The hottest Gaming Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Lumiterra’s Closed Beta Test starts NEXT WEEK!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 73 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development User Experience Community
  1. Lumiterra's Closed Beta Test starts on November 11th and will last around three weeks. Players can check their access eligibility based on previous participation and certain criteria.
  2. New features include equipment enhancement options, six dungeon difficulty levels, and a team-based PvP event called Escort Slime. These updates aim to offer more ways to earn rewards and enjoy the game.
  3. The onboarding process for new players has improved, with NPCs guiding them through game basics and advanced tasks. This makes it easier for beginners to dive into the world of Lumiterra.

That Time I Tried To Get Johnathan Blow To Publish a Game to Windows 8

Meanwhile, on the other side of my brain... • 99 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🕹 Technology Coding Gaming Software Development Indie games
  1. Setting realistic goals is crucial for success, rather than unachievable targets that can lead to frustration.
  2. Building genuine relationships and solving real problems with developers can lead to lasting goodwill.
  3. Understanding and meeting the needs of developers is key to successful developer relations, instead of focusing solely on unreachable goals.
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What the Hell Am I Doing Here?

Meanwhile, on the other side of my brain... • 99 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🕹 Technology Development Programming Gaming YouTube Projects
  1. The author faced a challenging recovery period after a car accident, including cognitive issues that persisted for months.
  2. Despite challenges, the author is enthusiastic about returning to writing, programming, and sharing knowledge on game development and tools.
  3. The author plans to expand the newsletter's topics, including sharing stories, project updates, and insights, and to create more video content.

Just how big have PC & console game catalogs got?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 353 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming News Discovery
  1. The choice of visual media has exploded, including on-demand watching and streaming platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
  2. The cumulative choice of PC and console games has significantly increased, leading to different market dynamics.
  3. Console platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox have seen a rise in the number of games added each year, impacting game competition and sales.

Axie Classic Dev Update - March 2024

The Lunacian • 598 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Web3 Tokens Community
  1. Guilds are being introduced to Axie Classic, creating a sense of community and allowing players to support each other, share tips, and celebrate successes.
  2. The Guild Update includes features like the Guild Axie Vault for sharing Axies and learning new strategies, as well as a Guild Treasury for sharing rewards and making the game more rewarding.
  3. The game is focusing on attracting web3 and Ronin gamers, establishing guilds to cater to different player types and implementing balancing efforts to enhance gameplay experiences.

Crash the Runiverse Starts TODAY!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Blockchain Web3 Virtual Worlds
  1. Crash the Runiverse is a 5-day event starting on January 14th, allowing players to dive into the game and earn rewards.
  2. There’s a big airdrop happening with a token called Quanta, which players can earn by participating during the event.
  3. A new feature called the Omen system lets players change dungeon difficulty to earn more rewards as they level up.

What Palworld's success tells us about 2024's game biz

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 314 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Market Analysis Game Development eBooks Industry Trends
  1. Palworld's success shows that players enjoy familiar game mechanics with a touch of novelty on top.
  2. Palworld's unique gameplay loop and intricate mechanics contribute to its success in the gaming market.
  3. Understanding the creator's vision and the development process of a game like Palworld can provide insights into its success.

Your Attention Please: A New Era of Games Showcases is Here

A16Z GAMES • 139 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Marketing Communities Innovation
  1. Game developers need to find new ways to get their games discovered in the post-E3 era.
  2. Smaller, targeted digital showcases are emerging to help reach specific player audiences beyond traditional large events like The Game Awards and Nintendo Direct.
  3. Game developers face challenges like game saturation, rising user acquisition costs, and the need for strategic marketing strategies to ensure their games get noticed.

Fableborne Season 3 is LIVE!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 49 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Mobile Rewards NFTs
  1. Fableborne Season 3 is now available! This game mixes strategy and action, letting you raid players and earn rewards.
  2. You can earn special rewards like Fortune Keys by completing quests and buy Fortune Passes to unlock more goodies inside the game.
  3. Building a strong kingdom is key! Customize your defenses and level up to better protect your resources and stand against other players.

Which Steam games 'won' revenue again in 2023?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Game Development App Store Virtual reality
  1. Steam ranked top games by gross revenue in 2023 based on 'Platinum', 'Gold', 'Silver', and 'Bronze' tiers
  2. Around 35% of the top revenue games in 2023 were new releases; games generally needed at least $20 million gross to make the rankings
  3. Deep Rock Galactic saw increased sales in 2023, success with cosmetic DLC, and plans for spinoff games

Cyberpunk 2077 is Reactionary

The J. Burden Show • 299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Media Politics Technology
  1. Cyberpunk 2077 is considered reactionary due to its anti-capitalist themes and illiberal elements.
  2. The game presents a dystopian world with diverse characters, rampant drug use, and themes of human modification and transhumanism.
  3. The protagonist is led by a middle-aged female president in a highly immersive, futuristic setting.

Extending the demo: SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)

Rings of Saturn • 43 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Development Communication
  1. The _SoulCalibur_ demo limits you to two characters and one mode, but a patch can unlock more characters and modes.
  2. This demo is an earlier version of the game, allowing players to explore new features not available in the final release.
  3. Some aspects of the game, like certain modes and features, may crash or behave differently compared to the full game.

Even Diabetes Research Foundations Are Trying to Connect With Kids Through Roblox

Crossplay • 235 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Online Communities Digital marketing Health tech
  1. JDRF used Roblox to create spaces for kids with type 1 diabetes to connect and learn about the condition.
  2. When trying to engage with a younger audience on platforms like Roblox, it's important to understand the platform and its audience well.
  3. Charity Walk Simulator in Roblox by JDRF incentivized players to walk and learn about diabetes, showing success with over 2,500 virtual bears given away in 24 hours.

