Criticism and Celebrations in Gaming: Awards, Regulators, and Developments
TLDR; The Steam Awards are criticized, China's gaming regulator is fired, Tim Cain consults on The Outer Worlds 2, dbrand advertises x-ray skins, Tetris world record set, Sakurai confirms he is still making games, Daggerfall Unity remake completed, Xbox series X toaster and Minecraft movie news are discussed.
🏆 Steam Awards Criticism
Bethesda's starfield win for 'most Innovative gameplay' in the 2023 Steam Awards is questioned by Forbes' Paul Tassy, suggesting that Steam users may be trolling by voting for it.
Red Dead Redemption 2 winning an award for 'continued developer support' despite lack of updates and fan frustration is highlighted, including fans organizing funerals lamenting the game's abandonment.
The skepticism towards the sincerity of the Steam Awards and the possibility of trolling by users is evident in the criticism directed at the winners.
🇨🇳 China's Gaming Regulator Fired
China's video games regulator head is fired after proposed rules led to billions in stock losses for major gaming companies like Tencent and NetEase.
Proposed measures to prevent excessive spending in online games, including banning certain incentives and luck-based mechanics, faced backlash and financial turmoil.
The firing of the regulator caused stock prices of Tencent and NetEase to rise again, but the losses were substantial, leading to ongoing discussions about protecting youth and the gaming industry's financial impact.
🎮 Tim Cain on The Outer Worlds 2
Tim Cain, co-creator of Fallout, is consulting on The Outer Worlds 2 after semi-retiring to a life as a YouTuber, sharing stories from his gaming industry experience.
Cain's involvement in the sequel and its potential to excite fans of the original Fallout CRPGs is highlighted, with the promise of improvements based on his past work.
The revelation of Cain's role in The Outer Worlds 2 and the potential impact on the game's development is discussed, creating anticipation among fans of the original.
📱 dbrand X-Ray Skins Advertisement
dbrand's new x-ray skins for Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox series consoles, and the steam deck are promoted, emphasizing the high-quality prints and easy installation and removal.
The detailed scanning process and the offer of both light and dark mode variants for the price of one are highlighted in the advertisement for dbrand's x-ray skins.
🕹️ Tetris World Record Set
13-year-old Willis Gibson achieves a new Tetris world record by reaching level 157, sparking debates within the gaming community about the game's true final level.
The contrasting reactions from gaming and non-gaming journalists, including the lack of recognition from a news anchor, are highlighted in the discussion of the Tetris world record achievement.
🎮 Sakurai Confirms Game Development
Masahiro Sakurai confirms that he is still creating games, dispelling rumors about his retirement despite previous statements hinting at a possible semi-retirement.
The ongoing speculation about Sakurai's future in game development and the potential for another Smash Bros game after Ultimate is discussed, raising curiosity among fans.
🕹️ Daggerfall Unity Remake Completed
The completion of the Daggerfall Unity remake, done entirely in Unity, is celebrated after over a decade of effort, offering bug fixes, quality of life improvements, and mod support.
The free availability and classic aesthetic of Daggerfall Unity, along with the dedication of the developers, are emphasized in the discussion of the game's completion.
🍞 Xbox Series X Toaster and Minecraft Movie News
The introduction of the Xbox Series X toaster, including its features and LED countdown, is highlighted, along with the mention of Bungie's destiny-branded toaster and the Xbox series X mini fridge.
The casting news for the Minecraft movie, including Jack Black and Jason Momoa's involvement, along with the director and potential storyline, is discussed, creating anticipation among Minecraft fans.