Several years ago, when Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver initially allowed any Pokemon to accompany the player anywhere, fans were ecstatic at the prospect of witnessing their cherished companions strolling around the game world. However, in the recently released Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC: The Indigo Disk, the Pokemon experience has taken an innovative turn. Beyond having your Pokemon follow you, the new feature enables you to step into the shoes of a Pokemon.
In The Indigo Disk, quite early in the game, you’ll encounter a character named Synclaire within the Terarium. Upon completing a quest for her, Synclaire will introduce you to the use of a Synchro Machine. This device grants you the ability to essentially “become” your Pokemon, allowing you to traverse the map while controlling them and utilizing them for autobattling. In practical terms, it may seem like a somewhat redundant feature, with its primary advantage being the ability to manage your Pokemon during autobattles without the need for repeated summoning when they go out of range.
While the utility might be limited, for Pokemon enthusiasts, the concept of Syncing adds a whimsical and amusing element to the gameplay. Much of the charm stems from the inherently lovable and playful nature of the Pokemon characters themselves. As an example, players can embody Tinkaton and whimsically interact with everything using a colossal hammer.
For those just delving into the Indigo Disk DLC, I highly recommend heading to the central plaza area of the Terararium and engaging with Synclaire to unlock this feature. The beauty of it is that you can even employ it in multiplayer, assembling a Pokemon party with your friends. It’s an entirely absurd, seemingly unnecessary, yet thoroughly delightful new addition that I wholeheartedly embrace.
As for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet themselves, they might not be as charming, as highlighted in both our review of the base games and our evaluation of the Teal Mask DLC – a prerequisite for accessing the Indigo Disk. Our comprehensive review of the Indigo Disk is currently in the works and will be published before the holiday season. In the meantime, we are diligently creating wiki guides to aid those who are already making swift progress through the new expansion content.
Engaging in online games and video games is an enjoyable experience, providing a means to connect and interact with others. Whether on gaming consoles, computers, or mobile devices, many individuals find pleasure in playing games. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers associated with online gaming, such as viruses, identity theft, and phishing attacks. Keep reading to discover the primary risks of online gaming and learn effective measures to safeguard yourself.
Engaging in online gaming poses various risks and potential hazards.
The primary dangers associated with online gaming involve:
Malware and viruses: Downloading cheaper or free versions of your preferred games may expose you to the inadvertent risk of downloading viruses and malware. This risk extends to accessing cheat codes or buying items through third-party sellers. Even legal game downloads carry a potential security gap, leaving you vulnerable. Once malware infiltrates your system, hackers can exploit it to pilfer your personal information.
Identity Theft: Collecting personally identifiable information is a common practice among cybercriminals as they construct profiles of their potential victims. Engaging in online gaming with strangers introduces a potential risk through the chat function, enabling communication with other players. Criminals may exploit the chat function to obtain sensitive details like your name, phone number, and home address. Therefore, exercising caution about the information you share during gaming is crucial.
Account takeover: Employing identical usernames and passwords across all your preferred gaming platforms, although not advisable, poses a security risk. In the event that hackers acquire your credentials, they gain access to all your accounts, potentially assuming control. Hackers may resort to brute force attacks, employing automated scripts to attempt unauthorized entry into your account using credentials pilfered from other sources.
Swatting and doxing: If hackers obtain your personal information, they may engage in doxing, the act of publishing your home address or phone number online. Doxing serves various purposes, including punishing, intimidating, or humiliating the target. Motivations behind doxing actions range from seeking online amusement and disregarding the harm inflicted to mistakenly seeking justice, revenge, jealousy, harassment, and even profit. Doxing is an event that can unexpectedly occur, causing significant disruptions to a person’s life. Furthermore, there have been instances in the gaming realm where doxing led to swatting—criminals misleading law enforcement to your address by fabricating a fake emergency to intimidate you.
