Gaming Archives - Page 5 of 6

Wired vs Wireless Headphones

We can’t help you with the answer of who came first, an egg or a chicken? But we can certainly help you with the solution of what to prefer between a wired headphone and a wireless one? Choosing a headphone is always challenging for everyone as there are many different options available in the market, from the cheapest possible to the costliest one.

A headphone is a fundamental gadget that we all need. Most people favour listening to music to zone out themselves in a world full of chaos and babble, and to do that, we all need a sustainable device. There are many platforms for listening to music, be it Spotify, Apple Music, Gaana, Hungama, JioSaavn, Wynk or the latest YouTube Music, and to enjoy every single beat of the music, we all need a perfect headphone which should also suit your lifestyle and music taste.

A few years ago, wireless earphones were not as popular, but ever since Apple discontinued the 3.5 mm jack from its devices, everything transformed. As most of the smartphone companies started following in the footsteps of Apple. However, there are still many smartphone companies offering a 3.5 mm jack in their latest devices, and this is how one of the biggest questions came to be, what to prefer between a wired and a wireless headphone?

Looking from a neutral point of view, wired or wireless both have their cons and pros, but in the end, it all depends on the individual’s choice. To know them better, let’s have a look at them individually. Owning the latest wireless headphone will help you stay on top of the newest technologies, while possessing a wired headphone will keep you a little away from excess radiation.

Wired Headphones:

Wired headphones work in the same way as other wired devices work; plug them in the headphone jack, and they’ll dispatch sound from it. Despite being an old school gadget, they are still a dependable choice for a vast number of people. Also, nothing can beat the audio quality of wired headphones, thanks to the technology that made vital improvements in them over the years.

Advantages:

Wired headphones receive an analogue signal, which can manage more data than Bluetooth; this is how they offer the best sound quality. Wired headphones don’t need charging or batteries, so there’s no requirement to recheck them before going out on a trail or work, but if you’re looking for wired active noise-cancelling headphones, then you must know, they need batteries.

Wireless technology is more expensive than wired ones; that’s why wired headphones always cost less than their wireless counterparts. Also, wired headphones are easier to repair. They are more user friendly as there’s no requirement of pairing devices before use, plug them into the device, and you’re ready to enjoy your favourite music.

Disadvantages:

Everything in this world comes with some level of disadvantages; nothing’s perfect. With all the benefits, wired headphones have a few downwards factors, like you can’t move beyond the length of headphones wire; if you want to listen to the music, you must have to stick to the limits.

One of the most significant issues people face with wired headphones is that if the wires get damaged, it could result in music playing on only one ear. Also, the cord can get in the way or get caught in something when you’re exercising, walking in public places, making your task difficult.

Wireless Headphones:

One of the great conveniences of human life is having a pair of completely wire-free headphones as they keep you away from the worry of tangling your wires all the time with their wireless structure. Wireless headphones use radio transmission technology to carry audio data from the device to your ears, and it works mainly with the help of BlueTooth or Radio Frequency or Infrared frequency. Radio Frequency is more commonly used for wireless headphones explicitly made for TV.

Apple introduced AirPods and gave birth to a new product category called true wireless earbuds, which completely changed the wire-free experience. In a short span, they became the go-to listening device among consumers. To advertise wireless headphones better, most manufacturers started using the word freedom on their products and campaigns because these headphones give you an option to roam around without wires, keep you motivated and focused during a workout session, board in a public train without wires getting in your way.

Advantages:

The wireless headphones make the process of listening to music more comfortable for joggers who prefer to run, commuters who get to work in crowded transportation, and gamers who play video games by sitting far away from the TV as they provide. Some wireless headphones even offer up to a 100ft range from your audio source.

With the evolution of technology, a number of smartphone manufacturing companies are ditching the old-styled 3.5 mm jack from their newly launched devices, which makes Bluetooth a new standard in audio transmission. Fewer components and no wires help wireless headphones to lose some extra weight and become more portable and lighter. The fewer weight also adds comfort as lighter headphones typically give less stress to the users’ heads.

If you spend a little more, then wireless headphones can even deliver some sweat/water resistance. As mentioned earlier, wired headphones usually sound better than wireless headphones, but most average listeners can’t distinguish between them, except musicians and DJs.

