The Joju-u-u Shrin e   (1516, -3576, 0142)   in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom  is located in the East Faron region near the southern coast of Hyrule. This shrine, visible from afar due to its high placement on a cliff above the Lakeside Stable, is a convenient fast travel point for the surrounding area. Here’s a guide to help you conquer the Joju-u-u Shrine and earn your rewards. Shrine Challenge: Building Bridges The main challenge in Joju-u-u Shrine, called Building Bridges , involves using the Ultrahand  ability to connect objects and create pathways. Here’s a step-by-step guide to solving it: Entering the Shrine : Upon entering, you’ll see that the shrine requires you to create bridges using various wooden planks and platforms provided within the puzzle area. First Bridge : Find a set of long wooden planks near the initial platform. Use Ultrahand  to pick up a plank, then position it to bridge the gap to the next platform. Adjust the angle and alignment carefully to ensure it’s secure, then cross to the other side. Second Gap : For the second section, you’ll likely find multiple planks of various lengths. If one plank isn’t long enough, try attaching two planks end-to-end using Ultrahand  to create a longer bridge. Attach the planks carefully, ensuring they are straight and aligned, so they don’t collapse under Link’s weight. Cross once your bridge is stable. Final Challenge – Larger Gap : The last section might have a wider gap or a more complex layout. Look around for any nearby materials to extend the bridge. If you need extra support, try building with multiple layers of planks, or secure them by anchoring the ends on raised ground if available. Carefully cross the final bridge to reach the end of the shrine. Shrine Rewards Upon completing the Building Bridges  challenge, you’ll receive a chest containing Large Zonaite , a valuable resource for crafting and upgrading Zonai devices. Tips for Success Ultrahand Precision : Ensure that each plank is securely in place before crossing, as poorly aligned bridges can collapse. Experiment with Materials : Don’t hesitate to get creative! If one bridge design fails, try different plank combinations or build support structures. Watch Your Step : Once you’ve placed the bridge, move cautiously across it to avoid slipping or toppling any unsecured planks. With this approach, the Joju-u-u Shrine should be a fun and rewarding puzzle to complete, and you’ll be one step closer to mastering the art of Zonai engineering!

Nintendo has ramped up its legal efforts, filing a lawsuit against streamer Jesse Keighin, known as EveryGameGuru, for allegedly streaming pirated and emulated Nintendo Switch games before their official releases. The suit, filed on November 6 by Nintendo of America, claims Keighin streamed pre-release games such as Mario & Luigi: Brothership, over two weeks before its release, across platforms like TikTok, Twitch, Kick, and YouTube. Starting in 2022, Keighin allegedly played at least ten Nintendo games before launch. Nintendo says they issued multiple takedown notices, but Keighin would simply create new “burner” accounts, even reportedly telling Nintendo he had “a thousand burner channels” and could “do this all day.” In addition to streaming unreleased games, Nintendo claims Keighin actively promoted illegal downloads of ROMs, as well as emulators that support pirated games. He reportedly sent an email to Nintendo stating he would continue helping users access “newer and updated copies” of emulators, despite ongoing legal actions against similar projects. Nintendo seeks damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, potentially reaching $7.5 million, with a 47-page case filing that includes extensive evidence such as screenshots of Keighin’s streams and Discord activity.

