#Subscription Box Services Market

[og-marketresearchreports]

Market Is expected Size to reach $172.3 billion by 2034 | OGAnalysis

The Global subscription box market is experiencing remarkable growth, with projections indicating a surge from USD 36.7 billion in 2024 to an impressive USD 172.3 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The Subscription box market growth is largely driven by increasing consumer demand for personalized and curated products, as well as the rising influence of social media on purchasing decisions. Recent insights from industry reports highlight several key factors contributing to this expansion:

Consumers are increasingly drawn to subscription boxes that offer tailored experiences, allowing them to discover new products that align with their interests and preferences.

The ongoing growth of the e-commerce sector has facilitated the rise of subscription box services, making it easier for companies to reach a broader audience and streamline their operations.

The impact of social media platforms is profound, with influencers and bloggers playing a significant role in promoting subscription services. This trend has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted consumer behaviour towards online shopping. Get Full Report @ https://oganalysis.com/industry-reports/subscription-box-services-market

Market Insights:

Attribute

Value

Market Size in 2024

USD 36.7 Billion

Forecast Market Size by 2033

USD 172.2 Billion

CAGR (2025-2033)

16.6%

Key Growth Drivers

Personalization, E-commerce Growth, Social Media Influence

Leading companies in the subscription box industry

Amazon.com Inc.

Barkbox

Blue Apron Holdings Inc.

Unilever plc (Dollar Shave Club Inc.)

FabFitFun Inc.

Subscription box Market Recent Launches

Kidpik (February 2022):

Launched a children's clothing subscription box service

Offers curated outfits tailored to kids' styles and preferences

Bespoke Post (November 2022):

Introduced the "Rare Box"

Features premium items like a Teak Wood Steak Knife Set and specialty food rubs

Appeals to consumers seeking unique, high-quality products

KiwiCo (April 2024):

Continues to innovate with new educational activity boxes

Aims to promote hands-on learning through engaging projects

Designed for various age groups

HelloFresh (Ongoing):

A leading meal delivery service

Consistently updates its offerings with seasonal recipes and premium options

Maintains relevance in the competitive subscription box market

As the subscription box market Size continues to expand, businesses are encouraged to leverage data analytics and customer feedback to enhance their service offerings and maintain competitive advantages.

For more information, please contact:

Contact Person: Nagesh R

Contact Number- +91 888 64 99099

Website :  https://www.oganalysis.com/

Email ID-  sales@oganalysis.com

[luulapants]

25 ways to be a little more punk in 2025

Cut fast fashion - buy used, learn to mend and/or make your own clothes, buy fewer clothes less often so you can save up for ethically made quality

Cancel subscriptions - relearn how to pirate media, spend $10/month buying a digital album from a small artist instead of on Spotify, stream on free services since the paid ones make you watch ads anyway

Green your community - there's lots of ways to do this, like seedbombing or joining a community garden or organizing neighborhood trash pickups

Be kind - stop to give directions, check on stopped cars, smile at kids, let people cut you in line, offer to get stuff off the high shelf, hold the door, ask people if they're okay

Intervene - learn bystander intervention techniques and be prepared to use them, even if it feels awkward

Get closer to your food - grow it yourself, can and preserve it, buy from a farmstand, learn where it's from, go fishing, make it from scratch, learn a new ingredient

Use opensource software - try LibreOffice, try Reaper, learn Linux, use a free Photoshop clone. The next time an app tries to force you to pay, look to see if there's an opensource alternative

Make less trash - start a compost, be mindful of packaging, find another use for that plastic, make it a challenge for yourself!

Get involved in local politics - show up at meetings for city council, the zoning commission, the park district, school boards; fight the NIMBYs that always show up and force them to focus on the things impacting the most vulnerable folks in your community

DIY > fashion - shake off the obsession with pristine presentation that you've been taught! Cut your own hair, use homemade cosmetics, exchange mani/pedis with friends, make your own jewelry, duct tape those broken headphones!

Ditch Google - Chromium browsers (which is almost all of them) are now bloated spyware, and Google search sucks now, so why not finally make the jump to Firefox and another search like DuckDuckGo? Or put the Wikipedia app on your phone and look things up there?

Forage - learn about local edible plants and how to safely and sustainably harvest them or go find fruit trees and such accessible to the public.

Volunteer - every week tutoring at the library or once a month at the humane society or twice a year serving food at the soup kitchen, you can find something that matches your availability

Help your neighbors - which means you have to meet them first and find out how you can help (including your unhoused neighbors), like elderly or disabled folks that might need help with yardwork or who that escape artist dog belongs to or whether the police have been hassling people sleeping rough

Fix stuff - the next time something breaks (a small appliance, an electronic, a piece of furniture, etc.), see if you can figure out what's wrong with it, if there are tutorials on fixing it, or if you can order a replacement part from the manufacturer instead of trashing the whole thing

Mix up your transit - find out what's walkable, try biking instead of driving, try public transit and complain to the city if it sucks, take a train instead of a plane, start a carpool at work

Engage in the arts - go see a local play, check out an art gallery or a small museum, buy art from the farmer's market

Go to the library - to check out a book or a movie or a CD, to use the computers or the printer, to find out if they have other weird rentals like a seed library or luggage, to use meeting space, to file your taxes, to take a class, to ask question

Listen local - see what's happening at local music venues or other events where local musicians will be performing, stop for buskers, find a favorite artist, and support them

Buy local - it's less convenient than online shopping or going to a big box store that sells everything, but try buying what you can from small local shops in your area

Become unmarketable - there are a lot of ways you can disrupt your online marketing surveillance, including buying less, using decoy emails, deleting or removing permissions from apps that spy on you, checking your privacy settings, not clicking advertising links, and...

