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Are the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Starters Shiny Locked?

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Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, the latest entries in the beloved Pokemon franchise, have carried on the recent trend of including certain Pokemon that cannot be found in their Shiny forms, potentially leading to players spending valuable hours in vain attempts. This article aims to provide an exhaustive guide on obtaining Shiny starter Pokemon in the picturesque Paldea region​​.

With Pokemon Scarlet & Violet having been available for an extended period, numerous players have embarked on thorough explorations of the expansive Paldea region. After wrapping up the central storyline, a significant number of these trainers set their sights on the exciting task of Shiny hunting, a practice that has become increasingly accessible due to the introduction of innovative Shiny mechanics​​.

It’s worth noting that Shiny hunting in the world of Pokemon has evolved significantly over the generations. Past titles offered a variety of methods for players to hunt these coveted creatures, ranging from chaining rare encounters in Sword & Shield, tracking down Mass Outbreaks in Legends: Arceus, to soft resetting Legendary and Starter encounters in earlier installments for an opportunity to embark on an adventure or secure a uniquely colored companion​​.

Are the Paldean Starter Pokemon Shiny Locked in Scarlet & Violet?

However, the introduction of “Shiny Locks” in more recent Pokemon games has sparked curiosity among both new and seasoned fans. They’ve been left wondering if Pokemon Scarlet & Violet would maintain this trend, applying Shiny Locks to select species such as Starter, Legendary, and Mythical Pokemon. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for trainers seeking to acquire Shiny versions of the Gen 9 starters​​.

Regrettably, the ninth-generation starter Pokemon – Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly – are confirmed to be Shiny locked in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet​​.

In earlier Pokemon games, players could employ a strategy of repeatedly soft resetting in hopes of obtaining a Shiny starter. However, recent iterations have seen this possibility removed, likely due to the increasing number of cutscenes at the commencement of the games, alongside a desire to motivate players to dive into the gameplay rather than endlessly chase the long-shot odds of a Shiny starter​​.

That being said, all hope is not lost for those aspiring to obtain a Shiny Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly. Players can still breed these Shiny starters later in the game, a task made simpler by capturing a Ditto. Although this isn’t quite the same thrill as beginning the game with a Shiny companion, it provides an engaging challenge once the breeding feature is accessible in the game​​.

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Niantic Lays Off 230 Employees, Closes Studio as New Projects Fail to Deliver Revenue

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In a bold strategic shift, Niantic, the renowned developer behind the globally popular game Pokémon Go, has decided to focus more intently on its flagship offering. This decision comes after an extensive period of growth and diversification that saw the company spread its resources thin across multiple projects. The company now embarks on a path of doing less, but better, with an emphasis on strengthening and growing Pokémon Go​​.

Job cuts of 230 represent a fourth of the company’s staff

In an official announcement, Niantic’s CEO, John Hanke, confirmed that 230 employees are being let go as part of the company’s restructuring plan. Moreover, Niantic’s Los Angeles studio is set to close, further symbolizing the company’s new direction. The changes also affect the gaming portfolio, with NBA All-World being discontinued just half a year after its global launch and the anticipated Marvel: World of Heroes project being axed​​.

The move towards a leaner operation is an acknowledgment by Niantic of the competitive nature of the mobile gaming market. It’s not the first time the company has withdrawn support from one of its games, but this marks a significant change, driven by the need to narrow its focus following an aggressive expansion phase in 2020​​.

John Hanke explained the rationale behind the restructuring, pointing to the company’s aggressive growth strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Niantic expanded its team and incurred increased expenses to support its growth. However, the return to pre-COVID revenue levels and the underperformance of new projects necessitated a change. The aim now is to align expenses with revenue while preserving the company’s core assets and ensuring long-term growth​​.

Despite leveraging high-profile properties like NBA and Marvel for its augmented reality (AR) games, Niantic experienced setbacks. The company has now refocused its efforts on a smaller number of games, aiming to achieve success based on user retention, revenue, and profitability metrics​​.

Pokémon Go remains Niantic’s top priority, with the company intent on maintaining its status as a “forever game” that continues to attract and retain players over a long period​1​. This renewed focus is expected to benefit the upcoming Pokémon Go Fest 2023, although the company acknowledges that it needs to rebuild trust with large segments of the gaming community dissatisfied with recent decisions​.

While the restructuring sees a narrowing of focus, Niantic continues to fully support Pikmin Bloom, Peridot, and Monster Hunter Now. However, the company recognises that substantial work is required to ensure the longevity of these titles. It remains to be seen how Niantic’s new “direct and results-based culture” will impact the player experience and the future trajectory of the company​​.

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Valorant Console Tests Start Soon: New Job Posting Confirms Progress

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Riot Games, the developer behind the popular FPS game VALORANT, seems to be accelerating its plans to bring the game to console platforms​​. With a new job posting for an Associate Console Playtest Analyst, it is evident that the next stage of development is on the horizon​​.

VALORANT’s potential move to console platforms has been a topic of keen interest. By expanding to console, the game could reach hundreds of thousands of new FPS players. Although there is no official release date yet, Riot’s active recruitment to aid the console port indicates an accelerated timeline for the console version​.

Valorant Console Version: New Job Posting Signals Imminent Release

The recent job posting hints that the console version of VALORANT is nearing its testing phase. Riot is searching for an individual with significant console FPS experience, a deep understanding of VALORANT’s gameplay, and a current ranking of Immortal or higher. This move signifies a serious push towards perfecting the console experience for players​.

This isn’t the first time Riot has shown interest in expanding VALORANT to console platforms. The company previously sought to hire a Senior Game Designer and a Game Design Manager with a focus on console game products back in November 2022​​.

The console release of VALORANT would enable Riot to compete with other similar games such as Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends that have strong console player bases. Currently, there are indications that VALORANT could be available for Xbox and PlayStation. This was inferred from new icons for PlayStation and Xbox controls that Riot added to the game files in August 2022​​.

There is still speculation over whether Riot will introduce crossplay to VALORANT, a feature that allows PC and console players to play together. This feature has been successfully implemented by Blizzard for Overwatch and Respawn for Apex Legends​​.

As we wait for the console release, PC players can continue to enjoy VALORANT’s latest Episode Seven, featuring a new agent deadlock, game mode, and progression system. So, if you’re looking forward to the console launch, keep honing your skills on the PC version in the meantime​.

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Future Racer 2000: Lore & Ending Explained

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In the midst of the unprecedented global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Future Racer 2000 emerged as an intriguing and surreal gaming experience. This peculiar video game, set against the backdrop of a parasitic outbreak, offered an escape from the mundanity of quarantine, albeit a strange one​​.

The premise of Future Racer 2000 is simple yet bizarre. Players find themselves trapped in an apartment, with the outside world purportedly infested with a mysterious parasite, Eremnomyces. Amidst the tedium of lockdown, an unexpected call from the Census Business presents an offer of a free gift. Despite the ominous circumstances, the choice of a new video game, Future Racer 2000, is a tempting diversion​.

However, the game’s delivery raises questions about the integrity of the quarantine, and a series of unsettling events begin to unfold. Coupled with the strange aesthetic of the game’s packaging and its potential surveillance capabilities, players are drawn into an eerie narrative that blurs the line between reality and the digital world​​.

Further adding to the suspense is the fate of the player’s friend, Henry. After receiving a disturbing message suggesting an encounter with his deceased mother, Henry’s fate remains enigmatic, raising speculations about the effects of the Eremnomyces parasite​.

As players delve deeper into Future Racer 2000, the true horror of the situation begins to manifest. The game’s final stages introduce the ability to perceive through the parasite’s vision, leading to a tense exploration through an infested building. The narrative takes a twisted turn, culminating in the transformation of the player’s apartment into the likeness of Future Racer’s packaging​​.

Analyzing the game’s intricate narrative suggests that Future Racer 2000 might have been a ploy by the Census Business to disseminate the Eremnomyces parasite. The game’s packaging, with its camera-like eyes and oceanic smell, could be the source of the parasite. The infection appears to be an internal phenomenon, with residents being manipulated into believing that the threat lies outside their homes. As the infection progresses, the symptoms include loss of time, vivid dreams, hallucinations, and eventually blindness. In its advanced stages, Eremnomyces replicates human form and language but fails to mimic human behavior accurately​.

In essence, Future Racer 2000 serves as a stark reminder of the uncertain times we live in, with the overarching message being to question everything we’re told and remember that nothing comes free. This game, with its intriguing narrative and enigmatic ending, serves as a chilling metaphor for the human experience in times of crisis.

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Is Minecraft subreddit shutting down? Find Out Here

In the ever-evolving digital landscape of 2023, Reddit has been a platform undergoing significant changes. A ripple effect of these changes has now reached the Minecraft community, particularly its active subreddit​​.

Reddit began the year with major shifts, leading to a widespread boycott by multiple subreddits. These actions were in response to planned alterations to the Reddit API, causing many popular pages to shut down temporarily. They refused to reengage until Reddit made adjustments to these proposed changes. The boycott finally concluded in mid-June when a leaked memo exposed the developers’ resolve to proceed with the changes despite the protests​.

One of the subreddits caught in this wave of changes was the primary Minecraft subreddit. The developers posted a statement on the platform, indicating their decision to withdraw from the page. They mentioned, “we no longer feel that Reddit is an appropriate place to post official content or refer our players to.” This statement sparked a flurry of questions and concerns among the community, the most prominent being: Is the Minecraft subreddit shutting down?​​.

Despite the initial panic, the Minecraft subreddit is not shutting down. The developers’ statement indicates a change in their engagement on the platform rather than a complete closure. According to the post, Mojang, the team behind Minecraft, will no longer be posting “official content” or engaging with players as they used to on this platform. Instead, they will be stepping back from the subreddit, marking a significant shift in how they interact with their player base​​.

The developers’ departure from the subreddit doesn’t mean the end of community activities. Players are still free to post and engage on the page as they did before. They can continue their discussions, share insights, and even post unofficial update threads. The only difference is that these activities will now take place without the official input or additions from Mojang​.

In essence, the Minecraft subreddit remains an active space for the game’s community. Despite the developers’ withdrawal, the subreddit continues to thrive as a hub for player interactions and discussions. This change underscores the power of community-driven platforms and the resilience of the Minecraft player base in the face of evolving digital landscapes.

The unfolding of these events provides a fascinating look into the dynamic between game developers and their communities, particularly in the context of broader platform changes. As Reddit continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other subreddits navigate these waters and what new forms of engagement emerge in the process.

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PewDiePie Takes YouTube Break to Prepare for Baby’s Arrival

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YouTube sensation Felix ‘PewDiePie’ Kjellberg is taking a break from his usual content creation duties, with the arrival of his first child drawing near​​. Earlier this year, in February 2023, PewDiePie and his wife Marzia Kjellberg shared the delightful news of expecting their first child, a joyous announcement that was met with excitement from fans worldwide​.

This familial milestone follows the couple’s move from the United Kingdom to Japan, a decision made after the purchase of a house in the country and prompted by the global health situation​​. As Marzia’s due date in July 2023 approaches, PewDiePie has decided to take a temporary hiatus from creating YouTube content, allowing him to prepare for this new chapter of their lives​​.

The announcement of this hiatus was shared in a vlog posted on June 29, 2023. During the vlog, PewDiePie expressed his excitement and anticipation, saying, “It’s getting very close now. Very close to becoming a dad. I’m very, very, very excited. I don’t know what it’s gonna be like. I don’t know if I’ll have time to make videos. Is it gonna be chaos? I don’t know”​​.

He further addressed his fans, thanking them for their support and expressing happiness in being able to share a part of their lives through his vlogs. However, for the foreseeable future, he anticipates a brief pause in content creation until they adjust to their new roles as parents​​.

As the couple prepares to welcome their baby, fans worldwide are showering them with well-wishes. The baby’s gender, still undisclosed, has been a point of speculation among the fanbase. Certain clues on the couple’s social media pages, along with blue baby clothes seen on Marzia’s Instagram, have led many fans to believe that the couple is expecting a boy. Regardless, the mystery remains unsolved, adding to the anticipation​.

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New VALORANT Bug Makes Viper’s Abilities Completely Useless

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In the wake of the introduction of new content in Valorant’s Episode Seven on June 27, a series of unexpected and notorious bugs have surfaced, causing major disruptions to gameplay. One bug, in particular, that has been causing significant concern renders three abilities of the character Viper ineffective for the entirety of a match. This bug has yet to be addressed, much to the chagrin of Viper mains​​.

Viper, a formidable controller agent in the Valorant line-up of 22 agents, has a distinctive capacity to temporarily diminish her enemies’ health. This is primarily due to the Decay status effect of her Poison Cloud, Toxic Screen, and Pit abilities. Despite numerous nerfs over the years, the Decay effect of Viper’s abilities has maintained its potency, making her smokes an optimal choice for site control​​.

The bug identified in Episode Seven has the potential to entirely nullify the Decay effect for players. As a result, these players do not need to concern themselves with the Decay effect from Poison Cloud, Toxic Screen, and Viper’s Pit throughout the game. This bug can be replicated if a player, regardless of their chosen agent, perishes in an area where ally and enemy Viper’s ultimates overlap, after which they will become immune to any decay damage from Viper’s abilities​.

How to Exploit the New VALORANT Bug That Makes Viper’s Abilities Useless

To demonstrate the bug effectively, the presence of Viper on both teams is necessary. Both Vipers would need to deploy their ultimates, namely Viper’s Pit, in a way that they overlap each other.

However, the bug is not easy to replicate in a competitive or unrated match due to the numerous prerequisites. In most instances, players would not be able to deploy their ultimates in the same round or at the same location. Furthermore, Viper’s Pit requires eight ult points, which means that players would typically only be able to use their pit a maximum of two times in a match’s half. Despite the challenges in recreating the bug, if it does occur, the player who becomes immune can exploit it to gain an unfair advantage in winning the match​.

The Viper’s Pit bug is not the only concern. Another game-altering bug linked to the aggressive scientist character is forcing players to endure permanent decay damage, leaving them to play at one health point for an entire round. Several players have reported being affected by this bug, although it has not been possible to replicate it in a custom match​.

These bugs came to light immediately after the launch of Episode Seven, which introduced Valorant’s fifth sentinel agent, an alternate game mode, a new battle pass, and more.

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What is Overpower Damage in Diablo 4?

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In the thrilling world of Diablo IV, your survival and success are largely dictated by your ability to deal significant damage to the relentless waves of enemies you encounter. One such way to enhance your damage output is by utilizing the unique game mechanic known as Overpower Damage. Understanding this concept and mastering its activation is crucial for any player striving to dominate in the game.

How to Activate Overpower Damage in Diablo 4

Overpower Damage in Diablo IV is not your standard damage type. Unlike the familiar Critical Damage, Overpower Damage offers a different approach to dealing extra damage to your adversaries. When activated, Overpower Damage increases the bonus damage of a single attack against enemies, allowing your character to deliver more impactful blows. This applies to almost all skills, except for passive abilities, channeled skills, and damage over time, which are not influenced by Overpower Damage​​.

The potency of Overpower Damage in Diablo IV doesn’t stop there. Once activated, it scales with two key attributes: Fortify and Life stats. This scaling begins from a base of 50% and can escalate up to a maximum of 150%, offering a significant boost to your damage output​​.

In the heat of battle, you can identify Overpower Damage by the blue-green numbers that appear on the screen. This is a visual cue showing the type of damage you are currently inflicting on your enemies​​. For players seeking to further optimize their damage, Overpower Damage can be combined with Critical Damage. This combination manifests as orange numbers on the screen during combat​.

But how can you activate this powerful mechanic? It’s important to note that Overpower Damage activation is not as straightforward as pressing a button. It has an inherent activation rate of 3%, adding an element of randomness to its occurrence. It’s still uncertain whether this activation rate will remain the same in the final version of the game or if it’s specific to the beta version​.

Despite the randomness, there are steps you can take to potentially increase the chances of Overpower Damage activation. The key lies in persistent combat. By continuously engaging in fights, you increase your chances of activating this damage type. Additionally, exploring different classes and their stat upgrades can provide further opportunities. Some stat upgrades may have specific interactions with Overpower Damage, and in some cases, they may even guarantee its activation. By strategically choosing your class and stat upgrades, you can create a robust build designed to maximize Overpower Damage and enhance your overall damage output​​.

In Diablo IV, the power to deal devastating damage lies in understanding and mastering game mechanics like Overpower Damage. By leveraging this knowledge, players can turn the tide of battle in their favor, making their journey through the game’s challenging world a triumphant one.

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Valorant Replay System Coming in 2023, Leaker Claims

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Exciting news for Valorant players! A much-anticipated replay tool is on the horizon and expected to release sometime in the upcoming year. This news comes from a well-respected leaker in the Valorant community, who has been consistent with accurate information about the game’s developments​​.

Valorant Replay System: When Will It Be Released?

Ever since Valorant hit the gaming scene, both casual and professional players have been clamoring for the introduction of a replay system. The demand centers around a system comparable to that of CS:GO, where players can download a recording of their match and scrutinize it from any viewpoint. This capability could potentially revolutionize the way players analyze their gameplay. By reviewing their matches, players can identify and rectify their mistakes, understand opponents’ strategies, and breakdown their victories and defeats for better strategic planning​​.

The buzz around the replay tool resurfaced when, on June 28, during a Valorant launch event in China, an exclusive built-in recording tool was unveiled for local players. However, it was clarified that this tool is still a work in progress for the main Valorant client, and the final version will differ from the one used in China​​.

This piece of information sparked excitement in the Valorant community. In response to a comment from 100 Thieves’ head coach Sean Gares, who expressed his enthusiasm for the teased recording system, the leaker confirmed that the replay system is still under development. They further mentioned that players should expect the introduction of this feature “early next year or later on”​.

Interestingly, the leaker compared China’s system to Overwolf, a popular application that lets players use in-game overlays and record their own gameplay through third-party applications. However, it’s worth noting that current applications like Overwolf do not offer the capability to record matches and replay them from different perspectives, limiting players to only record from their viewpoint​​.

The last time Valorant fans received an update about the replay system was back in January when Anna Dolan, the Executive Producer of Valorant, teased the feature in a tweet​. This recent leak has reignited the anticipation among fans and players alike.

The prospect of a Valorant replay tool has stirred the gaming community. Once implemented, it is expected to change the game’s landscape, offering players a powerful tool to review and learn from their gameplay. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the world of Valorant!

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M0NESY’s CS:GO Settings: Crosshair, Mouse, and Viewmodel

In the world of esports, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) holds a special place, and among the game’s elite players, Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov stands tall. As part of the G2 Esports team, m0NESY has left a significant impact on the global stage, with a performance that continues to turn heads​​.

With his robust AWP skills and his ability to carry the game often single-handedly, m0NESY contributes significantly to G2 being one of the strongest teams in 2023. Despite occasional setbacks, m0NESY maintains impressive stats, including a 1.49 rating at the Challengers Stage of the French Major and consistently achieving a rating above 1.0 in all events since joining G2​​.

So, what’s his secret? It could lie in his choice of settings, crosshair, and viewmodel configurations in CS:GO. Let’s take a closer look at these settings.

How to Set Up Your CS:GO Like M0NESY

M0NESY Video Settings

Monitor and mouse settings can be critical to a player’s performance. m0NESY prefers a resolution of 1280×960, with 4:3 texture quality and a stretched scaling mode. He plays at 240Hz on a Zowie XL2546K monitor.

His video settings include computer monitor color mode, brightness at 110 percent, fullscreen display mode, and high global shadow quality. To ensure smooth gameplay, m0NESY uses a MSI GeForce RTX 3080 TI Suprim X​.

Color ModeComputer Monitor
Brightness110 percent
Display ModeFullscreen
Global Shadow QualityHigh
Model/Texture DetailLow
Texture StreamingDisabled
Effect DetailLow
Shadow DetailLow
Boost Player ContrastDisabled
Multicore RenderingEnabled
Multisampling Anti-Aliasing Mode8x MSAA
FXAA Anti-AliasingDisabled
Texture Filtering ModeBilinear
Wait for Vertical SyncDisabled
Motion BlurDisabled
Triple-Monitor ModeDisabled
Use Uber ShadersDisabled

M0NESY Mouse & Video Settings

M0NESY mouse settings include a DPI of 400, sensitivity of 2.00, and a Logitech G PRO X Superlight Red mouse with no acceleration​.

M0NESY Crosshair Settings

cl_crosshair_drawoutline 0; cl_crosshairalpha 253; cl_crosshaircolor 2; cl_crosshaircolor_b 255; cl_crosshaircolor_g 255; cl_crosshaircolor_r 255; cl_crosshairdot 0; cl_crosshairgap -3; cl_crosshairsize 2; cl_crosshairstyle 4; cl_crosshairthickness 0; cl_crosshair_sniper_width 1;

To use these settings, players can copy and paste this text into their CS:GO console​​.

M0NESY Viewmodel

The viewmodel settings m0NESY uses include: fov 68; offset_x 2.5; offset_y 0; offset_z -1.5; presetpos 3; shift_left_amt 1.5; shift_right_amt 0.75; recoil 0; righthand 1​1​.

M0NESY CL_BOB

For the CL_BOB settings, m0NESY uses: lower_amt 21; bobamt_lat 0.33; bobamt_vert 0.14; bobcycle 0.98​.

M0NESY Launch Options

The launch options m0NESY prefers are: -freq 240 -novid -tickrate 128 +rate 786432 -console +cl_interp_ratio 1​​.

By understanding and implementing these settings, aspiring CS:GO players can get a taste of m0NESY’s gameplay experience and potentially improve their performance. However, remember that settings are highly personal and should be adjusted to individual comfort and playstyle. Happy gaming!