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Cultural Variations in Gaming: How Different Countries Approach Classic Games

Have you ever noticed how people from different parts of the world play games a bit differently? Some love to take risks and make bold moves, while others play it cool and calculated. It’s like each culture has its game face.

Take blackjack, chess, or mahjong—each country brings its vibe to the table. Some like to make big moves and keep the game fast-paced, while others prefer to stick to the basics, play by the book, and take their time. 

Each culture’s twist on these classic games adds a fun, unique flavour to the experience, making the world of gaming a bit more interesting with every move!

Chess

In many countries, chess is more than just a pastime—it’s a respected test of the mind. Russia has long treated chess as a symbol of discipline and education. It’s played with deep focus and structured openings. Players often start learning young and follow strict training methods, making Russian gameplay known for its control and precision.

India approaches chess with its dynamic energy. As the birthplace of the game’s earliest form, there’s a long history tied to creativity and bold tactics. Indian players are often more aggressive in their strategies, especially in the middle game, favouring unexpected moves.

Players from the United States often lean toward fast formats like blitz or bullet chess. These versions demand quick decisions and leave little time for deep planning. The pace suits a culture that often values action, resulting in drawn-out thinking.

Mahjong

Mahjong may look similar across borders, but how it’s played says much about the people who enjoy it. In China, where the game is part of daily life for many, it’s common to see it played in homes or tea houses. The style is relaxed but competitive, and winning often brings pride among friends.

The Japanese version, Riichi Mahjong, has different rules and adds more layers of strategy. Players follow a tighter set of instructions and focus on hand-building with precision. Scoring is complex, and even a single wrong move can change the game.

Mahjong has taken on a different life in the United States, especially in some communities that introduced their rulesets. For example, American Mahjong often includes special joker tiles and pre-set hands, making it feel more like a puzzle. These changes show how the game adapts to local preferences while keeping its basic charm.

Dominoes  

In some parts of the world, dominoes are less about the game and more about the gathering. In the Caribbean, for example, it’s often played outdoors, where slamming tiles on the table is part of the fun. The games move quickly, and the energy is high, reflecting the culture’s love for music, laughter, and social time.

Rules can vary from island to island. In Puerto Rico, players often aim to block their opponents. In the Dominican Republic, the goal is to play your hand fast. Winning is important, as is the spirit of competition, and games often come with jokes and loud commentary.

 

European countries treat the game differently. In places like Spain or Italy, it’s slower and strategic. Conversations may be quieter, and the goal is less about energy and more about outsmarting the other team.

Backgammon

Backgammon may look the same on the board but has different meanings worldwide. In Turkey, it’s common to see older men playing in cafes, enjoying both the game and the conversation. The style is fast-paced, with players making decisions quickly and often playing many rounds in a sitting.

Iran has a strong backgammon tradition, where the game is used as entertainment and mental exercise. Luck plays a significant role, but clever moves can often turn the tide. How people handle wins and losses also shows a cultural focus on calm reactions and sportsmanship.

Across parts of Europe, like Greece or Cyprus, backgammon is more relaxed. It’s played during long breaks or on holiday, often without much pressure. People enjoy the game’s rhythm, using it to connect more than compete.

Blackjack

Blackjack is one of those games that’s easy to pick up but tough to master—and how people play it can really depend on how they play instead of where they’re playing from. 

There’s a noticeable difference between in-person and online play. At in-person venues, the pace of the game is often more interactive and steady, with players taking time between hands, talking to the dealer, and observing others’ moves. Online blackjack, by contrast, tends to move faster.

In New Zealand’s online blackjack scene, players are mastering traditional strategies while experimenting with new techniques in live dealer games. In these games, players interact with real dealers in real time, allowing them to make split-second decisions. 

While the rules stay the same, the way people approach the game changes based on how they’re playing. 

Final Thoughts

Classic games may look the same on the surface, but each country plays them differently. How people approach these games shows what they value—speed, strategy, or connection. With so many games now being played online, it’s easier than ever to learn from others and discover new ways to enjoy familiar challenges.

The gaming world is clearly global and deeply local. That balance keeps the games fresh, fun, and full of surprises.

How Musicians Are Using YouTube Vlogs to Build Personal Brands

I. Introduction to YouTube Vlogging for Musicians

YouTube has in recent years matured from just being a video-sharing platform to a powerful medium for artists to construct and establish their own individual brands. With over two billion active users on average each month, YouTube offers a platform unmatched for artists to interact with listeners, share their creative process, and expose their personalities beyond the limitations of traditional music marketing. This transition to vlogging—cross-pollination of video and blogging—has become a key tactic for artists hoping to get noticed in a packed field.

Vlogging enables artists to share their distinctive narratives, provide behind-the-scenes information, and connect with patrons in a more intimate and relatable way. Unlike artistically produced music videos or studio recordings, vlogs reveal musicians’ lives in unprocessed and unedited form, thus enabling their fans to more easily form emotional connections with them. As the music industry continues to shift towards its digital future, the capacity to share experiences and knowledge about oneself through YouTube vlogs gives artists an advantage when it comes to building their brand identity.

II. Understanding the Importance of Personal Branding

As the digital age has grown, personal branding has been a tool that artists have found essential to build their own unique place in an oversaturated market. Artists struggle for room in an evolving industry landscape, and it is crucial to gain an understanding of personal branding in order to leave a lasting impression.

A. Defining Personal Branding for Musicians

Personal branding for artists is the process of crafting a unique identity that resonates with fans and sets them apart from others in the industry. It goes beyond the music itself to include an artist’s aesthetic, online presence, and the stories they choose to share. A strong brand helps communicate values, inspirations, and artistic vision—fostering a deeper, more lasting connection with audiences. To enhance visibility and engagement on platforms like YouTube, some artists choose to buy real YouTube likes as a way to boost social proof and attract new fans more quickly.

