Genshin Impact has officially revealed the complete kit details for the upcoming Pyro version of the Traveler. At the start of each playthrough, Genshin Impact requires players to choose between two characters, Aether and Lumine, who ultimately become the main protagonist of their journey, better known as the Traveler.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaibu- Hinokami Chronicles perfectly implements Demon Slayer characters in a Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm format. It grew along with the hype of Demon Slayer, earning over 3 million sales across all platforms. This success was enough for the developers to support the sequel with its recent announcement.

2024 was a year of uncertainty. It wasnt clear what games would dominate the conversation, the slate of blockbuster movies didnt seem to kick into gear until mid-summer, and there was the constant will-they-wont-they regarding Nintendos announcement of the Switch 2. Despite the Big Ns best efforts, though, a lot of information has surfaced regarding the Nintendo Switch successor, but thats for 2025.

Why Duolingo turns streaks into addictive habits while Amazons badges gatherdustThe habit loop uses rewards to drive engagement and retention, helping users stay consistent and achieve theirgoals.Drumroll, please! I recently sold an item on Vinted for the first timefinally, a win! To be honest, I originally downloaded the app to sell things, but well, lets just say I got very good at buying instead. So yes, this was a proudmoment.But just as I was basking in my small victory, surprise! Up pops a screen telling me about an award I could winAfter I sold my first item, Vinted prompted me to sell another four to get an Star WardrobeAwardRewards have spread across every app over the past few years, driven by the growing popularity of gamification. In an attempt to boost engagement and retention, many apps have introduced reward systems. Usually, thats how they work: you do something tied to engagement or retention and receive a reward inreturn.Its no surprise this approach is boomingthe gamification market is projected to grow from USD 15.43 billion in 2024 to USD 48.72 billion by 2029, at a staggering CAGR of25.85%.And it makes sense that apps are trying to leverage this mechanism!Every habit building framework such as the habit loop described in Hooked or the Atomic Habits framework, highlights the importance ofrewards.Although these framework are all different, their core remainssimilar:1. I do the action that I want to form a habit around or that participates to thathabit2. I get arewardThe four steps of building a habit according to Atomic Habit from JamesClearResearch shows that reward plays a crucial role in habit formation by reinforcing the behavior and increasing the likelihood that it will be repeated. It operates on psychological and neurological principles, driving motivation and habitloops.The problem is that apps are trying to recreate this in an artificial way. When I go for a run, I usually then treat myself to a delicious smoothie and my body releases endorphins. Together, this forms a great reward and makes me want to do itagain.But its really hard to recreate that digitally..B2C apps started to introduce rewards also called achievements or badges.They are little gratifications that are the equivalent of school merit medals when you do a good action. Duolingo gives you an unexpected amount of gems and has a section called Achievements, Amazon gives some Badges, Nike celebrates Milestones.Here are examples of rewards from Duolingo, Amazon, and Nike. As you can see, they share many similarities.Gradually, as I accumulated various rewards across multiple apps over time, I started to seriously question whether they actually provided value tousers.In many cases, they didnt feel very genuine, were childish and therefore didnt act as a greatreward.If rewards are key to building habits but getting them right is tricky, what makes a reward truly effective?And how do you use them strategically?Ill break it down with real-world examples from apps and websites that nail it (or didnt..).What Makes a GoodReward?A good reward feels meaningful, authentic, and tied to the users motivation. It doesnt just nudge them towards an action; it increases the sense of satisfaction they feel when completing it.In contrast to some of the superficial gratification provided by digital badges or arbitrary milestones, effective rewards connect deeply to what the uservalues.To create a good reward system, keep these principles inmind::1. Align rewards with intrinsic motivationExtrinsic rewards, like points or badges, can be fleeting unless they tap into something deeper.For example, Stravas year in review works because they connect to a runner or cyclists desire to compete and improve. The reward isnt just about the badge; its about social proof and personal achievement.On the other hand, I find Stravas Trophy case quite dull and meaningless. It feels like Im being rewarded for putting up with irrelevant ads from their partners, and it lacks any sense of personalisation.Stravas Year in Review made me feel proud and rewarded because it focuses on the things I care about: progress. On the other hand, the Trophy case feels irrelevant and is disconnected from my specific goal of long-distance