud this week:

Witchfire (New release on Steam, Sept. 23)
Tiny Glade (New release on Steam, Sept. 23)
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (New release on Steam, Sept. 24)
GreedFall II: The Dying World (New release on Steam, Sept. 24)
Breachway (New release on Steam, Sept. 26)
Mechabellum (New release on Steam, Sept. 26)
Monopoly (New release on Ubisoft Connect, Sept. 26)

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



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TouchArcade is Shutting Down – TouchArcade

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TouchArcade is Shutting Down – TouchArcade


This is a post that I’ve known was coming for quite some time, but that doesn’t make it any easier to write. After more than 16 years TouchArcade will be closing its doors and shutting down operations. There may be an additional post here or there in the coming weeks as we try to honor any previously agreed to obligations, and a proper farewell post is in the works too, but as of now our normal daily operations have ceased. The reason we’re shutting down probably isn’t a surprising one: Money.

Many of you who have followed TouchArcade for a long time are well aware that we’ve had financial troubles for many years now, and to be frank I think it’s a miracle that we’ve been able to last as long as we have. The truth of the matter is that a website like ours just doesn’t make money anymore. To our own detriment we’ve resisted things like obnoxious in-your-face advertising, egregious clickbait headlines, or ethically questionable sponsorships, which sadly are the types of things that actually still make money in the internet of today.

There are a number of other reasons that have contributed to us reaching this point, but I’d rather not get into all that right now. TouchArcade was an institution for many millions of people over the past 16 years, and it was my full-time job for the last 14+ years. A solid third of my life. In many ways it is like one of my children, and having to say goodbye to it is very difficult to do. I’d really rather focus on all the great times we had than dwell on the things which we cannot change.

Also, as a man with a wife and two young children, and a mortgage, and all that other fun adult stuff, this is the end of my livelihood, and despite them being “freelancers” in a technical sense that is true for the other two people who have been the beating heart of TouchArcade, Shaun Musgrave and Mikhail Madnani. Which brings me to my next point…

PLEASE HIRE US!

The job market is not great anywhere, and finding new work is tough, especially in the games industry. If you are reading this and you have a need for very capable game industry veterans such as ourselves, please reach out.

Jared Nelson – That’s me! Obviously I have more than 14 years of experience working right in the very thick of the mobile gaming boom here at TouchArcade. Writing, editing, managing staff, traveling to conventions. I’ve pretty much done it all. I also have a pretty varied work history previous to TouchArcade, including in management roles, that I think gives me a really well-rounded set of skills. You can contact me on LinkedIn or by email at jared [at] toucharcade [dot] com.

Shaun Musgrave – Shaun has been with TouchArcade for a bit over 11 years, but has been in professional games media for more than 25 years overall. He is hands down one of the most gifted writers I have ever encountered, and if we needed a review for a big, important game and needed it by a very tight deadline Shaun was always dependable. He also uses his vast, almost uncanny knowledge of video game history to find interesting angles to write about games that only he could find. Shaun lives in Japan and is fluent in both Japanese and English, making him a great candidate for localization work as well. Please reach out to him at muzkind [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Mikhail Madnani – As part of TouchArcade for more than 7 years, Mikhail has been the workhorse of our staff. Posting the bulk of what you would see on a day to day basis, there is no possible way our website could have kept running for so long without Mikhail’s contributions. An expert at sniffing out interesting news stories and then posting them in a timely fashion, but also able to put together huge features like in-depth interviews and multi-platform reviews. His coffee-laden header images are legendary as well. If you need someone who can reliably and consistently post video game-related content, then I cannot recommend Mikhail highly enough. Reach out to him at hello [at] failgunner [dot] com.

So What Happens Now?

If there is some sort of silver lining to all of this, it’s that for the foreseeable future all of the content that has ever been posted to TouchArcade will remain online and accessible to all. More than 33,000 published articles, including more than 4,000 game reviews, not to mention all of our yearly Best Of content and Game of the Year picks. These should hopefully all continue living on into the future for reference purposes and just to look back and see how drastically the mobile gaming landscape changed over the last decade and a half.

We are also hoping to continue with our Podcast, The TouchArcade Show, which very recently just celebrated its 600th(!) episode. There are a couple co-hosts who have come and gone during the course of the podcast (shout out to Brand and Mike!) but myself and Eli Hodapp have been a constant presence on the show since the very beginning, and it’s really crazy that we’ve both spent 13+ years of our lives putting out hour-long podcasts on a (nearly) weekly basis.

Related to that, you may be wondering about our Patreon. The support from our Patreon has far and away been the biggest contributor to TouchArcade continuing to exist since we launched it in June of 2015, almost a decade ago. Our thoughts are to pivot the Patreon contributions towards keeping the podcast going, and perhaps occasional posts or special features written by the staff here. Perhaps a random “SwitchArcade” or a review about a particularly high-profile mobile game launch. Maybe we could even squeeze in a Game of the Year for this year? It’s just a nugget of an idea right now, but it would be pretty cool to see TouchArcade be able to live on even in that small way.

