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Dev Diary #1 - Waypoints, AI Safety, the Playsum-verse, and more!

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Hi there, fellow Playoneers! We're thrilled to bring you the first installment of our Dev Diary series, where we'll peel back the curtain and give you an exclusive peek into the captivating world of our latest updates, improvements, and the exciting journey we're on.

Just like the game studios we admire, we're taking cues from their passionate dev diaries to share our own stories with you. Let's dive right in and explore the recent happenings in our digital oasis.

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๐Ÿ“Waypoints Are Launched!๐Ÿ“

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an overview of the Waypoints features. It shows 4 app screens with text underneath each that says from left to right: discover waypoints, join diverse communities, chat about topics you care about, fully featured messaging.
Waypoints Overview

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We're excited to bring you the alpha version of Waypoints! We've been so excited to get this out. We've talked to a lot of members and heard the same excitement.

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The alpha version will only have Waypoints created by Team Playsum. We'll be working to implement the features we'll need to be able to open up creating Waypoints to all members.

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Some of the next steps will be:

  • Overhaul the UI to make following community conversations easier - bigger avatars, no chat bubbles, etc.
  • Message threads.
  • Add easy in-app safety features for Waypoint admins.
  • Media upload.
  • Private & request to join Waypoints.
  • And more!

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Further features to Waypoints will be added over many updates. Your ideas and suggestions play a vital role in shaping this shared space. Please reach out to us with your thoughts or post in #๐Ÿ’กFeature Ideas on the Official Playsum Waypoint!

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๐Ÿค– Elevating community safety through AI ๐Ÿค–

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We're dedicated to ensuring a safe and welcoming space for everyone on Playsum. That's why we've created a toxic message detection tool powered by AI. This tool will play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing harmful content, promoting healthier conversations among our members.

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For now, itโ€™ll be for internal use but that's only the beginning. This tool lays the groundwork for future safety features that will empower Waypoint adminsโ€”the stewards of their own Waypoint communities. With these tools at their disposal, admins will have the means to maintain a positive environment where their members can interact without fear of toxicity.

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๐ŸŽDaily Game Giveaways๐ŸŽ

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A promo graphic for the daily game giveaway event by Playsum. It shows that you have a chance to win a game everyday if you download and use Playsum daily.
A promo graphic for the Daily Game Giveaway event

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To celebrate the launch of Waypoints, weโ€™re giving away a game every day for a month to active Playsum members! To be eligible, just go on the app daily, winners will be randomly selected from our active members.ย Winners will be announced on the #๐ŸŽ Giveaways channel in the Official Playsumย Waypoint. Promotion ends September 26th at 11:59 PMย EDT!

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See full Terms & Conditions.

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๐Ÿ…What else weโ€™ve accomplished since launch๐Ÿ…

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A lot has happened since the end of June!

โšก๏ธGame Search Enhancements โšก๏ธ

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๐ŸŽจ Artistry Unveiled: Game Cover Art in Game Search ๐ŸŽจ

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A comparison of the Playsum game search from the old version to the new. The old one was only text in a list while the new one has game cover art and chips to show the platforms
Game search improvement - Old vs New comparison

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We're all about aesthetics, and we've added a dash of visual delight to our game search feature! Behold the enchanting allure of game cover art, now gracing our search results. It's not just about functionality; it's about the charm and allure! Pretty, isn't it?

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๐ŸŒŸ Clarity & Insight: Game Search at a Glance ๐ŸŒŸ

Games in our search now come adorned with platform chips, providing instant clarity about the platforms they belong to. This is especially useful when multiple renditions of a game grace the list due to being remastered for different platforms. We're all about making your choices crystal clear.

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๐Ÿ” Logic Luminance: Updated Game Search Logic ๐Ÿ”

We've been refining the gears that power our game search. Now, only the main games and their worthy ports will grace your search results. We understand that precision is paramount, and this update will help you find the perfect gaming companions with ease.

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๐Ÿ“š Platform Parade: Adding Multiple Platforms Without the Overlay Tango ๐Ÿ“š

We heard you loud and clear! No more dance with overlays. You can now add multiple platforms to a game without the overlay prematurely bidding adieu. The platform selection overlay is here to stay, allowing you to seamlessly add your platforms for each game. Oh, and did we mention we added a confirmation button too? We're all about the little things that make your experience better, bit by bit.

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๐Ÿ•น๏ธ The Infinity Quest: More Games, More Glory ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ

We're liberating your gaming horizons! The cap on the number of games you can add has been pushed to 20, a majestic leap of +5 closer to infinity. Because let's face it, there can never be too many games, right?

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๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Polish & Shine: Improvements Galore ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

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Playsum navigation - Old vs New comparison

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Other than game search, we've been diligently working on refining our member experience across the board.

Here's a glimpse of some of the improvements that are bound to make your experience even more enjoyable:

From our revamped notification system ensures you stay informed without feeling overwhelmed, to the new navigation drawer that enhances member navigation.