B. The Role of Authenticity in Branding

Authenticity is an essential element in personal branding, especially in the music industry. Audiences today are more discerning than ever and seek genuine connections with the artists they patronize. Artists who seem authentic—sharing their own life experiences, challenges, and triumphs—tend to connect more deeply with fans. This openness not only generates loyalty but also encourages followers to spread the word about the artist in their own communities. In a world where superficiality can too often reign, authenticity makes artists unique and builds a foundation of trust.

C. How Personal Brands Influence Music Career Development

The strength of a solid personal brand on the professional journey of an artist cannot be overstated. Possessing a well-built brand draws in opportunities such as collaborations, sponsorships, and media coverage, which are all extremely crucial to advancement in the saturated music business.

III. Strategies for Successful YouTube Vlogging

With the music world constantly evolving, YouTube vlogging has emerged as a powerful vehicle through which artists engage with audiences and build solid personal brands. In order to be successful at leveraging the site, artists must undertake some steps that raise their visibility and make connections with viewers that last over time. 

Following are some strategies for excellent YouTube vlogging which can help artists grow in an oversaturated environment.

A. Creating Engaging Content that Speaks

The secret to effective vlogging is creating content that speaks and engages the audience. Artists must ensure that they create videos that reflect their persona and artistic philosophy and respond to the audience’s interests. Some of this may be behind-the-scenes of the creative process, personal stories behind their music, or interactive Q&A sessions where fans can engage directly with the artist. 

By consistently generating content that resonates, artists can create a more intimate relationship with their viewers, reaching casual watchers as die-hard fans.

B. Tapping Collaborations to Expand Outreach

Collaborations are an effective mechanism through which artists can access new audiences in addition to enriching their content. By partnering with other creators, be it fellow artists, vloggers, or influencers, artists can bridge each other’s fan bases. This cross-pollination helps in exposing artists to audiences who would not have otherwise discovered them.

When collaborating, artists must choose collaborators whose audience and brand are aligned with their own. Collaborative activities can range from co-hosted vlogs and guest appearances to collaborative music tracks. Not only do such collaborations increase the exposure but also add value to the content, providing unique experiences to the audience.

C. Optimizing Video SEO for Better Visibility

To benefit most from their vlogs, artists must also maximize their video Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This is done through using effective keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags for their videos so that their content is accessible to prospective fans. Through conducting keyword research in order to identify leading search keywords within their vlogging and music niche, artists are able to better tailor their content to what audiences are searching for.

By utilizing these strategies, musicians are able to effectively navigate the YouTube vlogging platform, enhancing their individual persona while creating a loyal fan base. In the ever-changing music industry, utilizing these resources can be the determining factor behind long-term growth and success.

IV. Case Studies of Successful Musician Vloggers

Among the ever-shifting landscape of music promotion, there are those musicians who were able to maximize the power of YouTube vlogging in establishing credible personal brands and increasing their number of fans. 

Based on examining the trajectories of successful musician vloggers, we can extract insights on winning formulas, flaws, and tangible impact of vlogging on their musical careers. 

A. Examining Well-known Music Vloggers and Strategies

A good example is Tori Kelly, a singer-songwriter whose online presence on YouTube has been a key to her success. Having first used the platform to upload cover songs and original material, Kelly’s vlogs have now become a combination of behind-the-scenes content, personal stories, and music tutorials. In doing so, not only does she showcase her musical talent, but she also allows her fans to connect with her on a personal level. By updating regularly and engaging directly with her fans via comments and live chats, Kelly has established a loyal fan base that transcends music.

Another exemplary case is the duo known as The Piano Guys. Their YouTube channel provides a combination of innovative music videos, vlogs detailing their process behind the scenes, and personal anecdotes. Their content is greatly reliant on quality visuals and storytelling, which provokes viewers to share. By constantly producing visually stimulating and emotionally stimulating content, The Piano Guys have established a brand that resonates with a large audience, resulting in massive album sales and concert attendance.

B. Things Learned from Their Successes and Failures

Though the successes of these vlogging artists are impressive, they are also not without their challenges. Tori Kelly, for instance, first found it difficult to become popular on YouTube, highlighting the necessity of patience and perseverance in vlogging. Her final triumph resulted from a commitment to being genuine—staying true to her sound and narrative despite when it didn’t conform to mainstream norms.

In the meantime, The Piano Guys too struggled to maintain their brand identity in the face of commercialization pressures. They discovered the hard way that although collaborations open up wider audiences, these must resonate with their underlying beliefs or else risk diluting their brand. Such lessons are especially crucial for artists to take cognizance of their personal brand and messages within their vlogs.

C. Impact of Their Vlogs on Concert Tickets Sold and Music Buying

The effect of YouTube vlogging on concert gate and album sales cannot be overemphasized. For Tori Kelly, her vlogs have significantly helped drive album sales as fans have shown willingness to buy her content after experiencing that personal connection with her videos. Her vlog experience has even been translated into record-breaking concert tours herself, showing how effective content helps turn onlookers into die-hard fanatics.

Similarly, The Piano Guys have also witnessed a dramatic surge in their concert ticket sales, with their fans tuning out to watch them perform live after they were drawn to their energetic vlogs. Their ability to create a community around their name has not only placed their music sales on a higher pedestal but also turned their concert experiences into memorable ones that connect with their fans.

