The hottest Gaming Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Vol. 1, Issue 6 - The State of the PokƩmon TCG

Johto Times ā€¢ 119 implied HN points ā€¢ 16 Mar 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Collectibles Nostalgia Pop culture Media
  1. The PokƩmon Trading Card Game has changed a lot in recent years, especially with more people buying and selling cards online. This shift has made some collectors feel sad as they see others selling their childhood memories for quick money.
  2. Completing sets like Base, Jungle, and Fossil can still be done at reasonable prices, but that might not last forever. The writer felt lucky to finish their collections before prices went up dramatically.
  3. A reminder was given about the upcoming closure of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops. People should buy or download PokƩmon games they want before it's too late.

Vol. 1, Issue 33 - Interview with PKMN.NET

Johto Times ā€¢ 59 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Sep 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Community Interviews Pop culture Media
  1. PKMN.NET is a long-standing PokƩmon fan website that has built a strong community since its launch in 2000. It started as a place for fans to share news, tips, and connect with each other over their love for PokƩmon.
  2. The website's unique features, like the Name Rater and interactive content, helped it stand out from other PokƩmon sites. This interactivity made users feel more engaged and fostered a sense of belonging within the community.
  3. While PKMN.NET has not been updated since 2014, it remains online as a nostalgic hub for fans. The admin team, Jeroen and Mike, still cherish the relationships and memories they made through the site, emphasizing the lasting impact of the community.

Bilibili - The Story Mode So Far

Tech Buzz China Insider ā€¢ 59 implied HN points ā€¢ 08 Jul 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Streaming Monetization Gaming Advertising E-commerce
  1. Bilibili struggles to turn a profit and has seen a decline in Monthly Active Users for two quarters
  2. Bilibili's growth strategy is multi-screen, with Story Mode as a new feature focusing on high-quality long-form video content
  3. Bilibili aims to differentiate from competitors like Douyin, focusing on long-form videos and performance-based advertising

šŸ•¹ļø What you need to know about Counter Strike 2

The GameMakers Letter ā€¢ 58 implied HN points ā€¢ 31 Mar 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming Events Updates Mobile Community
  1. Counter Strike 2 is launching soon with updates like reactive grenades and enhanced graphics.
  2. MultiVersus' open beta ended and the full launch is planned for 2024, facing challenges and backlash.
  3. E3, the popular game conference, has been canceled, raising questions about the future of game events and media coverage.
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The Dawn of Ronin

Roninā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 73 implied HN points ā€¢ 30 Dec 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Blockchain Gaming Infrastructure NFTs Web3
  1. Ronin blockchain has experienced significant growth in daily active users, market capitalization, and total value locked throughout 2023.
  2. The upgrade to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) strengthened Ronin's security and decentralized the network, paving the way for more infrastructure development.
  3. Ronin introduced innovative features like Mavis Market for NFT creators, Ronin Name Service (RNS) for gamertags, and the Ronin Wallet with over 1.2 million new addresses in the past year.

Using LC0's WDL to Analyze Games

Chess Engine Lab ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Mar 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Chess Analysis Artificial Intelligence Data Visualization Gaming
  1. Analyzing chess games using LC0's WDL can provide a more insightful overview of the game compared to centipawn graphs.
  2. Increasing the number of nodes per move in analysis results in spikier graphs, showing more extreme evaluations; finding a balance between accuracy and relevance to human play is important.
  3. Using WDL contempt values in LC0 analysis can adjust the winning probabilities based on player ratings, offering a new perspective on game outcomes.

Vol. 1, Issue 11 - How emulation is making PokƩmon accessible for fans

Johto Times ā€¢ 99 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Apr 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Digital Preservation Emulation Media
  1. Emulation helps fans access PokƩmon games that are hard to find or too expensive. Many classic titles are no longer sold online, making emulation a practical choice for fans.
  2. Some people think emulating games is a gray area in terms of copyright and fairness. The conversation around whether it's right or wrong can get heated, but fans are just trying to enjoy the games they love.
  3. Recently, accurate scans of original PokƩmon artwork by Ken Sugimori have been discovered. This is exciting for fans who want to see the art as it was meant to be seen, nearly twenty-five years later.