Whatever the case ends up being, I will explicitly change the verbiage of our Patreon to state that it’s no longer about supporting the website, and if people choose to stop contributing then that is totally understandable. If people are giving us money monthly I want to be absolutely transparent about what it’s going towards. Anyway, look for more news about this in the coming weeks, and at the very least be sure to follow along as a free member on our Patreon to stay in the loop. Also if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at tips [at] toucharcade [dot] com or leave a comment below.

Well, that about does it, I think. I speak for all of us who have contributed to running TouchArcade over the past 16 years–from the co-founders Arnold Kim and Blake Patterson, to the first full-time hire and future Editor in Chief Eli Hodapp, and to the dozens of other writers and freelancers who have helped make TouchArcade what it is–we just want to give a sincere thank you for ever reading our site, listening to our podcast, or attending one of our events. It has been an absolute pleasure to have such a wonderful audience who appreciated what we did so much and we will all forever be grateful for the time that we were able to spend together.



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Like a Dragon Series Comparison to Other Games

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Like a Dragon Series Comparison to Other Games


Like a Dragon series, formerly known as the Yakuza series, has carved out a unique niche in the gaming world. Its blend of action, drama, and humor has set it apart from other titles. This comprehensive analysis will compare the Like a Dragon series to other popular games, exploring similarities, differences, and the series’ distinctive qualities.

Similarities to Other Games

Open-world exploration: The Like a Dragon series shares similarities with other open-world games, such as Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row. Players can freely explore vibrant cities, interact with NPCs, and complete various side activities.

Action-adventure gameplay: Like many action-adventure games, the Like a Dragon series features combat mechanics involving melee attacks, firearms, and special abilities.

Character development: The series emphasizes character development, allowing players to deepen their understanding of the protagonists and their relationships with other characters.

Storytelling: The Like a Dragon series is known for its engaging and often emotional storytelling, similar to narrative-driven games like The Witcher series and Red Dead Redemption.

Differences from Other Games

Japanese culture: The Like a Dragon series is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, offering a unique perspective on the country’s history, traditions, and society. This sets it apart from many Western-developed games.

Over-the-top action: While the series shares similarities with other action-adventure games, it often leans towards a more over-the-top and comedic style, with exaggerated characters and humorous situations.

Mini-games: The Like a Dragon series is known for its extensive variety of mini-games, ranging from karaoke and hostess club management to baseball and bowling. This adds depth and replayability to the games.

Substories: The series features numerous substories that often provide humorous or heartwarming moments, adding to the overall experience and world-building.

Like a Dragon Series Comparison to Other Games

Comparison to Specific Games

Grand Theft Auto: Both series feature open-world environments, criminal activities, and a focus on character development. However, the Like a Dragon series offers a more grounded and character-driven narrative, while Grand Theft Auto often leans towards satire and over-the-top humor.

Saints Row: Both series share similarities in terms of action, humor, and over-the-top elements. However, the Like a Dragon series tends to be more grounded in reality, while Saints Row often embraces a more fantastical and absurd approach.

Yakuza: While the Like a Dragon series is essentially a continuation of the Yakuza series, there are some notable differences. The newer games have expanded the scope of the series, introducing new characters, settings, and gameplay mechanics.

The Witcher series: Both series offer deep storytelling, character development, and a focus on moral dilemmas. However, the Like a Dragon series is more action-oriented and features a more comedic tone, while The Witcher series is darker and more serious.

The Unique Qualities of the Like a Dragon Series

The Like a Dragon series stands out from other games due to its unique blend of elements. Here are some of its distinctive qualities:

Japanese culture: The series offers a deep dive into Japanese culture, providing a unique perspective on the country’s history, traditions, and society.

Character-driven narrative: The series focuses on compelling characters and their personal journeys, creating a strong emotional connection with players.

Like a Dragon Series Comparison to Other Games

Humor and drama: The series expertly balances humor and drama, offering a wide range of emotions throughout the gameplay experience.

Mini-games: The extensive variety of mini-games adds depth and replayability to the series, offering a break from the main story.

Substories: The substories provide a rich and diverse experience, offering humorous, heartwarming, or thought-provoking moments.

Read Also: Like a Dragon Series Controller Settings (A Comprehensive Guide)

Conclusion

The Like a Dragon series offers a unique and engaging gaming experience that sets it apart from other titles. While it shares similarities with other games in terms of genre and mechanics, its distinctive qualities, such as its focus on Japanese culture, character-driven narrative, and humor, make it a truly special series. Whether you’re a fan of open-world games, action-adventure titles, or simply looking for a captivating story, the Like a Dragon series is worth exploring.



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How Does the PS5 Pro Compare to the Xbox Series X?

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The console gaming landscape is heating up as Sony prepares to release the PS5 Pro, an upgraded version of the PS5 designed to...