V. Conclusion: The Future of Music and Vlogging

As the music environment continues to evolve, integration of YouTube vlogging into artists’ promotional campaigns is increasingly important. The way artists interact with their fans is evolving, with personal branding at the forefront of the change. As vlogging has increased, artists now have a platform that not only enables them to market their music, but also their personalities, values, and stories, creating more intimate relationships with the fans.

All in all, this fusion of vlogging and music is set to change the relationship between music artists and their followers. Artists engaging in this habit will not only expand their individual brands but will also expose themselves to other avenues in the future. With the line between artist and content creator blurring, the future of music is irretrievably tied to the dynamic world of vlogging, to provide a better and more engaging experience for both fans and artists.

Building Empathy, Frame by Frame: Rosemary Wu’s Inclusive Vision for Storytelling

Reframing who appears on screen isn’t just aesthetic—it’s a purposeful reimagining of representation.

This guiding principle defines the work of filmmaker and animator Rosemary Wu, whose award-winning animated documentary So Much More to Offer sets aside spectacle in favor of emotionally grounded, inclusive storytelling. Wu’s approach is less about presenting differences as drama and more about creating space for lived realities to unfold with depth, dignity, and texture.

Through a layered visual language and a process rooted in empathy, Wu crafts stories that don’t merely feature marginalized voices—they listen to these voices, elevate them, and build entire worlds around their perspectives. Her film resists the impulse to simplify or sensationalize. Instead, it builds on heartfelt experiences and emotional truth, drawing viewers in with its sincerity.

At the center of So Much More to Offer is Lyndzi Ramos, a plus-sized woman navigating the silent, everyday exclusions baked into public life, from rigid theater seats to non-inclusive fashion brands designed without her in mind. Her story isn’t framed as an anomaly. It’s precisely its ordinariness—and the care with which it’s told—that gives it power, reinforcing the film’s strong message of body positivity.

Wu’s challenge wasn’t to amplify Lyndzi’s story through dramatization, but to translate it into a visual and emotional language that invites audiences to experience it as intimately as she lived it.

When Memory Looks Like Art: How Animation Became Emotion

To capture that complexity, Wu turned to a hybrid visual approach that mirrored the emotional and psychological layers of memory itself. So Much More to Offer blends 2D, stop-motion, motion graphics, and 3D animation to reflect memory’s fragmented, layered nature. Each medium was selected not for its aesthetic, but for what it could evoke—clarity, tactility, abstraction, or weight. Wu matched these to the emotional tone of each scene, letting feeling guide form.

Rather than flattening stylistic differences, she stitched them together using cut-on-action, match cuts, and L- and J-cuts, smoothing transitions while honoring emotional continuity. The result feels like memory—sometimes sharp, sometimes fluid, often contradictory. The visual diversity doesn’t distract; it deepens resonance and echoes the film’s theme: Just as animation exists in many forms, so too do human bodies and identities.

Building a Film Like a Home: Wu’s Creative Blueprint

Images courtesy of So Much More to Offer (University of Southern California)

Wu’s role extended beyond directing. She was the film’s creative architect, shaping its emotional core and technical execution. She led the transformation of a candid interview into a visual narrative, ensuring each creative choice, from animation style to production flow, reflected Lyndzi’s voice and her artistic vision.

As a storyboard artist, she used composition to express Lyndzi’s internal world: close-ups for vulnerability, POV shots for discomfort, and wide angles to highlight spatial exclusion. Every visual choice reflected lived experience, not stylized abstraction.

She also served as production manager, overseeing a 16-person team. Wu organized the crew into specialized units, maintained shot and asset pipelines, and led weekly check-ins that balanced structure with creative flexibility. The production remained nimble yet disciplined, able to adapt without losing focus.

This dual emphasis on execution and emotional clarity sets the film apart. Every moving part served a single purpose: to make the invisible visible, with honesty.

More Than Movement: How Wu Animates for Justice

Wu’s path into animation began in high school at a pre-college program. She first explored 3D tools like Autodesk Maya, planting the early roots for what would eventually become an award-winning film and career. What started as fascination quickly became a calling: using animation to explore emotional nuance and social reality.

She earned her BFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating Summa Cum Laude and receiving the Directors’ Scholar Award, Academic Achievement Award, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

Her professional experience spans game art, 3D animation, and visual development work on films like White Snake: Afloat (2024), which grossed over $60 million globally. She’s also taught animation through CalArts’ Community Arts Partnership, mentoring young artists and expanding access to creative tools.

Inclusion Isn’t a Theme—It’s the Whole Framework

Images courtesy of So Much More to Offer (University of Southern California)

For Wu, inclusion forms the foundation of her creative methodology, not something simply added into stories. So Much More to Offer doesn’t just tell a story about marginalization; it embodies inclusive authorship from start to finish.

That principle shaped every layer of the process. Wu’s team was assembled thoughtfully. Her visual choices were rooted in Lyndzi’s voice. The storytelling prioritized emotional resonance over convention. Inclusion was not decoration but the structure, demonstrating Wu’s deep commitment to authentic storytelling.

Wu’s broader creative ambitions follow the same philosophy. She is currently developing initiatives in adaptive design, such as body-inclusive seating, accessible fashion, and digital character libraries that reflect diverse human forms. For her, animation isn’t just about creating new worlds—it’s about challenging who those worlds are made for.

What Comes Next When Belonging Is the Goal

So Much More to Offer has screened at 22 international film festivals, including the Children’s Film Festival Seattle and the Oscar-qualifying RiverRun International (NC) Film Festival. It has received honors including the Humanitarian Award at the Los Angeles Animation Festival and First Place in the Wellness category at the My Hero International Film Festival, along with numerous other awards and nominations across the U.S. and abroad. Yet Wu remains clear-eyed about what matters most.

