Category: News

Fifteen years after their launch, Pokémon Black and White, along with their sequels, continue to receive acclaim. Fans appreciate the diverse range of side content that these games offer, which is seen as unmatched in the series. Initially, the fifth generation faced criticism for straying from the formula established by earlier titles.

However, over time, it has been recognized by many as a high point in the Pokémon franchise. Several elements contribute to the enduring fondness for Pokémon Black and White. The games feature memorable characters, a compelling narrative, and a distinctive visual style made possible by “2.5D” graphics and animated sprites.

These aspects stand out against the backdrop of the fully 3D graphics that would come later. Additionally, the quantity of side activities and post-game content in the Gen 5 games sets them apart, creating a level of engagement that many fans hope to see reflected in more recent Pokémon titles. As the Pokémon series continues to evolve, a focus on portable gameplay remains essential.

Pokémon Black, White, and their sequels, Black 2 and White 2, are packed with optional mini-games and features that give players ample opportunities to explore beyond the main story. A fan named 7akyr recently reignited interest in this topic by detailing the various side content available in these games, which includes the likes of PokeStar Studios, the Battle Subway, and the Pokémon World Tournament. Despite some criticisms directed at newer generations for their lack of substantial post-game content, recent titles have introduced creative elements of their own.

However, there’s a clear desire among players for future games to include more engaging side activities. Pokémon Black and White redefined the franchise during their time, offering players two unique quests: completing the Unova Pokédex and becoming the Pokémon League Champion, both of which continued to resonate with fans for years to come.

Twitch has set a new record for the most-viewed stream in its history, thanks to a Spanish boxing event that attracted over 10 million viewers. Known for its diverse content ranging from video games to live chats and sporting events, Twitch has become a major player in the streaming landscape. Notably, celebrities, including professional athletes and musicians like T-Pain, have also made their presence felt on the platform. This latest milestone has been achieved by a well-known figure in the Twitch community.

Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos has consistently ranked among the top streamers throughout his career. With over 11 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and a staggering 3 billion total views, Ibai has made a name for himself not just on Twitch but in the streaming world as a whole. His latest event has further cemented his status at the top of the platform. Ibai’s recent event, “La Velada del Año,” broke Twitch’s record for most simultaneous viewers.

The boxing showdown featured various popular streamers engaging in bouts and amassed an impressive 10.8 million viewers during the event. This figure surpasses the record Ibai himself set last year, which had attracted 6.7 million viewers for “La Velada del Año 4.” Previous boxing events hosted by Ibai also claimed spots in Twitch’s all-time top rankings, with only fellow Spanish streamer TheGrefg trailing behind. The rise of Spanish streamers has been a remarkable trend on Twitch, with Ibai leading the charge.

His annual events continue to draw millions of viewers and set new records. The platform, too, has experienced growth from smaller communities, including the surge of non-English-speaking creators, reflecting a broader shift in audience preferences. Ibai’s latest achievement only adds to his legacy as one of Twitch’s most successful creators.

The implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act has led some users to find ways around the stringent age-verification checks instituted by platforms like Discord. One creative workaround involves the photo mode feature in the game Death Stranding. By launching this game and capturing an image of the protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges, users are able to hide their identities, thereby evading Discord’s age-check mechanisms. The Online Safety Act came into force on July 25, mandating age verification for access to adult content online.

Prior to this, Discord had begun testing its verification processes in the UK and other European regions as early as April 2023. Its system, known as K-id, utilizes face scans or ID scans to confirm a person’s age, deleting any submitted images or documents once verification is complete. Despite this, many users have expressed concerns regarding their privacy, highlighting the sensitive nature of the data being collected. News of users bypassing the checks has surfaced, with reports indicating that the Photo Mode feature in Death Stranding can be exploited to access age-restricted sections on Discord.

