Top 3 GTA Games & why is the GTA gaming series popular amongst gamers?

Top 3 GTA Games

Grand Theft Auto V (GTA Online)

The Grand Theft Auto series’s latest and most loved game has everything you could ask for – from a design, storytelling, and technical perspective. GTA V (online) was released in 2013, but even after a decade, it remains trendy and competes with other newly released identical games. Set in a fictional Los Angeles called Los Santos, the game offers three playable protagonists – Trevor Philips, Michael De Santa and Franklin Clinton, each with a different perspective and distinct background.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

When Rockstar Games released GTA San Andreas on PS2 and Xbox, it was a breathtaking moment for every single gamer. The city was based on Los Angeles and other areas, while the story follows the journey of a former gangster Carl “CJ” Johnson, who returns home and pulls back to his infamous gang following his mother’s murder. The game was one of the most stylish and enjoyable games ever released, thanks to the well-created characters, dialogues, and sound design.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Sometimes, I think, maybe, I repeat, maybe, the guys who have developed the GTA franchise over the years have a significant influence of Tony Montana on them. Hope, you have seen Al Pacino’s cult classic movie Scarface; if not, go on and have a shot of it first and then play GTA Vice City. The game was released in 2002 and takes you back in time to 1986. The lead character of Vice City, Tommy Vercetti, looks like a 3D characterization of Tony Montana.

Top 5 GTA Characters

Carl “CJ” Johnson
Trevor Philips
Tommy Vercetti
Niko Bellic
Michael De Santa

Why is the GTA gaming series popular amongst gamers?

Opulent Storyline

All the games that came under the three universes of Grand Theft Auto are loaded with a powerful storyline and unforgettable characters, which keeps games returning to the game, even after they have finished all the missions. The game allows you to buy supercars and commit crimes that you can’t afford and do in real life. The multiplayer game also allows you to speed up as much as you want, buy a jet, speedboat or perhaps anything you want.

Stressbuster

In one of our articles, “The Psychological Benefits of Gaming in the Workplace”, we’ve already discussed how playing video games helps players develop problem-solving and spatial skills. The Grand Theft Auto franchise enables players to have a better mood by allowing them to do whatever they want, whether walking on the beach, running like a maniac, having a few drinks, riding a superbike or taking a dog on an evening walk.

Excellent Graphics

Do you know what makes a game popular? Outstanding Marketing and Quality Graphics! Every game of the Grand Theft Auto cosmos offers top-notch graphics, and sometimes, you get the sensation of viewing an actual city. The world portrayed in the GTA games, especially in the games released after GTA Vice City, is very appealing – the people walking around, the placement of the buildings, and all the objects appearing real, making the game a treat to the eyes.

Controversies

We know publicity is always upright for businesses, be it negative or positive, it’s definitely going to bring the people to you. Everyone who plays video games is aware of Grand Theft Auto’s existence, as it is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time. The game was, is and will be a part of controversies, which makes Rockstar Games’ life easier than ever. They don’t have to promote the game, as the controversies surrounding it create hype among people.

Fantasy World

Who doesn’t want to live their life on their terms? Everyone wants to have fun in their way, especially teenagers, but not everyone can afford to live on their terms. When you can’t go out and do whatever you want, you turn back and play Grand Theft Auto, as the game allows you to do almost everything and live a fantasy life. Nobody cares when you get busted, you can have the fanciest homes, weapons, cars, boats and everything under the sun.

The Psychological Benefits of Gaming in the Workplace

While I’m struggling to write an intro for the article, two of my colleagues are having the time of their life. We have been playing games for ages, as it has always been a favourite pastime of human beings. Now, tell me, from where do we learn the tactics to combat crisis-like situations? Of course, through the games, they prepare our minds on how to tackle real-life problems, block our fears, and, most importantly, how to have a winning attitude.

Since smartphone gaming came into existence, the amount of time spent playing video games has increased drastically. I’ve often heard the management scolding the employees cause they were playing games, but the management should understand one critical factor of playing games – gaming in the workplace help us create social bonds and make learning more engaging. Also, it profoundly evokes multiple areas of their brains and develops coping mechanisms for difficult situations.

