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What Is the Windows Insider Program and Is It Worth Joining?
The Windows Insider Program is Microsoft’s official platform for users who want early access to upcoming Windows features, updates, and system improvements before they reach the public. In this article, we’ll explore what the Windows Insider Program is, how it works, and whether it’s worth joining. You’ll learn what benefits it offers, what risks to consider, and how to get started if you decide to take part in shaping the future of Windows.
What is the Windows Insider Program?
The Windows Insider Program is Microsoft’s official testing and feedback platform that allows users to preview upcoming Windows updates before they are released to the public. It was launched in 2014 alongside Windows 10 to help the company collect real-world feedback and refine new features through community testing. Participants, known as “Insiders,” receive early builds of Windows 10 or Windows 11 depending on the update channel they select.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M6NWf31jEA
There are several Insider channels, each offering a different balance of innovation and stability. The Canary Channel delivers the earliest experimental builds. The Dev Channel provides newer features that are more stable but still under development. The Beta Channel focuses on near-final versions that are closer to public release. Lastly, the Release Preview Channel offers access to upcoming updates that have already been tested and refined. Together, these channels help Microsoft test new features, collect telemetry data, and ensure compatibility across a wide range of devices before official release.
Purpose and benefits of the Windows Insider Program
The Windows Insider Program serves two main purposes. First, it allows Microsoft to test new features, system updates, and design changes in real-world conditions before a full release. Second, it gives users the chance to experience upcoming versions of Windows early and share feedback that directly influences how the operating system evolves. This approach helps Microsoft identify bugs, performance issues, and compatibility problems long before updates are rolled out to the general public.
For users, the program offers several key benefits. It provides early access to new features and interface improvements, which can be especially useful for developers, IT professionals, and technology enthusiasts who want to stay ahead of changes. It also allows participants to provide feedback through the Feedback Hub app, helping shape the final product. Businesses can use the Insider Program to test future builds in their environments, ensuring that software and hardware remain compatible with upcoming versions of Windows.
However, it is important to note that Insider builds are pre-release versions of Windows and can sometimes include bugs or unfinished features. As a result, Microsoft recommends using the program on a secondary PC rather than a primary work device.
Is the Windows Insider Program right for you, and how to join
The Windows Insider Program can be an exciting opportunity, but it is not suited for everyone. If you enjoy experimenting with new technology, do not mind occasional bugs, and have a spare computer to test early versions of Windows, then joining may be worthwhile. The program is ideal for developers, IT professionals, and users who want to preview new tools and help shape the operating system through feedback.
On the other hand, if you rely on your PC for work, study, or other essential tasks, you may want to avoid installing Insider builds. Preview versions can sometimes cause performance issues or break compatibility with certain apps and drivers. Stability varies by channel, so those seeking fewer issues should stick with the Beta or Release Preview channels instead of the more experimental Dev or Canary builds.
How to Join the Windows Insider Program
Joining the Windows Insider Program is simple:
* Open Settings on your Windows PC.
* Select Windows Update.
* Click Windows Insider Program from the sidebar.
* Sign in with your Microsoft account.
* Choose your preferred Insider channel (Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview).
* Agree to the terms and conditions.
* Restart your device to apply the changes.
After your PC restarts, Windows will automatically download and install the latest Insider Preview build for your selected channel.
To share feedback or report bugs:
* Open the Feedback Hub app.
* Select the issue type and follow the prompts to submit your report or suggestion.
If you later decide to leave the Insider Program:
* Go back to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program.
* Choose to stop receiving preview builds, or reinstall Windows to return to the public release version.
* Always back up your data before switching builds to avoid losing files.
Conclusion
The Windows Insider Program gives users a unique way to explore the future of Windows and contribute to its development. By testing early builds and providing feedback, Insiders play a key role in helping Microsoft refine new features and improve system performance before public release. For those who enjoy discovering new tools and interfaces ahead of schedule, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, anyone who depends on a stable, reliable system for work or study should consider staying on the official Windows release instead.
If you are still using Windows 10, remember that support will officially end soon. This makes now the perfect time to upgrade to a new Windows 11 device. You can explore the latest laptops and desktops on the Acer Store, where you will find a wide selection of powerful, Windows 11-ready computers designed for gaming, productivity, and creativity. Students can also enjoy up to 15% off through Acer’s Student Discount Program, making it easier and more affordable to stay up to date with modern Windows features and performance.
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Why Does ChatGPT/Other AIs Keep Using Em Dashes?
The em dash has become one of the most recognizable fingerprints of AI writing, a punctuation mark that instantly makes readers wonder whether a human or a machine composed the text. In this article, we’ll explore how this tiny horizontal line came to dominate modern prose, why AI models rely on it so heavily, and why many readers have learned to treat it as a sign of artificial authorship. You’ll learn how the em dash evolved from its historical roots in typesetting, how it influences readability and rhythm, and why language models like ChatGPT keep inserting it even after being told not to. Finally, we’ll look at practical ways to communicate style preferences clearly so AI tools can produce text that truly matches a writer’s voice.
What is an em dash?
An em dash (—) is a long horizontal punctuation mark often used to create a pause stronger than a comma but lighter than a period. It gets its name from its length, which historically equalled the width of a capital “M” in traditional printing. The em dash emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries when typesetters needed a flexible way to insert dramatic pauses or shifts in tone without breaking a sentence apart.
Writers quickly embraced the em dash because of its versatility. It can replace commas, parentheses, or colons, making prose feel conversational and fluid. In fiction and journalism alike, it became a stylistic choice for signalling emphasis, interruption, or sudden contrast. For instance, the difference between “He stopped, surprised” and “He stopped—surprised” is subtle but real: the latter feels more immediate, almost like a thought happening mid-sentence.
Today, the em dash appears everywhere from novels and essays to online content. But as we’ll see in the next section, that very popularity has created an unexpected problem in the age of AI: readers have begun to associate the em dash not with style or nuance, but with machine-generated text.
Why the em dash has become the signature of AI writing
In recent years, the em dash has developed a strange new reputation online. Once considered a mark of style and rhythm, it is now one of the clearest visual cues that a piece of text might have been written by artificial intelligence. Readers, editors, and even detection tools often treat excessive em dashes as a telltale sign of machine-generated language.
This association didn’t happen by accident. Large language models are trained on billions of words drawn from books, websites, and academic papers, many of which use the em dash liberally. The mark appears so frequently in polished, professional writing that AI systems have learned to treat it as a natural choice for connecting ideas, signalling tone changes, or emphasising contrast. The result is an algorithmic bias: models overestimate how often real people use em dashes in everyday writing.
Humans, by contrast, tend to rely more on commas or short sentences to create the same flow. That’s why, when someone sees several em dashes packed into a paragraph, it feels off — too smooth, too consistent, almost unnaturally balanced. This subconscious signal has trained many readers to spot AI-written text at a glance, even before running it through detection tools.
Why AI (ChatGPT) keeps using em dashes even after being told to stop
When a user asks an AI model to stop using em dashes, it sounds like a simple instruction. Yet, the request conflicts with how large language models are built and how they interpret style. Understanding this behaviour requires a quick look inside the architecture of modern AI writing systems.
Language models such as ChatGPT are trained to predict the next word or symbol in a sequence based on probability. During training, they absorb billions of examples from books, websites, and articles, where em dashes appear frequently in well-edited text. Over time, the model “learns” that inserting an em dash is statistically more likely to make a sentence flow smoothly or appear stylistically refined. Even when users say “don’t use em dashes,” the underlying probabilities remain the same, and the model’s instincts lean toward inserting them because they appear so often in the training data.
Another reason involves tokenization. To a model, an em dash isn’t just punctuation; it’s a token that signals a certain sentence rhythm or semantic pause. When a user instruction conflicts with a strong statistical pattern, the pattern often wins unless the request is repeatedly reinforced within the same context.
Finally, formatting tools and editor environments sometimes convert two hyphens into a single em dash automatically. So even if the model outputs “--,” the final rendered version may show an em dash. This can create the illusion that the AI ignored the user’s request when in fact the issue lies in the post-processing layer.
The combination of these factors makes the em dash one of the most persistent quirks in AI-generated writing.
How to stop AI (ChatGPT) from using em dashes
Telling an AI to “stop using em dashes” often isn’t enough, because the instruction competes with statistical habits learned from millions of high-quality examples. To override that bias, you need to phrase the request in a way that is both explicit and reinforced by context.
1. Set a house style early.
State your rule clearly at the beginning of the conversation or document, such as:
“Use commas, periods, or colons instead of em dashes or en dashes in all cases.”
This sets a firm constraint that the model can apply throughout the session. The earlier the instruction appears, the more influence it has on the model’s output.
2. Replace, don’t just forbid.
If you only say “don’t use em dashes,” the AI knows what not to do, but not what to do instead. By specifying acceptable alternatives, you provide positive guidance. For example:
“If you need a pause, use a comma. If you need emphasis, use a colon or a short sentence.”
3. Reiterate your preference mid-task.
When the AI outputs text containing em dashes, correct it directly rather than vaguely. For example:
“Replace all em dashes with commas or periods.”
This reinforces the rule and resets the model’s context window for the rest of the writing session.
