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The Maw - 2nd April-6th AprilOur weekly news liveblog, with this week’s gamiest videogame releases

Our weekly news liveblog, with this week’s gamiest videogame releases

Image credit:Wikimedia Commons/José Guadalupe Posada

An etching of a man on horseback battling a monster with several heads

New week, new PC games! It’s another mercifully brief four day week in the UK due to reasons of religion, so let’s roll with an appropriately snappy intro that avoids any extended digressionary preambles about, oh, I don’t know, magpies fighting outside my flat this morning. Did you know that European magpies are great mimics? Second only to the Northern Mockingbird, apparently, though many ornithologists contend that the BrownThrasheris sorely overlooked. You certainly hear their vocal range when they squabble - I reckon somebody should train up a ChatGPT AI on their calls and no, stop it, I’m doing an anecdote!

Those new PC game releases, without any further ado about birds: Minish Cap-esque shmupMinishoot Adventures(2nd April); Cuban fantasy metroidvaniaSaviorless(2nd April); culinary defence gameKitchen Crisis(3rd April); Dorfromantikal world builderPlanetiles(3rd April); rhythmic robo-dystopian roguelikeBeat Slayer(4th April); 90s biker’s delightBMX Streets(5th April).

Our live coverage of this event has finished.

Key points07:32 amApril 05 2024FRIDAY THEN08:01 amApril 04 2024NOW FOR THURSDAY07:58 amApril 03 2024HELLO WEDNESDAY08:52 amApril 02 2024IT’S… TUESDAY ALREADY?

Key points

07:32 amApril 05 2024FRIDAY THEN

08:01 amApril 04 2024NOW FOR THURSDAY

07:58 amApril 03 2024HELLO WEDNESDAY

08:52 amApril 02 2024IT’S… TUESDAY ALREADY?

08:52 amUTCIT’S… TUESDAY ALREADY?It is! It is! Thank the maker for bank holidays. FEED THE MAW.

IT’S… TUESDAY ALREADY?It is! It is! Thank the maker for bank holidays. FEED THE MAW.

IT’S… TUESDAY ALREADY?

09:00 amUTCYesterday was April Fool’s Day, a time of much wailing and gnashing of teeth for online news writers. Some of the “announcements” and “surprise releases” appear to have been genuine, however. Here’s one Alice0 spotted - a very short game aboutcars.📢 BEEP BEEP!! Our new game CARS is out!https://t.co/k2LS2lnJf7🚗💨pic.twitter.com/afMJ0jMPAB— Playables (@playabls)April 1, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Yesterday was April Fool’s Day, a time of much wailing and gnashing of teeth for online news writers. Some of the “announcements” and “surprise releases” appear to have been genuine, however. Here’s one Alice0 spotted - a very short game aboutcars.📢 BEEP BEEP!! Our new game CARS is out!https://t.co/k2LS2lnJf7🚗💨pic.twitter.com/afMJ0jMPAB— Playables (@playabls)April 1, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

📢 BEEP BEEP!! Our new game CARS is out!https://t.co/k2LS2lnJf7🚗💨pic.twitter.com/afMJ0jMPAB— Playables (@playabls)April 1, 2024

📢 BEEP BEEP!! Our new game CARS is out!https://t.co/k2LS2lnJf7🚗💨pic.twitter.com/afMJ0jMPAB

09:03 amUTCAlso from Alice0: new horror gameContent Warningis free on Steam today only. It’s a co-op experience “where you film spooky stuff with your friends to try and go viral”.Content Warning: TrailerWatch on YouTube

Also from Alice0: new horror gameContent Warningis free on Steam today only. It’s a co-op experience “where you film spooky stuff with your friends to try and go viral”.Content Warning: TrailerWatch on YouTube

Also from Alice0: new horror gameContent Warningis free on Steam today only. It’s a co-op experience “where you film spooky stuff with your friends to try and go viral”.

Content Warning: TrailerWatch on YouTube

Content Warning: Trailer

Cover image for YouTube video

09:07 amUTCHere’s anew Helldivers 2 patch. This one adds blizzards and sandstorms while rebalancing various weapons, missions and enemies.

Here’s anew Helldivers 2 patch. This one adds blizzards and sandstorms while rebalancing various weapons, missions and enemies.

09:10 amUTCGrinding Gear launched new Path Of Exile expansion Path Of Exile: Necropolis over the weekend and have alreadyposted a list of thingsthey plan to flesh out or fix.

Grinding Gear launched new Path Of Exile expansion Path Of Exile: Necropolis over the weekend and have alreadyposted a list of thingsthey plan to flesh out or fix.

09:12 amUTCHere’sthe Steam pagefor Platform 8, sequel tomuch-likedcommuting horror game The Exit 8. The new game is slated to launch around end of April.8番出口の続編「8番のりば」トレーラーWatch on YouTube

Here’sthe Steam pagefor Platform 8, sequel tomuch-likedcommuting horror game The Exit 8. The new game is slated to launch around end of April.8番出口の続編「8番のりば」トレーラーWatch on YouTube

8番出口の続編「8番のりば」トレーラーWatch on YouTube

8番出口の続編「8番のりば」トレーラー

Cover image for YouTube video

09:20 amUTCViaEurogamer, Halo and Call of Duty support studio Certain Affinity areletting 25 people godue to “multiple factors” including an “industry-wide slowdown”, in the words of CEO Max Hoberman. Best of luck to everybody affected.

