Category: gaming

Ubisoft and Riot Games announce the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project to detect harmful content in game chats

Today, Ubisoft and Riot Games announced the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project, a technological partnership to enhance the reach of their artificial intelligence-based solutions in order to prevent harmful player interactions. This research initiative aims to create a cross-industry shared database and labeling ecosystem that gathers in-game data, which will better train AI-based preemptive moderation tools to detect and mitigate disruptive behavior.

Both active members of the Fair Play Alliance, Ubisoft and Riot Games firmly believe that the creation of safe and meaningful online experiences in games can only come through collective action and knowledge sharing. As such, this initiative is a continuation of both companies’ bigger journey of creating gaming structures that foster more rewarding social experiences and avoid harmful interactions.

“Disruptive player behaviors is an issue that we take very seriously but also one that is very difficult to solve. At Ubisoft, we have been working on concrete measures to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences, but we believe that, by coming together as an industry, we will be able to tackle this issue more effectively.” said Yves Jacquier, Executive Director, Ubisoft La Forge. “Through this technological partnership with Riot Games, we are exploring how to better prevent in-game toxicity as designers of these environments with a direct link to our communities.”

Through the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project, Ubisoft and Riot Games are exploring how to lay the technological foundations for future industry collaboration and creating the framework that guarantees the ethics and the privacy of this initiative. Thanks to Riot Games’ highly competitive games and to Ubisoft’s very diversified portfolio, the resulting database should cover every type of player and in-game behavior in order to better train Riot Games’ and Ubisoft’s AI systems.

“Disruptive behavior isn’t a problem that is unique to games – every company that has an online social platform is working to address this challenging space. That is why we’re committed to working with industry partners like Ubisoft who believe in creating safe communities and fostering positive experiences in online spaces,” said Wesley Kerr, Head of Technology Research at Riot Games. “This project is just an example of the wider commitment and work that we’re doing across Riot to develop systems that create healthy, safe, and inclusive interactions with our games.” 

Still at an early stage, the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project is the first step of an ambitious cross-industry project that aims to benefit the entire player community in the future. As part of the first research exploration, Ubisoft and Riot are committed to sharing the learnings of the initial phase of the experiment with the whole industry next year, no matter the outcome.

To learn more about the “Zero Harm in Comms” research project go to http://www.ubisoft.com/r/Ubisoft_RiotGames_Join_Forces and https://www.riotgames.com/en/news/riot-games-ubisoft-tackling-toxicity-in-games-with-new-project

A Beginner’s Guide To Buying Your First Gaming PCS

It’s finally time to take gaming seriously. You may use an excellent gaming PC for many years. Although a decent gaming display is essential to the experience, it also has a limited lifespan. If you’re ready to give up certain features, you may purchase an excellent laptop for less than $1,000 or even $500. (like an SSD). Additionally, an entry-level desktop will cost between $750 and $1,000—or even less—if you’re searching for something more significant. But what precisely must you search for? How can you tell if it’s adequate? And how will it interact with all of your other devices once you’ve purchased one? We have solutions.

How To Choose A Gaming Laptop

It’s crucial to be aware that desktops and laptops differ slightly in terms of features if you’re planning to purchase a desktop. For instance, because they perform better and have more features than desktop computers, gaming laptops are typically more expensive. 

However, rather than creating your own system from scratch if you have an outdated computer like a Dell or HP Windows 10 machine that is no longer in use (or simply want something newer), you should think about purchasing an affordable gaming laptop. These days, there are lots of great models available both online and in brick-and-mortar stores like Best Buy, where they can be bought without any trouble finding one nearby, at a variety of price points.

How To Choose A Desktop PC

A desktop PC is an excellent method to get your games and graphics programmes running, but it’s also a necessary piece of hardware if you want to use your computer for anything else.

Purchasing a desktop computer is similar to purchasing a car in that there are numerous options available, but not all cars are created equal. Before making your final decision, it is crucial to understand which features are most crucial.

