Tag: gaming news

Super Mario Maker 2 Restrictions for Online Play

Nintendo makes amazing games but they make weird online support choices such as using a phone app for in-game communications. Nintendo has been slower on online features compared to PlayStation and Xbox but fans have been hoping they add better online futures in the current console era. Unfortunately, Nintendo is making a mistake for their upcoming game, Super Mario Maker 2, by only allowing cooperative play with a friend through one Switch or local wireless play.

This means that if you want to play with someone or competitively online on a fun fan-made Mario level, you will be paired with a random person. Nintendo’s reasoning is due to the Global Leaderboards’ scores potentially being skewed for cooperatively play if you play with a friend. However, Super Mario Maker 2 will still restrict you to a random player even if you’re not playing a Leaderboard game mode.

This is definitely a mistake for Nintendo. Many players are building their friend list online in hopes to play together. As an adult, it is difficult to meet up with friends often to play video games together but online fixes that. I am glad that there is still cooperative play but playing with friends will always be more fun. According to Nintendo World Report, there are no announced updates for Super Mario Maker 2 but hopefully, cooperative online play with friends will be added in the near future.

Sources:

Nintendo World Report

The Nintendo Switch has Surpassed the PlayStation 4 in Sales

Nintendo is finally back on top in the game industry. According to Famitsu Magazines (Japanese Gaming Magazine), the Switch has officially sold 8,125,637 in 114 weeks while the PlayStation 4 has sold 8,077,756 in 272 weeks. Its impressive numbers considering the Switch has been out for only 2 years. The PlayStation 4 is clearly ending its life cycle so it will be interesting to see if the PlayStation 5 will be able to reach the Switch’s numbers.

Why is the Switch so popular in Japan?

Mobile gaming is incredibly popular. It is the most popular form of gaming in the country for men and women. Japan is the 3rd biggest gaming market with 67 million players. Public transit is the most popular form of transportation throughout the country for all ages. With the Switch acting as a handheld console, it is more appealing to the mobile gaming market in Japan.

Provided by Newzoo

Sources:

  1. ResetEra

 

Final Fantasy 7 Remake confirmed for Episodic Release

Back in 2015, Square Enix had stated that the remake of Final Fantasy VII would be released episodically. However, Square had been relatively silent despite multiple teasers being released until last night. Square is reconfirming that Final Fantasy VII Remake will be released episodically. This may lead to each episode being each disc for the PlayStation One release. That would mean three episodes.

It’s pretty disappointing to hear the game is being released as episodes because the game has been under development for so long. This may be the case if Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix have been consistently changing the game’s direction similar to Final Fantasy XV. The trailer shown at the PlayStation State of Play only showed the beginning of Final Fantasy VII which may be an indication that they only finished the 1/3 of the story.

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Riot Walkout Starts Today

Riot Games (League of Legends) employees are planning to have a Walkout today from 2 – 4 pm regarding forced arbitrations. Arbitrations mean revolving disputes outside the courtroom. Last year, Riot faced 5 different lawsuits by current and former employees that stated the company had violated the California Equal Pay Act and more. Kotaku had written an article regarding interviews with Riot’s work culture of widespread and endemic sexism at the company, manifesting in Riot’s hiring practices, promotion strategies, and wider culture (Kotaku).

Image result for riot games

In April, Riot filed a notion to block two of lawsuits and have the employees signed arbitration agreements, which waived their rights to a jury trial against them. News of the arbitration was heard amongst the employees. Angered, employees organized a walkout and Riot had a world-wide company meeting to hopefully address the issues. They announced that incoming employees are allowed to opt out of forced arbitration for harassment suits and maybe for current employees as well (Riot).

According to an anonymous employee, 100 employees are expected to walkout. It’s actually the first walkout in the gaming industry. Riot has been slowly making changes to the company culture, such as hiring their first Chief Diversity Office, Angela Roseboro, in March.

Angela Roseboro is the new chief diversity officer at Riot Games.
Angela Roseboro

According to an email from Riot Games’ employees, they are supporting the walkout. He stated:

“We have asked all managers to make every accommodation to allow Rioters to participate during the 2-4pm window, including freeing up meeting times. We respect Rioters who choose to walkout today and will not tolerate retaliation of any kind as a result of participating (or not).” Employees can rest easy knowing they will not be fired for walking out. The walkout is being supported by the Game Workers Union, an organization of game workers who are organizing unions in the gaming industry.

According to some Riot employees, their biggest fear is “leadership does not budge from their current position and continues to maintain that there will be a ‘future commitment’ about current Rioters” (Kotaku).

Hopefully, Riot will be making changes soon for the employees and fix their company culture. I am a fan of League of Legends to this day and I wish the best for all of the employees at Riot. I think it’s important we support the developers and the employees who want a good working environment; especially if you’re a fan of the games they create.

Sources:

Kotaku