Spyware: Players may become targets of spyware schemes, particularly when engaging with untrustworthy online gaming platforms. Spyware operates by clandestinely monitoring a person’s online activities without their awareness. The recorded information can then be sold to third parties, leading to a breach of privacy.
Data breaches: Hackers have the capability to directly target game publishers. If they successfully infiltrate a publisher’s systems, they can pilfer a vast amount of information, ranging from the source code and the games themselves to the personal details stored in users’ accounts. An illustrative case is the Zynga data breach, where hackers stole login information (usernames, passwords, and email addresses) for players of Draw Something and Words With Friends. This breach impacted over 172 million accounts, ranking it among the most substantial data breaches in history.
Cross-site scripting: Outdated gaming platforms may employ insecure methods for handling login credentials, exposing them to a security vulnerability known as cross-site scripting (XSS). This susceptibility allows malicious actors to intercept and pilfer these details, posing a significant risk to user security.
DDoS attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks happen when hackers try to overwhelm gaming servers, resulting in a system crash that disrupts the service. Although it doesn’t entail the theft of user data, it remains a significant inconvenience to users. The downtime and recovery period can also incur substantial costs for the game’s service provider.
Phishing emails: Phishing emails or deceptive links shared through in-game chat during online gaming serve as a method for hackers to trick individuals into installing malicious software on their devices. These emails or chat messages often mimic legitimate sources, enticing users to download supposed bonus content or access a login page. In reality, these communications are fraudulent and harbor malicious intentions.
Cyberbullying: In certain instances, gamers may face mistreatment from other players, leading to attempts to humiliate victims. Cyberbullies may go a step further by attempting to manipulate their targets into revealing personal information that can be exploited against them.
Safeguarding against the perils of online gaming requires adopting precautionary measures
Protecting yourself from the risks of online gaming requires implementing sensible precautions and practicing cyber hygiene. Here are some essential measures to follow:
Use Strong Passwords: Utilize robust passwords with a minimum of 12 characters, including a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information such as sequential numbers or personal details.
Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable two- or multi-factor authentication for an additional layer of security. This often involves receiving a code on your phone or email during the login process.
Protect Personal Information: Refrain from including identifiable information in gaming usernames and exercise caution when sharing personal details on gaming forums or through headsets.
Download Only from Legitimate Sources: Steer clear of downloads from unofficial or pirated sources to prevent introducing viruses or malware. Stick to reputable download sites for enhanced game security.
Be Alert to Hidden Charges and Scams: Familiarize yourself with terms and conditions to understand potential charges. Exercise caution when engaging in transactions related to in-game ‘property’ and be vigilant against scams.
Keep Software Up to Date: Ensure that your devices and software are regularly updated to benefit from the latest security patches addressing vulnerabilities.
Beware of Phishing Emails: Exercise caution with emails urging immediate action, avoiding clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding to suspicious emails.
Dispose of Gaming Devices Safely: When disposing of a gaming device, delete personal information and account details to protect your privacy.
Use a VPN When Playing Games: Employ a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal your location and enhance protection against attacks like DDoS. VPNs also provide added security for data transactions.
Install and configure a reputable VPN.
Understand the terms of service, including privacy policies.
Note that VPNs complement but do not replace standalone antivirus software.
By incorporating these practices, you can maximize safety while enjoying the benefits of online gaming.
Bethesda’s recent release, Starfield, a space-exploration RPG, has received generally positive reviews since its launch this year. However, like any major release, it hasn’t been without its share of player complaints. Despite being a highly anticipated title from Bethesda, it fell short of expectations for some players, even becoming the subject of jokes online. Emil Pagliarulo addressed this issue on social media (formerly Twitter), highlighting the common misunderstanding among some players about the intricacies of game development.
Developer of Starfield comes to the defense of Bethesda’s RPG title
Pagliarulo begins his extensive thread by noting that certain players are “disconnected” from the “realities of game development,” yet confidently express their opinions on the internet. He acknowledges the frustration consumers may feel when they spend money on games and don’t feel they are getting their money’s worth.