One user, Dany Sterkhov, illustrated that by taking a picture of Sam and manipulating his facial expressions during the verification prompt, they were able to navigate past age restrictions. Since Discord does not retain the images for identification purposes, they lack the ability to verify if users employed this illicit method. Another user, GimmeBoss, confirmed that similar tactics work with Death Stranding 2, citing their success with Sam’s pictures to circumvent K-id checks. Although the K-id protocol is limited to specific regions, it has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, branded as “Draconian” by some.

In addition to employing game features, users have also turned to VPNs to hide their IP addresses, enabling them to masquerade as users from countries where the age checks do not apply. Meanwhile, established gaming platforms like Steam and itch.io are tightening their regulations around the type of adult content permitted on their services.

A recently released chart from Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel highlights the current most popular cards in the game, noting a significant rise in the usage of a specific counter card against a dominant meta deck. With over 10,000 cards available, players can find a vast array of options, and the game continuously expands its card pool through monthly Selection Packs and Secret Packs. Alongside traditional pack openings, players can utilize Master Duel’s extensive crafting system to enhance their decks.

Despite the multitude of choices, certain cards maintain a consistently high standing within the game’s competitive landscape. Traditionally, powerful cards have remained central to many successful strategies. Hand Trap cards like “Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring,” “Infinite Impermanence,” and the widely regarded “Maxx C” often play crucial roles in competitive play.

Similarly, staple Extra Deck cards such as “S:P Little Knight” and “Accesscode Talker” are frequently integrated into decks. The latest chart reveals an interesting newcomer to the most-played card rankings. According to a chart from the well-known Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel account Master Duel Guide, the most played cards for July 2025 indicate that “Maxx C” and “Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring” still dominate the rankings.

However, “Artifact Lancea” has surged to third place with an impressive 83.4% play rate. Following closely behind are “Called by the Grave” and “S:P Little Knight,” both exceeding a 70% usage rate. The rise of Artifact Lancea is attributed to the recent introduction of the Maliss deck, which has quickly become prominent in Master Duel’s meta.

As a strong counter, Artifact Lancea disrupts the Maliss deck’s core gameplay by preventing card banishment. This increasing popularity of Lancea has likely also boosted the usage of “Crossout Designator,” designed to negate its effects. Looking ahead, the competitive scene in Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel is poised for changes with the anticipated arrival of the “Ryzeal” strategy, set to compete against Maliss in the near future.

Additionally, a new powerful theme named “Mitsurugi” is expected to debut soon after, promising exciting developments for players in the months to come.

Fans of Wuthering Waves are expressing concerns about the game’s future, particularly regarding character design and gameplay mechanics. Following the release of the Version 2.5 update, titled “Unfading Melody of Life,” many players voiced worries that certain characters are overly dependent on specific team setups to be effective.

Version 2.5, which launched on July 24, introduced various new elements, including Chapter II Act VII, a new location called the Fabricatorium of the Deep, and a new playable character, Resonator Phrolova. Along with this new content, the update included several requested quality-of-life changes, such as the ability to create “Auto-Lock” or “Auto-Discard” plans in the Data Bank, new Sync Tuning options for Echo Upgrades, and the capacity to have multiple preset teams.

While these features were welcomed, some players remain apprehensive about how the game’s developers at Kuro Games are designing new characters. Players like Reddit user Devo-S-Kare have pointed out issues related to character reliance on specific setups, particularly highlighting Phrolova’s dependence on the character Cantarella for effective gameplay.

This reliance has led to concerns that characters are designed with too many restrictive requirements, placing them in a support role rather than allowing versatility. Additionally, there is anxiety surrounding the necessity of signature weapons for optimal character performance.

Devo-S-Kare argued that some weapons significantly enhance character stats, suggesting that pulling for these weapons has become a near requirement for achieving peak performance. Similarly, there are concerns regarding Echo sets, with certain combinations offering clear advantages while limiting experimentation.

Despite these worries, many fans appreciate the constructive criticism being shared within the community. Suggestions for the future include introducing more powerful 4-star characters to diversify team compositions and considering ability buffs to enhance the game’s meta without causing detrimental effects.

