Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Gamers Flood Visa and Mastercard with Calls After Steam and itch.io Ban Adult Games

2025-07-29

Following Steam and itch.io's crackdown on adult games, gamers have launched a coordinated campaign targeting payment processors Visa and Mastercard. Players are bombarding the companies with phone calls and emails, aiming to pressure them into reversing their policies. While the payment processors claim their actions are to comply with regulations, gamers argue the impact is too broad, potentially affecting other games. The campaign, heavily discussed on platforms like Reddit and Bluesky, demonstrates impressive organization, with gamers sharing strategies and even creating scripts for contacting representatives.

(www.polygon.com)

Game gamer protest

Nintendo Switch 2: Fastest-Selling Console Ever

2025-06-11

The Nintendo Switch 2 has had a phenomenal launch, selling 3.5 million units in just four days—the fastest-selling Nintendo console ever and potentially the biggest console launch of all time. Despite chaotic pre-orders, tariff concerns, and criticism over pricing, the launch itself went smoothly with ample stock and minimal scalping. Nintendo projects 15 million sales this fiscal year and is well on its way, though challenges remain in maintaining supply and expanding reach beyond early adopters.

(www.polygon.com)

Game video game console sales record

Indie Game Hypercharge Soars to PS5 Top 10 After Dev's Honest Post Goes Viral

2025-06-08

Hypercharge: Unboxed, an indie action figure shooter, unexpectedly rocketed to the top 10 bestsellers on PS5 after a heartfelt developer post went viral. Initially struggling with low player counts, the five-person team behind the game responded honestly to criticism, emphasizing their focus on creating a game they loved, not chasing wealth or fame. This vulnerability resonated deeply with players, leading to a surge in sales and widespread attention. The story highlights how authenticity can triumph over big marketing budgets.

(www.polygon.com)

Game viral success developer honesty

SteamOS 3.7.8: Official Support for Legion Go and ROG Ally

2025-05-24

Valve's massive SteamOS 3.7.8 update is here, bringing official support for AMD-powered handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally. This update fixes installation bugs on the Legion Go S, adds a "SteamOS Compatible" library tab, and improves the SteamOS recovery image. The Steam Deck also receives significant improvements, including a new battery charge limit feature, updated Linux kernel, Mesa graphics driver, and Plasma desktop.

(www.polygon.com)

Game

Nintendo Sues Discord to Unmask Pokémon Data Leaker Behind 'Teraleak'

2025-04-23

Nintendo is pursuing legal action against Discord in a California court to identify the individual responsible for the massive Pokémon data breach known as "Teraleak." The leak included source code for the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A (though unreleased), next-generation Pokémon titles, older game builds, and extensive concept art and lore. Nintendo alleges that a Discord user, GameFreakOUT, posted confidential materials to the FreakLeak server, from which the leak spread widely. Despite DMCA takedown attempts, the information persisted online. The lawsuit aims to obtain GameFreakOUT's identifying information to hold them accountable for the breach.

(www.polygon.com)

Game

Tetris Remix: How Devs Keep Reinventing a Classic

2025-01-30

From the classic Tetris to its mind-bending variations, developers continuously push the boundaries of this seemingly simple puzzle game. The article explores the battle royale mode of Tetris 99, the multi-angled gravity-bending Schwerkraftprojektiongerät, the weekly madness of Terrible Tetris Tuesday, and the central rotating cube gameplay of Reaktor. These innovative designs retain the core fun of Tetris while adding new challenges and strategic depth, surprising players with unexpected twists in the familiar world of falling blocks.

(www.polygon.com)

Game

The Unfathomable Complexity of Playing Cards

2025-01-17

The seemingly simple act of playing cards hides an incredible mathematical complexity. From the randomness of shuffling to the 'aha' moments in card games, the topic has fascinated mathematicians and game designers alike. This article explores the origins and evolution of playing cards, their use in modern game design, and the captivating allure that keeps us hooked, highlighting the challenges they present in mathematics and game development.

(www.polygon.com)

Game playing cards

Disney Villain Songs Are Dying: Mufasa's 'Bye Bye' is Exhibit A

2025-01-02

Disney animation once thrived on memorable villain songs, but recent years have seen a decline in quality. The article uses "Bye Bye," a song from the Mufasa: The Lion King sequel, as a prime example. It argues the song lacks creativity and impact, failing to establish the villain Kiros's personality or threat level. Compared to classic Disney villain songs, "Bye Bye" falls woefully short. The author suggests that great villain songs showcase the villain's wickedness and advance the plot, but "Bye Bye" does neither. The article concludes with a plea for Disney to revitalize its approach to villain songs and return to its former glory.

(www.polygon.com)

Game Disney villain songs