Vol. 1, Issue 19 - Memories of the PokƩmon European International Championship 2023

Johto Times ā€¢ 79 implied HN points ā€¢ 15 Jun 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Events Comics Merchandise Community
  1. The PokƩmon European International Championships 2023 was a big event in London where fans could compete and learn about various PokƩmon games. There were lots of activities, including the new Play Lab to help beginners learn how to play.
  2. A special PokƩmon trading card set was released, featuring the return of the Kadabra card after 20 years. This set is exciting for fans and marks a big moment in the PokƩmon TCG community.
  3. Attendees should plan ahead for events like this to secure spots at attractions like the PokƩmon Center. Popular items can sell out quickly, so it's best to book early and enjoy the experience!

The Evolution of Valve's Source Engine

Deus In Machina ā€¢ 72 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Dec 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming Software Development Updates Innovation
  1. Valve's Source Engine evolved from a modified Quake engine to the renowned Source engine, powering successful games like Half-Life and Team Fortress.
  2. Valve introduced the GoldSrc and Source engines to separate stable and developmental codebases, enabling continued development without affecting existing games.
  3. The Source engine underwent major updates over the years, leading to the Orange Box update with significant graphical enhancements, and eventually paving the way for the development of Source 2.

Vol. 1, Issue 18 - Interview with Poliwager

Johto Times ā€¢ 79 implied HN points ā€¢ 08 Jun 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Community Media Entertainment Fan culture
  1. Poliwager is a fun PokƩmon fan website where people can adopt and care for their own PokƩmon. It started in 2008 and has grown to include a friendly community.
  2. The PokƩmon Trading Card Game Online closed down and has been replaced by PokƩmon Trading Card Game Live. This transition shows how the PokƩmon franchise keeps evolving.
  3. Building a community online takes time and effort, but listening to user feedback and creating fun activities can help keep people engaged and happy.

Nintendo killed your SaaS villagerāš°ļø

Mehdeeka ā€¢ 3 implied HN points ā€¢ 04 Dec 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming SaaS Business Model Mobile Apps Product Management
  1. Nintendo has shifted _Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp_ from an online subscription model to an offline version with a one-time payment. This change is quite rare and shows how gaming services can shut down publicly.
  2. The closure process included a quick announcement with little lead time, which surprised many players. Reactions varied, with some feeling sad while others were relieved it wasnā€™t a total shutdown.
  3. Nintendo's approach to communication differs from other companies. They often rely on blog posts and videos rather than extensive press releases, which can make managing user expectations during service closures challenging.

Vol. 1, Issue 25 - Event PokƩmon Distribution: In-person or online?

Johto Times ā€¢ 59 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Jul 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Entertainment Community Events Media
  1. In-person PokƩmon distribution events offer fans a fun atmosphere to meet others and collect unique PokƩmon while enjoying cool giveaways.
  2. Online PokƩmon distributions are convenient, especially for those who can't attend events due to distance, scheduling, or personal comfort, allowing more players to participate.
  3. A hybrid approach could be the best solution, where PokƩmon are first given out at events and then made available online later, ensuring everyone has a chance to enjoy them.

Still loading: Re-Loaded

Rings of Saturn ā€¢ 43 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Feb 24
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming Programming Software
  1. The cancelled Saturn game Re-Loaded from Gremlin Interactive faced performance issues leading to a low frame rate and long loading times.
  2. Despite having only one level, a patch allows players to remove time limits and explore the game more fully by playing as different characters.
  3. The preview image suggests playing as other characters, which can be unlocked by changing values in game files - offering new gameplay experiences.

Lack of Repair Options Drives Great Video Game to Die Off

Fight to Repair ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Jul 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming Repairability Legislation Sustainability Consumer Rights
  1. There is an urgent need for video game repair and modification, as shown by the lack of available classic video games.
  2. The challenges of repairing and modifying video game consoles contribute to electronic waste and hinder the preservation of gaming history.
  3. Jailbreaking video game consoles can be complex and the lack of accessible repair and modding options limits the longevity of equipment.

