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- Rune: Sharing is caring! - Issue #19
Issue #19
Rune: Sharing is caring!
March 13, 2024 • 15 minutes
Diving into the heart of gaming's financial ecosystem, we find ourselves at a crossroads: traditional revenue-sharing models versus the burgeoning philosophy of open revenue sharing. Platforms like itch.io and now Rune are working on a newer approach that's as radical as it is simple, championing a level of flexibility unheard of in the more rigid frameworks of industry giants like Steam. It is time to reimagine the relationship between gamers, developers, and platforms. Let's peel back the layers of these models, explore their impact, and see how Rune is positioning itself within this landscape.
The 30/70 Standard
For years, the digital storefront landscape has been dominated by a 30/70 revenue split, with platforms like Steam taking a 30% cut of sales. This model, while standardized, often draws criticism for favoring the platform over the creators. It's seen as a significant barrier for indie developers, for whom every penny counts. This approach presupposes a one-size-fits-all solution to diverse developer needs and contributions, overlooking the nuances of game development and community engagement.
Enter Open Revenue Sharing
Contrast this with the open revenue sharing model, epitomized by platforms like itch.io. Here, the paradigm shifts from fixed rates to fluidity and choice. Open revenue sharing is about giving developers control over the financial terms of their game's distribution. In essence, developers can choose the cut that the platform receives, often with the option to go as low as 0%. This model champions a more equitable and flexible approach, acknowledging that not all games—or their financial backing—are created equal.
The benefits of this model are multifaceted:
Developers gain a greater share of their game's revenue, enabling them to reinvest in their projects, sustain their operations, and potentially lower game prices.
Gamers benefit indirectly from this model through potentially lower prices and directly from a wider variety of games. The financial sustainability of indie developers ensures a richer, more diverse gaming ecosystem.
Platforms build a reputation for fairness and support for indie developers, attracting a broader range of creative talent and unique titles that draw in gamers looking for fresh experiences.
Rune’s Perspective
Rune is not just observing this shift; we're actively exploring how an open revenue share model can redefine our platform's relationship with developers and gamers alike. We see the intrinsic value in offering flexibility and support to the creative minds behind the games. Moreover, integrating mechanisms like "pay what you like" for certain titles introduces a new layer of engagement, allowing gamers to directly support developers based on perceived value or personal attachment to a game.
This approach aligns with Rune's mission to foster a more connected, supportive gaming community. It transcends mere transactions, creating a space where financial support becomes part of the communal experience, empowering developers and providing gamers with a stake in the success of the titles they love.
A New Era of Digital Distribution
Open revenue sharing models, with their emphasis on flexibility, fairness, and community support, represent a significant departure from the industry's status quo. By adopting and adapting these models, platforms like Rune are not just participating in the industry; they're actively working to reshape it. This move towards more equitable financial practices promises to enrich the gaming ecosystem, offering tangible benefits to developers and gamers alike.
As we look towards this future, platforms like Rune are poised to lead by example, proving that when developers thrive, the whole industry—gamers included—reaps the rewards.
~ Kyle Barber, Founder of Rune
The rest of today's issue takes us on a journey through the latest happenings in both the gaming and cryptocurrency realms, offering a diverse array of insights and developments. Ethereum enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement as the platform's remarkable burn rate hints at a potential paradigm shift in the crypto landscape. Meanwhile, gamers eagerly anticipate the Season Seven Update of Age of Empires IV, eager to discover the new features and enhancements in store. However, amidst the excitement, there's also somber news as Dragon Ball fans mourn the passing of legendary creator Akira Toriyama. On a brighter note, MultiVersus fans rejoice as the game gears up for a highly anticipated re-reveal next week. Additionally, The Finals unveils Season 2 with exciting additions like new maps, weapons, and a thrilling 5v5 mode. Rainbow Six Siege enthusiasts can look forward to Operation Deadly Omen, introducing Deimos and game enhancements. Battlefield 2042 also amps up the excitement with Season 7, promising fresh content and exciting features. In the crypto world, Ethereum braces for the Dencun upgrade, poised to usher in a new era with lower fees. Lastly, Stardew Valley fans anticipate the highly anticipated 1.6 update set to drop on March 19, while the closure of PlayStation-backed Deviation Games leaves a void in the gaming industry. Join us as we explore the latest buzz in both gaming and cryptocurrency landscapes, where innovation and excitement collide.