Accolades don’t drive her; she’s guided by impact. Her following projects will continue to explore hybrid animation, focusing on underrepresented voices and the emotional terrains that animation uniquely reveals—contradiction, fragmentation, and the quiet resilience of lived truth.

The film closes with a line from Lyndzi:

“It doesn’t matter what other people say or think. The only thing that matters to me is what I think and how I feel about myself.”

For Wu, that’s not just a conclusion—it’s a blueprint for what storytelling should be.

Top 5 TikTok Beauty Products Worth the Hype

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Let’s be honest; TikTok has become the go-to destination for all things beauty. The app has been behind some of the most popular beauty products on the market today. TikTok has reshaped the way people discover new products and trends by making beauty products go big. With influencers and users sharing their experiences, favourite products, and tips/hacks that deliver instant results, they transform everyday items into must-haves. However, with the volume of ‘viral products’ growing every day, it’s hard to find ones truly worth the hype—so here are some of the top TikTok beauty products that have consistently hooked and impressed users.

Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler & Dryer

The Dyson Airwrap styler is a healthier and more convenient alternative to your traditional heat-styled hair routine. This tool has 6 functions in 1 – ‘dry, curl, wave, smooth, volumise, and hide flyaways’, reducing the need for separate blow dryers and curling irons. It also uses air to style your hair, helping prevent heat damage!

This product is fast and simple to use, creating perfect, long-lasting curls at the touch of a button – a dream tool!

It also comes with 8 attachments that let you create different looks, personalised to your hair type and length. This level of control ensures salon-quality results from the comfort of your home. It’s no surprise this product has earned a spot in many influencers’ haircare routines.

Available at John Lewis for £479.99.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

This weightless blush delivers ‘high-impact colour with just one dot’. It comes in 13 diverse shades, ensuring there’s something for everyone. This ultra-pigmented formula can give you a 12-hour ‘soft glow, natural flush, or a bold pop of colour’, depending on your preference. For best results, use your fingertips to blend—this gives more control and seamless, mistake-proof layering.

You can also wear it on bare skin or over foundation if you prefer a more natural look and lightweight feel—making it a likely staple in your makeup routine.

Available at Sephora for £22.00.

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

These bronzing drops are designed to be mixed with serums, oils, or moisturisers to give your skin a bronze, sun-kissed glow—without the harmful effects of sun exposure.

Suitable for sensitive skin, they can also be worn on bare skin for breathable, no-makeup days. Rich in antioxidants, the formula boosts skin elasticity thanks to ingredients like White Tea and Cocoa Extract, which help reduce the appearance of fine lines and promote a youthful, dewy look—perfect for keeping up with TikTok’s natural beauty trends.

Available at Drunk Elephant for £35.00.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze

This brow styling wax holds and lifts brows in place ‘without a stiff feel, residue, or flaking’. The ABH product can be used alone or as the finishing step in your brow routine to instantly achieve feathered brows—a hallmark of the viral ‘clean girl look’.

Its non-sticky formula provides strong, long-lasting hold while being mess-free and easy to use, making it an essential addition to your makeup bag.

Available at Anastasia Beverly Hills for £17.50.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick

This universally loved, iconic matte lipstick is ‘formulated for everyone at every age and any skin tone’. It’s enriched with nourishing orchid extracts to soften, smooth, and moisturise the lips—reducing the appearance of fine lines.

This bestselling nude-pink lipstick offers long-lasting colour for ‘up to 10 hours’ and features a contoured square tip for easy, effortless application. It’s a lip product you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.

These viral TikTok beauty products have earned their place in the beauty community for a reason. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your skincare, makeup, or haircare routine, these products deliver impressive results and quickly prove their value in your daily beauty lineup.

Available at Charlotte Tilbury for £29.00.

Album Review: billy woods, ‘GOLLIWOG’

“Everything buffering, reality lag and jump/ Sometimes barely recognize the people I love,” billy woods raps on ‘Golgotha’, a line that cuts to the core of his hallucinogenic writing. The Brooklyn rapper articulates bad dreams, ghostly memories, and gloomy, cross-generational visions with strange lucidity, and while  GOLLIWOG marks his first full-length effort without a primary collaborator in six years, he’s hardly alone in it. Past collaborators like Kenny Segal, Preservation, the Alchemist offer different shades of the same eerie backdrop, while guest rappers including ELUCID, Despot, Bruiser Wolf, and al.divino prove themselves to be operating under the same wavelength. Sometimes it’s hard to trace who’s relaying whose story, how the past blurs into the present, though woods points to a tale about an evil golliwog – the racist caricature the record is named after – that he wrote as a child, remembering how his mother said it needed some work. So we get a challenging, unsparing 18-track record that stands among the all-timer’s very best.


1. Jumpscare

The jumpscare can be a cheap trick in horror flicks, but billy woods has more than one way of keeping the listener on edge. He doesn’t need the scene to get dark, either. He sets it up with familiarly unnerving imagery – “rabid dog in the yard, car won’t start, it’s bees in your head” – melting into the horrors stewing in broad daylight: “The vaccinations was TB and whooping cough/ Looping, looping thoughts/ Morose villagers queue in the sun, an ouroboros.” So the song ties a noose around your neck, screeching, and that constant thud, like a jumpscare, hitting because it only brings the fear out of what’s already in your line of vision.

2. STAR87

woods now seems to be rapping into, rather than about, looping thoughts – and ever more strangely, phone calls. The ringtone cut up as the loop for the track, coupled with a swirling drone, punches you straight to the story, of which there are more glimpses here. As a narrator, woods never stops implicating himself, declaring, “Rigor mortis on the cordless mic.” 