Use cash - go to the bank and take out cash instead of using your credit card or e-payment for everything! It's better on small businesses and it's untraceable

Give what you can - as capitalism churns on, normal shmucks have less and less, so think about what you can give (time, money, skills, space, stuff) and how it will make the most impact

Talk about wages - with your coworkers, with your friends, while unionizing! Stop thinking about wages as a measure of your worth and talk about whether or not the bosses are paying fairly for the labor they receive

Think about wealthflow - there are a thousand little mechanisms that corporations and billionaires use to capture wealth from the lower class: fees for transactions, interest, vendor platforms, subscriptions, and more. Start thinking about where your money goes, how and where it's getting captured and removed from our class, and where you have the ability to cut off the flow and pass cash directly to your fellow working class people

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[aeth-eris]

★ how to maximize profits via 2nd house ★

aries in the 2nd house can maximize profits by capitalizing on their entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit. aries benefits from fast-paced, high-energy ventures where they can lead and make quick decisions. they might excel by launching a fitness training program, offering personal coaching services, or starting a motivational brand that sells products like athletic apparel, energy drinks, or performance gear. aries could also find success with subscription boxes focused on high-adrenaline hobbies like hiking, martial arts, or adventure sports. by embracing ventures that allow them to innovate quickly and take the lead, aries can build profitable businesses that leverage their passion and high energy.

taurus in the 2nd house is well-suited for steady financial growth through high-quality, long-term investments and products. they thrive in businesses that emphasize luxury, beauty, and quality, such as a high-end skincare line, organic foods business, or eco-friendly clothing brand. taurus could also consider starting a boutique furniture store that sells artisan-crafted or vintage items, as they appreciate products with enduring value. with their talent for creating a comforting atmosphere, taurus might excel with a bed and breakfast, a spa, or a wellness center that offers relaxation services. taurus maximizes profits by focusing on products that prioritize quality and offer a luxurious experience, appealing to clients who value longevity and craftsmanship.

gemini in the 2nd house can boost profits by tapping into their adaptability and communication skills, especially in diverse, mentally stimulating fields. they could thrive by starting a digital marketing agency, offering copywriting or editing services, or launching an online course platform that covers a wide range of topics to cater to curious minds. with their natural social skills, gemini could also excel in creating a networking app or social media consulting service. offering services like translation, podcasting, or even freelance journalism can keep income flowing, as gemini is well-suited to manage multiple streams of revenue. their knack for curiosity-driven ventures and networking makes them ideal for businesses that involve idea-sharing, quick adaptability, and community engagement.

cancer in the 2nd house can increase earnings by focusing on nurturing and emotionally resonant businesses that bring comfort to others. they might start a home-cooked meal delivery service, a childcare center, or a family-focused event planning service that organizes intimate gatherings like birthdays and reunions. cancer could also do well in real estate, particularly with home staging or property management that emphasizes creating warm, inviting spaces. they could excel in interior decorating, especially with a focus on cozy, family-oriented spaces, or start a handcrafted candle or blanket line. by building businesses that revolve around care, comfort, and family, cancer can create loyal clients and establish long-term success through emotional connections.

leo in the 2nd house maximizes profits by showcasing their creativity and leadership, often excelling in businesses that allow them to stand out and build a brand. leo could find success with a personal brand consultancy, fashion line, or luxury event planning business. they might enjoy launching a social media channel focused on lifestyle or self-improvement, where they can attract sponsorships or sell branded merchandise. leo also thrives in roles where they can influence and inspire others, so they might consider starting a motivational speaking business, an acting or dance academy, or a high-end boutique. with their flair for self-expression, leo profits best when they create high-quality, visually captivating products and services that let their star power shine through.

virgo in the 2nd house finds financial success through practical, detail-oriented services that provide high value and efficiency. they excel in businesses that involve organization, health, and precision, such as financial consulting, tax preparation, or a personal organizing service. virgo might also thrive with a nutrition or wellness coaching business, offering tailored health plans or holistic products like herbal supplements or self-care kits. a digital bookkeeping service, copyediting business, or virtual assistant agency could also bring them steady profits, as virgo’s meticulous nature appeals to clients who seek reliability and structure. by focusing on services that emphasize quality and organization, virgo builds a reputation for excellence that attracts a steady client base.

libra in the 2nd house can increase earnings by leveraging their skills in diplomacy, aesthetics, and partnerships. they could start a wedding planning business, a floral design company, or a luxury lifestyle brand that sells carefully curated home décor items. libra would also excel in public relations consulting or brand management roles, where they can help clients present a refined, balanced image. creating a high-end art gallery, a boutique law firm, or a relationship coaching service could also align well with libra’s skills. libra thrives in partnership-focused ventures, so building collaborative business models or co-founding a business with others can also enhance their profitability and bring a sense of harmony to their financial life.

scorpio in the 2nd house maximizes profits by tapping into their ability to handle intensity and complexity, often succeeding in fields like finance, psychology, and research. scorpio could build wealth by creating a private investigation firm, a psychotherapy practice, or a financial planning service specializing in wealth management or estate planning. they might also thrive in real estate investment, particularly with properties that need transformation, such as flipping houses or managing rental properties. scorpio may also excel in businesses related to holistic healing, offering reiki or shadow work coaching. by focusing on industries that require trust, depth, and resilience, scorpio can attract clients who value privacy and are willing to invest in transformational services.

sagittarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by embracing their love for adventure, growth, and education. they could launch a travel agency specializing in unique cultural experiences, a language learning platform, or a motivational speaking business that offers courses and workshops. sagittarius could also thrive by creating a publishing company focused on philosophical or inspirational content or starting a tour guiding business for international destinations. their enthusiasm for knowledge makes them great at teaching, so they might consider offering online courses or starting a coaching business in a field they’re passionate about. by aligning with growth-oriented ventures, sagittarius can attract an audience that values inspiration and big-picture thinking.

capricorn in the 2nd house maximizes profits through disciplined, long-term planning and a practical approach to business. they’re well-suited for businesses like a corporate consulting firm, project management agency, or investment portfolio service. capricorn could also do well in real estate development, particularly with rental properties or commercial buildings. they might find success by starting a financial advisory firm or creating a luxury goods company focused on high-end, timeless products like leather goods or fine jewelry. by aligning with industries that reward patience and professionalism, capricorn can build a solid financial foundation and enjoy steady growth, often seeing long-term success through conservative but reliable investments.

aquarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by focusing on innovation, technology, and humanitarian ventures. they might launch a tech startup, a renewable energy company, or a social media platform that prioritizes community and ethical interaction. aquarius could also find success with a nonprofit organization focused on social justice, an eco-friendly product line, or a collaborative workspace for creatives and freelancers. their futuristic mindset makes them perfect for ventures in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, or virtual reality. by aligning their finances with progressive and forward-thinking industries, aquarius can attract clients and customers who value innovation and social impact.

pisces in the 2nd house maximizes profits by leaning into their creativity, compassion, and spirituality. they may thrive in a music or art therapy practice, a spiritual coaching business, or a holistic wellness center that offers services like yoga, meditation, and crystal healing. pisces could also succeed by creating a boutique art studio, a dream journal line, or a subscription service for wellness products like essential oils, herbal teas, and calming rituals. they’re drawn to businesses that help others heal or connect with their inner selves, so they may also find success in fields like astrology, psychic readings, or intuitive counseling. by aligning with businesses that emphasize emotional well-being and creativity, pisces can build a profitable venture that resonates deeply with clients who seek personal and spiritual growth.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

An adversarial iMessage client for Android

Adversarial interoperability is one of the most reliable ways to protect tech users from predatory corporations: that's when a technologist reverse-engineers an existing product to reconfigure or mod it (interoperability) in ways its users like, but which its manufacturer objects to (adversarial):

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/10/adversarial-interoperability

"Adversarial interop" is a mouthful, so at EFF, we coined the term "competitive compatibility," or comcom, which is a lot easier to say and to spell.

