Latest news with #BattleRoyale
Scoop
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Top 5 Video Game Genres In 2025: What's Driving Players Today
The video game industry is developing at a fast pace. Technology, player preferences, and the market are all changing so quickly that gaming developers need to adjust their products to stay relevant. Most of the core game genres are still popular, but their form revoluonizes. For example, competitive gaming is becoming increasingly intertwined with convenience and monetization strategies. And that's just one thing to mention. Let's dig deeper into the major 2025 gaming genre, what is new, what is timeless, and why monetization is a part of modern gaming. Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and MMORPGs RPGs have always been about control over your build, your decisions, and your pace. In 2025, they will continue to be one of the most central genres that players seek, more extensive than exciting gameplay. Turn-based, real-time, or somewhere in-between, modern RPGs a rich, mechanically-intensive gameplay that rewards strategy and discipline through branching storyline and long-term development. MMORPGs push that even further as they combine economy, fighting, and social interactions into day-long online environments. Final Fantasy XIV, Black Desert Online, and The Elder Scrolls Online are still developing. The offer new classes, cross-platform characteristics, and user development. Meanwhile, World of Warcraft remains the leader in the competition of legacy content and endgames. The January 2025 average viewer count on Twitch on WoW was 77.3 thousand viewers, and people spent 57.4 million hours viewing the content on Twitch. In April, the numbers went down to approximately 31,300 average viewers and 22.5 million watched hours. Nevertheless, WoW is one of the best MMORPGs. Its audience regularly increases to more than 100,000 when new updates are released. There are hundreds of streamers still broadcasting top-end stuff daily, whether it is in pushing arena rating, mythic raiding progressions, or any other top-end content. Some of them boldly advertise and sell WoW carry services regularly as a feature of their streaming program. It is a good example of how inseparable the late-game market in WoW has become from the rest of the creator economy. Battle Royale Battle Royale is still one of the most dominant genres in 2025, though it is no longer growing explosively but adapting. Fortnite and Apex Legends continue to top the charts, but the player base is shifting. New titles are trading in massive open zones for smaller, more tactical maps with faster match times. It is all about keeping the adrenaline up and the downtime low. Monetization remains a core part of the genre. Battle passes and cosmetic skins are the bread and butter. However, due to increased scrutiny around loot boxes, publishers have turned. Some games now offer "premium" subscriptions with access to exclusive events, faster progression, and early content drops. It's less about gambling and more about upselling consistency. One of the prominent shifts is how boosting and carry services are becoming increasingly difficult for developers to ignore. With black-market boosting growing across genres, some studios are experimenting with more transparent alternatives. Among them a in-game coaching tools, mentorship systems, or premium matchmaking features that edge close to "paid help." It shows how competitive gaming is now tightly entangled with convenience and monetization, especially in high-pressure ranked modes. Open-World Action-Adventure In 2025, open-world doesn't just mean "huge map with side quests." That era's over. Now it's about worlds that feel alive, unpredictable, and worth getting lost in. Elden Ring, Hogwarts Legacy, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and similar games prove players want more than objective markers. They want freedom, mystery, and stories that don't hold your hand. Modern open-worlds focus on flexibility. You run into an enemy, fight, sneak, or just go around. Dialogue choices actually change outcomes. Weather shifts NPC behavior. Combat isn't just about reflexes. It's about how well you read the situation. These games don't guide you from point A to B. They drop you in and let the world pull you in whatever direction feels natural. Open-world adventure games are for players who want to sink into a story and forget the clock. You boot it up to do "just one quest." Three hours later, you're still wandering because something caught your eye on the way. That's the genre's real strength in 2025. Shooter Shooters are still a major force in 2025. Modern shooters demand positioning, timing, and keeping your cool when the whole team's down and it's just you against three. Valorant, Modern Warfare III, and Overwatch 2 keep pushing the genre. However, the real headline-grabber is Counter-Strike 2. From January to March 2025, CS2 smashed records with 99.16 million hours watched on Twitch. These numbers have topped all esports titles. That's next-level hype. It is high tech in every way. With ray tracing and adaptive triggers alongside 120 FPS action, shooters in VR make you literally hide behind your couch. However, competitive majors, sweat-inducing games, contracts, millions of dollars in prize pools, and live streamers ripping up tier-3 leagues are what the scene is all about. And with all this comes a growing market for carry services. Players buy help climbing ranks, unlocking gear, or just speeding up progress. Sometimes it is outright cheating. Sometimes it is a gray market, and sometimes it "coaches" operating openly. Skill and money have become strange teammates in 2025 shooters. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) MOBA is a genre that remains firmly popular in 2025 due to its bite-sized format. It's like football. You can jump in for 30 minutes, play a couple of matches, and bounce without a month-long grind or endless leveling. That pace fits busy people who don't want to waste hours on end. In Dota 2, players grind visible MMR — a concrete number that shows skill and directly ties to rank. League of Legends works differently. Visible ranks and LP are what players see, while the real MMR is hidden, influencing matchmaking behind the scenes but staying out of sight. On Twitch, LoL clearly leads. Early 2025 numbers show about 78 million hours watched for LoL, versus roughly 59 million for Dota 2. LoL wins with faster, more dynamic matches and shorter games. This makes it easier and more appealing to viewers. Both games have a thriving boosting market: direct rank climbing, coaching services, and carries. Getting help with climbing and learning is a huge part of the MOBA ecosystem, where skill and cash walk hand in hand. Final Say Each genre is holding strong while evolving in its own way. With smaller, more intense battles in Battle Royales, MMORPGs blending gameplay with creator-driven economies, and WoW carry streams becoming part of the daily content cycle. Open-world titles respect your time and curiosity. Shooters keep pushing tech and leaning into esports spectacle. MOBAs stay sharp and strategic. So, whatever your style, there is no better time to dive in and level up.
