Daily Archives: January 21, 2025

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Genshin Impact Settles FTC Case with $20 Million Fine

he popular open-world action RPG, Genshin Impact, has recently made headlines due to a significant settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The game’s developer, HoYoVerse, formerly known as Cognosphere, agreed to pay a hefty $20 million fine to settle allegations of violating children’s privacy laws and misleading players about the true costs of in-game purchases.

The FTC accused HoYoVerse of using dark-pattern tactics to deceive children, teens, and other players into spending large sums of money on loot boxes, which are virtual mystery boxes that can be purchased with real money or in-game currency. These loot boxes offer a chance to win rare in-game items, but the odds of obtaining these items were not clearly disclosed, leading to confusion and frustration among players3.

The settlement requires HoYoverse to implement several changes to its practices, including:

  • Parental Consent: HoYoVerse must obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 and restrict in-game purchases for players under 16 without parental consent.
  • Clear Disclosure: The company must provide clear information about the odds of winning specific prizes and the real-world costs of purchasing loot boxes.
  • Data Deletion: HoYoverse is required to delete any personal information previously collected from children under 13 without parental consent.

In response to the settlement, HoYoVerse stated that while it believes many of the FTC’s allegations are inaccurate, it agreed to the settlement to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and trust with its community. The company also announced plans to introduce new age-gate and parental consent protections for children and young teens in the coming months5.

Of course, this settlement has sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of in-game purchases and the responsibility of game developers to protect young players. Many gamers have expressed concerns about the predatory nature of loot boxes and the need for more stringent regulations to prevent similar issues in the future.

The Genshin Impact settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and ethical practices in the gaming industry.

As the FTC continues to crack down on unfair and deceptive practices, it is likely that other game developers will face increased scrutiny and be required to make similar changes to protect their players.

Featured, Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

What to expect of Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2

Activision has officially revealed the highly anticipated updates for Season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, set to launch on January 28, 2025. This season promises to bring a host of new content, gameplay improvements, and significant anti-cheat updates to enhance the overall player experience.

I guess it is fair to say that the long blog post needed to be filtered in a more summarized and understandable list and here goes:

Key Updates for Season 2

  1. Console-Only Crossplay for Ranked Play: Responding to community feedback, Activision will enable the ability to disable cross-play for consoles in Ranked Play modes. This aims to reduce cheating and provide a fairer competitive environment.
  2. New Zombies Content: Season 2 will introduce a brand-new Zombies map, along with new weapons, modes, and other exciting content to refresh the Zombies experience.
  3. Anti-Cheat Enhancements: The Ricochet Anti-Cheat team has been hard at work, implementing new detection models and server updates to combat aim-botting and other cheating behaviors. Over 136,000 Ranked Play account bans have already been issued since the modes launched.
  4. Server Improvements: Activision has addressed server issues, including rubber-banding, packet loss, and server disconnects, especially in Ranked Play and certain regions. New improvements have been made to Call of Duty’s server infrastructure to reduce malicious activities and enhance stability.
  5. Samurai Theme: The leaked key art for Season 2 hints at a Samurai theme, featuring a character holding a tanto (a short Japanese blade) and dressed in traditional Samurai attire. This theme is expected to bring a fresh and immersive experience to the game.
  6. Charity Support: Activision has donated $1 million to LA wildfire relief efforts and released a new cosmetic bundle in the in-game store, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting charities connected to wildfire relief.

Release Details

Season 2 will go live on January 28, 2025, at 10 AM PT, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Battle.net), and Xbox Series X/S. Players will need to download update files for the Call of Duty app to access the latest content additions and enhancements.

About Ranked Mode in both Black Ops 6 & Warzone

Also, Activision said it was disabling crossplay between consoles and PC in Ranked Mode for both Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone in response to player feedback and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience.


We’ve heard the feedback from players about wanting the choice to toggle cross-play in Ranked Play since its launch earlier this season, and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience, we’re returning to the way we’ve traditionally handled cross-play. In Season 02, we are enabling the ability to disable cross-play for console players who want to compete only against other console players.

  • This is currently in testing and is planned to go live for both Black Ops 6 Ranked Play and Warzone Ranked Play during S02. We’ll be monitoring closely and will consider further changes to prioritize the integrity of the ecosystem, and we’ll have more details to share as we get closer to the launch of this feature.

The Vote to Forfeit feature is coming at Season 02 launch, which allows players to vote with their team to end a match early if the team is getting blown out, or you’ve lost a teammate. Forfeited matches count as a standard loss and do not result in SR penalties or suspensions.

The ability to rejoin Ranked Play matches is also planned for later in Season 02, which should help to ensure fuller teams in matches if players experience a disconnect.