Disadvantages:

Wireless headphones provide plenty of cool features, but they also have a heavy price tag. Along with high prices, another major disadvantage of wireless headphones is their batteries. However, the battery life of wireless headphones has dramatically improved over the years, but you still need a power source for wireless headphones every now and then. Bluetooth wireless battery offers 8 to 12 hours of usage, while high-end wireless headphones offer up to 30 to 40 hours of battery life without a recharge.

Conclusion:

A wireless headphone is ideal for athletes, fitness enthusiasts or people who are into jogging, while a wired headphone is great for DJs, RJs, music mixing artists, or desktop users. In short, if you need headphones for a short period and outdoor comfort, then go for wireless headphones, and if you work for a longer duration, then a wired headphone is the right choice, in the end, it’s all up to one’s personal preferences and lifestyle.

Project Cars Go Review: An Ambitious Project

“If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver.” Ayrton Senna’s words still spark a fire for many racing enthusiasts almost three decades after the legendary Formula 1 driver left Earth. While many veterans and aspiring drivers wish to place themselves in the same league as the brave Brazilian, not all have the potential or the resources to realise that dream.

Luckily for us, many racing simulators have cropped up that offer an almost identical racing experience, albeit without the real-world dangers or expenses involved. Among the top-runners in this segment are Slightly Mad Studios, famous for their long-running and quite beloved Project Cars series. What was once the pinnacle of simulated racing technology has morphed into a simplistic yet graphically rich smartphone arcade game. Has it carried forward the same charm and appeal as its PC counterpart? I got a chance to find out.

First impressions:

Project Cars GO announced way back in May 2018, giving enthusiasts sufficient time to build up the hype properly. However, it wasn’t until February 2021 that further details were unveiled, confirming that it would be a smartphone port for Android and iOS devices, with its launch date set for March 23, 2021.

Published by Gamevil, the game is a solid amalgamation of Project Cars’ characteristics and the accessibility of smartphones. This means that while the game can be considered good-looking, it is far from its simulation roots. The game features prominent manufacturers worldwide such as Nissan, Ferrari, and BMW, though the available glossary is sizeably reduced. This was a necessary move to keep the file size low, which would have otherwise spanned across hundreds of GB. However, downsizing has also drastically reduced the game’s feel and effect, as evidenced by its gameplay.

Gameplay

Deviating completely from its realistic controls and simulated physics, Project Cars GO instead opts for a one-touch control system, much to the chagrin of dedicated racing enthusiasts. While the game retains most of its visual intricacy, it loses out on its core gameplay mechanics. Tap to shift gears, tap and hold to brake in the specified zones, and release to accelerate. That pretty much sums up all that you can do in the game. There are no dogfights, no intentional drifting, none of the fun. Heck, you can’t even stop the car and go in the opposite direction of the track for fun. Why bother then?

Well, it seems that Gamevil has focussed on introducing the world of Project Cars to new people instead of catering to long-term enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the game will be pretty intriguing and appealing to someone who has had no previous experience with Project Cars. For veterans, however, this game might be a hit and miss.

Verdict:

The game just launched and offers plenty of gifts and prizes once the tutorial is over to add incentives for players to continue. Players can safely expect more content to be added in future updates, though its core gameplay is expected to remain unchanged. Hence, Project Cars GO is an ambitious project but with a limited audience.

Top 9 Retro-Tech That Fill Us With Nostalgia!

Do you remember all those attention-seeking gadgets the millennial generation used to have in their childhood? If you remember them, then you’re one of the good duns of memories, and if you don’t, then no worries, I’m going to take you on a nostalgic walk down memory lane, resembling some of the most desirable and most unique gadgets from the last few decades that has been outdated now by their talented cousins. Here is a list of 9 devices that will take you back to the world of millennials:

Camcorders

The earliest camcorders were tape-based, portable, and self-contained devices used to record videos without any film, which at that time was the most beneficial feature. When companies like Sony, Kodak and Panasonic launched their Camcorders in the market, almost everyone drooled over the device, from first-time parents to aspiring filmmakers, and started making videos. Nowadays, Canon is the only major manufacturer to announce new consumer camcorders (which happened in the CES 2017) due to their less demand in the current market.

