Due to the frail nature of meme coins, it is inordinately thoughtful to read this article — that unveils meme coins’ emergence, beginning, and how the cryptocurrency market sees it.

The Beginning and Emergence of Meme Coins

Meme coins were invented in 2013 when two software engineers, Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, developed the first meme coin called “Dogecoin” and featured the Shiba Inu dog breed on the coin. This feature amazed the internet community such that when they launched their official website, dogecoin.com, they received 1 million unique visitors in one day. Still, Dogecoin’s value increase was thin and thready (the reason this happened despite having 1 million unique website visitors is explained in the second part of this article).

In 2021, Tesla CEO Elon Musk assumed the CEO (elect) of the Dogecoin project. He added Dogecoin as a payment method in the sale of Tesla electric vehicles.

This development birthed and got a colossal amount of meme coins such as SHIBA, AKITA, etc. listed on top exchanges. Elon Musk didn’t stop the hype on Twitter and increased Dogecoin’s price to over 30% of other meme coins that existed during this time.

Today, meme coins are scattered everywhere online. The new ecosystem effects on the cryptocurrency market are in the section below.

Meme Coins Meaning for the Cryptocurrency Market

Definition: The cryptocurrency market defines meme coin (like the name implies) as a “joke coin,” meaning that jokes don’t stay funny for long. In market terms it means holding a meme coin long-term is nefarious to your profit rate.

Example: After the Dogecoin price increased by 30 percent, traders sold before it was dumped. In addition, the market sees meme coins as first-come-first-serve coins.

Example: Late buyers of Dogecoin (those that bought when it hit an all-time high) all lost their funds waiting for the next hype.

I promised in the first section to explain why meme coins hardly increase in value. It’s one reason why meme coins are a threat to the cryptocurrency market. Meme coins have no use case attached to them; a price increase depends on hype alone.

How Some Meme Coins Decrease Investors on the Cryptocurrency Market?

Meme coins stand out in the market with a good amount of investors ready to invest. They expect to make a huge profit because they buy at a low value and then hold for the long-term hoping for the best. But the meme coin may not increase in value or may not survive for long before it disappears. These funds, when invested in projects like Ethereum, will be of good use to the cryptocurrency market.

Summary

Traders see Dogecoin as the best meme coin to trade at the moment because of its long existence and network (Dogecoin was forked, out of Litecoin). Some meme coins will perform better but invest what you are ready to lose.

— Cheers

Rumours seem to be circulating that Sony is planning another live stream event for early August — in fact, Thursday August 6th at 9pm UTC (that’s 5pm EDT) is the date for your diaries. It’s likely the pricing and release date for the PS5 will be announced, as well as the Silent Hill reboot, which everybody is excited for. News of the return of Ape Escape — one of the most iconic franchises on the PlayStation, is also expected, and Sony may announce the next game in the God of War series too.

If Sony’s other live streams are anything to go by, this is an event not to miss. Earlier this year on June 11th the Future of Gaming event gave us all a sneak peek into upcoming games for the PS5 — with some memorable additions like Stray and Returnal. Other games we’re excited for include Horizon Forbidden West and of course Far Cry 6.

You can’t currently pre-order a PS5, but you can get your name on a mailing list for updates when pre-orders go live at Best Buy and Target. With the price predicted to be around $500, the only thing we need to worry about is whether supply can keep up with demand.

With reports emerging production of the PS5 has been ramped up — with up to 10 million units expected to be shifted by the end of March next year — it looks more likely that we’ll be able to get our hands on one if we’re quick to place a pre-order. These figures also mean Sony expects to shift more PS5 consoles than it did during the first 6 months of PS4 sales.