New S02 Ranked Play Rewards will include:

  • Large Decal for 100 wins
  • Camos for Gold Rank and up
  • Jackal PDW Blueprint for 10 wins

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Hollow Knight Silksong is alive despite long silence

The Hollow Knight Silksong community has been buzzing with excitement and speculation recently, thanks to a cryptic social media post by William Pellen, co-director at Team Cherry. Pellen changed his profile picture to a slice of chocolate cake and posted a mysterious message hinting at something big coming soon. This coincided with the announcement of Nintendo’s Switch 2, leading fans to believe that Silksong might be revealed at the event.

However, Matthew Griffin, Team Cherry’s Marketing and PR director, stepped in to clarify the situation. Griffin confirmed that the cake photo had no deeper meaning and wasn’t part of any alternate reality game (ARG). He reassured fans that Silksong is still in development, progressing well, and will eventually be released.

The excitement around the cake photo and the Switch 2 announcement highlights the passionate dedication of the Hollow Knight community, which has been eagerly awaiting Silksong since its announcement in 2019. Despite the long wait, Griffin’s update provides some much-needed reassurance that the game is still on track.

Silksong is being developed by a small team at Team Cherry, and they’ve been relatively quiet about its progress. This has led to increased speculation and rumors each year. While there’s no official release date yet, Griffin’s recent update confirms that the game is real and will eventually be released.

The game itself is highly anticipated, with fans looking forward to exploring new areas and facing new challenges as the Hornet, a character introduced in the original Hollow Knight. The development team has promised over 150 new enemies and a new difficulty setting called Silk Soul mode, which will change the game after the first playthrough.

Despite the lack of official news, the community remains hopeful that Silksong will make an appearance at the upcoming Nintendo Direct event for the Switch 2.

Until then, fans will continue to speculate and eagerly await any updates from Team Cherry.

Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo did it again with Donkey Kong Country Returns HD!

I guess that it takes long for Nintendo to be extremely careful as fan are as observers as ever, but due diligence seems to be annoying and with this, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is a remastered version of the original game developed by Retro Studios for the Wii and later ported to the 3DS.

The remaster was handled by Forever Entertainment, but when the credits rolled, the original Retro Studios team members were not individually credited

Instead of listing the names of the original developers, the credits simply stated: “Based on the work of the original development staff.” This has caused significant backlash from fans and former Retro Studios staff.

After this made enough sound, Nintendo issued a statement to Eurogamer, saying:

“We believe in giving proper credit for anyone involved in making or contributing to a game’s creation, and value the contributions that all staff make during the development process.”

However, they did not provide a detailed explanation for why the original team’s names were excluded.

This was brought to the general attention as actually, isn’t the first time Retro Studios has faced this issue. In early 2023, the developers behind Metroid Prime Remastered were also left out of the credits, leading to similar frustrations. Senior gameplay engineer Zoid Kirsch expressed his disappointment on social media, calling it “a travesty.”

And it baffles that Nintendo didn’t expect many fans and former Retro Studios staff have voiced their disappointment and frustration over the omission. They feel that the original team’s contributions are not being properly recognized.

Despite the backlash, Nintendo has maintained its stance on condensing the credits for an entire development team into one sentence. This decision has sparked a debate about how remastered games should credit their original creators.

Business, Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo scores a 1st ever arrest for Switch Modding

A 58-year-old man named Fumihiro Otobe from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, was arrested for selling modified Nintendo Switch consoles loaded with pirated games. This is the first arrest of its kind in Japan.

Otobe modified second-hand Switch consoles by soldering hardware components to their circuit boards, enabling them to play pirated games. As reported by NTV News and translated by Automaton, he sold these modified consoles for approximately ¥28,000 (around $180) each, with 27 pirated games pre-installed.

Upon his arrest, police found four modified consoles in his possession.

In a public statement, Fumihiro Otobe said:

I was curious to know whether people would think I was great if I sold modified consoles.

This significant development marks a turning point in Japan’s legal approach to video game console modifications, which have long been contentious due to concerns about piracy and copyright infringement.

For Nintendo, this is the first arrest of its kind in Japan. The arrest highlights increasing efforts by authorities to crack down on such activities and protect intellectual property rights, acknowledging that modded consoles are not legally sold in major retail stores worldwide.

Nintendo’s efforts are aimed at protecting the integrity of its intellectual property and ensuring that game developers and publishers can continue to innovate and create new games. The company cooperates with law enforcement worldwide to pursue legal actions against those involved in piracy.

Editorial, Featured, Games, Gaming, GeeZus

Video Games in 2025 – not a spoiler but expectations

The year 2025 beckons with the promise of extraordinary gaming experiences, a year poised to redefine interactive entertainment with video games. From long-awaited sequels that reignite cherished franchises to ambitious new IPs pushing the boundaries of creativity, this year promises to be a landmark period for gamers worldwide. The anticipation is palpable, a collective breath held in eager expectation as developers unveil their masterpieces and players prepare to embark on unforgettable journeys.