Scratch any tech success and you'll find a comcom story. After all, when a company turns its screws on its users, it's good business to offer an aftermarket mod that loosens them again. HP's $10,000/gallon inkjet ink is like a bat-signal for third-party ink companies. When Mercedes announces that it's going to sell you access to your car's accelerator pedal as a subscription service, that's like an engraved invitation to clever independent mechanics who'll charge you a single fee to permanently unlock that "feature":

https://www.techdirt.com/2023/12/05/carmakers-push-forward-with-plans-to-make-basic-features-subscription-services-despite-widespread-backlash/

Comcom saved giant tech companies like Apple. Microsoft tried to kill the Mac by rolling out a truly cursèd version of MS Office for MacOS. Mac users (5% of the market) who tried to send Word, Excel or Powerpoint files to Windows users (95% of the market) were stymied: their files wouldn't open, or they'd go corrupt. Tech managers like me started throwing the graphic designer's Mac and replacing it with a Windows box with a big graphics card and Windows versions of Adobe's tools.

Comcom saved Apple's bacon. Apple reverse-engineered MS's flagship software suite and made a comcom version, iWork, whose Pages, Numbers and Keynote could flawlessly read and write MS's Word, Excel and Powerpoint files:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/06/adversarial-interoperability-reviving-elegant-weapon-more-civilized-age-slay

It's tempting to think of iWork as benefiting Apple users, and certainly the people who installed and used it benefited from it. But Windows users also benefited from iWork. The existence of iWork meant that Windows users could seamlessly collaborate on and share files with their Mac colleagues. IWork didn't just add a new feature to the Mac ("read and write files that originated with Windows users") – it also added a feature to Windows: "collaborate with Mac users."

Every pirate wants to be an admiral. Though comcom rescued Apple from a monopolist's sneaky attempt to drive it out of business, Apple – now a three trillion dollar company – has repeatedly attacked comcom when it was applied to Apple's products. When Apple did comcom, that was progress. When someone does comcom to Apple, that's piracy.

Apple has many tools at its disposal that Microsoft lacked in the early 2000s. Radical new interpretations of existing copyright, contract, patent and trademark law allows Apple – and other tech giants – to threaten rivals who engage in comcom with both criminal and civil penalties. That's right, you can go to prison for comcom these days. No wonder Jay Freeman calls this "felony contempt of business model":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/09/lead-me-not-into-temptation/#chamberlain

Take iMessage, Apple's end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) instant messaging tool. Apple customers can use iMessage to send each other private messages that can't be read or altered by third parties – not cops, not crooks, not even Apple. That's important, because when private messaging systems get hacked, bad things happen:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_celebrity_nude_photo_leak

But Apple has steadfastly refused to offer an iMessage app for non-Apple systems. If you're an Apple customer holding a sensitive discussion with an Android user, Apple refuses to offer you a tool to maintain your privacy. Those messages are sent "in the clear," over the 38-year-old SMS protocol, which is trivial to spy on and disrupt.

Apple sacrifices its users' security and integrity in the hopes that they will put pressure on their friends to move into Apple's walled garden. As CEO Tim Cook told a reporter: if you want to have secure communications with your mother, buy her an iPhone:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tim-cook-says-buy-mom-210347694.html

Last September, a 16-year old high school student calling himself JJTech published a technical teardown of iMessage, showing how any device could send and receive encrypted messages with iMessage users, even without an Apple ID:

https://jjtech.dev/reverse-engineering/imessage-explained/

JJTech even published code to do this, in an open source library called Pypush:

https://github.com/JJTech0130/pypush

In the weeks since, Beeper has been working to productize JJTech's code, and this week, they announced Beeper Mini, an Android-based iMessage client that is end-to-end encrypted:

https://beeper.notion.site/How-Beeper-Mini-Works-966cb11019f8444f90baa314d2f43a54

Beeper is known for a multiprotocol chat client built on Matrix, allowing you to manage several kinds of chat from a single app. These multiprotocol chats have been around forever. Indeed, iMessage started out as one – when it was called "iChat," it supported Google Talk and Jabber, another multiprotocol tool. Other tools like Pidgin have kept the flame alive for decades, and have millions of devoted users:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/07/tower-babel-how-public-interest-internet-trying-save-messaging-and-banish-big

But iMessage support has remained elusive. Last month, Nothing launched Sunchoice, a disastrous attempt to bring iMessage to Android, which used Macs in a data-center to intercept and forward messages to Android users, breaking E2EE and introducing massive surveillance risks:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/21/23970740/sunbird-imessage-app-shut-down-privacy-nothing-chats-phone-2

Beeper Mini does not have these defects. The system encrypts and decrypts messages on the Android device itself, and directly communicates with Apple's servers. It gathers some telemetry for debugging, and this can be turned off in preferences. It sends a single SMS to Apple's servers during setup, which changes your device's bubble from green to blue, so that Apple users now correctly see your device as a secure endpoint for iMessage communications.

Beeper Mini is now available in Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beeper.ima&hl=en_US

Now, this is a high-stakes business. Apple has a long history of threatening companies like Beeper over conduct like this. And Google has a long history deferring to those threats – as it did with OG App, a superior third-party Instagram app that it summarily yanked after Meta complained:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/05/battery-vampire/#drained

But while iMessage for Android is good for Android users, it's also very good for Apple customers, who can now get the privacy and security guarantees of iMessage for all their contacts, not just the ones who bought the same kind of phone as they did. The stakes for communications breaches have never been higher, and antitrust scrutiny on Big Tech companies has never been so intense.

