Sony - Softonic English

Court Revelations: Microsoft’s Confession of Plotting Sony’s Demise

The trial with the United States FTC is leaving us with a lot of headlines that we would never have believed. The war between Sony and Xbox is real.

For about half a decade, the two major companies in the gaming industry have been portraying themselves publicly as courteous and sportsmanlike entities. They have been exchanging congratulations for achievements and giving each other pats on the back on social media.

Xbox Game Pass DOWNLOAD

If Sony released a great PlayStation exclusive, the Xbox team would congratulate them on Twitter. And if it was Microsoft who released a great exclusive, Sony would do the same. But… are they really friendly companies? Far from it.

This is a business, and as such, companies want to make as much money as possible. If they have to step on the competition, they will. The goal is to fill their coffers and secure their positions. The lawsuit over Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has exposed their true intentions.

Buying studios to choke Sony

Xbox Game Studios’ head at Microsoft, Matt Booty, was encouraging Xbox’s Chief Financial Officer, Tim Stuart, to spend a significant amount of money on game acquisitions in 2019 to prepare the company for a battle against Sony in subscription services.

The revelation comes from an email thread that is part of the FTC hearing against Microsoft.

“We (Microsoft) are in a unique position to spend Sony out of the business,” Booty said in a December 2019 email, referring to spending up to $3 billion in 2020 to prevent competitors from gaining an advantage in content acquisition.

Ah…

Xbox's Matt Booty in 2019: "we (Microsoft) are in a very unique position to be able to go spend Sony out of business"

Said it might seem worth it 10 years hence to have lost $2-3B to stop Sony, others from becoming Disney of games

MS/Booty now say that was old strategy https://t.co/eobfXOUrvX pic.twitter.com/b1eAZjcFZ3
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) June 26, 2023

Game Pass as a strategy to kill Sony: content is king

“It’s virtually impossible for anyone to start a new video streaming service at scale right now,” Booty said, referring to competitors like Google, Amazon, and Sony. Booty described content as a moat and stated that only Sony could truly compete with Xbox Game Pass.

“In gaming, Google is at least three to four years away from having a functioning studio. Amazon has not demonstrated the ability to execute game content. Content is the only card we have, in terms of a catalog that works on current devices and the ability to create new ones. Sony is the only one that could compete with Game Pass, and we have a two-year and 10 million subscriber advantage,” Booty added.

Microsoft argues that the email is old and that they never pursued such a strategy anyway. “This email is three and a half years old and is 25 months prior to the announcement of our acquisition of Activision-Blizzard,” said David Cuddy, General Manager of Public Affairs at Microsoft, in a statement sent to The Verge.

The email is part of a thread discussing the Xbox Game Pass business. Thanks to these emails, we know that Microsoft was considering reversing the idea of day-one releases on Game Pass in 2019, which Booty was not fond of.

Xbox Game Pass DOWNLOAD

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

From Game to Film: Spider-Man’s Antagonist Takes Center Stage, Igniting Community Discord

Kraven: The Hunter comes out with a very violent trailer that promises us an origin story for the villain of Spider-Man.

Spider-Man is one of the characters that brings more dividends to Sony’s coffers, so it should not surprise us that they want to exploit it to its ultimate consequences. With a whole universe of their own, full of heroes, villains and unlikely allies, they have a lifetime of movies and video games if they want to do so without always having to resort to the lovable neighbor who got bitten by a spider. They can also turn to some of the other important characters in their stories, such as Kraven the Hunter, the villain in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

playstation app DOWNLOAD

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, this movie will tell the story of Kraven’s origins before meeting Spider-Man. With the highest possible age rating, this promises us high doses of violence, something that is confirmed by a fast-paced trailer, bordering on gore in some particular scenes, where we are presented with a Kraven like we have never seen before.