The landscape of video games releases at 2025 is already shaping up to be a vibrant tapestry of diverse gaming experiences. Confirmed releases offer a tantalizing glimpse into the year’s potential.

Confirmed Releases:

The year will undoubtedly kick off with a bang, as several highly anticipated titles are confirmed to grace our consoles.

  • Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, slated for a March 2025 release, transports players to the captivating backdrop of 16th-century Japan. This installment in the beloved franchise promises a thrilling blend of stealth, action, and historical intrigue, immersing players in a period of profound social and political upheaval. Players will embody a skilled assassin navigating the intricate web of Japanese society, experiencing the beauty and danger of this era firsthand.
  • Monster Hunter Wilds, scheduled for a Q3 2025 release, marks a significant evolution for Capcom’s iconic hunting series. By introducing a vast open world, the developers aim to enhance the sense of exploration and freedom, allowing players to traverse breathtaking landscapes while encountering and conquering a diverse array of formidable monsters. This shift promises to redefine the core gameplay experience, offering a greater sense of agency and immersion.
  • South of Midnight, anticipated for a Q4 2025 release, is a narrative-driven adventure game that promises a unique and haunting experience. With a focus on a captivating Southern Gothic atmosphere, this title aims to deliver a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant story that will stay with players long after the credits roll.

Rumored Releases (High Probability):

While not yet officially confirmed, several highly anticipated titles are rumored to grace 2025 with their presence.

  • Grand Theft Auto VI, the long-awaited successor to one of the most influential video game franchises of all time, continues to be shrouded in secrecy. However, persistent rumors suggest a late 2025 release window, fueling immense speculation and excitement among fans.
  • Starfield (next expansion), Bethesda’s ambitious space RPG’s next expansion, is expected to launch late this year, assuming Bethesda’s clarification that the first expansion, Shattered Space, was made with new assets and not recycling the game’s original assets and expect the same thing for the next expansion. While it was not confirmed officially, it is rumored that the next expansion will comply on offering players the opportunity to explore a vast and awe-inspiring galaxy. With countless quests to undertake and a deep character customization system, Starfield promises to be a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
  • The Elder Scrolls VI, though still in the early stages of development, has already captured the imagination of countless gamers. While a release date remains elusive, the mere possibility of a new Elder Scrolls adventure is enough to generate immense excitement and anticipation within the gaming community.

Doubtful Releases (But Still Possible):

Several highly anticipated titles face uncertain release timelines, leaving their 2025 fate shrouded in doubt:

  • Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroidvania, has been in development for an extended period. While fans eagerly anticipate its release, the developers have remained tight-lipped regarding a definitive launch date, leaving the possibility of a 2025 release uncertain.
  • Perfect Dark (remake): Despite a Rare original game, back in 2020 it was confirmed that the other Xbox Game Studios, The Initiative was co-developing a Perfect Dark remake along with Embracer Groups’s Crystal Dynamics. Reportedly since then, Perfect Dark reboot development has faced significant hurdles and after being a The Initiative’s original involvement, Crystal Dynamics was brought into co-develop the game. Since no more details has surfaced and maybe people are in the expectations for some 2025, but I highly doubt a 2025 release.

Wild Cards:

The gaming industry is renowned for its unpredictable nature. Throughout the year, we can anticipate unannounced titles making their debut, potentially shifting the landscape of anticipated releases and surprising even the most seasoned of gamers.

Pretty much, the norm is that gaming studios and independent developers often unveil entirely new game concepts and franchises throughout the year. These surprise announcements can generate immense excitement and shift the focus of anticipation within the gaming community.

Along with the classic franchises can be revived through reboots and remasters, offering fresh perspectives on beloved games and introducing them to new audiences. These unexpected announcements can reignite nostalgia and generate significant buzz.

As challenging as the past year has been, for the gaming industry as much unfortunate, gaming acquisitions and mergers within the gaming industry can have a profound impact on the competitive landscape and the types of games being developed and honestly there is a chance that we might hear some news regarding of this aspect of the industry and hopefully, it can be converted as job cuts avoidance, but recent acquisitions proved that it is not necessarily avoid job cuts due redundance or instant duplicate workplaces due mergers.

Finally, and also an unfortunate thing to say it is unavoidable are unexpected challenges faced by development studios, such as unforeseen technical difficulties or internal issues, can lead to delays or even the cancellation of highly anticipated projects.

These “Wild Cards” add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the 2025 video game release landscape. They highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

A Note of Caution:

It is crucial to remember that release dates are subject to change, and development cycles can be unpredictable. Unforeseen circumstances can lead to delays, and even the most promising titles may face unforeseen challenges. Therefore, it is essential to manage expectations and approach these anticipated releases with a degree of flexibility.