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. |
Gaming News
PlayStation-Backed Deviation Games Shuts Down Pre-Launch
Deviation Games, backed by PlayStation and founded by ex-Call of Duty developers, has closed its doors without releasing any games, including their anticipated PlayStation exclusive. The closure aligns with PlayStation's recent layoffs of 900 employees, adding to industry-wide job losses. While reasons for the shutdown remain undisclosed, employees are now seeking opportunities elsewhere. Founded by Jason Blundell and Dave Anthony, the studio's closure raises questions about PlayStation's initial deal with Deviation and highlights the industry's ongoing challenges amid layoffs, with Microsoft recently announcing 1,900 job cuts post-Activision Blizzard King acquisition.
Stardew Valley 1.6 Update Set to Drop on March 19
Stardew Valley fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of the highly anticipated 1.6 update, slated for release on March 19, 2024. However, the exact release time remains uncertain, depending on when solo developer ConcernedApe wakes up.
While the release date for Patch 1.6 was confirmed two weeks ago, ConcernedApe assures fans that the update will roll out after his morning coffee, provided there are no last-minute issues to address.
Living in the U.S., ConcernedApe plans for the time difference, hinting that the update will likely go live in the evening for those in time zones ahead of the American West Coast.
Fans express appreciation for the developer's laid-back approach and humorously hope that his coffee machine remains reliable on the morning of March 19.
Battlefield 2042: Season 7 Brings Fresh Content and Features
In just a week, on March 19, 2024, Battlefield 2042 kicks off its seventh season, introducing a host of new elements to the shooter franchise. With three new primary weapons, including the AK 5C and SCZ-3, alongside the hybrid DFR Strife, players can also expect a new rocket launcher, the SRAW, known from Battlefield 4. Moreover, pilots can anticipate the XFAD-4 Draugr jet equipped with EMP bombs and radar-guided missiles. Season 7 unveils two new maps: Hafen, set in a Chilean city on the edge of the Atacama Desert, and Sandstorm Stadium, offering intense infantry battles. As usual, a hundred-tier Battle Pass will grant access to exclusive skins and rewards, while gameplay improvements like weapon recoil and animations further enhance the experience.
Rainbow Six Siege: Operation Deadly Omen Unveils Deimos and Game Enhancements
Operation Deadly Omen shakes up Rainbow Six Siege with the introduction of Deimos, a formidable attacker armed with the DeathMARK Tracker. Alongside Deimos, updates include revamped shield mechanics, attachment and ADS upgrades, and player protection measures. The Locker management menu streamlines cosmetic item organization, while balancing adjustments and operator price decreases offer fresh gameplay experiences. With new maps, improved AI, and Flashbang customization, this operation promises a thrilling gameplay overhaul.
The Finals Unveils Season 2: New Map, Weapons, and 5v5 Mode
The popular game, The Finals, launches its second season on March 14, 2024, introducing a new map and integrating the CNS hacker collective into gameplay. Season 2 offers a hacker playstyle, new tools, expanded weapon options, and a 5v5 escort mode called Power Shift. Players can manipulate the arena with gadgets and dynamically swap team members for balanced gameplay.:
Age of Empires IV Season Seven Update Preview: What to Expect
In the latest update preview for Age of Empires IV Season Seven, players can anticipate a slew of exciting additions. Cross-Play functionality is now available, enabling gamers on both consoles and PCs to join forces or face off against each other. The Spring Tournaments Event offers exclusive rewards for completing various challenges from May 21 to June 18. Ranked Season Seven kicks off on March 20, inviting players to ascend the ranks and earn rewards. Additionally, significant gameplay improvements include enhanced Nomad Mode mechanics and the introduction of the "Dominion" win condition. Balance adjustments, bug fixes, and UI enhancements round out the update, promising an even more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience for Age of Empires IV enthusiasts.
