The hottest Gaming Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin — Defender of the Future

Rings of Saturn • 174 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Programming Engineering
  1. There are special cheat codes in the game 'Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future' that can be activated by naming your save file a certain way. These codes unlock features like immortality and all-level access.
  2. A reverse-engineering tool called Ghidra was used to find these codes and understand how they were hidden in the game. It shows how programming can uncover secret game mechanics.
  3. Some codes do different things, like showing the frame rate or unlocking a bonus game. One code is mysterious and doesn't seem to do anything at all, adding an element of fun discovery.

Bonus: Fighters Megamix

Rings of Saturn • 130 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Entertainment Media Technology Art
  1. There's a hidden stage in Fighters Megamix that can be accessed under specific conditions. It's called the 'Oshima Stage' and players discovered it through hacking.
  2. To get to the hidden stage naturally, players must follow a process that includes battling the CPU and restricting character choices. This can unlock the special stage during gameplay.
  3. The creator of the game, Yutaka Ito, shared his regrets about the hidden stage freezing during gameplay. It seems to be a topic of nostalgia and curiosity for long-time fans.

Under the microscope: Actua Golf & Virtual Golf

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gaming History Technology Entertainment Sports
  1. The game 'Actua Golf' has some secret cheat codes that can change the game experience, like showing the names of the game creators.
  2. There was a plan for a follow-up disc with more golf courses for 'Actua Golf', but it never officially released.
  3. In 'Virtual Golf', players can use scrambled player names as passwords to unlock professional tournaments, making it more accessible for everyone.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Meet the Team Bringing AI Agents to Minecraft

A16Z GAMES • 439 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Gaming Startups Innovation
  1. Altera is developing AI agents for Minecraft that can interact autonomously and learn from player interactions.
  2. The team at Altera, including MIT PhDs and ex-Google AI engineers, aims to create agents with episodic memory and the ability to set their own goals.
  3. Altera's long-term goal is to expand their AI agents to other games like Roblox and integrate their technology with game engine SDKs for wider developer use.

Saturn RPG hacking roundup: Grandia Digital Museum, Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden, & Marica: The Real World

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hacking Debugging
  1. Games like Grandia Digital Museum have hidden debug modes that let players access special features. You can enable these modes by changing settings in the game's files.
  2. Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushido Retsuden allows players to activate a debug menu with a patch. This lets them test backgrounds and other game elements easily.
  3. In Marica: Shinjitsu no Sekai, players can unlock a debug screen using a specific cheat code. This screen offers more control and allows visiting different game locations.

Numlock News: January 8, 2024 • Robots, Ramen, Star Citizen

Numlock News • 786 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Food Books Automation Software
  1. Star Citizen is a video game in alpha development raising massive funds through selling digital spaceships.
  2. Instant ramen sales are booming globally, with a spicy chicken-flavored soup gaining popularity in the US.
  3. Automation struggles as some tasks are easy for humans but difficult for robots, showcasing a low robot usage rate in US manufacturing plants.

Introducing the Axie Game Stats Discord Bot!

The Lunacian • 230 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Community Web Apps Bots
  1. The Axie Game Stats Discord Bot is now live, helping players track in-game stats for different Axie games like Origins and Classic.
  2. You can use commands to find individual player stats, guild performance, and even recent match history easily in Discord.
  3. The bot is new and will keep getting updates and features. Players are encouraged to share feedback to help improve it.

NFT Trading Contest: Lumiterra Edition

Ronin’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto NFTs Trading Blockchain Gaming Rewards
  1. There is a Lumiterra NFT Trading Contest happening from November 28 to December 8, where you can compete for rewards by trading NFTs.
  2. The top 100 traders can share a prize pool of 14K RON, and you can also earn raffle tickets for more chances to win rewards.
  3. Make sure to trade Lumiterra NFTs worth at least $10 to earn raffle tickets and keep your trades within the contest dates to qualify.