Nevertheless, he elaborates on why he refrains from complaining about games on social media, citing two primary reasons. First, being a developer himself, he possesses a profound respect for his fellow developers and comprehends the immense challenges involved in game development. Second, due to his position at a game studio, he refrains from expressing grievances on social media, deeming it both “uncool and unprofessional.”
Following that, Pagliarulo reflects on his time as a game reviewer, recalling how he expressed unfiltered opinions about games, whether positive or negative. During that phase, he lacked an understanding of the immense effort put in by designers, programmers, artists, producers, and all other contributors, facing the challenge of “bringing a vision to life with constantly shifting resources.”
Pagliarulo clarifies that he isn’t venting about his current job or attempting to change opinions with these statements. Instead, he emphasizes that “nobody sets out to make a bad game,” and he believes that “most game devs are incredibly talented,” even if a particular game falls short. He further explains the distinction between the “perfect game” one “wants” to create and the game that one “can” create. Ideally, these two align closely, but it’s a stroke of luck when they do.
Nevertheless, reaching that point isn’t a straightforward journey, demanding extensive teamwork. Pagliarulo encourages players to “love games, buy them, play them, and complain to your heart’s content.” However, he also urges players to recognize that the game they hold is, “in some ways, a freaking miracle in and of itself.” He emphasizes that ordinary individuals have collaborated for years with a singular objective — to deliver joy and entertainment. Pagliarulo concludes by suggesting it’s beneficial to keep this in mind and appreciate the collective effort behind the games.
A recently discovered YouTube video, featuring VHS footage from Nintendo’s 1995 Japanese Space World show, has unveiled what appears to be the first-ever peek at the unreleased multiplayer mode featuring Luigi in Super Mario 64.
As reported by VGC, the Now In Game Channel shared a video where a brief sequence captures Luigi executing a spin jump alongside Mario in Super Mario 64. This discovery is of particular interest as Luigi was not part of the final version of Super Mario 64 for N64. However, he did find a place in the DS version, joining Mario, Yoshi, and Wario.
This particular room may harken back to the early stages of Super Mario 64 development. Shigeru Miyamoto had previously disclosed that Luigi was initially part of the game but was removed near completion due to memory constraints, as revealed in a roundtable interview for two official Japanese strategy guides from 1996 (via shmuplations.com).
“Well… until February, he was in the game. (laughs) Ultimately, due to memory issues, we had to take him out,” Miyamoto shared. “Then we were going to include him in a Mario Bros.-style minigame, but because most users probably only have that one controller when they first buy their N64, for that reason (and others) we decided not to.”
The Mario Bros.-style minigame mentioned could be the context for the discovered room, or more likely, it might be the space where the Nintendo team conducted crucial experiments and learned essential mechanics that contributed to the development of Super Mario 64.
“Well, in the beginning… we were working on something really simple—deceptively simple, even, from the perspective of the team that would go on to finish the huge, final game. (laughs) There was a room made of simple Lego-like blocks, and Mario and Luigi could run around in there, climb slopes, jump around, etc. We were trying to get the controls right with an analogue 3D stick, and once that felt smooth, we knew we were halfway there,” Miyamoto elaborated in an Iwata Asks session from 2009.
Shortly after circulating on social media, Rockstar Games has officially unveiled the trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI.
The trailer, available for viewing below, further affirms its scheduled release in 2025, with the title currently confirmed as Grand Theft Auto VI. A specific release date has not been disclosed.
The trailer offers a glimpse of the game’s female protagonist, a first for the series named Lucia, who begins her journey in prison – a stroke of “bad luck,” she quips.
Additionally, the trailer confirms the setting in Vice City, as indicated by a prominent sign – a revelation not entirely surprising for avid series followers but still exciting. Amidst quick shots of criminal activities, there are glimpses of TikToks and live-streams, suggesting that social media will play a significant role in the game.