When someone indulges themselves completely in the game, their brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. Being a gamer helps you to get your mind going, as gaming involves a lot of thinking and decision-making. When you’re playing a game like PUBG, where 100s of players are involved at one time, you have to think on a different tangent, strategize, and analyze quickly, otherwise, you won’t have a chance to shout out loud, Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

Gaming is just a software form of life, where for a specific time, we live in a world of uncertainty and fight for our goals. When you win the game, it brings a lot of satisfaction and helps you have better mental health, and having a happy-satisfied employee is quite rare in current times. Allow the gamers to play their favourite games for at least half an hour a day, and they’ll do wonders in their assigned work, as getting a specific gaming hour during work is already a win-win situation for them.

The leaders and managers don’t realize that a dopamine boost in your employees’ brains only benefits the company, as gaming in the workplace eventually increases productivity. Just think of a scenario, what your mind asks for after lunch? A quick nap, right? Well, when you work for 3-4 hours, it’s obvious you’ll become tired by noon, and it needs instant energy. At such times, a quick game sounds good over a nap. So, let it be, allow your employees to play games, and you’ll soon witness magic in their work.

The Rise of Senior Citizen Gaming

We call them grandparents cause they have the power to say “yes” even when our parents say “no”. When everyone was worried about what to do and how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, there were some carefree grandparents who neglected the crisis and focused on learning and playing video games. You won’t believe it, but these guys, especially the ones in the 55-64 age group, have broken some records and emerged as the fastest-growing demographic of gamers.

Being a guy who prefers public transportation to commute, I’ve seen a lot of drama happening around, especially in the local trains of Mumbai. One day, I was commuting from Dadar to Mulund, and then at one station, a guy in his 60s boarded the train and sat next to me. He laid back in his seat and started playing Call of Duty instead of opening the newspaper like regular older people. I was amazed, what a GRAND moment it was, unbelievable!

Another day, while chilling out with friends at the park, I met another old guy who later joined some of my friends in PUBG, and to my surprise, he celebrated his win by saying ‘Winner Winner Chicken Dinner’. The 63-year-old guy was a retired police officer and alone mostly in life as all the family members were working. He told us he got to know about the online gaming world through his grandson during the pandemic and has never looked back.

While playing online games such as PUBG for about 20-25 hours a week, he met some of the coolest and nicest guys, and over the period, they’ve become his friends, even though he hasn’t met them in person. Thanks to online gaming, the veteran officer is now a member of a few WhatsApp and Telegram groups, where they discuss games, life, and many things which I’m not allowed to reveal here. In many ways, playing games with youngsters helps older adults to stay updated with the time.

You must have at least one elderly member in your family or extended family who likes to play Candy Crush, Solitaire, Angry Birds, Ludo, Subway Surfer, Carrom, or Sudoku. Back then, in the late 90s, these guys were fans of games like Snake and Bounce. The elders love playing these games as they are simple, easy to learn, don’t require too much effort, and offer a temporary escape from reality. Thanks to supportive grandchildren who help these grand-people understand the gaming world better.

The Benefits of Gaming:

Due to safety concerns, not all senior citizens are allowed to walk out of their homes, making their lives pretty sedentary. They miss going for a walk, meeting friends for lunch, and many other things which improve their emotional and mental health. According to several studies, seniors who play video games regularly or occasionally have greater well-being and social functioning than non-gamers. Being a regular gamer also helps to fight loneliness and depression.

Video games significantly impact their emotional, physical and cognitive quotient. The global percentage of people with Alzheimer’s dementia is about 11%, which means 1 in 9 people above the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s disease. When older people play video games, it helps them have an active memory, along with mental flexibility and multi-tasking, as gaming involves a lot of brain-related tasks assisting senior citizens in decreasing their Alzheimer’s risk factors.

Lastly, who doesn’t like to have fun in life? We all need a little enjoyment in life, and talking about senior people – they have spent many years working hard without thinking twice about their wishes. They are desperately in need of a break from mundane life. So, before your grandparents forget who you are, introduce them to the gaming world, and once they get attached to the video games, no one’s gonna stop them cause no one has the guts to say “no” to them.

Triple threat – Pixel 6a, Nothing Phone (1) and OnePlus 10T

Most of us already use phones, and the upgrade cycle seems like a constant change we all must endure. Either the phone gives up, or you are simply bored of using something daily that feels dated! If you are in the market with a midrange budget and want something different from most others, your options are still plenty. We have three amazing new phones, all launched a few months ago and all of which have received their share of OTA updates. Contenders demanding your hard-earned money are as follows.

Google Pixel 6a – The first phone in India to officially get the Android 13 update, albeit with beta program enrollment.