Apple recently announced that it would add RCS support to iOS devices (RCS is a secure successor to SMS):

https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/16/apple-rcs-coming-to-iphone/

Early word from developers suggests that this support will have all kinds of boobytraps. That's par for the course with Apple, who love to announce splashy reversals of their worst policies – like their opposition to right to repair – while finding sneaky ways to go on abusing its customers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/22/vin-locking/#thought-differently

The ball is in Apple's court, and, to a lesser extent, in Google's. As part of the mobile duopoly, Google has joined with Apple in facilitating the removal of comcom tools from its app store. But Google has also spent millions on an ad campaign shaming Apple for exposing its users to privacy risks when talking to Android users:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/21/23883609/google-rcs-message-apple-iphone-ipager-ad

While we all wait for the other shoe to drop, Android users can get set up on Beeper Mini, and technologists can kick the tires on its code libraries and privacy guarantees.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/07/blue-bubbles-for-all/#never-underestimate-the-determination-of-a-kid-who-is-time-rich-and-cash-poor

[diamonddaze01]

business 101

pairing: csc x f!reader | wc: 1.3k genre/au: rival ceos, fluff, humor | warnings: none | rating: pg a/n: prequel to the contractual obligations universe // based on an ask for my 101 drabble prompt game!

The lecture hall buzzed with the usual pre-class chatter. The faint hum of laptops, the rustle of notebooks, and the occasional murmur of stress about looming midterms filled the air. You sank into your chair, flipping open your laptop to the blank document titled Business 101 Project.

“Group assignments will be randomized,” the professor announced from the podium, his voice loud enough to silence most of the murmuring. “Your task: create a comprehensive business plan for a hypothetical company. It’s due at the end of the semester. Creativity is welcome, but analysis and execution will determine your grade. Teams will be four people each, and I expect professionalism.”

When the names appeared on the screen, your heart sank.

Group 8: Choi Seungcheol, Jeonghan Yoon, Joshua Hong, Y/N L/N

You glanced around, spotting Jeonghan waving lazily at you with an amused smirk, while Joshua offered a polite nod. Then your eyes landed on Seungcheol. His lips quirked into a lopsided grin, the kind that spoke volumes—mostly about how annoying he planned to be.

“Great,” you muttered under your breath, earning a chuckle from Jeonghan, who had slid into the seat next to you. Jeonghan and Joshua—reliable, at least. But Choi Seungcheol? He caught your gaze and offered a cocky smirk.

Fantastic.

By the end of the first meeting, it was clear how things were going to go.

“We need a solid foundation,” Joshua said, tapping his pen thoughtfully against the table. “Let’s start with a service idea and build from there.”

“Something scalable,” you agreed. “Like a subscription model—low entry cost, high potential for growth.”

“That’s boring,” Seungcheol cut in, his voice casual but gratingly dismissive. “Why not focus on a bold product launch? Something with impact.”

“Impact doesn’t pay the bills,” you shot back, narrowing your eyes. “We need a strategy that’s actually sustainable.”

“Sustainable,” he repeated, leaning back and folding his arms. “Sure. Let’s just settle for mediocre so we don’t have to take any risks.”

“And crash and burn if it flops?” you shot back, unable to hide your irritation. “That’s reckless.”

Seungcheol leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. “No risk, no reward.”

“No risk, no grade either,” you retorted, your voice sharper than intended.

Jeonghan cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “I see this is going to be... fun.” He exchanged a glance with Joshua, who already looked like he regretted his life choices.

By the third meeting, the rivalry had reached critical mass. 

“Who made you the CEO of this group?” Seungcheol snapped after you vetoed one of his flashier ideas.

“I’m not the CEO,” you retorted, jabbing a finger at the project outline. “I’m just the one who doesn’t want us to fail.”

“Fail?” he repeated with a mock laugh. “Right, because your ideas are so revolutionary. Let’s hear it for our subscription box for socks or whatever you’re pitching.”

You glared. “Socks sell.”

“Not as much as actual creativity,” he shot back.

Jeonghan sighed dramatically. “I’m this close to quitting college,” he muttered to Joshua, who nodded solemnly.

 This was now less a project, and more a battlefield. You and Seungcheol clashed over every detail—budget projections, marketing angles, even the font choices for the presentation slides. Jeonghan coined the term “Wednesday Night War” after one particularly heated Zoom meeting, where the two of you had yelled over each other for a full ten minutes before Joshua muted you both.

Despite the arguments—or maybe because of them—the project came together. By some miracle, your calculated planning and Seungcheol’s riskier ideas balanced each other out. When the group received an A, Joshua and Jeonghan looked ready to celebrate.

You and Seungcheol, however, couldn’t even agree on that.

“I carried this project,” he said, smirking at you as the grades were handed back.

“Excuse me?” you said, turning to him. “If you carried it, then I was the one steering so you didn’t walk us off a cliff.”

“You’re welcome for my bold ideas,” he replied.

“And you’re welcome for my common sense,” you shot back, storming out of the classroom before you could strangle him.

A celebration was inevitable. After weeks of late nights and endless bickering, Jeonghan declared a house party to blow off steam. You weren’t in the mood for it, but Joshua’s pleading eyes and the promise of free drinks eventually won you over. The house was packed, the bass from the speakers thrumming through your chest. You spotted Jeonghan and Joshua near the makeshift bar, both nursing drinks and chatting with friends. 

Jeonghan greeted you with a sly grin. “And here I thought you were too good for us,” he teased, handing you a drink.

“I’m here for Joshua,” you replied, taking a sip. “Not you or him.”

“You mean Seungcheol?” Jeonghan asked innocently, his grin widening when you glared at him.

Across the room, Seungcheol leaned against the counter, laughing at something someone had said. His dark shirt clung to his shoulders in a way that annoyed you—it was unfair how effortlessly attractive he looked, especially when you could practically feel him waiting to pick another fight.

When his eyes met yours, he smirked.

You should’ve walked away, but instead, you marched straight up to him.

“Are you stalking me now?” you asked, crossing your arms.

“Stalking?” he echoed, raising an eyebrow. “You’re in my space.”

“Your space?” you scoffed. “Pretty sure this is Jeonghan’s house.”

“Semantics.”

The two of you fell into your usual rhythm of bickering, the tension between you thick enough to draw the attention of Jeonghan and Joshua.

“They’re at it again,” Joshua remarked, taking a sip of his drink.

Jeonghan sighed dramatically. “Why don’t they just kiss already?”