Think about the type of work that will be done on the new desktop and how much power (or processing speed) is required for those tasks. Do not forget that any new purchase requires an initial outlay for configuring its components. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying.

How To Buy A Gaming Monitor

There are a few alternatives available to you when it comes to buying a monitor. You can get one specifically for gaming or one with other features like Photoshop and video editing. Choose a display with a higher refresh rate if you intend to play any games at high settings (also known as frame rate). When playing games on your PC or desktop computer, this will give the impression that movement is smoother.

When purchasing these monitors, it’s also important to consider how many colours they can display in an inch; if they can display at least 16 million colours or more, there won’t be any issues with colour bleeding between pixels. Further, it should be compatible with VPNs. Because a good gaming VPN can lower your ping and can gain you access to your favourite games of any state. 

If possible, try finding one without any backlight bleeding around them either because this will make everything look better while still maintaining its quality overall.

Conclusion

The final word? In the long run, if your budget allows it, purchasing a PC now will be worthwhile because these devices were made with longevity in mind from the start; they are constructed with better components and employ better software, so they’ll last longer without requiring upgrades in the future.

 

You’ll require a display in addition to a desktop and laptop. It’s important to think about whether you want to choose a screen with an ultra-wide viewing angle or one with a higher refresh rate because this can be a costly investment. Both of these capabilities are fantastic for gaming, but they’re also helpful if you want to use your computer for other things.

Three Types of Games That Have Successfully Made the Jump Online

Online gaming is a diverse sector full of a huge array of entertaining titles. With everything from competitive esports and massive multiplayer RPGs, right through to casual browser mini-games falling under this broad umbrella, there are gameplay experiences out there to suit any mood or interest. 

In light of this, it’s fascinating to note that several types of traditional, physical, or ‘real world’ games have made the jump into this digital context, and have not only succeeded in attracting new players and creating new experiences, but have thrived in the process. 

Below we’re going to take a look at three types of games that have undergone and adapted to this process of digital transformation like a fish to water. Each builds on its real-world counterpart by retaining the core functionality and aesthetic of its antecedent, while bringing the freedom and creativity of software to expand features for a new generation.

Card Games

Card games are some of the oldest continuously played games in the world, with most of the earliest examples originating in China in the middle ages. 

Of course, when we think of card games, our mind turns towards the 52-card deck, replete with its four suits of clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds. Interestingly though, many of the most popular card games played today break this mould, such as collectable card games like Magic: The Gathering, modern classics like Uno, and novelty takes like Cards Against Humanity. 

One of the most popular card game in the world, however, remains blackjack. In recent years, this casino banking game, which belongs to the broader ‘twenty-ones’ category that includes vingt-un and pontoon, has begun to establish a second life for itself through online variants of its classic format another game you can also try is scat card game. 

Now, in fact, more people than ever have access to this game through leading digital gaming platforms rather than brick-and-mortar venues. Part of the appeal for online gamers is that they can enjoy the game on-demand wherever they are. They can also make the most of the comprehensive guides on the nuances of this classic title, such as getting to grips with the double down blackjack strategy, in order to refine their skills at their own pace.

Board Games

There’s nothing like a good board game to bring people together in the spirit of fun and playful competition. It is for this reason that, even today in our world of Xbox and Netflix, many privilege the act of coming together over a board game as a uniquely prized social experience. Board games come in many forms, from bestselling titles Scrabble and Monopoly, to the likes of Risk or Settlers of Catan, right through to the cerebral thrills of strategy games like Chess and Go. 

While there are, of course, irreducible elements to playing a game together in-person, many of these titles have begun to migrate online, giving rise to surprisingly comprehensive digital versions. These digital board games have recently been prized for their ability to foster connection between people remotely, and this has caused them to enjoy a surge in popularity ever since.

It’s easy to find online versions of most popular board games nowadays. For example, Ludo, Boggle, and Cluedo are all instantly playable through Facebook, giving you the ability to challenge friends right from within the app’s messenger.  

Elsewhere, chess has emerged as an unlikely candidate for the world’s fastest growing esport following a surge in popularity driven by the success of The Queen’s Gambit and a proliferation of chess streaming content going viral on video platform Twitch. 

