We love a biome in video games. Even the word is one I inherently associate with video games, in spite of its origins as a piece of proper grown-up geographical terminology. Within that gloriously over-the-top thematic pantheon… is there anything better than a good old fashioned Christmas level?

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In Brief Sorare Winter Event 2025: Running from December 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026, this event features special Winter Edition cards and introduces football Quick Play with a $20,000 prize pool. Gameplay Dynamics: Participants need at least one Winter Edition card and can compete in two phases to meet target scores for progressing levels and claiming rewards. Engaging Extras: Opportunities include the Frozen Wheel daily spins available until December 25 and the Snowglobe Shuffle for creative crafting options. Overview of Sorare’s Winter Event Sorare, the digital fantasy sports platform, has kicked off its 2025 Winter event, introducing exclusive Winter Edition cards and launching the pioneering football Quick Play mode. From December 1, 2025, until January 1, 2026, participants will have the opportunity to engage in this festive and competitive event, vying for a part of the significant $20,000 prize pool. Sorare Explained Sorare operates as a fantasy sports platform using digital player cards that represent real athletes in football and basketball. These cards also function as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and are officially licensed, which assures their uniqueness and tradability. Users leverage these cards to set up lineups and participate in various competitions, earning points based on the actual performances of the athletes depicted on the cards. The Mechanics of Winter Quick Play The Winter Quick Play introduces a swift competitive format that requires participants to use their Winter Edition cards in two distinct game phases—from December 2 to December 15 and from December 16 to January 1. Players pick one to three cards and aim to exceed target scores, which are set ten points higher than a player’s last 15-match average. Achieving these targets progresses players to new levels and closer to the grand prize. Enter the Rare Winter Colosseum This Winter event also features the Rare Winter Colosseum, focusing on users with rare card types during two key game weeks: December 5-9 and December 12-16. While typical Sorare scoring boosts like Essence are inactive, a 20% captain score bonus remains in effect, adding a strategic element to the competition. Interactive Elements: Crafting and the Frozen Wheel Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event includes daily chances to spin the Frozen Wheel up until December 25. Prizes span from market credits to Premier League jerseys, enhancing participant engagement. The Snowglobe Shuffle also offers fun crafting twists, enriching the overall gaming experience until January 1. Event Guidelines and Participation To take part in the Winter Quick Play, individuals must be at least 18 years old and hold an active Sorare account with one or more Winter Edition cards. It’s important to note that cards employed in play must not be listed for sale in the market or used in other lineups simultaneously. Flexible Gaming Experience Winter Quick Play allows players the flexibility to start levels at times that align with real-world football matches, offering an adaptive gaming experience. This setup differs from Sorare’s typical league play formats, allowing participants to plan their engagement based on personal availability. This year's Winter event not only promises high-stakes competition but also provides Sorare users with numerous interactive opportunities to earn rewards and enhance their enjoyment during the holiday season.

Time can be cruel. I'm not talking about the ravages of age when I say that - although, christ, the closer I creep to forty the creakier I become - but I'm thinking, I suppose, about legacy. The very nature of history, especially when it's oral in its delivery, is that it becomes truncated. Short-form takes over. For instance - think of a Prime Minister or President (back when we had normal ones of those, anyway), or the manager of a sports team, their tenure often ends up defined very broadly, no matter how much nuance there was at the time. Oftentimes, it's good or bad, with little in between. Which is a shame - because sometimes the nuance is where the most interesting thinking resides.

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At the tail end of 2024 the original PlayStation turned 30 years old. While the Xbox 360 is only hitting 20 and it's not an industry shaker to the degree the PS1 was, there's no doubt it earned its place as one of the most important consoles of all time. Xbox managed to challenge Sony in the traditional home console space the PlayStation had dominated with PS1 and PS2, and the console's brilliant line-up of games played a major role in that.

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Yesterday, we published part one of our interview with former Xbox 360 boss Peter Moore, where he talked about the creation of Microsoft's beloved machine, the grand idea encompassing it, and how his team had to break from the stuffy office-worker image Microsoft had. "Guys with pocket protectors and thick glasses", as he described it. He also talked about "throwing punches" to provoke the Xbox vs. PlayStation console war.

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