Resident Evil Village

This is by far one of the games I’m most hyped for. I’m a huge fan of the Resident Evil franchise and have been ever since the first game, with its blocky graphics and cheesy dialogue. To be honest, I didn’t realize this trailer was for a Resident Evil game until it reached the end — it looks totally different to anything they’ve done before, with a much more supernatural feel. Resident Evil Village will be the eighth entry in the series, set years after the events of Resident Evil 7 Biohazard. The story follows Ethan Winters, who has started a new life with his wife, Mia, when Chris Redfield (who fans will remember from previous games) shows up.

Resident Evil Village features graphics powered by the RE engine and is due for release on the PS5 in 2021.

Project Athia

Dragons, wolves, magic, mystery, and a mysterious girl in a cape with magical powers. What’s not to love about Project Athia? The latest game by Square Enix and Luminous Productions had viewers of the “Future of Gaming” event wowed, including me! There’s no release date yet, but hopefully it will land on PS5 next year.

Returnal

Housemarque’s mind-bending sci-fi shooter Returnal is their most ambitious game yet. From the developers who brought us Resogun, you play as a woman caught in a time loop on a mysterious alien planet, forced to relive her death over and over again. In Returnal, the planet looks a little bit different every time you come back — and so does your character — not to mention it looks scary as hell! Hopefully Returnal will be one of the titles we’ll see released for the PS5 next year.

Stray

By far the most mysterious trailer was for Stray from BlueTwelve and Annapurna Interactive. This cat adventure game (formerly known as HK_Project) is set in Kowloon Walled City. You play as a cute, playful cat exploring the mysterious city and meeting the strange robots that dwell there. Stray is coming to PS5 in 2021, and I can’t wait!

Which games are you most excited for after the “Future of Gaming” showcase?

Exciting, huh? Sony have announced they’re hosting a reveal event for PS5 games this Thursday, June 4th at 1pm PT/4pm ET/9pm BST. “The Future of Gaming” event can be streamed on the official PS5 website or you can watch on Twitch or YouTube. This hour-long event will take a look at the lineup for the PS5, and it can’t happen soon enough!

If you can’t wait that long, check out this teaser to keep you going.

We’ve been wondering for a while now when Sony would announce their lineup for the PS5. Kenichiro Yohida, Sony CEO stated last month that we would see the “compelling” games line-up “soon,” with many hoping that June or July would be prime time for a PS5 event.

This event will solely focus on games for the PS5, promising both first and third-party titles. If it’s the PS5 hardware you’re more interested in, you might have missed the live gameplay demo on the PS5 last month, showcasing the stunning graphics of Unreal Engine 5. Just in case, check it out below. And don’t miss “The Future of Gaming” on Thursday!

Red Dead Redemption 2

Replacing Rockstar’s GTA 5 (which left Game Pass on May 7), Red Dead Redemption 2 is set in America’s Wild West in 1899, twelve years before the events of Red Dead Redemption. You play as Arthur Morgan, an enforcer with the Van der Linde Gang, who, in the opening scenes, are fleeing to the mountains pursued by federal agents and bounty hunters after a heist gone wrong in the nearby town of Blackwater.

This open-world game doesn’t really ramp up the RPG-like elements until you’re a couple of hours in, when suddenly you’ll have to hunt animals for food, upgrade your camp’s facilities, and resupply the medicine cart. In addition to this, there’s a whole host of moral choices to make, like whether to help old friends on their quests or turn them down — and you can carry out favors for those you meet along the way too to earn discounts in shops.

Red Dead 2 may at times feel like more of a grind than its predecessor, but the beautifully realized world, buzzing towns, and engaging little details will draw you in. The game features bursts of story-telling action interspersed with long periods spent exploring and absorbing every inch of the world, so if that’s your thing, it’s well worth playing while it’s on Game Pass.

Final Fantasy 9

Considered by many to be the best FF game in the series — although my personal favorite is still 8 (and no, it’s not because Squall was my first video-game crush, although that helps) — Final Fantasy 9 has a more medieval feel than its sci-fi predecessors. The game scores 94 on Metacritic; the highest score of the series. Final Fantasy doesn’t have a longstanding history on Xbox, which is why it’s great that this title is available to play on Game Pass.