Set against the backdrop of Tom Petty’s “Love Is a Long Road,” the trailer appropriately captures the essence of numerous car-related crimes depicted. True to its Florida-inspired setting, the trailer also showcases alligators in unexpected locations.
Towards the conclusion, the trailer reveals more of Lucia and a male character, seemingly portrayed as lovers and partners-in-crime. Lucia asserts, “The only way we’re gonna get through this is by sticking together and being a team.”
Rockstar initially announced in November that the Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) trailer was scheduled for an “early December” release, creating anticipation within the gaming community. The confirmation came on December 1, with the trailer slated for December 5, although Rockstar expedited the release following an unexpected leak.
Speculation and discussions surrounding GTA 6 had been ongoing since the launch of GTA 5 in 2013, with the latter acclaimed as a “masterpiece” in IGN’s review. The first formal acknowledgment of GTA 6 surfaced in 2020, coinciding with reports of Rockstar’s efforts to enhance working conditions. Official confirmation of GTA 6’s development being “well underway” arrived in 2022.
However, 2022 also witnessed challenges for Rockstar, as development footage of GTA 6 leaked in a substantial data breach. A British teenager was subsequently arrested in connection with the breach. Following a period of relative silence, Take-Two Interactive hinted in May 2023 at substantial financial gains between April 2024 and March 2025, attributing it to the launch of a highly lucrative series.
After more than two years since the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) initiated a high-profile lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging extensive gender discrimination and pay disparities, the two parties have reached a settlement of approximately $54 million.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news of the settlement on Friday, followed by a statement from the CRD on its website. Pending court approval, Activision Blizzard will undertake additional measures to enhance fair pay and promotion practices within the company, as outlined in the settlement, which also includes providing monetary relief to women employed by or contracting with Activision Blizzard between October 12, 2015, and December 31, 2020. The CRD indicates that approximately $45 million of the settlement will be allocated to a fund for compensating affected workers. Any surplus funds will be directed to charitable organizations, with a focus on advancing women in video games and tech or supporting initiatives that raise awareness of gender equality issues in the workplace.
The lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (formerly known as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing), in 2021 stemmed from a two-year investigation. The legal action alleged multiple violations of California’s Equal Pay Act and Fair Employment and Housing Act, citing a pervasive “frat boy” culture that discriminated against women within the company.
Despite Activision Blizzard’s repeated denials, the lawsuit persisted, and the company’s attempt to have it dismissed was unsuccessful in October 2022. The controversy surrounding the lawsuit was one of the factors influencing Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, with the latter’s stock facing significant declines.
Bobby Kotick, the contentious CEO, has confirmed his tenure will extend only until the end of 2023 post the acquisition, and no new CEO has been appointed yet.
According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, the regulatory body initially sought a settlement far exceeding the one reached with Riot Games in December 2021. In 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing estimated Activision Blizzard’s potential liability to be close to $1 billion.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s God of War is currently available at a 50% discount on Steam, reducing the game’s price to ₹1,649 until December 21. This promotion represents the lowest price point the critically acclaimed title has reached on the platform thus far.
Developed by Santa Monica Studio, God of War departs from its original Greek mythology setting and instead draws inspiration from Norse mythology, immersing players in the ancient Scandinavian realm of Midgard. The narrative revolves around the father-son duo of Kratos, the former Greek God of War, and his young son Atreus. Their journey is fueled by Kratos’ late second wife Faye’s dying wish, which implores them to scatter her ashes atop the highest peak spanning the nine realms.
Embarking on their odyssey, Kratos and Atreus traverse the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, encountering both familiar allies and formidable adversaries. A distinctive element of their journey lies in Kratos safeguarding a closely held secret—Atreus’s true identity—a revelation withheld throughout their ventures.
Originally launched on April 20, 2018, as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, God of War expanded its horizons with a momentous release on January 14, 2022, for the PC platform, marking a historic milestone for the main series. Jetpack Interactive assumes stewardship of the PC version, augmenting the gaming experience with cutting-edge features like DLSS support and ultra-widescreen compatibility.
