Good morning. It’s Friday, September 27. Supergiant Games is known for intense action, but Hades 2 throws a surprising curveball: a fishing minigame. In the middle of battling through the underworld, you can stop and cast a line. This trend of adding fishing to even the most chaotic games, like Far Cry 6 and Final Fantasy XV, has become increasingly common. In today’s feature, we explore why fishing minigames are popping up everywhere and what they really add to the experience.
We also report on the resurgence of Southeast Asia’s gaming industry in 2024, Ubisoft’s stock plummeting even more, and Nintendo’s dismissal of AI, amongst other stories.
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Caught in the Act: Why Fishing is Gaming’s New Obsession
Supergiant Games’ Hades earned its reputation for pushing players to their limits, with non-stop action as you battled through the depths of the underworld. But in Hades 2, fans are in for a surprising twist. Just as you're ready to charge into the next room, primed for more chaos, a soft “ding” breaks the tension. It’s a fishing spot. Suddenly, the pace slows as you find yourself casting a line instead of wielding your weapon.
This surprising addition reflects a growing trend in modern game design: the fishing minigame. From Far Cry 6 to Final Fantasy XV, even titles driven by combat and exploration are embracing fishing as a welcome distraction. The juxtaposition is hard to miss. Why would games built around action and intensity include such a calming activity?
John explores this shift in today’s feature story, delving into the psychological and design reasons behind the rise of fishing minigames. Once a niche mechanic found in RPGs, fishing has evolved into a skill-based, engaging experience that offers more than just a break from the action. But is there more to it? Could these calming diversions be part of a secret formula that developers are using to keep us hooked longer than we realize?
Southeast Asia Gaming Rebounds in 2024, Driven by Esports and Female Gamers
After a sharp decline in gaming time in 2023, the Southeast Asia gaming market is seeing a strong rebound in 2024, with a 53.2% year-on-year increase in time spent gaming, according to Niko Partners' SEA-6 Gamer Behavior & Market Insights report. The report, covering six notable Southeast Asian markets—Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—shows the highest increases in gaming time in Thailand and Vietnam, signaling renewed engagement after the post-pandemic dip.
Esports continues to be a dominant force in the region’s gaming ecosystem, with 55% of gamers in the SEA-6 markets engaging with esports in some capacity. Many of the region’s top 10 mobile and PC games are esports-focused, underscoring its pivotal role in driving market growth.
Female gamers are also emerging as an important demographic, particularly in terms of game-related purchases. According to the report, 30% of female gamers in Southeast Asia make purchases related to gaming, compared to 22% of male gamers, marking a shift in purchasing behavior.
In terms of payments, digital wallets are the preferred platform, with more than 75% of SEA-6 gamers using them for game-related transactions. Older gamers, particularly those over 25, lean towards credit or debit cards (50%), while younger gamers, especially under 21, still prefer using cash.
Quick Bytes
Ubisoft's Stock Plummets Amid Delays and Investor Scrutiny
Ubisoft’s stock plunged 20% on the French exchange today, opening at around $9.62, down from $12.02 the day prior, continuing a sharp decline that has seen shares drop more than 50% from their previous highs of $20.31-$24.06 since mid-June. The latest drop follows the delay of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Ubisoft’s final major release for the year, adding to investor concerns about the company’s performance. These concerns have triggered an investigation, potentially leading to leadership changes, including the possible removal of CEO Yves Guillemot.
Intel Uncovers Final Cause of CPU Instability in 13th and 14th Gen Chips
Intel has faced significant challenges with its 13th- and 14th-generation Core CPUs this year, as high voltage levels and temperatures caused crashes and permanent damage, shortening processor lifespan. After months of investigation, Intel has seemingly identified the root cause: “Vmin shift instability,” an unexpected increase in minimum operating voltage. To address this, Intel has released microcode update 0x12B, which aims to prevent voltage spikes during idle periods. While earlier fixes addressed other contributing factors, this update tackles the final issue. Intel assures users that the patch won’t affect performance, but it won’t reverse any damage already sustained by affected CPUs.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto Dismisses AI Trend, Focuses on Originality
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has expressed the company’s decision to avoid the growing trend of AI in gaming, emphasizing the importance of originality. In an interview with The New York Times, Miyamoto explained that while many companies are embracing AI, Nintendo would "rather go in a different direction" to focus on what makes the company unique. He referenced former president Hiroshi Yamauchi’s advice to avoid direct competition, stating, “We are weak—so don’t go picking fights with other companies.”
ESIC and MOONTON Games Partner to Strengthen Mobile Esports Integrity
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has partnered with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang publisher MOONTON Games in a bid to address integrity concerns in the fast-growing mobile esports sector. The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, focuses on improving fair play and ethical standards. The partnership will involve sharing information, developing policies, and identifying risks specific to mobile esports. MOONTON Games will also join ESIC’s Publisher Committee as part of the collaboration.
Did You Know
In May 1979, a group of frustrated Atari programmers, responsible for some of the company's most successful games, met with CEO Ray Kassar to demand better recognition for their work. At the time, game developers were largely anonymous, receiving no credit or royalties for their contributions. The programmers argued that they should be treated like musicians in the record industry, with their names on game boxes and royalties for their creations.
Kassar's response? A flat "no," reportedly dismissing their contributions by calling them “towel designers” and saying, "anyone can do a cartridge." This condescending remark was the breaking point for the developers, who felt undervalued and stifled by Atari's corporate culture. Instead of accepting defeat, they took a bold step that would change the video game industry forever.
The programmers left Atari and went on to found Activision, the first third-party video game developer. Activision revolutionized the gaming landscape by allowing developers to claim credit for their work and earn royalties—a practice now standard in the industry. The company quickly gained success, producing hits like Pitfall! and River Raid, and solidifying itself as a major player in the video game world.
Quote of the Day
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