Now Black Myth: Wukong copycat games are popping up on Nintendo eShop"Malicious developers exploit the names of well-known games, deceiving consumers."Image credit: Game Science News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Dec. 23, 2024 Another copycat video game has popped up on Nintendo's eShop in China, this time a Black Myth: Wukong imitation.Just days after the creative director of indie hit Unpacking, Wren Brier, called out Nintendo due to the prominence of copycat games on its Switch eShop, Chinese fans have spotted a game called Wukong Sun: Black Legend has popped up, too.Set to release on Boxing Day, 26th December, the 2D platformer's gameplay and presentation are markedly different, but its promotional art and title could easily be confused with that of Game Science's blockbuster.Black Myth: Wukong - Confront Destiny.Watch on YouTubeAs Black Myth: Wukong is one of China's most notable video game releases in recent years, many Chinese fans have taken to social media to share their frustration at "malicious developers exploit[ing] the names of well-known games"."Well-known games have been plagued by imitations for a long time," wrote Pear Video (via BusinessInsider)."Malicious developers exploit the names of well-known games, reskin various small games, and put them on the shelves of big game stores with similar titles, deceiving uninformed consumers to buy and download." Promotional art for Wukong Sun: Black Legend | Image credit: Global Game StudioHere in the UK, a September 2024 release called Wukong's Child: Monkey King Myth could similarly be confused with Game Science's game, which released in August.As yet, neither Nintendo nor Wukong Sun: Black Legend publisher Global Game Studio have commented publicly on the issue.Black Myth: Wukong producer and Game Science CEO Feng Ji recently posted a lengthy statement following the action game's apparent snub for the top prize at this year's The Game Awards."The games nominated this year were all exceptional, but honestly, I still can't figure out what the criteria were for Game of the Year. I feel like I came all the way here for nothing!" he wrote in a post on Weibo, even though Black Myth: Wukong did come away with the Best Action Game and Players' Voice awards.

Mention the words "water in games" and nine times out of ten the conversation will immediately turn to how good that water looks in said game, and whether it ripples and sploshes nicely as you attempt to wade through it or not. It rarely gets people talking about how clever that water might be, or how it completely shakes up your approach to moving and travelling through a game's landscape. But that's precisely what the water block echo did for me in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom this year, and I've rarely felt so bowled over by such an innocuous and unassuming puzzle item. After all, it's just water, right? The kind of liquid that Link (and Zelda) have been able to swim through for years at this point, and whose uses have been rarely more revelatory than pushing down the odd pressure pad in various Water Temples.Watch on YouTubeBut the brilliance of Echoes of Wisdom's water block goes far beyond anything we've seen in a Zelda game before - and the best thing about it is how immediately obvious that is the first time you acquire it. You'll likely come across the water block early on in your adventure when you start investigating the rifts around the two Zora territories, and straight away you're asked to build tunnels of cube-shaped water to make simple bridges across the void below. Suspended in mid-air, the water holding its shape fast and firm and defying all laws of gravity, its elegant simplicity washes away all those hours spent constructing awkward bed concoctions to get across similar-sized gaps.But then, as with almost every other echo you've accrued thus far, you start messing about with it. In no time at all, you realise with eye-widening, no, surely not possibility that if you create two water blocks on the same spot, they'll spool skywards into a tall, liquid column. Surely yes! Nintendo did just give me the keys to making magic, physics-defying liquid steps, and this changes absolutely everything. Goodbye, messy bed bridges... | Image credit: Eurogamer/NintendoIt's these kinds of quiet revelations that always feel the most magical to me in games. The water block doesn't just make Zelda's movement feel more intentional in the game, providing purpose where Crawltula spider echoes were previously erratic and sometimes unpredictable. It also expands her reach into her own kingdom, carrying her further and higher than the trampolines, beds and boxes that regularly fell short of getting her where you wanted to go. It makes the world feel more alive with secrets and hitherto unseen nooks and crannies to explore that are now ripe for cracking open and pushing your nose into, letting you inhale everything this toylike playbox has to offer and then some.That it comes in such an unusual and delightful form, too, is precisely what makes the water block feel so special - more so than the myriad abilities you gain in some of this year's other exploratory highlights, such as the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, or harnessing the power of the seeds you plant in Ultros' strange, organic spaceship. Those - the double jump, the swing vine, the grapple hook - all feel much more deliberately gamey in their design. They're exactly what you expect from those sorts of games, which doesn't make them any less delightful or pleasing under the thumbs when you encounter them, but the fact you're anticipating them from the off can't help but rob them of some of their mystery. Hello, sweet, sweet water towers... | Image credit: Eurogamer/NintendoBut Zelda's water block is just a humble water block - a single, ordinary(ish) object that can be used and combined in such creative and inventive ways that it catapults right to the top of my favourite puzzle items - both from this year and in recent memory. It's a wondrous and so very Nintendo way of recalibrating how you view the world in front of you, and I only hope Zelda and her Echoes get another outing to dazzle us with in the future.