Ensuring an optimal gaming experience, the minimum system requirements necessitate an Intel i5-2500k (4 core 3.3 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (4 core 3.1 GHz) processor, coupled with an Nvidia GTX 960 (4 GB) or AMD R9 290X (4 GB) graphics card, and a minimum of 8GB RAM.
For those seeking peak performance, the recommended specifications advocate for an Intel i5-6600k (4 core 3.5 GHz) or AMD Ryzen 5 2400 G (4 core 3.6 GHz) CPU, paired with an Nvidia GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD RX 570 (4 GB) GPU. Adequate storage space of at least 70GB is advised for a seamless installation process. As God of War extends its legacy onto the PC platform, players can now immerse themselves in the epic saga with enhanced visuals and a broader gaming community.
The individual behind an unofficial PC port of the Game Boy Color classic Link’s Awakening, which gained widespread attention on social media, has taken it down from itch.io following a takedown notice from Nintendo.
The creator, ‘linksawakeningdxhd,’ had uploaded a PC port of 1998’s Link’s Awakening DX, featuring HD visuals, 120fps scrolling, and widescreen support. However, the game’s files were suspended after Nintendo issued a copyright claim.
The takedown notice, published on itch.io, is reproduced below:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am an authorized representative of Nintendo of America Inc., owner of the following copyrighted material:
PA0002212311 (The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening) and PA0000772666 (Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Game Boy version).
It has come to our attention that the following game, https://linksawakeningdxhd.itch.io/links-awakening-dx-hd, offered on Itch.io infringes and makes unauthorized use of Nintendo’s copyrights in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening video game.
Please act expeditiously to remove the download and information page for the infringing game.
I have a good faith belief that the material is not authorized by the intellectual property owner, its agent, or the law. The information provided in the notice is accurate, and I swear under penalty of perjury that I am authorized to make the complaint on behalf of the intellectual property owner.
Sincerely, Nintendo Legal Nintendo of America Inc. 4600 150th Avenue NE Redmond, WA 98052 425-882-2040 [email protected]
The port garnered attention for allowing players to zoom out for a complete view of Koholint Island, with all NPCs and enemies remaining active.
I've found out that there's a port of Zelda Link's Awakening for PC and I'm amazed with it. This version not only offers widescreen support, but the game now runs at a single screen without any transitions and you can zoom out to see more of the overworld. pic.twitter.com/yQBbbFeytn
Naughty Dog has ceased development on The Last of Us Online, its ambitious venture into creating an online version of the popular franchise. The studio cites the need to allocate all resources to post-launch content for an extended period, a strategy that would have adversely affected its capacity to craft future single-player games.
In a statement, Naughty Dog expressed awareness that fans of The Last of Us Factions multiplayer community would likely be disappointed by the decision. The studio sought to offer context for why it opted to discontinue development on the game.
The development journey for this game began during our work on The Last of Us Part II, with the multiplayer team engaging in pre-production to create an experience they believed was both unique and full of potential,” explained Naughty Dog. “As the multiplayer team iterated on their concept for The Last of Us Online during this phase, their vision became clearer, the gameplay more refined and satisfying, and we grew enthusiastic about the direction we were heading. As we progressed toward full production, the extensive scope of our ambition came into focus. Releasing and sustaining The Last of Us Online would have required dedicating all our studio resources to supporting post-launch content for years to come, significantly impacting the development of future single-player games. Faced with this choice, we had two paths: transform into a solely live-service games studio or continue our focus on single-player narrative games that define Naughty Dog’s legacy.
Navigating the Struggles of The Last of Us Online
In May, Naughty Dog initiated a reduction in the development efforts for The Last of Us Online following an internal review by Bungie. The subsequent October saw the studio confronting layoffs, leading to the reported suspension of the multiplayer project.
