[NewsPoster]

Welcome to the Game Replay, the thrice-weekly look back at the wider world of gaming by the staff of MacNN. In today's edition, YouTube Gaming launches in more markets, a warning is issued over the PlayStation VR's age requirements, the next Hearthstone expansion title may have leaked early, EvE Online adds a mini-game that contributes to science, and a strategic Pokemon title is announced for mobile devices in Japan.

Game-streaming service YouTube Gaming reaches four more countries

YouTube Gaming has expanded its reach into more countries. Following half a year after the original launches in the United Kingdom and the United States, the YouTube streaming service can now be used in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, with the iOS and Android versions of the mobile app also available to use in those new markets.

The Twitch competitor is also introducing more changes to its service at the same time as the new market announcements. The homepage has been simplified to remove sidebars, in an attempt to help video discovery, with new pages also added for managing game and channel subscriptions, and a dedicated "Live" tab. Changes have also been made to the Android app to enable quality switching and 60fps playback, features already available on the iOS version, as well as the option to pop out the video player and keep it above other apps on the smartphone screen.

EvE Online to help with cell protein research via mini-game

The developer behind EvE Online is attempting to help scientists, by adding a mini-game to the space-based MMORPG. Called Project Discovery, the game allows players to look for patterns in the way protein is distributed in human cells, with the results of the game being used to expand the Human Protein Atlas Database.

Using real high-resolution images of cells, CCP claims "you will help scientists understand protein function in cells by recognising patterns in protein localization within colorful fluorescent microscopic images," reports Eurogamer. "The results submitted by each player are compared with the results of other players and help to improve and expand a real-life database of information of human protein data."

Aside from the reward of helping science, with the project being collaborated upon with Reykjavik University and Massively Multiplayer Online Science, players also stand to receive in-game benefits for taking part and being accurate with their results.

Next Hearthstone expansion apparently leaked, titled "Whispers of the Old Gods"

The next expansion for Hearthstone may have been leaked, thanks to an advertisement. A hand-painted mural has been created in New York for "Whispers of the Old Gods," which Reddit user That_Azzin spotted near their place of work, though later the title element of the painting was covered up with green tape.

Blizzard is holding a livestream tomorrow during the Hearthstone Winter Championships, which the developer says will feature an "announcement about what's coming next" for the collectible card game. It is highly likely the event will confirm the title, as well as provide more details for what players can expect from the expansion.


Pokemon Co-master announced for mobile devices, shipping in Japan this spring

The Pokemon Company has created a new game in the major Nintendo franchise, just for smartphones. Shipping this spring in Japan for iOS and Android, Pokemon Co-master is billed as a cross between the creature-capturing game and a form of Japanese chess called Shogi.

According to Polygon, the game is being co-developed with Heroz Japan, a company that specializes in AI development, and has experience with producing digital versions of strategy board games. Aside from online multiplayer, the game will also include computer-controlled opponents for single-player matches, though players will also receive help from the game's AI if they are in trouble.

Due to the nature of the game's core mechanic being largely unknown in the rest of the world, it isn't likely to see a release outside of Japan for some time, if at all.

PlayStation VR not to be used by those under 12 years old, updated firmware warns

The PlayStation VR Sony's virtual reality headset that will work with the PlayStation 4, is not suitable for use by children under the age of 12. A safety notice within the latest beta firmware for the console advises on the age requirement of the user as part of the Health and Safety notice, with the under-12 limitation notably being one year younger than similar restrictions for the Oculus Rift and Gear VR that dictate it is usable by those aged 13 and older.

According to GamesRadar, the age limit is to do with the interpupillary distance (IPD), namely the distance between the center of a person's pupils. Since there is a considerable variation between children and adults, and that most headsets are made for larger distances, the visible distortion to the display could apparently lead to short-term medical issues, including eye-strain, nausea, disorientation, and headaches. For this reason, it is typically advised that children at these ages or younger do not use the headsets.

Sony has yet to confirm a release date or price for the PlayStation VR.

Mac Gamer HQ offers guide of 100 best Mac games

Mac Gamer HQ's latest guide is one for those new to Mac and want to play games, as well as long-time players wanting to find something new. The site's 100 Best Mac Games list, published earlier this week, indicates there's a lot of games out there that will work on OS X, including seven of the top ten most-played titles on Steam, with it claiming "These top Mac games will show you how far Mac gaming has come."

The widely varied list has been categorized to make it easier to find specific types of games. Titles can be sorted by genre, as well as whether they are a paid or free title, but it also includes the option to select games based on their performance requirements, a useful addition for people with entry-level or older Macs.

Notable items on the list include Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite, Firewatch, Soma, and Fez.