 

 

Party Games

Popular party games include charades, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, and, of course, all manner of creative drinking games. 

In online spaces, the party game has taken on a life of its own, with whole game series like Mario Party and the Jackbox Party Pack franchises seeking to capture the anarchic fun of these real world games in digital form. An honourable mention must also go to Among Us, the hit indie game of 2020 which pits you against your friends in a suspicious murder mystery in outer space.

You might never have thought that party games could be brought to the online world, but it turns out they can be a very fun way to connect with friends. 

Black Shamrock – a Virtuos Studio announces expansion of game development studio in Dublin

Black Shamrock – a Virtuos Studio today announced the expansion of its operations at the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) in Dublin City Centre. The co-development studio aims to create 80 new jobs with this expansion, bringing its total headcount to 200 by the end of 2023.

Founded in 2015, Black Shamrock is a co-development studio that specializes in RPG and action-adventure games for PC and console. Since its establishment, Black Shamrock has contributed to Ireland’s presence in the video game industry, having developed some of the world’s most popular AAA titles. The studio has worked on games such as The Outer Worlds, Grounded, Back 4 Blood, Destroy All Humans!, Starlink: Battle for Atlas, and Pillars of Eternity. Currently, the Black Shamrock team has multiple AAA game projects in active development and is excited about their public release.

Black Shamrock was acquired by Virtuos, one of the world’s largest independent game developers, in 2017 as part of its expansion to cater to an increased demand for AAA co-development services globally. Leveraging Virtuos’ global exposure and reach, Black Shamrock has also expanded its co-development capabilities, collaborating with the biggest game studios around the world.

The studio is rapidly expanding to take on some of the games industry’s most ambitious projects. Black Shamrock is actively seeking talent in art, design, engineering, and production, with additional business support roles opening up in the coming months. Interested candidates can learn more about Black Shamrock’s current opportunities here.

Leo Varadkar TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said, “It’s really welcome that Black Shamrock plans to create 80 new jobs in Dublin as part of its expansion. This initiative underlines the company’s commitment to Ireland by employing 200 people by the end of 2023. Black Shamrock is a global leader in game development, and having such a skilled and talented workforce at its disposal is no doubt a driving force behind this further investment. The news is particularly welcome at a time when other tech companies are announcing job losses. It also shows that the tax changes recently introduced for the digital gaming industry are working. I wish the team all the best in this exciting new chapter.”

Gilles Langourieux, CEO of Virtuos, said: “Ireland’s pool of young, diverse and highly-skilled talent has empowered it to become a key global player in video game development. In 2017, we saw the opportunity to expand into Dublin in partnership with Black Shamrock, which has proven to be a good fit with Virtuos’ company culture of innovation and creativity. Through Black Shamrock, we hope to continuously enable the long-term development of local talent and the expansion of the games industry in Ireland.”


Lukas Codr, General Manager of Black Shamrock – a Virtuos Studio, said: “We are rapidly expanding all areas of production at Black Shamrock to cater to the growing needs of our client partners. The game projects that we are currently developing are some of the most exciting in the world, so it is the perfect time to join us if you want to work on the most awe-inspiring AAA games and do some of the best work of your career.”


Eileen Sharpe, IDA Ireland’s Head of Growth Markets, said, “Ireland’s combination of creative and technical talent makes it the perfect location from which to grow and develop the video gaming sector. IDA Ireland welcomes this investment, and the opportunity to create high-quality jobs for talented people in this exciting growth area.”

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge: Special Ed Coming to PS5

Merge Games, Dotemu and developer Tribute Games, in partnership with Nickelodeon, are excited to announce standard & special edition physical versions of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’ will be coming to PlayStation 5! Standard versions of the critically acclaimed beat ‘em up will be available to players from 25th November with special edition to follow shortly after.

Players can grab copies of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’ on PS5 from all major retailers in European, Middle Eastern, Australian and New Zealand territories, including Signature Edition Games!

