Latest news with #COD
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Virtual gaming is the newest adda for love and bonding
Introduced as a medium of collective entertainment, MMORPG games like World of Warcraft, DOTA 2, Counter Strike, Call of Duty (COD), PUBG, and more, have become something much bigger in today's generation. For the Mumbai-based couple Shriya Srivastava (31) and Sumit Pande (30) a random match in COD became a starting point for their life together. The couple said, 'We enjoyed playing together, and over time, we grew closer. Soon, our friendship blossomed into something more, and we found ourselves eagerly looking forward to our next game sessions.' Shriya recalls how gaming became their safe space. 'As a female gamer, I used to keep my mic off, but with Sumit, I didn't feel the need to do that. The game became a medium for us to connect.' For many young Indians, online gaming has replaced the park bench, the mall hangout, and sometimes even the coffee shop. It's where they connect daily, share stories, laugh, and sometimes even fall in love. The rise of cloud and mobile gaming has made this possible. Affordable smartphones, cheap data, and easy access mean anyone, anywhere, can log in and join the fun. Video gaming a the new socializing Shriya and Sumit's story is not the only one of its kind, for 27-year-old Harshal Vaidya, who travelled to Europe to meet his friends that he made through video games, gaming has been a bridge to the world. He says, 'In the offline world, you're never sure if you'll find common ground. Online, you already know you share something, whether it's a game or a favourite streamer. That makes it easier to bond.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo ALSO READ: Beyond Hashtas: Clout Chasing Confused for Luck? As Anuj Mankar of the Indian Digital Gaming Society explains, 'Mobile gaming has become a democratized social space—cutting across geography, language, and economic barriers. Games like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile are now virtual town squares where young people forge friendships, share strategies, and engage in real-time dialogue.' ALSO READ: Are hologram concerts rewriting the rules of musical shows? Gaming's role in youth culture is undeniable. Pop culture specialist Divya Dixit, CEO of Recz, a social recommendations app, calls it 'the new adda for Gen Z.' She points out that gaming has its own language ('OP', 'GG'), its own celebrities (Mortal, Scout, PewDiePie), and even influences fashion and music. 'Rappers create music about PUBG and BGMI, and gaming beats are a vibe. Streetwear brands are collaborating with games — think Free Fire x HRX. Streamers' merchandise drops are as hyped as launches. Even party themes are going full gamer mode.' An AI generated representation of how video games connect people from different locations or even timezones. With each new generation of games, developers are adding more relatable, interactive features, making it easier for players to express themselves and perform actions that mirror real-life interactions. Counselling psychologist Priyankka Sanap describes today's online games as 'digital playgrounds' that can be especially valuable for introverts or those with social anxiety. They offer a safe space to communicate, collaborate, and share goals. But she warns about the risks of replacing real-world connections entirely. 'Gaming connections are valid and powerful, but young people need emotional tools to handle the highs and lows, just like in real life.' The couple's journey wasn't without twists. They drifted apart, dated other people, and even stopped talking for months. But fate kept bringing them back to the game, and eventually, to each other. 'On a trip together, I realised that the guy I had been searching for was right next to me,' says Shriya. They married not long after. Whether it's World of Warcraft, PUBG, Dota 2, Counter Strike, or Call of Duty, the virtual world can foster very real relationships. As Divya Dixit puts it, 'From Recz's lens, gaming communities aren't just about chatting — they're about doing things together. Unlike social media, where people scroll and react, in gaming they team up, strategize, and win or lose together. It builds real-time trust and deeper bonds. There's a feeling of belonging to a tribe.' In today's India, that tribe just happens to gather not at a park or a café, but in a digital arena where friendship, love, and community all get their turn in the spotlight. DYK? 39% of adults, 18 and older, say they met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through video games (Source: Entertainment Software Association (ESA)) Platforms like Gamer Dating, Hype Dating, and Lyka cater to gamers. Multiplayer games (Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite) act as informal dating hubs—friend lists, clan chats, and matchmaking features spark real connections while playing the game .