Released in 2000, Final Fantasy 9 takes place on the planet Gaia. You play as Zidane Tribal, a thief who’s a member of a troupe plotting to kidnap Garnet Til Alexandros XVII, the Princess of Alexandria. As with previous FF installments, this game features the Active Time Battle turn-based command system, where you can control up to eight characters (in a party of four). Abilities can be unlocked by equipping different weapons, add-ons, and armor, and each character can access two command abilities.

I won’t give away too much of the story, but what makes the game really stand out is its range of minigames and sidequests, from frog catching with Quina to the Tetra Master card game, and Chocobo Hot and Cold.

Day Z

Since it landed on Game Pass on May 7, Day Z has already seen a huge influx of new players, and has become “one of the most played games on Xbox” according to developer Bohemia Interactive. Rating a solid 56 score on Metacritic, this open-world MMO survival sandbox game isn’t for everyone, but if you’re into slow-burning survival games, I’d give it a go.

You wake up on an island in the middle of nowhere in a post-apocalyptic world, armed only with an apple, a flare, and a can of fizzy pop. What happens next is up to you — there’s no guided, action-packed storyline or quick-fire gameplay. Exploring the world around you can be tough at first and you’re likely to find yourself dying a lot as you get to grips with the (admittedly clunky) control system and inventory management.

The game’s visuals are a bit dated, the zombies aren’t especially scary or shambling, and there are even a fair amount of graphical bugs. But where Day Z really comes into its own is when you play with friends. In co-op there’s plenty of longevity and a Walking Dead-style appeal: build your own community of survivors, recruit others, and defend your base camp to the death. Day Z may be a slow burner, but played with others it’s less of a lonely experience and one that will eat up hours of your time.

Fractured Minds

Landing on Game Pass on May 14, this indie puzzle role-playing game is all about anxiety and mental health. Created by seventeen-year-old Emily Mitchell, Fractured Minds won the 2017 BAFTA Young Game Designers Award in the 15–18 years category.

Although the game is short (it can be completed in under 15 minutes), it’s meaningful and you’ll find yourself thinking about it long after the end credits roll. Divided into six short chapters, the game touches on emotions like paranoia, self-loathing, fear, anxiety, isolation, and being overwhelmed. You’re trapped in a series of prisons, which you escape by solving simple puzzles, only to find yourself trapped in yet another cage.

Incredibly relevant right now during a time when more of us are isolated than ever before, it’s well worth checking out Fractured Minds if you have some time to spare.

Alan Wake

Originally released on Xbox 360 back in 2010, and coming to Xbox Game Pass for its 10th anniversary celebrations, Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake is the game I’m most excited to play this month. Play as best-selling author Alan, who takes some time out to cure his writer’s block and ends up in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. This supernatural action horror game is part Twin Peaks, part Stephen King, and completely scary. Well, if you like moody, pine forested-backdrops, fiction bleeding into reality, and all sorts of spooky goings-on.

Whether you played the original on Xbox 360 or are new to Alan Wake, there’s no time like the present to revisit the game, or see what it’s all about for yourself when it drops later this week.

I’ve already downloaded Red Dead Redemption 2 — but am currently playing my way through Assassin’s Creed Origins after the recent Xbox sale — and can’t wait to line up Alan Wake in my games library too! Which of these games are you most excited for?

Fans of the series have known about Valhalla for some time after many spotted the Easter Egg in Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 last year (a character is shown holding a poster with “Valhalla” on it and holding the Apple of Eden from the series). For those who have only just heard the news, the story trailer is definitely worth checking out.

This is the 12th game in Ubisoft’s series, and some say it’s going to be their best yet, with the biggest map of the series to date. The game is open world, with action taking place across a number of European cities, from Kiev to Paris and London. Some gamers have questioned whether it will be too much like Odyssey, but this is a different, darker take and fans of the series won’t be left disappointed with the Norse setting.