Vol. 2, Issue 24 - Interview with We All Live In A Pokémon World

Johto Times • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Media Fan culture Internet culture Gaming
  1. The website 'We All Live In A Pokémon World...' defended Pokémon from unfair rumors and misconceptions, emphasizing the positive themes of friendship and kindness in the franchise.
  2. Pokémon has grown significantly over the years, with new generations creating a sense of community among fans who share their love for the franchise with their families.
  3. Despite facing various issues and criticisms, the Pokémon brand has maintained its popularity by focusing on the joy and connection it brings to fans worldwide.

448: Tyranny of Marginal Users, Twitter Paywall, Airbnb AI, Softbank, Microsoft + Nintendo?, Renaissance Tech, and Rodrigo y Gabriela

Liberty’s Highlights • 432 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Gaming Documentaries Virtual reality
  1. Question the norm and be open to different ways of doing things.
  2. Be cautious of catering solely to marginal users in product design.
  3. Consider the implications of platforms like Twitter potentially implementing paywalls.

How this solo-dev 'incremental' game hit 100k+ sales!

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Artificial Intelligence Piracy
  1. The solo-developed 'incremental' game Gnorp Apologue sold over 120k copies in a month on Steam.
  2. The game attracted players and YouTubers with unexpected upgrades, swift scaling, and adorable pixel art helpers.
  3. The developer priced the game low at $6.99 to make it accessible and enjoyable for players, leading to its unexpected success.

Vol. 2, Issue 27 - Interview with Pokémon Forever

Johto Times • 39 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Fan culture Gaming Interviews
  1. Pokémon Forever was an important fan site that provided detailed information about the early Pokémon games. It helped fans understand game mechanics and offered tools for deeper insights.
  2. The creator, Chris Fritz, used the site to learn web development and programming, which significantly shaped his career. He also made notable contributions to Pokémon terminology that fans still use today.
  3. Despite closing in 2005, Pokémon Forever left a legacy in the community. Chris reflected positively on his experiences and encouraged new fans to explore technology through their interests.

Santa's Souped-Up MEGA65

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 22 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Computers Software Gaming Development Community
  1. The MEGA65 community is thriving with exciting new projects and downloads, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of its members.
  2. New tools like SidPlay65 and COPA65 enhance the music and text editing experience on the MEGA65, making it more fun and user-friendly.
  3. Projects such as full-color video demos and powerful file browsers show that innovation continues to grow in the MEGA65 ecosystem.

Under the microscope: Elevator Action Returns

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Cheat Codes Game design
  1. In Elevator Action Returns, you play as a special agent trying to stop terrorists. You use elevators to move around levels, which makes for some fun gameplay.
  2. A new code was discovered for unlocking extra options in the game like game speed and player lives. This adds more variety to how you can play.
  3. There's a hidden debug mode that lets you control the game in unique ways, but it can cause some glitches. A patch has been created to fix these issues and enhance the experience.

Unity changes: why PC & console devs feel like the 'ugly duckling'

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 393 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Platforms Market Trends
  1. Unity announced changes to its game engine license pricing model based on 'number of installs of your game'.
  2. Unity's engine business for PC/consoles is less important financially compared to its mobile ads/mediation division.
  3. The new pricing model by Unity has caused dissatisfaction among developers, especially PC and console developers.

PC game discovery in China: how does it work?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Social media Market Trends Game Development Influencer Marketing
  1. In China, PC games are discovered through popular themes and genres like prison break planning and Wuxia-style RPGs.
  2. Key Chinese services for game discovery include platforms like Bilibili and Douyin, similar to YouTube and TikTok.
  3. Game developers can boost player engagement by giving away in-game cosmetics through personalized codes.

Vol. 2, Issue 31 - The Legacy of Pokémon - Part 6 (Generation VI)

Johto Times • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Nostalgia Fan culture Media Community
  1. Generation VI of Pokémon introduced exciting features like Mega Evolutions and the mobile game Pokémon GO, which brought new life to the franchise.
  2. The remake Pokémon Omega Ruby received praise for its added story elements and nostalgia, while some felt that Pokémon Y lacked depth and polish.
  3. Playing Pokémon GO created fun and memorable experiences, improving social interactions and physical activity, as well as providing a positive impact on mental well-being.

Which countries played PC and console games... recently?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Streaming platforms
  1. Research showed which countries had the most players of PC and console games in the last two weeks, with China, the U.S., and some European countries standing out.
  2. The most streamed games in January included Palworld, Escape From Tarkov, and new releases like Enshrouded and Tekken 8.
  3. Recent game platform and discovery news included updates on Nintendo Switch sales, Steam iconography changes, and Roblox's revenue growth in 2023.

Vol. 2, Issue 12 - My Pokémon Collection (Part 5)

Johto Times • 119 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Music Gaming Collectibles Entertainment
  1. The author has a passion for Pokémon music and enjoys collecting soundtrack albums from the games. Each album reminds them of fond memories associated with the games.
  2. New Pokémon Trading Card Game sets and distribution events for in-game items are coming soon, keeping the community engaged with fresh content.
  3. Physical soundtracks for recent Pokémon games have been announced, and the author is excited to add those to their collection.

Axie Champions is LIVE!

The Lunacian • 368 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming NFTs Mobile Web3 RPG
  1. Axie Champions is a Match3 Puzzle game where you can play with your own axies and earn rewards. The game resembles Axie and involves strategy in team building for success.
  2. To play Axie Champions, download the game on Android, connect your Ronin Wallet, and start playing with your own axies. Earn off-chain CUBE rewards that can be exchanged for AXS.
  3. In Axie Champions, utilizing Affinity Advantages and proper team building is crucial. Understanding different Axie classes and their relationships enhances gameplay and victory chances.