Joshua smirked, nodding toward where you and Seungcheol stood toe-to-toe. “Wait for it.”

Back near the bar, the argument had reached new heights.

“You think you’re so much better because you play it safe?” Seungcheol taunted, his voice low but heated.

“And you think being reckless makes you a visionary?” you fired back, stepping closer. 

“You wouldn’t know a bold move if it slapped you in the face,” he shot back, his tone biting.

“Do you ever shut up?” you snapped, stepping closer.

“Do you?” he fired back, his smirk daring you to do something about it.

The crowd around you began to thin as people sensed the escalating tension. Seungcheol’s jaw tightened, his eyes locked on yours. For a moment, neither of you spoke, the air between you crackling.

Then he grabbed your wrist.

“We’re settling this,” he growled, his voice quiet enough that only you could hear.

“Excuse me?” you sputtered, but he was already pulling you through the crowd, his grip firm but not rough.

From across the room, Jeonghan raised his glass to Joshua with a knowing smile. “Told you.”

“Bet you a round they don’t come back for hours,” Joshua added, and Jeonghan laughed, clinking his glass.

Seungcheol dragged you into an empty room, the noise of the party muffled by the closed door. He let go of your wrist, turning to face you with a look you couldn’t quite decipher.

“You can’t just—” you began, but the words died in your throat as he stepped closer.

“Can’t just what?” he challenged, his voice quieter now but no less intense.

Your breath hitched as the tension that had simmered for weeks finally reached its boiling point. “What do you want from me, Seungcheol?”

He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he cupped your face in his hands and kissed you. It wasn’t gentle or tentative—it was hungry, desperate, like he’d been holding himself back for far too long.

You froze for half a second before kissing him back just as fiercely, your hands tangling in his hair as the weeks of frustration and tension melted away into something electric.

The rest of the world disappeared. All that existed was the way his hands gripped your waist, the press of his body against yours, the taste of beer on his lips.

When you finally pulled apart, both of you were breathing hard, your foreheads resting against each other.

“This doesn’t mean I like you,” you whispered, your voice shaky but defiant.

Seungcheol smirked, his thumb brushing over your cheek. “Yeah? Keep telling yourself that.”

[theglowsociety]

30 Low to No-Cost Business Startup Ideas to Invest in This Year

Starting a business doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are 30 ideas to get you started:

1. Virtual assistant

2. Social media management

3. Freelance writing

4. Blogging or vlogging

5. Coaching or consulting

6. Event planning

7. Dropshipping

8. Print-on-demand products

9. Handmade crafts

10. Pet sitting or dog walking

11. Online tutoring

12. Personal training

13. Meal prep services

14. Resume writing

15. E-book publishing

16. Cleaning services

17. Personal shopping

18. Photography

19. Makeup artistry

20. Podcasting

21. Subscription boxes

22. Content creation

23. Home organization

24. Affiliate marketing

25. Language translation

26. Babysitting

27. Fitness boot camps

28. Voiceover work

29. Gardening services

30. Eco-friendly products

Every idea is an opportunity waiting for you to take it. What will you choose to pursue this year?

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

You know how casinos and gacha games and free to play MMOs make their money from whales? They earn more from a few high rolling regulars who spend shit loads than from all the rest who spend very little each time. It feels like every single industry, every market, every sector, is gravitating towards that same business model. Prices across the board are becoming so high that most people can't afford to buy staple items anymore, but instead of collapsing these companies are making record profits from fewer people paying more. Gas and eggs are through the roof! $25 for a meal at McDonald's. Used cars costing the same as new. $5 for a 2-liter of soda. $10 for a box of cereal. If they can't nickel and dime you forever with a subscription service they'll just write off 90% of their customers for being too poor while the remaining 10% will subsidize the loss. The rich have unlocked the infinite money glitch by passing it back and forth between themselves, a closed system, trickle-sideways, no poors involved.

[real-total-drama-takes]

Sighs so I’m sure a lot of people here saw that tweet that blew up about a TD movie “supposedly” being talked about by the production crew. I really don’t think this is going to happen and I wish everyone would shut up about it because a movie just doesn’t really work with TD’s format but what’s really pissing me off rn is how everyone is saying if this movie happens it’s for sure gonna be about gen 1. I into another fight with a genwunner about this and need to share some points I made:

So like, think about it: logistically, gen 1 coming back, at least not without pissing off some of the same fans who act like any TD content that doesn’t involve gen 1 isn’t feasible. First off, there’s the voice actors. Some of the gen 1 characters VAs no longer live in Canada and legally wouldn’t be allowed to be hired again to work with Fresh so they’d have to be replaced. Not to mention there’s several POC characters who have white VAs; you’re going to piss people off no matter what happens there (yes, I am on the side that POC characters shouldn’t be played by white VAs, but yeah there’s some people who very strongly disagree with that). Given how much genwunners whined about Chris’s VA change, I have no doubt they’d whine here too.

Second, a lot of genwunners complain that the reboot lacks the “edgy humor” of gen 1. The thing is, too much of the humor from gen 1 just wouldn’t fly today. I tried rewatching Action during the summer and literally could only get about 5 episodes in before quitting because of how disgusted I was by the constant misogynistic jokes. There’s definitely misogyny in the reboot too, but at least Chase and Ripper aren’t spewing it out literally every five fucking seconds like Duncan. There’s just so many jokes in gen 1 where the punchline is racism, homophobia or the characters being sexualized. That last one could be fixed if they visibly aged up the characters and stated that they’re all adults now, but given how many people have said the complaint that Owen wasn’t aged up for his reboot cameo is “ridiculous” I don’t think the genwunner crowd would be too fond of that idea. A highly profitable studio like WB isn’t going to approve a show with problematic humor without seriously watering it down before release because it’s 2024 and they know their studio releasing content like that marketed at children could get them labeled as problematic and lead to a drop in profits.