4. Check for auto-formatting.
Some editors, including blogging tools and document processors, automatically convert double hyphens (--) into em dashes. To prevent this, use plain-text editors or disable smart punctuation.
5. Keep style rules consistent.
AI models respond best to consistency. If your request changes between drafts (“no em dashes” one moment and “use more varied punctuation” the next), the model may revert to its default patterns.
By setting clear boundaries, providing alternatives, and maintaining consistency, users can train AI writing tools to follow their preferred style far more reliably.
Conclusion
The em dash may seem like a small detail in writing, yet it has become one of the clearest symbols of how humans and AI approach language differently. To a person, punctuation is a choice of rhythm and expression. To an AI, it’s a probability pattern shaped by data. That difference explains why the em dash appears so often in machine-generated text and why it stands out as a clue to readers trained to spot artificial tone.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to eliminate the em dash but to understand what its overuse represents: a lack of stylistic alignment between human preference and machine learning. By communicating rules clearly and reinforcing them throughout a session, writers can guide AI tools to produce cleaner, more natural prose that truly matches their voice. In the end, mastering how to talk to AI about punctuation is less about fighting the machine and more about teaching it to listen.
Interested in how AI shapes modern writing? Check out our other articles on ChatGPT, AI tips and tricks, and digital content trends.
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Best Skills to Upgrade in ARC Raiders
Choosing the right skill tree in ARC Raiders is just as important as picking your loadout. Each point you invest shapes how you move, fight, and survive during extractions. Unlike weapon upgrades, skill points are limited, so one bad choice can slow your progression or weaken your squad. With three distinct branches (Mobility, Conditioning, and Survival) the challenge lies in finding the perfect balance between speed, stamina, and endurance.
This guide breaks down the optimal 76-point build (Level 75) that blends the best traits from every tree. Whether you play solo or in a coordinated squad, this build improves stamina recovery, looting speed, and combat consistency in both PvE and PvP. Here’s how to build a raider that never runs out of breath.
Understanding the Skill Trees in ARC Raiders
Before diving into the build, it helps to understand what each tree brings to your raider. The Arc Raiders skill tree system is split into three categories:
* Mobility (yellow)
* Conditioning (green)
* Survival (red)
Each category complements a different playstyle, and while you can focus on one path, the strongest builds usually combine all three for balanced performance in every raid.
Mobility improves stamina, speed, and recovery. It reduces the stamina cost of sprinting, dodging, and climbing, helping you outmaneuver both ARC units and rival raiders. Conditioning enhances your combat endurance by improving stamina efficiency under pressure, allowing you to carry heavier weapons and recover faster after taking damage. Survival focuses on efficiency, it boosts looting, crafting, and carry weight so you can extract with more gear and materials after each run.
Skill points cannot be freely refunded early on, which means every point matters. Understanding how these three branches interact will help you create a raider who can move quickly, fight effectively, and stay prepared for anything that happens between deployment and extraction.
Early Game Build (Levels 1–17)
In the early stages of ARC Raiders, stamina management is everything. Your first fifteen levels should focus on the Mobility tree, which helps you move faster, recover quicker, and stay active longer during fights. Early missions often involve long runs between loot spots or extraction zones, and running out of stamina mid-combat is one of the fastest ways to get eliminated.
Start by unlocking Nimbler Climber, then maxing out Marathon Runner and Youthful Lungs, which improve your stamina pool and regeneration rate. Add Slip and Slide and Sturdy Ankles to reduce movement penalties when vaulting or dropping from ledges. Once you have Calming Stroll, your stamina will recover faster even while walking, letting you stay mobile without constant pauses.
Finally, unlock Carry the Momentum, a skill that rewards aggressive play by giving you a brief burst of free movement after sprinting or rolling. This perk is particularly useful in PvP, where being able to reposition without draining stamina can decide a fight. Combine these upgrades with one or two early Survival skills such as Agile Croucher, to improve your survivability during raid.
By the time you hit level 17, you should feel lighter, faster, and far less dependent on stamina bars. That mobility advantage will make the next stage of your build much smoother.
Mid Game Build (Levels 18–39)
Once you have your stamina and movement foundation set, the next phase of your build focuses on consistency and combat endurance. Levels 18 through 35 are where most players begin tackling tougher ARC units and higher-risk raids, so the goal here is to build staying power.
Start investing in the Conditioning tree to strengthen your defensive and utility options. Skills like Used to the Weight and Gentle Pressure help you move more freely while carrying heavier gear and reduce the noise you make during breaches. Fight or Flight is another essential pick, granting stamina regeneration when you take damage, which often saves your life during extended fights.
After that, begin branching into the Survival tree to improve efficiency outside of combat. Unlock Looter’s Instincts and Good as New to increase loot awareness and recover stamina faster while healing. Add Broad Shoulders and Stubborn Mule to expand your carrying capacity and lessen the penalties for being over-encumbered.
By level 39, your raider should feel significantly more durable and self-sufficient. You will be able to sprint longer, loot faster, and survive longer skirmishes without running out of stamina or space in your pack.
Late Game Build (Levels 40–75)
By the time you reach level 40, your raider should already feel stable and efficient. The late game is where you refine that power, shifting from survival mode to full control of every encounter. These next forty points are focused on improving movement quality, loot value, and raid consistency.
Begin by finishing your core Survival perks. Unlock Looter's Luck to increase your chances of revealing rare loot and Traveling Tinkerer for expanded field crafting options. Once you have both, grab Security Breach, one of the best late-game nodes in the game. It lets you unlock high-tier chests and terminals more often, guaranteeing valuable finds in each raid.
Next, invest in Conditioning to fine-tune combat responsiveness. Prioritize Proficient Pryer, Survivor’s Stamina, and Unburdened Roll to improve recovery, faster breaching, and evasive movement under pressure. Adding Loaded Arms near the end of the tree will significantly reduce the weight of equipped weapons, giving you more freedom to carry heavier gear without stamina penalties.
Finally, revisit Mobility to polish off your movement speed. Pick up Effortless Roll and Heroic Leap for smoother dodging and faster repositioning in both PvP and PvE. Once these are unlocked, you’ll have one of the most efficient and forgiving builds possible, able to handle everything from ARC swarms to long-range player ambushes.
Recommended Final Build (At Level 75)
Reaching level 75 (76 points total) marks the point where your raider has access to every major skill tree branch and can finally specialize without sacrificing balance. This build combines 19 points in Mobility, 20 points in Conditioning, and 37 points in Survival, creating a hybrid setup that delivers excellent stamina management, reliable recovery, and efficient looting across all missions.
This setup performs equally well in PvE and PvP. In combat-heavy raids, your increased stamina pool and fast regeneration allow you to stay mobile even under pressure, while defensive perks like Fight or Flight and Survivor’s Stamina prevent exhaustion during long engagements. In looting-focused missions, Looter’s Luck, Security Breach, and Traveling Tinkerer help you gather more resources with minimal downtime.
By the time you reach this stage, your raider will feel fully optimized—fast, resilient, and efficient in every scenario the game throws at you. Whether you prefer solo extractions or coordinated team play, this balanced 76-point build gives you all the tools to thrive in ARC Raiders.
Conclusion
Building the right skill tree in ARC Raiders is about more than unlocking perks. It is about creating a raider that feels natural to play. The best builds rely on stamina control, efficiency, and adaptability rather than brute force. With the right combination of Mobility, Conditioning, and Survival skills, you can move faster, loot smarter, and outlast anyone standing between you and extraction.
Whether you prefer intense PvP encounters or large-scale ARC battles, this 75-point hybrid build offers a balanced mix of speed, endurance, and resource management. Every skill works together to keep you moving, crafting, and fighting without slowing down.
If you want to take your ARC Raiders experience further, explore the latest Acer Predator and Nitro gaming laptops on the Acer Store. Students can also enjoy savings through the Acer Student Discount Program, which provides access to high-performance laptops built for smooth gameplay and reliable performance. Equip the right hardware, master your skill tree, and make every raid a success.
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Top 10 Best Weapons in ARC Raiders
Choosing the right weapon in ARC Raiders can be the difference between a clean extraction and losing your entire stash to a rogue raider or an ARC patrol. With dozens of firearms ranging from precision rifles to heavy launchers, some stand far above the rest for their damage, versatility, and reliability under pressure. Whether you prefer sniping from rooftops or storming extraction sites, these ten weapons deliver the best balance of firepower and survival potential.
While every gun has its strengths, their performance can vary depending on the situation. In PvE, you’ll need weapons capable of destroying armored ARC units and surviving swarm attacks. In PvP, accuracy, recoil control, and quick reloads often matter more than raw damage. This list weighs both modes to highlight weapons that perform consistently across all raid types, so whether you are fighting robots or rival raiders, you’ll know exactly what to bring into battle. Here are the top ten best weapons in ARC Raiders, ranked from strong to unbeatable.
Important Reminder: Don’t be afraid of losing your gear. Always upgrade your weapons to IV and use weapon modifications. This is a high-risk high reward game.
10 Best Weapons in ARC Raiders
10. Hullcracker
Stats: Damage: 100 | Fire Rate: 20.3 | DPS: 2,030 | Range: 38.9
The Hullcracker earns its spot on this list for one simple reason: nothing else in ARC Raiders delivers explosive power quite like it. This pump-action launcher fires heavy shells that obliterate armored ARC units, making it indispensable for tough PvE encounters such as Bastion fights or swarm defenses. When used correctly, a single shot can clear entire clusters of drones or heavily damage a Rocketeer before it gets close.
