Video Game Awards are here! See the winners - Issue #6

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Issue #6

Video Game Awards Are Here! See The Winners

December 13, 2023 • 12 minutes

Welcome to the latest edition Runes Newsletter, your go-to source for all things gaming! Learn everything there is to know about the Game Awards, E3 and more!

Rune optimized gas, released a new recipe and the next update!

Happy reading and happy gaming! Until next week 👋

Important events for Rune

The Forge

Once inside the Forge, users are presented with a 3x3 Grid—a familiar, yet intuitive crafting interface common across a magnitude of gaming worlds.

Rune Materials

Rune 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

Multi-Burn is coming!

We have been prioritizing work on upgrades that reduce fees as much as we possibly can on the network.

The first upgrade is now live: the gas optimization update should lower gas fees across our contracts by an average of ~13%!

This is not the multi-burn upgrade (still being worked on). But is the first step to helping reduce gas cost for users over all.

You can expect the next update to be the multi-burn.

In the meantime, you might want to check your inventory. We have a new recipe out!

The Gold Crown

The Game Awards 2023 Extravaganza Unveiled!

The stage was set ablaze at The Game Awards 2023, delivering a jaw-dropping spectacle of gaming revelations. From Monster Hunter's next chapter to Hideo Kojima's OD project, here's your swift rundown:


Monster Hunter: Wilds Takes Flight in 2025 
Capcom roared with Monster Hunter: Wilds, ushering in the sixth generation of the beloved franchise in 2025. Flying mounts, desert landscapes, and colossal monsters promise a thrilling new era for hunters.


Kojima's OD: A Cinematic Odyssey 
Hideo Kojima unveiled OD, his much-anticipated Xbox project, featuring stars like Sophia Lillis and Jordan Peele. Brace for a gaming experience transcending traditional boundaries.


God of War Ragnarok DLC: Valhalla 
PlayStation stunned with a free DLC expansion for God of War Ragnarok, titled Valhalla. Dive into roguelite elements merged with God of War combat, available for download on December 12, 2023.


SEGA's Mega Announcement: Jet Set Radio Returns! 
SEGA dropped a bombshell, revealing five new games in development, including fan-favorites like Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, and more. A nostalgic journey awaits for SEGA enthusiasts.


Embark's Surprise Drop: The Finals 
Embark's competitive shooter, The Finals, shadow-dropped at The Game Awards 2023, offering PC players fame, fortune, and sponsorships in an adrenaline-pumping game show setting.


Hello Games' Ambitious Venture: Light No Fire 
No Man's Sky developer Hello Games teased Light No Fire, an ambitious open-world, online multiplayer game featuring building, dragonriding, and cooperative gameplay elements.


Final Fantasy XVI Unveils DLC Waves 
Square Enix treated fans with two waves of DLC for Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide, expanding the storyline and introducing new challenges.


Skull and Bones Sets Sail on February 16, 2024 
After delays, Skull and Bones finally marked its calendar for a February 16, 2024 release, promising an immersive pirate experience.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage by Dontnod 
Dontnod, the creative force behind Life Is Strange, teased its next universe with Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, exploring friendships rekindled after two decades.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: A Saiyan Saga Unveiled 
Fans rejoiced as Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, the awaited Budokai Tenkaichi game, received a proper reveal, promising an epic Saiyan saga.

Moon Studios' No Rest for the Wicked: An ARPG Adventure 
Moon Studios, the creators of Ori, introduced No Rest for the Wicked, a Diablo-like ARPG promising a treasure-filled, creature-battling journey.

THE WINNERS OF 2023:

Game of the Year

  • Alan Wake 2

  • Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • Resident Evil 4 Remake

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Game Direction

  • Alan Wake 2 - WINNER

  • Baldur's Gate 3

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Narrative

  • Alan Wake 2 - WINNER

  • Baldur's Gate 3

  • Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

  • Final Fantasy 16

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Best Art Direction

  • Alan Wake 2 - WINNER

  • Hi-Fi Rush

  • Lies of P

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Score/Music

  • Alan Wake 2

  • Baldur's Gate 3

  • Final Fantasy 16 - WINNER

  • Hi-Fi Rush

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Best Audio Design

  • Alan Wake 2

  • Dead Space Remake

  • Hi-Fi Rush - WINNER

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • Resident Evil 4 Remake

Best Performance

  • Ben Starr - Final Fantasy 16

  • Cameron Monaghan - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

  • Idris Elba - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

  • Melanie Liburd - Alan Wake 2

  • Neil Newbon - Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Yuri Lowenthal - Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Games for Impact