Speaking of which, a gen 1 movie probably wouldn’t do too well at the box office. Total drama is marketed at ages 8-16, the majority of whom were not alive during 2007-2010 when the first three seasons were airing. Given how successful the reboot was in both the US and UK, it’s safe to say that it’s very likely the reboot was popular with its target audience. When all the kids who watched the reboot hear about the movie, they’re gonna be really confused about why a total drama movie doesn’t have the total drama characters they’re familiar with in it. I know there’s plenty of people who grew up with gen 1 who are still active TD fans, but not a lot of adults care that much about shows they watched as kids and haven’t thought about in years. I’m an adult who loves cartoons (and there’s nothing wrong with that) but there’s def quite a few shows from my childhood that I haven’t thought about in a long time because I grew out of them and I certainly wouldn’t be opening my wallet to buy a movie ticket or streaming service subscription should I hear a movie was made about one of said shows. Again, there are plenty of people who grew up with the show who still care, but I don’t think the majority of the people who watched TD as kids who are well into their 20s now are gonna be all that excited about a movie. I could definitely be proven wrong on this one, don’t get me wrong, but still

As I said before I don’t think a TD movie is actually gonna happen and that tweet was just a rumor/misinformation, but if a TD movie does happen it needs to be about the reboot cast. It just doesn’t make sense for it to be about a cast that isn’t up to date with the standards of what is socially acceptable for children’s shows in the 2020s.

-🐈

[maskedemerald]

Writing Software Frustrations

I am frustrated, my ability to focus is quite low right now and I was hoping to make my WIPs pretty. I've always found working on my WIPs easier when I get to make easily pretty looking world building and planning pages.

However! Everything I have attempted to use has had something that has driven me away. Today I even went on to Campfire wondering if now they were publishing that maybe they'd have changed their in my opinion rather offensive pricing (I already dislike subscriptions but I also hate the micro subscriptions). Nope! If you want to publish on them they are little different to vanity press(again my opinion, you should have to subscribe to features that they market their service to readers on in the hopes that your percentage covers it). Don't get me wrong I think mechanically Campfire is great for what my brain wants. It's the subscription fees that bug me. The lifetime plans for these kinds of software only make them marginally better but its still a lot of money.

My usual go to is Scrivener, it ticks so many boxes but I find writing in it sometimes too plain. I need pretty to get the writing to go burr.

Seriously if anyone has any ideas I want to hear them! Ways to make Scrivener files pretty! Software that doesn't cost an arm and a leg without subscriptions too! I'm also avoiding software with AI tools like the plague!

[dua1999]

Top Business Ideas in the UAE for Entrepreneurs

Starting a business in UAE is an exciting venture, as the country offers numerous opportunities across various sectors. The UAE is home to some of the most lucrative industries in the world, whether you're an experienced professional looking for new growth opportunities or an aspiring entrepreneur searching for the ideal niche. There is a lot of potential to tap into, including in the areas of real estate, e-commerce, tourism, healthcare, and IT. We'll look at the best business concepts in this blog to help you start a profitable company in the United Arab Emirates.

Why Entrepreneurs Find Success in the United Arab Emirates

In addition to being a prime location for companies, the UAE provides an environment that encourages development and creativity. It is a desirable location for entrepreneurs due to its tax-free zones, sophisticated infrastructure, and business-friendly laws. Whether you're looking to launch a local business or expand your global reach, the UAE is the place to be. However, which industries are the most lucrative and appropriate for would-be business owners?

Profitable Sectors for Starting a Business in the UAE

1. Real Estate

One of the most profitable industries in the UAE is real estate, and international investors are drawn to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a regular basis. The nation is the perfect place for real estate services and property investment because of its expanding population, influx of tourists, and creation of famous landmarks.

Innovative Business Ideas in Real Estate:

Property Management Services: Providing property management services can be a profitable choice in an ever-growing market.

Real estate brokerage: Helping foreign customers purchase or rent real estate can generate a consistent income in this cutthroat industry.

Flexible office spaces are becoming more and more in demand as the entrepreneurial culture expands.

2. E-Commerce

Due to the widespread use of smartphones and the growing number of tech-savvy people, the e-commerce sector has grown rapidly in recent years. Starting a business in UAE’s e-commerce market can be an excellent choice, especially as the country embraces digital transformation.

Innovative Business Ideas in E-Commerce:

Online Retail Store: Selling specialized goods, such as electronics or clothing, can give you a firm footing in this cutthroat market.

Marketplace Platforms: In order to take advantage of the UAE's booming retail industry, establish a platform for local vendors to sell goods online.

Subscription Boxes: Provide specialized subscription boxes for niche markets, such as gourmet foods, wellness, or cosmetics.

3. Tourism

With millions of tourists visiting the UAE each year, tourism plays a major role in the economy of the nation. There are plenty of options for entrepreneurs with sights like the Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Khalifa, and the desert safari experiences.

Innovative Business Ideas in Tourism:

Luxury Travel Services: Provide wealthy people with unique and personalized travel packages.

Services for Tour Operators: Focus on speciality tours, like eco-tourism, adventure, or cultural experiences.

Travel Technology Solutions: Offer cutting-edge platforms or applications for travel that improve visitors' experiences.

4. Healthcare

The UAE's healthcare industry is expanding quickly, with an emphasis on offering both locals and visitors top-notch medical care. The government's drive for top-notch medical facilities and health technology innovation can help entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector.

Innovative Business Ideas in Healthcare:

Offering online medical consultations and healthcare services, telemedicine has become more and more popular in the post-pandemic world.

Fitness and Wellness: Open a yoga studio, fitness center, or wellness app to appeal to the health-conscious population in the United Arab Emirates.

Medical Equipment Supply: Provide medical devices and equipment to clinics, hospitals, or home care agencies.

5. IT and Technology

Fintech, AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity are among the rapidly growing tech-driven industries in the United Arab Emirates.. Starting a business in UAE in the IT sector is a smart move, as the government is heavily investing in technological infrastructure.

Innovative Business Ideas in IT:

AI Solutions: Create AI-driven solutions for companies in a range of industries, including retail, healthcare, and real estate.

Cybersecurity Services: Provide cybersecurity services to companies that want to safeguard their systems and data in a world that is digitizing quickly.

Blockchain Solutions: Develop blockchain-based software for logistics, finance, or supply chain management.

How to Enter These Markets

Understanding the local market, adhering to legal and regulatory requirements, and making the appropriate technological and infrastructure investments are all crucial for capitalizing on these lucrative industries. Starting a business in UAE requires careful planning, market research, and a solid business strategy. Operating in one of the numerous free zones can provide substantial tax benefits and streamlined business setup procedures for foreign business owners.

Start Your Business in the United Arab Emirates

Are you prepared to begin your business endeavors in the United Arab Emirates? The UAE provides business owners with a multitude of options, regardless of their interests in IT, e-commerce, real estate, or healthcare. Working with a reputable business setup company that can help you navigate local regulations and guide you through the process is essential to turning your vision into a reality. 