3. Misery

The narrator is now in the victim’s seat on ‘Misery’, ensnared by lust for an actual vampire. The sax-led Kenny Segal production calls to mind their work on Maps, pushing the music in a hazier direction more straightforwardly alluring than previous songs. Yet its characters and interpolations – from MF DOOM to Beloved – prevent your mind from drifting off. They’re played like hooks, slipping right into your head.

4. BLK XMAS [feat. Bruiser Wolf]

Bruiser Wolf brings fresh colour with the first guest verse on GOLLIWOG, touching on poverty and  ending with the lines, “This flick as real as it gets/ Depicting it after living it, it’s sickening.” Then woods dials back the abstraction and into the story of a family that gets evicted right before Christmas, a first-person observer that, once again, can hardly remove himself from the everyday horror unfolding. He ends up taking some pots and pans, old clothes for the kids, but puts down the photos – “they not in that family.” Yet there’s a nagging sensation they all, more or less, see themselves in it.

5. Waterproof Mascara

Over some of the album’s most unsettling production, courtesy of Preservation, woods inhabits both the weeping mother and the kid watching his mother cry from the top of the stairs. “The king’s dead and your uncles are not our friends,” he hears her say. “How many times I gotta tell you kids?/ It’s us in this room, that’s it.” That the atmosphere is suffocating goes without saying; in the second verse, he invokes and twists Sylvia Plath’s suicide: “My house full of gas, my kids cry, then laugh right after, psychopaths.” Most of the songs on GOLLIWOG have an element of discomfort owing to an unjust system; ‘Waterproof Mascara’ feels wrong because of how personal it sounds, even if you’re left wondering what actually happened. It doesn’t get more harrowing than this.

6. Counterclockwise

The Alchemist’s serpentine beat and woods’ surreal flow move with the same logic, letting the samples that bookend the song do the real talking – and the listener to draw some line between them, or simply dissociate further. 

7. Corinthians [feat. Despot]

woods ups the intensity with help from buzzing production by El-P, turning his attention to contemporary ruin with lines like “12 billion USD hovering over the Gaza strip” and “Them crackers won’t make it to Mars.” Before he makes his case, though, he’s quick to clarify: “Way I see it, ain’t no past tense.” History’s embedded in the horror. Which makes Despot, following up and calling back to his guest verse on 2022’s Aethiopes, ponder on the afterlife – looming questions he tackles by treating it all like an absurd joke. “Same old song, I sing it one more time, on the day you’re gone, ain’t nobody gon’ cry for you,” he raps, “Take what’s yours and I make it all mine ’til the money’s so long like it’s sayin’, ‘Bye-bye’, to you.”

8. Pitchforks & Halos

Maybe it’s the track’s dazed paranoia or Segal’s production, but this one really seems to feed off the energy of Maps, almost like a leftover. Yet woods builds toward some of the most resonant lines on the album, tying its themes together in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment: “The stirring words of dead revolutionaries who were wrong/ The blurring world of all them centuries, I wonder where the time gone.” He repeats “I wonder where the time gone” as if burrowing in it, and then: “The hood of the time machine was still warm/ People make time for the things they really want.”

9. All These Worlds Are Yours [feat. ELUCID]

Horror-movie sound design gives way to frenetic, otherworldly production from DJ Haram and Shabaka, which woods and his Armand Hammer bandmate have no trouble sifting through. As the title implies, the narrator implicates not just himself, but you, in the horror, blurring the line between passive observation and participation. “Today, I watched a man die in a hole from the comfort of my home,” woods begins. “The drone flew real low, no rush, real slow/ He curled up into himself, a fetus in the womb, womb was the Earth.” It’s a setup ELUCID turns cryptic but no less evocative. 

10. Maquiladoras [feat. al.divin]

This is as brooding and bleak as GOLLIWOG sonically gets, Saint Abdullah and Eomac’s low end digging way below the surface of the earth. Woods meditates on Frantz Fanon’s concept of self-amputation from his book Black Skin, White Masks: “The amputee says accept it, there’s no escaping/ Accept the prosthetics/ They give ill-fitted limbs as gifts and insist you can only live in the present.” But the past comes back to haunt you, the way “Time is on my side,” the refrain from Armand Hammer’s ‘Flavor Flav’, returns to bless the end of this song; blurry but beautiful. 

11. A Doll Fulla Pins [feat. Yolanda Watson]

Yolanda Watson stuns in the song’s chorus, lamenting the “graspy little men” falling into the same traps. But the track takes a dizzying turn with woods’ second verse, which expounds on the significance of the album’s titular doll. You can’t quite make heads or tails of it, but it holds you in its grip. 

12. Golgotha

A sort of sequel to ‘Misery’, with Messiah Musik conjuring the slippery feeling this time, emboldening it. “In bed, she’s a dead fish, but it’s more to life than sex,” woods raps before invoking Ali, evil spirits in Georgian mythology that threaten the pregnant, newborn, and lone travellers. In the midst of it all he captures the essence of his songwriting. “Sometimes barely recognize the people I love,” he raps, and sometimes you never come closer to recognizing them than caught in fear.

13. Cold Sweat

The recurring “we up on bad dreams” from ‘Misery’ becomes “wake up in a cold sweat,” yet woods’ dark humour is more pronounced and colorful, animated by Ant’s production. It’s the same bad dreams, sometimes, that keep you up and crack you up.

14. BLK ZMBY

An interview clip from Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni frames woods’ political commentary, which begins: “Staggerin’ post-colonial African zombie state chase the people into the waves/ Watch every ship and raft ’til they disappear.” Steel Tipped Dove’s dynamic, nifty production allows woods to broaden his perspective in one of the album’s most breathlessly uncompromising flows. 

