Overwatch is objectively a really good game. In the year since its release it’s ballooned to millions of players very quickly, all with using a Buy-to-play business model rather than subscription. Of course, many players have already bought the game and while they’re definitely still enticing new players, Blizzard needs a way to continue to make profit from their current player base in order to support further development. Enter loot boxes.
All heroes and content is available for free with the purchase of Overwatch, but the draw of cosmetic upgrades is strong and games have seen a lot of success in the past by using skins and the like as a way to make profit. Players are rewarded with loot boxes, albeit slowly, just by playing the game, but they can also purchase them with real money for more chances at their favorite skins.
Overwatch is available in many countries around the world, and each country has its own rules and regulations – some of them affecting video games. The Chinese market is a big source of profit for Blizzard, so when the government required the company to list the odds of obtaining each item from a loot box in an effort to fight compulsive gambling, Blizzard begrudgingly obliged. Below are the drop rates for each different “quality” of item:
Every box contains at least one rare (blue) item.
Players get an epic (purple) item once every 5.5 boxes.
Legendary items appear once every 13.5 boxes.
These drop rates don’t seem that abysmal, though maybe I’m just unlucky as it seems I almost never get legendary items. It isn’t clear whether these drop rates are the same in all regions or just specific to China, and Blizzard has been hush-hush on the matter as they’re not required to disclose the information outside of China. However, I think it’s fair to suggest that the drop rates in loot boxes are similar in the West, too.
Are you guys surprised about these drop rates? Are they higher or lower than you expected? Blizzard obviously has to make money somehow, so making the drop rates too high wouldn’t make sense. Are the way loot boxes set up currently, fair? Sound off in the comments below!
Gaming
The cast of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film has added an exciting new addition with the inclusion of Shadow, who will be voiced by the talented Keanu Reeves
After a long wait, it appears that the search for a capable Hollywood actor to bring the brooding Shadow the Hedgehog to life has come to an end. Keanu Reeves, a renowned actor known for his iconic roles in film franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick, as well as his involvement in the highly anticipated game Cyberpunk 2077, has officially been cast for the role.
Speculation has been running wild lately, but The Hollywood Reporter has officially confirmed the casting, citing reliable sources in the know. News of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being showcased at Cinemacon has quickly spread. Reeves is sure to bring his own special touch to the role, but it’s uncertain how well he will mesh with the mustachioed Dr. Robotnik, as Jim Carrey is set to reprise the character.
What are your thoughts on Keanu Reeves being cast as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3? Please avoid sharing fan art in the comments section below.
ATLUS has just announced their latest event, the “ATLUS Exclusive: Metaphor: ReFantazio” broadcast. Fans can look forward to an exciting 30-minute showcase of never-before-seen gameplay from the publisher/developer. How exciting is that to anticipate?
According to Gematsu, director Katsura Hashino will serve as the host of the broadcast, which will debut on YouTube on April 22. The English version will include dubbed audio and English subtitles, and we have also expanded the list of timezones available.
- North America: 3 pm PDT, 4 pm MDT, 5 pm CDT, and 6 pm EDT.
- UK/Ire: 11pm BST
- Europe: 12am CEST / 1am EEST
- Asia/Oceania: 7am JST, 6am AWST, 8am AEST.
Additionally, there is a scheduled stream for the next day, April 23rd, with the specific times listed below. Get ready for the “ATLUS Exclusive Debut Commemoration Special—Metaphor: Stalkers Club Final,” where fans can indulge in the captivating presence of hosts Mafia Kajita and Tomomi Isomura. They will thoroughly analyze and delve into all the information disclosed during the initial broadcast. Sayawaka, a visitor who is the author of the associated manga’s story, will be with them.
- North America: 7 am PDT, 8 am MDT, 9 am CDT, and 10 am EDT.
- UK/Ire: 3pm BST
- Europe: 4pm CEST / 5pm EEST
- Asia/Oceania: 11pm JST, 10pm AWST, 1am AEDT
What are your thoughts on the influx of information about Metaphor: ReFantazio? Are you planning to watch any of the upcoming broadcasts? Share your authentic thoughts in the comments section below.
Despite the numerous praises players have showered upon Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, there is one particular aspect of the game that has garnered nothing but criticism: the perplexing wording of its retry screen, which players encounter when facing a Game Over. Fortunately, the developers have discreetly resolved this issue in the game’s latest patch. They have fixed the Platinum Trophy progression, resulting in a slightly less confusing experience for players.
If you don’t possess exceptional combat abilities, chances are you’ve come across the game’s notorious four options: “Retry from Current Battle, Retry from This Battle, Retry from Before Battle, or Resume.”. As an avid gamer, I must admit that I’ve experienced the frustration of losing precious time due to my own foolish mistake. In this particular instance, I found myself engrossed in fine-tuning my matrix and equipping my party, only to have it all go to waste when I encountered a formidable enemy. To compound my error, I made the ill-advised decision to retry the battle, resulting in an hour of agonizing repetition. Lesson learned!
The “Retry from This Battle” option has become a source of frustration for players who are struggling with the game’s final boss encounter, leading to a significant number of rage-quits. Without giving away any surprises, opting for that choice after being defeated would result in players being sent back to the beginning of the final boss encounter, needlessly forcing them to forfeit approximately an hour’s worth of hard-earned progress in battle.
After the update, players now have the option to select “Retry from the Current Phase” instead of “Retry from Before the Current Battle.”. It’s worth noting that this change is only slightly improved. It’s rather disappointing that the screen is overly convoluted, which may lead to players feeling frustrated. While it’s better late than never, we can’t help but wonder if this issue will persist in the future.
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