Geek Vibes Nation
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Squid Game' Season 3 Review: A Short, Bitter Farewell To A Pop Culture Giant
When Squid Game first premiered in 2021, it took over the internet. While the idea of the show wasn't anything unique – movies like Battle Royale and the Hunger Games franchise have similar concepts – it succeeded in its delivery in a way other stories hadn't. You couldn't go to a single convention or Halloween party that year without seeing green tracksuits and masked guards. Even Mr. Beast got on the trend! Squid Game' Season 3 is a brief, emotional finale that closes the chapter on one of the biggest pop culture sensations of the decade. At just six episodes, Season 3 is noticeably shorter than its predecessors—Season 1 ran nine episodes, and Season 2 spanned seven. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously stated that these episodes were supposed to be one season, but were split into a 2nd and 3rd season due to the episode count (source). This is why season 3 really doesn't feel like season 3 – it takes place literally right after season 2. And because there's only 6 episodes, it feels like there was a lot that wasn't fleshed out, or moments that weren't given room to breathe. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the cast once again delivers outstanding work. Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun, bringing a raw, haunted intensity that makes his tragic arc land even when the writing stumbles. Newer players like Park Sung-hoon and Jo Yu-ri shine in morally gray roles, illustrating how quickly compassion erodes in the face of survival. Well, you should have ended it at season 1. Just like Netflix's Queen's Gambit, season one of Squid Game was perfect and could have lived as a singular season. It told the story it needed to and it ended wonderfully – adding Gi-hun at the airport at the end was certainly not necessary, but even if that scene remained, you could have left the rest to the viewer's imagination. Season one forced viewers to reconsider the cost of economic disparity and the twisted games the system plays on ordinary people. Season 3 simply felt like the very greed and capitalism that season 1 criticized. It shouldn't be understand how season three does dilute this brilliant masterpiece. Granted, season 2 was enjoyable and at that point, you needed more to really tie things up. In my season two review, I praised the second season for complimenting the intensity of season 1. It's something I stand by today. However, after looking at season 3 and how it ends, especially with what it promises; I'm left wishing it ended with season 1. Gi-hun's arc concludes in a moment of grim self-sacrifice, destroying the game from within rather than surviving it one more time. It's a harrowing end that speaks to the show's inherent cynicism—a worldview that insists some systems are too corrupt to fix from the inside. But Netflix is not quite done. As mentioned earlier, it looks like the show is going for the MCU effect in building up their world – something that it feels like their show is criticizing. It's been teased in the past that we're getting an American version, but I also didn't believe it until Cate Blanchett showed up. Do we really need this? Oh, Hollywood, how you never fail to absolutely squeeze every last drop you can out of a previously perfectly devised story. This review has felt more negative than originally intended. In the end, Squid Game is a great show. Personally, I love this show, and we cannot deny the cultural significance that season one had. Gi-hun is the standout in season three and it should be applauded that the show really leans into darker themes this season, and in the end, is bold in where they took Gi-hun's story. And while we don't know if the American version will hit the same way as the South Korean version (guarantee it won't), we'll still look upon the work the writers and actors did in bringing us Squid Game, and I don't think anyone will look at any of these beloved childhood games the same way again.
