Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Teenager's 3-Day Roblox Game 'Grow a Garden' Attracts 5 Million Concurrent Players

2025-05-25

Grow a Garden, a simple farming simulator on Roblox, has unexpectedly become a massive hit, boasting over 5 million concurrent players at its peak—surpassing even popular Steam titles like Counter-Strike 2. Developed by a teenager in just three days, the game's surprisingly basic visuals haven't hindered its popularity. Its success highlights Roblox's growing influence and the emergence of a new era in gaming, albeit one with documented issues like exploitation of children within the platform.

(kotaku.com)

Game Viral Game

Bungie's Marathon Accused of Plagiarizing Independent Artist's Work

2025-05-18

Bungie's highly anticipated sci-fi game, Marathon, has been accused of plagiarism. Elements of the alpha build's visual design were flagged by artist antire.al as being lifted from their 2017 artwork, including their logo and poster designs, without permission or attribution. Bungie initially didn't respond but later stated a former employee was responsible and is reaching out to the artist while conducting a full review of in-game assets. This incident highlights concerns about copyright in the games industry and the power imbalance between large studios and independent artists.

(kotaku.com)

Game game plagiarism

Overwatch 2 Developers Unionize at Blizzard

2025-05-11

Nearly 200 developers at Blizzard Entertainment, working on Overwatch 2, have successfully unionized, joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This follows the World of Warcraft team's unionization last year, marking Blizzard's second company-wide union. The union, encompassing artists, testers, engineers, and designers, formed in response to Microsoft's 2024 layoffs and concerns over pay disparities, work-from-home restrictions, crunch, time off, and severance. The Overwatch Gamemakers Guild aims to improve working conditions and ultimately contribute to better game development, setting a potential precedent for other studios.

(kotaku.com)

Game unionization

Bethesda Officially Blesses Skyblivion, the Oblivion Skyrim Fan Remake

2025-05-03

Bethesda's recent release of the Oblivion remaster has been overshadowed by the excitement surrounding Skyblivion, a fan-made mod aiming to recreate Oblivion in Skyrim's engine. Instead of legal action, Bethesda has publicly endorsed the project, showcasing gameplay footage in a developer spotlight video and expressing enthusiasm for its release later this year. This act of support highlights Bethesda's positive relationship with its modding community and sets a commendable example for other publishers.

(kotaku.com)

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Polygon Sold to Valnet, Massive Layoffs Ensue

2025-05-01

Gaming news website Polygon has been sold to click-farm giant Valnet, resulting in significant layoffs. Many employees have expressed shock and concern on social media about losing their jobs. Polygon co-founder and former editor-in-chief Chris Plante confirmed his departure. The sale price was undisclosed, and the press release made no mention of the layoffs. Some editors reportedly remain. Valnet, known for operating numerous content aggregation sites, has previously faced accusations of exploitative content practices. The acquisition has raised concerns about the future of gaming journalism.

(kotaku.com)

Game gaming journalism

Chrono Trigger at 30: A Timeless RPG Masterpiece

2025-03-25

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Chrono Trigger remains a landmark RPG. This article reflects on the game's legendary development, bringing together top talent from Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The SNES classic's innovative time travel mechanics, stunning pixel art, unforgettable soundtrack, and captivating story continue to resonate with players. The piece delves into the gameplay, narrative, and characters, exploring its unique charm and the reasons behind its enduring legacy, likening it to Citizen Kane and Rosebud in the gaming world.

(kotaku.com)

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