At the Tokyo Game Show, Hideo Kojima revealed that Death Stranding 2 will have an impressively realistic photo mode, making the mysterious sequel more compelling. Death Stranding 2 seems to be even more of an experimental playground for Kojima than its predecessor, and the photo mode is further proof of this.
There were a lot of intriguing announcements at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, and although Death Stranding 2‘s release date wasn’t revealed, Kojima had two exciting pieces of news to offer. The game’s photo mode and in-game performance by Japanese pop star Daichi Miura hinted at how far Kojima is wanting to push the boundaries of his new franchise. Death Stranding made waves with its unique approach to storytelling, and Kojima clearly isn’t holding back with the sequel. At first, this photo mode may just seem like a fun addition to the overall experience, but there could be more in store for this feature.
Death Stranding 2’s Photo Mode Could Play a Larger Role in the Story
Kojima’s Plans For Experimentation
One of the most compelling aspects of the Death Stranding franchise is that it has given Kojima the freedom to play around with storytelling and gameplay in unexpected ways. Whether it’s a seemingly random cameo by Conan O’Brien or a hat that looks like an otter’s head, Death Stranding has been able to blend a post-apocalyptic story with a fun amount of absurdism. Death Stranding 2‘s photo mode could quickly be written off as Kojima Productions just including a popular mechanic, but Kojima also has cultivated a habit of putting meaning behind everything he includes in his stories.
Death Stranding was rife with heavy symbolism, even if those symbols and metaphors weren’t entirely clear at first. The first game dealt a lot with themes of isolation and the nature of the human condition. This time around, Death Stranding 2 seems to be exploring themes of connecting with others, as protagonist Sam Porter has now built relationships with several characters, both returning and new. If building connections is a core theme of Death Stranding 2, then the game’s specific approach to photo mode seems to be exploring this concept further.
Elle Fanning’s mysterious role in Death Stranding 2
has been revealed to be a character named Tomorrow.
Death Stranding 2 Focusing On Character Relationships
A Sequel Shrouded in Mystery
The Death Stranding franchise puts storytelling front and center, making every feature play an important role. When it comes to most photo modes, they aren’t usually interactive. Photo modes tend to freeze the game at a special moment in time, so players can get the perfect shot. This is what makes Kojima’s approach to a photo mode so compelling. The interactions and choices of the characters are integral to the mechanic. Footage from Tokyo Game Show revealed Death Stranding 2‘s characters acting like a group of friends having fun, and it’s shockingly realistic. With Kojima hinting that the Polaroid pictures taken in the photo mode could be more than just souvenirs, it’s highly possible that this mechanic will be a focus of the sequel’s gameplay.
Death Stranding 2
features a character named Dollman who is a talking puppet.
Due to Kojima’s unorthodox approach to his new franchise, there has been plenty of speculation about Death Stranding 2. Although the game has been labeled a “walking simulator” by some, its story slowly reveals that it is far more than that. The game can be downright baffling at times, but there is also something to be said for Kojima’s bold and experimental approach. For the first game to be so fearless with its strange storytelling devices, it will be intriguing to see just how much further Death Stranding 2 goes, and this photo mode could be the tip of the iceberg.
Introduction of Kick Currency could attract new viewers and incentivize existing ones, potentially challenging Twitch.
Kick is allegedly working on a program that could pay viewers for watching streams. The news comes courtesy of a major streamer on the platform.
Amid Twitch still not being profitable, other streaming platforms are trying to take the platform’s place as the biggest streaming service. While Twitch is still extremely popular, some streamers have branched out to services like Kick and YouTube. Some streamers depart Twitch due to being banned, while others have received lucrative contract deals for leaving their usual streaming services. In any case, it seems Kick isn’t done yet trying to make its service the most appealing for streamers and viewers alike.
Related
Twitch Will Prevent Kick Streamers from Crashing Future TwitchCons
Twitch addresses TwitchCon San Diego incidents involving Kick streamers, reaffirming its commitment to a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
According to Adin Ross, Kick is working on a new currency that will be given to viewers who spend time watching streams. During a stream, Ross said that the Kick Currency will work similar to Twitch’s Bits, but viewers will be able to benefit, not just who they’re viewing. It’s an interesting difference, since users have to spend money to get Bits on Twitch, and they’re used to further boost streamers, not the other way around. Ross notes that he would be able to “give a Kick” that users could then “cash out.” However, he goes on to note that “not everyone” will be paid to watch, so it’s not clear what would net a viewer this currency.