  • A Space for the Unbound

  • Chants of Sennaar

  • Goodbye Volcano High

  • Tchia - WINNER

  • Terra Nil

  • Venba

Best Ongoing Game

  • Apex Legends

  • Cyberpunk 2077 - WINNER

  • Final Fantasy 14

  • Fortnite

  • Genshin Impact

Best Indie Game

  • Cocoon

  • Dave the Diver

  • Dredge

  • Sea of Stars - WINNER

  • Viewfinder

Best Debut Indie Game

  • Cocoon - WINNER

  • Dredge

  • Pizza Tower

  • Venba

  • Viewfinder

Best Mobile Game

  • Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis

  • Honkai: Star Rail - WINNER

  • Hello Kitty Island Adventure

  • Monster Hunter Now

  • Terra Nil

Best Community Support

  • Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

  • Destiny 2

  • Final Fantasy 16

  • No Man's Sky

Best VR/AR Game

  • Gran Turismo 7

  • Humanity

  • Horizon: Call of the Mountain

  • Resident Evil Village - WINNER

  • Synapse

Innovation in Accessibility

  • Diablo 4

  • Forza Motorsport - WINNER

  • Hi-Fi Rush

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • Mortal Kombat 1

  • Street Fighter 6

Best Action Game

  • Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon - WINNER

  • Dead Island 2

  • Ghostrunner 2

  • Hi-Fi Rush

  • Remnant 2

Best Action/Adventure Game

  • Alan Wake 2

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • Resident Evil 4

  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - WINNER

Best RPG

  • Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Final Fantasy 16

  • Lies of P

  • Sea of Stars

  • Starfield

Best Fighting Game

  • God of Rock

  • Mortal Kombat 1

  • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

  • Pocket Bravery

  • Street Fighter 6 - WINNER

Best Family Game

  • Disney Illusion Island

  • Party Animals

  • Pikmin 4

  • Sonic Superstars

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder - WINNER

Best Sports/Racing Game

  • EA Sports FC 24

  • F1 23

  • Forza Motorsport - WINNER

  • Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

  • The Crew Motofest

Best SIM/Strategy Game

  • Advanced Wars 1+" Re-Boot Camp

  • Cities: Skylines 2

  • Company of Heroes 3

  • Fire Emblem Engage

  • Pikmin 4 - WINNER

Best Multiplayer Game

  • Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Diablo 4

  • Party Animals

  • Street Fighter 6

  • Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Content Creator of the Year

  • IronMouse - WINNER

  • PeopleMakeGames

  • Quackity

  • Spreen

  • SypherPK

Best Esports Athlete

  • Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok - WINNER

  • Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut

  • Max “Demon1” Mazanov

  • Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez

  • Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk

  • Phillip ”ImperialHal” Dosen

Best Esports Coach

  • Christine “potter” Chi - WINNER

  • Danny “zonic” Sorensen

  • Jordan “Gunba” Graham

  • Remy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam

  • Yoon “Homme” Sung-young

Best Esports Event

  • 2023 League of Legends World Championship - WINNER

  • Blast.tv Paris Major 2023

  • EVO 2023

  • The International Dota 2 Championships 2023

  • VALORANT Champions 2023

Best Esports Game

  • Counter-Strike 2

  • Dota 2

  • Leage of Legends

  • PUBG Mobile

  • Valorant - WINNER

Best Esports Team

  • Evil Geniuses

  • Fnatic

  • Gaimin Gladiators

  • JD Gaming - WINNER

  • Team Vitality

Most Anticipated Game

  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth - WINNER

  • Hades 2

  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

  • Star Wars Outlaws

  • Tekken 8

Best Adaptation

  • Castlevania: Nocturne

  • Gran Turismo

  • The Last of Us - WINNER

  • The Super Mario Bros. Movie

  • Twisted Metal

Players' Voice

  • Baldur's Gate 3 - WINNER

  • Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

  • Genshin Impact

  • Marvel's Spider-Man 2

  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Gaming News

End of an Era: E3 Officially Shutters Its Doors

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has officially pulled the plug on the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), once the paramount gaming convention. Waning industry interest and the rise of alternative events prompted this decision. The decline started during the COVID-19 pandemic, with E3 facing cancellations in 2022 and 2023. The ESA cited shifting gamer habits and the withdrawal of key partners as decisive factors.

ESA's CEO, Stanley Pierre-Louis, acknowledged the challenge of bidding farewell to a beloved event. Financial struggles plagued E3, with the 2021 online edition costing $6 million but generating only $3.4 million. With E3's exit, other major gaming conventions like the Tokyo Game Show and Gamescom take the spotlight. In contrast, the Summer Game Fest steps up as a successor, already confirmed for 2024 with major players on board.

The Day Before Game Ends Abruptly: Fntastic Studio Shuts Down

In a surprising move, Fntastic Studio announces the closure of The Day Before game's development and an immediate stop to sales on Steam.

Refunds and Studio Closure: Fntastic collaborates with Steam for buyer refunds, asserting they haven't earned and won't profit from The Day Before. The game vanishes from purchase platforms, and the studio quickly retreats from the public eye.

Developer's Statement: Fntastic Studio, facing financial failure, expresses gratitude for support but lacks resources to continue. Earnings will settle debts, and despite investing five years of effort, the future of The Day Before and Propnight remains uncertain.

Controversial Journey Highlights:

  • The game faced multiple delays, switching to Unreal Engine 5.

  • Lack of genuine gameplay fueled doubts.

  • Scandal revealed poor working conditions at Fntastic.

  • Removal from Steam in a naming dispute.

  • Accusations of stolen assets emerged.

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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