Cyberpunk 2077's coming to FortniteV-ictory Royale.Image credit: Epic Games News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Dec. 23, 2024 Keanu Reeves' Johnny Silverhand and Cyberpunk 2077's female V are both set to join Fortnite.The crossover is expected to go live tonight, with the characters and various accessories available to buy in the game's shop.Epic Games confirmed the crossover and showed off the appearance of the characters within Fortnite yesterday, in a post on social media that teased: "We're expecting some guests from Night City." To see this content please enable targeting cookies.It's perhaps not surprising to see Cyberpunk 2077 turn up in Fortnite - its developer CD Projekt Red has forged close ties with Epic Games through its switch to Unreal Engine for future development (the first trailer for The Witcher 4, and our first look at The Witcher's world in Unreal, debuted this month at The Game Awards). And the series' Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri all joined Fortnite previously.Fun fact: this will be Keanu Reeves' second character in Fortnite, after his previous addition as John Wick. But he's not the first actor to get into the game twice. Zendaya (in her Spider-Man and Dune guises) and Harrison Ford (as both Han Solo and Indiana Jones) have also previously found their way into Fortnite more than once.Fortnite's latest additions come amidst a typically-busy end of year season for the game. Its Winterfest event is now on offering daily free cosmetic rewards (leading up to a Santa Snoop Dogg skin on Christmas day), heralded by the in-game arrival of Mariah Carey from a giant block of ice. Oh, and Skibidi Toilet is now in the game too.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide The launch of Marvel Rivals has proven a hit among players looking for another hero shooter to get their teeth stuck into. Developed by NetEase Games, the free-to-play game features a wealth of characters some loved and some hated from the world of Marvel competing in fast-paced, team-based matches in a bid to secure victory.Marvel Rivals anti-cheat also features strict anti-cheat measures that ensure competitive integrity is maintained across casual and competitive matches. To prevent any kind of repeat offenders from reappearing in lobbies, the anti-cheat is dishing out huge bans that Call of Duty could learn from to curb its own infestation of cheaters ruining Black Ops 6 and Warzone.The 100-year Marvel Rivals banTo highlight the effectiveness of Marvel Rivals anti-cheat, X user UnproblematicMr shared a post from the games customer service team revealing that a recent report had resulted in the cheater in question receiving a ban lasting the next 100 years.As expected, the huge length of the ban has caught players attention wondering if Marvel Rivals reporting system will yield results. Yes! I will be reporting every time now! says one player.Issuing such lengthy bans in Marvel Rivals may seem excessive but the measures are an excellent deterrent for those considering gaining an unfair advantage over the opposition. A ban lasting an entire century is an unorthodox method to combat cheating, but its one that Call of Duty could utilise to its advantage.While other games such as Delta Force aim to curb the cancer that is cheating, CoDs Ricochet system has proven ineffective compared to its contemporaries. Marvel Rivals can issue a ban to a cheater in mere minutes, but CoD is constantly banning the wrong people and letting cheaters roam free. Since the launch of Black Ops 6 and the integration of Treyarchs release into Warzone, hackers have infested standard game modes and Ranked Play resulting in Activision admitting its own anti-cheat has missed the mark. Banning Call of Duty hackers with a hundred-year ban could be the answer to the publishers ongoing problems.The best solution?Marvel Rivals continues to be the talk of the town as millions of players load into the action. NetEase Games has implemented measures that are strong enough to deter and prevent hackers from rejoining matches resulting in an environment where cheaters are unable to prosper.Well have to wait and see if other developers follow a similar process to combat their own hacking issues but for the time being, Marvel Rivals anti-cheat is ensuring nothing is slowing down its momentum.For more Marvel Rivals, take a look at the best Duelists and DPS characters to pick along with a closer look at how to master Venom.Marvel RivalsPlatform(s):macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Fighting, ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Marvel Rivals is the new popular hero-shooter on the market, and this time it stars a gallery of the greatest superheroes of all time. Theres Spider-Man, theres Thor, theres Iron Man, and theres Captain America. While these are some of the most beloved characters in comics and the MCU, they are not the most or least popular Marvel Rivals heroes