$800 -> $85k in 72 Hours: Reflections on Luck and Skill from the Part Time Poker Grind

The Hobbyist • 77 HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎾 Sports Gaming Luck Competitions Reflection
  1. Poker is a game where luck is a big part of winning. Even skilled players can lose because the odds are often against them.
  2. The process of playing poker matters more than just the results. Understanding how to play well shows true skill, not just winning a tournament once.
  3. To improve in poker, players should focus on getting more experience. Playing online or teaming up with other players helps in gaining more practice and learning better strategies.

Vol. 2, Issue 33 - Interview with Carol Monahan (Wizards of the Coast)

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Interviews Entertainment Pop culture Collectibles
  1. Carol Monahan was a key figure at Wizards of the Coast when they got the Pokémon Trading Card Game license. She helped ensure products were shipped to stores, which was crucial during the game's early success.
  2. Wizards of the Coast faced many challenges as they quickly expanded, especially when the Pokémon TCG became popular. They had to manage large shipments and secure enough resources to meet the demand.
  3. The sale of Wizards to Hasbro changed things, but at first, Pokémon continued to thrive. However, over time, Hasbro struggled to maintain their relationship with the Pokémon brand.

AI Roundup 100: CES

Artificial Ignorance • 37 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Consumer Tech Gaming Software Innovation
  1. Nvidia announced exciting new AI technologies at CES, including a personal AI supercomputer and improved GPUs, which shows they are leading in AI development.
  2. Meta is testing AI-generated features that mimic users and create AI versions of photos, but many users are not happy about these changes.
  3. AI adoption among programmers is still slow and many doubt its effectiveness, but there is a lot of potential for improvement and speed gains.

🍿 Netflix Steps into the WWE Ring

How They Make Money • 569 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Streaming Revenue Entertainment Gaming Subscription
  1. Netflix secures a $5 billion, 10-year deal with WWE for exclusive rights to 'Raw' and other shows, expanding its reach internationally.
  2. WWE's global appeal, available in 180 countries and reaching over one billion homes, makes it a strategic fit for Netflix.
  3. Moving WWE content to Netflix provides a win-win situation, giving WWE access to a larger platform and providing Netflix with exclusive content to retain and attract members.

The Origins Season 11 Final Era is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 46 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Blockchain Digital Assets Esports Software
  1. The Origins Season 11 Final Era has started, with players competing for a big prize pool of 24,000 AXS. Congrats to Lixh for topping the Mystic Era rankings!
  2. Top players will get rewards based on their performance, with 15,000 players eligible for AXS and an exclusive avatar for the top 30,000 players.
  3. There will be an Elite 8 Tournament on January 12th, where the best players will contest for a share of a 3,000 AXS prize pool.

Axie Delegation is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 184 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🔮 Crypto Gaming NFTs Blockchain Community
  1. Axie Delegation is now available, allowing players to rent out their NFT axies like a scholarship. This means managers can earn benefits from their idle axies while scholars can play with better axies without needing to buy them.
  2. There's a new Delegation Center where players can manage their delegated axies easily. You can bulk delegate or revoke access from there, making it super simple to keep track of everything.
  3. The delegation feature will expand to other Axie games, but it won't be the same for all games right away. Each game will have its own rules and details for how delegation works.

$Pixel Is Coming!

The Lunacian • 1334 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🔮 Crypto Tokens Gaming Web3
  1. The new $PIXEL token will be the premium in-game currency for Pixels.
  2. Players can expect features like guilds, pet mints, and quality of life enhancements with $PIXEL.
  3. Participating in the Play-to-Airdrop 2.0 campaign can earn players a chance to receive $PIXEL tokens.

🐉 Microsoft Layoffs, Dating App Vulnerabilities & Mario Kart Decompilation

ppdispatch • 8 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🕹 Technology Software Gaming Security AI Open Source
  1. Stack Overflow is trying to rebrand because its traffic is dropping a lot. This change is happening as more developers start using AI tools for help instead of asking questions on forums.
  2. A dating app called Cerca has serious security issues that exposed personal data of thousands of users. This issue shows that new companies often risk safety for faster growth.
  3. The Mario Kart 64 game has now been fully decompiled, making it easier to preserve and possibly port the game to other platforms. This is a big win for gaming history and the open-source community.