Nokia 3310

Nokia 3310 has the honour of having excellent strength, it’s been 20 years since its launch, but still, the phone is famous for its durability and often features in the many internet memes. In November 2015, the Nokia 3310 was picked as one of the first three ‘National Emojis’ for Finland, referred to as the unbreakable. It was one of the first phones to have customized Xpress-on covers, and it also featured the hugely popular game Snakes. The phone was re-launched in 2017 with a colour display, 2 MP camera and micro-SD slot.

DVD Players / Portable DVD Players

Ever get caught watching some adult stuff on the DVD player, or have you ever dealt with the stuck DVD? Back then, people used to rent DVDs for days or two and used to enjoy newly released movies at home, but the Netflix Generation will never understand this kind of life. Some of the fortunate ones used to own Portable DVD players, a very rare gadget in India, but the relaxation after freeing the jammed DVD from a home-based DVD player always hit differently.

Walkman/Discman

People always prefer zoning out for me time; nowadays, they turn on Spotify, and back then, they used to own Walkman/Discman for some musical pleasure. Walkman or Discman was a portable cassette or CD player that allowed people to listen to the music of their choice on the go. Heading out to college with the Walkman was considered one of the coolest things as it automatically gets the attention one is looking for. Sony and Panasonic were the prominent Walkman/Discman makers at that time.

Video Games

We often scream our hearts out and talk about PUBG and other new-age games just because generation next is getting addicted to them but have you forgotten about your addiction to Video games? Come on, we all used to own and loved playing a Video game, be it Super Mario, Duck Hunting, Soccer or Contra; we spend most of our childhood days and summer vacations around them, don’t you count it as an addiction? Some of the popular companies which manufactured Video Games were Nintendo, Sony and Sega.

Cassette Tapes

Before the arrival of CD’s in the market, every Indian house cupboard used to hold at least 30 different cassette tapes, mainly Bollywood hits and devotional songs. If you still dig your attic or storeroom, you’ll find a handful of them. Cassette tapes are composed of a polyester-type plastic film with a magnetic layer, and they remained well-known for particular applications like car audio, personal stereo and telephone answering machines.

Film Cameras

The smartphone generation will never understand what it was like to click hundreds of pictures on a film camera and wait for a week in excitement to see the results, which turns out to be pathetic, most of the time. Yes, it’s true! Believe it or not, for most millennial, film cameras were just a one-day gig, especially a birthday photoshoot gadget. Today, the old film cameras of a golden era are more expensive than some of the full-frame DSLR cameras.

CDs

Generation X may have seen the Burning car but have you guys heard about burning CDs? Hold on, it’s not actual burning, but burning metaphorically. Nowadays, we have HDD, SDD, pen drives and other external storage devices, but back in those days, people used to store important data, music mixes and favourite movies on CDs, and to do that, they must have to drag the files they wish to burn from work in progress to the CD drive’s window.

Wired Telephones

Last but not least, wired telephones. Almost everyone from the millennial generation pranked their friends or random people by calling them during odd hours; it was such a happy moment for us, definitely not for the receiver. However, they are still in use at some of the old government and private offices; having them at home was a different kind of thrill, especially when you’re a popular school brat. Those were the days, my friend.

Gamers! Get ready to get professional.

Gaming has consistently been underestimated in terms of its global reach and potential, with avid gamers often seen as vagabonds or non-productive members of society. Luckily for gaming enthusiasts, ASUS has come up with an aspirational concept.

Launched under its Republic of Gamers (ROG) wing, ASUS has introduced India’s first virtual academy programme for gamers – ROG Academy. As part of this initiative, ASUS ROG will identify PC gamers through a screening process and provide them with a platform to sharpen and enhance their skills and prepare them for competitive esports tournaments on a national and a global level. This initiative is a testimony to India being an important market for ASUS’s consistent efforts to build a robust gaming ecosystem in India and empower gamers through several programmes and initiatives.

Today, while gaming has gained significant recognition since yesteryear, there is still a long list of problems plaguing aspiring gamers and esports enthusiasts. Among the most common issues are expensive components, lack of a coherent and cooperative team, and tournament-style gaming inexperience. ASUS is looking to eliminate all these problems with its ROG Academy sessions.