for Normal or Ranked matches according to stats. Right now we are currently in pre-season waiting for Season 1 to begin in the new year. Come Season 1, NetEase are introducing a permanent solution to issues with mouse acceleration. The developer is also looking to add cross-progression, but they claim platform-specific rules are holding them back. In 2025, the game will also add a fresh assortment of heroes and villains to the roster already revealed through leaks. While we look forward to more additional characters next year, right now the game has a huge roster assembling Earths mightiest heroes. Players can keep up to date with the most and least popular heroes in Marvel Rivals, and the results may be surprising. Marvel Rivals most and least popular heroes for Normal matchesRivals Codex is a source that shares the current meta for Marvel Rivals. According to prominent leaker, Miller Ross, the data is real and pulled directly from the client. It is constantly changing, so the meta for Normal and Ranked will look different from day-to-day depending on how much things change. As of December 23rd, the five most popular heroes for Normal are Jeff The Land Shark, Cloak & Dagger, Luna Snow, Mantis, and Venom. While Jeff The Land Shark is the most popular pick, Mantis is the most dominant as she has the highest AVG KDA at 7.91, and she also has the highest win percentage at 59%. The five least popular heroes for Normal are Storm, Black Widow, Namor, Wolverine, and Black Panther. You can see the full meta for Normal matches below:Image credit: Rivals CodexMost and least popular heroes for Ranked matches For Ranked matches, the meta looks a lot different. Luna Snow is the most popular hero for Ranked, and she is followed by Cloak & Dagger, Mantis, Hela, and Doctor Strange. Again, Mantis has the best AVG KDA at 8.48, and she also has one of the highest win percentages at 58.4%. Perhaps the most hated heroes in Marvel Rivals are Storm, Black Widow, and Wolverine as they are part of the five least picked characters for both Normal and Ranked. For Ranked, this time they are accompanied by Squirrel Girl and Bruce Banner. You can see the full meta for Ranked matches below: Image credit: Rivals CodexRight now, it appears that Mantis is the best performing hero in the game even though she is not quite the most popular. She has the best AVG KDA across Normal and Ranked, and she also has one of the highest win percentages across both modes. It will be interesting to see how the meta evolves come the new year and addition of fresh playable characters. Some characters will pretty much become obsolete, meanwhile, others will continue to prevail and dominate. For more Marvel Rivals, check out our guide toerror codes and how to fix them. We also have a guide forhow to farm XP quickly, we have atier list ranking the best meta characters, and we have all theDecember 2024 codes.Marvel RivalsPlatform(s):macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Fighting, ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is widely considered to be the very best entry in Activisions storied shooter series. Thanks to its engaging multiplayer and mind-bending campaign set in the near future, Treyarchs second Black Ops title holds a special place in the hearts of fans who prefer simplistic gameplay mechanics and excellent weapon balance. 12 years after the game was released, a fan has uncovered a Black Ops 2 alpha build containing an unreleased Zombies DLC and a fully-functioning Origins experience. The mode contains every single map from the first and second Black Ops games.Black Ops 2 alpha features incredible Zombies DLCUncovered by X user JuggerV2, the alpha contains all four maps from Call of Dutys original Zombies mode along with Kino der Toten, Ascension, Five, Moon, and Origins maps which released throughout the Black Ops 2 cycle. To highlight the vast scale of the unreleased mode, the user uploaded an hour-long video complete with gameplay.As expected, the discovery of a Black Ops 2 alpha complete with the most popular maps has led to some fans wondering why the DLC never made it to a public release. We couldve had remakes on the most peak engine, says one Zombies fan. Others say they always had a feeling the globe was meant to feature even more content than the four DLCs that launched throughout 2013.Its unclear as to why Treyarch decided to withhold the fifth Zombies DLC and why its taken over a decade for a Black Ops 2 alpha to uncover it. Either way, its a shame that the best Call of Duty game never received even more content to extend its lifespan further. The demand for nostalgiaCall of Duty has often relied on developers taking players on a trip down memory lane. Whether its remastering old games or adding fan-favourite maps from previous releases, nostalgia always attracts players back onto the battlefield. In 2025, Activision plans on capitalising on nostalgia once more with the Verdansk map returning in the first few months of the year. Black Ops 6 Zombies is the best mode of Treyarchs 2024 release with an engaging storyline and a round-based formula that keeps players coming back for more. The latest rumours suggest the next Zombies map is set in the same dig site as the Origins map from Black Ops 2. Theres every chance theres some kind of connection between the original story and the latest chapter of the Dark Aether.For the time being, the next Black Ops 6 map might be the closest players get to anything from the Black Ops 2 alpha releasing anytime soon.For more CoD intel, check out the best Saug loadout along with the best controller settings to keep you shooting straight.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