A trailer that divides fans

This has left many people dissatisfied with the approach to the character. Fans of the comic were expecting an adaptation of the highly celebrated comic Kraven’s Last Hunt, where Kraven usurps Spider-Man’s identity after burying him alive in one of the most mythical stories of both characters. This discontent is not helped by the fact that this is an origin story that also seems to change who the character is. Gaining powers thanks to an encounter with a lion, presumably radioactive, this differs greatly from the character in the comics, who is simply a man of enormous hunting skills and professional ethics beyond any doubt. Something that has got some of the fandom up in arms.

That doesn’t detract from the fact that the trailer stands on its own as an interesting reinterpretation of the character concept. Closer to a modern supervillain, with a more stylized and thuggish Kraven, it seeks to create a more contemporary idea of this iconic villain.

Spider-Man is important to Sony

playstation app DOWNLOAD

Sony’s reasons for making this kind of move are clear. Even after the Morbius crash, both the Spider-Man video games and the Spider-Man movies are still doing very well. And if they don’t use the license, it would return to the hands of Marvel. Something they don’t want under any circumstances at Sony, which is why, to avoid saturating the market with Spider-Man titles, they make these kinds of spin-off productions, associated with the character in a roundabout way, to maintain the rights to the character without burning the brand in the process.

That’s why, whether fans and detractors like it or not, Kraven The Hunter is a logical move for Sony. Whether this trailer will materialize into a great movie, like Spider-Man: Crossing the Multiverse, a good-looking movie, like Venom, or an unmitigated disaster, like Morbius, is something we won’t know until its release on October 6. What is clear is that, as long as it continues to generate profits for Sony, they don’t plan to let go of a brand as prolific as Spider-Man.

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

The Xbox 360 Missed Out on Metal Gear Solid 4 Due to Physical Constraints

Metal Gear Solid 4 was able to come out on Xbox 360, but the limitations of DVD and the refusal to have multiple discs made it impossible.

Metal Gear Solid 4 has always been believed to be a PlayStation 3 exclusive due to the limitations of the Xbox 360, but it’s something that has never been proven. Until now. In “The Ultimate History of Video Games Vol 2” by Steven L. Kent, assistant producer Ryan Payton has stated that there was no exclusivity deal to make Metal Gear Solid 4 appear only on Sony’s console. The decision by Konami was solely based on the choice of disc format for the Microsoft console.

Playstation App DOWNLOAD

While Sony decided to fully embrace Blu-ray for the PlayStation 3 by including an integrated Blu-ray player in the console, Microsoft took a more cautious approach with the Xbox 360 by including a standard DVD drive and offering a separate HD DVD add-on. As we all know, the format war was ultimately won by Blu-ray, giving Sony the upper hand and positioning the PlayStation 3 as a multimedia platform in addition to a gaming console, thanks to its larger storage capacity compared to its competitors.

In fact, that’s exactly what happened with Metal Gear Solid 4. While a port was technically possible, it was not practical on a physical level. The PlayStation 3 games utilized Blu-ray discs with a capacity of up to 54 gigabytes, while the Xbox 360 DVDs could only hold up to 8.3 gigabytes. This would have required splitting the game across multiple discs, which Konami’s executives were not willing to do.

Additionally, there were individuals within the studio who had a strong preference for Sony and the PlayStation brand in general. This, combined with the technical limitations and the impracticality of creating a multi-disc version, made the port not only unfeasible but outright impossible. There was no one at Konami willing to fight that battle to bring the game to the Microsoft console.

Playstation App DOWNLOAD

That’s why, if it never materialized, it wasn’t due to any exclusivity contracts or pressure from Sony. It was simply due to the business decisions and preferences of the development studio. This is something that often plays a bigger role in such decisions than the money or deals that any industry giants may offer.

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

Sony breaks exclusivity barrier: Blockbuster PlayStation 5 game now available on PC

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart comes to PC, with a very close date and with the promise of putting our computers to the limit.