Nothing Phone (1) – The first phone from Nothing and one of the most astonishing phones money can buy.

OnePlus 10 T – OnePlus’s latest offering cuts the costs associated with additional hardware while providing a sensational nostalgic experience of the OnePlus from the past.

Disclaimer – All these phones are different from one another. From their choice of chipsets to hardware and software, these are one of the only phones with a bloat-free near-stock Android experience out of the box.

The whole design truth

Pixel 6a – I love the form factor, and with the clever use of good-quality polycarbonate plastic at the rear, the phone feels lightweight. The front glass is Gorilla glass 3, one of the best iterations of Gorilla glass, to be honest. The camera bump is less pronounced compared to most phones. The emission of a headphone jack feels unnecessary but encourages wireless audio accessories. Overall the Pixel 6a form factor and feel are second to none, and adding the IP67 rating; this phone is built to age gracefully.

Nothing Phone (1) – Interesting looking smartphone, isn’t it? The overall silhouette resembles an iPhone 13 pro max, albeit with lighter weight in comparison, and a whole conversation starter of a rear. Getting a call with the Glyph interface is like enhancing the flashlight effect on most phone ringtones and amplifying it to the next level. The edges are smooth, and the overall feel is sturdy and dense though slippery. Unlike most phones, this phone does not get an oleophobic coating on the touch Gorilla glass 5. The transparent back is an eye-catcher, and cases with lights shining through add to the appeal of using this phone. Nothing phone (1) gets an IP53 rating.

OnePlus 10T – No alert slider, duck move! The chrome bezels may appeal to bling lovers, while the subtle curves on the camera bump make this design feel like a polished version of the OnePlus 10 Pro. Gone is the hideous text neat the cameras, and this phone feels like an excellent OnePlus reboot with the essentials done perfectly.

Performance

Pixel 6a uses Samsung architecture to make their Tensor SoC with an additional Tensor processing unit for the camera, privacy, AI and machine learning. The processor is paired with 6GB DDR5 RAM, and overall, the performance is decent unless you start pushing this setup while gaming. The phone manages to throttle and warm up considerably during long gaming sessions. Other than that, the Android 13 update has improved the overall experience on the Pixel 6a by many folds. The battery drain is now optimised when idle, and currently, the phone manages a day with ease.

Up to 12GB DDR5 RAM powers nothing Phone (1), and the Snapdragon 778+ is a balanced mix of performance and stamina. The phone has gotten almost six updates since our time with the phone, and the overall UI, camera performance and gaming performance have only improved over time. Excellent work, team Nothing!

OnePlus 10T – Hell yeah! This is the OnePlus that most OnePlus fans were waiting for! Flagship internals paired with decent above, average hardware makes the 10T an excellent choice for someone who wants to best of Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 in a relatively budget package. Games run at top levels of graphic fidelity with smooth and overall operations are snappier than ever before. Camer processing in low light takes a couple of seconds, making it an excellent phone for performance lovers. Also, this is the only one of the three that comes with a charger, a freaking 150W charger that charges 0-100% in less than 20 minutes. Pixel 6a lacks charging versatility with only 18W charge capabilities and is adamant about using good cables and chargers. Nothing phone (1) charges at 45W!

Cameras

In daylight, all these phones click amazing pictures with rich details, OIS and EIS goodness with good contrast and saturation. The ultrawide sensors are also pretty decent on all the phones. The Pixel wins hand down on most post-processing thanks to Google algorithms. The thing to note is that in low light conditions, the Pixel viewfinder is noisy AF. Still, post-click image processing does wonder! Both the Nothing Phone (1) and the OnePlus 10T use the same Sony IMX766 sensor, and this sensor is no joke. In fact in low light, the sensor beats the 12MP sensors of the Pixel 6a in pure details thanks to added information with more megapixels.

Conclusion –

All three phones appeal to different target audiences. If you already use the iPhone and want a decent Android phone as your second phone, the Pixel 6a, with the absolute best of Google and Android, is a great option. The camera sensors are tried and tested 12MP sensors found on the Pixel 5 series with years of algorithmic trickery, the phone is relatively compact, and an additional magic eraser in the photos app makes editing images a breeze. The Internet has proven this to be a 90Hz display with a 60Hz lock for system stability. Maybe a future OTA update might unlock a smoother refresh rate.