Geek Girl Authority
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
The Evolution of Female Game Characters
It was only a depressingly short time ago that female video game characters had barely even a voice. They were background dressing, sidekicks, or, the most infamous trope, they were someone to be rescued. And when they did take the spotlight, they were usually designed through a very specific lens. Think combat-ready but somehow always in a crop top, or written with all the depth of a COD lobby chat. But things have, mercifully, changed. The first change came quietly, but soon there was more force. Female characters in games are no longer just about being seen. They're being written as people. As leaders, survivors, rebels, thinkers, and fallible human beings. Women aren't just part of the story anymore; they're driving it forward . And thank God for it. What is interesting is that this shift is not limited to the fictional side of gaming. It is happening in real life, too. Women Changing the Game in Real Life When we talk about gaming, we often hyperfocus on consoles, esports, storylines and, of course, those fictional characters. But there's another space where skill, patience, and sharp thinking come into play: Casino gaming. Professional casino gaming has long been seen as a man's world, but that idea is starting to crumble. Nowadays, there's a wide variety of online options, like Adventure Gamers , which make igaming more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for everyone involved. These platforms offer players the chance to enjoy strategic games from the comfort of their own homes without the pressure (or stereotypes) that might exist in those 'boys' clubs' traditional casino environments. Kristen Bicknell is one of the top poker players in the world. Not one of the top women. One of the top players, full stop . She's well known for her steely, calm style and precise decision-making. Victoria Coren Mitchell is another. She's made history as the first woman to win a European Poker Tour title, and then she went and won it again, just to make the point. These women prove that women belong in every part of the gaming world, not just the digital one, and they run with the same energy we see in today's best female game leads, which helpfully brings us back to our main point… From Side Characters to the Main Event As we know, in early video games, female characters didn't really have much to do, did they? They were the goal, not the player. They waited in towers or showed up in the background. Even when you could play as a woman, she was often created to please someone else's idea of what a woman should be . We can't talk about female characters and not mention Lara Croft. Croft was one of the first to break through, but even she came wrapped in a very direct and particular fantasy. The focus was more on how she looked than who she was. But, as more women became interested in gaming, the tides shifted. Developers saw the light and began to understand that players deserved better; female characters who could stand on their own. Then came Ellie in The Last of Us Part II . She is angry, grieving, capable, complicated, and likely reminds you of yourself, even if just a little bit. She's certainly no sidekick; she's making the call. Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn is another example of a driven, curious, and confident woman. Her story is about survival, but it's about discovery and independence, too. These are characters who feel like real people, and that's why us players care about them. Writing Women Who Feel Real The best female characters in games today are not defined by their strength. They are defined by their depth. They can be powerful, but also unsure. Brave, but also afraid. They are allowed to be full people , not just action figures in different outfits. Think of Madeline from Celeste. Her journey up a mountain is not just physical. She's dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and the weight of her own expectations. The game treats those struggles as central to the plot, and it's beautifully done. In Control, Jesse Faden arrives at a mysterious building with a supernatural twist. She has abilities, yes, but she is also carrying the heavy, loaded gun of grief, uncertainty, and the pressure of finding answers. This kind of writing proves something we always knew: Women can lead in any story as long as they are given the space to be rea l. Indie Games Leading the Way While the big studios have started to catch on, indie developers have actually been telling these kinds of stories for years. They don't have the pressure to please a huge market, so they have been able to be a little freer to take risks and tell personal, emotional stories. And it pays off. Gone Home, for example, is quiet and powerful. It tells the story of a young woman returning home and slowly uncovering what happened to her sister. The award-winning If Found… follows a trans woman in 1990s Ireland , trying to navigate family tension and loss. Night in the Woods takes on dark themes such as mental health and poverty through the eyes of a college dropout trying to figure out her life. These games really make you feel something. They show that stories led by women can be just as gripping, messy, and meaningful as anything else in the medium. Still Some Gaps Progress is real, but don't kid yourself, we aren't done yet. Women are still underrepresented in many parts of the gaming world. Female characters of colour are still rare. Older women are almost invisible. Disabled women and queer women are too often pushed into side roles – or not written about at all. Behind the scenes, women in development are gaining ground but still face challenges that, quite frankly, should have been left behind years ago. Better representation does not happen by accident. It takes intention, resources, and the willingness to listen . Why It Matters This kind of change is definitely not about being politically correct; on one hand, it's about making better games, frankly. When we get more kinds of characters, we get more kinds of stories. When writers include more voices, the whole experience becomes richer. And for the players, it means something deeper. When women and girls pick up a controller and see someone who looks like them, who acts like them, who makes mistakes like them , it sends a message: You belong here. You are part of this world, too. Going Forward Female representation in games is no longer boxed into one shape. They are soldiers, students, hackers, hunters, mechanics, artists, detectives, and survivors. They are allowed to be angry. They are allowed to be soft. They are allowed to grow. We are past the point of asking for strong female leads. What we need are real ones . Characters that do not have to prove they belong. Characters that just are . Whether it is at the console, in a poker room, or anywhere in between, women are not waiting in the background anymore. They are right in the middle of the action. And they are just getting started. OUTLANDER: BLOOD OF MY BLOOD Press Day: Maril Davis and Matthew B. Roberts RELATED: SDCC 2025: Watch Outlander Season 8 Teaser and Blood of My Blood Sneak Peek Clips
