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Gaming

Playstation 5 Pro Debut Will Increase Daily Playing Times

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September, 2024 – Tokyo, Japan – Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro), set to hit the market on November 7, 2024. The PS5 Pro builds upon the success of the PlayStation 5 with significant upgrades in graphics performance, ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling technology, positioning itself as the most powerful gaming console available today. Preorders for the PS5 Pro will begin on September 26, 2024.

Key Features of PS5 Pro:

– GPU Upgrade: 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory than the PS5.

– Advanced Ray Tracing: Provides 2x-3x faster reflection and refraction of light.

– AI-Driven Upscaling: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution enhances image clarity with machine learning.

– Game Boost for Backward Compatibility: Applies to over 8,500 PS4 and PS5 titles.

Predicted Market Impact:

Based on previous console launch trends, the PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to capture a significant share of the console gaming market. Analysts predict that 15-20 million units of PS5 Pro could be sold globally within the first year of release. Early adopters and PlayStation loyalists are likely to make up the majority of these sales.

1. Demographics:

– Early Adopters (Ages 18-35): The core demographic, consisting of competitive gamers and tech enthusiasts, are expected to drive early sales.

– Casual Gamers (Ages 25-45): As the console matures, more casual gamers are anticipated to upgrade for the enhanced gaming experience, adding to overall sales.

2. Global Reach:

– North America and Europe will account for 65% of sales, with the U.S. alone expected to see 7 million units sold by the end of 2025.

– Asia, particularly Japan and China, will be major markets for growth due to strong console gaming cultures. Japan is expected to account for 3 million units sold.

– Impact on Rival Consoles:

The PS5 Pro is expected to attract current Xbox owners seeking better performance, with projections showing 5-8% of Xbox users considering switching to the PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro’s launch, combined with exclusive titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, could lure high-performance gamers away from Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.

Table: Console Market Share Projections for 2024-2025

ConsoleProjected Units Sold (2024-2025)Market Share
PlayStation 5 Pro15-20 million45%
Xbox Series X12-15 million30%
Nintendo Switch OLED10-12 million25%

Sources: Market analysts at Statista and NPD Group

Predicted Impact on Daily Life and Gaming Habits:

With its enhanced performance, the PS5 Pro is expected to increase daily gaming time for players. According to previous studies, the average PlayStation user spends 2.6 hours per day gaming. With the PS5 Pro’s superior graphics and smoother gameplay, experts predict this number could rise to 3.2 hours per day, especially for competitive and multiplayer games, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone.

Expert Commentary

Vadim Khrulev, CEO of The Solitaire online gaming, shares his perspective on the PS5 Pro’s expected impact:

“The PlayStation 5 Pro is not just an incremental upgrade; it’s a leap forward in gaming technology. Its advanced hardware will attract early adopters and high-performance gamers, positioning Sony to further dominate the console market. I anticipate that the PS5 Pro will likely capture 40-50% of the console market within a year, stealing market share from Xbox and even cutting into Nintendo’s casual gaming audience. The enhanced performance will undoubtedly increase daily playtime and keep players more engaged, which also opens the door for developers to push the limits of game design.”

Availability and Pricing:

– Launch Date: November 7, 2024

– Price: MSRP of $699.99 USD/ $952.41CAD [exchange rate at time of article posting], £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY

– Storage: 2TB SSD

– Preorders Begin: September 26, 2024

The PS5 Pro will be available at participating retailers and through PlayStation’s direct online store, direct.playstation.com.

About PlayStation:

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a global leader in digital entertainment and the PlayStation brand is synonymous with innovation in gaming hardware, software, and services.

Gaming

Can eSports Save The World?

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Almost two years ago, the Gamers Without Borders tournament was held to raise funds worldwide for pressing causes and give a glimpse into how the future of fundraising could be tied into the future of gaming.