In an interview with Exhibit Magazine, Arnold Su, Business Head, Consumer and Gaming PC, System Business Group, ASUS India, said “Owing to the pandemic, we are witnessing a permanent shift in content consumption patterns globally and increased digital acceleration. With an increase in esports gamers during the pandemic, ASUS has strengthened its commitment to investing in the future of India’s gaming industry. It gives us immense pleasure to be the first brand in the laptop segment to introduce first-of-a-kind unique initiatives like ROG Academy, empowering gamers to conquer competitions and elevate the esports industry. We aim to encourage gamers to mentor them through their journey and familiarise them with future opportunities in this landscape. This initiative will provide a huge boost in establishing a pool of credible esports players in India and pave the way for next-generation gamers with access to resources, mentorship and training”.

If your eyes are gleaming with hope and you can’t wait to find out what is in store for you, here is what ASUS is offering in its ROG Academy:

ASUS ROG Academy is a yearlong programme, divided into four sessions per quarter, aimed at strengthening India’s esports talent pool. The shortlisted team and players will go through an extensive selection process divided into different phases. This will culminate in six select players becoming part of a 3-month long session for the first quarter, including activities ranging from individual skill training and mentorship from the coach to teamwork, communication, and high-level concepts used in the highest level competition. The exercises, schedule and entire programme, will be specifically designed keeping in mind the title and the existing skillsets of the players who will be a part of it. The long term goal of the programme is to have more and more skilled esports players from India.

The first session of the quarter will involve “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” as the official title as we seek to uncover India’s most talented players. Panellists will consist of a representative from ASUS ROG, partners, and CS: GO. ASUS ROG will be providing the entire team Ex-Gratia of INR100,000 price to all the final six players once they complete their 3-month training successfully. Players will also receive INR15,000/ as stipend and a bonus every month during the training. The six players will also continue to represent the brand for three months while participating in any tournaments or events posted, completing a three-month training programme successfully.

How to Apply: ROG Academy

Aspiring Gamers aged 16 and above and willing to participate in the programme can register themselves through the given registration link. Gamers aged between 16 and 18 will need to provide a consent letter from their parents to participate in the programme.
After registration, participants will have to go through a screening process, including showcasing their abilities in open tryouts where a jury will judge them.
The top six participants chosen from the tryouts phase will receive admission into the programme. Participants will receive a stipend of INR15000/.

Update: The registration has closed since 10th February 2021.

Mithilesh Patankar – Mythpat | Top 100 | Influncex’20

Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?

Mithilesh: So, I am pretty new to the digital blogging space. It has just been 2 years, but I have seen a lot of content creators who are emerging, and that is something really exciting because this is just the start of the whole internet revolution in India. Lots of content creators are emerging from small towns and cities.

Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?

Mithilesh: Realistic looking AI robot based on any of your loved ones.

Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)

Mithilesh: This happened in the mall where I was shopping and there was a boy who was next to me talking to his sister about me and I heard the conversation and I waited there to see the reaction and after a few seconds he approached me and that was one of my first encounters and it was very special to me.

Ex: What does success mean to you?

Mithilesh: Definition of success for me keeps changing. Right now the definition of success for me is getting the diamond play button, but that is too materialistic. Overall, I want to be happy and should be able to achieve whatever I am dreamt of.

Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?

Mithilesh: Everybody wants to be an influencer these days and there is nothing wrong in that. Lot of them will try and a lot will fail, but that’s who will get good content creators/ influencers in the coming years.

Ex: Which three things does someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?

Mithilesh: 1.Pubg is not everything.
2.It is not just as easy as playing games and enjoying life, it can feel like a job. It takes real efforts.
3.There is a right time for you to start this. This is for all the kids who are in school and are sad because they are not growing on YouTube.

Ex: What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?

Mithilesh: There is always this constant pressure of not staying relevant anymore just because this space is so crowded right now and there are a lot more gaming creators that are going to emerge. So, it’s a big challenge to remain against the top, to co- exist and stay relevant.

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Ritik Jain | Top 100 | Influncex’20

Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?

Ritik: The opportunity in the digital space is seen as a career and has picked up since I started the creator journey, specially in the space of gaming.

Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?

Ritik: Content Creation is a full time job. In which you are active 24/7 to keep up with the expectation of the audience and provide quality content.

Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)

Ritik: I am passionate about gaming and if not a game streamer I would be doing something in the same field, a game developer or maybe a tester.

Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?

Ritik: 1. Satellite Phone 2. Swiss Knife 3. iPad for offline Gaming.

Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?

Ritik: Search Engine.

Ex: What’s been your favourite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)

Ritik: All the interactions are special, first time fan interaction is something that brought a different experience.

Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicentre. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?

Ritik: There are always two sides of the coin and you learn that in the process, we get appreciated for the good deeds and are also bashed for our mess ups. If you stay true to your personality, the audience accepts you for who you are and supports you in your ups and downs.

Ex: What does success mean to you?

Ritik: Freedom and love from our fans.

Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?

Ritik: It’s just begun, I am sure it has more to it.

Ex: Which three things do someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?

Ritik: Consistency is the key. Keep trying to stay true to yourself and you will find that you have created a space for yourself.

Ex: What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?

Ritik: Gaming demands speed in content creation, one should be able to create quality content daily to keep up with the standards.

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Ujjwal Chaurasia | Gaming | Influncex’20

Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?

Ujjwal: Rise of Mobile gaming as compared to PC gaming and competition.

Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)

Ujjwal: App Developer/ programming.

Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?

Ujjwal: Phone, Internet, and computer.

Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?

Ujjwal: Mobile Gaming.

Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)

Ujjwal: One of Ujjwals fan started crying on Discord live call.

Ex: Social Media is known to expose vulnerabilities, with influencers being at the epicenter. How do you deal with the dark side that comes with the medium?

Ujjwal: Always be attentive, think twice before clicking on links from unknown/corrupted sources.

Ex: What does success mean to you?

Ujjwal: Owning my own gaming company.

Ex: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a fad? Where do you see this space in years to come?

Ujjwal: Influencer marketing is doing wonders for Brands and Influencers both. It has a great future as digital modernization is rapid.

Ex: Which three things does someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?

Ujjwal: Consistency, New trend, Content quality.

Ex: What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?

Ujjwal: Making your identity at the beginning because the competition is too much, a concern of gaining followers and family pressure at the same time.

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Tanmay Singh | Top 100 | Influncex’20

Ex: Tell us about a change you’ve seen in the digital blogging space since you started out your journey? How has this space evolved?

Tanmay: I’ve been in this community for the past 2 years , people here always had a curiosity of knowing what this is that I do on my PC all the time. With the Internet getting available to almost everyone in the previous years I’ve seen a lot of development here , more people have started to know me, even the ones around me now have a basic idea of what I do.

Ex: Can you give us an insight into social media platforms that only an Influencer can know?

Tanmay: I don’t think there’s any ‘secret’ that only the influencers know, we are just like the normal crowd, what they know is what we know.

Ex: What would be your calling in a parallel universe? (Alternate career options)

Tanmay: I’ve always wanted to be a professional football player , so I think it would be that.

Ex: If you were stranded on an island, what are the 3 gadgets you’d take along?

Tanmay: An internet connection, my smartphone and a laptop maybe.

Ex: A technology you wished you’d invented?

Tanmay: Video Games , they are the ones that fascinate me a lot.

Ex: What’s been your favorite encounter with a fan so far? (DMs included!)

Tanmay: I’ve had a fan who wrote a song and a rap for me , it was the best encounter I would say.

Ex: Social media trolling is seeing an upward rise. Do you think this only increases with the popularity of an Influencer? How does one tackle this situation?

Tanmay: Yup, surely this increases as the popularity goes up but as i said , believe in yourself , the others dont know what you have gone through to come up at a stage like this , you know you gave your 100% so you stick to it no matter what the haters/trollers say , we have 100 times more supporters and these haters/trollers.

Ex: What does success mean to you?

Tanmay: When I am happy about what I am doing.

Ex: Which three things does someone starting in the gaming industry need to know?

Tanmay: It might look easy , but you need to know that thousands are already fighting for what you dream to have. You need to develop an extraordinary skill in either Professional or Content making.

Ex: What would you say is the biggest challenge for a gaming influencer?

Tanmay: The people here in India never consider this as a career , though it has developed in these previous 2-3 years but still they need to know it is just like another JOB.