News.com.au
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Drone strikes, hover cars: $4bn game's wild 2025 predictions
The game's most talked-about feature was its multiplayer map called Aftermath, arguably the best in the franchise, which updated in real time, tracking kills and team scores. With everyone live-streaming their lives nowadays and receiving instant news alerts, what once felt groundbreaking is now just another Tuesday. Picture: COD Wiki In Call of Duty: Strike Team (2013), the action takes place in 2020. The mobile-only game mixed traditional warfare with technological enhancements like drones and exoskeletons - a nod to ongoing military innovations. Picture: YouTube Crysis 2 (2011) sets its story in 2023, but Crytek (developer) was a little more ambitious with his vision than COD, portraying dystopian New York overrun by biotechnology, nanotech and a giant alien race. Picture: Facebook You'd probably only stumble upon this kind of universe at Area 51. Picture: Reddit Jumping a bit further ahead, titles like Deus Ex: Human Revolution (2011) and Homefront (2011) (both set in 2027) tackled hot topics being debated today; the ethics of human enhancement and cybernetic upgrades. Picture: Xbox set in 2028, delivered an early warning about a crime-plagued Detroit and a tough future for law enforcement. Picture: Steam Then there are games like Watch Dogs: Legion, set 2026–2030, which explored an AI-driven society and dove into the chilling reality of hacking. Picture: Reddit Further out, Detroit: Become Human (2018), set in 2038, and Crysis 3 (2013), set in 2047, gave us androids and augmented soldiers questioning what it means to be human. We love a robot identity crisis. Picture: YouTube Berlin's cyberpunk thriller State of Mind (2018), set in 2048 and the iconic Deus Ex (2000), set in 2052, dove into dystopian futures where identity and freedom are questioned due to powerful governments controlling human minds. Picture: YouTube/MobyGames Halo is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, grossing over $US10 billion ($A15.2b). It's clear that the wildly unrealistic adventures really do sell. Picture: YouTube And if you enjoyed watching Justin Timberlake race against the clock in the film In Time and wished you could hit the brakes on time itself, then Syndicate (2012), set in 2069, is right up your alley. Picture: Reddit
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
NUPPL achieves early synchronisation of Unit-2 of its supercritical thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh
Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), a joint venture between NLC India Limited and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, has successfully carried out Turbine Generator (TG) rolling and synchronisation of Unit-2 (660 mW) of NUPPL's 1980 mW supercritical thermal power plant in Ghatampur Tehsil, Uttar Pradesh. The synchronization of the thermal power plant with the 765 kV grid, was carried out in a single, seamless attempt on Sunday, and well ahead of the scheduled lead time after the successful completion of the Steam Blowing milestone. The synchronization of Unit-2 marked a crucial step forward in NUPPL's journey towards Commercial Operation Declaration (COD). This achievement reinforces NUPPL's steadfast commitment to delivering 31.68 million units of reliable and sustainable power to the nation, a press note from NLC India Ltd. (NLCIL) said. Commenting on the achievement, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director of NLCIL, said the accomplishment is the result of unwavering focus and dedicated efforts of NUPPL, NLCIL, and UPRVUNL, supported by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. With Unit 1 operational since December 2024, the synchronization of Unit-2 represents another major step towards the project's full realisation. Unit-3 is expected to be commissioned in 2025-26 fiscal, bringing the total capacity of Ghatampur Thermal Power project to 1,980 mW. Located in Ghatampur Tehsil, Kanpur Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, the plant comprises three supercritical thermal units of 660 mW each. The project is designed to supply 75.12% (1,487.28 MW) of its power to Uttar Pradesh, while the remaining 24.88% (492.77 mW) is allocated to Assam. In addition to the power plant, NUPPL is also making strides in the development of the linked coal mine in Pachwara South Coal Block in Dumka district of Jharkhand, which will provide a sustainable source of fuel for the end-use power plant. The Ghatampur project features state-of-the-art supercritical boiler and turbine-generator technologies, designed to meet the latest environmental standards. The plant incorporates Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, ensuring Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and minimizing ecological impact. With the synchronisation of Unit-2, NUPPL is now on the verge of completing the final commissioning activities, paving the way for its formal entry into commercial operations, NLCIL said.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kota Bharu to Pasir Mas ECRL extension under study
KOTA BHARU: The proposal to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas is still under review by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and the Ministry of Transport. Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan stated that the proposal aligns with plans to revive the railway link between Malaysia and Thailand. 'The Kelantan government is proposing that the ECRL line be extended to Rantau Panjang instead of the original alignment in Tumpat,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting. The move aims to strengthen connectivity with Thailand, where discussions are ongoing to restore the Pasir Mas-Sungai Golok rail link under KTMB. Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that the ministry is evaluating the proposal to enhance cross-border rail connectivity. Meanwhile, the Kelantan government has outlined strategic plans to maximize economic benefits from the ECRL project, including Cargo Oriented Development (COD) at Pasir Puteh Station and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at Tunjong Station. 'The COD initiative will attract investments and stimulate downstream economic activities, while TOD will revitalize Tunjong as a new township,' Mohamed Fadzli added. The ECRL is set for full completion by end-2026, with Kota Bharu-Gombak operations starting in January 2027 and the Gombak-Port Klang line a year later. - Bernama