Its biggest drawback is versatility. The Hullcracker’s slow reload time and limited ammo reserve make it risky in PvP, where mobility and precision often win over raw firepower. Still, for coordinated squads or solo players focused on resource farming and boss takedowns, this launcher remains a devastating choice that turns any encounter into a fireworks show.
9. Osprey
Stats: Damage: 45 | Fire Rate: 17.7 | DPS: 796.5 | Range: 80.3
If precision and patience are your weapons of choice, the Osprey is your best friend. This bolt-action rifle delivers some of the highest single-shot damage, capable of downing most raiders with a clean headshot and crippling ARC drones from a distance. Its long effective range makes it a go-to weapon for players who prefer scouting roles or like to engage before enemies even spot them.
In PvE, the Osprey excels at dismantling aerial threats such as Wasps and Snitches, allowing your squad to move safely across open terrain. However, its slow rate of fire and reload speed make it unforgiving in PvP, where a missed shot can be fatal. It’s a specialist’s weapon: lethal in steady hands, punishing in careless ones.
8. Bobcat
Stats: Damage: 6 | Fire Rate: 66.7 | DPS: 400 | Range: 44
The Bobcat is the definition of a close-quarters shredder. This light-ammo SMG boasts a blistering fire rate and tight handling, making it ideal for urban combat and building interiors. It may lack the raw impact of heavier rifles, but when fights get frantic, the Bobcat’s quick time-to-kill and minimal recoil turn it into one of the most reliable weapons for mid- to short-range combat.
In PvE, the Bobcat can efficiently tear through smaller ARC patrols and crowd-control drones, especially when fitted with stability or recoil mods. In PvP, its fast reloads and high DPS make it a favorite for aggressive solo players who rely on movement and surprise. While it lacks range, few weapons feel this smooth or satisfying in a close gunfight.
7. Vulcano
Stats: Damage: 49.5 | Fire Rate: 26.3 | DPS: 1,302.9 | Range: 26
The Vulcano is the ultimate equalizer in close-quarters combat. As a semi-automatic shotgun, it combines heavy stopping power with faster follow-up shots than its pump-action rival, the Il Toro. Every blast delivers devastating spread damage that can delete both ARC units and enemy raiders before they have time to react.
In PvE, the Vulcano shines in indoor or low-visibility missions where enemies rush in waves. In PvP, its wide pellet spread and one-shot potential make it a brutal choice for ambushes or building clears, though its limited range leaves you vulnerable in open fights. For players who like to live dangerously up close, nothing feels more satisfying than a well-timed Vulcano blast.
6. Venator
Stats: Damage: 18 | Fire Rate: 36.7 | DPS: 660.6 | Range: 48.4
Small but deadly, the Venator is the pistol that refuses to play second fiddle. This semi-automatic sidearm offers remarkable accuracy, a strong headshot multiplier, and a firing speed that rivals some SMGs. Its manageable recoil makes it ideal for quick, controlled bursts, allowing players to win duels even against better-armed opponents.
In PvP, the Venator is an exceptional backup weapon, capable of finishing enemies between reloads or when you’re caught without your primary gun. In PvE, its efficiency at medium range helps conserve primary ammo while still dropping drones and scouts with ease. It’s the perfect example of how precision can trump brute force when every bullet counts.
5. Renegade
Stats: Damage: 35 | Fire Rate: 21 | DPS: 735 | Range: 68.8
A lever-action rifle with serious bite, the Renegade rewards accuracy, timing, and steady aim. Each shot hits like a freight train, boasting one of the highest per-bullet damages among medium-ammo weapons. Its iron sights are clean and easy to track with, and the weapon feels balanced across multiple engagement ranges.
In PvE, it’s great for dismantling mid-tier ARC units before they close in, while in PvP, it excels at ambushing enemies from cover. The Renegade’s rhythmic reload cycle demands patience, but players who master it will find it delivers some of the most satisfying kills in ARC Raiders. It’s a weapon for sharpshooters who like to make every shot count.
4. Bettina
Stats: Damage: 14 | Fire Rate: 32 | DPS: 448 | Range: 51.3
The Bettina is the workhorse of the heavy-ammo category. This fully-automatic assault rifle combines stopping power with stability, producing one of the most balanced damage outputs in the game. Its recoil pattern is easy to manage, and with the right attachments, it can cut through both raiders and ARC robots like paper.
In PvE, the Bettina’s sustained fire makes it invaluable against swarming enemies or shielded bots. In PvP, it’s a reliable mid-range weapon that performs well in nearly every scenario, offering the accuracy of a rifle with the pressure of an LMG. If you want one gun that can handle anything the game throws at you, the Bettina won’t let you down.
3. Tempest
Stats: Damage: 10 | Fire Rate: 36.7 | DPS: 367 | Range: 55.9
The Tempest is the definition of reliability in ARC Raiders. This fully automatic rifle offers consistent accuracy, fast handling, and a solid rate of fire, making it a flexible choice for any loadout. Whether you’re covering teammates or pushing an extraction zone, the Tempest delivers dependable performance without the recoil or ammo waste that plagues other automatics.
In PvE, its balanced DPS helps you chip away at tougher ARC units while keeping enough mobility to dodge incoming fire. In PvP, its stability and quick reloads make it one of the best weapons for sustained firefights. If you can only take one rifle into the field, the Tempest will always have your back.
2. Ferro
Stats: Damage: 40 | Fire Rate: 6.6 | DPS: 264 | Range: 53.1
Few weapons hit as hard as the Ferro. This break-action heavy rifle is all about raw stopping power, firing high-impact rounds that can erase enemies with a single, well-placed shot. It’s slower than most rifles, but every pull of the trigger feels thunderous and decisive.
In PvE, the Ferro excels at dismantling heavily armored ARC targets, from Bastions to Rocketeers, while conserving ammunition thanks to its high per-shot damage. In PvP, it demands composure and timing, but when mastered, it can drop an opponent before they even know you’re there. It’s not for everyone, but in the right hands, the Ferro defines domination through precision.
1. Anvil
Stats: Damage: 40 | Fire Rate: 16.3 | DPS: 652 | Range: 50.2
The Anvil stands at the top for good reason. Combining the precision of a marksman rifle with the punch of a heavy weapon, it strikes a perfect balance between accuracy, control, and sheer lethality. Its steady recoil pattern and superior damage per shot make it lethal across all distances, turning every encounter into an opportunity rather than a risk.
In PvE, it can take on any ARC threat without compromise, while in PvP, it provides the versatility needed to handle both long-range duels and mid-range skirmishes. Whether you’re extracting loot or defending a train platform, the Anvil is the ultimate weapon of choice for any raider who values consistency, power, and survival.
Conclusion
Success in ARC Raiders often comes down to preparation. The right weapon can turn a desperate extraction into a flawless victory, whether you’re facing towering ARC machines or outsmarting rival raiders. From the explosive power of the Hullcracker to the unmatched balance of the Anvil, these ten weapons prove that survival isn’t just about luck, it’s about choosing the right tool for every fight.
If you’re looking to upgrade your setup before diving into ARC Raiders, check out the latest Acer Predator and Nitro gaming laptops available on the Acer Store. Students can also enjoy extra savings through the Acer Student Discount Program, making it easier to experience high-performance gaming without breaking the bank. Equip yourself with the right hardware and bring that same precision from your weapon stats to your gameplay.
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10 Most Important People in the History of Computers
From punch cards and vacuum tubes to artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the history of computers is defined by the minds that shaped it. Across nearly two centuries, brilliant inventors, software engineers, and computer scientists have transformed abstract theories into the digital world we now live in. Their innovations laid the groundwork for everything from email to smartphones, and their legacies continue to influence how we communicate, create, and compute. Whether you're curious about who invented the computer or simply want to learn more about famous IT inventors and technology scientists, this list covers ten individuals who made lasting contributions to computer technology.
Here are ten of the most important figures in computing history, spanning pioneers of the past and leaders of today.
1. Charles Babbage (1791–1871)
Known for: Designing the first mechanical computer and laying the foundation for programmable machines.
Charles Babbage is widely regarded as the first person to conceptualize a programmable computer. Often called the “father of the computer,” he designed the Analytical Engine in the 1830s, a mechanical general-purpose computer that included many elements found in modern machines, such as a memory unit and arithmetic logic. Although his designs were never fully built during his lifetime, Babbage’s vision laid the foundation for future development in computer architecture. When discussing who invented the computer, Babbage’s name is one of the most essential starting points.
2. Alan Turing (1912–1954)
Known for: Cracking the Enigma code and developing the theoretical framework for modern computing and artificial intelligence.
Alan Turing was a British mathematician, cryptanalyst, and theoretical computer scientist whose work shaped the fields of computation and artificial intelligence. During World War II, Turing played a key role in cracking the German Enigma code, shortening the war and saving countless lives. He later developed the concept of the Turing Machine, a theoretical model for general-purpose computing that still forms the basis of modern computer science. Turing is also considered one of the earliest technology scientists to explore machine learning and AI, long before these ideas became mainstream.
