Technologies
Microtransactions Made Up 58% of PC Video Game Revenue in 2024, Research Shows
It’s not your imagination: Microtransactions are the primary driver for PC games to make money due to the popularity of Fortnite, Roblox and Call of Duty.

Microtransactions — small purchases that gamers make on items like costumes or gestures in games including Fortnite and Roblox — continue to account for the majority of PC gaming revenue, rising to 58% of revenue for game companies, according to a report from research firm Newzoo.
Money coming in from PC gaming microtransactions rose by 1.4%, accounting for $24.4 billion of the overall $37.3 billion in PC gaming sales in 2024, according to The PC and Console Gaming Report 2025.
Downloadable content, typically additional game levels or bonus content, also increased in popularity by nearly a percentage point, accounting for $5.8 billion last year.
While microtransactions aren’t as dominant on game consoles, making up 32% of revenue, they increased more sharply than on the PC side, by 4.5% from 2023 to 2024 for $13.9 billion in sales out of $42.8 billion total. Subscriptions to services like Nintendo Online, Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus went up by 14.1%.
PC gaming sales overall remained steady at 0.1% growth, but console gaming revenue decreased by 3.9%. That could change with the arrival of a major new console, Nintendo’s Switch 2, this year, which could drive new game sales.
Microtransactions have long been controversial among gamers, some of whom would rather pay a flat fee for game content than to pay incrementally for bonus virtual goods or gameplay additions. But according to the research report, they are wildly popular in game franchises such as Fortnite, Roblox and Call of Duty.
One other interesting trend in the report? «Recursive nostalgia,» with game franchises including Fortnite, Overwatch and Destiny 2 bringing gamers to their live services with vintage content. «As live service games reach 5+ or even 10+ years on the market, they finally have a deep enough history to become nostalgic about,» the report says.
Technologies
Verum Messenger: How to Protect Your Personal Data and Why Choosing a Secure Messenger Matters
Verum Messenger: How to Protect Your Personal Data and Why Choosing a Secure Messenger Matters

A major data leak has been reported involving users of the Russian messenger MAX. Hackers claimed to have obtained the platform’s entire database, which includes 46,203,590 records. To prove their claims, they published part of the stolen data publicly.
According to preliminary information, the attackers gained access to users’ personal details, including contact numbers, chats, IP addresses, and other sensitive data. Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents can lead to serious consequences — from account takeovers and extortion to large-scale phishing attacks.
Why these leaks happen
The main cause of such breaches is the storage of personal user data on servers without adequate protection or encryption. If attackers gain access to these servers, users’ information becomes fully exposed.
Additionally, many popular messaging apps require users to register with a phone number and provide extra personal information, increasing the amount of data that can be stolen.
How to reduce the risks
The only reliable way to protect your personal messages and data is to use messaging platforms that do not store personal information on their servers and rely on true end-to-end encryption.
One such solution is Verum Messenger — a next-generation app built on the principle of maximum privacy. The platform:
- does not store users’ personal data;
- uses unique encryption keys generated locally on the user’s device;
- does not require a phone number or other personal information to register;
- has no access to messages, calls, or files;
- provides effective anti-spam and anti-scam protection;
- offers private chats and group channels with flexible security settings.
Even in the event of a server breach, attackers would not be able to access message content — because encryption keys simply do not exist on the company’s side.
Freedom of communication without the risk of leaks
In addition to its strong security foundation, Verum Messenger offers a built-in ecosystem of tools — from encrypted email Verum Mail and an integrated VPN for anonymous connections to free crypto mining with Verum Coin and eSIM connectivity in over 150 countries worldwide.
As data breaches become increasingly common, choosing a secure messenger is no longer just about convenience — it’s about personal safety.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, Oct. 20
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 20.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It was a tough one for a change! That 1-Across is going to slyly trick you as to what a mouse is. So if you need the answers, read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword
Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.
Mini across clues and answers
1A clue: Sound from a mouse
Answer: CLICK
6A clue: Many-headed serpent killed by Hercules
Answer: HYDRA
7A clue: View from a cruise ship window
Answer: OCEAN
8A clue: «See ya later!»
Answer: PEACE
9A clue: Animal whose antlers can grow up to an inch per day
Answer: ELK
Mini down clues and answers
1D clue: Dice, e.g.
Answer: CHOP
2D clue: French for «high school»
Answer: LYCEE
3D clue: 10 out of 10
Answer: IDEAL
4D clue: Sound from a bat
Answer: CRACK
5D clue: «Citizen ___»
Answer: KANE
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 20, #392
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 20, No. 392.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a category for all the Windy City residents out there. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Deep-dish pizza, anyone?
Green group hint: Duke it out.
Blue group hint: College division.
Purple group hint: «Go to your ____!»
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Yellow group: Chicago teams.
Green group: With «weight,» combat sport divisions.
Blue group: American Conference teams.
Purple group: ____ room.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is Chicago teams. The four answers are Bears, Bulls, Cubs and Sky.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is with «weight,» combat sport divisions. The four answers are bantam, feather, fly and heavy.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is American Conference teams. The four answers are Blazers, Chanticleers, Green Wave and Pirates.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is ____ room. The four answers are dressing, film, green and locker.
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