With a $10 million prize fund up for grabs, the tournament consisted of one-off tournaments for a variety of eSports titles – from Fortnite to FIFA. Those who played, commentated, and watched were all persuaded to donate to a charity – from UNICEF to Direct Relief and International Medical Corps.  

https://twitter.com/i/status/1269642242068754432

The tournament gained widespread attention.

The final FIFA tournament even had an appearance from Snoop Dogg and One Direction’s Liam Payne. Some of the world’s most prominent footballers, such as Paulo Dybala, Dele Alli, Joao Felix and Andre Silva, managed to raise around $1.5 million through their gaming exploits. By combining some stars of traditional sports and recognizable celebrities with the eSports tournament, not only did the industry managed to raise funds for charity, but they also proved that they could be deployed as a force for good going forwards.  

Part of the crusade for eSports as an industry is to prove to the mainstream that it is a valid and legitimate counterpart to traditional sports and traditional gaming.

By merging the two, eSports is able to benefit from both sides. The success of Gamers Without Borders could prove just how much of a fundraising machine eSports could be and how, with a greater uptake in those who engage with the industry, the industry could do many more benevolent acts. 

There are many ways that eSports is gaining the legitimacy it deserves, and this charitable tournament helped prove it. Indeed, as eSports betting attests to, allowing eSports fans and spectators to wager on the outcome of matches and tournaments gives it further credibility as a likeness to traditional sports. Indeed, bettors can wager on games from Dota 2 to StarCraft 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to Overwatch and Rainbow Six in a similar way to how they bet on football, basketball and horse racing. 

The interconnected nature of eSports – that often involve connecting with hundreds of people across social media and streaming sites like Twitch – means that causes can be amplified to audiences around the world. The younger generation who are likely to be participating in and watching eSports are also arguably more likely to think altruistically, according to research, and will often use their platform as a professional eSports player to spread positive information.  

eSports is thriving, and its supportive community is in part to thank for that.

But the main barrier to its further success is its need to be legitimized by mainstream society. Given its professional polish, the good works it’s doing, the chances for careers, and the engagement of fans, it’s clear that the eSports industry is proving itself to be a real contender. The eSports industry might not be able to save the world single-handedly, but as it continues to gain tremendous steam, it could definitely be a vehicle that helps affect positive change.  For the Silo, Bethany Riley.

Gaming

Why You Keep Getting Disconnected From Online Games

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It’s almost impossible to play a video game anymore without having to be online. Even single player games on consoles like the Playstation 4, 5 or Xbox One often require you to be connected in order to receive updates or be a part of leaderboards.

The problem with this is that if you don’t have a strong internet connection, then you could be constantly disconnected from your game without meaning to. This can be especially problematic for games meant to be played online like Fortnite or League of Legends.

One minute you’re happily in game and the next you’re disconnected and you’ve lost the match. This can seriously affect your gameplay which is why it’s important that you’re paying more attention to the kind of internet you have as well as who is providing it.

Choose the Right Provider

People often think that as long as they spend the big bucks for a decent computer rig or for a next gen console that they’ll be able to play their games without interruption. In the process, many forget the importance of having a reliable internet connection with a decent amount of bandwidth as well as upload and download speeds.

If you’re looking for unlimited usage with great upload and download speed options, you should check out internet packages in Canada from Poynt 360 for the best deals. They offer FTTN (fiber to the node) as well as cable packages that are both affordable and ideal for gamers.

FTTN stands for fiber to the node (or neighbourhood) and is the term used to describe providing internet to homes using fiber optic lines as opposed to traditional copper wires. Broadband connection and other data services are delivered to a common network box (often referred to as a node), and from there these services are delivered to individual destinations like your home.

One disadvantage of FTTN is that it is not available yet in every neighbourhood, so you may not have this option to begin with. You will need to check with your preferred service provider first to see they have fiber optic wiring in your area.

If You Can’t Get FTTN

If you can’t get FTTN in your neighbourhood you should still be able to get an internet package with cable that works for you. Though it’s possible to experience slowdowns using cable internet, you won’t be likely to notice them, especially if you get packages with the right speeds.