Kick’s New Currency
While this sounds promising in theory, a lot of questions remain unanswered about it at this time. For example, there’s no information on how much the Kick Currency would be worth, how often a viewer could earn it, what the threshold would be to cash out, and so on. Aside from encouraging viewers to tune into channels, though, it could also help Kick to complete with things like Twitch Drops, which can reward viewers with in-game items for watching for a set amount of time.
Kick continues to seek out content creators for its platform, but it remains to be seen if Twitch will lose its top spot as a streaming service. Google is also continuing to host major content creators on its own service while also trying to compete with the likes of TikTok with YouTube’s Shorts vertical video content. It will be interesting to see if Kick Currency draws more viewers to watch streams on its service. For those who already watch their favorite streamers on Kick, it’s something that will likely keep them tuning in once it’s implemented, which is good for the streamers there. Whether it’s enough to draw viewers in who don’t usually use Kick, however, remains to be seen.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has a seemingly endless amount of content to pour through, and it can certainly become intimidating to new players. Developers recognized this concern, and have included a dedicated feature to make up for this. Dragon Wishes not only make use of the series’ namesake but are a core feature of progression in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero.
It would almost be strange if Dragon Ball‘s iconic MacGuffins didn’t find their way into Sparking Zero. Likewise, it’s certainly natural for their wish-granting abilities to lend any number of rewards. Dragon Wishes have a surprising amount of detail to unpack, and understanding the differences will help players get ahead in their journey to become the world’s strongest.
Related
All Shenron, Porunga, and Super Shenron Wishes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
There are seven potential wishes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, though players will first need to find the Dragon Balls before they can make them.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s Dragon Wishes Boost Player Progression
Dragon Wishes Are a Limited Resource with Massive Potential
Dragon Wishes come in three different varieties, and this is perhaps the most important detail to delve into. After all, each host of the Dragon Wishes provides different rewards and demands different requirements. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is not an easy game to complete, and though Dragon Wishes can take time to obtain as well, they’re more than worth the wait.
While Shenron is undoubtedly the most iconic of the Eternal Dragons, he’s not the only one to be featured in the game. Shenron is flanked by Porunga and Super Shenron, with each of them serving a different purpose. The three dragons do share a few wishes, but players should still think carefully each time they collect the Dragon Balls.
Shenron, Porunga, and Super Shenron Dragon Wishes in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
For starters, it’s important to recognize the general Dragon Wishes that are shared among Shenron, Porunga, and Super Shenron. Although they may all grant a certain wish, the extent of the reward may vary wildly. As a rule of thumb, Super Shenron represents the maximum reward that players can obtain, though this naturally makes him the most difficult to reach.
Dragon Wishes shared by Shenron, Porunga, and Super Shenron:
I want more Zeni (Rewards players with a varying amount of in-game currency to spend in shops)
I want you to raise my Player Level (Rewards players with a sizable amount of experience)
I want more titles (Rewards players with cosmetic titles to use on their Player Cards)
Dragon Wishes available only to Shenron and Super Shenron:
I want new outfits (Rewards players with unique outfits exclusive to each dragon)
Dragon wishes available only to Porunga and Super Shenron:
I want ability items (Rewards players with a small selection of ability items to use in combat)
Increasing one’s Player Level is a universally positive wish, while the others mostly help to obtain exclusive cosmetics. Still, “I want more Zeni” perfectly illustrates the difference in rarity. Shenron offers 300,000 Zeni, Porunga only offers 120,000 Zeni, while Super Shenron rewards the player with a whopping 1,000,000 Zeni. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as exclusive wishes are by far the most enticing rewards in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero.
2:40
Related
How to Farm Dragon Balls and Proficiency in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
With this Dragon Ball farming method, Sparking! ZERO players will be summoning Shenron and Porunga in no time while also increasing their proficiency.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is Hiding its Best Rewards Behind Exclusive Dragon Wishes
The Most Rare Dragon Wishes in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
True to lore, Shenron might be considered the least powerful of the wish-granting dragons. Shenron’s unique wish, “I want to complete an Episode Battle,” rewards players with a Dragon Orb. Dragon Orbs can be spent to more easily beat a battle in the game’s story mode, but many players may not necessarily need to skip even Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero‘s most difficult battles.