Notably, fixes such as accurate birthdays on specific Android phones, more flexible usernames, improved visibility of UI elements on various devices, and an optimized game search process have been implemented.ย 

These improvements reflect our ongoing dedication to offering you a gaming platform that stands out for its excellence.

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๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ The Path Forward: Our Development Roadmap ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ

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a screenshot of the playsum roadmap trello board
Playsum Early Access Roadmap Trello Board

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We believe in communication and transparency. To keep you in the loop and ensure you're a part of our journey, we've crafted a roadmap that illuminates the path ahead.ย 

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This roadmap will be your guiding star, providing insights into the exciting features and improvements we have in store. We're committed to being open about our progress and sharing our plans as we evolve. It's not just a roadmap; it's a promise of a journey together.

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๐Ÿš€ The Future Beckons: Upcoming Ventures ๐Ÿš€

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While we're charting the course through the present, we also have our sights set on the future.

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๐ŸŒŒ The Playsum-verse ๐ŸŒŒ

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At its heart, Playsum is a game company that values world-building and storytelling. The Playsum-verse is a regularly expanding world with its own environments and a cast full of diverse characters. We're weaving narratives that capture your imagination, inviting you to venture into a world where creativity knows no bounds.ย 

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Immerse yourself in tales that bridge the gap between reality and fiction, creating an experience that's uniquely Playsum.

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๐Ÿ“š Story Events: Tales That Shape Reality ๐Ÿ“š

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The Playsum community will have the opportunity to contribute to and affect the Playsum-verse through collaborative storytelling events. There will be story events throughout the year, some will be themed to match or coincide with real-world holidays or events. And some will be bigger in scale and how they push the story further than others.ย 

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They will be one of the ways that we introduce new characters, locations, and lore. Immerse yourself in the evolution of the Playsum-verse, where you shape the very fabric of our universe.

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๐ŸŽƒ Halloween Story Event ๐ŸŽƒ

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Speaking of, we're currently planning our first story event! This story event will be part of our Halloween charity fundraising efforts with Stream for a Cause. The event will introduce you to new characters, allow you to get to know our mascot better, and give you a glimpse at the Playsum-verse by revealing the first locations of the world.

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We're very excited to share more as we get closer to October. Keep a close eye as the info may be hiding right in front of you, in plain sight ๐Ÿ‘€

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Streamers can sign up to be charity streamers in our event and help to not only raise money for Stream for a Cause but also reach milestones that will push the story event forward and leave a lasting mark on the Playsum-verse and its characters. The signup form is hereย 

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Team Playsum loves collectibles, so all of our participating charity streamers will also get an exclusive charity event physical collectible coin mailed to them after the event to thank them for their support and efforts. Pictures coming soon!

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๐Ÿ‘•Playsum Merch๐Ÿ‘•

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We know some of our long-time supporters have been wanting this, and weโ€™re more than excited to bring it to life at last! Youโ€™ll soon be able to get cool gear adorned with our mascot to show your support for Playsum and our mission.

In future, weโ€™ll be expanding our merch with items that bring the Playsum-verse to life in unique and unexpected ways.ย 

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๐ŸŽฎ Playsum Games Store is Incoming! ๐ŸŽฎ

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Get ready to playsum games! The grand reveal is on the horizon as we put the final brushstrokes on the Playsum Games Store. This will be one of our biggest and most anticipated product releases thus far, bringing yet another core feature into the Playsum ecosystem.ย 

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The store doors are about to swing open, beckoning you towards countless stories and fun to be had ๐ŸŒŸ

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๐Ÿค Empowering Playsum Partners: Setting a New Standard

Our Playsum Partners are a core part of the Playsum Games Store - with an unmatched 10% share from each sale they refer, you're empowered to back your favorite creators by choosing the Playsum Games Store for your gaming needs.

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Your support not only amplifies their journey but also fuels our shared mission of making social gaming safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. We're immensely grateful to our partners who stand alongside us, contributing to this mission in meaningful ways.

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Gamers, creators, and the Playsum community come together like never before.ย 

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๐ŸŒฑ Gaming with Impact: Planting Trees, Nurturing Change

Prepare to play with a purpose! For each game sold, a tree will be planted. Combining gaming and sustainability, conscious choices, and collective action to make the world a greener place.

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So whether you're a game developer, a gamer, or a content creator, brace yourself. The curtain is about to rise on the Playsum Games Store, where creativity thrives and every download contributes to a larger cause.

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๐ŸŒ A Home for Game Publishers and Developers: Join the Mission

From indie gems to epic sagas, your games can be the force that plants the seeds of change! Bring your games to a platform and audience that mirrors your passion for games and your desire to create a positive change.ย 

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If youโ€™d like to get your game in front of not only our community but also our Playsum Partnerโ€™s communities, reach out to us at business@playsum.live

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Your games have the power to inspire, entertain, and give back โ€“ letโ€™s Playsum together.

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Thank you again to our community and supporters, this journey is a shared one and your voices resonate. So, as we unravel our tales, remember that you're a part of every page.

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Adventure on,

Team Playsum

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Have more fun, together
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