15. Make No Mistake

A little more down-to-earth and personal, the song homes in on nostalgia not as something overwhelming but rather off-kilter, mirrored in its slightly jagged flow. “I told a few lies in my time, but nеver once over a beat,” he raps, then puts it another way: “I hide everything in the rhymes, that’s why I need it dark onstage.” Behind the boards, too, his collaborators serve him well.

16. Born Alone 

An eerie piano loop provides the perfect backdrop as woods raps about death looming closer. It’s introspective and downcast, but not unfunny: “Doctor read the X-rays while you read the doctor’s face/ I rock a clean pair of socks every day just in case.”

17. Lead Paint Test [feat. ELUCID and Cavalier]

ELUCID, Cavalier, and woods trade ghostly memories of family over a wistful Willie Green beat. ELUCID and Cavalier are in peak form, but woods’ verse, swaddled in layers, reaches ever so deeper: “Lean shadows, dust swirling in sunbeams/ Shadows reach for my son in dreams/ Some shadows that deep, shadowing me.” In the intoxicating refrain, which flips woods and Kenny Segal’s own ‘Soft Landing’, home is “my beloved haunt,” which pretty much sums up the whole album.

18. Dislocated [feat. ELUCID]

The scarier GOLLIWOG becomes, the less spooky it is. ‘Dislocated’ hits home in a way that warrants ELUCID’s backing, as dreamlike and discombobulating as Human Error Club instrumental, which would recall Radiohead even if it wasn’t about disappearing completely. “I can’t be located,” they repeat with their backs to the audience. Its formlessness is something to imprint yourself upon, like something beyond grasp but never too far away, lurking. 

Gaming Culture Guide: A Step-by-Step Journey to Making Friends Through Online Games

Online games have transformed into global arenas where players connect and forge genuine friendships through shared digital experiences. Whether you collaborate in a fantasy quest or coordinate tactics in a sci-fi shooter, you shape modern gaming culture through teamwork, quick thinking, and steady communication.

If you’ve ever found yourself laughing over voice chat with someone you’ve never met or staying up late to assist a teammate in a raid, you’ve already experienced how online games can turn strangers into friends. This guide gives you simple steps to help you make real friends through gaming.

Step 1: Find the Right Game for Social Play

Not all games are created equal when it comes to fostering friendships. Some are designed for solo experiences, while others thrive on group dynamics. If your goal is to build social ties, start with games that emphasize cooperation, guild structures, or real-time player interaction.

Titles like Final Fantasy XIV or Overwatch 2 are prime examples. These games encourage players to rely on each other for success, creating an environment conducive to forming bonds. You don’t need to be naturally outgoing, simply showing up and playing your role effectively often opens the door to communication and camaraderie. In these settings, reliability and participation are often enough to start conversations.

Step 2: Explore Different Kinds of Game-Based Interaction

While competitive and cooperative games are common hubs for friendships, they are not the only ones. Social gaming spaces extend into less expected formats, too.

Sometimes, joining a virtual table in an online Casino can lead to casual conversations and new acquaintances. It is especially true in games with live dealer interactions, as these platforms simulate a more traditional face-to-face setting.

The interactive experience of live roulette, blackjack, poker, or baccarat mirrors the excitement of being in a physical casino and naturally invites commentary between players.

A growing mix of slot games, especially those made by top creators, builds a place for players to stay. Here, they don’t just spin and leave.

Another often overlooked social space in gaming is sandbox or creative games like Minecraft and Roblox. These games are less about winning and more about collaboration, building, and expressing creativity. In Minecraft, for instance, public servers host thousands of players constructing elaborate cities, co-authoring adventure maps, or managing economy-based villages.

These environments exemplify the broader social interaction in online gaming communities, which are increasingly recognized as digital neighborhoods. Online games have evolved into essential platforms for social engagement, gaming community building, and creativity.

Step 3: Use Communication Tools Wisely

In most online games, what turns a quiet session into something memorable is how players use communication tools to connect and engage with others. Use text chat, voice chat, emotes, and guild forums to interact with others. Calling out objectives or offering encouragement through voice chat can quickly build rapport. Even small gestures, such as saying ‘nice shot,’ signal that you’re open to interaction.

Effective communication in online gaming is multifaceted, encompassing strategy, community-building in gaming, and accessibility. Clear and consistent communication enhances gameplay and fosters teamwork. It applies across platforms, whether you’re on consoles, PCs, or even Mac games where cross-play options increasingly support richer interaction.

A 2023 study by the Pew Research Center found that 85% of gamers who use in-game voice chat feel more connected to their team. Those who rely on text or don’t communicate at all report weaker connections. It shows just how powerful voice interaction can be for making social ties in virtual settings.

The more consistently you communicate, the more familiar you’ll become with other players. Over time, these repeated encounters form the backbone of friendship.

Step 4: Join Guilds, Clans, or Communities

Joining a guild or clan offers structure and repeated interaction, both of which are critical for long-term friendships. These groups usually organize scheduled raids, host regular meetups, and run internal forums, structured activities that help members feel connected and part of something bigger.

Many online games foster environments where forming friendships through online games becomes not only possible but expected. Friendships born from online gaming often grow through shared achievements and repeated positive interactions.

These repetitive, reliable touchpoints build familiarity. In large MMOs, guilds are often the heart of social life, and many long-term gaming friendships have started with a simple invite to join a group dungeon or mission. In fact, World of Warcraft has long been studied for this very dynamic.