For instance, if you’re a gamer who also likes to stream, check out the option for 75 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. If you have a large family, consider going higher with your download speeds at 150 Mbps.

Flexible, Affordable Options

When it comes to choosing your internet provider you might be tempted to go with one of the big guys, but they rarely have your best interests at heart. Consider signing up with a third-party provider who can get you the best deals and who will help you choose the best package for all your gaming needs.

Gaming

Minecraft is most malware infected game

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228k Users Affected, Are You One Of Them?

As people are looking for ways to unwind at home, the gaming industry has been one of the primary places people set their eyes on. Not only is it a way to entertain yourself for hours on end, but it is also a place for people to connect, which is otherwise hard to do during the pandemic. 

According to data presented by the Atlas VPN team, 303,827 individuals’ devices were affected by gaming-related malware and unwanted software between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. Mobile games are also a major threat for gamers.

As many as 50,644 users attempted to download 10,488 unique files disguised as the ten most-played mobile games, generating a total of 332,570 detections. Minecraft was by far the most popular game on both PC and mobile platforms for dangerous app distributors to hide behind. On PC, nearly 185 thousand users were affected with over 3 million malware and unwanted software detections.

On mobile, the number of victims exceeds 44 thousand for the period.

Unwanted software includes files like adware, spyware, and so on. There are various versions of Minecraft and a plethora of mods (modifications that may be placed on top of the basic game to diversify gameplay) may account for its enormous popularity. Because mods are unofficial and developed by users, they can be used to hide dangerous payloads or undesirable software. 

Security tips for gamers

  • Protect your accounts with two-factor authentication (2-FA) whenever possible. 
  • Use strong passwords for your accounts, with a different one for each. That way, even if one of your accounts is compromised, the remainder will remain unaffected.
  • Downloading games from official retailers such as Steam, Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore is safer. These marketplaces aren’t completely safe, but they are at least examined by store staff, and there is some sort of screening procedure in place: not every app is allowed into these stores.
  • If you want to buy a game that isn’t accessible in major stores, you should do it through the official website. Make sure to double-check the website’s URL to avoid impostor sites.
  • Be cautious of phishing campaigns and unfamiliar players. If you are unsure about the sender, do not open links you receive via email or in a gaming chat. Do not open files sent to you by strangers.

Another one of the most well-known game titles worldwide, The Sims 4, was the second most often used title to distribute unwanted files. Over 43 thousand users were impacted, with detections closing in on 1.3 million.  For the Silo, Valentina Perez.

Gaming

How Developers Are Using New Rules And Modes To Keep Their Games Popular

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Game developers don’t just make money from the first release of a game anymore. One of the smartest ways of making money from games is to release one that can be updated and keep players enjoying it months and years after launch. Company’s like EA are making hundreds of millions of dollars from game releases such as Anthem and Battlefield V.

“Electronic-Arts-Logo” by Electronic Arts [Public domain]

This can be difficult for game developers trying to find new ways to change a game that has been available for years. They will have to find a way to add more to the game without removing what people enjoy so much about it, but it can be done.

Players Can Make Their Own Modes

File:Fortnite Pro-Am stadium at E3 2018 3.jpg

“Fortnite Pro-Am stadium at E3 2018 3” by Sergey Galyonkin [CC BY-SA 2.0]

If developers are worried about changing a game in a way that players won’t like, one idea is to allow players to make their own modes. This is also great for a game with millions of players, where different fans don’t all want the same thing and developers may be unable to release something that they all like. One game that has done this is Fortnite with its Battle Lab which allows players to create battle royale matches by changing how much damage is done and how to win. Overwatch also offers fans a custom mode where they can make characters much faster to hold Lucio races with their friends. This also helps the game to become popular as fans get their friends to play these modes with them.

