video gaming Archives

BetaBeacon

February 25, 2025

The role of AI in mobile gaming: How Android is changing the game

AI is being used to personalize the gaming experience by offering quick and impactful solutions. AI game development is not feared by the industry, but rather embraced to enhance games while retaining a human touch. AI technology is also helping boost retention and engagement in mobile gaming by improving specific criteria such as retention ratio, engagement, and player spending. AI monetization is driven by a targeted approach to match players with their preferred in-game items, transforming the way we experience mobile games.

BetaBeacon

February 24, 2025

Epic Games Expands Android Store And Academic Partnerships

Epic Games has launched the Epic Games Store for Android, expanding its gaming ecosystem outside of traditional platforms like the Google Play Store. The store initially opened with around 20 games and now boasts over 30 titles, including popular options like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Warface: GO. Android users can redeem key titles for free until March 20. Epic Games is also offering developers improved terms compared to other platforms and deepening ties with academia through partnerships like the Unreal Academic Partnership with the University of North Carolina Greensboro. This partnership aims to offer students cutting-edge curriculum grounded in real-world applications of Unreal Engine technology, preparing them for future innovation within the gaming industry.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Neocolonial Minecraft

More than 300 million copies of Minecraft have been sold, making it one of the world’s best-selling video games. Launched in 2011, it has found a significant place in educational settings, with suggestions for its integration into curricula for subjects like mathematics, geology, architecture, and digital literacy. The game is critiqued for perpetuating narratives of settler colonialism and celebrating violence associated with resource extraction. Players enter an unfamiliar land as a default character model, reflecting Western norms, and engage in defeating hostile creatures, which are argued to echo harmful stereotypes of Indigenous peoples. The game rewards players for mining resources and constructing empires, overlooking real-world implications of colonial extraction, labor exploitation, environmental degradation, and cultural erasure. In contrast, the game Motherload presents a critical view of colonial exploitation, depicting mining as perilous rather than enjoyable. The problematic assumptions about coloniality and power in Minecraft are noted to be deeply rooted in the history of computer and video gaming, with earlier games like The Oregon Trail facing criticism for similar portrayals.

AppWizard

November 23, 2024

This humanities professor wants students to study video games. He explains why in this Q&A

Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall at BYU have launched a video gaming initiative that combines technology and the humanities. Every Monday at 4:00 p.m., students attend a lecture on a selected video game, followed by gameplay throughout the week. The initiative began with games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft and aims to explore various games and their cultural significance. Croxall emphasizes the artistic value of video games, comparing them to traditional forms of art. Call highlights the historical connection between 17th-century French society and gaming, noting the lack of academic discussion around video games on campus. The series provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue among faculty. Call points out the cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of gaming, while also cautioning against excessive gaming. He encourages mindfulness and moderation in gaming habits. Call also shares a personal connection to Star Wars Battlefront 2, illustrating the emotional impact of video games.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

Meituan-owned Keeta, video game AFK Journey among Google’s ‘Best of 2024’ apps

Google Play has announced its “Best of 2024” awards in Hong Kong, recognizing standout applications. The winners include Keeta, an online delivery platform owned by Meituan, which was launched in May 2023 and awarded “Best Everyday Essential” for its integration into daily life. Keeta is Meituan’s first food delivery service outside mainland China. The name "Keeta" is inspired by the cheetah, symbolizing speed and agility. The second winner, AFK Journey, developed by Farlight Games (a subsidiary of Lilith Games), received the award for “Best Game” for its engaging gameplay and storytelling.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Concord Devs Updating PC Game Files, Leading to F2P Speculations – PlayStation LifeStyle

Sony is showing recent activity related to the Concord game files on Steam, suggesting a potential revival of the multiplayer shooter as a free-to-play (F2P) title. Updates noted by observers indicate that Firewalk Studios may be preparing for a F2P release, with recent screenshots from Concord’s Steam database showing activity as of October 8. Despite the speculation, industry analysts are skeptical about whether a F2P model can salvage a project that has faced significant challenges, especially after its disappointing open beta phase. Sony has invested millions into Concord, and transitioning it to a F2P model may be seen as the only viable option moving forward, though the timeline for this change is uncertain. The Firewalk team is preparing for the repercussions of what has been described as one of the biggest flops in video gaming history.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

I use this PC gaming accessory way more than any other I own, seriously it’s not even close — Even if it wasn’t on sale, I’d suggest everyone get one

The NerdyTec CouchMaster CYCON² is a PC gaming accessory that includes a lapboard with built-in USB ports and plush cushions, allowing users to play PC games comfortably from a couch or bed. It is currently available at a discount of .00 on Amazon but is sold out on NerdyTec's official website. The setup enables the use of a keyboard and mouse while providing comfort during long gaming sessions. The lapboard is easy to set up and can be stored conveniently when not in use. It is particularly beneficial for those with limited space, as it transforms a TV into a functional computer area.

AppWizard

October 4, 2024

Voting is now open for the 42nd Golden Joystick Awards, so you can help crown the PC Game of the Year

The 42nd Golden Joystick Awards invites gaming enthusiasts to vote for their favorite titles until November 1 at 4 PM PDT/7 PM EDT/11 PM GMT. Notable nominees include Ultros for Best Indie Game, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree for Best Game Expansion, and Lethal Company for Best Early Access Game. New categories introduced this year include the Still Playing awards and a refined indie game category. The awards ceremony is set for November 21 in London and will be livestreamed. Voting for the Ultimate Game of the Year will open on November 4.

AppWizard

September 22, 2024

Ready for some gaming: Fortnite, Minecraft, Zelda. Which was voted Tennessee’s top game?

The global video games market is projected to reach 2.3 billion in 2024. The U.S. gaming market was valued at approximately 6.82 billion last year, down from 4.7 billion in 2021. The number of gamers worldwide is estimated to rise to 3.32 billion in 2024. In the U.S., about 65% of the population engages in video gaming, translating to roughly 212.6 million players participating weekly. Approximately 96% of survey respondents view video games as beneficial to their lives. The top five favorite video games in Tennessee for 2024 are Fortnite, Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and League of Legends. Fortnite is the most popular game in Tennessee and 24 other states. Minecraft allows players to engage in creativity and survival gameplay modes. Grand Theft Auto V provides an immersive narrative experience involving diverse characters. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom empowers players to explore Hyrule. League of Legends is a strategic team-based game launched in October 2009.

AppWizard

September 22, 2024

It turns out you can keep Baldur’s Gate 3’s heartbreaking temporary companion permanently: You just have to beat half the game without resting, kill her and your main character, and stuff them in someone’s pocket

Baldur's Gate 3 has introduced Patch 7, making the Tiefling bard, Alfira, a temporary companion. A user named Cenalexis_01 discovered a convoluted exploit to make her a permanent party member. This involves completing the goblin versus grove quest in favor of the grove, ensuring Alfira arrives at the camp before progressing to Act 2, eliminating the Dark Urge, and storing their body in inventory. Players must then trigger Alfira's Act 2 quest by bringing her to Last Light, rescuing the tieflings from Moonrise Tower, and repeating the process of eliminating her to store her in inventory. After a long rest, Alfira can be revived at Withers, but she will function as a combat-ready companion without further dialogue or story content. The exploit is labor-intensive and may disrupt companion quests and romantic arcs.