Sony has discovered that its main franchises perform well on PC. That’s why it shouldn’t surprise us that they are gradually making their way to PC, spacing out releases and taking advantage of their extensive catalog to deliver all the pending titles. The latest example of this is their recent announcement that the formerly exclusive Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be released on PC on July 26th.

Playstation DOWNLOAD

Originally released on June 11, 2021, for PlayStation 5, this game from Insomniac Games puts players in the shoes of one of Sony’s most iconic duos. Winning numerous industry awards, selling over a million copies in less than a month, and achieving a score of 88 on Metacritic, it is an outstanding game that showcased the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 5 while taking the gameplay of the franchise, a blend of 3D platforming and third-person shooter, to a new dimension. It’s worth noting that Sony itself claimed it was a PlayStation 5 exclusive due to the game’s reliance on an SSD, making it seemingly impossible to run without one.

This PC release will delight not only fans of the franchise but also anyone eager for a solid, visually stunning AAA game that dares to innovate with its mechanics and the technical possibilities of the new generation. While this console generation has yet to fully take off, and the potential of the new graphics cards along with it, we are confident that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, available on Steam and the Epic Games Store, will push your computer’s components to their limits.

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

Level Up Your Game Collection: PlayStation’s Days of Play 2023 Offers Unbeatable Video Game Discounts!

Days of Play arrives one more year on the eve of E3 at the hands of Sony to offer us the best discounts on PlayStation products.

In anticipation of E3—or rather, this year’s non-E3—Sony is launching a ten-day promotion called Days of Play. Spanning from June 2nd to June 12th, this promotion will feature discounts on PlayStation Plus subscriptions, merchandise, game deals, and DLCs for both PlayStation and PlayStation 5.

Playstation App DOWNLOAD

Many of these offers will be specifically concentrated on the PlayStation Direct store, which recently opened in our country. There, you can get a 15% discount on accessories and up to 40% off on select PlayStation 5 games when you use the code DOPSAVE15. Similarly, if you’re interested in Sony or franchise merchandise, you can get up to 20% off on products from the PlayStation Gear catalog with the code DAYSOFPLAY23.

Furthermore, as in previous years, there will be numerous discounts on games and DLCs in the PlayStation Store for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. This will also be the perfect time to renew or subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service. Notably, the twelve-month subscription to the service will have a 25% discount across all three levels (Essential, Extra, and Premium) for new and existing users alike. Additionally, if you already have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you’ll receive a 25% discount on the one-month, three-month, or twelve-month subscription when upgrading to a higher-tier plan.

Playstation App DOWNLOAD

That’s why if you own a PlayStation and have anything in mind to buy, this is the moment to dive right in. These enticing offers only come around once a year.

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

Unveiling the Hottest Titles: Anticipated Games Revealed at the 2023 PlayStation ShowCase

PlayStation Showcase is right around the corner and we’re making our predictions for the games we think are coming.

In a few days, Sony will hold its PlayStation Showcase, where they are expected to unveil what awaits us for the rest of the year and the near future. Therefore, it’s time to make predictions. With many games announced but without a release date, others merely rumored, and a few wild wishes, here’s what is most likely to be seen at the Showcase.

Playstation App DOWNLOAD

Bloodborne PC

We have been waiting for it for years. It has been rumored. It has always turned out to be false. But as hope dies last, when David Jaffe, the creator of God of War, stated that a PC version of Bloodborne is in development, we have decided to believe it. Because we want to play Bloodborne at 60FPS. Because we want to return to Yharnam. Because it would be nice to stop pestering about wanting Bloodborne to be released on PC, let’s be honest.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake

The rumors about a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 have been circulating for quite some time now. There is considerable evidence to suggest that it is indeed happening. Several influencers have hinted that something related to Metal Gear Solid will be announced at the Showcase. While it could all turn out to be mere speculation, we cannot deny that we would be thrilled if it were true. The anticipation is building, and if a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake is unveiled, it would undoubtedly generate significant excitement among fans.