Featuring the original 1980’s cartoon voice actors reprising their classic roles, the Heroes in a Half Shell return to brawl in the streets from Manhattan to Coney Island as they face off against the Foot Clan in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’.

Featuring the original 1980’s cartoon voice actors reprising their classic roles, the Heroes in a Half Shell return to brawl in the streets from Manhattan to Coney Island as they face off against the Foot Clan in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’.

Inside the standard versions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, courtesy of Merge Games, players will find a 24 page “Pocket Guide” featuring character bios and in-game animation sprites, as well as a flexible pizza-shaped PVC keyring.

Signature Edition Games ups the ante with an extra-large slice of piping hot Heroes in a Half Shell goodness with a hellacious haul of collector’s edition content available in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East. Inside the Signature Edition, players can grab:

One randomly selected Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eye mask, players will receive either Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, ORLeonardo
CD Soundtrack featuring 28 tracks presented in a pizza box styled case
4x 30mm Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles metal pins
Metal Shredder keyring
Numbered autograph art card
80mm sewer manhole cover metal coaster
The collector’s edition contents is presented in a unique Signature Edition box with a custom artwork box sleeve.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’ standard physical versions are available for £34.99 / €39.99 for PlayStation 5 from the 25th November, while special edition versions will be available for £59.99 / €69.99 shortly after.

Both standard & special edition versions of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge’ are also available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One from all good retailers across Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Four days left to register for Red Bull Campus Clutch

There are just four days left to register for Red Bull Campus Clutch. The Global VALORANT tournament is open to college and university students in Ireland and across the globe. Players are invited to show their skills for a chance to play on the world stage with €20,000 up for grabs for the winning team.

What is Red Bull Campus Clutch:

Red Bull Campus Clutch is a grassroots esports initiative bringing up and coming student VALORANT players of every skill level together as they team up and experience competitive gaming like never before. In its first year, the tournament showcased up-and-coming talent who went on to establish a career in the professional gaming scene.

How to enter:

Entries are now open to currently enrolled College and University Students over the age of 18, visit RedBullCampusClutch.com. Students can enter as an individual and will be placed into a team, or they can enter a team of five.

How does it work:

Teams of five will battle it out in an online Irish qualifier event on Saturday 29th of October which will find the top three teams in the country. These top three teams will then face off at the live National Final on 11th of November with the winning team crowned National Champions. The Irish National Champions will then receive an all-expenses paid trip to São Paulo, Brazil to show their skills against 50 other country teams at the Global Final where the winning team will be treated to a VIP Experience at a 2023 VALORANT Champions Tour Event and €20,000 in prize money. More details on the date and location of the Red Bull Campus Clutch National and World Final will be revealed.

Red Bull’s VALORANT commitment:

Entering its second season Red Bull Campus Clutch, along with Red Bull Home Ground, the premier pro Red Bull event for VALORANT, encapsulates the brand´s continued commitment to support the VALORANT community and uplift its competitive ecosystem, from a grassroots level with an array of local initiatives to the very highest echelons of esports.

Tech That’s Changing the Way We Game

The gaming industry is always quick to pick up on the latest technological advances. After all, making an exciting new experience for customers is top of the list. There have been many huge advances in recent years, but blockchain technology is maybe the largest. 

The potential of blockchain technology is so huge that casinos are offering a bitcoin welcome bonus for users who want to play with cryptocurrency, as well as games that offer users the chance to earn NFTs for playing them. 

Of course, it’s not only blockchain technology that’s taken the gaming world by storm, but instant streaming has also transformed the way that we consume gaming content. In some cases, it has even changed the way that we play games. 

Given that, these are some of the most fascinating ways that technology is changing the gaming world and some of the best games that are implementing them.

Blockchain Technology

One of the most exciting developments in not just the gaming world, but to technology in general is blockchain technology. This is the technology that makes cryptocurrencies possible. It involves pieces of encrypted data known as blocks, which are entered into a chain that they cannot be moved from. 

Blockchain makes a permanent record of the data which cannot be copied but can be traded between parties, simply adding more information to the chain. The technology has made all kinds of processes smoother, more reliable, and most importantly, trackable. 