What’s it All About?

You play the role of Eivor, a Viking raider, during the Viking invasions of England at the end of the 8th century. You can customize your character to be male or female — in fact, there’s a whole host of customizations available and not just when it comes to clothing, hair, and tattoos. Valhalla lets you choose from a huge variety of weapons, from the usual bows and sword to dual-wield axes and more. Because the game is open world, there’s always something to do even if you get tired of combat. Give flyting a go if you fancy engaging in dastardly poetry battles, or try your hand at fishing and hunting in a beautifully rendered environment.

You’ll build a settlement for your home base and spend much of your time upgrading it for protection, and forming alliances as your reach expands. As lead producer Julien Laferrière explains:

“It’s your own Viking village you’ll see prosper and grow, and which your clan mates will live in. It’s at the centre of our quests and the centre of the decisions you make. We want players to see the consequences of their actions.”

Unlike other games in the series (barring Assassin’s Creed III, where players created a homestead), the decision for players to return to their settlement after each adventure has changed the shape of the game:

“Instead of exploring one territory, then moving on to another and having no real opportunity or reason to return, the settlement changes the structure. So you’ll go on an adventure and then be encouraged to come back to your settlement. It changes the way we’re playing the game we’re making — at least, that’s the bet we’re making.”

Play with Friends in Co-Op Mode

The series has offered us multiplayer before, but Valhalla takes it to a whole new and exciting level. Team up with your friends in co-op mode and create custom raiders to raid with friends, sending your team into battle to help others or recruiting them to assist you.

When’s it Out?

Valhalla will be one of the first games released on next-gen consoles, launching during this year’s holiday season on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and Google Stadia.

The new app lets you follow streams and comment on live gameplay, as well as play games from an “instant game” library in the app — there’s no need to install any other software. The “go live” feature lets you broadcast your smartphone screen to stream mobile gameplay directly.

Easy Mobile Streaming

Piers Harding-Rolls, Research Director for games at Ampere Analysis, said that all these functions together:

“…helps it differentiate from other live-streaming only apps.”

He added:

“Facebook’s approach is to democratize the streaming process, meaning any user can go live with a stream very easily.”

During the app’s 18-month test-run in Asia and Latin America, 5 million users downloaded and installed the app, but it’s feared the fact a dedicated app has to be downloaded may hamper adoption.

There’s no denying it’s a great time to launch a gaming app, as figures suggest game streaming viewership has increased by at least 10% during the lockdown. But who is the Facebook gaming app actually aimed at — and is it any good?

Too Many Features?

Although the app lets you play games as well as stream and interact with content, it doesn’t do any of these things particularly well. When you install the app, it asks you to select a few favorite games before recommending some streamers to follow. There’s a tab for playing Facebook games, a tab for watching live streams, a tab for messages, and a news feed tab where you can see posts and videos from your gaming groups. Camera buttons at the top and bottom of the main page enable you to live stream from your phone.

What’s the Target Market?

The main issue with this app is that it’s trying to be all things to all people, appealing to the Farmville crowd as well as those who regularly watch League of Legends on Twitch. Sadly, there are better, more established streaming services out there and it’s hard for this app to compete — not to mention you could just play Facebook games in the original app.

Also, isn’t streaming yourself playing mobile games kind of odd? Who does this? Nobody really wants to watch you play Farmville or Words With Friends, and mobile game streaming isn’t nearly as popular as streaming console or PC games. Admittedly, the news feed tab may appeal to gamers fed up of Facebook, who still want updates from gaming groups — they can still get their fix without being on Facebook itself.

If Facebook Gaming’s news feed was entirely dedicated to gameplay clips and gaming memes then great, I’d almost definitely be on board. But right now, this type of content is a little light on the ground, so until then, it’s not an app I’m going to be keeping on my phone.