ViaEurogamer, Halo and Call of Duty support studio Certain Affinity areletting 25 people godue to “multiple factors” including an “industry-wide slowdown”, in the words of CEO Max Hoberman. Best of luck to everybody affected.

09:20 amUTCFans got some juicyHollow Knight: Silksonginfo over the long weekend. The long-awaited metroidvania was given an official listing in the form of an Xbox Store Page. Cheers Ian! (of theIan Games Network)

Fans got some juicyHollow Knight: Silksonginfo over the long weekend. The long-awaited metroidvania was given an official listing in the form of an Xbox Store Page. Cheers Ian! (of theIan Games Network)

09:25 amUTCASteam pagewent up over the long weekend, alongside anannouncement trailerfor System Shock Remake studio Nightdive’s remaster of brilliantly bizzare 90’s shooter PO’ed. Chicken butt and frying pan enjoyers, rejoice!

ASteam pagewent up over the long weekend, alongside anannouncement trailerfor System Shock Remake studio Nightdive’s remaster of brilliantly bizzare 90’s shooter PO’ed. Chicken butt and frying pan enjoyers, rejoice!

14:51 pmUTCThe Guardianhas a gaming-adjacent pieceabout research demonstrating that some people effectively perceive more frames per second.

The Guardianhas a gaming-adjacent pieceabout research demonstrating that some people effectively perceive more frames per second.

21:51 pmUTCBlizzard say they’reopen to more Warcraft moviesif they can find the right filmmaker to partner with.

Blizzard say they’reopen to more Warcraft moviesif they can find the right filmmaker to partner with.

21:52 pmUTCFormer Dragon Age director Mike Laidlaw has revealed his much-teased fantasy game. Eternal Strands is a third-person action adventure coming in 2025 in which you canclamber about on giant boss enemies, Shadow Of The Colossus-style, and also wield Tears Of The Kingdom-style physics powers.

Former Dragon Age director Mike Laidlaw has revealed his much-teased fantasy game. Eternal Strands is a third-person action adventure coming in 2025 in which you canclamber about on giant boss enemies, Shadow Of The Colossus-style, and also wield Tears Of The Kingdom-style physics powers.

21:52 pmUTCGame Pass is gettingsix more games for PC in April, including the delightful Lil Gator Game.

Game Pass is gettingsix more games for PC in April, including the delightful Lil Gator Game.

21:53 pmUTCFor April Fools', Arma developers Bohemia announced Tiny Wars, a mode in which you control toy soldiers battling between Duplo blocks and household bric-a-brac. April 1st or not, youcan now actually play it for real.

For April Fools', Arma developers Bohemia announced Tiny Wars, a mode in which you control toy soldiers battling between Duplo blocks and household bric-a-brac. April 1st or not, youcan now actually play it for real.

21:54 pmUTCI like the look of Falling Frontier, a space RTS with blocky spaceships and a big zoom:Falling Frontier - Gameplay Trailer | Space RTS GameWatch on YouTube

I like the look of Falling Frontier, a space RTS with blocky spaceships and a big zoom:Falling Frontier - Gameplay Trailer | Space RTS GameWatch on YouTube

I like the look of Falling Frontier, a space RTS with blocky spaceships and a big zoom:

Falling Frontier - Gameplay Trailer | Space RTS GameWatch on YouTube

Falling Frontier - Gameplay Trailer | Space RTS Game

Cover image for YouTube video

21:55 pmUTCVampire survival sim V Rising leaves Early Access on May 8th. Ahead of hitting 1.0, its (v) rising its price to $35 from $20 on April 5th. That gives you three more days topick it up at the cheaper price, if you’re interested.

Vampire survival sim V Rising leaves Early Access on May 8th. Ahead of hitting 1.0, its (v) rising its price to $35 from $20 on April 5th. That gives you three more days topick it up at the cheaper price, if you’re interested.

Is it just because I’m British that all of Gearbox’s recent public statements seem to be dripping with passive-aggressive niceness? “We are grateful that our talent and capability are of interest to you and your audience”?

22:00 pmUTCEdwin wrote about recently-released horror game Content Warning and its beingfree to keep for a short whileearlier today. It now has over 200,000 concurrent players on Steam.

Edwin wrote about recently-released horror game Content Warning and its beingfree to keep for a short whileearlier today. It now has over 200,000 concurrent players on Steam.

07:58 amUTCHELLO WEDNESDAYFord the rivers! Forward the emails! Force the metaphors! FEED THE MAW.

HELLO WEDNESDAYFord the rivers! Forward the emails! Force the metaphors! FEED THE MAW.