Final Fantasy 16

If we’re talking about safe bets, it’s safe to say that Final Fantasy 16 will make an appearance. We’ve been inundated with trailers and previews, which can be exhausting, but it’s a good sign: it means they have confidence in the game. However, we still don’t have a launch trailer. This is the moment. If Sony doesn’t take the opportunity to showcase the latest trailer for Yoshi-P’s new project, the whole world will be left wondering where Final Fantasy 16 is.

The Last of Us Factions

Naughty Dog announced in June 2022 that they were working on a team-based multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe called The Last of Us Factions. Since then, we haven’t heard much about it, except for Neil Druckmann’s statement in March that this is the studio’s next big game and we should hear more about it later this year. Well, now it’s later this year, and the PlayStation Showcase is Sony’s major event. There’s no better stage to unveil an exclusive with as much weight for the company as a new The Last of Us game, especially after the success of the series.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

The MCU may not be at the peak of its popularity right now, even though it’s at the peak of its production, which is a different story in the gaming world. Marvel’s Spider-Man is a beloved game that has received critical acclaim and has been highly praised by the audience. Its sequel is scheduled for release in the fall of 2023. Now that we’re in summer, it’s time for them to announce a specific release date and showcase the game because we’re eager to swing back into action across the streets of Manhattan with our web-slinging abilities.

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

Exciting Lineup Revealed: Here are the June PS Plus Games to Anticipate

Like every month, PS Plus is loaded with games. And since there are rumors of a Showcase on the way, we are going to ask the beast.

As every month, we stop to think about what can come, what we want and what there is talk that can come to the PS Plus subscription. A Sony subscription that allows us to play online and save to the cloud, as well as giving us access to a multitude of games. Because with the moves this month, we can probably expect that Sony will decide to take advantage of the juncture to do a couple of interesting things.

PlayStation Now DOWNLOAD

In the month of May, we had a well-stocked catalog, particularly for those who subscribe to Extra and Premium. With a new release like Humanity, an excellent game that may go under the radar for many people, and great titles like Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and Watch Dogs: Legion, along with modern cult classics like Dishonored 2, the catalog is shaping up and increasingly justifying the subscription price. Even though Chivalry 2 and GRID Legends for PlayStation 5, and Descenders for PlayStation 4 among the monthly games weren’t the most standout games we’ve seen lately.

YA disponibles los nuevos juegos de MAYO #PlayStationPlus Extra y Premium?
?Disfruta de #Humanity de lanzamiento
?#RatchetAndClank Una Dimensión Aparte
?️#WatchDogsLegion
?️#Dishonored2
Y clásicos como #SyphonFilter: Logan’s Shadow y #BladeDancer ?? https://t.co/YSBXowesJo pic.twitter.com/Ym54Rgfo8m
— PlayStation Plus España (@PSPlusES) May 16, 2023

Having recapped the past, it’s time to speculate. What can we expect from the month of June on Sony’s console? To anticipate, three games for the Essential tier, along with a handful of titles for Extra and Premium.

However, the titles should be announced on May 31st. Now, if the rumors are true and there will be a Sony PlayStation Showcase before the end of the month, it’s expected that they will announce the titles at this event, similar to how they do with State of Play. In any case, the games will become available on June 6th.

The June 2023 PS Plus Essential games we are waiting for

Immortal: Fenyx Rising

Right now, everyone is talking about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Sony can either try to fight against the current or try to leverage it and turn it in their favor. If they choose the latter, they have an easy solution: they just need to gift this amazing Ubisoft game with their Essential subscription.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is a game developed by Ubisoft Quebec that takes us to a more humorous version of classical Greece, where the gods exist and the terrible titan Typhon has escaped from the Underworld. A young protagonist named Fenyx must save her brother by stopping Typhon. Heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this open-world game is charming, fun, and humorous. Although it may not be as revolutionary as the game it draws inspiration from, it is a delightful game that will please anyone who wants more of Breath of the Wild but may not be convinced or able to afford Tears of the Kingdom.