3. John von Neumann (1903–1957)
Known for: Creating the architecture that defines how modern computers operate.
John von Neumann was a Hungarian-American mathematician and computer scientist who introduced the concept of a stored-program architecture, now known as the von Neumann architecture. This design separates data and instructions and stores them in the same memory, enabling the sequential processing model that nearly all modern computers still follow. His influence extended into physics, economics, and game theory, but in computing, his legacy is foundational. Von Neumann’s ideas helped bridge the gap between theoretical machines and real, functioning hardware, making him one of the most influential technology scientists in history.
4. Grace Hopper (1906–1992)
Known for: Creating the first compiler and pioneering programming languages.
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was a trailblazing computer scientist and one of the most famous software engineers of the 20th century. She developed the first compiler, a tool that translates human-readable code into machine language, making programming more accessible. Hopper also played a critical role in the development of COBOL, a language that powered government and business computing for decades. Known for her practical mindset and technical brilliance, Hopper helped transform computers from obscure machines into tools that ordinary people could work with. She also popularized the term "debugging" after removing an actual moth from a computer relay.
5. Tim Berners-Lee (1955)
Known for: Inventing the World Wide Web and shaping the way information is shared online.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a British computer scientist best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web. In 1989, while working at CERN, he proposed a system that used hypertext to allow researchers to share information across different computers. This idea evolved into the web as we know it, combining URLs, HTML, and HTTP into a single, open-access platform. Berners-Lee didn’t just change computing—he changed how the world communicates, collaborates, and accesses knowledge. As one of the most influential living technology scientists, his emphasis on openness and decentralization continues to shape the internet’s future.
6. Dennis Ritchie (1941–2011)
Known for: Creating the C programming language and co-developing the Unix operating system.
Dennis Ritchie was an American computer scientist whose work underpins nearly every modern software system. He created the C programming language in the early 1970s, which became the foundation for many later languages including C++, Java, and Python. At the same time, Ritchie and his colleagues developed the Unix operating system, which introduced core concepts like modularity, portability, and user permissions. Today, Unix-based systems (including Linux and macOS) run on everything from smartphones to servers. As a famous IT inventor and one of the most quietly influential minds in computing, Ritchie’s legacy is embedded deep in the digital infrastructure we rely on daily.
7. Steve Jobs (1955–2011)
Known for: Revolutionizing personal computing and consumer electronics through design and usability.
Steve Jobs was the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. and one of the most famous IT inventors in the consumer technology space. While not a programmer or engineer in the traditional sense, Jobs played a pivotal role in popularizing the graphical user interface, the computer mouse, and sleek, intuitive product design. His influence can be seen in products like the Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad—devices that brought computing into everyday life. Jobs had a unique ability to merge technology and art, transforming how people interact with computers and setting new standards for usability and innovation.
8. Bill Gates (1955)
Known for: Making personal computing accessible through Microsoft and the Windows operating system.
Bill Gates is one of the most famous software engineers and co-founders of Microsoft. His work in developing the Windows operating system helped make personal computers mainstream, affordable, and user-friendly. Gates also helped drive the standardization of office software with Microsoft Office, which became a staple for businesses and schools around the world. Under his leadership, Microsoft became one of the most influential tech companies in history. Gates’s focus on software as a product changed the economics of the computer industry and continues to influence how software is developed and sold today.
9. Linus Torvalds (1969)
Known for: Creating the Linux operating system kernel and transforming open-source software development.
Linus Torvalds is a Finnish-American software engineer best known as the creator of Linux. In 1991, while still a university student, Torvalds released the Linux kernel as an open-source project, inviting developers worldwide to contribute. This collaborative model became the foundation of the open-source software movement. Today, Linux powers everything from servers and smartphones to embedded devices and supercomputers. Torvalds also created Git, the version control system used by millions of developers. As one of the most famous software engineers of the modern era, his work continues to shape the global tech infrastructure.
10. Sam Altman (1985)
Known for: Leading OpenAI and making artificial intelligence tools accessible to the public.
Sam Altman is an American entrepreneur, investor, and CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT and other groundbreaking AI models. Under his leadership, OpenAI transitioned from a research lab into a commercial force driving the generative AI revolution. Altman has become one of the most influential technology scientists of the 21st century, helping to push artificial intelligence into the mainstream. By making AI tools available for education, business, and creative work, he has redefined how people interact with computers, paving the way for the next chapter in computing history.
Conclusion
The history of computers is not the story of a single invention, but a tapestry of ideas, breakthroughs, and people who dared to imagine what technology could become. From mechanical engines and early programming languages to cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence, each of these ten individuals helped push the boundaries of what computers can do. Whether you’re exploring the legacy of famous IT inventors or following the rise of modern computer scientists like Sam Altman, it’s clear that innovation in computing never stands still. These pioneers not only shaped the tools we use today but also laid the foundation for the future we are building together.
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Bringing AI to the Desktop with Acer Veriton GN100
Introduction
Artificial intelligence doesn’t have to live in the cloud or come with hyperscale costs. The Acer Veriton GN100 brings workstation-grade AI to your desktop, powered by NVIDIA’s Grace Blackwell GB10 Superchip, it delivers petaFLOP-class performance that enables developers, universities, data scientists, and researchers to run large language models, AI agents, and computer vision workloads efficiently and securely - all on local hardware. This makes high-throughput, cost-efficient AI accessible without relying on expensive, continuously billed cloud infrastructure.
Misconceptions & Reality
However, the issue is that many still assume that serious AI development requires massive cloud bills or hyperscale servers. Some other possible issues include:
* AI is only possible in the cloud: Traditional thinking equates powerful AI with huge data centers, making developers believe local machines can’t handle modern AI workloads.
* Running large models locally is prohibitively expensive: High-end GPUs and specialized hardware are often seen as cost-prohibitive, reinforcing the idea that AI experimentation is reserved for large companies.
* Only full-scale training is valuable: Many assume that without training massive models from scratch, local AI workstations have limited value.
These days, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that running large language models, AI agents, or computer vision workloads locally can now be more cost-effective than paying per-token cloud fees, while at the same time giving teams more control over data, security, and workflows.
AI Workstations like the Acer Veriton GN100 are at the forefront of challenging these perceptions. Powered by the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GB10 Superchip, the GN100 delivers up to 1 petaFLOP of FP4 AI performance, enabling high throughput, lower energy use, and reduced cost per action, all from its mini PC form factor. With 128 GB unified memory and up to 4 TB NVMe storage, it can handle models up to 200 billion parameters, scaling to 405 billion parameters when two units are linked. This allows simultaneous utilization of large pre-trained or distilled LLMs in the 70B–120B range, including models such as DeepSeek R1 (70B parameters), gpt-oss (120B parameters), or comparable instruction-tuned and distilled LLMs optimized for local inference.
The Veriton GN100 is fully capable of operating as a standalone workstation or a network-connected AI resource, making it an efficient way to offload workloads that exceed standard office PC capabilities. What previously required data-center-scale hardware can now run locally, securely, and efficiently, empowering teams to experiment, innovate, and deploy AI on their own terms.
FP4 & Cost-Efficient Inference
As outlined above, much of the Veriton GN100’s advantage comes from how efficiently it can run modern AI models. A key part of this efficiency is numerical precision.
While FP16 has long been the standard for training and high-accuracy tasks, and FP8 offers a balanced mix of performance and precision for large-model inference, FP4 pushes efficiency even further. FP4 uses half the bits of FP8 and a quarter of FP16, allowing models to run faster, use less memory, and deliver significantly higher throughput - all while maintaining useful model accuracy for inference.
The Veriton GN100 is engineered to take full advantage of this. With support for FP4 and FP8 precision, it delivers high-throughput inference for large language models and autonomous agent workflows by reducing memory requirements and accelerating core computation. FP4’s ultra-low precision dramatically boosts token throughput and lowers power consumption, allowing the GN100 to deliver more inferences per second and more actions per watt than traditional FP16-based systems - a distinct advantage when trying to take advantage of local AI hardware.
Potential Use Cases
Now that high-throughput inference is possible at the local level, the Veriton GN100 enables practical AI applications in a variety of different environments. Here are a couple:
Startups: Low Barrier of Entry for AI Applications
Startups especially are able to take advantage of the Veriton GN100, as it offers a low-cost path to AI adoption by removing the need for ongoing cloud fees. Its high-performance local compute enables teams to prototype, test, and refine AI applications affordably - making it easier to innovate and scale without the financial barriers typically associated with cloud-based development.
Businesses: Local AI Agents
Organizations can deploy local AI agents to fulfill a variety of functions - from data analysis and predictive modeling to image, video, and audio processing. Powered by pre-trained models designed for tasks such as summarization, detection, or classification, these agents run entirely on-premise, keeping sensitive information secure without relying on external cloud services. Thanks to high-throughput FP4 inference, the Veriton GN100 delivers fast, predictable performance for continuous agent loops and multi-agent applications, turning advanced AI workloads into fixed, controllable costs.
Education: Research and Experimentation
Universities, labs, schools, and more can use the Veriton GN100 as a shared AI resource for researchers, scientists, and students alike as they explore pre-trained LLMs specialized for fields like biology, engineering, or data science, along with computer vision and generative AI models. This enables academic teams to experiment, prototype, and run advanced workloads securely on campus infrastructure, reducing reliance on cloud budgets and giving hands-on experience with modern AI tools and skills.