Eagle-eyed fans may have noticed that Porunga’s Wishes are actually somewhat less potent than Shenron’s best wishes. This is meant to offset Porunga’s unique feature, which is the ability to grant three wishes at once. This is a straightforward mechanic, and it is more than rewarding enough for players who manage to track down Porunga’s Dragon Balls.
Players may have a hard time tracking him down, but Super Shenron’s Wishes are more than worth the effort. Aside from being the most potent in general, his exclusive wish is even more exciting. Super Shenron provides a wish called “I want more characters,” in which players can obtain either Goku Black or Fused Zamasu. This is not only a fun reference to Dragon Ball Super‘s Goku Black Arc but also one of the few ways to unlock these immensely powerful fighters.
Where to Find the Dragon Balls in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Shenron, Porunga, and Super Shenron are all accessed through a different set of Dragon Balls. Just as their wishes are different, the requirements to obtain these Dragon Balls vary as well. Players who purchased the Digital Deluxe Edition will receive Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero‘s Season Pass, as well as one free Shenron Summon. Meanwhile, players who purchased the Digital Ultimate Edition will receive both the Shenron Summon and a free Super Shenron Summon.
Past that point, players will need to work hard if they want to collect any given set of Dragon Balls. Dragon Balls will occasionally be obtained as rewards for completing battles, but these drop rates are hardly reliable. Thankfully, players who had early access to Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero have already managed to map out most of the best ways to meet this challenge.
Shenron will likely be the first Dragon Wishes players can access, as his Dragon Balls can be easily obtained by completing missions through Whis’ Stamp Book and Zen-Oh’s Orders. Porunga isn’t so easy, as battles seem to be the only way to unlock his set of Dragon Balls. That said, grinding through offline tournaments does help to fast-track this process. Super Shenron’s Super Dragon Balls can be obtained by completing a full playthrough of Goku’s Episode Battles, ironically making them the most reliable to obtain.
It’s important to remember that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero will receive DLC, and is therefore still an ongoing game. It’s more likely than not that more ways to obtain Dragon Balls will be released or discovered in the near future. Until then, players should continue to weigh their options and ensure they’re getting the best use out of the game’s best road for player progression.
Released
October 11, 2024
Publisher(s)
Namco Bandai
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Engine
proprietary engine
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
Samsung is keen to incorporate AI across every facet of your life, but that could mean one major removal from Galaxy smartphones. A report from ETNews points to a future where the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE will have AI features but no Settings menu. The article says that Samsung believes the AI in its phones will be able to anticipate your needs without you having to make any adjustments, thus making Settings a redundant feature.
The concept is part of Samsung’s desire for the Galaxy smartphones to be fully AI-driven. Though the exact form of a Settings-free smartphone hasn’t been unveiled yet, there are already hints about how the device’s AI could use a combination of conversation with the user and the way they use the device to adapt its performance without requiring the kind of menu adjustments currently common. It would encompass many aspects of the smartphone’s performance. That means the basics, like notifications, brightness of the screen, and its layout.
The main focus for Samsung in using AI to replace Settings appears to be the camera and the keyboard, according to the report. That makes sense since they are used in the broadest number of ways. There are a lot of editing options for photos, but these days, your device handles a lot of the photo-quality enhancements before you do anything. Adding AI to the equation could extend that functionality in subtle but useful ways, like automatically switching to night mode or otherwise adapting to location and setting.
For keyboards, the AI could help personalize your typing. Auto-predicting words are usually about the most common phrases in general, but AI could fiddle with those elements to where they best fit your actual writing style and word preferences. Personalization and automation are Samsung’s watchwords.
AI anticipation
In some ways, smartphone makers have been moving in this direction for years. When was the last time you manually adjusted battery settings beyond standard and battery-saving? Of course, the question is whether AI can predict complex and ever-changing setting preferences. When do you want your phone to brighten? Which app should have your volume set low or high?
For the average user, having AI handle your settings could mean fewer distractions and not having to sort through menus every time you want to adjust a particular aspect of the phone. Automating tasks and anticipating needs might help Samsung’s AI features and devices stand out amid an increasingly crowded field. That said, how Samsung collects and uses the data needed for the AI to make these adjustments will likely be crucial for the company to explain. It could all happen on the device without a need for sharing private information, but if not, people might not be as excited to try it out.
Don’t expect your Settings menu to vanish immediately. There’s no timeline yet, but it could be part of Samsung’s next major software update when the Android 15-based One UI 7 comes out for the Galaxy S series.
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
