Good Morning. It's Thursday, August 15. India marks its 77th Independence Day today, a milestone that commemorates the culmination of a protracted struggle against authoritarian rule. As we commemorate, it's also a moment to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the challenges that still persist, reminding us of the ongoing journey towards equality, justice, and progress for all.
Today, we examine the environmental costs of gaming, ROG Academy's Season 10 launch, and Detective Dotson's new trailer and demo, along with other industry highlights.
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Gaming’s Hidden Cost: The Environmental Toll of a Billion-Dollar Industry
Every time you press start on your favorite game, you’re tapping into more than just a world of adventure; you're contributing to a very real environmental cost. The gaming industry, now serving 3.24 billion players globally, is hiding a significant carbon footprint behind its high-resolution graphics and immersive experiences. From energy-intensive data centers powering cloud gaming to the resource-heavy production of gaming consoles, the environmental toll is stacking up.
Cloud gaming and Web3 technologies, the future of interactive entertainment, are leading this charge, but not without a price. A single hour of cloud gaming could consume as much electricity as an entire household in a day. Blockchain-based Web3 gaming, with its energy-hungry processes, adds yet another layer to the already growing carbon footprint.
The stakes are high—not just for the industry but for the planet. As the demand for gaming escalates, so does its environmental impact. Our feature story takes a deep dive into the hidden costs of gaming, examining the energy consumption, carbon emissions, and urgent need for sustainable solutions in an industry that can no longer afford to ignore its role in the climate crisis.
ROG Academy Launches Season 10, Aiming to Shape India’s Next Esports Pros
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has launched Season 10 of its ROG Academy. The academy, which has trained 54 players across nine seasons, aims to cultivate top Counter-Strike 2 talent. The program includes a curriculum covering skills development, communication, and teamwork, tailored to transform gaming enthusiasts into professional esports players.
This season, six selected players will join the academy after tryouts that include in-game assessments, interviews, and psychometric evaluations. Participants will receive a stipend, high-end gear, and coaching as they train remotely, with the goal of improving their competitive edge. The academy’s focus on tournament participation aims to give players practical experience and exposure.
Since its inception, ROG Academy has seen 15 of its graduates secure positions with top-tier organizations, with previous participants competing in tournaments like the Dust2 India - 1xBet Cup Open Qualifier and ESL Challenger Jonkoping - Asia Qualifier. Guest speakers from the industry, including sports psychologists and coaches, have offered additional insights.
As Season 10 unfolds, the ROG Academy will continue to track its impact on India’s growing esports scene, where opportunities are expanding amid increasing interest and international attention.
Quick Bytes
Detective Dotson Joins Wholesome Games Steam Celebration with New Demo and Trailer
Indian video games studio Masala Games’ cozy mystery adventure game Detective Dotson has been selected for the Wholesome Games Steam Celebration, running from August 15 to 21, 2024. To mark the occasion, the developers are releasing a new demo featuring the case of Mrs. Sengupta’s FOMO-mergency, where players investigate why an aunty was blacklisted from her kitty party. The demo allows players to explore a vibrant 2D meets 3D world, try new disguises, tackle side-quests, and, yes, pet the dog. The demo and a new trailer will be live on Steam by 10 PM IST on August 15, 2024.
Baldur's Gate 3 Wins Hugo Award
Baldur's Gate 3 has won the Hugo Award for Best Game or Interactive Work, becoming only the second video game in history to receive the honor, following Hades in 2021. The award, presented by the World Science Fiction Convention, was made a permanent category last year. Baldur's Gate 3 triumphed over strong competition, including Alan Wake 2, Chants of Sennaar, Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, Dredge, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. During his acceptance speech, Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke highlighted the immense effort behind the game, including creating over 174 hours of cinematics to ensure players' choices were emotionally impactful.
PM Modi Urges India to Lead in Global Gaming Market with 'Made in India' Games
In his speech from the Red Fort on India’s 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for India to establish itself in the global gaming market, urging Indian professionals to lead not only in playing but in producing games. Modi highlighted the importance of creating "Made in India" gaming products that draw inspiration from the country’s rich ancient legacy and literature. The Prime Minister’s remarks come as India’s gaming industry continues to grow rapidly, with increasing participation in global esports and game development.
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi Set for Indian Theatrical Release This August
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is set to release in Indian theaters on August 30, 2024, according to an announcement by PVR Inox Pictures. The anime film follows Seishiro Nagi, a laid-back high schooler with remarkable soccer talent, as he joins the elite Blue Lock Project, competing to become one of Japan’s top strikers. Blue Lock: Episode Nagi marks another highly anticipated anime film making its way to Indian audiences.
Did You Know
The Black Myth: Wukong Benchmark Tool, released just ahead of the highly anticipated action RPG's August 20 launch, has already achieved a remarkable milestone. According to data from SteamDB, this non-playable benchmarking tool surpassed 85,000 concurrent players on Steam, placing it among the top 20 most-played games on August 13.
Designed to help players evaluate their hardware performance and system compatibility, the tool allows users to preview the game's visuals and performance across various settings. Despite not being a playable demo, the benchmarking tool has garnered widespread attention, receiving 92% positive reviews from over 2,500 reviewers.
The surge in interest highlights the excitement surrounding Black Myth: Wukong, a game inspired by Chinese mythology and the classic tale Journey to the West. Its ability to attract such a large player base even before its official release speaks to the strong anticipation for the game. Available for pre-order on PS5, Steam, Epic Games Store, and WeGame, Black Myth: Wukong is shaping up to be one of the year's most eagerly awaited titles.
Quote of the Day
from AFK Gaming https://ift.tt/1wgyBv7
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.
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