New Rules Make Games More Challenging

Game developers can also try to add new rules to their games. Players who have been playing a game for years may feel that they have become incredibly good at it and need new gameplay to help them work on their skills. Developers can add new rewards too which gives players more ways to feel like they’ve won. A game that does this well is Blackjack Perfect Pairs, which takes blackjack, a game that is popular all around the world, and adds a few new ways to win to it. Players can win by getting 21 and they can make a bet on if they’ll get a pair with their first two cards, and there’s 21+3 where players try to make a three-card hand with their two cards and the dealer’s card. Many people know how to play blackjack but the casino game from Realistic Games gives people something new to learn about it.

How to Make the Best Changes

File:Mario emblem.svg

“Mario emblem” by Nintendo/Hayden Schiff [Public domain]

When developers make changes to their games, it is typically to make them more enjoyable for fans. Fans don’t always like the changes that the developers have made and this can lead to criticism.

Some players didn’t like the Mario Kart Tour update, saying that it didn’t change many of the game’s maps by adding snow as they would have liked. Fans may not have had these criticisms if developers had asked the players before developing the updates. Asking players what they want on social media can help developers to make something great.

Keeping a game popular years after it has been released isn’t easy. The money that developers can make if they do is why so many teams spend hours developing updates.

Gaming

Fortnite Is Wake-Up Call For Companies On Verge Of Video Game Ad Buy

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Pong, Mario, Doom, The Sims, Minecraft and … Fortnite? The hallowed halls of video game history are packed with products that became a cultural phenomenon – and it’s looking like Fortnite will soon be able to stake such a claim. The co-op survival game that takes place in a “sandbox” universe recorded a record 3.4 million concurrent users in February 2018.  [ If you’re one of the 3.4 million and want to leave us a video comment or video of your Fortnite character please use our Video Uplink button at the end of this article.] The game, which is free to play, also allows users to purchase a semi-annual “Battle Pass” that runs less than $10 and provides access to additional items. This low-cost approach is apparently working, as reports show Epic Games earned nearly $300 million in April 2018 alone. Further, in-game “microtransactions” that allows players to use minimal amounts of real-world money for in-game goodies is helping add to Epic’s well, epic payday.

So, let’s recap: A game that’s free to play plus $10 usd occasional optional investment and microtransactions gives us hundreds of millions of dollars each month. You know what else makes that kind of money? Hollywood movies, major league sporting events and social media platforms – and those things are plastered with advertisements. According to Ken Wisnefski, CEO of digital marketing firm WebiMax, advertisers who want to get ahead of the coming eSports curve and start reaching gamers where they reside need to start paying attention to the preferences of this sector.

“Fortnite has really taken the world by storm. I think the new microtransaction process is a concept that shows how high volume and low cost can have a huge impact. It’s growth and notoriety is amazing,” said Wisnefski. “A few years ago, Pokemon Go was all the rage; I am curious to see if Fortnite continues to show this sort of traction.”

Want to make money through Fortnite? Here’s what Wisnefski has to tell companies on the verge of investing in video game ad buy.

‘Go’ along for the ride: According to Wisnefski, we haven’t seen a video game with such mass appeal since 2016’s “Pokemon Go,” which drew 10 million people to download the app in one week. An advertising analysis also notes that some businesses were given the opportunity to turn their stores into a “Pokestop” and, of course, increase foot traffic and hopefully sales as a result.

Shadow of a doubt: Still skeptical about sinking money into video game advertising efforts? Then take one look at “Ninja,” a 26-year-old Fortnite player who is reportedly raking in $500,000 per month for streaming his live game feed on the “Twitch” website. Wisnefski says it merely makes sense for relevant brands to jump on an opportunity to get their product in front of potential customers – namely as a “medium rectangle” or 15-second spot before one of Ninja’s streams.

Risk and Reward: Soft drink and snack food companies – we’re looking at you, Mountain Dew and Doritos – have for years pandered to gamers. As well they should, says Wisnefski, noting that some sectors are “very viable for this sort of opportunity.” If you’re a small to medium-sized company, however, guidance from a digital marketing company may be in order. “Big companies have the ability to absorb some losses to see larger gains; smaller companies can’t afford to take that sort of risk,” said Wisnefski.

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