Warner Bros. Discovery has acknowledged that MultiVersus, its free-to-play Smash Bros.-style brawler, has fallen short of expectations, resulting in an additional $100 million writedown for its gaming division in 2024. In July, Warner Bros. Games acquired Player First Games, the developer of MultiVersus, just two months after the game’s relaunch on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Player First Games co-founder Tony Huynh expressed optimism at the time, noting that joining Warner Bros. Games would strengthen MultiVersus by integrating the development team with the publisher’s resources. Yet, in a recent earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery executives, including CEO David Zaslav and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, revealed that MultiVersus' underperformance has further impacted the company’s financials, adding to a $200 million writedown earlier in the year and bringing the total impairment for the gaming segment to over $300 million. The company’s only new title for the third quarter of 2024, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions , also saw minimal traction. “The games division is currently performing well below its potential,” Zaslav remarked. Wiedenfels further explained that the additional writedown primarily stemmed from MultiVersus, contributing to a notable decline in studio profits. Player data from SteamDB indicated just 686 concurrent players for MultiVersus at the time of reporting, with a 24-hour peak of 1,741 players—far from its peak of 153,433 players set over two years ago, before the game was taken offline and overhauled. Player counts for other platforms remain undisclosed. With Season 4 launching on November 12, Warner Bros. has not specified what’s next for MultiVersus. However, earlier in the year, plans were reportedly scaled back for other underperforming titles, such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League , leading to layoffs. Warner Bros. Games reported a 31% revenue decline year-over-year in Q3 2024, citing a strong prior-year performance from Mortal Kombat 1 as a contrast to this year’s slate. In the current quarter, Warner Bros. anticipates stable or slightly improved results, with last year’s Switch release of Hogwarts Legacy balancing out lower costs. Going forward, Warner Bros. plans to concentrate on its major franchises, including Hogwarts Legacy  (a sequel is in development), Mortal Kombat , Game of Thrones , and DC, with an emphasis on Batman. This strategy includes new projects like Batman: Arkham Shadow  on the Meta Quest 3 and a Wonder Woman  game from Monolith Productions. "Our focus is now on developing core franchises with proven studios to improve success rates," Zaslav stated.

During Sony's recent quarterly financial conference call, CFO and COO Hiroki Totoki shared insights into the PlayStation business. PlayStation Engagement & Sales Growth Sony announced that cumulative play hours on PlayStation rose by 11% year-over-year for the quarter spanning July to September 2024. Astro Bot  has sold 1.5 million copies in just nine weeks, with 37% of buyers having not purchased a Sony first-party title in the past two years. The game is popular among young users and families, marking a strong step in Sony's efforts to attract new players. Learning from Live Service Successes and Challenges Totoki emphasized that Sony has gained valuable insights from the success of Helldivers 2  and the struggles with Concord , especially in managing live service games. These learnings will be applied across its studios, particularly in development management and in refining the process of ongoing content updates and service scaling. Strategic Focus: Single-Player and Live Service Games Sony aims to develop a balanced game portfolio by focusing on high-potential single-player titles, leveraging their well-established IPs, while also investing in live service games that bring additional, though riskier, revenue opportunities. This balanced approach forms part of Sony’s mid-range strategy for growth. Platform and Studio Business Outlook Sony’s platform business is showing robust growth, and the company expects steady increases in user engagement and revenue through the second half of the fiscal year and beyond. In contrast, the studio business may experience a year-over-year dip in sales and profits in the second half, given tough comparisons with recent releases like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2  and Helldivers 2 . Nonetheless, Totoki confirmed “steady progress” in the development pipeline, with plans to launch major single-player games annually starting next fiscal year, beginning with Ghost of Yōtei . Optimizing Game Development and Release Timing During the Q&A session, Totoki mentioned that Sony is not only restructuring its business but also revising its approach to game development and portfolio management. Cost-cutting efforts are ongoing in multiple areas, including sales and marketing investments, to optimize profitability. In terms of live services, Totoki highlighted the need for early and frequent “gates”—user testing and internal evaluations to better anticipate user reactions and detect issues earlier. Totoki also expressed plans to carefully select optimal release windows for games to avoid overlapping launches and to maximize game performance. PS5 Sales Target and Promotions Sony remains committed to its goal of selling 18 million PS5 units this fiscal year. Although sales in the first quarter fell slightly below expectations, the second quarter met projections, and additional promotions are planned to boost sales in the latter half of the year. Notably, Sony has avoided a PS5 price cut, a departure from its approach with the PS4, yet sales remain strong. Furthermore, the pricing of the PS5 Pro has not negatively impacted overall sales. PlayStation Network Account Requirement on PC Addressing questions on the requirement for a PlayStation Network account on PC, Totoki acknowledged the potential for "pushback" but stressed that Sony aims to create a secure environment for all players. Maintaining a balance between safety and player freedom is essential, and Sony will continue to refine its approach to achieve this. Sony’s financial targets remain ambitious, with plans to continue enhancing player experience across platforms while adapting to market dynamics and user feedback.