Under the microscope: Hang-On GP

Rings of Saturn • 14 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Internet Hardware Digital Media
  1. Some hidden cheat codes for the game Hang-On GP have been discovered after almost 30 years. These codes can unlock special bikes and game modes.
  2. Players can now easily unlock all tracks and unlimited time in Time Trial mode with specific button sequences. This makes the game more fun and accessible.
  3. The cheat codes seem to have varied availability online, and some might still be missing from popular gaming sites. Players can share and help complete these lists.

5 Trends Driving the Future of VR Gaming

A16Z GAMES • 179 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🕹 Technology Virtual reality Gaming Development Future outlook
  1. VR gaming is gaining momentum with over 30 million Meta Quest headsets sold and successful games like Gorilla Tag, indicating a bright future for the platform.
  2. Developers are focusing on creating more inviting VR hardware and software to overcome challenges like motion sickness and resistance to bulky headsets.
  3. The younger generation, like the Roblox users, is embracing VR quickly, leading to the rise of social experiences and free games targeted at a younger audience.

Welcome to Ronin, Fableborne!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 86 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Blockchain NFTs Mobile Apps
  1. Fableborne is a free-to-play mobile game that combines elements of Diablo and Clash of Clans. It has attracted a lot of players, with over 100,000 joining in its second season.
  2. To start playing, you should create a Pixion ID and connect your Ronin Wallet at Fableborne.com. This will let you earn rewards and join the game's community.
  3. Essence is a special currency in the game that players earn through gameplay. There are different types of Essence, and holding certain NFTs can give you extra benefits.

Crossplay Mailbag: "Is Nintendo's Awful Online Setup Actually Great For Kids?"

Crossplay • 746 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Online Services Parenting Video Games
  1. Kids may easily switch between different games and videos, affecting their level of commitment to a particular game
  2. Parents appreciate the strict controls of Nintendo's online setup for kids playing multiplayer games
  3. Introducing games to children can be influenced by personal values and the desire to guide the child's exposure in a positive way

Vol. 2, Issue 26 - Interview with Poké-Amph

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Community Internet Media Nostalgia
  1. Poké-Amph was a popular fan site for Pokémon that ran from 1999 to 2014. It was created by Ryan, who shared his love for Pokémon and helped fans enjoy the games and shows better.
  2. Ryan enjoyed creating video game guides on the site, which helped visitors learn more about Pokémon games. He also learned a lot about web design and programming while managing Poké-Amph.
  3. Despite still loving Pokémon from his childhood, Ryan isn't impressed with recent games. He hopes to keep the old Poké-Amph site as a piece of internet history, even if he won't update it anymore.

474: Apple Cloud Gaming, Elon Musk vs Tesla & OpenAI, LVMH, Dialup Era, Batteries, Chip Smuggling, Neuralink + Humans, and Malaria Vaccine

Liberty’s Highlights • 373 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming AI Cryptocurrency Medical Neuroscience
  1. Reflect on past technological transitions to appreciate progress made and inspire future advancements
  2. Batteries are crucial for transitioning to clean energy but require significant investment and innovation
  3. Exciting developments in technology, from Apple allowing game streaming to Neuralink's brain implants

Introducing AXP in Homeland!

The Lunacian • 736 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming NFT Ecosystem Metaverse Gameplay
  1. Earn Axie Experience Points (AXP) in Homeland to enable axie evolution and dynamic NFTs by engaging in various activities like gathering, producing, crafting, constructing, upgrading, combining, and dismantling materials.
  2. There is a daily cap of earning up to 10,000 AXP per axie in Homeland, with the reset happening every 24 hours at 00:00 UTC.
  3. Assign your NFT axies to your land plots in Homeland to start earning AXP, and remember that the AXP earned is specific to each axie.

