Nerdfleet
Issue #10 || 17th May 2024 || Friday
Howdy Nerdfam,
I'm thrilled to present to you the 10th issue of NerdFleet. Want to travel in luxury but don’t want to pollute the environment? Want to get all the gaming updates in this week? We got you covered.
Happy reading, and may your curiosity always be your compass.
Captain out. ✨
Fact of the week:
The very first video game controllers were incredibly simple. For example, the Atari 2600 controller had just a joystick and a single button.
Nomad Notes:
Sailing into the Future: Embracing the Winds of Change for a Sustainable Odyssey
By: Abdul Ahad
The tall ships take us to a long time ago when the sea was like a platform for merchants, admirals, and pirates. By their grandeur, with sails billowing and hulls cutting through the waves, doesn’t just catch the wind but our imagination as well.
A four-masted vessel of Star Clippers known as Star Flyer stands as proof of this heritage. It is not just unbelievable and dreamy when you see her sails rolled out while playing “Conquest of Paradise” under a starry sky; it is indispensable.
Star Flyer has different programs in different months covering various areas. They sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South-East Asia. They have package for cruises that usually last 7-14 days.
The benefits of sailing on the environment are obvious: there are no emissions and fuel consumption. The last journey took place in an environment where most of the time (30%) was actually spent sailing purely by wind; this was despite the challenges such as head winds or tight schedules that might have hindered it from being done so. As some sailing firms would choose to be flexible in terms of their timing, this company has remained strict about its schedule making its trips without engines during particular periods.
Monaco-based Star Clippers is among the few established companies that are embracing the sustainability of sailing ships, adding to their appeal of adventure and nostalgia. The industry is also seeing the emergence of new sail-equipped ships from various cruise lines, marking a shift towards sustainable sailing practices. Hybrid models, combining wind with emerging clean-energy technologies, are seen as a practical solution.
As the winds of change continue to reshape our climate, the Star Flyer’s journeys serve as a reminder that the way we travel must evolve too, embracing the sustainable practices of the past to protect our future.
Pixelated Pursuits:
Assassin's Creed Shadows: Installation Requires internet connection
Ubisoft recently confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows, the upcoming Japan-based entry in the series, will require an internet connection for installation, but not for playing the game itself.
This follows a growing trend for large games, where even physical copies necessitate an online connection before players can jump in. While Shadows won't require a constant online connection, you'll need the internet to download a portion of the game during installation. Ubisoft addressed concerns sparked by the PlayStation Store listing the game as "online play required." They clarified that "an online connection will be needed to install the game, but you will be able to play the entire journey offline." The store listing has since been updated to reflect "online play optional."
This shift reflects the declining popularity of physical media and the increasing reliance on downloadable content (DLC). Even single-player titles like Shadows seem to be moving towards this model. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was an earlier adopter of this approach, and it's likely to become more commonplace.
The game launches in November, with pre-order options ranging from the standard $69.99 version to the feature-packed Deluxe Edition at $279.99.
Square Enix Hits as Sales Fall Short for Major Releases
Square Enix is facing some challenges after admitting that recent releases Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Final Fantasy 16, and Foamstars all fell short of their sales expectations.
This news comes alongside a wider company restructuring announced this week. While Square Enix hasn't revealed specific sales figures for Rebirth or Foamstars, reports indicate both titles underperformed compared to internal targets. Final Fantasy 16, which launched with strong initial sales of 3 million units, has seen slower sales than anticipated.
Looking ahead, there are some bright spots. The expansion for Final Fantasy 14, titled Dawntail, launches in late June. Additionally, Square Enix is still working on Kingdom Hearts 4, the final installment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, and Dragon Quest 12.
Ubisoft Cancels The Division Heartland, Shifts Focus to Bigger Games
Ubisoft has cancelled its upcoming free-to-play shooter, Tom Clancy's The Division Heartland. The company says it's "redeploying resources to bigger opportunities" like XDefiant and Rainbow Six.
This is part of a larger trend at Ubisoft. The company has been restructuring its teams and focusing on fewer, bigger games in recent quarters. This has led to several game cancellations, including Project Q and Immortals Fenyx Rising 2.
Ubisoft is looking to get back on track for profitable growth. The company is focusing on open world adventure games and expanding its games-as-a-service offerings. This year, expect releases like Assassin's Creed Shadows, Rainbow Six Mobile, and The Division Resurgence.
For development, Ubisoft is narrowing its focus to its Anvil and Snowdrop game engines and is exploring generative AI technology.
Touchdown! College Football 25 Gets Release Date and Cover Athletes
College football fans rejoice! EA Sports has officially revealed the cover athletes and release date for College Football 25. The game launches on July 19, 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (July 16 for Deluxe Edition pre-orders).
The Cover Athletes:
Standard Edition: Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Colorado WR Travis Hunter, Michigan RB Donovan Edwards
Deluxe Edition: Same core three with additional players like Georgia QB Carson Beck and Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
More to Come:
A full gameplay reveal is scheduled for tomorrow, May 17th.
Pre-orders are available now, including a special bundle with Madden NFL 25 that grants early access to both games.
This is exciting news for college football fans who have been waiting for a new game. Stay tuned for tomorrow's reveal for a deeper look at College Football 25!
Clutch Corner:
VCT Masters Shanghai: All You Need to Know (with Schedule & Results)
VALORANT Champions Tour 2024's Stage 1 is over, and now it's time for VCT Masters Shanghai, the second Masters tournament this year! Here's a breakdown of the event, including the teams, schedule, and results (so far).
The Teams:
Twelve top VALORANT teams from around the world are battling it out in Shanghai. The top 3 from each region (Americas, China, EMEA, and Pacific) are here, with the very best placed directly into the Playoffs.
Americas: 100 Thieves, G2 Esports, Leviatán
China: EDward Gaming, FunPlus Phoenix, Dragon Ranger Gaming
EMEA: FNATIC, Team Heretics, FUT Esports
Pacific: Paper Rex, Gen.G, T1
How to Watch:
Official VALORANT channels on YouTube and Twitch
Co-streams with your favorite creators
Swiss Stage (May 23 - May 27):
The top teams from each region get a bye into the Playoffs. The remaining teams play a Swiss Stage format, where they are paired with teams who have the same win/loss record. Two wins get you to Playoffs, two losses eliminate you.
Note: All dates and times are in Shanghai Time (GMT+8). Specific matchups and results for the Swiss Stage will be filled in as the tournament progresses.
Playoffs (May 30 - June 9):
The Playoffs will feature a double-elimination bracket. Winners move on to the next round in the upper bracket, while losers drop to the lower bracket. Teams must lose twice to be eliminated.
We'll keep this article updated with the latest results throughout the tournament! Stay tuned to see who will be crowned the VCT Masters Shanghai champion!
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Authors: Abdul Ahad
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