A 2020 academic paper from the University of California, Irvine noted that guild members often reported higher satisfaction with their gaming experience. They also reported forming more meaningful connections compared to solo players.

Step 5: Take the Connection Outside the Game (If It Feels Right)

A real connection begins when your in-game friendship goes beyond just playing together—it starts to feel like something that could matter outside the game too. You don’t need to overshare. Start by exchanging Discord handles, joining a shared server, or following each other on social media to keep the conversation going.

If you play together regularly, the bond naturally deepens. Over time, many players go from teammates to real friends, meeting up at conventions, planning trips, or trying new games together. It all begins with simple steps: ask them to join your next session or suggest trying a new game together.

Wrap Up

Making friends in online games isn’t about being overly chatty or pretending to be someone you’re not. It is about showing up and staying consistent. When you team up in games, winning, losing, and figuring things out together, you create shared moments that stick with you and strengthen your bond.

Whether you’re coordinating a team strategy, cheering on someone’s lucky streak at a virtual poker table, or logging into the same server day after day, the chances to build connections are everywhere. Show up with respect and the gaming world becomes your space too.

GTA 6 Trailer 2 reveals new gameplay features and graphics

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GTA 6 is set to be the hottest game of the year, with fans jumping at the bit to get their hands on the newest entry to the esteemed Grand Theft Auto franchise.

The game will be the sequel to one of the most sold video games of all time, GTA 5. It comes after more than a decade of fan rumours, fake trailers and speculation on what the sixth game may bring.

Developers Rockstar Games delighted fans by releasing the game’s first official trailer all the way back in December 2023. The excitement was palpable with the YouTube exclusive video trailer breaking the 100 million view mark in just two days, becoming the most viewed non-music video on the site in 24 hours.

Speculation was rife until last week when trailer two finally dropped, smashing world records to become the biggest cross-platform video game launch of all time with 475 million views across all platforms in 24 hours.

Fans and content creators like the popular X account GameRoll were speculating that the second trailer would be released earlier in the year, guessing around March, but despite the long wait the playerbase appears delighted.

GTA 6 Trailer 2: New insights, characters and graphics

After more than a decade perhaps its no suprise that GTA 6 blows its predecessor out of the water when it comes to graphics.

It’s stunning, and with its compatibility with the newest generation of consoles, players are going to be able to race through the streets of Vice City (loosely based on real life Miami) in cinematic beauty.

But beyond the visuals, the new GTA 6 trailer also shines a light on what direction the game is going in: The conclusion? Basically every direction possible.

We get glimpses of the game’s storyline, with one of the game’s main character’s, Lucia, breaking out of prison and working her way through the worlds of romance, crime, and violence, while also showing the thrill-seekers what they want to see: intense car chases (and with them, what sorts of vehicles could be available to them), bloody shootouts, darkened night clubs and the super rich.

The game isn’t just there for one sort of gamer, it’s got a bit of everything.

When will GTA 6 be released

Rockstar Games have confirmed the game is set for a May 26, 2026 release date after the game suffered a major delay, with the game previously set for a release later this year.

The game will only be available on Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, disappointing eager fans on older consoles and PC gamers.

Alan Sparhawk Shares Video for New Single ‘Not Broken’

Alan Sparhawk has released a new single, ‘Not Broken’, from his upcoming album With Trampled by Turtles. It’s more wistful than lead cut ‘Stranger’, which landed on our best songs of March, and the interplay between Sparhawk’s voice and his daughter, Hollis, should tie a knot in your throat. “It’s not broken, I’m not angry,” they sing. Check it out via the Alexa Viscius-directed video below.

With Trampled by Turtles is set for release on May 30 via Sub Pop. Sparhawk recorded the follow-up to 2024’s White Roses, My God with fellow Duluth musicians Trampled by Turtles at the end of 2023 at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls.

Best CPA Offers to Promote Right Now

In the ever-evolving world of affiliate marketing, one model continues to stand out for its simplicity and scalability—CPA, or Cost Per Action. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just entering the space, CPA offers provide a low-barrier entry point with high-earning potential. Unlike traditional affiliate models that depend on sales, CPA rewards you for actions—such as signups, app installs, or form submissions—making it easier to start seeing results, even with modest traffic.

As we navigate through 2025, the digital landscape is more dynamic than ever. New niches are emerging, consumer behavior is shifting, and competition is fierce. Knowing which CPA offers are trending, converting, and actually worth your time is the key to staying ahead of the curve. In this article, we’ll explore the hottest CPA offers right now, dig into the best-performing verticals and regions, and give you the tools to pick winners that align with your audience and marketing style.

High-Converting Verticals in Today’s CPA Landscape

Not all CPA offers are created equal. To maximize your earnings, it’s essential to focus on verticals that not only pay well but also align with current user demand and advertising trends. In 2025, several verticals continue to dominate the scene, offering high conversion potential and broad market appeal.

Finance remains a powerhouse, especially with offers related to credit card signups, personal loans, and fintech apps. Consumers are always looking for better financial solutions, and these offers often come with strong payouts and excellent landing page support from networks.

Health and wellness is another evergreen vertical. From dietary supplements to fitness subscriptions, this niche thrives on personal goals and emotional drivers. It performs particularly well when combined with native advertising and high-quality pre-landers that educate users before sending them to the main offer.

Dating and relationships continue to be one of the most consistent verticals in CPA marketing. Whether it’s general dating, niche platforms (like seniors or professionals), or adult traffic, this space offers volume and variety. Success in this vertical often hinges on choosing the right GEOs and tailoring content to cultural expectations.

iGaming and sweepstakes are booming globally, especially in regions where online entertainment and mobile usage are on the rise. However, these niches require a solid understanding of compliance and age restrictions, so it’s important to partner with reputable networks.