Developer Ecosystem & Resources
The value of the Veriton GN100 extends beyond hardware performance. NVIDIA’s developer ecosystem provides a comprehensive set of tools, playbooks, and workflow examples that help teams make the most of local AI deployment. Through resources available at their DGX Spark website, developers can access optimized model runtimes, sample pipelines, and task-specific configurations designed to accelerate experimentation and development.
These resources make it easier to deploy custom agent workflows without starting from scratch. Whether used as a standalone workstation or a shared node in a larger lab environment, the Veriton GN100 benefits from NVIDIA’s continuously expanding software stack - enabling organizations to prototype, refine, and scale AI workloads directly from this mini form factor PC, clearing the way for eventual adoption of advanced servers or even cloud infrastructure.
Conclusion
All these things taken together, the Acer Veriton GN100 angles itself to bring high-performance AI to the desktop, while making advanced workflows both accessible and cost-efficient. By running pre-trained LLMs, customized AI agents, and computer vision tasks locally, teams can achieve high throughput, reduced energy use, and lower operational costs - all without relying on cloud infrastructure.
With its miniature form factor, scalable architecture, and support for FP4/FP8 inference, the Veriton GN100 demonstrates that AI is no longer confined to hyperscale servers. AI is no longer a distant dream - it’s an accessible, affordable path for businesses, developers, and creators to realize more innovation and creation. Local AI workstations now empower organizations to experiment, innovate, and deploy intelligent solutions securely, efficiently, and on their own terms.
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Acer Nitro QG0 Gaming Monitor: Acer's Best Budget Gaming Monitor
Today we’re delving into the wallet-friendly display that is the Acer Nitro QG0. This Acer gaming monitor gives you supreme bang for your buck, and has recently been reduced from $129.99 to $99.99! Acer Nitro gaming monitors or laptops deliver raw power and performance at prices that won’t break the bank.
This is a serious slice of display for a seriously low price. If you’re or curious about what type of monitor you really get for less than 100 buckaroos, then read on to discover all you need to know about the Acer’s 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 180 Hz Acer Nitro QG0 gaming monitor.
Acer Nitro QG0 let's you play more by paying less
Looking at the Acer Nitro QG0, it’s plain to see that Acer has made buttery-smooth gaming affordable again. There’s no bells or whistles or flashiness to this display: it's fast, smart and gets the job done. 180 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms Visual Response Boost, and AMD FreeSync™ Premium (application in progress), keep your games smooth, sharp, and responsive. So whether you’re trudging through your latest campaign, or streaming your favorite show, the Acer Nitro QG0 proves that clean, consistent frames needn’t cost a pretty penny. Let’s take a peek at the tech-specs of the 23.8” Acer Nitro QG0 Gaming Monitor - QG240Y S3BIPX, currently available for only $99.99:
* Response Time: 1 ms
* Horizontal Viewing Angle: 178°
* Vertical Viewing Angle: 178°
* Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
* Monitor Features: HDR10 V
* Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080
* Standard Refresh Rate: 180 Hz
* Color Supported: 16.7 Million Colors
* Contrast Ratio: 100,000,000:1
* Brightness: 300 Nit
* Tearing Prevention Technology: AMD FreeSync™ Premium (DisplayPort/HDMI)
* Screen Mode: Full HD
* Backlight Technology: LED
* Aspect Ratio:16:9
* Interfaces/Ports: HDMI® Version 2.0, DisplayPort, Audio Line Out
* Maximum Power Supply Wattage: 23 W
* Operating Power Consumption: 18 W
* Standby Power Consumption: 500 mW
* Off-Mode Power Consumption: 300 mW
* Color: Black
* Dimensions: 12.7” x 21.4” x 1.5"
* Weight (Approximate): 5.51 lb
Performance, perfected
If you plan to succeed in gaming, then synchronized precision is a smart place to start. The Acer Nitro QG0 synchronizes seamlessly with your graphics card through AMD FreeSync™ Premium, eliminating tearing and stuttering for gameplay that looks as sweet as it feels. Refreshingly, the Acer Nitro QG0’s refresh rates peak at 180 Hz, that’s three times faster than traditional 60 Hz panels. On screen, this translates to instant reactions, razor-sharp action and GPU-display pacing that’s right in time.
If that’s not enough, then chuck in 1 ms VRB (Visual Response Boost) and you’ve got pretty much instant pixel response that erases motion blur in the heat of battle, or the final minute of the big game. Whatever you play and however you see it, 180 Hz means match-ready smoothness for the people!
Blur less with better panel technology
With its crisp Full HD (1920 × 1080) resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, your GPU can comfortably push higher frame rates, maximizing that 180 Hz advantage. On top of that, the Acer Nitro QG0’s Vertical Alignment (VA) panel technology adds depth and intensity to every scene you come across. With a whopping 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio and HDR10 support, on-screen images come to life: bright lights pop, shadows stay mysterious and shadowy, and transitions remain clean, regardless of the pace of the action. In terms of brightness and colors, we’ve blessed the Acer Nitro QG0 with 300-nit brightness and 16.7 million-color support, imbuing a natural balance to everything from neon drenched arenas to murky forests. The 1 ms VRB mode further enhances motion clarity by pushing pixel transitions faster, declaring war on ghosting and keeping things razor sharp!
ZeroFrame design, size and style
As the name suggests, ZeroFrame design is a supremely slim, nearly invisible bezel technology. Clean, ultra-modern bezels won’t distract you or detract from your gaming or cinematic glory on the Acer Nitro QG0. Size and weight-wise, this display hits the sweet spot for most gamers. 21.4 inches wide and 12.7 inches high (16.23 with stand), the Acer Nitro QG0 weighs under 6 lbs. This is a minimalist display that fits into any environment without screaming “I am a gaming monitor!” Low-key black finish and stylish tapered stand is sharp without being showy, equally ready to take pride of place in your gaming palace, or office.
Don’t Waste a Watt!
What Watt? Here at Acer Corner, we don’t normally go into too much detail about the energy consumption of our products. But energy costs are generally rising, and well, it’s nearing winter in much of the world, so let’s take a moment to consider the energy efficiency of the Acer Nitro QG0. Let’s be clear: high refresh rates doesn’t have to mean high energy draw.
The Acer Nitro QG0 keeps things efficient, running at just 18 W typical consumption, peaking at 23 W, and dropping to 0.3 W in off-mode. Compared with similarly priced displays currently on the market, it’s clear that the Acer Nitro QG0 displays serious power discipline for an 180 Hz display, don’t you think? Serious performance where every frame paints like a masterpiece, and your energy bill barely notices. What’s not to like?
Connectivity + convenience = Nitro flow
As you’ve likely gathered from the paragraphs above, the Acer Nitro QG0 keeps things simple and modern. Fun without the faff! A single DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0 handle the visuals, while an audio line-out jack provides flexibility for speakers or headphones. Whether you’re a PC prodigy, or a console champion, you can simply plug in and enjoy smooth high-refresh action right away without the need for adapters or complicated setup. On top of this, 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles ensure you always see a clear, color-true image -whether you’re locked into a match or laid back, kicking it in the crib with a controller and a soda.
The people’s choice
We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning about the Acer Nitro QG0 gaming monitor with us today. In our eyes, this is Acer’s best budget gaming display. A monitor by the people, for the people. If you’re looking to step up from a 60 Hz display, or are new to gaming, this is a screen that delivers for gaming, streaming, even lightweight content creation.
Elegant in all environments with its ZeroFrame design, FreeSync Premium, 180 Hz refresh, 1 ms VRB, and HDR10 brilliance, it turns every frame into a fluid experience. Acer’s Nitro QG0 proves that high-refresh performance and vivid visuals don’t have to come with a premium price tag. Be smart and go check out the Acer Nitro QG0 right now! Finally, let’s not forget the Acer student discount, that’s a whopping 15% reduction, meaning that students only pay $84.99 for this monitor.
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Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router
Mesh routers create a single network throughout the home by connecting to a mesh satellite. In this article, we will explore the benefits of a mesh router and introduce the Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router. They differ from traditional routers that broadcast from one point, and instead use a main router and multiple satellite nodes to deliver a strong and consistent Wi-Fi coverage. This also helps to eliminate so-called dead zones, which are locations in a home or office where the Wi-Fi signal is weaker. As such, the core function of a mesh router is to improve Wi-Fi coverage.
Why should you buy a mesh router?
With increasing Wi-Fi speeds and our growing reliance on our smartphones and other devices, stable and reliable wireless internet has become non-negotiable. As more and more people work from home, the demand for glitch-free internet that won’t leave you frozen mid-sentence during online meetings is high. Here are some benefits of mesh routers.
1. Flawless roaming
You want a strong and stable internet connection, and mesh routers make it their duty to find it. They automatically switch between nodes with the strongest signal, even as you move around your office or home, guaranteeing the strongest available connection without manually searching. Moreover, the network can simply reroute traffic through another node without disturbing your connection if one node is sluggish or fails entirely.