running.2. Tie rewards to actualoutcomesA reward should reflect a tangible benefit from the action. If a language app congratulates me for completing a lesson, Im more likely to feel rewarded if I can now recall phrases in conversation than if I just earned another badge. Rewards should remind users of their progress or accomplishments in ways that matter tothem.Duolingo makes the reward tangible by letting me know how many words I learnt during the lesson thatday3. Keep It Unexpected (Sometimes)Psychology tells us that variable rewards can be even more motivating than expected ones. Think about apps like Headspace, which sometimes surprises users with delightful animations or a streak celebration when theyve meditated for several days in arow.The unexpected reward and the promise of earning more by returning daily help me build a habit around language learning.4. Avoid Over-RewardingWhen rewards become too frequent or predictable, they lose their impact. This is a common pitfall for gamified systems. If every small action results in a shiny badge, the novelty quickly wears off. Reward systems should strike a balance between recognition and scarcity.Amazon badges are listed in a predictable way, and the actions arent very user-centric or personalized to myneeds.Examples of Reward Systems ThatWorkLets dive into a few examples from successful apps and platforms that have struck the rightbalance:1. Duolingos StreakSystemDuolingo has leveraged gamification to grow its Monthly Active Users to over 103 million (a 40% increase from 2023) by integrating rewards into language learning.While its badges might feel childish to some, the streak system stands out by tapping into users intrinsic motivation to stay consistent. Pride in maintaining a streak encourages users to go the extra mile, ensuring they dont break it. The brilliance of this system lies in its alignment with a meaningful goal: mastering a new language.2. LinkedIns Profile Completion MeterWith over 1 billion users and more than 13,000 connections made every minute, LinkedIn has mastered subtle gamification to drive engagement.By using a progress bar to encourage action completion, LinkedIn offers an intrinsic reward: the more engaged you are, the better your chances of making connections or finding opportunities. This approach taps into completion biasthe human tendency to prioritize finishing tasks simply for the satisfaction of completing them, even when the tasks themselves may not feel immediately meaningful.It also taps into completion bias, the tendency for people to prioritize finishing tasks or goals, even if theyre not inherently meaningful, simply because they want to complete what theyvestarted.LinkedIns progress bar subtly encourages engagement, with a clear outcome and achievable steps.Questions to Ask Before Designing RewardsBefore implementing a reward system in your app, consider these questions:What does the user value most about this experience?The reward should amplify the core value of your app rather than distract fromit.Is this reward reinforcing the desired habit or behavior?A good reward strengthens the connection between the action and the users motivation to repeatit.Does this feel authentic?Rewards should resonate with your audience. A playful badge might work for a fitness app geared toward teens but could feel out of place in a professional productivity tool.The Future ofRewardsAs apps and digital platforms continue to evolve, so too will reward systems. Were likely to see a shift away from generic badges and points toward more personalized and context-aware rewards. For instance, AI could enable apps to offer hyper-relevant rewards tailored to a users goals, habits, and progress.In the end, the most effective rewards are the ones that feel natural and genuinely motivating. They dont just gamify; they amplify the core experience, turning everyday actions into meaningful achievements.If your apps reward system doesnt serve that purpose, it might be time to ask the same question we did: is it really addingvalue?For instance, last year at my previous company, we decided to test removing badges. These badges had been introduced before I joined, and I never fully understood if they were actually benefiting our users. We ran an A/B testone group kept the badges, while the other didnt. Can you guess theoutcome?Surprise nothing changed. The metrics stayed the same, with no drop in engagement. Meanwhile, we cleared up a lot of space and significantly simplified theapp.Sometimes, less really is more! Curious about how small changes can make a big impact? Lets connect anddiscuss!Sources: Gamification Market Size & Share AnalysisGrowth Trends & Forecasts (20242029) Motivation in UX/UIDesign AI-Driven Gamification: Unlocking Personalized User Experiences with MachineLearningHere are some topics/websites I recommend goingthrough:Gamification gone wrong: stop the streaks from the brilliant Ben Davies-RomanoLennys podcast with Jackson ShuttleworthFollow me on LinkedIn for more deep divesHow Duolingo, Nike, and Amazon use rewards to keep you hooked was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Fintech, magic, and murderpurple rules them all. Introduction to advanced visual storytelling of colors.Continue reading on UX Collective

Sega is considering launching a game subscription service.

