On December 27, 2024, a Missouri man was arrested for driving 107mph in a 65mph zone on I-35 while playing video games. The Claycomo Police Department reported that the driver, whose license was suspended, failed to notice a police officer ahead due to his distraction. He faces multiple charges and has a pending court date. This incident occurred just before a new law took effect on January 1, prohibiting holding cellphones, texting, or recording videos while driving, with fines ranging from $150 to $500 for repeat offenses.

China's video game industry is poised for a resurgence, driven by the global success of "Black Myth: Wukong," a triple-A title developed by Game Science. Released in August 2023, the action RPG inspired by Chinese mythology sold 10 million copies in three days and has since earned $1.1 billion, with 70% of sales from China. The game's cultural authenticity, incorporating historical and martial arts elements, has resonated with both domestic and international audiences. This success marks China's entry into the premium triple-A gaming space, encouraging more ambitious projects and rekindling investment in an industry recovering from regulatory crackdowns. State media have praised the game for promoting Chinese culture abroad, signaling a shift in political attitudes toward gaming. Industry experts highlight China’s cost advantage and growing expertise, positioning it to compete globally with high-production-value games.

In Clay County, Missouri, police pulled over a driver traveling at 107 mph on Interstate 35, who was also playing a video game while driving. The unidentified man had a suspended license and failed to notice the police officer in the lane ahead due to distraction. Charges are pending against the driver, though further details have not been disclosed. The Claycomo Police Department highlighted the incident on social media, emphasizing the extreme danger of such behavior. USA TODAY has reached out for additional information.

The A.V. Club discusses *Ballionaire*, a new Steam game by newfury that reimagines pachinko, the Japanese pinball-like gambling game. Similar to *Peggle* and *Balatro*, *Ballionaire* transforms its source material into a more skill-based experience, offering strategic depth and colorful, addictive gameplay. Players manipulate the board to create complex, rewarding chains of events, maximizing points through clever use of tiles and multipliers. However, the deterministic nature of pachinko—where players have little control once the ball is launched—limits long-term satisfaction. Unlike poker, which can retain its essence even with modifications, pachinko's reliance on chance makes it less adaptable to skill-based improvements, leading to an optimization puzzle rather than a true gamble. The article explores how this balance between skill and chance affects the gaming experience.

The New York Times' Strands puzzle, available on its website and app, offers a daily word search challenge. Players must find theme-related words within a 6x8 grid, with letters connecting vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Each day features a unique theme, hinted at by clues. Today’s Strands (January 3) revolves around car parts, with the spangram "CAR BODY" linking the theme words: BUMPER, DOOR, HOOD, GRILLE, WINDSHIELD, TRUNK, and MIRROR. The game introduces a hint system after finding three valid non-theme words. Difficulty varies, incorporating phrases, synonyms, or homophones. This abstract summarizes the rules, today's hints, and answers for Strands.

The Beat's video game review team presents their top 10 favorite games of 2024, following an exceptional year in gaming. Highlights include "Astro Bot," a PS5 platformer celebrating PlayStation’s history; "Batman: Arkham Shadow," a VR adventure on Meta Quest 3; and "Black Myth: Wukong," a Chinese mythological action RPG with controversy surrounding its development. Other notable entries are "Dragon Age: The Veilguard," praised for its diverse representation and engaging combat; "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth," a reimagined classic with emotional depth; and "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle," offering thrilling adventures with stunning graphics. Additionally, "Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" features Princess Zelda as the hero, "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth" streamlines the Yakuza series, "Metaphor: ReFantazio" delivers an uplifting fantasy narrative, and "Silent Hill 2" offers a terrifying remake of the horror classic. Each game brings unique elements, making 2024 a remarkable year in gaming.