The OnePlus 10T is an example of the quintessential OnePlus of the past. It does away with things that add to the price while performing like a flagship smartphone of this era. Let’s not forget that the 10T packs hardware rivalling the best smartphone worlds at a relative midrange price. For gamers, this is the phone of choice and being the largest proves to be a great multi-media companion. The Nothing Phone (1) brings a cool factor to midrange smartphones and, at this price, is one of the only ones that get wireless and reverse wireless charging. The iPhone-like wrapped OLED display is top-notch and makes for a fantastic smartphone experience. You cannot go wrong with either of the phones in this era. Let us know your favourite among the three and which one would be your weapon of choice.

MSI Vector GP76 Is it a game-changer or a deal-breaker!

Starting nearly above a couple of lakhs, the Vector GP76 hosts a massive 17.3-inch, 1080p display with a 360Hz refresh rate which is phenomenal. An Intel Core i7 CPU paired with a Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU and 16GB of RAM.

It’s an enticing collection of specs at this price point, but that’s not nearly enough to land you with the best gaming laptop. While there are some serious caveats to consider before you pick one up.

Stealth looking!

If DC comics were to design this laptop, the MSI Vector GP76 would likely be the Batman. While the MSI GS76 earns that name with its “discreet yet stealth design,” that would be a fitting name for the Vector.

Blacked out and with a robust metal finish and from the prominently raised hinges to the angled vents on the back and sides of the laptop, it gives the otherwise minimalistic laptop an aggressive look. The matte black lid is only broken by MSI’s dragon logo, which is also in black, but it draws the eye thanks to its glossy finish. There’s no flashy exterior lighting to make the Vector scream that it is a gaming laptop, yet its bulky form, makes it look like it’s meant to do some serious stuff.

The Display everyone’s been talking about!

The MSI Vector GP76’s display definitely prioritizes speed over the resolution with its 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080 screen delivering a blisteringly fast 360Hz of refresh rate that will overwhelm pro-gamers that favour fast-twitch FPS titles or racing games.

The colours are excellent with their brightness and HDR capabilities. The solid performance of the RTX 3070 Ti with its 150-watt TGP is also reflected in gaming. All games run at high FPS. Even at maximum settings and with a corresponding external monitor, 4K resolutions are flawless.

Can take a good beating!

Typing on the Vector GP76 is a pleasure with the RGB-backlit keys offering solid key travel and a springy response which is both comfortable and quick to type on. The tactile feedback is confidence-inspiring and fast typing is as buttery smooth as it can get. For gamers, the rigidity will make sure that the keyboard can take a good beating.

The keys are generally well-spaced, with the exception of the cursor keys on the right.

You have complete control over the per-key RGB lighting from the aforementioned Steelseries GG app and it allows sample light to get through the keys without excessive light bleed at the edges.

Is it a Gamers delight?

The specs make it clear, that the Vector GP76 is real gamers’ delight with its 360 Hz display and super-fast response times. In addition, the Core i7-12700H has double the power of the CPU in its predecessor and another highlight is the Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti with a real power consumption of 150 watts.

The MSI Vector GP76 gives gamers a lot of what they want with outstanding performance, a great sturdy keyboard and an incredible 360Hz refresh rate display, but the painfully poor battery life and overall poor thermal performance make it dicey to recommend over some of its competition.

Now if you never, or rarely, use your laptop away from a charger and you do all of your gaming with a headset on, that changes the equation significantly. But acknowledging a few drawbacks, the rest of the package offered is solid and unquestionably delivers an excellent gaming experience.

Star Rating – 4

Good

Near class-leading performance and graphics with 360Hz refresh rate

Bad

Loud fans and excessive heat

Ugly

Weak battery life

Specs

MSI Vector GP76 12UGS-434 (GP76 Series)

Processor : Intel Core i7-12700H 14 x 1.7 – 4.7 GHz

Graphics adapter : NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU – 8192 MB, Core: 1585 MHz,

Memory: 1750 MHz, 150 W TDP ( including 15 W Dynamic Boost), GDDR6, Nvidia 512.15, Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs

Memory: 16384 MB, Dual Channel DDR4-3200

Display : 17.30 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 127 PPI, AUO B173HAN05.4, IPS, glossy: no, 360Hz

Mainboard: Intel Alder Lake-P PCH

Storage: Micron 2450 1TB MTFDKBA1T0TFK, 1024 GB , 867 GB free

Weight: 2.85 kg

Price: Rs. 2,23,000/- (Prices may vary online)

WHERE IS THE INVENTION & INNOVATION?