Sony Group Corporation has confirmed that Team Asobi’s 3D platformer Astro Bot  has surpassed 1.5 million copies sold. In its financial report for the second quarter ending September 30, 2024, Sony revealed that Astro Bot  achieved this milestone as of November 3, 2024. Fans of Astro Bot  will be pleased to know that the popular 3D platformer has enjoyed solid sales so far, with strong potential for continued success throughout the holiday season. On a recent Gameindustry.biz podcast, host Chris Dring shared positive insights on Astro Bot’s European performance. He reported that the game became the top seller in its launch week, with “really strong” sales. Notably, Astro Bot sold 2% more than Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, 52% more than Crash Bandicoot 4, double the sales of Sonic Frontiers, though 48% lower than the Spyro Reignited Trilogy remake and 59% below the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remake for the same period. Previously, Dring also mentioned that Astro Bot  became the fastest-selling original platformer (excluding Mario) in the UK over the past decade, making it a more successful franchise than Sonic , Crash , Yoshi , and Kirby  in that market. In the U.S., Astro Bot  has similarly thrived: Mat Piscatella, Executive Director and Video Game Industry Advisor at Circana (NPD), noted that Astro Bot  ranked as the second-best-selling game across both physical and digital platforms for the week ending September 7, 2024, following only NBA 2K25 . Piscatella also highlighted that the Astro Bot DualSense controller was the best-selling gaming accessory that week.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest has been around for nearly thirty years, but only this week, a new cheat code was discovered. The cheat allows players to exit a level early and return to the map screen, even if they haven’t finished the stage. To activate it, pause the game and input the following sequence: right + Y, left + A, up + B, and down + X. If entered correctly, the code’s effects will appear immediately. This discovery was first shared by user h4v0c21, with X user tnkt_kong spreading the news on social media. It’s almost ironic that this code surfaced just now, given that Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest has been in the spotlight recently. In addition to being added to the Nintendo Music library, new icons from the game are now available to Nintendo Switch Online members. Originally released for the SNES in late 1995, Donkey Kong Country 2 was followed the next year by Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble , developed by Rare.

Kojima Productions surprised fans today by announcing that Death Stranding  will be coming to Xbox Series S|X, along with Amazon Luna. The studio also confirmed it now fully owns the Death Stranding  intellectual property, giving them complete creative control over the franchise's future. In an official press release, Kojima Productions expressed its goal to bring Death Stranding to a wider audience. With full IP ownership, the studio has the flexibility to explore sequels or updates independently. They are already developing a sequel, slated as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, with an expected development completion date in 2025. Alongside the Death Stranding  sequel, Kojima Productions is creating a new horror IP, OD , for Xbox, and collaborating with Sony on an action-espionage project titled Physint . The Death Stranding Director’s Cut  offers expanded gameplay, with new content, locations, and mechanics. Players guide Sam Bridges across a fractured United States, tasked with restoring communication after the disastrous “Death Stranding” event. Enhanced features include new areas like the “Ruined Factory,” traversal tools such as cargo catapults, and additional combat techniques. Death Stranding Director’s Cut  is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, iOS, and Amazon Luna.