The Last of Us Part I

Not everything HBO touches becomes a success, but it certainly acquires a prestigious aura that sparks discussions. The Last of Us didn’t need that prestigious halo since it had it from the beginning, but undoubtedly, the HBO involvement has generated buzz beyond the gaming circles. It presents a good opportunity for Sony to complete the circle, especially now that the PlayStation Plus Collection is no longer available and The Last of Us Remastered is no longer accessible.

The Last of Us Part I doesn’t require an introduction. As a remake of the original game and the third iteration following The Last of Us for PlayStation 3 and The Last of Us Remastered for PlayStation 4, it’s a perfect candidate as a PlayStation 5 exclusive with a lot of prestige. It could be a bombshell announcement for that hypothetical PlayStation Showcase when they discuss PS Plus. Sony has a chance to make a significant impact, just as Felipe II did in his time.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

To close with a wild card, there’s nothing like making an unexpected move. Betting on something that nobody sees coming. Let’s say they’re going to give away Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc.

Why Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc? Because it’s a great game that recently left Game Pass. Because Master Detective Archive: Rain Code, a game from the same creators, is releasing at the end of June. These reasons are more than enough to predict that it will be one of the games for the month of June. It would be a smart move for both Sony and its developers, Spike Chunsoft and Too Kyo Games, as it would give a boost to their upcoming game.

Games that could be coming to PS Plus Extra and Premium by May 2023

As always, trying to predict the Extra and Premium games for PS Plus is nearly impossible. There are many games from various platforms, making it almost utopian to guess accurately. However, let’s suggest some games that we believe could potentially be included, trying not to rely solely on personal preferences:

PS5: FIFA 23
PS4: Monster Hunter World and Battlefield 1
PS3: Braid
PSP: Wipeout Pure
PS2: The Simpsons: Hit & Run and Bully
PS1: Twisted Metal

PlayStation Now DOWNLOAD

Some of the links added in the article are part of affiliate campaigns and may represent benefits for Softonic.

New year, new PS4? You need these essential games for 2020

Check out all the must have essential games you need for PS4.

The PS4 and PS4 Pro are amazing games consoles. Graphics are so good now and games so massive that you can easily lose yourself in hundreds of hours of play per game. That’s just it though, at the end of the day all those graphics chips and processors, and all that system memory is nothing without the games. If all you have is the PS4, you don’t actually have anything at all.

Today, we’re going to walk you through all the must have PS4 games you need to get your hands on. We’ve action, strategy, sports, and many other types of adrenaline fueled and cranium stimulating interactive entertainment. These are the games you need, if you’re to let your new PlayStation 4 reach its true potential.

Best PS4 games 2020

Marvel’s Spider-Man

The first game in our list is a superhero game because, well, that’s just the world we live in now. Marvel’s Spiderman is the best Spiderman game to come out since Spider-Man 2 on that most classic of Nintendo consoles, the GameCube. This game really gives you a great idea of what it would be like to swing through New York as Peter Parker’s alter ego and, let’s face it, that should be what all Spiderman games are about. On top of that, the fighting mechanics are lots of fun, a bit similar to those of the Batman Arkham series, and the slow burner of a story really does end with a bang. Do yourself a favor and get this game.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar don’t make many games these days. The games they do make, however, take the world by storm, which is exactly what Red Dead Redemption 2 did in 2018 and is still doing now. The open world RPG Wild West action looks beautiful and sees you riding with a gang of outlaws as the world of the old West falls apart around you. RDR2 is a truly beautiful game and at times feels more like a movie than a game. There is now a vibrant multiplayer world to explore too. In other words, it’s an absolute treat.

GTA V

We really don’t have to say too much about Grand Theft Auto V. If you have a PS4, you probably already know all about, what could possibly be, the biggest video game of all time. The fifth game in the GTA series sees you playing as three different characters as you drive, steel, and fight your way to the top of the Los Santos underworld. This game has it all so if you want it all, get this game.