When was the last time you were enthralled with any new tech innovation? Are all the problems solved yet? Let’s Airbnb, let’s Uber it, let’s google it, what’s next? Indeed Cryptocurrencies and NFTs are all good, but they are not really solving any significant problems. When did the last excellent smartphone innovation happen? Flip phones and fold phones – yes, different form factors and promising but this Invention I saw several years back at the CES. When the new iPhones are announced, the upgrades are minimalistic so much that if you have an iPhone 12 series and unless you want a flaunt factor, there is no real need for an upgrade to the iPhone 13. Android smartphones from Samsung, Vivo, and Oppo, Oneplus make changes mostly around camera, RAM & resolution upgrades and maybe some surface material improvements. Is anyone really thinking about profound inventions? Something like a smartphone that doesn’t need to charge for 30 days is a good starting point or a solar-powered one.

Robotics innovation though promising has not pushed the boundaries and really can’t do much more than dance and get a can of coke. What about medical innovation? A deadly virus like Covid can paralyse the whole world and suck everything out of us; what were the world scientists doing. The last time the deadliest invention happened was when nuclear bombs were invented, which resulted in giving destructive powers to heads of state to bring the countries to an end. What if Vladimir Putin loses it entirely and does a nuclear strike on Ukraine, whose only fault is that it gave up its nuclear arsenal and doesn’t possess those weapons of mass destruction, to have a counterthreat ready. Where is the invention which can save the world from an accidental nuclear explosion? Are we really working on it or waiting for another pandemic type phenomenon.

The dark web and digital currency are both a reality. A parallel universe exists in the dark web even before we got acquainted with Meta Verse. Oculus VR, invented by Palmer Luckey, which Facebook later acquired, has opened a string of norms where Digital land, digital avatars, and all sorts of virtual-real world thighs are happening, so much so that Facebook changed its name to Meta. Just like bitcoin in 2008 made cryptocurrency a reality and opened the flood gates of the token and NFT industry. But it’s 2022 and in the last decade, nothing which can change the world for good and make living more beautiful has come out. It’s symbolic that iPod has taken a bow giving way to the streaming industry, and storing music is historical. As long as it progresses, technological changes are good. Just like iPod did its job and changed the way music was consumed, we need technological breakthroughs that can change a lot of things, make the air we breathe better again, keep check on global warming and provide drinkable water to all. Just the basic things we need!

The Incredible Evolution of Mobile Gaming

Ah! Even the thought of writing this article takes me to the lane of sweet memories. I was born in a period when the world had just started acknowledging and receiving mobile devices as a household essential. Yes, the late 90’s.

If I could recollect it all correctly, I even remember playing games on the newly arrived Reliance Landline device, which, when I look back, I feel awed. I racked my brains for what the game was called and how it felt, just like how you fidget your tooth with your tongue for that one food particle that just wouldn’t come out. In case you remember it, pass yourself a smile for old time’s sake.

The Beginning

It all started with Nokia’s hugely popular and successful game, Snake, introduced in 1997, as a feature on the phone. The unbeatable champion, the Avengers of mobile phones, Nokia, would have known little back then that it would become a source of cherishable memories for every millennial and early Generation Z and mark its name in history for being one of the most celebrated mobile phones.

The ‘Snake’ game, launched with Nokia 6110, signalled a new era in mobile gaming and became an entire generation’s obsession. An addictively simple game, Snake followed the basic idea of an elongating reptilian creature as it consumed more dots (supposedly food) and died if collided in itself.

I remember playing Snake when I was as young as four or five. You see it growing and pacing up with every time it eats something, and you can’t help but keep going on.

From 1997 to 2005, other widely-popular games such as Alien Fish Exchange and Space Invaders followed.

Evolution

I’ve said it earlier; I was born at an age where I could witness the evolution of mobile phones and gaming simultaneously. The smartphones were getting sleeker and lighter, with no external antenna. With the introduction of the Nokia 7650, people witnessed features like apps, sharing and Bluetooth. A long string of Symbian phones followed: the Nokia 3660, 6600, N73 and N95. Soon, everyone got their first brush with touch phones with the newly arrived Sony Ericsson P910. It had a conventional keypad, QWERTY, and touchscreen, which you could use with a finger or stylus. Touch phones were the hot talks of those days. Either everyone started buying one or craved for one.