2. Enhanced consistency
From laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, to tablets, most of us connect numerous devices to one router and expect the same consistency and speed for each. Mesh routers make this possible, ensuring a faster and more consistent Wi-Fi connection because they distribute traffic through multiple nodes rather than relying on a single router. Users with larger home, office, or coverage areas can add more nodes to the system to ensure consistency and avoid dead zones with poor signal.
3. Easy to set up and manage
Many mesh routers offer an app to set up and manage Wi-Fi connections. This user-friendly method guides users through the setup process, making it as smooth as possible. Moreover, users can set up guest networks, tweak settings, and view connected devices via their app.
Introducing the Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router
This powerful mesh router lets users stay connected at all times without Ethernet cables. It delivers lightning-fast speeds, ultra-low latency, and a reliable connection, which is perfect for gaming and streaming. Here are some more of its impressive features.
1. Triple-threat connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 offers unbeatable capabilities to maximize your gaming performance, and is specially designed for high data transmission and minimal latency. Moreover, Wi-Fi 7 BE11000 lets you get ahead of the competition with ultra-responsive gaming and latencies as low as 1ms. The Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router promises superior gameplay without the wires via Wi-Fi 7 and Multi-Link Operation technology.
2. Hybrid QoS
Experience enhanced bandwidth with multiple technologies. The Hybrid Quality of Service is compatible with the Intel® Killer™ Prioritization Engine, offering unrivaled speeds and peak network performance with the help of Wi-Fi 7. Moreover, the mesh router’s Intelligent Device Recognition prioritizes devices and apps to ensure speedy connectivity when you need it most.
3. Multi-link technology
Take advantage of enhanced mesh connectivity thanks to multi-link technology. The advanced system allows mesh nodes to use multiple connections at once, boosting data throughput while minimizing latency and interference, and resulting in a more efficient network.
Mesh routers provide a more stable and reliable internet connection with fewer glitches and lags, enhancing gaming performance and ensuring smooth video calls for those all-important meetings. Moreover, multiple nodes prevent downtime and weak spots, so you do not have to sit next to the router to get a good connection. Mesh routers also deliver a faster internet speed, boosting productivity and efficiency.
Product specifications
* Wi-Fi Tri-Band BE11000 router
* Quad-core ARM Cortex
* 2.4GHz / 5GHZ / 6GHz Wi-Fi
* Ports: 2.5Gbps WAN and 1 Gbps LAN Ethernet Connections
* Color: white
* Height: 8.35 inches (21.20 cm)
* Width: 4.29 inches (10.89 cm)
* Length: 4.29 inches (10.89 cm)
* Weight: 2.02 lbs (0.91 kg)
So, is it worth investing in a mesh router?
Mesh routers offer superior performance and lightning-fast Wi-Fi speeds. They automatically connect to the strongest satellite nodes to ensure you get the most stable internet connection available. Mesh routers are low-maintenance and user-friendly, and can be controlled through an app. The Predator Connect T7 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router is ideal for gaming and streaming, delivering high data transmission and minimal latency as low as 1 ms. It is small, stylish, and lightweight, making it ideal for the home or office. Get yours today for just USD $329.99 or USD $280.49 with a 15% student discount on the Acer store website.
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Nintendo vs Palworld Lawsuit: Who's Winning Now?
Nintendo is no stranger to lawsuits, but its legal battle with Palworld developer Pocketpair may be one of the most important cases in gaming today. This isn’t just about one game looking too much like Pokémon. It’s about patents, power, and the future of indie developers. As the lawsuit drags on, fans and industry experts are closely watching to see what it means for the games we play and the companies that create them.
What is Palworld and who created it?
Palworld is an open-world survival game developed by Japanese indie studio Pocketpair. The game launched in Early Access on January 19, 2024, and quickly became a massive hit. Players can explore, craft, and collect creatures called Pals. These Pals can fight, build, work in factories, and even wield guns. The game drew instant attention for its similarities to Pokémon, but it offered a darker and more chaotic twist.
In its first six days, Palworld sold over 8 million copies and reached 25 million players within a month. It topped charts on Steam and Xbox, setting player count records for an indie title. Despite its popularity, the game also sparked controversy over how closely it resembled Pokémon. That controversy eventually became the basis for Nintendo's legal action.
The Pocketpair vs Nintendo Lawsuit – how did it start?
In January 2024, just days after Palworld’s explosive Early Access launch, The Pokémon Company released a rare public statement. Without naming the game directly, the company said it had “not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets” and was “investigating unauthorized use.” This was widely understood to be aimed at Palworld, and it marked the beginning of a growing legal storm.
On September 19, 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company officially filed a lawsuit in Japan against Pocketpair. However, they didn’t pursue the case through copyright or trademark law. Instead, they targeted the game through patent claims, accusing Pocketpair of infringing on three specific patents related to gameplay mechanics.
What made this unusual was the timing. All three patents were filed after Palworld had already been released. Nintendo based these new filings on a broader “parent” patent from 2021, but the timing and content of the divisional patents led many to believe Nintendo was reacting directly to Palworld’s success.
Why is Nintendo Suing Pocketpair and on what grounds?
Nintendo’s lawsuit claims that Palworld violates three patents tied to familiar monster-catching mechanics. The patents cover features like using a capsule-style item to catch or summon creatures, targeting those items during gameplay, and riding creatures through the game world. While Palworld uses its own terms, like “Pal Spheres” instead of Poké Balls, the similarities in function are at the center of Nintendo’s case.
What makes this situation even more complex is the legal tactic Nintendo is using. The patents in question were not part of the original Pokémon games. Instead, they were filed in 2024, after Palworld became a hit, as divisional patents of a broader 2021 submission. By doing this, Nintendo could tie new claims to an older filing while targeting Palworld’s specific features.
Pocketpair responded by saying it had not been made aware of the exact patents at first. It wasn’t until November 2024 that the studio learned what it was being accused of. And as more details came out, many in the gaming community began to question whether Nintendo was using the patent system to block competition rather than to protect original inventions.
However, one of the patents in this “monster capture” family has already been rejected by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for lacking originality. The examiner ruled that the patent showed no inventive step and cited several older titles (including ARK: Survival Evolved, Monster Hunter 4, and Craftopia) as prior art. Because this rejected patent sits between two of the patents currently being asserted in court, it raises questions about the validity of Nintendo’s remaining claims. The decision also supports Pocketpair’s argument that Palworld builds upon long-established gameplay mechanics rather than infringing on unique Nintendo inventions.
How has the lawsuit impacted Pocketpair and Palworld?
Since the lawsuit began, Pocketpair has made several changes to Palworld that directly affect gameplay. In November 2024, the studio released a patch that removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing a Pal Sphere. Instead of launching a ball, Pals now appear beside the player when summoned. This change was widely seen as a response to Nintendo’s legal claims.
Another major update came in May 2025, when Pocketpair altered how gliding works. Before the patch, players could summon a flying Pal mid-air to catch them and glide to safety. After the update, players were required to equip a separate glider item, and Pals now only provide passive buffs to support the glide. These design changes weakened some of the game's charm and added friction to movement and combat flow.
Pocketpair openly acknowledged that these changes were made because of the ongoing legal battle. The studio said it was disappointed but had to make adjustments to avoid further disruptions to development and distribution. Legal experts confirmed that these updates are part of a standard legal strategy: deny infringement, challenge the validity of the patents, and redesign the product to avoid further risk.
Despite the setbacks, Pocketpair is still moving forward. The company plans to release version 1.0 of Palworld in 2026 and has continued updating the game with new content. But the lawsuit has clearly slowed momentum and limited the studio’s ability to communicate freely with fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8FMYI3kTw4
What do gamers think of this?
Reactions to the lawsuit have been split, but the gaming community has largely rallied behind Pocketpair. Many players see Palworld as a bold and creative twist on the monster-catching genre, one that finally pushes the boundaries fans feel Pokémon has ignored for years. They argue that while the game takes inspiration from Pokémon, it builds on those ideas in new and interesting ways, and that alone shouldn’t be grounds for a lawsuit.
Others believe Nintendo’s legal approach is too aggressive. The fact that the patents were filed after Palworld’s release raised concerns that Nintendo was trying to shut down a competitor rather than protect genuine innovation. The use of divisional patents, vague wording, and even midcase rewrites has led some to accuse the company of acting like a patent troll.
Still, not all fans are sympathetic to Pocketpair. A portion of the community feels that Palworld borrows too heavily from Pokémon and should have expected legal trouble. Online debates often center on how much inspiration is acceptable and whether Palworld crosses the line.
Regardless of where people stand, most agree on one thing, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how large publishers use patents in the future. And for many indie developers, that’s a worrying thought.
Who will win?
It's sort of too early to make that call, but the momentum is indeed shifting in Palworld's favor. The Japan Patent Office’s rejection of one of Nintendo’s related patents already casts doubt on the company’s broader legal argument that Palworld copied truly original ideas.
Nintendo still has deep pockets, experienced legal teams, and a long track record of protecting its intellectual property. Pocketpair, on the other hand, is a small indie studio with limited resources but strong public support and a growing body of evidence that many of Nintendo’s patents may not hold up under scrutiny.
Legal experts have pointed out that several of Nintendo’s divisional patents depend on vague or non-inventive claims. If Pocketpair can continue to demonstrate prior art or have additional patents invalidated, the case could set a powerful precedent for the entire gaming industry. A victory for Pocketpair would not only secure its future but could also limit how aggressively large publishers use patents to control competition and innovation.