For those who want comfort but find themselves on a tight budget, heres a supportive, under-$75 option thatll arrive in just two days. A breathable mesh design means you wont get sweaty while plowing through spreadsheets or fighting digital enemies, and the 15-minute assembly process isnt bad either.Best Office Chair for Big and Tall People: SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Office ChairSIHOO M18 Ergonomic Office ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:330 poundsPoints of Adjustability:ThreeFabric Options:MeshFeatures:Adjustable headrest, lumbar supportSihoo's popular ergonomic mesh office chair combines affordability and quality. You'll get a padded headrest, adjustable lumbar support, and a contoured cushionall with a lifetime warranty. Reviewers say this is an especially great pick for big and tall folks, since you can adjust the seat and headrest heights a great deal and the seat itself is roomy.Best Stylish Office Chair: Branch Verve ChairBranch Verve ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:275 poundsPoints of Adjustability:SixFabric Options:knit polyesterFeatures:V-shaped suspended back, 3D knit mesh for breathabilityBranch makes high-quality, comfortable office chairs at middle-of-the-road price points. An adjustable lumbar rest and a contoured backrest will help keep you feeling fresh, even if youre stuck at your desk for hours. Not only does this chair swivel, it tilts, is height adjustable, and you can tweak the seat depth.Best Vegan Leather Office Chair: Branch Daily ChairBranch Daily ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:225 poundsPoints of Adjustability:FourFabric Options:Mesh or vegan leatherFeatures:Made with predominantly recycled materials and comes in lots of colorsThe Daily Chair is a Goldilocks office chair that has everything you need (adjustable height and armrests, plush cushions, and easy-to-maneuver wheels) and nothing you don't. It offers plenty of spinal and lumbar support for long hours perched at your desk, plus comes in pleasing hues like mahogany and sky blue besides your standard neutral gray and black.Best Splurge Office Chair: Steelcase Gesture Office ChairSteelcase Gesture Office ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:400 poundsPoints of Adjustability:ThreeFabric Options:Fabric, with separate casters available for carpets or hardwoodsFeatures:Contoured back, 360-degree arm movement, easy-rolling wheelsThe Steelcase Gesture may be quite expensive for an office chair$1,600 is no small chunk of changebut if youre looking to splurge on one of the most comfortable chairs youll ever sit in, its absolutely worth the price. The Gesture strikes the perfect balance between plush and firm, providing back support for long days at your desk alongside a thick, comfortable seat that holds up to years of punishment. There are three recline positions to let you fine-tune your position throughout the day, and the intuitive adjustment mechanisms make it easy to move things around without any fuss.Best Weight-Activated Office Chair: Steelcase Series 1 Office ChairSteelcase Series 1 Office ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:300 poundsPoints of Adjustability:ThreeFabric Options:FabricFeatures:Flexible edges, no-tool assembly, weight-activated adjustmentsThe Steelcase Series 1 uses your body weight to automatically adjust back and lumbar support when you sit down, meaning you dont have to fuss with buttons or levers to get the right fit, something we have found to be tricky with cheaper chairs. The Series 1 is also wildly customizable, with the option to add a headrest, your choice of carpet or hard-wood wheels, and seemingly endless color options (such as neon orange and lemon yellow) for the maximalist home office. No matter what type of space youre working with, theres a Series 1 we think will work for you.The Ultimate Ergonomic Office Chair: Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office ChairHerman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office ChairSpecsWeight Capacity:300 PoundsPoints of Adjustability:FourFabric Options:Tight and smooth Rhythm fabric or dimpled Balance fabricFeatures:Backfit adjustment to match your spines curve, material conforms to your body shape