Recently, Naughty Dog officially declared the cessation of The Last of Us Online, reaffirming its commitment to the single-player path that has solidified its standing as a prominent entity within PlayStation’s first-party studios.
The forthcoming release from Naughty Dog is The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, slated to debut on January 19, 2024, for PlayStation 5.
PlayStation Plus is currently on sale once again post-Black Friday, though the discount is less substantial. This offer is applicable only for new subscribers or those with expired PS Plus memberships. The sale provides a 30% discount on specific 12-month subscriptions, limited to Extra and Premium plans. Unfortunately, existing Essential or Extra tier members won’t benefit from upgrade or stackable discounts, and there are no additional discounts with PS gift cards, as seen during Black Friday.
It’s important to note that this deal is active until December 17, offering a limited window for interested individuals to avail themselves of the discounted rates.
PlayStation Plus Extra 12-Month Subscription: $94.49 (originally $134.99)
PlayStation Plus Premium 12-Month Subscription: $111.99 (originally $159.99)
This PS Plus offer commenced on December 11, and while it was initially overlooked during the Seasons of Play sale announcement, it remains available. Additionally, the ongoing deal for PS5 slim bundles at $499, including a free game, continues after Black Friday. Note: Some users may encounter difficulties accessing the PS Plus discount on their first attempt.
PlayStation Plus is set to undergo a price increase in 2023. Here are all the details regarding the change
The current top-notch PS5 deal offers savings on a Spider-Man 2 PS5 bundle. This package includes the latest game, the standard console, and a DualSense wireless controller. Priced at $499, it represents an 11% discount from its regular $559.99 price. Additionally, there are savings available on this bundle with the new Slim PS5 console, as detailed below.
Top PS5 Deal: Spider-Man 2 Slim Bundle Available for $499
The current best PS5 deal allows you to save on a Spider-Man 2 PS5 bundle, featuring the new game, the standard console, and a DualSense wireless controller. Priced at $499, it’s an 11% discount from its usual $559.99. Additionally, there are savings available on a bundle with the new Slim PS5 console, as detailed below.
GTA 5 Takes the Spotlight in the PS Plus Game Catalog for December
December brings an exciting lineup to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, headlined by Rockstar’s GTA 5. This addition coincides with the recent launch of GTA Online: The Chop Shop update, introducing new content like a Salvage Yard business and Drift Races. The full list of games for December includes:
Grand Theft Auto 5 | PS4, PS5
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin | PS4, PS5
MotoGP 23 | PS4, PS5
Metal: Hellsinger | PS4, PS5
Salt and Sacrifice | PS4, PS5
Moonscars | PS4, PS5
Mega Man 11 | PS4
Gigabash | PS4, PS5
Grime | PS4, PS5
Tinykin | PS4, PS5
Prodeus | PS4, PS5
Shadowrun Returns | PS4, PS5
Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut | PS4, PS5
Shadowrun: Hong Kong – Extended Edition | PS4, PS5
Is PS Plus Premium Worth the Investment?
PlayStation Plus underwent a transformation in the summer of 2022, introducing a three-tiered membership structure. Similar to popular streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Disney+, the higher the tier you subscribe to, the more benefits you unlock.
PS Plus Essential: This tier is the core offering, providing access to online play, cloud saves, two free games every month, and discounts on the PS Store.
PS Plus Extra: Moving up a tier, Extra offers new PS4 and PS5 games each month, expanding the game library with around 400 titles, and includes all the features of the Essential tier.
PS Plus Premium: Opting for the Premium plan grants additional access to PS1, PS2, PSP, and PS3 titles, in addition to the benefits provided by the Extra and Essential tiers.
In summary, if you’re keen on playing more PS4 and PS5 games, Extra is the ideal choice. For those feeling nostalgic and seeking access to a broader range of titles, Premium is the top-tier option. If online play is your primary focus, Essential provides all the necessary features. The breakdown aims to simplify the decision-making process based on your gaming preferences.
