Minority Mindset

The dispute between Apple and Epic Games, in which Microsoft is also involved, revolves around concerns raised by developers about Apple’s monopolistic behavior within the App Store. Microsoft, among others, has backed Epic Games with an amicus brief, advocating for changes that enable developers to offer alternative payment options. This move aims to overturn a court order that could maintain Apple’s current revenue model. This isn’t just a corporate spat; it’s a critical juncture that might significantly alter the digital marketplace for years to come. Major gaming companies like Microsoft are not merely protecting their own interests; they’re advocating for fairness and competition, particularly for smaller developers who lack the legal power to challenge Apple directly.

GeoGuessr isn’t merely a game; it offers a worldwide adventure where players must identify locations using only Google Street View images. Interestingly, the engaging and challenging maps are mainly created by dedicated volunteers rather than the game developers. The map-making process requires meticulous attention to detail, with some creators spending years gathering thousands of carefully selected spots. As one user put it, “There are millions of locations on Google street view, a large portion of which are poor quality…”

The skill of the community in creating high-quality, diverse maps enhances the gameplay experience significantly, surpassing the official maps made by GeoGuessr. By pausing their maps, these mapmakers aren’t just demonstrating protest; they’re also highlighting the immense effort they invest in the GeoGuessr community.

The first occasion I conversed with Rare for TopMob was when I inquired about the absence of games imitating their style, finding it intriguing in an industry that often follows successful models. Three years later, this observation remains valid. Recently, some titles like Jump Ship, Wildgate, and Sand have been compared to Sea of Thieves, but none are seriously attempting to replicate Rare’s multiplayer adventure game. I recently spoke with Mike Chapman, the creative director of Sea of Thieves, again to ask this question once more, and this time I sought a clearer answer: What specific elements would make a game a “Sea of Thieves-esque” title?

The foundation of The Alters revolves around the ‘what if’, but let me tell you, it’s so much more than just that. For nearly three years since its announcement, no promotional material has managed to convey the game’s core purpose clearly for me. However, a recent invitation from 11 bit studios to visit Warsaw and play The Alters for six hours, interact with the developers, and understand the game better, provided an answer to my question – what on earth is this game about? And guess what? I discovered something intriguing that I appreciate.

The strategies for playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Pocket version are set to shift again, as characters hailing from Ultra Space are arriving and introducing a fresh wave of tactics in the upcoming expansion.

On the morning of Sunday, June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible started its journey into the North Atlantic Ocean’s abyss, aiming to investigate the Titanic wreckage. However, only two hours into the mission, contact was lost with the mother ship – and the submersible never reappeared.