Emerging verticals like AI tools, crypto wallets, and green energy products are gaining traction fast. They appeal to early adopters and tech-savvy audiences, and when marketed correctly, they can bring in some of the highest EPCs in the CPA space.

To truly scale within any of these verticals, you’ll need more than just a good offer—you’ll need quality traffic. That’s where tier 1 traffic sources come into play. These include platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, and YouTube, which deliver engaged, purchase-ready users from premium countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. While competition is higher, so is the return on investment, especially when paired with proven verticals and well-optimized landing pages.

GEO-Specific CPA Offers That Work Right Now

In the world of CPA marketing, one-size-fits-all rarely works. Geography—or “GEO” in industry terms—plays a massive role in how offers perform. Cultural preferences, payment habits, legal restrictions, and device usage all vary from region to region, making it critical to align your CPA offers with the right target locations.

Tier 1 countries like the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia are often the most competitive, but they also come with high payouts and large volumes of quality traffic. Offers related to finance (such as credit score checks or loan applications), streaming services, and subscription-based tools perform exceptionally well in these markets. Just keep in mind that to succeed here, your creatives and landing pages must meet higher standards, and CPA marketing in these regions typically demands stronger ad compliance and better funnel optimization.

Moving to Tier 2 and Tier 3 GEOs, such as Brazil, India, the Philippines, or parts of Eastern Europe, you’ll often find less competition and lower traffic costs. Sweepstakes, mobile app installs, and utility-based offers (like phone cleaners or VPNs) tend to convert well in these regions. Localization is key—translate your landing pages, use local currencies where possible, and consider regional payment methods like PIX in Brazil or UPI in India.

LATAM (Latin America) is currently one of the hottest regions for CPA marketers. Mobile-first audiences, growing internet penetration, and a hunger for online services make countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina ripe for CPA campaigns. iGaming, dating, and mobile subscriptions are particularly strong here.

In Asia, countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam are also emerging as goldmines for CPA offers. The young, mobile-savvy population creates a perfect environment for app installs, fintech products, and video-based entertainment offers.

The bottom line? Geo-targeting is not just a technique—it’s a growth strategy. Successful affiliates in 2025 understand that CPA marketing isn’t about blasting offers globally. It’s about carefully selecting GEOs where your offer matches demand, competition is manageable, and the user journey is localized for conversions.

How to Spot a Winning CPA Offer

With thousands of offers available across various networks, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But successful affiliates know how to identify the golden opportunities that actually convert.

The first thing to look at is Earnings Per Click (EPC). This metric gives a real-world glimpse into how well an offer is performing for other affiliates. While a high EPC can signal potential, it’s important to consider your own traffic quality—what works for one source may flop with another.

Payout structure matters, too. Is it a flat rate per action, or does it involve tiered rewards based on user behavior? Some CPA offers even combine CPA with RevShare, giving you a quick payout plus long-term income. Review how and when payments are made, and make sure they align with your cash flow strategy.

Check the quality of landing pages and promotional tools. Offers that come with clean, mobile-optimized landers, pre-sell pages, and a wide variety of creatives usually perform better. These resources help improve your conversion rates without extra effort.

Finally, consider the reputation of the affiliate network. Responsive account managers, transparent reporting, and timely payouts can make or break your long-term success. Don’t hesitate to ask for case studies or top-performing verticals—they often provide data-driven insights to help you get started faster.

Stay Agile, Stay Profitable

The CPA landscape in 2025 is vibrant, fast-moving, and filled with opportunity. But to truly succeed, it’s not enough to chase trends—you need to understand which offers are worth your time, how they align with your audience, and what tools you need to scale.

By focusing on high-converting verticals, leveraging GEO-specific strategies, analyzing key offer metrics, and partnering with reputable networks, you lay the foundation for sustained affiliate income. Remember, CPA marketing isn’t just about traffic—it’s about smart execution and continuous optimization.

Test offers frequently, diversify your portfolio, and never stop learning. The most profitable affiliates are those who stay curious, stay agile, and are always ready to adapt.

Christian Lee Hutson Announces ‘Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe’, Shares New Single

Christian Lee Hutson has announced Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe, which includes reimagined versions of five tracks from his latest album as well as Quitters‘ ‘Rubberneckers’. The tracks feature only Hutson on acoustic guitar and cello and violinist Odessa Jorgensen (Old Crow Medicine Show, Abigail Washburn, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes). Check out the warmly pensive new version of ‘After Hours’ below.

“I’ve never done a deluxe for an album but there were a few songs that I wanted to try to document in a more stripped-down fashion, more like how I’ve been doing them on tour,” Hutson explained in a statement. “The opening track of ‘Paradise Pop. 10’, ‘Tiger’, initially had completely different lyrics which Maya Hawke and I wrote and edited a bit here so that we could include a version of it. We decided to call that ‘Tiger 2’ even though it is technically a prequel.”

Read our track-by-track interview with Christian Lee Hutson, and check out where ‘After Hours’ landed on our 25 Best Songs of 2024 list.

Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe Cover Artwork:

Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe

Paradise Pop. 10 Deluxe Tracklist:

1. Tiger
2. Carousel Horses
3. Autopilot
4. Water Ballet
5. Candyland
6. Flamingos
7. Fan Fiction
8. After Hours
9. Forever Immortalized
10. Skeleton Crew
11. Beauty School
12. Tiger 2
13. Carousel Horses (Deluxe)
14. Flamingos (Deluxe)
15. Beauty School (Deluxe)
16. Rubberneckers (Deluxe)
17. After Hours (Deluxe)