Some gaming companies have chosen to use blockchain technology to allow payments in cryptocurrency. This can open up the playing field for people in countries with a volatile currency who would rather pay in crypto, as well as enabling people to skip the transaction fees associated with central banks. 

It isn’t just cryptocurrency as a payment method that the industry has adopted though, instead, some game developers are building blockchain technology into the very foundations of their games. 

NFT Games

NFT games are the types of games that are doing this. NFT stands for non-fungible token, and it relates to one of those blocks of data that we were talking about earlier. 

As the data block can’t be copied and has a permanent record, it’s possible for people to own a data block. This block could take the form of a beautiful drawing, an animated pet, or any number of things. 

The main pillar of the block is that it is unique, it can be traded, but it cannot be manipulated. The blocks are used by games as either an in-game currency or as an essential part of the game. 

Some of the most popular NFT games use pets or animals as the blocks. Tamadoge is a play on the famous 90s toy the Tamagotchi and the Dogecoin. The game allows players to breed and train their Tamadoge pets and swap them with each other. 

So far, Tamadoge has released 21,100 NFTs which are split into three categories of rarity, directly affecting their trading price. 

Just like Tamadoge, one of the most popular NFT games is Axie Infinity. This game plays on the Pokemon universe, encouraging players to breed strong Axies and battle them to determine who has the superior Axie. These NFTs are tradeable within the game, with prices varying depending on strength and rarity. 

This isn’t the only way of trading and earning though, it’s also possible to earn SLP tokens for winning battles too, a functional cryptocurrency that can be used outside of the world of Axie Infinity. This is a fascinating trend in gaming that certainly has a long way to develop, but we’ll be eagerly watching to see where it goes.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has been around for a while, remember wearing those red and blue cardboard glasses to watch a film at the cinema in 3D? That’s virtual reality at its simplest. Google cardboard created a similar idea with a cardboard headset that you could insert your phone into for a VR experience. 

Of course, since then, things have progressed and now VR experiences can be more absorbing than ever. Whole VR rooms exist that are kitted out with huge screens, wearable tech, and devices that release scents and sounds when they’re triggered by the computers. It’s possible to exist in an entirely different world in one of these rooms and while the price is high, gamers are willing to pay out for the totally immersive experience. 

There are plenty of brilliant VR games, but some of the more recent releases include Elite Dangerous, a game that puts you in charge of conducting a spaceship. It’s a tricky game to pick up, as the makers have spent a lot of time making the flight simulation element of this game as realistic as possible. 

However, once you’ve got the hang of the tricky controls, soaring through endless space is a feeling quite unlike any other. Ghost Giant is another recent release that focuses on puzzle-solving skills to help you navigate your way through an adorable cartoon universe. 

While Elite Dangerous uses hyper real graphics and complex controls to immerse you in a real-world experience, Ghost Giants uses cartoon charm and cute brain teasers to feel just as absorbing.

Oakley Releases Prizm Gaming 2.0 Lens Technology

Today, Oakley® drops its newest Gaming Collection, featuring the new Prizm Gaming ™ 2.0 technology. This launch represents the celebration of the brand’s continued pursuit to support the gaming community and empower the next generation of gamers.

Oakley’s newest lineup of gaming-centric eyewear including NXTLVL and Admission combined with existing headset compatible frames such as Pitchman R, Holbrook™ and Holbrook™ XS, all come equipped with the newest generation of Prizm Gaming™ 2.0 technology. Uniquely optimized to attenuate light from the newest of OLED and LED screens, Oakley’s proprietary technology reduces by 30% the blue light exposure from LED within the 400–500 NM range. Doing so, it helps eyes stay comfortable during long gaming sessions and it is engineered with specific Oakley lens designs that help you see more clearly. These upgrades add up to a new level of performance, giving gamers enhanced visual contrast and sharper vision for an optimized performance on the field of play that will help players react faster and play longer.