In this year-end reflection on GiantBomb.com, the author shares their favorite experiences of 2024, extending beyond just video games. They criticize the industry's tendency to engage in trivial debates, urging a shift towards more meaningful discussions. The list includes diverse entries such as "Content Warning," a spooky multiplayer game; the remastered *Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door*; and *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6*, praised for its refined gameplay. The author also celebrates personal milestones like working in the video game industry and attending sports events, highlighting the Dodgers' and Galaxy's victories. Other notable mentions include *Hades II*, *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*, Kendrick Lamar’s *GNX* album, and *Astro Bot*. Surprisingly, the top spot goes to the Fujifilm X-T50 camera, symbolizing a return to authentic, unfiltered photography amidst the rise of AI-altered images. The piece concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future, emphasizing the importance of capturing genuine moments.

The Nintendo Switch 2, expected to launch in 2025, remains shrouded in uncertainty despite growing anticipation. Official details are sparse: it will be backward-compatible with the original Switch, use Nintendo Accounts, and offer the Nintendo Switch Online service. Unofficial reports suggest a more powerful handheld hybrid console with an 8-inch 1080p screen, custom Nvidia hardware for advanced graphics, and 256GB storage. Potential launch titles may include Metroid Prime 4 and new entries in major franchises like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing. Pricing and exact release date remain unknown, but it's speculated to range between $349 and $399. For Nintendo, the Switch 2 is crucial to defending its position in the increasingly competitive handheld market, emphasizing continuity over innovation. Success is vital to avoid becoming a third-party publisher.

The year 2025 promises to be transformative for the video game industry. Notable highlights include the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and Nintendo's upcoming console announcement, while Microsoft shifts focus away from its Xbox line. Despite these developments, the industry faces challenges, with mass layoffs impacting major developers like Ubisoft. James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR’s gaming lead, provides insights into these trends. This segment aired on January 2, 2025, offering a snapshot of an industry balancing significant releases and internal struggles.

John Warren, founder of VGBees and former head of Fanbyte, shares his top 15-6 games of 2024 for Giant Bomb, reserving his top five for VGBees. Notable mentions include *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6*, praised for its multiplayer innovations despite reservations about its fast-paced combat; *Caves of Qud*, celebrated for its unique, challenging gameplay; and *Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor*, a compelling iteration on the bullet heaven formula. Warren also highlights *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*, noting its compelling companions despite narrative shortcomings, and *Indiana Jones: The Great Circle*, lauded for its Arkane-inspired design. Other picks like *Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess* and *Tekken 8* are recognized for their genre rejuvenation and strong character designs. This list reflects Warren's diverse tastes and his excitement for the year's gaming offerings.

The Congressional App Challenge, an annual competition promoting STEM skills among U.S. students, recognized five apps developed by Colorado students in 2023. The apps addressed diverse issues such as wildfire safety, mental health, and community infrastructure. Notably, Aadi Sobti’s "Firewatch" app provides real-time updates during wildfires, inspired by his family's experience with the Marshall Fire. Sidd Aradyha’s "CatchChat" aids law enforcement in catching online predators using AI. Rishabh Sodani’s "Dead Tree Finder" simplifies reporting public hazards. In the 7th district, Nolan Keating’s "The Rising Dark" metaphorically explores burnout through a challenging game, while Aditi Muthukumar’s "SafeSpace" offers mental health resources and destigmatizes drug misuse. These apps reflect students' innovative solutions to real-world problems, highlighting their commitment to community well-being.

Today marks the final day for online play of *Friday the 13th: The Game*, as Gun Interactive's servers shut down due to an expired license. Fans had hoped for offline multiplayer but remain uncertain. Development was hindered by legal disputes between director Sean Cunningham and writer Victor Miller, preventing new content like "Uber Jason." Despite this, the game significantly influenced the horror asymmetrical multiplayer genre, inspiring titles like *Dead by Daylight*. It also paved the way for other projects from Gun Interactive and IllFonic, such as *The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Game* and *Predator: Hunting Grounds*. While *Friday the 13th* leaves online play, Jason appears in *MultiVersus*, and a rumored new game involving composer Harry Manfredini is anticipated.