Delayed yet again

Game developer Naughty Dog released a statement last week revealing the game’s release date has been delayed yet again. Originally scheduled for release on February 21st, 2020, Naughty Dog initially needed more time to work on the game before it was ready, knocking the release back until May 29th. Many of us were waiting with bated breath, pre-orders organized.

Then Naughty Dog announced that:

“…due to logistics beyond our control, the game can’t be launched as planned, leaving the release date TBD.”

Their statement on Twitter continued:

“We’re hoping that this won’t be a long delay, and we’ll update you as soon as we have new information to share.”

Coronavirus to blame

Although plenty of other 2020 releases have faced delays (Doom Eternal and Cyberpunk 2077, I’m looking at you), this is the first game to be officially delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, discounting Iron Man VR. Naughty Dog admitted the game isn’t finished yet, but that they were on track for the release date, so it’s likely that the practicalities of printing and shipping physical copies are to blame right now.

Sony explicitly blamed the coronavirus pandemic for the problem, saying:

“The global crisis is preventing us from providing the launch experience our players deserve.”

So, when will we get to meet Ellie again in The Last of Us Part II? No word yet, but I’m hoping it will be later this year, before the launch of the PS5!

Yesterday Russia announced turning to facial recognition software to tackle the spread of coronavirus, while authorities worldwide are taking advantage of the latest tech to track and trace the infected.

24/7 Surveillance

Moscow’s employing the latest technology to track its residents during the coronavirus lockdown. The facial recognition software can even track faces through face masks, so there really is no escape. Perhaps that’s why the streets of the capital are eerily deserted, a far cry from the parks and gardens of London right now, where people continue to flout the lockdown rules and enjoy the unseasonably sunny UK weather.

Worries for the Future

One resident was captured on camera and fined for leaving his home (after being under quarantine following an international flight) to take out the trash, which seems a little extreme. In terms of keeping those in quarantine at home, it may sound like a great idea, but some Moscow residents rightly have concerns about what will happen once this is all over. Will Big Brother still be watching, and what does that mean for personal freedom in Russia’s capital city?

Lockdown in Moscow

The city is using over 170,000 cameras to track every movement of the public — although this is currently being used mostly to track and trace those who have been ordered to self-quarantine during the pandemic. There are plans to extend the network, so no dark alley or corner of the city is left uncovered, with the city working to install 9,000 additional cameras as we speak. When the pandemic is over, many of these cameras will remain in place. Whether they’ll still track residents’ movements using facial recognition, who knows — and indeed, will those living in the city even be aware?

Tech Crackdown on the Virus

Worldwide, authorities and governments are turning to tech to trace those with the virus and ensure quarantines and lockdown are adhered to. In Israel, the counter-terrorism agency has the ability to monitor location data on cell phones, allowing them to alert those who come close to a known coronavirus case, while in Singapore, the TraceTogether app lets authorities identify anyone who has been exposed to those with the virus. It’s all a bit concerning, really, as Human Rights Watch and Privacy International said in their statement:

“An increase in state digital surveillance powers, such as obtaining access to mobile phone location data, threatens privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association.”

But as the number of people infected worldwide surpasses a million and deaths near 52,000, are governments and authorities around the world doing the right thing by infringing on our human right to privacy? And will things ever go back to normal, once the coronavirus pandemic is over?

Games to Play Alone

Sea of Solitude

Sea of Solitude is a beautiful game to get lost in right now. You play as Kay, a woman who has been overcome by loneliness and turned into a monster. Meet fantastical creatures and (truly quite terrifying) monsters, solve challenges, and explore a flooded city by swimming, on foot, or by boat. One of the best parts about Sea of Solitude is its ability to immerse you completely in the story — so if you’re stressed out right now, this is the solution. The world you explore is beautiful and evolving, with surprises around every corner, and you’ll want to take your time to uncover every corner of it. On your adventures you’ll meet a variety of monsters, some terrifying, some wonderful, and confront them to learn more about Kay — and ultimately discover what it means to be human.

