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Germany is Looking Into a Loot Box Ban

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In case you thought that the discussion regarding Loot Boxes is over. It’s far from it, actually, the debacle has continued and its following by the authorities from other countries is still a huge point of discussion.

Even though organisms like the ESRB believe that these loot boxes aren’t gambling. There are elected officials in several countries such as Belgium and the United States who have looked into legislation against the business model.

Well, according to a report made by the Welt Am Sonntag, Germany’s Commission for Youth Media Protection of the State Media Authorities is currently debating how to deal with the issue. Wolfgang Kreißig, the chairman of the Youth Protection Commission, says that “I think that it’s imaginable that loot boxes violate the ban on gambling for children and minors.”

The German authority is set to reach a decision on the issue in March, during which it could decide to fine game developers and publishers who include loot boxes in their games. In other words, we’ll finally be seeing the first steps towards the end of these unethical business practices.

Not only that, but if the legislation comes through, the authorities will also prohibit game creators from including loot boxes in games altogether as a loot box ban. The only way to continue selling these is to change the age rating towards adults.

The report also points to a study performed by the Universty of Hamburg that found that a minority of players are responsible for the majority of loot box revenue and that this is “a typical feature of gambling markets.”

Take notes Kenneth Tran, this is how the Loot Box debacle finally ends. By seeing these awful things gone forever gamers might be able to breathe once again.

Considering that the games industry in Germany is currently worth $4 billion annually. This could actually make a dent on many of the wallets of the giants. Maybe then they can focus on delivering good games rather than trying to make all the money in the world.

Germany is not the first one to consider a Loot Box ban, the aforementioned Belgium and even the Netherlands have also considered a ban. Meanwhile I am enjoying Dragon Ball FighterZ with loot boxes that cost absolutely nothing.

I sincerely hope that the people in the industry get banned from one of their sources of income and finally start putting some effort into their games. The gaming community can only hope for now that the German government reaches a favorable conclusion and that other countries follow suite with their decision.

I always wanted to be a journalist who listens. The Voice of the Unspoken and someone heavily involved in the gaming community. From playing as a leader of a competitive multi-branch team to organizing tournaments for the competitive scene to being involved in a lot of gaming communities. I want to keep moving forward as a journalist.

Gaming

Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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