Expansion hack: Christmas NiGHTS into Sonic

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hacking
  1. A new ROM hack lets Sonic replace NiGHTS in Christmas NiGHTS, allowing him to fly and battle Gillwing. This change brings a fresh experience to fans of the game.
  2. The hack includes custom tweaks, like enabling Sonic to have paraloop trails and using his signature spin attack instead of NiGHTS's drill dash. These updates improve gameplay by making it feel more like a traditional Sonic experience.
  3. Players can quickly access the Sonic present by modifying the game's startup code. This makes it easier for fans to jump right into the action without navigating through menus.

The Ultimate Game Dev's Guide to Working with Content Creators

A16Z GAMES • 199 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
💼 Business Gaming Marketing Content creation Industry Trends Relationship building
  1. One of the biggest challenges for game developers is working with content creators to market their games effectively. It's important to find creators that resonate with your game and engage with them early on.
  2. Each content creator is unique, so it's crucial to tailor your approach to match their audience and content style. Understand their goals and create experiences that align with them.
  3. Building long-term relationships with content creators requires kindness, respect, and genuine engagement. Treat them well, consider their needs, and value the relationship beyond short-term marketing gains.

Death, and rebirth, of virtual reality

SuperJoost Playlist • 456 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Virtual reality Gaming Regulation Innovation
  1. Apple is changing the vocabulary around virtual reality to set itself apart from competitors like Meta.
  2. Regulators are updating policies on children's online privacy in response to the growing popularity of interactive entertainment.
  3. Significant job cuts are happening in big tech companies like Unity and Twitch, affecting the game development industry.

Origins Season 7 is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 828 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🔮 Crypto Gaming Rewards Updates Crafting
  1. Origins Season 7 is live with intense battles and a Hybrid Leaderboard system offering over $640,000 in rewards
  2. Increased AXP in Origins allows for faster leveling of axies, with added AXP Booster for quicker gains
  3. Collectible Leaderboards and new items like Runes and Charm Boxes enhance the season grind for players

Is the latest game subscription 'moral panic' justified?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 373 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Subscriptions Market Trends Game Development Digital Platforms
  1. There is debate about whether the 'moral panic' around the latest game subscription services is justified.
  2. Subscription services like Game Pass are seen as gatekeeping and may impact the creation of creative first-party games.
  3. The market for games is evolving, with a mix of direct-to-market games, subscription services, and the importance of gamers owning their catalogs.

Expansion hack: Ejihon Detective Agency

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Entertainment Media Arts Technology
  1. The game Ejihon Detective Agency can now be played as a standalone Saturn game, which wasn't the case before. This brings more accessibility for players who want to try it.
  2. There are unique demo discs called Game-Ware, which are more like magazines with game demos. They include mini-games and ads, making them more interactive than standard magazines.
  3. The Saturn versions of Ejihon support extra features, like multiplayer and karaoke modes. This makes playing the game with friends more fun compared to the original arcade version.

Vol. 2, Issue 30 - Interview with Lycanroc.Net

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Fan Communities Web Development Media Interviews
  1. Lycanroc.Net is a fan website that started in 2003 and shares various Pokémon content, along with other interests of its creator, Cat. It has been visited over 8 million times.
  2. Cat's work includes running an online community called Victory Road for eleven years, which had about 1,500 members at its peak. Even after its closure, he values the importance of keeping the community's history online.
  3. Cat's passion for Pokémon has shifted over time, and he now enjoys birdwatching, where he tries to capture photos of as many species as possible, keeping a 'BirdDex' instead of a Pokédex.

The $WF Token is LIVE on Ronin!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Tokens NFTs Decentralized Finance Gaming
  1. The $WF token is now available on the Katana platform, which powers the Wild Forest game. This token enhances the gameplay and allows players to trade and interact more within the game.
  2. Players can claim their $WF tokens from various locations like in-game balances and wallets, making it easy to access what they've earned.
  3. Users can trade and provide liquidity for the $WF token, which helps grow the game's ecosystem and potentially earn rewards.