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Bitwave Games Shares Its Retro Love with A Valentine’s Day Launch for the Highly Anticipated Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1

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Bitwave Games, a video game developer specialising in retro entertainment and part of Embracer Freemode, announced today the release date of the highly-anticipated Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1 arriving on Steam and GOG from February 14, 2023.

The first in a planned series of acclaimed shooting treasures, gamers are invited to spend Valentine’s Day showing their love to arcade classics, building their own curated library of Toaplan arcade hits and expanding it through 2023.

Announced to great excitement in August 2022, the new collection is a result of the partnership between Bitwave Games and Japanese developer Tatsujin. Volume 1 of the collection includes the following titles:

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  • Zero Wing™ – Legendary co-op shooter with stunning original soundtrack from composers Tatsuya Uemura, Masahiro Yuge, and Toshiaki Tomizawa.
  • Out Zone™ – Run-and-gun alone or with a buddy in this bonafide hit featuring a unique weapon system, and killer soundtrack!
  • Twin Cobra™ – Battle hostile battleships solo or in co-op with the world’s fastest attack chopper!
  • Truxton™ – Adrenaline filled legendary shooter has you defeating alien hordes across massive stages in this vertically scrolling shooter masterpiece.

 

Each game in the collection features a raft of carefully crafted quality-of-life features. Bringing these signature shooters to the modern gamer, the Toaplan Arcade Shmup Vol. 1 games feature quick save/resume, online leaderboards for single credit, no assist and assisted plays, as well as Steam Achievements for the completionist gamer. To help players share the experience, a capture option has been included, immortalising those interstellar victories. But it doesn’t stop there, other quality-of-life features include:

  • Quality Emulation featuring minimal input lag, input processing, and rendering all complete on the same frame.
  • Instrument Panels featuring additional gameplay information and artwork.
  • Rewind feature allowing gamers to rewind between 10-18 minutes of play.
  • Assist features facilitating options such as auto-fire.
  • Very Easy Mode, allowing beginners to master each game at their own pace.
  • Pixel-perfect display option or full-screen scaling in both windowed and full-screen modes.
  • Rotate option allowing the action to be rotated in 90-degree increments.
  • Choose between Raw Input on Windows® or Steam® Input.
  • Practice mode, allowing gamers to hone their skills.

“Since we announced our partnership with Tatsujin the retro gaming community has been waiting patiently for a release date to be announced, and we thought Valentine’s Day would be the perfect opportunity to relive these classic shooters with the one you love!” said Andréas Göransson, PR and Community Manager for Bitwave Games “Each of these games stand the test of time, and when coupled with the impressive quality-of-life features we have carefully implemented, we believe gamers everywhere will fall in love with the first volume in our collection.”

The Toaplan Arcade Shoot ‘Em Up Collection Vol.1 will be available from February 14, 2023 for $19.99. The individual titles forming Volume 1. will also be available separately for the SRP of $7.99 per game and can be wishlisted via Steam and GOG now.

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10-15% Of Gamers In Florida Show Signs Of Gaming Addiction: Here Are 10 Signs Your Kid Is Suffering From It (And How You Can Help)

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Recent studies indicate that 10-15% of young gamers in Florida exhibit signs of gaming addiction. These findings underscore the need for early identification of symptoms to prevent negative impacts on children’s mental and physical health. Gaming addiction, if not dealt with, can lead to poor academic performance, social withdrawal, and even health problems.

Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of FreezeNova, discusses key indicators of gaming addiction and offers practical advice for parents.

Recognizing Early Signs

“Early recognition of gaming addiction is crucial in preventing long-term negative outcomes,” Marin explains. The following signs can help parents identify if their child might be developing an addiction:

Exhaustion and Irritability

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Constant tiredness and grumpiness during the day could indicate late-night gaming sessions interfering with sleep.

Gaming Obsession 

If gaming dominates your child’s thoughts and conversations, and they plan their day around it while neglecting other responsibilities, it could be a sign of addiction.

Decline in Academic Performance and Lost Interests

A noticeable decline in academic performance or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities may suggest your child is prioritizing gaming over more important tasks.

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Emotional Volatility

Extreme emotional reactions to in-game outcomes, such as uncontrolled anger, known as ‘Gamer Rage’, or intense celebrations, could indicate an unhealthy attachment to gaming.

Physical Strain

Signs of repetitive strain injuries like ‘Gamer’s Thumb’ or ‘Nintendo Neck’ from prolonged screen time are warning signals.

Neglecting Basic Needs 

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If your child is neglecting basic needs like eating, sleeping, or hygiene to keep playing, gaming has likely taken an unhealthy control over their life.

Creating a Supportive Environment

While video games can be a great source of entertainment and connection, around 70% of people with signs of gaming addiction also experience social disorders. Marin recommends a few tips for building a supportive and open environment for your child.

Teamwork and Setting Boundaries

“Parents and children should work together to create a healthy gaming environment. Gaming addiction requires a holistic approach,” Marin advises. Start by setting clear boundaries on gaming time to ensure there’s room for schoolwork, chores, and quality family time.

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Revisit activities your child once loved, like football practice or exploring new hobbies together. It’s vital for your child to take breaks from screens, so create a balanced daily routine that includes homework, chores, exercise and just some gaming time. This allows your child to enjoy their games without neglecting other aspects of their life.

Open Communication

Maintain open communication. Discuss the games your child enjoys and any concerns you might have. By understanding their world, you can work together to find solutions.

Remember, you’re not alone. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help from specialists in gaming addiction. Marin concludes, “By working as a team, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication, we can help your child develop a healthy relationship with gaming and thrive in all areas of life.”

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Compliance Updates

SYNOT Games Officially Certifies Over 140 Games in Brazil

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SYNOT Games has announced that more than 140 of its games have now been officially certified in Brazil.

“We are delighted to announce that more than 140 of our games have now been officially certified in Brazil. This significant achievement allows us to expand our reach and introduce a diverse selection of games to this dynamic market. Brazil represents a key opportunity for growth, and we are committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences to the Brazilian audience,” the Company said.

“We are thrilled to introduce our portfolio in Brazil, offering innovative and engaging gameplay that promises to captivate and entertain players,” Martina Krajci, CCO at SYNOT Games, said.

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SPGA Introduces Code of Conduct to Highlight Member Commitment to Compliance and Safety in Social and Promotional Gaming

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The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.

The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.

Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.
The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure: 
  • Age verification to limit real money play to users 18 and older

  • Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC) 

  • Location verification of customers 

  • AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring

“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA. 
“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”
In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.  
“We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play,” said Wright.      
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