Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and current state of renowned game designer Hideo Kojima, emphasizing his creative journey and the impact of age and experience on his work, particularly in relation to his latest project, "Death Stranding 2" [6][10][44]. Group 1: Hideo Kojima's Career and Influence - Hideo Kojima is recognized as a "genius game designer" with a unique ability to blend storytelling and gameplay, having created iconic series like "Metal Gear Solid" and innovative projects like "P.T." [16][17]. - Kojima's recent works reflect a deep engagement with themes of connection and communication, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced his creative direction for "Death Stranding 2" [13][14][36]. - The article highlights Kojima's desire for his games to provoke thought and discussion, rather than simply conforming to mainstream expectations [23][38]. Group 2: Creative Process and Philosophy - Kojima's creative process is characterized by a focus on the player's experience and the importance of "serendipity" in game design, which he believes is often lost in modern gaming [36][41]. - He views games as interactive art forms that facilitate unique connections between players, allowing for diverse interpretations and experiences [25][42]. - The article notes that Kojima's commitment to his artistic vision sometimes leads him to challenge conventional gaming norms, aiming to create experiences that resonate on a deeper level [39][40]. Group 3: Future Aspirations and Legacy - Despite facing health challenges, Kojima remains dedicated to his craft, expressing a desire to continue creating until the end of his life [44][46]. - He hopes to inspire future game developers by sharing his creative ideas, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and the interconnectedness of artistic expression [46][48]. - The article concludes by suggesting that Kojima's influence extends beyond his own creations, as he contributes to a broader dialogue about the role of games in society and their potential to shape cultural narratives [49][50].

Core Insights - Hideo Kojima, a renowned game producer, is celebrating his 62nd birthday while continuing his global tour to meet fans [1] - Kojima's latest work, "Death Stranding 2," incorporates elements from his past projects, leading to mixed reactions regarding his creative evolution [1][3] - Despite concerns about his age and creativity, Kojima's current creative state is reportedly stronger than ever, benefiting from his experiences and newfound creative freedom after leaving Konami [4][11] Group 1 - Kojima's signature style includes deep observations and foresight, addressing future issues such as AI and global conflicts in his works [7][9] - The pandemic prompted Kojima to rethink the core themes of "Death Stranding," leading to a more profound exploration of connection and its complexities in "Death Stranding 2" [6][24] - The game's design reflects Kojima's desire for meaningful interaction and expression, emphasizing the importance of experience and serendipity in gameplay [23][28] Group 2 - Kojima's commitment to creating games stems from his belief in the interactive nature of the medium, which allows for unpredictable player engagement [13][14] - He aims to balance commercial success with artistic expression, hoping players will appreciate unconventional ideas [11][27] - Kojima's legacy is not just about his creations but also about inspiring future developers to innovate and contribute to the gaming landscape [33][35]

Group 1 - BW 2025 attracted 167 global exhibitors and over 300,000 cosplayers, with a total attendance of 400,000, marking a 15% increase from 2024 [1] - The event showcased international participation, with fans from countries like Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, in addition to Japan and South Korea [1] - The event trended on Japanese Twitter, ranking 6th, highlighting its global appeal and scale [1] Group 2 - Non-ACGN exhibitors such as the Macao Tourism Board and Huawei participated, breaking the dimensional barrier and fostering offline interactions between "three-dimensional" brands and "two-dimensional" audiences [2] - The event significantly boosted local industries, with a 31% sales increase at 百联ZX and a 50% rise in national flight bookings to Shanghai during the event [3] - BW 2025 demonstrated the growing influence of Chinese Generation Z in content creation and cultural output, showcasing their creativity and inclusivity to the world [3]