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Hey gamers of India! Gaben is coming…

The Gaming Industry has a huge turnover in India, in tune with the rest of the world. With the pandemic hitting the world so hard, many releases had to be delayed. A huge audience awaits the release of movies, games and books throughout the year. However, there is nothing to be worried about, especially gaming enthusiasts. We’ve got you gamers covered. Here’s a list of the best upcoming games (at least the ones we think are super cool!) that you should look out for:

MARVEL’S AVENGERS

A dream every Marvel Fan has looked forward to coming true; The third-person action-adventure featuring all the Marvel superheroes where you get to step in the shows of your favorite hero. It can be played solo or cooperatively with up to 4 players online. The story starts with an A-Day celebration at the Avengers west coast headquarters. With an explosion due to the latest tarragon crystal reactor, the city of San Francisco is ruined and the avengers are boycotted; Only to be proved innocent by Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel). The super humans are aimed to be fighting against a conspiracy built by an organization, AIM. Play your favorite superhero, and save the world from the threat.

You can unlock powerful skills and gears and customize it according to your playstyle. The game releases on September 4, 2020.

KERBAL SPACE PROGRAM 2~

‘The next generation of space exploration’, Kerbal Space Program 2 is a simulation game and a sequel to the space flight simulation Kerbal Space Program from Private Division. With exciting new parts, colony building in space, interstellar travel, enhanced modding, and stunning visuals; this multiplayer game is all set to take off to space—Pun intended! The exact date is uncertain. Although, spacecraft from the game are known to launch sometime around Fall 2021.

WATCH DOGS: LEGION~

The sequel to Watch Dogs 2, Watch Dogs: Legion is a third-person action-adventure game set up in London. Unlike other versions, this one does not have a single protagonist. Instead, the game revolves around multiple characters recruited through a unique mission. After recruitment: they will be assigned either combat, stealth or hacking. With a unique set of skills, abilities and an entirely different background dictating the special trait, the players level up by completing various missions and activities. Ubisoft announced the game’s planned release on October 29, 2020.

STAR WARS: SQUADRON~

Set up in the universe of Star Wars, it is an upcoming space combat game with the storyline of ‘The Return of Jedi’. For all the star wars fans, this multiplayer game is playable in Virtual Reality using VR Headsets too! The story alternates between two customizable pilots who are flying for New Republic’s Vanguard Squadron and the Empire’s Titan Squadron and pits them against each other. As players move ahead in the game, they unlock exciting features such as gears, upgrades, shields, upgrades and various cosmetic items for the ships!

The game is said to be released on October 2nd, 2020.

FAST & FURIOUS: CROSSROADS~

The film franchise the game is based on has been my personal favorite. The hybrid racing and action role-playing video game is set up in different locations such as Barcelona, New Orleans, Morocco and Athens. Grab this chance of being a part of the ‘Fast saga’ and avoid the traps set up by the villains by using weapons and gadgets available throughout the game. The gameplay in the recent trailer shown is a combination between Ridge Racer and God Eater gameplays.

The game was supposed to be released in May 2020, but was delayed to 7 August 2020 due to the pandemic.

MAFIA: DEFINITIVE EDITION~

The remake of the 2002 video game Mafia, the game takes you back to the 1930s, in the fictional city of Lost Heaven that is hit by The Great Depression. The storyline follows the rise and fall of mobster Tommy Angelo within the Salieri crime family. With a new feature of motorcycles in the series, the game is built with an expanded story and new assets. See yourself changing from Thomas Angelo: The Hardworking taxi-driver to Thomas Angelo: The Mafia.

The game is set to release on August 28, 2020.

GROUNDED~

Imagine yourself as a lilliput in the world of Gulliver’s Travels~ That’s exactly how this game is going to be. A world where players are reduced to the size of ants and must struggle to survive in a backyard filled with dangers. It’s a survival game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. It can be played from a first-person as well as a third-person perspective. This game is not for people who cannot handle insects and bugs crawling up your sleeves. However, the game has an interesting accessibility feature for people with arachnophobia (severely scared of spiders!), allowing players to decide how scary the spiders can be in the game.

The game is set to release on July 28, 2020.

A TOTAL WAR SAGA: TROY~

The first in the award-winning strategy series to focus on the Bronze-age Mediterranean and the legendary twenty-year conflict between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenaean Greece, known as the Trojan War. The game might obviously focus on the historical Trojan war with new-inspired features. Experience your events and realize your legend as one of the eight iconic heroes. Conquer and build your vast empire with exceptional strategies that your mind creates.