Starting a business in UAE has never been easier. Establishing a successful business in one of the most dynamic and business-friendly environments in the world is possible with the correct business idea, strategy, and support.

[vibeventurehub]

25 Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth in 2025

Passive income is a game-changer for anyone looking to build wealth while freeing up their time. In 2025, technology and evolving market trends have opened up exciting opportunities to earn money with minimal ongoing effort. Here are 25 passive income ideas to help you grow your wealth:

1. Dividend Stocks

Invest in reliable dividend-paying companies to earn consistent income. Reinvest dividends to compound your returns over time.

2. Real Estate Crowdfunding

Join platforms like Fundrise or CrowdStreet to invest in real estate projects without the hassle of property management.

3. High-Yield Savings Accounts

Park your money in high-yield savings accounts or certificates of deposit (CDs) to earn guaranteed interest.

4. Rental Properties

Purchase rental properties and outsource property management to enjoy a steady cash flow.

5. Short-Term Rentals

Leverage platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo to rent out spare rooms or properties for extra income.

6. Peer-to-Peer Lending

Lend money through platforms like LendingClub and Prosper to earn interest on your investment.

7. Create an Online Course

Turn your expertise into an online course and sell it on platforms like Udemy or Teachable for recurring revenue.

8. Write an eBook

Publish an eBook on Amazon Kindle or similar platforms to earn royalties.

9. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media and earn commissions for every sale.

10. Digital Products

Design and sell digital products such as templates, printables, or stock photos on Etsy or your website.

11. Print-on-Demand

Use platforms like Redbubble or Printful to sell custom-designed merchandise without inventory.

12. Mobile App Development

Create a useful app and monetize it through ads or subscription models.

13. Royalties from Creative Work

Earn royalties from music, photography, or artwork licensed for commercial use.

14. Dropshipping

Set up an eCommerce store and partner with suppliers to fulfill orders directly to customers.

15. Blogging

Start a niche blog, grow your audience, and monetize through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.

16. YouTube Channel

Create a YouTube channel around a specific niche and earn through ads, sponsorships, and memberships.

17. Automated Businesses

Use tools to automate online businesses, such as email marketing or subscription box services.

18. REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

Invest in REITs to earn dividends from real estate holdings without owning property.

19. Invest in Index Funds

Index funds provide a simple way to earn passive income by mirroring the performance of stock market indexes.

20. License Software

Develop and license software or plugins that businesses and individuals can use.

21. Crypto Staking

Participate in crypto staking to earn rewards for holding and validating transactions on a blockchain network.

22. Automated Stock Trading

Leverage robo-advisors or algorithmic trading platforms to generate passive income from the stock market.

23. Create a Membership Site

Offer exclusive content or resources on a membership site for a recurring subscription fee.

24. Domain Flipping

Buy and sell domain names for a profit by identifying valuable online real estate.

25. Invest in AI Tools

Invest in AI-driven platforms or create AI-based products that solve real-world problems.

Getting Started

The key to success with passive income is to start with one or two ideas that align with your skills, interests, and resources. With dedication and consistency, you can build a diversified portfolio of passive income streams to secure your financial future.

[noticiassincensura]

Apple TV+ partners with Prime Video to offer its service through Amazon’s platform

The streaming market continues to search for ways to attract subscribers and close the gap with Netflix.

In the so-called streaming wars, much has changed over the past decade, except for one thing: Netflix remains the undisputed leader. This ongoing dominance has led major competitors to explore ways to reduce the gap between themselves and the streaming giant. Now, Prime Video and Apple TV+ are taking a new step in that direction.

Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video, is one of the most comprehensive on the market, partly because it’s bundled with other Amazon perks like free shipping. On Prime Video, users can enjoy films like Air or series like Fallout, Reacher, and The Rings of Power.

However, Amazon recognizes that this versatility isn’t enough, so it’s also been exploring partnerships with other streaming services such as Max, Paramount+, Crunchyroll, and now, Apple TV+.

As reported by Variety, Amazon announced that Apple TV+ will be available as an additional subscription through Prime Video starting at the end of October. For now, this partnership seems to be limited to the United States.

Prime Video and Apple TV+ aim to close the gap with Netflix

With this move, Prime Video adds another compelling option to its additional subscription offerings, thanks to this partnership with another Silicon Valley giant.

Apple TV+ has carved out a spot in the streaming wars by following a strategy once employed by HBO: producing high-quality series with top-tier talent.

Series like Severance, For All Mankind, Silo, Slow Horses, Ted Lasso, Pachinko, and Masters of the Air showcase the high production values of Apple’s original content in recent years.

In addition, films like Killers of the Flower Moon, Napoleon, Fly Me to the Moon, and the recent Wolves — while not all box office hits — have performed well on streaming platforms.

We’ll be watching closely to see if Apple TV+ adopts this additional subscription model through Prime Video in other markets like Spain.

[flicker-videomaker]

Flicker

Flicker Review — What Is It?

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own Hollywood-style movies or running a streaming service, but felt overwhelmed by the technicalities, costs, or skills involved? Flicker makes this dream a reality with a revolutionary, AI-powered platform that lets anyone create entire movies, TV series, documentaries, and cartoons in just minutes.

At its core, Flicker combines the advanced capabilities of DallE 3 HD, MidJourney Mega, and Stable Diffusion PRO — premium AI tools that are known for generating stunning, high-definition visuals and animations. The software simplifies the process into three straightforward steps, enabling users to generate content with a single click and instantly monetize it via their own streaming service.

Whether you want to launch your own Netflix-style platform, build a recurring subscription income, or sell one-time access to movies and shows, Flicker equips you with everything you need. There’s no technical setup required — it’s fully cloud-based and comes with unlimited lifetime hosting. Flicker is perfect for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking to leverage cutting-edge AI to tap into the multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry.

Features & Benefits

AI Movie Creation in 1 Click: Harness the power of DallE 3 HD, MidJourney Mega, and Stable Diffusion PRO to create Hollywood-quality movies, TV shows, cartoons, and documentaries in any genre.

Save Over $300/month: Flicker integrates premium AI tools that would normally cost a fortune, saving users on recurring fees.

Fully Cloud-Based: No installation or setup required. Flicker operates entirely on the cloud and includes unlimited lifetime hosting.