If Pocketpair wins in Japan, it could also reshape the global conversation. The Japanese ruling wouldn’t automatically apply in the United States, since patent systems operate independently. However, it would serve as persuasive evidence. U.S. courts often take note of foreign rulings when they involve the same patent family or similar claims. With the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office already rejecting most of Nintendo’s related filings for lacking inventiveness, a Japanese win would further weaken Nintendo’s credibility abroad.
Realistically, Pocketpair’s biggest challenge would be financial, not legal. Fighting a U.S. patent case can cost millions and take years to resolve. But if the Japanese courts and patent office both side with Pocketpair, Nintendo may decide that pursuing the fight elsewhere simply isn’t worth the risk or backlash. A win in Japan could therefore become a global turning point, not only for Palworld but for how far big publishers can go in using patents to suppress innovation in gaming.
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Best New Indie Games Released in 2025
From stunning debuts to long-awaited follow-ups, the indie game scene in 2025 has delivered some of the most creative and memorable experiences in gaming. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 brought turn-based combat to life with painterly visuals and emotional depth. Team Cherry finally released Hollow Knight: Silksong after nearly seven years in development. These are just a few examples of 2025 indie games that aren't just fan favorites. Some of them could even be contenders for Game of the Year. But what exactly makes a game “indie”? Before diving into the best indie games of 2025, let’s define what qualifies a title as indie.
What is an indie game?
An indie game is a video game developed by individuals or small teams without the creative or financial control of a major publisher. While the label is somewhat subjective, most indie games share the following characteristics:
* Financial independence: The game is self-funded, crowdfunded, or backed by boutique publishers who do not interfere with creative decisions.
* Creative control: Developers make all design, narrative, and gameplay choices without outside pressure or oversight.
* Small development team: Typically built by individuals or small studios formed specifically for a single project or creative vision.
* Experimental design: Indie games often explore unique mechanics, storytelling, or presentation styles not found in mainstream titles.
* Distinct artistic style: Many use stylized, minimalistic, or retro visuals to reflect the creators’ vision or work within budget limits.
* Digital-first distribution: Released primarily through online storefronts like Steam, Itch.io, or console marketplaces rather than physical retail.
* No publisher control: Even when publishing support exists, the studio maintains independence if there’s no creative oversight from the publisher.
With those traits in mind, let’s take a look at the best indie games of 2025, each one bringing its own fresh take on gameplay, storytelling, or style.
10 best indie games to play in 2025
10. Keep Driving
Developer: YCJY Games
Release date: February 6, 2025
Keep Driving is a turn-based road trip RPG that captures the bittersweet freedom of being young, broke, and slightly lost. Set in the early 2000s, you play as a teenager with a beat-up car, a loose summer plan, and just enough cash for gas and snacks. The goal? Make it across the map to a music festival while picking up oddball hitchhikers, avoiding breakdowns, and surviving a series of clever resource-management events along the way.
Each drive becomes a mini story. You’ll juggle fuel, energy, car repairs, and your passengers’ baggage, both literal and emotional. The game’s turn-based challenges involve playing skill cards and using items from your glove box to avoid setbacks like potholes, biker gangs, and “vague lanes.” But it’s the people you meet that really make the trip. From runaway brides to prison escapees, every hitchhiker adds personality, utility, and the occasional bit of chaos.
With great writing, multiple endings, and a killer soundtrack from Swedish indie bands, Keep Driving captures the spirit of a summer road trip where anything can happen and every decision leaves a mark. It’s heartfelt, weird, and unforgettable.
9. Schedule 1
Developer: TVGS (solo developer: Tyler)
Early Access release date: March 24, 2025
Schedule 1 is a management sim wrapped in satire, chaos, and surprising calm. You start as a down‑on‑your‑luck newcomer in a gritty city, building a small-scale narcotics operation from your hotel room. Over time, this modest setup becomes a sprawling, automated business with dozens of employees and city-wide distribution. Despite the dark theme, the game feels more cozy than criminal. You grow, craft, mix, and sell products, with a pace and tone that’s oddly relaxing.
What sets this game apart is its unusual mix of crime, comedy, and calm. Customers have specific preferences, encouraging you to experiment with blends and discover new product combos. As you grow your business, you'll automate everything from production to distribution and shift from street hustler to logistics mastermind.
Schedule 1 is also a surprisingly fun multiplayer game. You can invite a friend into your world to help with deliveries, production, and expansion. Co-op feels like a chaotic slice-of-life simulator where both players hustle side-by-side, managing deals and skating around town. Whether you're refining recipes together or laughing at the absurd item names, it's a memorable shared experience.
The latest Cartel Update added rival dealers, new quests, ambush events, graffiti mechanics, and property upgrades, expanding the game's scope and challenge. While the endgame is still under development and a few bugs remain, the consistent updates from its solo developer suggest a strong future ahead.
With its weird charm, creative systems, and hilarious co-op mode, Schedule 1 is one of 2025’s most unexpected indie hits.
8. Escape from Duckov
Developer: Team Soda
Release date: October 16, 2025
Escape from Duckov is a clever parody of Escape from Tarkov that swaps gritty online PvP combat for a quirky, offline single-player experience filled with ducks, loot, and danger. You play as a prisoner-turned-mercenary, taking on missions in a world falling apart. Don’t let the cartoonish style fool you. This game is tough, smart, and surprisingly tense.
Each run into the city is a top-down extraction mission. You search for loot, complete objectives, fight armed enemies, and try to make it back to your bunker alive. The AI is smart, the gunplay feels great, and nighttime or storm events introduce real risks. You can also choose from different difficulty settings that affect what happens when you die. Some settings let you recover lost gear, while others wipe your inventory completely.
Outside of combat, you can upgrade your hideout and build out services from NPCs who offer gear and stat upgrades. Each item you bring back can be used, traded, or saved for crafting. The progression is steady and satisfying. There is even mod support built into the main menu for players who want to customize the game further.
Escape from Duckov may look like a joke at first glance, but it delivers smart systems, intense firefights, and a strong sense of atmosphere. It is more than a parody. It is one of 2025’s most original single-player indie experiences.
7. Megabonk
Developer: vedinad
Release date: September 19, 2025
Megabonk is a 3D Survivors-like that combines the endless chaos of Vampire Survivors with the buildcrafting depth of Risk of Rain 2. You play as a goofy character called Monke, facing off against swarms of enemies with auto-firing weapons and stat-boosting tomes. At first glance, it might look like another meme game, but spend five minutes with it and you’ll realize there is real design magic underneath the chaos.
Each run has you racing against a ticking clock as you explore the map, defeat enemies, activate shrines, open chests, and prepare for a stage-ending boss fight. The longer you last, the harder the game pushes back with swarms, mini-bosses, and unpredictable item synergies. Over time, you unlock dozens of weapons, tomes, and characters, many of which let you create wild and overpowered builds.
Unlike other games in the genre, Megabonk puts heavy focus on exploration. You don’t just stand still and stack kills. You move, loot, and adapt. Meta progression systems allow you to reroll upgrades, toggle off specific items, and fine-tune your strategy from run to run. Success often depends on understanding how different systems interact and taking risks with random elements.
The game has some bugs and balance issues, but its core loop is so engaging that it’s easy to overlook the rough spots. It also plays extremely well on handhelds like the Steam Deck, where the performance stays smooth even during heavy swarms of enemies and projectiles.
Megabonk isn’t flashy or polished, but it’s deeply fun. It captures the joy of experimentation, power scaling, and leaderboard chasing better than most of its peers. For fans of Survivors-likes or anyone looking for a “just one more run” kind of game, this is a must-play.
6. Look Outside
Developer: Francis Coulombe
Release date: March 21, 2025
Look Outside is a surreal 2D survival horror RPG that blends SNES-era visuals with cosmic dread. Set inside a warped apartment complex under the influence of a mysterious object in the sky, this debut from solo developer Francis Coulombe delivers something bold and unforgettable. The game runs flawlessly on both PC and Steam Deck and features some of the most unsettling worldbuilding of the year.
You have 15 in-game days to survive and uncover one of multiple endings. Each day gives you limited hours to explore, fight, and scavenge before returning to your apartment to rest. Time only advances when visiting new areas, and save points are tied to how long you’ve been active. This mechanic creates long stretches of tension, where a bad decision can mean losing an hour of progress or more.
Combat is turn-based, but party members bring unique twists. One livestreamer gains powers by building viewer count. A punk duo kicks you out of your bedroom but helps you win fights. Their mechanics overlap and evolve in creative ways, turning even the simplest fights into tactical challenges. Who you invite into your apartment changes how the game plays, both mechanically and narratively.
The horror is deeply psychological. The story dives into madness, body horror, and paranoia, with disturbing NPC encounters and branching dialogue that changes your fate. You might meet a painter haunted by his multiplying self-portraits, or a voice in a pipe that drags you into a grotesque romance subplot. Every decision matters, and most of them have unsettling consequences.
The art style echoes classic 16-bit RPGs, but the imagery is far more nightmarish. Enemies mutate mid-battle, crawling with extra limbs or revealing horrifying secrets. The music and sound effects are equally strong, building a sense of dread that never quite fades. With great performance, no major bugs, and frequent developer updates streamed live on Twitch, this is a polished and personal work.