Economic Key
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Key
Netflix's Squid Game Joins Garena Free Fire for Thrilling 8th Anniversary Collaboration
Garena Free Fire is turning up the heat for its 8th anniversary with an exciting collaboration featuring Netflix's global sensation, Squid Game. The announcement arrives ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Squid Game's third and final season, set to launch globally on June 27, promising an immersive experience for Free Fire players and Squid Game fans alike. 'We are thrilled to partner with Netflix once again — this time to bring the globally beloved Squid Game into Free Fire in a way that resonates with our battle royale-loving community,' said Harold Teo, Free Fire Global Producer at Garena. 'By reimagining Squid Game's mysterious games and unique elements, we hope to create unforgettable moments as we celebrate eight amazing years with our players.' Experience Squid Game's Iconic Challenges Across Free Fire MapsStarting July 18, players worldwide can dive into adrenaline-pumping Squid Game-inspired survival challenges across Free Fire's Battle Royale and Clash Squad modes on all seven maps, including the newest addition, Solara. Featured challenges include: ● Red Light, Green Light: Players must defend themselves and gather loot while avoiding detection by Young-hee, who periodically scans for movement. Those caught moving will be frozen, while skillful survivors earn valuable rewards. ● Glass Bridge: A nerve-racking game testing players' instincts and decision-making skills as they leap across fragile glass panels, where each wrong step results in an instant HP dip. ● Dalgona Challenge: In-match dalgona stands offer sweet surprises for players who successfully 'lick' the iconic cookies. ● Secret Symbols: Players can hunt for hidden Squid Game symbols throughout maps to claim bonus loot. Players can also unlock a suite of exclusive collectibles inspired by Squid Game from the special Squid Game Cash Bank Event. Player can have deposit in-game tokens from missions to unlock unique rewards such as: ● The Doll Outfit: Battle wearing the iconic bright orange dress. ● Classic Voicelines: Relive tension-filled scenes with memorable lines like 'The Mugungha Flower has bloomed.' ● Ribbon Loot Box: Defeated players respawn as striking black-and-pink boxes inspired by Squid Game's signature style. ● Squid Game Banner: A themed profile accessory showcasing fandom. Additional Squid Game-inspired gear will also be available in the Free Fire Item Shop, including Pink Guards' Costumes, the contestants' signature Green Tracksuit, the Cash Bank Backpack, and a stylish Red Light, Green Light Gloo Wall skin. Don't miss your chance to experience Squid Game firsthand as part of Free Fire's 8th-anniversary celebration, launching globally this Friday, July 18! For the latest updates and news of Garena Free Fire, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Free Fire can be downloaded on both the Apple iOS App and Google Play store. تم نسخ الرابط
See - Sada Elbalad
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Netflix's Squid Game Drops into Garena Free Fire in Exciting 8th Anniversary Collaboration
Basant Ahmed Garena Free Fire is turning up the heat for its 8th anniversary with an exciting collaboration featuring Netflix's global sensation, Squid Game. The announcement arrives ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of Squid Game's third and final season, set to launch globally on June 27, promising an immersive experience for Free Fire players and Squid Game fans alike. 'We are thrilled to partner with Netflix once again — this time to bring the globally beloved Squid Game into Free Fire in a way that resonates with our battle royale-loving community,' said Harold Teo, Free Fire Global Producer at Garena. 'By reimagining Squid Game's mysterious games and unique elements, we hope to create unforgettable moments as we celebrate eight amazing years with our players.' Experience Squid Game's Iconic Challenges Across Free Fire MapsStarting July 18, players worldwide can dive into adrenaline-pumping Squid Game-inspired survival challenges across Free Fire's Battle Royale and Clash Squad modes on all seven maps, including the newest addition, Solara. Featured challenges include: ● Red Light, Green Light: Players must defend themselves and gather loot while avoiding detection by Young-hee, who periodically scans for movement. Those caught moving will be frozen, while skillful survivors earn valuable rewards. ● Glass Bridge: A nerve-racking game testing players' instincts and decision-making skills as they leap across fragile glass panels, where each wrong step results in an instant HP dip. ● Dalgona Challenge: In-match dalgona stands offer sweet surprises for players who successfully "lick" the iconic cookies. ● Secret Symbols: Players can hunt for hidden Squid Game symbols throughout maps to claim bonus loot. Players can also unlock a suite of exclusive collectibles inspired by Squid Game from the special Squid Game Cash Bank Event. Player can have deposit in-game tokens from missions to unlock unique rewards such as: ● The Doll Outfit: Battle wearing the iconic bright orange dress. ● Classic Voicelines: Relive tension-filled scenes with memorable lines like 'The Mugungha Flower has bloomed.' ● Ribbon Loot Box: Defeated players respawn as striking black-and-pink boxes inspired by Squid Game's signature style. ● Squid Game Banner: A themed profile accessory showcasing fandom. Additional Squid Game-inspired gear will also be available in the Free Fire Item Shop, including Pink Guards' Costumes, the contestants' signature Green Tracksuit, the Cash Bank Backpack, and a stylish Red Light, Green Light Gloo Wall skin. Don't miss your chance to experience Squid Game firsthand as part of Free Fire's 8th-anniversary celebration, launching globally this Friday, July 18! For the latest updates and news of Garena Free Fire, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Free Fire can be downloaded on both the Apple iOS App and Google Play store. *** About Garena Garena is a leading global online games developer and publisher. Free Fire, its self-developed mobile battle royale title, is the most downloaded mobile game in its genre for six consecutive years, according to Sensor Tower App Performance Insights. The title was also the world's most downloaded mobile game in 2019, 2021, and again in 2023 and 2024. Garena is run by passionate gamers and has a unique understanding of what gamers want. It exclusively licenses and publishes hit titles from global partners – such as Arena of Valor and Call of Duty: Mobile – in selected markets globally. Garena champions social and entertainment experiences through games, enabling its communities to engage and interact. Garena is also a leading esports organiser and hosts some of the world's biggest esports events. Garena is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Garena, Sea's other core businesses include its e-commerce arm, Shopee, and digital financial services arm, Monee. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