Monetizable Streaming Platform: Publish your content on your own streaming platform and monetize it with built-in features like subscriptions, one-time fee accounts, and ad spaces.

Diverse Income Streams: Earn through recurring subscriptions, pay-per-view options, affiliate offers, and commercials.

Simple 3-Step Process: Login to Flicker, let the AI create your content, and publish your streaming platform — it’s that easy!

User-Friendly Interface: Designed to be intuitive and accessible for users of all skill levels, making it perfect for beginners.

Rapid Results: The platform is optimized for fast creation and publishing, allowing you to start seeing results almost immediately.

Proven Success: Early adopters report recurring subscriptions and consistent traffic using Flicker’s tools.

With Flicker, the barriers to entering the entertainment industry — cost, skills, and time — are completely eliminated.

Click here to buy this product!



How Does Flicker Work?

Using Flicker is refreshingly simple, thanks to its intuitive 3-step process. Here’s how it works:

Login to Flicker: Begin by accessing Flicker’s fully cloud-based platform. You don’t need to worry about hosting, setup, or complicated installations — everything is ready to go right out of the box.

Generate Content with 1 Click: Using the combined power of DallE 3 HD, MidJourney Mega, and Stable Diffusion PRO, Flicker allows you to create professional-grade movies, TV shows, documentaries, or cartoons in minutes. These cutting-edge AI tools handle everything, from scripting to animation, so you can focus on your creative vision.

Launch Your Streaming Service: Once your content is ready, Flicker helps you publish it on your own streaming platform. This platform is designed to monetize effortlessly, featuring built-in subscription models, one-time fee accounts, and options for ads or affiliate offers.

Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a marketer, or just someone looking to generate passive income, Flicker does all the heavy lifting for you. In just a few clicks, you can go from idea to earning with minimal effort.

Click here to buy this product!

Who Is It For?

Content Creators: Filmmakers, animators, and storytellers looking for an efficient way to bring their creative ideas to life without expensive equipment or teams.

Entrepreneurs: Individuals who want to create a Netflix-style streaming business and earn from subscriptions or pay-per-view content.

Affiliate Marketers: Those seeking an additional monetization channel through ad space and affiliate offers.

Agencies: Marketing agencies or creative studios looking to offer premium video creation services to clients.

Beginners: No technical expertise is needed, making Flicker ideal for anyone who wants to break into the entertainment industry.

Side Hustlers: People looking for a new and innovative way to generate passive income streams.

If you’re interested in movies, technology, or passive income opportunities, Flicker opens doors to a whole new world of possibilities.

Why Choosing It?

Time-Saving Innovation: Creating high-quality content traditionally takes weeks, if not months. Flicker reduces this process to just minutes.

Cost-Effective: Forget expensive subscriptions to multiple AI tools. Flicker provides premium AI services bundled into one package at a fraction of the cost.

Monetization-Ready: Unlike most tools, Flicker doesn’t stop at content creation — it helps you set up a profitable streaming platform with built-in monetization features.

Beginner-Friendly: Even if you have no experience in filmmaking or running a streaming service, Flicker makes it incredibly easy to get started.

Scalable Potential: Whether you want to focus on creating one movie or launch an entire library of content, Flicker grows with your ambitions.

FAQs

Q1: What is Flicker? Flicker is an AI-powered platform that allows users to create movies, TV shows, and more, and monetize them via their own streaming service.

Q2: Do I need technical skills to use Flicker? No. Flicker is fully cloud-based and designed to be user-friendly, even for complete beginners.

Q3: Can I create content in any genre? Yes! Flicker’s AI tools are versatile and can generate movies, TV series, documentaries, and cartoons in all genres.

Q4: Is Flicker really cost-effective? Yes. By integrating premium AI tools like DallE 3 HD and MidJourney Mega, Flicker saves users over $300/month in subscription fees.

Q5: How do I monetize my content? Flicker includes built-in features like subscription models, one-time access fees, ads, and affiliate offers for monetization.

Q6: Does Flicker provide hosting? Yes. Flicker offers unlimited lifetime hosting, so you don’t need to pay extra for hosting services.

Q7: How quickly can I start earning with Flicker? Thanks to its intuitive interface and fast creation process, users can start publishing and monetizing content within minutes.

Q8: Can I use Flicker for client projects? Absolutely. You can create and sell content or offer streaming services to clients as part of your business.

Affiliate Disclosure: This Post contains affiliate link to products. We may reveive a commission for purchase made through these links.

[paradox-gaming-network]

It should not be a big surprise to anyone that Archeage in NA and EU is finally shutting down. This game, which has been passed from Trion Worlds who handled the initial launch, to Gamigo who acquired it when Trion went out of business, to Kakao Games who got it back when the publishing contract was finished as they are the majority owners of XL games is finally shuttering on 27June 2024.

In the last decade, Archeage was probably the best open world PVP game that has been released on the market. Sadly, while the core organic gameplay loop of the game is amazing, Archeage represents what happens when you build in problems with the gameplay loop so you can sell the solution in the form of Pay-to-win. It also represents the issue with a game that is horribly mismanaged not once, not twice, but three times by publishers who don’t understand that a subscription based game that is properly cared for has the potential to earn more money than a box price game that is littered with flaws.

With Archeage coming to a close, what does this mean for Archeage 2? It worries me as a company that Kakao doesn’t have the financial holdings to support a game with I believe 1 server per region now that they have merged legacy with the Unchained servers, something they said they would never do.

Coupled with this is the fact that 70% of game developers are worried about the live service model. Maybe game developers are worried they can’t sustain a population because they keep making terrible games. Let’s not even talk about Mike Ybarra who thinks tipping on top of a box price is a good idea.

What do you think?

[keptalivebymagic]

Now that I've finished A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft, I have just a couple more things to say (previous thoughts). (Spoilers)

What even is the religion in this book? Characters exclaim by saying "Gods", but then the wedding is officiated as per Christian customs. But then, everyone with magic is referred to as having "divine blood". Yet another bizarre, half-assed, shoehorned-in gesture to a fantasy structure.

How is the solution of the biggest conflict in the book resolved by Rosa being gay when the book has already established this is a society that is not accepting of gay people?

There's no resolution to the "royal coffers are empty" storyline.

In conclusion, I'm deeply irked. This book was a dumpster fire with a deeply promising premise. It's so disheartening that a book this crappy can get so much marketing, and can get pushed by subscription book box services, when it's deeply undeserving of it.

Capitalism has ruined art, etc, etc.