God of War

Sony’s God of War series has spanned three different generations of PlayStation console and the latest installment almost feels like a new approach to the established way God of War has always done things. Even though Kratos is still the angry brute you’d expect him to be, there is a much more cerebral feel to the game with challenging puzzles always testing you and smart dialogue betraying a brain behind the brawn. God of War is a PS4 exclusive and looks stunning too, which is just two more reasons why you need it.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

Call of Duty could be described as the definitive first-person shooter franchise. It has been around for years and when the original Modern Warfare first burst onto the scene it was indisputably the best FPS action game around. A rough patch from the series, however, and a resurgence of the impressive Battlefield franchise saw this position threatened, but last year’s Modern Warfare reboot really did mark a return to form.

FIFA 20

There used to be a time when FIFA wasn’t the dominant soccer game on the planet and Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer series reigned supreme. That time is no more, and FIFA 20 is the latest in a long line of soccer games that have been the best in the world. FIFA 20 looks amazing, is lots of fun to play, and has some fantastic game modes to draw you in beyond the basic match day simulator.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Another game that looks incredible is Guerilla Game’s Horizon Zero Dawn, which is bit like a mix between Jurassic Park and Transformers. I have to say though, that my rather crude description of this game doesn’t do it justice. This adventure game is massive, and its game world is rich with challenges to master and side quests to experience. Horizon Zero Dawn is essential because simply put, it is one of the best games ever made.

Shadow of the Colossus

Shadow of the Colossus is a remastered PS2 game that now packs a HDR supported 4K punch. In short, it looks truly beautiful and brings with it a unique gameplay experience that can’t be replicated in any other game or on any other console. That’s what makes Shadow of the Colossus a must-have game. It will take you to places other games can’t and will stay with you long after you’ve stopped playing.

Titanfall 2

Titanfall 2 is the sequel to a game that was never actually released on the PlayStation. The good news for all PS4 owners, however, is that the sequel is better than the original in almost every conceivable way. The FPS action Titanfall 2 offers is some of the best that’s ever been created and the mech-like Titans that you pilot, as well as fighting on foot, bring something fresh to the experience too. On top of that, the Titanfall 2 single player campaign is one of the best we’ve ever played.

What Remains of Edith Finch

The final game to make our list of essential PlayStation 4 games is about emotion. What Remains of Edith Finch is a powerful game that sees you exploring the main character’s family home and unlocking her family’s history. Every new discovery will have you feeling something different and by the end you’ll be completely refreshed and feel truly exhilarated. This is a magical game that you really shouldn’t miss.

Wrapping up

OK, so this list has missed out a few classics like Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 7, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Nier: Automata, and The Last of Us; but we feel that a list of essential games needs to have its limits. The games we’ve laid out above will leave you feeling fulfilled by your PlayStation yet hungry for more.

Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony to require games to disclose loot box odds

Loot box rates will be disclosed in all Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo games from now on.

After entering my credit card info, I opened up my loot box in hopes of getting a cool, new skin for my character. After the shimmering box finally opens, a bunch of junk falls out. I then repeat the process 10 more times as my checking account dwindles and dwindles.

If this sounds familiar, you’re probably not a fan of loot boxes either.

Luckily, it seems like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony have gotten that memo. Starting in 2020, every game published on a Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony console has to disclose its loot box drop rates. Now, players can at least see their actual chances of scoring decent loot before entering their credit card information.

Also, several video game publishers have agreed to disclose their loot box drop rates in all of their games regardless of the publisher. These include:

Activision Blizzard
Bandai Namco
Bethesda
Bungie
EA
Take-Two Interactive
Ubisoft
Warner Bros.
Wizards of the Coast

This has all been a part of a new initiative from the Entertainment Software Association and the Federal Trade Commission.

Belgium outlaws paid loot boxes

REad now ►

What is the issue with loot boxes?

Back in the day, unlockables were obtained by, well, unlocking them through in-game challenges. Also, if they came out after the game’s release, you would just purchase them as DLC without having to jump through any hoops. However, it seems that nowadays,Sur the name of the game is loot boxes. Game developers have realized that instead of doing the extra work of making in-game challenges, they could make more money by making players purchase loot box after loot box.

A loot box is a relatively new mechanic in games where players spend real-world money on boxes that have the potential to give them rare items. Although there were loot-box-like features in games in the mid-2000s, the loot boxes we know today have mainly been inspired by Overwatch.

Overwatch Download now ►

Loot boxes always drop some loot, but most of what you’ll get is junk. It’s a lot like if buying a pack of trading cards.

What are the real dangers?

Since we first saw them enter the world of gaming, loot boxes have left a bit of a sour taste in our mouth. The potential to get cool gear in our favorite games is great, but dishing out real-world money for a chance to get the better loot came has come off as gambling.

A recent article from The Verge dove into the harsh realities of loot boxes. In the article, one gamer said that their loot box gambling addiction lead to about $10,000 in spending.

The Game Theorists also created a video discussing the science behind why buying loot boxes is so addictive. Basically, every time we invest more time and money into buying loot boxes, our brains are telling us that it would be a bigger loss to stop buying them rather than keep going. This is quite similar to what most gambling addicts suffer through.

Wrapping up

Regardless of whether you think loot boxes are good or bad for the gaming industry, the fact remains that knowing the rates of which rare items are dropped will be nice. If we see that we have a 1 in 10,000 chance to get a new skin in a $3 loot box, it’s going to be a pretty easy decision to give it a pass.

Beat the heat with Sony’s wearable air conditioner

In the future, you can be cool anywhere.

If you haven’t even wanted to step outside this summer, you’re not alone. It was the hottest June in Europe and July was the hottest month ever recorded on the planet.

Mussels are cooking in their shells, Britain had its hottest day on record, and manure is literally exploding and starting wildfires. It’s not a worldwide solution for climate change, but there is a little project in the works that’s aiming to cool you off a little. You might be surprised who’s behind it!

France Eiffel Tower summer heatwave — ‘La chaleur est la morte’ on France’s hottest day.

Sony is mostly known for their electronics, entertainment, and their weird mutual contract with Marvel regarding the rights to Spider-Man. We’ll be honest, we weren’t expecting a heatwave solution to come from them, but we got one, in the form of a wearable air condition chip. That’s right – this techwear slips right into your clothing and lets you cool yourself off on the fly. (It heats up during winter, too!)

5 apps to help you reduce your carbon footprint

read now ►

Reon Pocket

The device is called the Reon Pocket and astonishingly has already succeeded in its crowd-funding campaign (probably thanks to this summer’s record temperatures). It’s a lightweight gadget about the size of a credit card and it slips right beneath the collar of your shirt.

From there it’s controlled via an app on your smartphone, and can reportedly lower body temperatures by 30 degrees. Even better, Sony alleges that the Reon Pocket will be sold for about $117, a price we’d be more than happy to pay if the thing works as well as they claim.

Reon Pocket air condition Japan Sony techwear — Slip the device right into the back of your shirt. Control it with an app.

If you’re already getting out your wallet, let us stop you real quick; it’s time for the bad news. To start, the device isn’t available just yet, and likely won’t drop until 2020.

Sony also plans to first launch the product in Japan, so unless you’re planning to get one imported (or you happen to live in Japan!) you’ll have to wait even longer.

Fight back against climate change by switching your search engine

read now ►

There are also some questions regarding battery life (the Reon Pocket is estimated to last just under two hours), so there are still some kinks to work out before we give the device our recommendation.

Still, the thought of walking outside and being able to adjust how hot it feels on the fly sounds awfully enticing. These days it’s a borderline super power.

For those of us braving the heat every day, 2020 is still a long ways off, but we’ll be keeping tabs on the Reon Pocket so that you don’t have to! Stay cool and stick with Softonic!