New lawsuit makes disturbing claims about kids and Fortnite
When I wrote in one of my previous articles that I don't allow my children to play video games, some readers were so caught up in that sentence that they didn't even read the entire article. It looks like I touched the nerve, which was not my intention. I guess my friend was right to say, "You are so brave to open up with that. People are not going to understand what you are saying, and some of them will think you are from the Stone Age." Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter We are all different, but one thing is true - the majority of parents are really doing all they can to do the right thing by their children. Since we are different people, brought up by different parents, with various habits, opinions, and characters, it is expected that we all will raise our children in a different way, but with the same intention - to help them grow up to be good people. So yes, my children don't play video games, and not only are they too small for that, but they are not asking for it. Their lives are filled with so many other wonders, such as hiking, camping, kayaking, bicycle riding, reading, painting, and more, that they don't have time or any reason to be angry about not playing video games. At least for now. I am not all against technology; on the contrary, I consider it very useful when used appropriately, and I try to teach my kids the same. Sometimes, video games can get out of control, and now, a group of parents is raising serious questions about one highly popular game: Fortnite. With around 650 million registered players and 110 million active monthly players, Fortnite is a wildly popular game. It is relatively new, having been released in 2017. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite provides players with a virtual world where they can compete against each other. Related: Parents should be more worried about Mattel's Barbie than ever There are many game modes, but in most of them, the goal is the same - eliminate the competition and remain the last one still standing. While the game is free to download and play without any limitations, players can make in-game purchases. That is how Epic Games makes billions of dollars in revenue each year. Players are buying V-Bucks, the in-game currency, which they can use to buy customizations and other features. The game operates on a seasonal model, with each season lasting 10 weeks. With meticulously crafted rewards and incentives, this seasonal approach ensures that the experience is consistently fresh and engaging. Then there's a system of daily challenges that motivates players to play every day, a feature called Battle Royale that can't be paused without losing the game, plus continual upgrades of the in-game map and specific games. More on video games: Xbox takes page from Nintendo playbook in a move gamers will lovePopular pizza dining chain expands into adult arcade businessCan Nintendo Snap 'Hit-and-Miss' Console Track Record With Switch 2? Considering all this, it appears that the game can be very addictive, which is the claim some parents are making in a lawsuit, reports Top Class Actions. It is not commonly known that video game addiction is recognized as a mental health disorder, comparable to gambling addiction, writes Lawsuit Update Center. The World Health Organization included gaming disorder in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases and the American Psychiatric Association describes it in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), which recommends the condition for further research. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), symptoms that show video game addiction or gaming disorder include obsession, withdrawal symptoms when not playing, tolerance, difficulty stopping game play, neglect of other activities, gaming despite negative consequences, deception, and risk ignorance. Lawsuits are being filed across the U.S. by families who feel harmed by video game addiction, particularly related to games like Fortnite. The plaintiffs seek financial compensation for the damages. Usually, these cases are classified as product liability lawsuits involving three major claims: Failure to warnDesign defectManufacturing defect The Fortnite lawsuits mainly focus on the first two claims, arguing that Epic Games negligently failed to warn consumers about the addictive potential of the game. The design defect part of the lawsuits argues that the game was defectively designed with the intent to make it addictive. Epic Games is not the only game maker targeted in a series of lawsuits. One lawsuit filed on May 27, 2025, goes after both Microsoft and Epic Games, with plaintiffs seeking relief against the alleged damage caused to minor users, such as psychological distress, medical expenses related to addiction problems, and more. Lawsuits started mainly last year, and while the majority seem to be ongoing, a few have been dropped. Some people comment on forums that this problem stems from bad parenting. Are they right, or is there a case against these game makers? Perhaps time will tell. Meanwhile, those who have experienced similar harm can check whether their case qualifies for a lawsuit on TopClassAction, Lawsuit Information Center, TorHoerman Law, and many more legal websites. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
