Video Games 2024: Tetris Beater, Palworld, PH's 'Until Then'
12/16/2024
The Game Awards 2024 recently made history by crowning Astro Bot as the Game of the Year. This marks the third time a Sony-owned studio has achieved this prestigious accolade, following 2020's Last of Us Part II and 2018's God of War. But, of course, this isn't the only significant gaming story of the year. Let's take a journey through some of the other highlights from Rappler's comprehensive coverage.
Unveiling the Gaming Highlights of 2024
13-year-old's Tetris Triumph
An American teenager achieved a remarkable feat by forcing the game Tetris into a "kill screen," causing the game to crash after accumulating an unprecedented number of points. This is the first time a human has accomplished this, although an artificial intelligence had previously achieved the same.This showcases the incredible skills and determination of young gamers. Tetris has always been a classic, and this achievement adds another layer of excitement to the game. It highlights the potential for innovation and pushing the boundaries of gaming.The Palworld Phenomenon
Palworld, dubbed "Pokemon with guns," was the most hyped title to start 2024. Its unique gameplay captured the attention of gamers worldwide, with some even comparing it to what Pokemon players have been hoping to see from the franchise. In just 5 days in January, it sold an astonishing 7 million copies.However, its character designs were too similar to Pokemon, leading to legal action by Nintendo. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of intellectual property rights in the gaming industry. It also shows how a game with great potential can face challenges due to design similarities.Tackling Accessibility in Gaming
In February, Sony made significant efforts to make gaming more accessible to those with physical disabilities through its Access Controller. We had the opportunity to invite Kevin Maglaqui, also known as One Hand Gaming, to demonstrate the controller and discuss its pros and cons.This controller opens up new possibilities for gamers with disabilities, allowing them to enjoy gaming more easily. It showcases the industry's commitment to inclusivity and providing solutions for a wider range of players.Interview with FFVII Rebirth Director Naoki Hamaguchi
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was the most hyped game of the year, with Square Enix holding rare local launch events and even bringing the director, Naoki Hamaguchi, to the Philippines for a media interview.Hamaguchi shared the most difficult aspect of developing the game, which was defining the size of the world map. Balancing enough space and content to create an open-world experience without it becoming too vast and empty was a significant challenge. Rebirth, along with Astro Bot, received 7 nominations at The Game Awards 2024 but only won Best Score and Music. Despite this, its iconic music still makes it a big win.Discussing Southeast Asia's Triple-A Game Potential
This year, China achieved a significant milestone by producing its first triple-A game, Black Myth: Wukong, which was nominated for Game of the Year. In March, we discussed how Southeast Asia might be able to follow suit in the future.Mufizal Mokhtar, general manager of Virtuos KL studio and art director of games like Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, emphasized the need for one success story to inspire others. It shows the potential for Southeast Asian studios to make their mark on the global gaming stage.Game Studio Co-founded by Filipina Wins at BAFTA
At the BAFTA Games Awards in April, a Filipina made the country proud by co-founding a company that won "New Intellectual Property" and "British Game" trophies. Gwen Foster expressed her surprise at the win, stating that they didn't plan any speeches as they didn't expect to win.This success highlights the talent and achievements of Filipinos in the gaming industry and serves as an inspiration for others.Chiming in on the Assassin's Creed Shadows Controversy
This year, there was a backlash over the protagonist Yasuke, a black samurai, and whether he was truly a samurai. Gamers also criticized Ubisoft for not being historically accurate. Ubisoft explained that their games are not meant to be factual representations but to inspire curiosity.This controversy reminds us of the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures in gaming. It shows that games can be a platform for exploring and learning about history and diversity.Highlighting a Game that Highlights Filipino Culture
The video game industry often focuses on Japanese ninjas and American cowboys, but it's crucial to give other cultures a chance to tell their stories. Until Then, an indie game that highlights Filipino culture, is a great example.From vendors yelling "TAHO!" to minigames based on Filipino traditions, this game showcases the richness and diversity of Filipino culture. It demonstrates the power of games as a storytelling medium.Flappy Bird Revival
Remember the popular mobile game Flappy Bird from the 2010s? It made a comeback this year, but not without its challenges. A new Flappy Bird game surfaced, but the creator denied any involvement and stated that he didn't sell anything related to the game's trademark.The connection to crypto also tainted the game for some. This shows the complex nature of game revivals and the importance of respecting intellectual property and ethical practices.Gamer Priest Battling Diablo in Real Life and in Games
Father Antonio Zabala professed his love for the Diablo series, making him a fan favorite. He compared his work as a religious priest to helping people in the game, highlighting the universal appeal of gaming.This story shows how gaming can bring people together and create connections beyond the virtual world.Our "What's your GOTY?" Series
We spotlighted 6 of the best games this year, which were nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024. These games represent the best of what the gaming industry has to offer and showcase the creativity and talent of game developers.Each game has its own unique features and qualities that make it stand out. From Astro Bot to Black Myth Wukong, these games have left a lasting impact on the gaming community.Video Game Layoffs Continue
While the gaming industry seems to be in good shape with amazing games like those nominated for Game of the Year, layoffs continue. Polygon reported that the layoffs this year have already surpassed those in 2023.The overall revenue for the gaming market may seem large, but there are changing player and investor habits. The industry is still feeling the effects of over-investment during the pandemic, and companies need to adapt to these changes.Nintendo's Next Switch Will Be Backward Compatible
News on Nintendo's next console has been scarce, but in November, the company announced that the next Switch will be backward compatible. This is great news for Nintendo fans who want to continue playing their favorite games on the new console.The company also mentioned that Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor, and further details will be announced in March 2025. This gives gamers something to look forward to and shows Nintendo's commitment to its fans.Recommend News
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