Sea of Solitude is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Stardew Valley

Staying sane while a pandemic is sweeping the planet requires some effort, and a key part of maintaining your mental health is having a routine, which is where games like Stardew Valley can help. Having tasks to do each day in the game ensures you’ll stave off boredom and maintain a routine — although we recommend showering and wearing some clean clothes every day too! Part farm simulation, part RPG, it’s easy to get lost in the brightly-colored world of Stardew Valley, but make sure you’re disciplined about your gaming time.

The story is simple yet strangely satisfying. After leaving your job with the Joja Corporation, you inherit your grandfather’s farm and have to decide whether to rebuild the community center or support the local Joja Mart. The game’s all about improving relationships with the residents of Pelican Town too, giving them presents to earn their trust. And of course, farming, which is strangely methodical and relaxing. From chopping wood and watering crops to optimizing your farmland, it all takes time and effort and it will take you a while to earn specializations and add diversity to your farming routine. It’s a pleasant distraction from the uncertainty of the outside world right now, and a game you should definitely consider playing!

Stardew Valley is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, and Wii U.

Control

Remedy Entertainment’s 2019 shooter is one of the best ways to spend a weekend in isolation. You play as Jesse Faden, sent to explore the “Federal Bureau of Control” and defeat an evil force known only as “The Hiss.” Not only are the graphics impressive, the physics are some of the best around, as you use Jesse’s powers to fire objects of all shapes and sizes at enemies. The story may be fairly simple, but there’s enough intrigue (and gameplay hours) to see you through at least a weekend in self-isolation.

Control is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

The Last of Us: Remastered (2014)

If you’re anything like us, you played Naughty Dog’s standout hit back on release day in 2013 on PS3. One of the best games of the century, the timing couldn’t be better for a replay, as our world outside increasingly seems to echo Joel and Ellie’s reality. If you’re late to the party — better late than never — it’s a great time to explore the remastered version on PS4 before The Last of Us 2 drops on the 29th of May.

The Last of Us: Remastered is available on PlayStation 4.

Games to Play With Friends

Borderlands 3

We don’t all want to play alone, but not everybody enjoys online co-op either — so what’s the solution? Borderlands 3 is one of few shooters with local split-screen co-op for up to two players (only on PS4 and Xbox One). Choose from four playable characters (Zane the Operative, Amara the Siren, Moze the Gunner, or FL4K the Beastmaster), each with their own skills, and set out to join Lilith’s Crimson Raiders. Set six years after Tales from the Borderlands, you’re a new recruit sent to investigate the Children of the Vault cult and their leaders, Tyreen and Troy Calypso. If blasting mutants and exploring a vast game world sounds like your thing, pick up the fourth main entry in the Borderlands series today and get your other half or your housemate involved. Borderlands 3 will provide a welcome distraction from what’s happening in the real world.

Borderlands 3 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (split-screen only available on PS4 and Xbox One).

Hidden Agenda

For something a little different to movie night, why not give Hidden Agenda a go? This PS4 exclusive has been out a while, but it’s great for anybody with housemates or partners who aren’t gamers. Part movie, part game, Hidden Agenda uses Sony’s PlayLink features, where up to six players can participate using a free app on their smartphones. Take part in forensic investigations or take turns to make crucial decisions during this crime thriller, which features a branching story influenced by your choices. There’s also a competitive mode to try.

Hidden Agenda is only available on PlayStation 4.

A Way Out

Whether you’ve heard of it or not (it flew under the radar for many of us), A Way Out is one of the best gaming adventures to date, from the creators of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. There’s no single-player mode here — instead the game is local co-op, although online co-op is also available. Jailbirds Vincent and Leo are planning a jailbreak and you’ll work together — albeit reluctantly — to escape. Every single decision is made with co-op in mind, and communication here really is the key to success, which is what makes A Way Out so engaging.

A Way Out is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.