Some RestNo Rest for the Wicked dev may have been quiet for a little too long, but it will back with a vengeance in JanuaryWe're finally getting some major No Rest for the Wicked news in the new year, to kick-start 2025 with a bang.Image credit: Moon Studios News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Dec. 23, 2024 No Rest for the Wicked has been one of 2024s most interesting releases. Though it got snubbed in many end-of-year awards, it remains an incredible title with an eclectic (and clever) mix of genres.While developer Moon Studios was pretty quick to release patches post-launch, things have since slowed down considerably. The developer also stopped communiucating as regularly as it did after launch, and with news of its publishing label, Private Division, shutting down, many started to worry about the fate of Moon Studios and the game.We shouldnt have to worry anymore, though, because the developer just delivered some much-awaited news.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In a post celebrating the studios achievements in 2024 and looking forward to 2025, No Rest for the Wickeds Moon Studios recapped many of the major patches the game received since the start of the early access journey in April. The post also recognises that communication sort of tapered off towards the end of the year.The developer confirmed that work continues on The Breach, and the games next major updates. The even better news is that we wont have to wait too much longer to learn about what's coming next to the action RPG.We know weve been quiet - a lot has been happening for us at Moon Studios during this year, and we will finally be able to share all about it very soon! the twitter post reads.After the break, Moon Studios will be back with an announcement in January, and the developer promised to communicate with players more frequently and consistently. 2025 could be the year No Rest for the Wicked really catches the mainstream eye with its anticipated co-op feature, new story content, and all the many expected expansions to the game.

It's a shame - the mini console was my favourite retro-gaming fad of recent years. A selection of amazing classic games on a very easy-to-plug-in HDMI box, with a cute interface and everything? And them being completely separate to the current leading platforms (you don't need an Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch to play 'em) makes it so much more standalone and fun. It's like its own little world of nothing but retro goodness. They were super duper cool.They were really fun to collect too. I currently have the NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Mega Drive II, PC-Engine, PlayStation, and Commodore 64 mini consoles. As well as the limited-edition Shonen Jump Famicom mini console, which is interesting to me because it has the original Dragon Quest on it, password saves and everything.I would have literally bought as many of these mini consoles as Sega was willing to produce, especially if they made a Saturn Mini with rare games like Panzer Dragoon Saga on it.But I suppose the fad has died down now hasn't it? It's a shame Nintendo never made an N64 or GBA mini and instead plonked the games on a higher subscription tier. Not ideal for me who prefers to own games more tangibly.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said Monday that the company is now profitable. Durov said the chat apps total revenue surpassed $1 billion in 2024.The company, which launched its premium subscription service in 2022, now has 12 million paid users. Durov also said that the app is finishing the year with more than $500 million in cash reserves, without counting its crypto assets. The Telegram CEO said that the company has repaid a significant amount of its debt bonds this fall. Over the past four years, Telegram has issued about $2 billion in debt. We repaid a meaningful share of it this Fall, taking advantage of favorable prices for the Telegram bonds. But theres a lot of work ahead, Durov said in a post on X. Earlier this year, in an interview with the Financial Times, Durov said that the company will hit profitability next year with an aim to go public in the future. Apart from crossing the mark of 950 million monthly active users, Telegram also released Business features, started ad revenue sharing, let creators earn money through paid content on channels, and launched a mini app store this year.Durov himself had an eventful year as the Telegram founder was arrested in France over a lack of moderation practices and unwillingness to cooperate with authorities on topics like drug trafficking, money laundering, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).After the arrest, Telegram doubled down on its efforts related to removing illegal content on the platform. Earlier this month, the company said it removed 15.4 million groups and channels in 2024 that spread harmful content using AI.