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Black Myth: Wukong Breaks Single-Player Steam Records

Black Myth: Wukong Breaks Single-Player Steam Records
Aug 21 2024 Share

Black Myth: Wukong, considered China’s first true AAA game, has broken Steam’s record for concurrent players in a single-player title, surpassing Cyberpunk 2077. The action-adventure game, inspired by the 16th-century novel Journey to the West, peaked at 2,223,179 players, becoming the second-most played game on Steam, including multiplayer titles, overtaking Palworld.

Industry analyst Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo posted a regional breakdown showing that 88% of the game’s players were from China, with the U.S. following at just 3%. The data was released early Tuesday morning, shortly after the game’s launch, which occurred in the middle of the night in the West.

However, Black Myth: Wukong’s success has been clouded by controversy. Developer Game Science has faced accusations of misogyny, stemming from past recruitment ads and workplace culture. Streamers granted early access were also handed a non-legally-binding document that restricted them from discussing topics like politics, COVID-19, “feminist propaganda,” and the Chinese gaming industry while streaming the game. The restrictions have sparked criticism over censorship concerns, further complicating the game’s milestone achievement.

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Maltese Runs 17 Marathons Worth Across Thailand In 10 Days

Maltese Runs 17 Marathons Worth Across Thailand In 10 Days
Aug 21 2024 Share

Maltese athlete Stephen Sammut Nurminen completed an extraordinary challenge of running 748 kilometres across Thailand, the equivalent of 17 marathons in 10 days.

Starting in Mae Sot in the west and finishing in Mukdahan near the Laos border, Stephen became the first person to run across the country, raising nearly €6,000 for charities providing food to the homeless and vulnerable.

Enduring mountainous terrain, over 40-degree temperatures, and intense humidity, Stephen ran an average of 75 kilometres a day, completing the challenge in 136 hours and 38 minutes.

Supported by his partner, a videographer, a driver, and his loyal dog Nemo, Stephen credits his team’s care for his successful recovery throughout the run.

Reflecting on the experience, Stephen described the journey as the most challenging and transformative of his life. He praised his partner, calling her the “heartbeat” of the run, and expressed gratitude to his team for their unwavering support.

His videographer captured every moment of the journey, ensuring that the experience will be shared with others.

Stephen also thanked the many people who followed and encouraged him along the way, emphasising that the accomplishment was a shared effort that resulted in raising 1,500 meals for those in need.

#MaltaDaily

Mpox Not The New COVID, Says WHO

Mpox Not The New COVID, Says WHO
Aug 21 2024 Share

Mpox poses a low risk to the general population and is “not the new Covid,” according to Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Kluge emphasized that comparisons between mpox and the coronavirus pandemic are misguided, urging global collaboration to control and eliminate the virus.

“We can, and must, tackle mpox together — across regions and continents,” Kluge said. He warned that the global response would be a “critical test” for Europe and the world, determining whether mpox will be eradicated or neglected.

The UN health agency recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.

Mpox, previously called monkeypox, is a viral infection typically found in west and central Africa. There are two strains: Clade I, linked to more severe illness, and Clade II, responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. Though Clade II is less severe, Europe has recorded about 100 new cases monthly. Sweden recently confirmed the first Clade I case outside of Africa.

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Malta With Highest Rate Of Graduates Finding Jobs In EU

Malta With Highest Rate Of Graduates Finding Jobs In EU
Aug 21 2024 Share

According to new Eurostat data, Malta registered the highest rate with which new graduates found employment at 95.8% in 2023.

Last year, 83.5% of recent graduates in the EU were employed, which is an increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year 2022 (82.4%).

Following Malta was the Netherlands at 93.2% and Germany at 91.5%.

Meanwhile, the lowest rate was registered in neighbouring Italy at 67.5%, followed by Greece and Romania at 72.3% and 74.8% respectively.

Recent graduates with tertiary educational attainment had an 87.7% employment rate, compared with those with medium education at 78.1%.

By recent graduates, the data refer to individuals aged 20 to 34 who completed their studies within the past 1 to 3 years at medium or tertiary education levels.

#MaltaDaily