A huge Genshin Impact update drops in the new year, introducing new playable characters.

We're hearing even more about the four new models expected to make up the Galaxy S25 series next year.

The United States isnt known for having a robust rail systemat least one that successfully moves people and not just goods. We move a lot of stuff across about 160,000 miles of railroad tracks, but when it comes to moving people, Americans still tend to overwhelmingly opt for planes or cars instead.Thats changing, though. Theres a renaissance for rail travel underway in the U.S., and this year, trains dominated at least some of the news cycle. That doesnt mean America is even close to being on par with other train-dominant countries like Japan, China, Switzerland, and France, which all have robust, far-reaching rail networks. Theyve even made rail a priority through legislation, like when France banned any short-haul flights that could easily be replaced by train in 2021.The U.S. is still lacking when it comes to high-speed rail especially. Currently, the only true high-speed rail service in the country is Amtraks Acela in the Northeast, which reaches speeds up to 150 miles per hour. The private Brightline rail service that began running in Florida in 2023 is still below that high-speed threshold, traveling 79 mph in South Florida and 125 to Orlando (high speed needs to be above 155 mph). But Brightline does have high-speed rail in the works for the West Coast. [Rendering: Brightline West]The U.S. also behind on electrifying its railways. In India, the rail network is nearly 100% electrified; the U.S. is at just 1%. (In a sign of progress, Amtrak did announce in December that its new high-speed electric trains are coming in the spring.)All of this highlights the advancements that still to be made in order to make rail a popular and successful transit option in the U.S. But even with the existing gaps, more and more Americans are riding the rails, showing that theres a clear appetite for train travel around the country. Here are five stories from 2024 that highlight that growing interest.[Images: Amtrak]Amtraks bold plan to double ridership by 2040America used to have a robust passenger rail networkbefore airplanes and interstates dominated travel. The federally chartered corporation kicked off this year by highlighting its ambitious goal to make rail boom once more, by doubling its ridership to 66 million by 2040. In this interview, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner talked about its plans to make that happen, by both expanding into new markets and rebuilding existing infrastructure.They dont happen without the other, he said.[Photo: Amtrak]The instant popularity of Amtraks new Chicago-Twin Cities routeOne example of Amtraks effort to expand into new markets came in the summer of 2024, when it launched its new Chicago-Twin Cities route. In its first full month of service, the route saw more than 18,500 riders, an average of 300 a day, in each direction. That exceeded Amtraks forecastswhich Ray Lang, vice president of Amtrak State Supported Service, says were already very optimisticand highlighted how Americans will use rail when its an option.[Photo: Ephraim Mayrena/Unsplash]The allure of seeing America by trainIn this Washington Post story, reporter Christine Mi wrote and illustrated her experience traveling on trains for 80 hours and more than 3,300 miles, beginning in Northern California and ending up in New York City. It details the experience of transcontinental train travela trip that wasnt straightforward and one she had to cobble together on different legs. She fields confusion from her friends about whythe cost, the time commitmentand explains the magic that only happens on a train. New York Times reporter Richard Rubin similarly saw America by rail this year, and detailed his time on Amtraks Empire Builder route from Chicago to Seattle and back in a piece titled, 4,000 miles, 6 Small Towns: A Whistle-Stop Tour of America.If you can extrapolate anything from my odyssey, he writes, its this: Theres something remarkable about everywhere.[Source Photos: Laser1987/iStock/Getty Images Plus, Skyler Smith/Unsplash]Google and Amtrak partner upIn September, Google and Amtrak announced that the search giant would start including train travel in its mapping. For instance, if a user Googled a trip from, say, New York to Boston, the results wouldnt just show driving directions but also details on how to make that trip by train. If you Google flight options between the cities instead, youll see not just prices for plane fares, but suggestions to consider taking the train. The Google integration is meant to enhance Amtraks customer experienceand urge users to choose a more sustainable travel option.[Photo: Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images]Amtraks record yearAmtrak announced its ridership numbers for the 2024 fiscal year in early December. It was a fitting follow-up to its talk about bringing in more customers at the beginning of the year. Between October 2023 and September 2024, Amtrak moved 32.8 million ridersan all-time record for the rail service. Breaking our ridership record is just the beginning, said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner in a statement. We are doubling down on our vision to connect more people and communities like never before.