Sony has announced its financial results for the second quarter of its 2024 fiscal year, covering the period from July to September, along with an update on PlayStation 5 (PS5) shipments. According to Sony's financial statements, the company shipped 3.8 million PS5 units to retailers this quarter, bringing the console’s lifetime shipments to 65.5 million units. In comparison, Nintendo shipped 2.62 million Switch units during the same period. Sony also reported 77.7 million software units sold during the quarter, with 5.3 million of these being first-party titles. Digital downloads accounted for 70% of all software sales. Revenue from Sony’s Game & Network Services division, which includes PlayStation and PlayStation Network, reached 117.4 billion yen—a 12% year-over-year increase. This growth was driven by higher sales of third-party games, downloadable content, and increased revenue from PlayStation Network, particularly from PlayStation Plus. The division’s operating income rose to 89.9 billion yen, marking a significant 184% year-over-year increase, largely due to improved hardware profitability and the aforementioned revenue streams. For the full fiscal year, Sony has raised its forecast, projecting sales of 170 billion yen (an upward revision of 4%) and operating income of 35 billion yen (an 8% increase). Sony also reported that PlayStation Network had 116 million monthly active users during the quarter, showing year-over-year growth from 107 million, though numbers remained stable compared to the previous quarter. The company did not release specific figures for PlayStation Plus subscribers. On a broader level, Sony’s overall sales and operating income increased year-over-year. For historical context, Sega’s previous quarterly financials were released in August, and other major gaming companies—including Koei Tecmo, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Konami, Marvelous, Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Take-Two, Krafton, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Sega—have recently reported their own financial updates as well.

Suzetta Minet—a name instantly recognizable to fans of Metal Gear Solid 3 —was credited as the voice of EVA, one of the game’s most memorable characters. But fans who dug deeper into Suzetta Minet's identity found out that it was a pseudonym. For nearly two decades, the mystery surrounding this alias has fueled speculation and fan theories. Finally, with the release of Metal Gear Solid Legacy Series Part 3 , Konami revealed the truth: the voice behind EVA was none other than Jodi Benson, the iconic Disney voice actor best known for bringing Ariel to life in The Little Mermaid . That’s right—Jodi Benson, the beloved voice behind Ariel and numerous Disney characters, was secretly EVA’s voice in Metal Gear Solid 3  all along. This revelation in the latest Metal Gear Solid Legacy  installment put an end to years of mystery and speculation. So, why did Benson choose a fake name? At the time, her career was deeply tied to family-friendly roles at Disney, and Metal Gear Solid 3, with its mature themes, was a distinct departure from that image. In an era when actors were more cautious about mixing such diverse genres, Benson’s director, Kris Zimmerman Salter, advised her to use an alias to protect her reputation. “Most of my projects were family- or children-oriented,” Benson explains, “and Kris suggested that we use a different name to keep things separate.” Over the years, clues about her involvement surfaced occasionally, with Benson even hinting at it herself. Yet many fans overlooked these subtle nods—until now. With this long-awaited confirmation, we expect that Benson will receive full credit in Metal Gear Solid Delta , the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 . In related news, David Hayter, the voice of Snake, recently hinted at having recorded new lines, suggesting that fans may hear fresh dialogue in Metal Gear Solid Delta .

The Year 2024 kicks off with an unexpected gem for PC gamers Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Crafted by the team behind the latest Rayman titles and the Prince of Persia Sands of Time trilogy, this Metroidvania takes inspiration from not only its predecessors but also games like Hollow Knight and Metroid Dread, delivering a satisfying gaming experience. The Tale of the Lost Crown In this spin-off, players step into the shoes of Sargon, one of the Immortals, on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Prince of Persia in the chaotic Mount Qaf. The narrative, filled with temporal oddities, occasionally leans into shonen battle anime clichés, enhancing the overall experience. Visuals and Performance While the somewhat cartoonish art style may not suit everyone, it remains clear and readable during action sequences. The game's multi-platform release, including the less powerful Nintendo Switch, affects graphics quality, particularly noticeable in cutscenes. Despite this, some machines offer a smooth 120 fps, elevating the overall gaming experience. Combat Mastery Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown shines in its combat system. Sargon's scimitar-wielding prowess allows for an array of combos, reminiscent of beat 'em all games. The game's ingenious use of a single melee attack button and a ranged attack results in dizzying combos and endless possibilities. Dodge and parry mechanics add depth, making combat both satisfying and challenging. Arsenal of Powers Beyond scimitars, players wield a bow, chakram, and supernatural Ahtras powers, adding versatility to combat and exploration. The game avoids gating improvements behind arbitrary doors, opting for meaningful gameplay mechanisms. Healing potions and Dark Souls-style campfires, without fast travel, maintain a sense of exploration without feeling tedious. Exploration and Challenges The palace environments are visually diverse, featuring traps, obstacles, and a varied bestiary. As players progress, they unlock new powers and weapons, introducing creative and unexpected gameplay elements. The expansive Mount Qaf dungeon boasts numerous biomes, unique traps, and secrets, offering 15 to 30 hours of gameplay depending on playstyle and difficulty. Boss Battles and Spectacle Bosses are numerous, well-balanced, and integral to mastering combat mechanics. The game's powers prove useful in both exploration and combat, encouraging creative approaches to challenging encounters. The sheer spectacle of boss battles, reminiscent of a shonen anime finale, adds a chaotic yet satisfying element to the game. The Verdict Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers a welcome surprise in the gaming landscape, delivering a satisfying Metroidvania experience with innovative elements. While the cartoonish art direction and clichéd story might not appeal to everyone, the game's exploration, combat, and acrobatics make it a must-play. With a fair playtime and a range of difficulty options, it's a game that caters to both casual and hardcore gamers alike. The Lost Crown successfully blends the best of the Metroidvania genre, offering a fun and engaging experience that's easy to learn but difficult to master. Final Score:

Mi netak Shrine (0394, 3484, 0068) i s located in the Deplian Badlands . It is a cave shrine  with a distinct entrance, marked by a Bokoblin-style structure , and guarded by enemies, making it a bit tricky to access. Finding the Shrine: Locate the Cave : Head to the Deplian Badlands , where you will find a large Bokoblin skull structure near the cave entrance. One of the guards patrolling this area is on horseback, making it possible to sneak by or avoid direct confrontation. Follow the Blupee : If you approach the area stealthily, you can spot a Blupee , a glowing blue creature. Following the Blupee will lead you directly to the cave entrance. Bokoblin-Decorated Cave : The entrance to the cave is decorated in the Bokoblin style, with materials and design reminiscent of their camps. Shrine Challenge: Rauru's Blessing Once inside, the Minetak Shrine  is a Rauru's Blessing  shrine, meaning there are no additional puzzles or combat challenges inside. The shrine appears as a reward for reaching the cave and bypassing the Bokoblin enemies outside. Shrine Rewards: Big Battery Upon completion, you will receive a Big Battery  as a reward. This item significantly increases the capacity of your Zonai energy devices, making it useful for extended use of Zonai machinery, such as vehicles or powered tools. The Minetak Shrine  provides an easy completion once accessed, but requires some stealth or combat skill to reach, rewarding players with a valuable Big Battery  to enhance their Zonai energy usage.

Jojon Shri ne (1205, 0315, 0028)  i s located within Crenel Peak Cave . This cave shrine has two entrances, with one being notably easier to access than the other. Finding the Shrine: To get to the Jojon Shrine , follow these directions: Easier Entrance : Head toward the Moor Garrison Ruins , which is situated southeast of Crenel Peak . Just north of these ruins, on the slope of Crenel Peak, you will find the entrance to Crenel Peak Cave . Alternate Entrance : If you want to challenge yourself, there is a more difficult entrance to the cave, but it’s recommended to use the easier route for a smoother experience. Shrine Challenge: Proving Grounds: Rotation The challenge in Jojon Shrine  is titled Proving Grounds: Rotation , where you'll face various enemies in a combat trial. Here’s what to expect: Combat Setup : Inside the shrine, you will be stripped of your inventory, forcing you to rely on the equipment provided to defeat enemies. The focus will be on using rotational movement and strategic positioning. Using weapons and shields : You'll have to utilize the weapons and shields available in the shrine, practicing your combat skills in a confined arena. Focus on strategy : The challenge will test your ability to manage multiple enemies and effectively use the combat mechanics available to you. Shrine Rewards: Magic Rod Upon successfully completing the challenge, you will be rewarded with a Magic Rod . This versatile weapon allows you to cast elemental spells, enhancing your combat options and providing a unique approach to battles. The Jojon Shrine  offers an engaging combat challenge while exploring the depths of Crenel Peak Cave , and the Magic Rod  serves as a fantastic reward that adds depth to your gameplay!