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- Happy Holidays from Rune! - Issue #7
Happy Holidays from Rune! - Issue #7
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Issue #7
Happy Holidays from Rune!
December 20, 2023 • 10 minutes
Greetings and festive wishes! We're thrilled to present you with the 7th edition of Rune's Newsletter. Dive into the latest updates on gaming, web3, Rune announcements, and a touch of personal flair. Your readership is deeply appreciated. Stay tuned for more in the coming week!
Important events for Rune
The ForgeOnce inside the Forge, users are presented with a 3x3 Grid—a familiar, yet intuitive crafting interface common across a magnitude of gaming worlds. | Rune MaterialsRune Materials are unique digital assets that can be minted at zero cost to the user. They are both digital collectibles and functional tools within the Rune ecosystem. |
Rune News
Happy Holidays Vörðr,
We’ve been working hard to address the communities concerns about gas and we’re happy to announce that we will be pushing our next quality of life update before Christmas.
This update will also include the much requested update to The Forge which will enable multi-burns.
In order to accommodate multiple burns, but keep the overall concept the same we have had to change some things around. Overall the functionality remains the same just a few key differences, below is the updated flow of how the burns will work.
1. The Crafting table will function the same. Users will still refer to the recipe book in order to input the correct combination of materials. Once a recipe is input users can “Add Item to the Forge”. Clicking this will no longer initiate a mint transaction, instead it will add the recipe to “The Forge” which will act similar to a shopping cart.
2. “The Forge” will live as a separate tab that can be accessed from the crafting table at any time. Users will be able to see and manage recipes that they have added. Users will also have the ability to remove or increase/decrease the quantities of recipes from The Forge if they wish to mint multiple of the same recipe.
3. Once the user is happy with the recipes & quantities of the items for crafting, they will then be able to initiate a transaction to burn for those items in one go.
4. An interactive carousel is displayed which allows users to view, share or see all of the items that they just minted during the transaction.
We hope this update addresses the communities concern about minting during times of higher gas and look forward to continuing to find innovative ways to make this happen.
Videogame Essay
Terraria: A Perfect Gaming Haven
In 2013, I stumbled upon a game that would not only captivate my gaming sensibilities but also become one of my all-time favorites – Terraria. Initially drawing parallels to Minecraft, Terraria soon asserted its individuality, earning a special place in my gaming repertoire.
Terraria distinguishes itself with an effortless entry point. Priced at a modest $10 on Steam, it sidesteps the complexities associated with choosing versions and launchers. This simplicity sets the stage for a gaming experience unencumbered by unnecessary complications.
Terraria's creative canvas is expansive and detailed. Its vast array of furniture options, from chairs to toilets, provides players with a rich tapestry for imaginative expression. Unlike other games where creativity might involve makeshift solutions, Terraria offers a curated collection of items, enhancing the player's ability to craft a truly unique virtual space.
What truly sets Terraria apart is its wealth of content. From an extensive roster of bosses, weapons, biomes, to a plethora of resources, the game immerses players in a world teeming with possibilities. The developers' commitment to consistently expanding this content ensures that each adventure feels fresh, offering a sense of discovery that transcends typical gaming experiences.
Terraria seamlessly integrates modding into its ecosystem. The official inclusion of TModLoader on Steam simplifies the modding process, allowing players easy access to a variety of user-generated content. Multiplayer, facilitated through Steam, ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for those who prefer to explore the game's intricacies with friends.
A defining feature of Terraria's success is the unwavering dedication of its developers, Re-Logic. Unlike some games that undergo significant changes post-acquisition, Terraria has remained true to its vision. Regular updates, rich in content, demonstrate a commitment to player satisfaction and the continued evolution of the game.
Terraria, with its modest price, creative depth, abundant content, and developer dedication, stands as a testament to what a perfect gaming experience can be. It has carved out its niche in the gaming world, offering a haven for those seeking a seamless, imaginative, and continuously evolving virtual adventure. As one of my favorite titles, Terraria embodies the essence of gaming satisfaction and lasting enjoyment.
-Gimk
Gaming News
Game Developers Rally Behind Insomniac After Cyberattack
In response to the recent ransomware attack on Insomniac Games, fellow game developers express support for the studio and denounce the breach. The cyberattack, attributed to the Rhysida group, resulted in the leak of confidential data, including internal development plans and details about upcoming games.
Insomniac faced a $2 million ransom demand, and when they refused, the hackers released over a terabyte of sensitive information on December 19. The leaked data revealed Insomniac's game lineup for the next decade and their collaboration with PlayStation on Marvel titles until 2030.
Gaming communities are active on social media discussing the ethical implications of engaging with leaked content. Remedy Entertainment, creators of Alan Wake 2, condemned the leak, expressing sympathy for Insomniac's staff. Other industry figures, like Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog and Cory Barlog of God of War, showed solidarity and refrained from engaging with the leaked material.
