Cooking Mama controvery gets spicy and Fallout 76 is good now?

Introducing a New Interactive Element: In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

Some of the first articles I linked for Load Save were about Loot Boxes, notably how unbelievable it is that some game companies will do anything they can to keep loot boxes in their game. This week, there's been a slight victory in the war against randomized loot boxes.

The ESRB will now include In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) underneath the rating for each game. This way, parents will know what exactly will be in the games that they're buying their kids. More information is always better when it comes to consumer items, so yay!

Image credit: ESRB

Cooking Mama: Cookstar's developers are being sued for releasing the game without permission

I linked this in Industry because now it's getting legal. There isn't much to say here, but to keep you informed about news that I've linked in the past, I have to link this.

The plot thickens with Cooking Mama: Cookstar's release. Apparently, it wasn't even ready for release, but Planet Entertainment (the developer of Cookstar), released it anyway. I'm actually interested to see if Planet will respond and how this goes down in court.

Image credit: Office Create Corp.... I guess?

The curious case of Animal Crossing in China | Opinion

I'm really glad I caught this article before sending out this week's issue. Originally, I had one report linked about China's new laws that will ban online gaming and communication with anyone outside of China as well as a lot of other video game stuff (you can still read that article here).

This article describes the Chinese Gaming Market better than I've ever seen before. The focus isn't on recent headlines, but rather on the workings of the Chinese market, which should be understood before reading and writing these breaking-news articles.

One point made in this article is that Chinese gamers are well aware of new games coming out. They aren't oblivious to them due to China's strict laws because there are still a lot of ways to buy a game even if it's banned. So, this becomes more interesting when you factor in the new laws about making gaming communication more strict. Will Chinese gamers find a way to get around that, like they have with other gaming restrictions? I believe they will, and I'm intrigued to see how they do it.

I'm not trying to make Load Save politically loaded, but it is important to be aware of what is going on around the world. Before I started this newsletter, I would have never heard about news like this. But now that I'm actively looking for stories, I feel like I owe it to everyone who reads this to know what's going on. Plus, if you don't like reading this stuff, you can always scroll by!

Image credit: Nintendo

Just For Laughs

The 9 tastiest dinners in games

It's been a few weeks since we've had a Just For Laughs article, so why not take a break from all the seriousness in the world and let your tastebuds water with Rock, Paper, Shotgun's "9 Tastiest Dinners In Games."

I know that RPS sticks to games that are on PC, but I would have to throw in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Man, that game made me feel like a straight-up chef. Calamity Ganon can chill for a minute, I'm trying to cook.

Image credit: this article

A pleasant blend

This week, we have a very nice blend of articles, from Loot Boxes being more transparent to Corona Relief Done Quick, there's a little bit for everyone. I also wrote my first opinion/review article in a long time: my take on Fallout 76: Wastelanders. It's the first article linked, so it's hard to miss. Give it a read and let me know what you think!

I really appreciate you taking time to read this week's issue. If you want to say hi or give any feedback, you can always respond to this email or find me on your choice of social platform!

Without further ado, stay safe and enjoy the read!

Development

Developers of your favourite games share what they’re most proud of making

This is a longer article, but I love it because I love reading about people being proud of the work they've done, and that's what this article is all about. I don't know the majority of these Indie games, but that didn't affect me enjoying this article. It also goes to show how incredibly talented these people are. I mean, Derek Yu (originator of the classic Spelunky) made his own game at age 12! That's crazy.

What's one thing that you've made that makes you proud?

Image credit: This article

Reviews

Fallout 76: Wastelanders made me actually enjoy Fallout 76

It happened. I played the Wastelanders update for Fallout 76, the one that was meant to overhaul the game.

And I actually enjoyed it.

I wrote a quick recap of my first few hours in the game, everything I liked and the stuff that didn't sit well with me. For the first time in a long time, I'm excited to get back into Appalachia to see what it holds.

I'm hoping to write more stuff like this, so if you like it, let me know!

Image credit: Bethesda

Community

Corona Relief Done Quick

If you find yourself bored this weekend, which is very likely considering that most of the world is quarantined, why not check out Corona Relief Done Quick?

Games Done Quick is known for hosting Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) and Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) to raise money for Doctors Without Borders and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. This year, SGDQ 2020 had to be pushed back due to Coronavirus. Luckily for speedrun fans, a special weekend-long speedrunning fantastical is being put on by GDQ to raise money for Coronavirus relief. Even if you can't donate, watching a few of your favorite games be destroyed in a speedrun is always a great way to pass the time.

Image credit: Games Done Quick

Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ museum toured on Twitch by real aquarium staff

For many reasons, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an escape for a lot of people from the sadness of current life. At its base, the game can be a fun way to get away and fish, garden, and make friends with different villagers. But because of current events, New Horizons is becoming so much more.

This article highlights an aquarium that is using New Horizon's museum to give digital tours of many of the animals showcased in the game. Although Blathers, the in-game curator, does a great job of describing each fossil, fish, and insect you bring in, there's only so much he can say in a few lines of text. These professionals at Chicago's Field Museum and Monterey Bay Aquarium gave a much more in-depth talk about these animals, which is a great way to keep yourself educated during quarantine.

This is just one of the ways that New Horizons is being used to make up for cancelled real-world events. What's one of your favorites?

Image credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Before You Go

More entertainment throughout the week

Well, another week goes on in quarantined life. I hope that Load Save brings you some entertainment or distracts you from the current state of the world. If you're looking for more to read or watch, keep an eye on my Medium account for more one-off articles and on my Twitch account for some livestreams. Right now I'm focusing on Fallout 76: Wastelanders, so come check out the stream if you want to see some gameplay.

Thanks again for reading, I hope that you're staying safe and happy in all of this craziness.

I'll see you next time!