You dont need to be a media scholar to know that in a digital world, the landscape for print magazines has been challenging over the past decade-plus. According to IBIS Worlds global magazine publishing market study, the categoryworth $105.2 billion this yearhas been declining at a compound annual growth rate of 2.4% since 2019, a trend that is expected to continue.And yet, print magazine covers are everywhere online, and more relevant than ever.Its a testament to the enduring influence of certain legacy media outlets and their talented art directors. But more than anything, magazine covers uniquely offer a static snapshot of culture at large, and collectively form a visual timeline of the times. This past year had a particularly unrelenting news cycleand one polarizing person often at the center of it all: Donald Trump. As the U.S. election cycle kicked into high gear, designers were once again there to opine on him and the rest of the political world.Were still on the wave of using magazine covers as protest [art], notes Jaap Biemansart director of Volkskrant Magazine and curator of the popular Instagram account Cover Junkiein a written exchange from the Netherlands. I adore that. It [keeps] them relevant. View this post on Instagram A post shared by coverjunkie (@coverjunkie)Unsurprisingly, Biemans doesnt see those ubiquitous Trump covers going anywhere anytime soon. But hes optimistic that creatives will be able to continue to find fresh takes on the incoming president and politics at large moving forward.Thats what a good designer does. [They] will always find something different, something surprising. [ . . . ] Maybe its time not to show the man himself but focus on his plans, his ideas, and visualize that instead of another weird orange hair cover.Of course, there was more to 2024 than Trump the fall of Joe Biden and the rise (and fall) of Kamala Harris. Gaza. Ukraine. The Olympics. The continued cultural domination of Taylor Swifts Eras tour.And they were all in print, dominating magazine coversand disseminating online far beyond the physical reach of any given periodical.What follows are 15 striking covers that uniquely told the story of 2024, with some commentary from Biemans. Biemans also included five standalone covers that embody great design for designs sake because, well . . . this year was a lot, on and off the page.[Image: Bloomberg Businessweek]Bloomberg Businessweek As if its art director had access to a crystal ball, Bloomberg Businessweek nailed this cover in January, quite accurately presaging the year to come with a convoluted maze.Dont we all think the same when seeing this cover? Biemans asks. What a world were living in. A year of unbridled chaos, but a charming approach.[Image: Politico]PoliticoWhile endless Trump covers take a predictable route, here, concept rides high, providing a simple, brilliant spin on the aforementioned rote imagery.This artwork nailed it! Content-wise and visually, [its] the best Trump cover of the year.[Image: The New York Times Magazine]The New York Times MagazineIs this photo from 1948 or 2024? Its not immediately clearand therein lies the power of this cover.[Image: The Atlantic]The AtlanticPutting the table of contents directly on the cover of The Atlantic might seem like an aptly chaotic anti-establishment approach to a chaotic anti-establishment politician. But rather, this cover served as a warning that laid bare the stakes of the election.Biemans loves the approach, and ventures that David Carson did the same at some point in his career. If he did, though, Id wager it lacked the sobering punch of creative director Peter Mendelsund and teams treatment here.[Image: The Wall Street Journal]The Wall Street JournalThis isnt a magazine cover. But in spotlighting the void left by journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was held as a political prisoner in Russia until August, The Wall Street Journal took newspaper editorial design to new heights, rivaling the best glossies out there today.White space tells more than a thousand words, Biemans says. Hail to The Wall Street Journal for running the story like this.