The game is set to release in the year 2021.

DEATH STRANDING~

The name sounds morbid, although it might just be a little more interesting! Few of you must’ve already been playing it by now since it was released on July 14th, 2020. Numerous commentators also noted that the elements of the game resembled that of the Covid-19 pandemic. An action game developed by Kojima Productions, which has players controlling Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with delivering supplies to the fractured and isolated colonies that remain and reconnecting them via a wireless communications network. The player’s main enemies include creatures related to ‘beached things’.

Gaming in India: A virtual future?

Do you remember those clunky game consoles that were available in the markets and happened to be the dreams of every 90’s kid? People with such possessions and the ones who let you play with them turned out to be your favorite humans at those times. Remember Mario? If you’re a gamer, especially an ardent one, you’d know about the rising trends and the upgrades that tend to come along with them. If you wonder what the future of gaming is in India, this article is for you!

With almost 40% of India’s population actively using the internet, the gaming industry in India is yet to achieve another milestone alongside developing new versions of their game. Every day, versions upgrade and the hunger for a better interface just keeps growing. Whether you like it or not, the online gaming industry is growing along with the Jio Revolution, setting high standards for data utilization throughout the country.

According to a report released by Boutique Investment Bank, Maple Capital Advisors titled ‘Gaming — India Story’, the Indian Online Gaming Industry is expected to grow 41% annually, with market value set to value $3750 million by 2024. India is known as the largest market for app downloads worldwide. As per 2019, India is one of the top five mobile gaming markets in the world. Infact, the industry was estimated to be populated with 300 million gamers.

Easily available, affordable and a different way of connecting with friends during the lockdown, mobile gaming is not just a recreational activity anymore; it has turned into a profitable industry. Studies show that the number of mobile users constitute 85% of the total gaming industry, with PC/Laptop and tablet users standing at 11% & 4% respectively. According to reports by Newzoo, 32% of gamers in India are female.

PUBG Mobile is a sensation among mobile users, spreading globally like a wildfire. As of January 2020, India is known to have 116 million downloads which is 21% of the 555 million PUBG players worldwide. The operators holding tournaments for various games, especially PUBG, has increased by 7 times from 2016 to 2018. These operators hold various esports tournaments and avail it for the public through android devices, who can win cash on the platform. Emerging e-sports organizations in India such as competitive scrims & IGPL sports holding everyday mock-tournaments to War Mania, Villager esports & sportskeedaesports, providing gamers with sophisticated and competitive platforms. E-Sports is the new era, besides Social Media that the world is entering into today.

E-Sports were played as a demonstration sport at Asian Games 2018, where Tirth Mehta from Bhuj, Gujarat won a bronze medal & has been commonly called the first Indian e-sports for Hearthstone. That year, the total prize money was 5.63Cr; both tournaments & nationals combined. PUBG, singly constituted 18% of the total prize with CS:Go & Dota2 constituting 6%. In 2019, the prize money took a huge leap and increased to 180% with different cities (such as Delhi & Mumbai) holding international sports events & giving gamers a way to physically interact with each other rather than just muting one another digitally.

Alongside regular addiction to the game, the number of visits to online gaming websites or apps rose by 29% between February & March this year due to the pandemic; with also an increase in the engagement by 21%.

How many times have you yourself played ludo with your friends during the lockdown? Other games such as Teen patti, Rummy, Candy Crush Saga, Coin master and 8 ball pool which eventually turned out to be the most played games during the pandemic. It’s weird how our way of interacting with each other has changed. The chats have shifted from WhatsApp & Instagram to mere emojis & talking throughout the game.

Surprised? There is more to the industry. It has been estimated that approximately 40,000 employees will be working in the industry by 2022. It’s not just an evolution for your hobbies, but for the corporate world as well. Honestly speaking, with more gamers comes more challenges. However, PUBG was banned in many states across the country such as Gujarat declaring that the game was ‘too addictive and violent’—resulting in students’ arrest when they were caught playing.

To conclude, you can either ignore these trends & keep playing games for fun; or you can get better at them & start playing at national eventsーwho knows you win a prize incredible enough!