Before the mobile gaming industry boomed, I remember being hooked to the old school 8-bit games that could be conveniently connected to the television. Ah, the days of saving up some money to buy the gaming cassettes! Today’s children will never know the thrill we got while playing games like Contra, Adventure Island, Battle City, Bomberman, Circus Charlie, and many more after a long day at school.

Stage 1

It was only in 2008 when Apple introduced its app store that dramatically changed the concept of mobile gaming forever. Almost everyone with a smartphone began downloading games on their devices. App Store turned everyone into gamers.

With the introduction of the App Store, games like Angry Birds, Plant vs Zombies, Candy Crush, and Flappy Birds became blockbusters worldwide. Games were no longer about devoted fans with expensive game consoles and high-end PC rigs. It also opened a way for the developers to get creative with games and vouch for the rising app economy.

Game developers had to now focus on making the game more interactive, more touch-friendly. Mobile phones were now becoming more than just a medium to communicate. Games such as Angry Birds, Clash of Clans, and Temple Run, broke all records by being downloaded by over 1 Billion people. It made the developer business superstars.

Stage 2

Now there was an immediate race against mobile manufacturers to launch their all-touch phones. Nobody could even come close to the iOS platform functionality until Google launched their Android operating system in 2008.

Within the next two years, there were more smart devices at cheaper rates available to people, increasing the demand for more apps and games.

It was now time for high-resolution racing games to penetrate consumers’ devices and conversations. In 2012, Asphalt reinvented the mobile gaming segment with the release of Asphalt 7. The game introduced retina display graphics for detailed visuals with matching audio output to the mobile devices. Next year, Gameloft came out with Asphalt 8, delivering console-level graphics along with a refined multi-player experience.

Mobile game graphics continued to improve over the years, with games like NOVA, Shadowgun, and Dead Trigger showcasing the improvement in graphics and how developers were catching up to hardware improvements on the phone.

Stage 3

We have surpassed easy gaming with low graphics. Smartphones are now coming with vast storage capacities with better refresh rates and high graphic facilities. Warzones are hitting the charts. It’s an age of Battle Royales!

Highly competitive online games such as Call of Duty, Halo, Fortnite are designed around high-stakes survival and allow you to talk to your teammates through audio. Games like these are currently carrying the torch when it comes to shooter games. They also come up with consistent upgrades to make the gameplay much more inclusive and exciting for users.

People are literally hooked to Battle Royales, including my ten-year-old niece, who consistently gets his ass whooped for playing it too much! Kid you not; I can’t keep my hands off Call of Duty too.

Call of Duty and Fortnite have their in-game merch available for people to buy from their ‘real’ money to dress up their ‘game characters’. Yes, if you tell your parents or grandparents this, they would probably call you crazy and cut off your income supplies. But surprisingly, these are a massive source of income for game-makers.

Future

I can, without any doubt, say that the future of gaming lies in Augmented Reality. Technology is ever-changing, and AR is said to be the future of the Internet. We have games like Pokemon Go which utilized AR at its initial stages and became an instant hit with the users.

The game’s theme revolves around catching pokemon that are pinpointed on a real-world map, and when you get to the location, you use your camera to see them in the ‘real world’ via your phone screen.

Augmented Reality gaming is a complicated yet straightforward execution of your smartphone screen to imitate an object existing in a 3D space that it does not possess in reality. The game has generated $1 billion in revenue through its AR model.

AR allows you to play virtual chess on your physical table or shoot ghosts appearing in your living room or office space. This is AR at its initial stage. We can only imagine what lies ahead!

Is cryptocurrency influencing the gaming industry ?

Since the early 2000s, Technical specifications have exploded, and digital computer technology has advanced at such a rapid pace that any new batch of games, graphics, and consoles seems to blow the previous generation out of the water. The costs of infrastructure, servers, and the Internet have mostly plummeted that even the Internet at hyper-speed is now accessible and commonplace, and 3.2 billion active users have access to the Internet.
This gaming community has grown with players from all age groups. The introduction of smartphones has changed the traditional perspective of whom to play games. From elders playing Candy Crush Saga to children playing Pubg has
made the gaming industry one of the most profitable industries.

