All articles tagged with #online games
Steam experienced a significant outage on December 24 affecting the store, community, and online APIs, impacting access to games like Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, and Counterstrike 2. The platform largely recovered by 6PM ET, though some services remain sluggish or partially functional.
The UK government debated the Stop Killing Games campaign, which advocates for players to access online games after their end-of-life, but ultimately rejected the proposal citing concerns over development costs and complexity, despite significant public support and discussion on digital ownership and preservation.
The Stop Destroying Videogames EU initiative, led by Ross Scott, has received an anonymous transparency complaint alleging false declarations and concealment of funding, but Scott denies any wrongdoing and suggests the complaint may be an attempt to undermine the campaign, with no immediate threat to its continuation.
The 'Stop Killing Games' campaign, which has gained over 1.2 million signatures, advocates for regulations to prevent online games from becoming permanently unplayable after server shutdowns. While game publishers and industry groups defend current practices citing costs and security concerns, the campaign highlights legal and ethical debates about consumer rights and game preservation, especially in Europe where laws are less clear than in the US.
The European Gaming Industry Lobby, represented by Video Games Europe (VGE), responded to the Stop Killing Games movement, emphasizing that discontinuing online services is a complex decision driven by commercial viability and legal considerations, and that private servers pose security and legal risks. VGE, which advocates for game companies, prioritizes business interests over player concerns, and their stance underscores the importance of consumer choice and spending habits in influencing industry practices. The article suggests that players' best course of action is to vote with their wallets by avoiding online-only games they dislike, as legal agreements (EULAs) limit recourse once games are discontinued.
The New York Times, owner of the popular game Wordle, is suing the creator of the geography-based spinoff Worldle, claiming it causes brand confusion. Worldle's creator, Kory McDonald, argues that many games have similar names and plans to fight the lawsuit. The New York Times has previously taken legal action to protect Wordle's brand.
The New York Times, owner of the popular game Wordle, is suing the creator of the geography-based spinoff Worldle, claiming it causes confusion and capitalizes on Wordle's brand. Worldle's creator, Kory McDonald, argues that many games have similar names and vows to fight the lawsuit. The case highlights ongoing legal tensions over intellectual property in the gaming industry.
Gamers are rallying against the practice of rendering online games unplayable by launching the Stop Killing Games campaign, which aims to challenge the industry's assault on consumer rights and preservation of media. The campaign argues that video games should be considered "goods" rather than "services," and seeks to compel developers to provide a way for players to continue playing unsupported games, such as through private servers. While facing challenges in getting government petitions approved, the campaign has garnered attention and support from gamers worldwide.
YouTuber Ross Scott has launched the Stop Killing Games campaign to address the issue of games becoming unplayable once developers shut down servers, highlighting the impact on consumer rights and preservation of media. The campaign aims to urge authorities to examine this practice and potentially put an end to it. The recent announcement of The Crew's server shutdown by Ubisoft Ivory Tower has brought attention to this issue, sparking discussions about the need for clearer laws regarding the longevity of online games.
This Discord Has Ghosts in It is a game where players take on the roles of ghosts or investigators in a haunted house-themed Discord server, communicating through text and voice channels to uncover each other's secrets. The game encourages thoughtful communication and consensus-building, providing a refreshing break from the often chaotic and impersonal nature of online interactions. Designed to mimic the detritus of internet communication, the game offers a unique and engaging way to connect with others in a digital space.
Google celebrates its 25th birthday as the most visited website in the world and the leading search engine. To commemorate the occasion, here are the top 10 free Doodle games offered by Google, including classics like Pacman and crossword puzzles, as well as themed games like Doctor Who and Halloween. These games provide entertainment and challenges for users while showcasing Google's creativity and innovation.
The Password Game, created by Neal Agarwal, is a new online game that challenges players to create passwords that meet increasingly specific and absurd requirements. Starting with basic criteria like including a number and an uppercase letter, the game escalates to include elements like the current phase of the moon or a specific chess move. Agarwal released the game on his website, and it has gained popularity with over a million visits since its launch. Despite creating the game, Agarwal himself has not been able to beat its challenging rules.
The Password Game is a free browser game that challenges players to create passwords that meet increasingly silly requirements. Starting with simple rules like including a number or an uppercase letter, the game escalates to more complex demands, such as solving math problems or looking up Wordle answers. Created by Neal Agarwal, the game offers a fun and challenging puzzle experience while highlighting the importance of password security.
YouTube is reportedly testing a new product called Playables, which allows users to access online games on both mobile and desktop devices. The games can be played on the YouTube website or app, and the product is seen as a new way for YouTube to generate revenue from the gaming industry. While there are currently only a few games available for testing, the product has the potential to reach YouTube's massive audience.
Google is reportedly testing a new initiative called Playables, which will allow users to instantly play online games via YouTube's website or mobile apps. The project is part of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan's push to find new areas of growth in the wake of declining advertising spending. Playables is currently being tested internally, and only one game, Stack Bounce, has been highlighted so far. Google's previous attempt to enter the playable gaming arena with Stadia failed, but the company is not giving up on gaming just yet.