Category: Uncategorized

### Upcoming Changes in Pokémon Competitive Play: The 2023 Updates

As the excitement fades following the Pokémon World Championships held in San Francisco, both players and fans are preparing for next year’s tournament in Singapore. The release of an updated competitive handbook has ignited enthusiasm among Pokémon players, especially regarding the inclusion of the mobile version of *Pokémon Champions* in official tournaments. Although this alteration creates opportunities for a larger pool of competitors, recent updates surrounding game disconnects have caused some concern within the community.

#### The Introduction of Mobile Tournaments

One of the most important updates is the addition of the mobile iteration of *Pokémon Champions*, which debuted a few months after its Switch equivalent. Official tournaments will now permit participants using mobile devices in local events like Open Play Sessions, VGC Cups, and Celebration Events. However, for major tournaments, including regional and world competitions, players will still be required to use the Switch or Switch 2. This mobile accessibility aims to reduce entry barriers for newcomers, enabling a wider audience to participate in competitive play.

A fan on Reddit shared their optimism regarding these mobile integration initiatives, suggesting that the favorable reactions at local tournaments could encourage further changes to tournament formats in the future. Given that more players own smartphones than gaming consoles, this initiative is perceived as a crucial advancement in expanding the competitive environment.

#### Concerns Over Disconnect Rulings

While the mobile integration is generally received well, new updates about disconnect situations have raised some concerns. The revised rules clarify the procedures regarding disconnections, specifying:

1. If a participant disconnects after making their moves and the match ends with a clear outcome, the game will be deemed finished.
2. If a player disconnects but manages to reconnect within two turns, the match will be upheld and continue normally.
3. If a player cannot reconnect after two turns, tournament staff may choose to void the game at their discretion.

This final point, which highlights the subjective judgment of tournament officials, has generated considerable worry. Detractors argue that the ambiguity in rulings related to disconnects could result in inconsistencies and create unfair advantages, particularly in high-stakes games. Some competitors are concerned that those who have better relationships with tournament officials might receive biased treatment during decision-making.

Reactions on social media demonstrate the frustration within the community regarding this perceived absence of a standardized procedure. Players have shared experiences where disconnects during crucial moments significantly impacted their performance, underscoring the necessity for a more organized method for addressing these issues.

One competitor expressed regret over being eliminated from the World Championship due to a mid-game disconnect, highlighting the obstacles players encounter when re-entering a match without complete context of the previous gameplay.

#### The Path Forward

As the competitive landscape adapts to these updates, players find themselves contending with both promising advancements and challenges. With *Pokémon Champions* poised to commence its next season on September 9, featuring the rollout of Z-form Mega Evolutions for popular Pokémon like Lucario, Absol, and Garchomp, the anticipation continues to rise. Striking a balance between mobile inclusion, fair play, and clear rulings will be vital as the Pokémon competitive scene progresses toward a broader and more inclusive future.

Overall, the impending changes create an exciting yet intricate outlook for players navigating the transforming world of competitive Pokémon.

The first time I lost my whole party in Dungeon Settlers, it was to a swarm of rats. I think we can all agree that getting killed by rats in anything remotely fantasy RPG-ish is an enormous faux pas. It’s like spelling your own name wrong on your CV. It’s like accidentally wearing your underpants on top of your trousers. It’s like failing to become Thane of Whiterun.

In my defence, I was playing the game on Hard difficulty, and the rodents of Dungeon Settlers have a zoologically improbable habit of keeping company with stone golems. Ever tried to crack a stone golem with a wooden sword? I have found it inconvenient. In any case, while my party wipe was embarrassing, it was also excellently macabre in the fine traditions of Dwarf Fortress.

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Unlock one to unlock the other.

The post How to Unlock Unrestricted and Honored One in Dungeon Lootr appeared first on Gamezebo.

### Grasping Player Input for *Dragon’s Dogma 2* Before the *Dark Arisen* Expansion

As the gaming community looks forward to the upcoming release of the *Dark Arisen* expansion for *Dragon’s Dogma 2* on October 8, the developers have shared insights into the challenges they encounter when addressing regional player feedback. This contemplation unveils a sophisticated understanding of how various cultures perceive game design, especially within the RPG genre.

#### Variations in Regional Feedback

Producers Naoto Oyama and Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, along with director Kento Kinoshita, elaborated on the notable differences in player expectations between Japan and the West. Hirabayashi noted that the team found themselves in a dilemma: the wishes of players in Japan frequently conflicted with those of their global peers. Attempts to classify and prioritize feedback often revealed that significant concerns from one group starkly opposed those from another.

For instance, Japanese players typically prefer smoother gameplay experiences that reduce inconvenience, whereas Western players sometimes welcome these obstacles, calling them “friction” that enriches the gaming experience. This contrast complicates the development process, as catering too much to one demographic could disenfranchise the other.