Also, the network of gamers has grown in a short period helping them make a good amount of money while playing games. Whether you are a 90’s kid or a 2k Kid, it doesn’t matter. What matters is how the gaming community has grown anonymously & changing the approach of people towards gaming platforms.
Generations have passed evolving our relationship with games to make sure we are
also a part of this fast-growing network

Needless to mention, the two rapidly emerging developments in the world right now are Cryptocurrency and Blockchain. Gamers worldwide are shifting to cryptocurrency-based gaming because along with playing the games, they provide them with a user-friendly gaming experience. These days, in every part of our lives, this emerging technology plays a major role and the gaming industry is no different.
As a result, digital currencies have begun to be used for payment mechanisms by most blockchain game developers around the globe. This is because it provides them with the fastest and shortest purchase relative to other payment schemes.
The token technology opened a way for the gaming and retail industry to benefit from various advantages. This is because gaming and crypto-currency tokens allow businesses to take advantage of both private and public blockchain in-game digital assets.
The gaming business is therefore known as one of the leading cryptocurrency contributors. Many gaming industries have in-game currencies for players that they can use to acquire, invest and earn when playing the game. In the form of fiat cash or gift cards, this digital currency is available to gamers. Inside the gaming sites, all this is typically open to players, so that they can pay a penny to make further purchases such as weapons, apparel, and more.
As the gaming industry continues to grow more cryptocurrency-integrated games,
more gamers will be interested in these gaming networks and digital currency use will likely rise gradually. Gamers who are not aware of cryptocurrencies will own a token balance in this way. As a result, advanced stages of their favorite game can be leveraged.
Thus, it can be said that blockchain is the future gaming industry

Also read: Is Polkadot the fourth Largest Cryptocurrency?

Pokemon Go To Make Post-Pandemic Changes Permanent

Pokemon GO announced on its Twitter account today that it is bringing back the pandemic era Pokemon distance of 80 metres globally. The gameplay changes will be permanent and will remain as such for the rest of the game’s lifespan.

At the start of August, Niantic reverted the game interaction distance to the pre-pandemic 40-metres in the US and New Zealand, which brought about disappointment to the fans who previously appreciated the added accessibility benefits and COVID-19 safety the change offered.

The players have become accustomed to the game’s double interaction radius since it was first introduced 18 months ago. The move of reverting back the changes is a positive sign from Niantic that the company is willing to adapt to the needs of its players.

Niantic formed an internal task force to address player issues and the threat of a boycott. You can expect to know more about the findings of the task force by September 1st.

The game’s community had called on players to stop playing or spending money in the game as a mark of protest, with many of Pokemon Go’s most famous YouTubers joining in.

“Trainers – we’re looking forward to sharing our plans as a result of the task force on September 1, but one thing does not have to wait! From now on, 80 meters will be the base interaction radius for PokéStops and Gyms globally,” Niantic wrote last night. “Thank you to everyone who made your voices heard. We’ve heard you and understand that this has been a welcome benefit to many players. We’ll share more next week.”

Some people had already suggested that the changes should stay even after the pandemic since it will get people to become more active and to travel rather than being couch potatoes. Looks like the prayers have finally been answered!

Playdate Sells 20,000 Units In Less Than Twenty Minutes

The buzz around the little retro-inspired handheld Playdate gaming device seemed strong, and it translated into actual sales. Panic, the publisher behind the popular untitled Goose game, committed to selling 20,000 units on a first-come, first-serve basis.

According to Panic’s shipping estimator, Playdate’s first wave of pre-orders sold out in less than 20 minutes. The anticipated launch had few technical troubles in its way, especially for International checkers. Playdate tweeted about the server instability and 502 errors after international shipping came crashing down.

What is Playdate?

The Playdate is a gaming device built by Panic in collaboration with Teenage Engineering. It is an odd little yellow device that looks adorable by any standards. The device boasts a unique black and white display that, according to Panic, “looks more amazing than you are probably imagining.”

It has got a unique crank on its side for controlling games. Playdate is planning more than the original 24 games, although no official announcements have been made. You’ll get to unlock two games each week for 12 weeks straight. For example, if you get your device in 2022, someone who received their unit in 2021 may already be nearing the end of their 12 week season.

How To Pre-Order a Playdate?

You can order Playdate directly from the website for $179.

Remember, the price is just for the console and does not include a Stereo Doc accessory or pen, which can be bought separately. The availability and price of the following accessories haven’t been announced yet.

When is Playdate Launching?

There has been no official announcement made as far as the launch date is concerned. The company is supposed to be shipping its first 20,000 units at some point in 2021. Panic will likely be giving more information soon about the same.

Here are the countries where Playdate will be shipping at the launch:

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany Ireland

Italy

Japan

Netherlands

Poland

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland