Pocket Pair, a game developer based in Japan, has recently made headlines after announcing that they will be providing an Elden Ring holiday to all of their employees. In a tweet, the company stated, "Pocket Pair will provide an Elden holiday to all employees. The King of Elde does not have to go to work on Friday and Monday." This means that their employees will be given paid leave on both last Friday and the upcoming Monday specifically to play Elden Ring.
This move by Pocket Pair is certainly an interesting one. It's not uncommon for employers to provide paid time off for holidays, but it's quite rare for a company to give dedicated time off for the sole purpose of playing a video game. This decision reflects the popularity and anticipation surrounding Elden Ring, the highly anticipated action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware in collaboration with George R.R. Martin.
Elden Ring has generated significant buzz since its announcement during E3 2019. The game is set in a vast open world and is expected to feature the challenging gameplay and dark fantasy elements that FromSoftware is known for. With such high expectations from fans and critics alike, it's no wonder that Pocket Pair has decided to give their employees the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the game.
Providing the Elden Ring holiday not only shows that Pocket Pair values the well-being and happiness of their employees, but it also recognizes the impact that video games can have on the gaming community. Many gamers, especially those who work in the gaming industry, eagerly await the release of new titles and often devote a significant amount of time and energy to playing them.
This decision by Pocket Pair is reminiscent of the famous Blizzard Entertainment tradition known as "Blizzard Time." During the development of their highly successful games, such as World of Warcraft, employees were given dedicated time off to play and test the game. This allowed the developers to gain valuable feedback and further refine their creations. While the Elden Ring holiday may not have the same direct impact on game development, it still serves as a recognition of the importance of gaming culture within the industry.
Furthermore, providing paid time off to play Elden Ring also helps to create a positive work-life balance for employees. The gaming industry is notorious for its long hours and demanding schedules. By allowing their employees to take dedicated time off for leisure activities, employers like Pocket Pair can promote employee well-being and prevent burnout.
It will be interesting to see how other game developers and companies within the industry respond to Pocket Pair's Elden Ring holiday. Could this move potentially spark a new trend in the industry? Will other studios follow suit and provide similar opportunities for their employees to fully enjoy highly anticipated games? Only time will tell.
In disappointing news for Super Smash Bros. fans, it has been announced that the popular fighting game will not be making a return appearance at Evo 2022. This announcement came through a tweet from the official Evo Twitter account, which read, "Please join us March 8 at 5 p.m. PST on twitch.tv/evo for the Evo 2022 announcement show. While we're thankful for all the amazing games joining us later this year in Las Vegas, we want to let you know in advance that Super Smash Bros. will not be making a return appearance."
This news came as a surprise to many, as Super Smash Bros. has been a staple of the Evo tournament since 2007. Over the years, Evo has seen numerous historic and unforgettable moments created by the Super Smash Bros. community. It's unfortunate that Nintendo has chosen not to continue that legacy this year.
The reasons behind Nintendo's decision to pull out of Evo 2022 are unclear. It's possible that there may be internal considerations within the company that led to this choice. However, as a result, fans of the game will miss out on the opportunity to see top-level players compete on the biggest fighting game stage.
The absence of Super Smash Bros. at Evo 2022 will undoubtedly have an impact on the overall atmosphere and excitement of the event. However, it's important to remember that Evo is still set to feature many other incredible fighting games. Fans can look forward to watching competitions in titles such as Street Fighter, Tekken, and Dragon Ball FighterZ, among others.
The Super Smash Bros. community has always been passionate and dedicated. Despite the disappointment of their favorite game not being included in Evo this year, it's likely that they will continue to support and create their own events. The absence of Super Smash Bros. at Evo may even open up opportunities for independent tournaments and exhibitions to showcase the skills and talent of the community.
As for the future, it remains uncertain whether Super Smash Bros. will return to Evo in the coming years. Evo's tweet expressed a hope to once again celebrate the Super Smash Bros. community alongside Nintendo in the future. Whether or not this will come to fruition is yet to be seen. In the meantime, fans will have to find other avenues to indulge in their passion for the game and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Valve, the renowned game developer and creator of the popular gaming platform Steam, has already begun planning and working on the successor to their recently announced product, the Steam Deck. Gabe Newell, the CEO of Valve, revealed this information in an interview with Edge magazine.
The Steam Deck, a handheld gaming device, has generated significant excitement and interest since its announcement. It aims to provide players with a portable PC gaming experience by allowing them to access their Steam library and play PC games on the go. With the success and positive reception of the Steam Deck, it comes as no surprise that Valve is already thinking ahead to future iterations of the device.
In the interview, Gabe Newell expressed the company's intention to establish the Steam Deck as a permanent addition to the PC gaming space. This suggests that Valve sees the device as more than just a one-time release, but rather as a platform that will continue to evolve and improve over time.
The mention of the Steam Deck 2 hints at the possibility of future iterations and improvements to the device. Similar to how gaming consoles such as the PlayStation and Xbox have seen multiple versions released over the years, it seems likely that Valve will continue to refine and upgrade the Steam Deck in response to user feedback and technological advancements.
The Steam Deck itself is already an impressive piece of hardware. It boasts a custom AMD APU with a quad-core Zen 2 CPU and a RDNA 2 GPU, allowing for smooth gameplay and impressive graphics. It also features a 7-inch touchscreen, an array of buttons and controls, as well as the ability to connect to external displays and accessories.
As for what the Steam Deck 2 could potentially offer, it's hard to say at this early stage. However, it's not unreasonable to speculate that future iterations may feature hardware upgrades, improved battery life, and even more advanced features to enhance the gaming experience. Valve's commitment to the long-term development of the Steam Deck suggests that they are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of portable PC gaming.
In conclusion, Pocket Pair's decision to provide an Elden Ring holiday for their employees reflects the importance of gaming culture within the industry and promotes a positive work-life balance. The absence of Super Smash Bros. at Evo 2022 is disappointing for fans, but it may open up new opportunities for the community to showcase their skills. Finally, Valve's plans for the Steam Deck 2 demonstrate their commitment to the development of portable PC gaming. As these stories continue to unfold, gamers and industry enthusiasts alike will have much to look forward to in the future.
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