Best of Gaming — June 2024

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   Article

   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   'Singles, not albums': A guide to making smaller games | GI Sprint

   Tony Gowland, managing director of UK studio Ant Workshop, shares his insights on the benefits and practices of creating smaller, more focused games instead of large projects. After investing significant time and money into a game that failed to reach a wide audience, the studio decided to adopt a more agile approach, releasing 'singles' instead of 'albums.' These smaller games, developed on tighter budgets and schedules, allow for more experimentation and quicker feedback from players. Gowland emphasizes simplicity in game design, flexibility in the development process, and the importance of early player feedback.

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   Article

   The Verge·2y

   All three game console makers have now abandoned X

   Nintendo has discontinued support for X integration on the Switch console, following Microsoft and Sony. The update removed the ability to link X accounts and share in-game screenshots. Microsoft and Sony also disabled X access without explicitly mentioning the reason.

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   Article

   GamesIndustry.biz·2y

   Little Kitty, Big City: The former Half-Life dev's cat game for his kids that became an overnight success

   Little Kitty, Big City, developed by Double Dagger Studio under Matt T. Wood, is a surprise hit focusing on a cat's adventure to find its way home. Released on May 9, the game has sold over 100,000 units in 48 hours and garnered over a million plays on Game Pass. Wood, a former Valve developer, created the game with his kids in mind, avoiding elements of danger to focus on fun, exploration, and cat-like behaviors. The game has been praised for its natural animations and joyful experience, contributing to its widespread success and appeal across various age groups.

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   Article

   Venture Beat·2y

   Web3 gaming hit Pixels announces Chapter 2 updates

   Pixels, the largest Web3 game by daily active gamers, has announced the release of Chapter 2, bringing updates for resource generation, land progression, crafting mechanics, and new industries. Pixels aims for long-term sustainability with new features focused on incentive design, reward distribution, and MMO gameplay experiences. The game encourages community building and player feedback to shape its evolution, and plans for horizontal expansion to drive industry growth.

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   Article

   MIT Technology Review·2y

   My colleagues turned me into an AI-powered NPC. I hate him.

   The post explores the creation of intelligent NPCs in video games using technology from Inworld AI. The author shares a personal experience where colleagues used Inworld’s Studio to create an AI-powered NPC based on his personality, resulting in an unpleasant character named King Fiall. This technology allows for dynamic, generative AI interactions to make NPCs more engaging and immersive. Discussion includes potential broader applications of AI NPCs beyond gaming, such as education and personal assistance.

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   Article

   Lobsters·2y

   Thoughts on Desktop Operating Systems in 2024

   The post recounts the author's experiences and thoughts on various desktop operating systems in 2024, particularly focusing on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Windows is praised for its stability and gaming capabilities but criticized for its intrusive ads and inconsistent app quality. MacOS is lauded for its superior UI design and ecosystem integration but noted for its limited gaming options and increasing ads. Linux is appreciated for its open-source nature, strong development environment, and growing gaming support, particularly with GNOME and Valve's Proton.

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   Article

   Mozilla·2y

   Firefox tips and tricks for gamers

   Tips and tricks for gamers using Firefox, including using Fakespot for examining reviews, playing Xbox Cloud Gaming, and using Picture-in-Picture for walkthroughs.

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   Article

   Game Developer·2y

   Predatory tactics in gaming are worse than you think

   Modern gaming often employs predatory tactics that manipulate player data to optimize spending opportunities. Techniques such as dynamic balancing and manipulated randomness adjust game difficulty and outcomes, making players more likely to spend money. These tactics are commonly hidden behind seemingly random mechanics, making it difficult for players to recognize the manipulated odds. Significant fines and unethical practices have prompted calls for greater transparency, legislative action, and ethical considerations within the gaming industry.

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