Players of The First Descendant can now enjoy the Season 3 Breakthrough demo, which offers an exciting preview of what to expect from the full update. This demo highlights new features, including the expansive Axion Plains field, set to be a central part of the upcoming season. The official launch of Season 3 is scheduled for August 7, marking one of the largest updates developed by Nexon.

The third season will introduce several new elements, such as the massive Axion Plains field, the revolutionary Hover Bike vehicle, an eight-player Colossus Field Raid, the character Descendant Nell, and a crossover with NieR: Automata. This crossover includes popular characters 2B and A2, complete with skins available for players. Enthusiasts can get a head start with the demo, experiencing these features before the official launch.

To commemorate the anniversary of The First Descendant, Nexon has announced a special event that allows players to earn exciting rewards, including a free character. The demo experience is designed to provide an in-depth look at the core offerings of the Breakthrough update. Players can access the demo on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, enjoying features like controlling Nell, battling new Legion of Breach monsters, riding the Hover Bike, and confronting the imposing Wall Crasher boss.

Those who complete the demo will be rewarded with bonuses, including a Spoils Box and a Crystallization Catalyst. Additionally, a survey event enables players to earn another Crystallization Catalyst post-demo after August 13. The “Axion Plains: First Look Demo Event” will provide further rewards, including Axion Boxes and exclusive Hover Bike paint jobs, to be distributed after the same date.

Players can also pre-register for the Season 3 Breakthrough update to claim exclusive rewards, such as a Descendant Selection Box and various bonuses. An Ultimate Descendant Selection Box will be offered to all if the total pre-registrations exceed one million. As always, players can anticipate more content and events throughout Season 3, with Nexon promising additional announcements as the launch approaches.

NASCAR fans have exciting news, as the latest teaser trailer for iRacing’s NASCAR 25 confirms the game’s release date: October 14. This revelation marks a significant milestone, coming two years after the project’s official announcement. iRacing has also stated that more information, including driver rosters and cover art, will be unveiled soon.

NASCAR 25 is set to be the first numbered title in the franchise since NASCAR 21: Ignition, which launched nearly four years ago. The game is designed to breathe new life into the series, featuring a comprehensive racing simulation that includes a career mode, new gameplay elements, and access to all four major NASCAR series, including the ARCA Menard series. In this teaser, iRacing provided insights into the Career Mode for NASCAR 25, indicating that a full gameplay trailer is expected to drop at the end of August.

Although the teaser is brief, fans can anticipate additional developer diaries that will further elaborate on the game’s features. Notably, previous diaries featured comments from NASCAR legend and executive producer Dale Earnhardt Jr., hinting that he may continue to play a significant role in promoting the game as its release approaches. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not just a racing icon; he is also an avid gamer with a long-standing passion for gaming.

Since the 1990s, he has enjoyed racing simulations and even built a PC from scratch, showcasing his dedication to the hobby. His involvement with iRacing started in 2020, and it is clear he aims to create an authentic simulation experience for NASCAR 25. With multiple NASCAR titles being delisted recently, NASCAR 25 has the potential to become a premier option for fans looking to engage with the franchise on modern platforms.

Time will tell if it lives up to the anticipation, but the efforts from iRacing and Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggest a promising release ahead.

WWE 2K25 has launched on the Nintendo Switch 2, generating a mix of excitement and disappointment among fans. While this version brings many of the features available on the PS5 and Xbox consoles, it notably lacks two significant aspects that players consider central to the overall experience. Fans familiar with the WWE 2K franchise know that issues on Nintendo consoles are not a new phenomenon. Past titles like WWE 2K18 and WWE 2K Battlegrounds faced severe criticism upon their releases on the original Switch, primarily due to performance problems and buggy gameplay.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 boasts improved hardware, enabling 2K to deliver WWE 2K25 in a manner more aligned with its PS5 and Xbox Series X/S counterparts. However, despite the improvements, WWE 2K25 on Switch 2 is missing crucial features. Specifically, it does not support cross-platform community creations or an image uploader. The absence of cross-platform sharing isolates Switch 2 users from the larger WWE 2K community, preventing them from accessing or downloading custom wrestlers, arenas, or logos originally created by players on other platforms.

