Games
Game Awards 2024: Cashless Prizes & Statuettes Worth $2,500
2024-12-09
Since 2014, the video game industry has been celebrating the best titles at the Game Awards. This prestigious event gives developers the chance to have their hard work acknowledged. In 2014, it joined the ranks of other renowned awards like the Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Emmy, and even the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Game Awards have been recognizing important titles since 2003. The rise of video games in the 21st century started from 2001, especially in the latter months. During this time, development companies saw more revenue than Hollywood, partly due to the post-September 11 “depression”.

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Game Awards 2024: Cash vs. Special Editions

While there is no cash prize for the winners of the 2024 Game Awards, the organizers have a unique clause. The statuette worth $2,500 that the Game of the Year (GOTY) winner receives has a provision preventing it from being sold at auction in the future. However, developers can take advantage of this by selling special editions of their nominated or winning titles. These special editions increase the value of the games in the market, providing an alternative way for developers to benefit from the recognition.For example, games like Astro Bot, Balatro, Black Myth: Wukong, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Metaphor: ReFantazio have been nominated for the Game of the Year 2024. These titles represent the diverse range of gaming experiences that are being recognized. Looking back at previous GOTY winners, we see a trend of highly acclaimed games. In 2014, it was Dragon Age: Inquisition. In 2015, it was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Over the years, games like Overwatch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, God of War, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, The Last of Us Part II, It Takes Two, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have all taken home the top honor. Each of these games has made a significant impact on the gaming industry and has left a lasting impression on players.

Development and Revenue in the Video Game Industry

The growth of the video game industry in the 21st century is remarkable. From 2001 onwards, development companies have been earning significant revenue. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including technological advancements and the changing preferences of gamers. The Game Awards play a crucial role in highlighting the best of these developments and rewarding the hard work of developers. It showcases the creativity and innovation that is happening in the industry.For instance, the post-September 11 “depression” had an interesting impact on the industry. It led to a shift in consumer spending patterns, with more people turning to video games as a form of entertainment. This, in turn, spurred the growth of development companies and increased their revenue. The Game Awards became a platform to celebrate these achievements and recognize the talent behind the games. It has become an important event in the gaming calendar, attracting both developers and gamers from around the world.
Underwater Horror Game 'Murky Divers' Launches in Full on December 12
2024-12-08
For aquatic horror game enthusiasts, the wait for their next deep-sea adventure is about to end. After six months in Early Access development, Embers and Oro Interactive are set to bring Murky Divers out of Steam's Early Access and launch it in full on December 12. This 1.0 release holds exciting new features such as the introduction of fresh creatures, a new playable biome, and more. And as the holiday season approaches, a Christmas theme with free-to-keep cosmetics will add to the excitement.

Dive into the Depths with Murky Divers

New Creatures and Biome

In the upcoming 1.0 release of Murky Divers, players will be greeted by a host of new creatures that inhabit the ocean depths. These mysterious beings add an extra layer of horror and challenge to the gameplay. Alongside the new creatures, a brand new playable biome will be available, offering a different environment and set of challenges for players to explore. It's a world of underwater horror waiting to be discovered.

The addition of these new elements ensures that players will never get bored with Murky Divers. Each dive into the new biome will present unique encounters with the strange creatures that call it home. It's a chance to test your skills and courage as you navigate through this uncharted territory.

Team Coordination and Sub Navigation

In Murky Divers, players form an 8-person team and embark on a journey to the bottom of the ocean. Team coordination is key as you navigate your sub through the treacherous waters. Using sonar and stations, you must "see" and pilot your sub to the abandoned labs where the corpses are located. It's a delicate balance between teamwork and individual skill.

Once at the wrecks, the real work begins. Stepping out of the sub, you'll need to extract the dead bodies and bring them back to the sub for destruction. This requires precise coordination and communication within the team. Every member plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the mission.

Upgrades and Enhancements

After surviving the dangerous missions in Murky Divers, players can use their hard-earned credits to purchase items, upgrades, and modules. These additions can greatly enhance your chances on the next expedition. Equip items like Agent NUTS, the shopping cart, or the scooter to make your job a little easier.

You can also upgrade with see-through vision, body part detectors, or a grappling hook. These enhancements give you an edge in the dark and dangerous depths of the ocean. Along with upgrading your suit, you can enhance your sub with modules for greater depth, bigger fishing nets, and more. It's all about becoming a more capable and prepared diver.

With over 350,000 players worldwide, Murky Divers has gained a significant following. The developers are grateful for the support and are constantly working to improve the game based on player feedback. As they continue to shape the game into something truly special, players can look forward to more updates and exciting adventures.

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The Entire itch.io Site Down Due to Funko's Brand Protection Software
2024-12-09
Itch.io, a renowned platform for indie creations, found itself in a rather unexpected predicament. The entire website was taken offline, and the finger was pointed directly at toy manufacturer Funko. According to a thread on its official X account, itch.io alleges that a "bogus phishing report" led to the site's shutdown. Funko, it claims, was using 'brand protection software' that, through AI, flagged a disputed page and filed a false report with itch.io's domain registrar. Instead of verifying the situation, the registrar brought down the entire site.

Transparency and Quick Action

For transparency's sake, itch.io took the disputed page down as soon as they received the notice. They believe it's not worth fighting such issues. However, the registrar's automated system likely kicked in and disabled the domain without properly checking the removal. This incident has left the creators of over 1 million indie-created products, including indie games, RPGs, comics, and music, in a bind.

Impact on Indie Creators

The longer the site remains down, the more severe the problem becomes for these indie creators. While the downtime means they can no longer sell or distribute their products, the DRM-free nature of the downloads ensures that those who have already purchased and installed indie games from itch.io can continue to use them without any glitches. It's a double-edged sword for them, as they await the resolution of this issue.

Servers Are Still There

Itch.io has confirmed to a user on X that their servers "are still there." This gives hope to the indie community that the site will be back up and running soon. But until the issue is fully resolved, the site and its extensive collection of indie creations will remain inaccessible. The fate of these indie projects hangs in the balance as they wait for the restoration of itch.io.
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