Group 1 - The public beta of "Douluo Dalu: Hunting Soul World" by 37 Interactive Entertainment started on July 11, featuring open-world MMO gameplay that appeals to fans of the original IP [1] - The dark fantasy action game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" showcased a complete chapter for the first time at the BW2025 exhibition, highlighting its gameplay and Cthulhu-style narrative [3] - The retro flying shooting mobile game "Winding Up" by Mutong Technology began its return test on July 10 [4] Group 2 - Multiple games announced shutdowns, including the Huawei channel version of "Minecraft," which will cease operations on October 8, 2025, and "Second Galaxy," which will stop operations on October 9, 2025, due to business strategy adjustments [6][8] - The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC2025) commenced on July 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring a record-breaking participation of 22 clubs and 23 competition projects from China [9] - The BW2025 exhibition, Asia's largest ACGN event, opened from July 11-13 in Shanghai, attracting 700 exhibitors and over 1,000 content creators, with ticket sales selling out in 35 seconds [11] - Tencent Games announced the establishment of the K9 Cooperation Department on July 8, focusing on the long-term transformation and strategic cooperation of Ubisoft's core IPs [13]

Core Viewpoint - The discussion around the new game "Dual Shadow Realm" for Switch 2 has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the use of a redemption code instead of a physical cartridge, leading to feelings of deception among consumers [1][3]. Group 1: Product Features and Consumer Reactions - The initial batch of "Dual Shadow Realm" includes only a redemption code, which can only be used once and is tied to a Nintendo account, causing frustration among consumers who expected a physical cartridge [3][5]. - Future physical versions will include a "key card," which requires downloading the game but still needs to be inserted to play, combining drawbacks of both digital and physical formats [6][8]. - Some consumers argue that the transition to digital distribution is beneficial for third-party developers, reducing costs and ensuring access to the latest game versions [9][10]. Group 2: Collectibility and Ownership Concerns - The "key card" is seen as a diminished form of ownership, as it represents a mere access key rather than a true collectible, impacting the value for collectors [13][21]. - The trend of digital content replacing physical media raises concerns about the permanence of ownership, as seen in the backlash against the "Death Stranding 2" collector's edition lacking a physical disc [14][30]. - The shift towards digital media has led to a loss of tangible ownership, with consumers often only acquiring "usage rights" rather than true ownership of the content [29][32]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Implications - The media landscape is increasingly moving towards online and streaming formats, which, while offering benefits like updates, also pose risks of losing access to content if servers are shut down [24][25]. - The "Stop Killing Games" movement highlights consumer frustration over losing access to purchased games when servers are closed, emphasizing the need for longer service durations from companies [26][31]. - The potential disappearance of physical game cartridges may lead to a future where younger generations are unfamiliar with the concept of physical media, as digital formats become the norm [41][44].

Price Increase Details - In Turkey, the price of PS Plus Deluxe has surged from 2,740 Turkish Lira (approximately 603 RMB) to 4,266 Turkish Lira (approximately 939 RMB), marking a 55% increase [2] - The Extra tier has increased from 2,340 Turkish Lira (approximately 515 RMB) to 3,645 Turkish Lira (approximately 802 RMB) [2] - The new price for the Essential tier has not yet been announced, but a similar increase is expected [2] Game Price Adjustments in Brazil - The price of "Death Stranding 2" has risen from 349.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 458 RMB) to 399.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 524 RMB) [3] - "Astro Bot" has increased from 299.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 393 RMB) to 339.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 445 RMB) [3] - "Silent Hill f" has also seen a price increase from 349.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 458 RMB) to 399.90 Brazilian Reais (approximately 524 RMB) [3] Community Response - PlayStation users are calling for a community-wide boycott of Sony until prices are lowered again [5] - The significant price increase, particularly the 55% hike in Turkey, has been described as the "last straw" for many players [6] - There is widespread anger on forums and social media, with some players stating they can no longer afford to renew their PS Plus subscriptions and others indicating they will stop purchasing new games altogether [6] Economic Context - Turkish players are particularly upset due to the devaluation of their currency, making it already difficult to afford gaming expenses [8] - The timing of such a substantial price increase during an economic downturn has exacerbated financial burdens on players, leading to strong resistance against Sony [8] - Players express concerns that Sony may follow Xbox's lead in raising the prices of top-tier games to $80 (approximately 580 RMB) [6]