[Image: The Economist]The EconomistThis haunting image of Ukraines embattled president Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes use not of white space, but black. The result is a cover on the edge of an abyss, where every ounce of gravity is felt.[Image: The New York Times Magazine]NYT MagAs Biemans notes, this cover makes the viewer instantly curiousand its starkness makes a statement. Moreover, by undertaking the visual heresy of erasing an image of Martin Luther King Jr.s Selma to Montgomery March, The New York Times Magazine deftly underscores the thesis of its cover story.[Image: Time]TIMEOne word sufficed on the first cover following Joe Bidens disastrous late June debate performance. No words were needed on the second, as the party quickly rushed to embrace Kamala Harris in the race against Trump.Per Biemans: Genius thinking of their art department. The discussion back then was that Biden had to leave because of his age. Well, let him leave and walk off the cover! [ . . . ] But when you add the other candidate a week later on the same composition, [that] deserves a design hallelujah.[Image: Hommes China]HOMMES China The 2024 Olympics were a break from politics (at least in theory). And no magazine captured them with as much vibrancy and life as LOfficiel Hommes China.This seriesits a split runis so crispy and full of joy. The colors! The fun! Best of the year. This makes me smile.[Image: The New European]The New EuropeanNational Lampoons 1973 cover If You Dont Buy This Magazine, Well Kill This Dog became a classic, and was ranked at No. 7 in the American Society of Magazine Editors Top 40 Magazine Covers of the Last 40 Years. The New European trotted the classic visual back out as Trump made claims that immigrants were eating dogs in Ohio.Big shout-out to The New European. They try to make something spectacular each week.[Image: Variety]VarietyThanks to Swiftie culture, friendship bracelets became one of the defining ephemeral elements of 2023/2024. As such, thats all Variety really needed to capture a phenomenon.Thats how you make an attractive cover, Biemans notes. Crispy colors! Body parts! [A] simple pose! [It] sounds simple, [but those are the] hardest to make.[Image: Bloomberg Businessweek]BloombergThe Democratic Partys near-immediate coalescence around Kamala Harris took some by surpriseand she was no doubt to many a somewhat blank slate. Here, Bloomberg Businessweek sought to color in some lines.[Image: The New Yorker]The New YorkerBarry Blitt on the eve of the presidential election . . .[Image: New York Magazine]New York. . . And, yeah. Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you fall on, that sums it up.The magazine is talking to the reader here, Biemans concludes. [A] direct approach with impact.And now, to cleanse the timeline of the year that was. . . .[Image: The New Yorker]The New Yorker The New Yorker sometimes gets dogged for its gentler seasonal covers at times when the world may feel as if its burning. But well take a moment of zen from artist Peter de Sve any day. (Props if you can spot the Easter Egg.)[Image: Vogue Arabia]Vogue A hypnotic Vogue Arabia cover featuring a surreal Monica Belluci.[Image: New York magazine]New YorkThe type. The cats. The colors. The fact that it was not about politics.[Image: The New York Times Magazine]NYT Magazine A moving, beautiful cover by Gaia Alari for a moving, beautiful essay by Sam Anderson. (Its okay to cry here. I did.)[Image: The Paris Review]Paris Review And finally, a moment of artistic bliss thats neither here nor there, courtesy of Nicolas Party.This magazine doesnt scream, but it says, very calmly: Pick me up, read me, Biemans notes. Isnt this a beauty?Yes. Yes it is. And sometimes, thats enough.