The new Oakley Gaming Collection featuring Prizm Gaming™ 2.0 is available with Oakley Authentic Prescription lenses or without, for all wearers to enjoy the benefit of Oakley’s gaming lenses. The full collection can be found on Oakley.com and in select Oakley retail stores worldwide.

Check out the latest Be Who You Are chapter, “Play: It’s Real”, featuring Team Oakley Seth “Scump” Abner (Optic Gaming), Hector “Hecz” Rodriguez (Optic Gaming), Nick “Maniac” Kershner (Optic Gaming), Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro (Optic Gaming), Sebas “Sebas” Beron (Optic Gaming), Yuli “Yuli” Morozova (G2 Esports), Karl “Alem4o” Zarth (G2 Esports), Jake “Virtue” Grannan (G2 Esports), Sergen “Broken Blade” Çelik (G2 Esports), Liza “Liza” Fiona (G2 Esports), Romain “Romain” Bigeard (G2 Esports), Daniel “Amenyah” Amenyah (G2 Esports), Ilya “M0nesy” Osipov (G2 Esports) , Michaela “Mimi” Lintrup (G2 Esports) and Rasmus “CaPs” Borregaard Winther (G2 Esports).

For more information on Oakley’s gaming collection and Prizm Gaming™ 2.0 technology, please visit Oakley.com.

Can you spin like an Egyptian?

We all know how to walk like an Egyptian, but can you spin like an Egyptian in the world of online Slots too?

Whether you’re looking to play Slots online at Paddy’s virtual casino, or on another provider’s platform, one thing is for sure – there will be a slot or two filled with Pharaohs, pyramids and Egyptian wonder, ready and waiting for you to unwrap.

Read on to find out more.

Temple of Iris

Welcome the land of the Valley of the Kings, set all the way in ancient Egypt, to a time when Pharaohs and pyramids were the norm. 

In your quest, you’ll be joined by Iris — messenger to the gods — as they help translate the hieroglyphic symbols across the five reels and three rows at play, hoping to uncover the mysteries and prizes hidden within.

As you can imagine, the symbols found spinning around these sandy reels carry an Egyptian theme as well as various values – these include:

  • Iris – can award up to 9500x your wager
  • Scarab beetle – can award up to 950x your wager
  • Eye of Horus – can award up to 950x your wager
  • Cobra – can award up to 450x your wager
  • Cat – can award up to 250x your wager
  • Ankh – can award up to 250x your wager
  • Playing card symbols K and A – can ward up to 125x your wager
  • Playing card symbols 9, 10, J and Q – can award up to 100x your wager
  • Pyramids – activates the free spins bonus as well as an instant prize worth up to 450x your wager

Will you and Iris make the perfect team and crack open the reels to unearth treasures worth up to 9500x your wager? Or will you simply walk away in a style of an Egyptian?

Eye of Horus

How about a slot that pays homage to the all-seeing eye, an iconic symbol we all associate with ancient Egypt?

With cartoon style graphics, enter Egypt like you’ve never seen before, where the aim of your trip is to spin the five reels and three rows at play, hoping they form a winning combination to unlock historical treasures worth up to 10,000x your wager.

To unlock the tomb reels and unearth the treasures from within, you’ll need to create the perfect hieroglyphic symbol combination, worthy of the Egyptian gods, comprised of the symbols offered within the game grid. These symbols include:

  • Playing card symbols J, Q, K and A
  • Birds
  • Ankh keys
  • Flowers
  • Scarab beetles
  • Jackals
  • Eye of Horus (wild)
  • Entrance to a pyramid (scatter)

It’s good to note here, that the wild symbol, the Eye of Horus, can only appear on reels two, three, four and five. It holds the power to substitute for lower paying symbols to help you create further potential matches.

There is, of course, also a chance for you to unlock some free spins with the help of the scatter symbol, the entrance to the pyramids, where you could see yourself activating up to 12 free spins and the chance to claim a prize worth up to 100x your wager.

Do you think you have what it takes to time travel back to ancient Egypt, unearth the mummified Slots and claim the forgotten riches? There’s only one way to find out.