Vol. 1, Issue 35 - Memories of my Shiny PokƩmon encounters

Johto Times ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Oct 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Community Nostalgia Pop culture Media
  1. Shiny PokƩmon are rare and exciting to find in games, with different generations offering better chances to encounter them. They can bring a lot of joy and disappointment in the process.
  2. New PokƩmon games and collaborations, like Detective Pikachu Returns and the Van Gogh Museum, create buzz and special events for fans. These events often include unique in-game challenges and themed products.
  3. Sharing personal PokƩmon experiences and memories is a fun way to connect with the community. Many fans cherish their first cards or encounters, reflecting on how PokƩmon has influenced their lives.

Are You A Gamer, Yet?

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Sep 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Gaming AI Graphics Computer Science Innovation
  1. There are over a billion gamers worldwide, but many people have not yet embraced gaming. It's likely that in the future, almost everyone will be a gamer.
  2. AI has had a significant impact on gaming, improving graphics and gameplay experiences. At the same time, gaming advancements have also contributed to the development of AI.
  3. The relationship between AI and gaming is a two-way street, where each technology enhances the other, leading to better experiences for players.

Vol. 1, Issue 31 - Interview with Daniel Dockery (Monster Kids)

Johto Times ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Sep 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Pop culture Interviews Literature Anime Gaming
  1. Daniel Dockery's book, 'Monster Kids,' explores how PokƩmon influenced a generation and captures the essence of the 90s 'PokƩmania' era.
  2. The new PokƩmon Center is opening in Taipei, Taiwan, expanding the PokƩmon brand outside of Japan.
  3. Thereā€™s a special Tera Raid event featuring Mewtwo in PokĆ©mon Scarlet & Violet, encouraging fans to bring their strongest PokĆ©mon for the challenge.

Et Tu LEGO?

Thoughts on a Typewriter ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Mar 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Toys Digitalization Gaming Sustainability
  1. LEGO is transitioning from paper manuals to digital apps for instructions for sustainability reasons.
  2. The digital shift in LEGO instructions can detract from the immersive and unplugged experience of playing with LEGO bricks.
  3. Some LEGO sets, like Super Mario, now require downloading an app for building instructions instead of paper manuals.

#60 - AndrƩ Neves, LNM parabolic growth & Lightning friends

LN Marketsā€™ Newsletter ā€¢ 39 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Mar 23
šŸ•¹ Technology Bitcoin Gaming Payments User Experience Blockchain
  1. AndrƩ Neves is deeply involved in the Bitcoin ecosystem through ZEBEDEE, NBD, and Vinteum.
  2. Bitcoin and Lightning Network are transforming the gaming industry with instant, low-fee transactions.
  3. Improving UX around self-custody and simplifying interactions with Lightning Network are key for broader Bitcoin adoption.

Vol. 1, Issue 17 - The Legacy of PokƩmon: Part 3 - Generation 2

Johto Times ā€¢ 59 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Jun 23
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Nostalgia Community Fan culture Pop culture
  1. Generation 2 of PokƩmon, especially games like PokƩmon Crystal, holds a lot of nostalgic value for fans. Many players remember the vibrant graphics, improved gameplay, and memorable experiences they had during this time.
  2. Friendship and community were important parts of the PokƩmon experience, whether through trading and battling with friends locally or connecting with others online. These relationships helped many fans enjoy the games even more.
  3. The advancements in PokƩmon games over the years, such as the addition of features like PokƩmon HOME, show how the franchise has evolved. Fans appreciate how easier it has become to catch and trade PokƩmon compared to earlier generations.

Finding Flow in the Forgotten Realms

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 31 Jan 24
šŸŽ­ļø Culture Gaming Fantasy Immersion Choices Adventure
  1. The author found deep immersion and joy in creating and developing their character in a fantasy game, reflecting on personal choices while exploring new professions and team dynamics.
  2. Throughout the game, the author encountered moral dilemmas that blurred the lines between good and evil, emphasizing the significance of decisions and their consequences.
  3. The experience of playing the game brought the author into a state of flow and profound engagement, highlighting the value of deep immersion in activities that bring joy and satisfaction.