Furthermore, the lack of an image uploader is a significant setback, as this function typically allows users to import custom graphics for recreating real-world figures not officially included in the game. This limitation has been confirmed by 2K’s support page, which stated that “Nintendo Switch 2 players will not see Image Uploader-based Community Creations from any platform.” Given that image uploading is supported on weaker systems like the PS4 and Xbox One, the reasons for its exclusion remain unclear. Fans surmise that the decision may relate to the management of potentially NSFW or offensive content within the WWE 2K25 Community Creations hub.

If this theory holds true, the image uploader may never be integrated into the Switch 2 version, which would be discouraging for a franchise built on customization. Ultimately, there remains hope that 2K and Nintendo can find a way to implement effective moderation, potentially leading to the eventual addition of the image uploader for WWE 2K25 on Switch 2.

In a recent interview, Robert Kirkman, the creator of Invincible, disclosed exciting news about the upcoming game, Invincible VS. This 3v3 tag fighter draws inspiration from both the comics and the animated series, and it is being developed by Skybound Games and Quarter Up. The game is set for release in 2026 across platforms including PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.

Invincible VS began as a crowdfunding initiative in 2024, aiming to create a top-tier fighting game described as a “high-octane blood bath.” The campaign exceeded expectations, raising over $687K, significantly surpassing its original goal of $50K. Following a year of development, the game was officially unveiled at the 2025 Xbox Summer Showcase, introducing fans to characters such as Omni-Man, Lucan, Thula, Atom Eve, Rex Splode, and Mark Grayson.

A recent gameplay trailer presented at San Diego Comic-Con featured Battle Beast, heightening anticipation among fans. Kirkman emphasized that the character roster for Invincible VS will be extensive, teasing that fans can expect many beloved characters to join the fight. Although he refrained from sharing specific spoilers, he hinted that there’s a “99% chance” a certain favorite will appear.

He also mentioned that this announcement marks just the beginning of the character reveals leading up to the game’s launch. Highlighting the significance of Battle Beast, Kirkman asserted that his inclusion is essential for the game’s identity, stating, “You can’t do an Invincible fighting game without Battle Beast.” He acknowledged the challenge of balancing numerous characters while suggesting that the game might adopt a staggered release approach for additional fighters post-launch. When asked about the release date, he only revealed it would be “sooner than you may think,” fueling speculation of a possible Q1 or Q2 2026 launch.

Pokemon TCG Pocket is currently offering 24 Pack Hourglasses to fans in the United States, but players from other regions can also find a workaround to access this promotion. At the recent Comic-Con International in San Diego, attendees received flyers outlining ways to unlock freebies for Pokemon TCG Pocket and other games in the franchise. The Pokemon booth at Comic-Con 2025 is a hub for fans interested in Mega Evolutions, which will be significant in the forthcoming game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Visitors should arrive at the San Diego Convention Center before July 27 to locate the Mega Evolution Experience booth, where they can collect a flyer containing several promotional codes.

Among the Comic-Con Pokemon flyers is a promo code that allows players to redeem two free booster packs in Pokemon TCG Pocket. To make use of this offer, players must scan the QR code on the flyer and subscribe to Pokemon’s marketing newsletter. The code is specifically available for US addresses; however, participants can bypass this limitation by setting their location to the United States at the start of the sign-up process. It’s crucial to redeem the code before it expires on July 27 at 11:59 PM to avoid losing out on this opportunity.

To redeem the Pokemon TCG Pocket Comic-Con promo code, players must enter it along with their account’s support ID. While it may take some time for the code to arrive—reportedly sent within a week of sign-up—many players receive it in a quicker timeframe of 10 to 30 minutes. As the new Wisdom of Water and Sea set approaches, fans will want to seize the chance for two extra free packs. It’s important to note that these promotional codes may run out quickly, as supplies are limited.

Some players might need to use a VPN with a US IP address to sign up effectively, although adjusting the location to the US is typically sufficient.