Look Outside is haunting, funny, and full of strange beauty. It rewards exploration and replaying, with multiple endings and hidden content tucked into every floor of the building. For fans of survival horror or retro RPGs, this is one of the most memorable indie games of the year.
5. Monster Train 2
Developer: Shiny Shoe
Release date: May 21, 2025
Monster Train 2 is a brilliant follow-up to the 2020 roguelike deckbuilder that adds more content without breaking what already worked. You still manage units across a three-floor train and fend off waves of enemies using card-based spells and upgrades. But this time, you're climbing up from Hell to storm a corrupted Heaven, and the game's new clans, room modifiers, and gear systems offer deeper strategy than ever before.
The five new factions are creative and fun to experiment with. You can stack damage-over-time effects, spawn mushrooms, use gear that transfers when a unit dies, or cast moon-phase spells that flip each turn. Equipment and room cards can dramatically change the tide of battle, allowing for wild combinations. There's also a new way to modify your Pyre Heart at the start of each run, giving you bonuses that shape your overall strategy.
Every run is filled with important decisions. Choosing your primary and secondary clan, your champion’s skill tree, your Pyre Heart, artifacts, spells, and upgrade paths gives each playthrough a unique feel. The game also makes it easier to learn by letting you reset turns and retry battles if you make a mistake, a welcome addition for casual and hardcore players alike.
For those looking for a challenge, Monster Train 2 offers Endless Mode, customizable challenge tiers, and 21 hand-built Dimensional Challenges that unlock new Pyre Hearts and cosmetics. These modes push your builds to the limit.
On top of its deep systems and excellent performance on Steam Deck and PC, Monster Train 2 now supports multiplayer runs. You can compete with others through daily challenges, community-built rule sets, and leaderboard scoring. That social layer adds extra replay value, especially if you want to see how your strategies stack up against others.
With smart improvements, strong faction design, and a mountain of replayability, Monster Train 2 stands as one of 2025's most polished and addictive indie games. Whether you're in it for high scores, crazy builds, or just an hour of satisfying deckbuilding, this game delivers.
4. Blue Prince
Developer: Dogubomb
Release date: April 10, 2025
Blue Prince is a standout first-person puzzle game that blends roguelite room drafting with tile-based map building, narrative exploration, and clever logic challenges. You play as Simon, a teenage boy who must solve the secrets of his great uncle’s ever-shifting mansion to claim his inheritance. To do so, you must discover the hidden 46th room by building a new floorplan with each run.
Each day begins with a limited number of steps. Every time you open a door, you draft one of three new rooms to connect next, building a custom 9×5 floor grid. Every room has its own category: purple rooms grant extra steps, yellow rooms offer items, and red rooms introduce risk. There are also hidden rooms that only appear under special conditions, encouraging experimentation and long-term planning.
The real puzzle lies in how you interact with this world. Clues are scattered across the house and often span multiple rooms or runs. Some puzzles involve math or levers, but the most satisfying ones require critical thinking, note-taking, and pattern recognition. Over time, you unlock permanent upgrades and special tools that help mitigate randomness and give you better control over your layout.
Despite its randomized structure, the game never feels unfair. Even a failed run usually reveals new secrets, story beats, or mechanics that deepen your understanding of the house. The lore is rich but optional, gradually uncovering the truth behind your uncle’s legacy and the nation he once influenced. Every discovery feels earned, and the sense of progression is steady and rewarding.
If you enjoy games like Myst, Return of the Obra Dinn, or Outer Wilds, Blue Prince belongs in that conversation. It is one of the smartest and most satisfying puzzle games of the year.
3. Hades 2
Developer: Supergiant Games
Release date: September 26, 2025
Hades 2 expands on one of the best roguelites ever made without losing what made the original special. You now play as Melinoë, daughter of Hades and Persephone, who must defeat her grandfather Chronos. It sounds straightforward, but what follows is one of the deepest and most replayable action games of the year.
Each run branches into two paths: Tartarus or Mount Olympus. Both contain distinct enemies, environments, and bosses. This branching structure adds twice the variety and helps keep each session fresh. Whether you're clearing Olympus or diving deeper into the Underworld, the structure always supports discovery.
Combat is faster and more flexible than before. Mel is a spellcaster by nature, with a magic circle Cast, elemental synergy boons, and powerful Hex ultimates. You can equip different weapons like twin torches, a massive axe, or a broom-style staff. Each one has multiple variations that radically change how you approach fights.
Progression is just as satisfying. From Hecate's cauldron upgrades to animal familiars and farming systems, new mechanics are unlocked slowly but never feel like clutter. The returning gods like Hermes and Poseidon have been reworked, and the new moon goddess Selene adds a build-defining mechanic in the form of a customizable Hex tree.
Voice acting is excellent, the character arcs are layered and mature, and the art is once again among the best in the genre. On top of that, Darren Korb’s music may be his strongest soundtrack to date. Boss fights like the Scylla and Sirens encounter even weave their own musical themes into gameplay. It is elegant, creative, and often hilarious.
Hades 2 builds on the original with more story, more builds, and more meaningful decisions. It is not just a sequel. It is the new benchmark for roguelite design.
2. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Developer: Team Cherry
Release Date: September 4, 2025
After seven long years and more than a few fake Reddit posts, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched in 2025. The wait was agonizing. Originally announced as a DLC that evolved into a full sequel, Silksong became the poster child for "where is it?" threads, meme countdowns, and endless speculation. Now that it’s here, the game not only lives up to the hype, it cements Team Cherry’s reputation for crafting hauntingly beautiful, brutally precise action platformers.
You play as Hornet, a fast and agile warrior navigating the vertical kingdom of Pharloom. Every inch of the game feels hand-built. From the labyrinthine level design to the melancholic soundtrack, Silksong pulls you into its eerie world and doesn’t let go. It’s harder than Hollow Knight in almost every way. Most enemy attacks deal two masks of damage. Save benches are rare. And the game punishes recklessness, forcing you to approach each encounter with intention.
But the difficulty never feels unfair. Bosses are tough but well-telegraphed. Tools can be swapped through Crests to change your playstyle. Some favor heavy defense, others reward speed and aggression. And Hornet’s healing system, which requires a pause to bind and restore three masks at once, creates a constant push-pull between risk and reward. Exploring feels tense, methodical, and satisfying.
One of the game’s strongest traits is its sense of discovery. The world is dense with secrets, shortcuts, and hidden bosses. The moment you think you've seen it all, a new path opens. Every region has its own personality, from the windswept wastes to industrial ruins. Lore is scattered through sidequests and subtle details, inviting deep dives and debate.
This is not a game that holds your hand. It expects you to get lost, to struggle, to figure things out on your own or through trial and error. And that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.
1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is my personal Game of the Year for 2025. It blends the artistic style of French theatre and painting with modern JRPG systems in a way that feels both familiar and brand new. You lead a group of warriors on a desperate quest to destroy a godlike figure called The Paintress, who each year marks a number that determines the age at which people will vanish from existence. It’s a dark premise, but the execution is thoughtful, emotional, and at times even hopeful.
The combat system is one of the best turn-based systems ever made. You don’t just select attacks. You also time button presses during spells, dodges, and parries. This keeps you fully engaged every turn, especially during boss fights that play out like rhythm games. Parrying at the perfect moment rewards you with slow-motion counterattacks. Each character plays differently, with their own unique mechanics and combo systems. The card-wielding Sciel manages light and dark phases. Gustave builds power with hits. Maelle switches between stances based on status effects and weapons. Lune stacks elemental affinities to cast devastating spells.
Outside of battle, the Picto system lets you customize builds with perks and bonuses. It starts simple but expands into complex synergies that reward experimentation. While the menus can get cluttered, the game encourages you to break its systems in clever ways. You can feel overpowered, but only if you earn it.
The game also shines in its storytelling. Its world is melancholic but full of personality. There are goofy wooden creatures called Gestrals, party campfire scenes that reveal character backstories, and dialogue that feels grounded and natural. The themes of grief, mortality, and legacy are handled with care, and the voice acting is top-tier throughout.
Its pacing is another strength. The 35-hour runtime leaves little filler. Dungeons are tight, the overworld is packed with secrets, and side content adds meaningful depth. Even without a quest log, exploration feels organic. The soundtrack deserves its own praise. From symphonic rock to opera to ambient strings, it elevates every moment.
While some later plot twists come fast and a few dungeons could use a minimap, these are small issues in an otherwise outstanding experience. Clair Obscur doesn't just pay tribute to the classics. It understands what made them great and builds something meaningful on top of that. If you love turn-based RPGs, this is not one to miss.
Final thoughts
2025 has been an incredible year for indie games. We’ve seen stunning world-building, bold art direction, and some of the most engaging combat systems in recent memory. These titles prove that you don’t need blockbuster budgets to create unforgettable experiences.
Whether it’s the emotional storytelling of Clair Obscur, the finely tuned difficulty of Silksong, or the endless replayability of Hades 2, indie developers continue to raise the bar. Any one of those three could walk away with Game of the Year, and I wouldn’t be surprised. They’ve earned their place at the top.
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