MultiVersus Set for Long-Awaited Re-Reveal Next Week
After a prolonged absence, MultiVersus is gearing up for a comeback. Fans have been eagerly anticipating news since its removal from storefronts, and a recent tweet from the official MultiVersus Twitter account confirms a re-reveal scheduled for next Monday at 6am PT. Details are scarce, but players hope for new content and improvements after almost a year offline. Speculation swirls around potential new characters, with Daffy Duck a fan favorite. Stay tuned for updates as the gaming community eagerly awaits the return of MultiVersus.
Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Passes Away at 68
The world of manga mourns the loss of a legend.
Fans worldwide are grieving as news breaks that the iconic manga creator Akira Toriyama, best known for Dragon Ball, has passed away at 68. According to an official announcement from the Dragon Ball Twitter account, Toriyama succumbed to acute subdural hematoma on March 1. A private funeral service has already been held, with requests for no flowers or gifts at this time, as a mark of respect for the family's privacy.
While plans for a commemorative gathering are yet to be confirmed, current custodians of the Dragon Ball legacy will keep fans informed. The post expresses gratitude for the outpouring of support and kindness from fans during Toriyama's lifetime.
Toriyama's legacy spans 45 years, inspiring millions worldwide with his creation of Dragon Ball, one of the most influential manga and anime series. His impact extends beyond manga, with contributions to video games like Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon.
Social media reflects the profound impact Toriyama had on fans, with tributes pouring in, showcasing the enduring legacy of his work. As projects like Dragon Ball Daima and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero remain in the pipeline for 2024, Toriyama's influence will continue to shape the world of entertainment. His legacy as a true manga titan will live on in the hearts of fans forever.
Web3 News
Ethereum Prepares for Dencun Upgrade: A New Era with Lower Fees
Ethereum is on the brink of a significant transformation with the upcoming Dencun upgrade, combining the Deneb and Cancun projects, marking the most substantial code change in over a year. This hard fork aims to dramatically reduce fees for a growing number of Layer-2 networks, or "Rollups," scheduled for implementation on March 13, 2024, at Mainnet Epoch 269568.
What Happens with the Dencun Upgrade?
Dencun introduces a new method of storing transaction data called "Blobs," enabling Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Polygon to transmit data more efficiently to Ethereum, thus lowering fees for end-users. The upgrade's centerpiece is the introduction of "Proto-Danksharding" or EIP-4844, laying the groundwork for more efficient and cost-effective data processing, primarily benefiting Layer-2 networks.
The Revolution of L2 Networks
The Dencun upgrade signifies a pivotal step in Ethereum and its Layer-2 networks' evolution. With Proto-Danksharding's introduction and data processing optimization, a future awaits where blockchain transaction costs will significantly decrease, enhancing efficiency and further driving Ethereum's acceptance and adoption.
What Comes After the Dencun Upgrade?
Following the Dencun upgrade's successful completion, Ethereum developers will shift focus to the next development phase, highlighting the Electra + Prague (Petra) upgrade. While specifics remain undisclosed, the potential introduction of "Verkle Trees" is under discussion, representing another stride towards scalability and efficiency, promising further fee reductions and performance enhancements in the Ethereum network's long term.
Ethereum's Spectacular Burn Rate Signals Potential Shift
Ethereum's on-chain activity is ablaze as it burns through its supply at an unprecedented rate, marking a significant shift in the crypto landscape. With a supply reduction of 74,603 ETH ($300 million) in the past month alone, Ethereum is poised to burn $10 billion worth of ETH over the next year, as per ultrasound.money projections. Despite Bitcoin and Ether remaining steady, other tokens like toncoin (TON) and XRP are seeing remarkable rallies, indicative of the current fervor in the crypto market. Top decentralized exchange Uniswap leads the charge in ETH burns, surpassing even prominent layer-2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism. Meanwhile, in the realm of crypto stocks, MicroStrategy and Coinbase show resilience amidst market fluctuations, with CleanSpark emerging as a standout performer, signaling the evolving dynamics of the crypto business landscape.
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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