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    5 Video Game News Stories that Defined the Industry in 2021 | Digital Trends

    It’s laborious to maintain observe of all of the gaming information that occurs in a single yr. The online game trade is a always increasing universe and even its most ardent followers couldn’t probably sustain with all of it. It would require being hooked as much as an RSS feed (or Twitter, modernly) such as you would an IV.
    Sometimes, that information may be so thrilling that it makes you’re feeling such as you’re dwelling by means of a historic second. The yr 2021 introduced a wealth of innovation in tech, sport design, and accessibility. From Valve saying the doubtless game-changing Steam Deck to Forza Horizon 5 including signal language interpreters, there’s an actual sense that each nook of the trade is evolving.
    But there’s a flip aspect to that — and a darkish one at that. A bombshell report about Activision Blizzard’s poisonous firm tradition rapidly grew to become the defining story of the yr, reminding us of the actual human price of these improvements. As a lot because the online game trade has modified, different components are depressingly stagnant. And Activision’s response to its personal drama reveals that it may be some time till these issues are utterly uprooted.
    Here are all the largest online game tales from an emotional, curler coaster yr stuffed with contradictions.
    Activision Blizzard faces a well-known scandal
    On July 21, a bombshell report outlining a historical past of toxicity inside Activision Blizzard dropped. The firm was sued by the state of California and confronted accusations surrounding its “frat boy” office tradition. The reviews are laborious to abdomen, detailing a historical past of sexual harassment on the firm.
    The story solely bought worse because the yr progressed. In November, one other report alleged that Activision CEO Bobby Kotick knew concerning the firm’s points and actively tried to comb them below the rug. Kotick was allegedly a part of the issue as properly, with a former assistant claiming that he threatened to kill her over voicemail. Despite exterior stress from firms like Sony for Activision to take motion towards Kotick, the corporate’s board of administrators selected to stay with him. Kotick stays the corporate’s CEO on the time of writing.
    It’s a depressingly acquainted story. Just final yr, Ubisoft’s personal office tradition scandals have been featured in our “biggest news of 2020” article. The trade at massive nonetheless struggles to grapple with its darkish actuality. At the 2021 Game Awards on December 9, host Geoff Keighley started the present with a preamble condemning harassment and toxicity in gaming, although he stopped wanting naming names (maybe as a result of Activision’s Rob Kostich is on the occasion’s advisory board). Moments later, Keighley launched a trailer for up to date sport from Quantic Dream, a studio that’s lengthy been battling poisonous office allegations.
    These incidents present that there’s nonetheless a good quantity of cognitive dissonance within the gaming world in terms of these points. The want to rejoice video games, but in addition maintain the businesses that make them accountable, can usually conflict, leaving gamers with an existential disaster. There aren’t any simple solutions, and that makes this story all of the extra irritating.
    Delays outline 2021
    The COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, however its impact on gaming wasn’t felt till 2021. Many of 2020’s greatest releases have been already near completion by the point builders needed to pivot to working from residence. But what did that imply for video games that weren’t as far alongside?
    At the beginning of the yr, we predicted that 2021 can be suffering from delays, and that’s precisely what occurred. High-profile titles like Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarok shifted into 2022, scaling down the vacation season. While indie builders nonetheless loaded the yr with hits, gamers weren’t having fun with video games like Elden Ring as they could have anticipated heading into the yr.
    As disappointing as they could appear, delays are a necessity. Last yr’s Cyberpunk 2077 was a cautionary story for builders after a seemingly rushed launch resulted in catastrophe for CD Projekt Red. Studios appeared eager to keep away from these errors this yr, opting to offer their video games the time they wanted. Hopefully, these choices decreased worker crunch, which stays a widespread subject within the online game trade.
    SteamValve shocks with the Steam Deck
    For a long time, the gaming console panorama has been outlined by three firms: Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. While there are many different firms making tech, nobody else has made a devoted gaming gadget that’s actually modified that dynamic. That made Valve’s Steam Deck announcement a real system shock.
    The shock gadget is basically a Nintendo Switch for PC avid gamers. It can really retailer and play PC video games, not like units just like the cloud-focused Snapdragon G3x. Pre-orders surged regardless of the hefty price ticket. It’s simple to see why there was a lot pleasure across the Steam Deck. The thought of taking your Steam library on the go is a dream come true, and one which one-ups the getting old Switch and its outdated tech.
    Of course, there was a hitch. While the Steam Deck was scheduled to launch this month, Valve delayed it into 2022 proper on the end line. Even the largest tales of 2021 felt like they have been teasers for subsequent yr.
    Sony and Microsoft’s newest conflict heats up
    The console wars appeared like they have been lifeless and buried as Sony and Microsoft’s methods drifted aside, however a brand new battle has begun. Last yr, Microsoft fired an enormous shot by buying Bethesda, gobbling up video games like The Elder Scrolls VI as potential exclusives. It felt like the beginning of an arms race and Sony was certain to reply.
    Sure sufficient, Sony spent 2021 making energy performs. The firm went on an acquisition spree, locking down builders like Returnal studio Housemarque, in addition to Bluepoint Games, which created the Demon’s Souls remake.
    Microsoft nonetheless performed the final word trump card, although. In a real shocker, Sony’s personal MLB The Show 2021 got here to Xbox Game Pass at launch. It was a transfer compelled by the MLB itself, which pushed Sony to launch the sport on different platforms moderately than maintain on to it as an unique. That transfer confirmed the ability of Game Pass within the present gaming panorama — it’s a service that seemingly everybody desires a bit of. With Sony reportedly planning its personal Game Pass competitor, we’d see that battle get much more tense in 2022.
    Apple vs. Epic resolves with no clear winner
    Last yr, Apple took an enormous shot at Epic Games by eradicating Fortnite from its app retailer. It was a transfer spurred on by Epic making an attempt to get round Apple taking a large chunk of its in-app purchases. Epic responded with a lawsuit, setting the stage for a high-profile authorized battle that had the potential determine the way forward for the trade.
    The trial itself befell in May and descended into instant chaos as Fortnite followers bought a maintain of the trial’s Zoom hyperlink. Players flooded the decision with cries to “free Fortnite,” whereas others simply plugged their YouTube channel. The case itself was simply as bizarre, with attorneys discussing whether or not or not Mr. Peely, the sport’s banana hero, was technically nude.
    The case concluded on September 10 with neither aspect actually popping out on prime, however each claiming victory. While Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers largely sided with Apple on 9 out of 10 counts, Epic did get one key win. Rogers dominated that Apple may not block builders from linking to exterior storefronts to make purchases. Apple can nonetheless take a 30% lower of app gross sales, however builders now have a workaround in terms of in-app purchases, which is massive information for Fortnite (although the sport stays banned on iOS).

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