This incident highlights the broader issue of leaks impacting game developers, causing stress and potential premature judgments of unfinished work. The gaming community, both players and developers, faces ethical dilemmas in responding to leaks while respecting the affected studios.
Sony Expresses Concerns Over Xbox's Strategic Moves
Leaked Sony documents reveal the company's apprehensions about the recent strides made by Xbox, particularly with Xbox Game Pass and the monumental acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft.
Xbox Game Pass, boasting 25 million subscribers as of September 2023, offers an extensive library of games for a monthly fee. Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion in October 2023 further fueled Sony's worries. Leaked slides indicate that Sony is particularly concerned about potential exclusivity deals for Xbox users, with the Call of Duty series likely becoming a Game Pass title after its current exclusivity with Sony ends in 2027.
Sony fears this could extend to all Activision Blizzard games, undermining its own PS+ subscription service. The slides also highlight Xbox's newfound strength in the PC and mobile markets, coupled with a rich catalog of popular live-service games. Sony acknowledges the threat and is reportedly working on strategies to address the challenges posed by Xbox's aggressive moves.
These revelations stem from a broader leak originating from PlayStation-owned Insomniac Games, where over 1.3 million internal documents were released following a cyber breach. Sony fans may find solace in the knowledge that the company is actively devising plans to navigate this evolving landscape.
Top 25 Highest-Rated Games of 2023
As the year comes to a close, it's time to celebrate the gaming gems that made 2023 an outstanding year for releases. Here's a rundown of the 25 highest-rated games of the year, showcasing a diverse mix of genres and both well-known titles and hidden treasures.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 96
Baldur's Gate 3 - 96
Asgard's Wrath 2 - 93
Against the Storm - 92
Videoverse - 92
Resident Evil 4 (2023) - 92
Tents and Trees - 92
Street Fighter 6 - 92
Super Mario Bros. Wonder - 91
8-Bit Adventures 2 - 91
Turbo Overkill - 91
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 - 90
Jack Jeanne - 90
Let's Revolution - 90
Slay the Princess - 90
Dave the Diver - 90
Path of the Midnight Sun - 89
Ugly - 89
Hi-Fi Rush - 89
The Talos Principle 2 - 89
Dead Space (2023) - 89
Sea of Stars - 89
I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine - 89
Warstride Challenges - 89
Diablo 4 - 88
This diverse list emphasizes the abundance of high-quality releases in 2023. From open-world adventures to complex CRPGs, survival horror to hack-and-slash, the variety is exceptional. Some lesser-known titles like "Against the Storm," a city-builder, or the puzzle game "Tents and Trees" have also garnered praise, adding to the richness of the gaming landscape in 2023. As we anticipate the gaming landscape of 2024, the bar has been set high by the outstanding releases of the past year.
Web3 News
Gods Unchained Returns to Epic Games Store After Play-to-Earn Policy Change
The Epic Games Store has adjusted its content policies, allowing the return of blockchain games like Gods Unchained, following an Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) "Adults Only" rating. Previously, such games were removed due to the restrictive rating. Gods Unchained received an AO rating due to its play-to-earn features, involving NFTs and crypto tokens with real-world value. Epic Games' new policy permits blockchain games with AO ratings solely due to blockchain or NFT technology. While maintaining restrictions on gambling, explicit content, and hateful material, Epic Games now makes exceptions for blockchain games, diverging from rivals like Steam. This move addresses a catch-22 situation for developers dealing with blockchain elements and AO ratings.
AI Art Banned from Magic: The Gathering After Controversial Ads
Wizards of the Coast has imposed a comprehensive ban on the use of artificial intelligence tools across its "Magic: The Gathering" franchise. This decision follows controversy surrounding allegations that AI, rather than human artists, was employed to create images for the Tomb Raider Secret Lair card game set. The game developer faced social media backlash, prompting Wizards of the Coast to clarify its stance, asserting a commitment to human creativity. The new policy explicitly prohibits artists, writers, and creatives contributing to the Magic TCG from utilizing AI generative tools in the creation of final products. This move aligns with Wizards of the Coast's dedication to the innovative work of human talents that has defined "Magic: The Gathering" for the past 30 years.
Shiba Inu Team Seeks to Launch SHIB Domains for Websites and Email
The Shiba Inu (SHIB) crypto ecosystem is ambitiously seeking approval for the first-ever crypto top-level domain (.shib) with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). In collaboration with digital infrastructure provider D3 Global, SHIB aims to become the pioneering crypto domain that integrates with the traditional Domain Name System (DNS), allowing owners to connect not only to crypto wallets but also to websites accessible through standard browsers. The application process with ICANN is underway, and while success is not guaranteed, SHIB enthusiasts can sign up for early access to claim their SHIB names in anticipation of this innovative development.
Thank you for choosing Rune. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion. Stay tuned for more exciting content next week. Have a fantastic week ahead!
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