#### Striking a Balance Between Challenge and Enjoyment

A fundamental principle that arose from conversations with the development team is the intention to uphold *Dragon’s Dogma*’s identity as a challenging RPG without imposing excessive hindrances on the player experience. Hirabayashi highlighted that the game’s core is not about crafting intentional challenges but about offering a sense of achievement through substantial player choice.

For example, players might opt to climb a mountain on foot for a more fulfilling experience, yet they will also have the choice to utilize transportation. This multi-layered strategy seeks to balance challenge and accessibility, enabling players to customize their experiences based on their preferences.

#### Responding to Player Requests

To accommodate the divergent feedback, the developers are implementing new features in the *Dark Arisen* expansion that cater to player wishes while still maintaining the essence of the game. For instance, weapon customization from *Dragon’s Dogma Online* will be reintroduced in response to popular demand, but players who wish to bypass this feature will have the option to disable it in their settings. Likewise, a new Hard Mode has been added, another request from fans.

#### Anticipating the Future

The team is devoted to ensuring that *Dragon’s Dogma 2* delivers a rich experience that resonates with a varied player base. They are optimistic that enhancements to quality of life, coupled with new features and additional dragons, will provide something for everyone without sacrificing the core of the open-world adventure.

With the release of the *Dark Arisen* expansion imminent, the gaming community is eager to discover whether the developers have adeptly balanced the diverse player expectations across regions. As the launch date nears, excitement mounts for a game that promises to intertwine challenge with accomplishment, appealing to fans around the globe.

The owners of Nexus Mods have acquired community-run backend database SteamDB from its founders, the two sides in the deal have announced. The folks behind the former, who’ve held its keys for 13 years, said their decision to step back is rooted in burnout and a desire to find a suitable team to keep SteamDB running. Meanwhile, Nexus Mods’ owners, a company called Chosen, have pointed to wanting to keep track of game updates from a modding perspective as one of the factors that’s drawn them to make this deal.

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Including both melee and mage weapons.

The post Dungeon Quest Reborn Best Weapons [How to Get Them] appeared first on Gamezebo.

**Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Gets Significant Update for Switch 2: New Eight-Player Split-Screen Mode Added**

Nintendo’s cherished racing title, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, has officially moved to the innovative Switch 2 console, and this enhancement arrives loaded with thrilling features that are certain to refresh the gaming experience for its supporters. Among the highly awaited inclusion is the newly introduced eight-player split-screen mode, permitting friends and family to race against one another in an unparalleled chaotic competition.

As outlined in the latest update announcement, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* version 4.0.0 is now available for free download on Switch 2. The update brings noteworthy enhancements that take advantage of the console’s superior hardware. One of the most remarkable features is the significantly expanded local multiplayer functionality, which now accommodates races with as many as eight players simultaneously. This is particularly impressive given that merely handling four players on screen posed a challenge for the earlier hardware.

The update comes more than a year after the Switch 2’s release, coinciding perfectly with increased excitement for multiplayer gaming experiences. Notably, gamers can participate in these eight-player races even while in handheld mode, although humorous concerns regarding visual strain have been raised by the community.

Alongside the thrilling new multiplayer feature, the update includes standard improvements typical of the Switch 2 transition. Players can expect sharper visuals and quicker load times prior to races, both of which enhance a smoother gaming experience. For online races, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* will now support CameraPlay, allowing players with suitable webcams to stream and share their gameplay interactively.

Moreover, several modifications have been instituted to enhance gameplay dynamics. For example, the Boo item animation no longer hinders player speed, and racers will now experience an increase in speed comparable to collecting an additional coin during their races. These adjustments aim to refine the overall racing experience and maintain engaging gameplay.

Despite the recent introduction of *Mario Kart World*, which features expansive new tracks and intricate racing mechanics, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* continues to be a significant player in the franchise. The newer game may exhibit progress in certain aspects, but it lacks the depth of content that fans appreciate in *Deluxe*. Gamers have been eagerly waiting for additional downloadable content for *World*, but until that arrives, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* stands strong, reaffirming its position as the best-selling Mario Kart title ever.

With its latest updates, *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* remains appealing to both new and veteran players, making it the perfect choice for those eager to partake in exhilarating races with friends, whether they’re racing on familiar tracks or diving into the thrill of eight-player competition.

Not content with just adding to the questlines and interactivity of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s established gang of companions or working on their own for custom campaigns, modders have even started turning other characters from the game into recruitable buddies. The latest to get this treatment is Mizora, bane of regular party member Wyll’s life and with a new mod, friendly force by your side in the RPG’s third act.

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How charming!

The post How To Earn Charm Dust in Grow a Chicken Fighter – What Is Charm Dust? appeared first on Gamezebo.

Unionised Bethesda Games Studios staff embroiled in Microsoft’s latest round of mass layoffs have expressed further doubts about the company’s ability to create games at the “quality level” of the very bestest Elder Scrolls and Fallout projects, as they continue to haggle with Microsoft over severance terms.

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