HELLO WEDNESDAY

08:05 amUTCA new roguelike Prince of Persia game from Dead Cells developer Evil Empire is slated to released in Steam early access sometime this year. It’s been in development for the past four years, and came about after discussions between Evil Empire and Ubisoft, reckoned to have happened around GDC 2019. Thanks,Insider Gaming!

A new roguelike Prince of Persia game from Dead Cells developer Evil Empire is slated to released in Steam early access sometime this year. It’s been in development for the past four years, and came about after discussions between Evil Empire and Ubisoft, reckoned to have happened around GDC 2019. Thanks,Insider Gaming!

08:10 amUTCFancy trying Vicky 3, Humankind, dreary Dead Space succesor Callisto Protocol and “emotive and doomy folk horror adventure” Hob’s Barrow for the price of a (quite large, admittedly) Greggs order?This month’s Humble Choiceis looking quite stacked indeed.

Fancy trying Vicky 3, Humankind, dreary Dead Space succesor Callisto Protocol and “emotive and doomy folk horror adventure” Hob’s Barrow for the price of a (quite large, admittedly) Greggs order?This month’s Humble Choiceis looking quite stacked indeed.

08:17 amUTCThe KOTOR remake is ‘Alive and Well’, according to the CEO of Saber Interactive. This comes from aninterview with IGN, who write: “CEO Matthew Karch confirmed that the company took KOTOR with it during its split from Embracer Group, and that the game is still in active development.”

The KOTOR remake is ‘Alive and Well’, according to the CEO of Saber Interactive. This comes from aninterview with IGN, who write: “CEO Matthew Karch confirmed that the company took KOTOR with it during its split from Embracer Group, and that the game is still in active development.”

08:28 amUTCGreat free action-adventure game Grimhookhas received its “one and only” update, after an overwhelmingly positive Steam reviewer response over Xmas.

Great free action-adventure game Grimhookhas received its “one and only” update, after an overwhelmingly positive Steam reviewer response over Xmas.

Former GTA dev Obbe Vermeij has been tweeting about the finer points of GTA. Here’s some insight on the mechanics of plane collisions and near collisions in San Andreas.

11:12 amUTCFachewachewa says:Hello your Mawness. Frogmonster, a “Metroidvania FPS adventure”, released yesterday. From what I’ve seen it’s a wild one.Unless my eyes deceive me this is, in fact, afirst-person tonguer.Frogmonster TrailerWatch on YouTube

Fachewachewa says:Hello your Mawness. Frogmonster, a “Metroidvania FPS adventure”, released yesterday. From what I’ve seen it’s a wild one.Unless my eyes deceive me this is, in fact, afirst-person tonguer.Frogmonster TrailerWatch on YouTube

Unless my eyes deceive me this is, in fact, afirst-person tonguer.

Frogmonster TrailerWatch on YouTube

Frogmonster Trailer

Cover image for YouTube video

16:37 pmUTCPSA:You’ve got a couple more days to grab vampire survival game V Rising for $20 before its price nearly doubles, ahead of its incoming 1.0 exit from early access.

PSA:You’ve got a couple more days to grab vampire survival game V Rising for $20 before its price nearly doubles, ahead of its incoming 1.0 exit from early access.

17:13 pmUTCBorderlands makers Gearbox didn’t quite escape the ongoing Embracer layoffs despite their recent sale to Take-Two, as the studio confirm a number of job cuts.

Borderlands makers Gearbox didn’t quite escape the ongoing Embracer layoffs despite their recent sale to Take-Two, as the studio confirm a number of job cuts.

17:40 pmUTCKnights of the Old Republic remake devs Saber have insisted the game is “alive and well”after their recent split from Embracer.

Knights of the Old Republic remake devs Saber have insisted the game is “alive and well”after their recent split from Embracer.

18:08 pmUTCAtari are now publishers for the whole RollerCoaster Tycoon series, after buying missing 2004 sequel for $7m.

Atari are now publishers for the whole RollerCoaster Tycoon series, after buying missing 2004 sequel for $7m.

18:32 pmUTCFinally,a gamewhich lets me pass on love letters using a vacuum cleaner.⚡️it’s time to put an end to the A-POCKY-LIPS!!!⚡️officially revealing our newest game: GREAT GOD GROVEsuck up dialogue boxes n’ use them like items to befriend gods & humans alike, and save the whole dang world!!pic.twitter.com/oSwLJWfvtx— LIMBOLANE (@LimboLaneGames)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Finally,a gamewhich lets me pass on love letters using a vacuum cleaner.⚡️it’s time to put an end to the A-POCKY-LIPS!!!⚡️officially revealing our newest game: GREAT GOD GROVEsuck up dialogue boxes n’ use them like items to befriend gods & humans alike, and save the whole dang world!!pic.twitter.com/oSwLJWfvtx— LIMBOLANE (@LimboLaneGames)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Finally,a gamewhich lets me pass on love letters using a vacuum cleaner.

⚡️it’s time to put an end to the A-POCKY-LIPS!!!⚡️officially revealing our newest game: GREAT GOD GROVEsuck up dialogue boxes n’ use them like items to befriend gods & humans alike, and save the whole dang world!!pic.twitter.com/oSwLJWfvtx— LIMBOLANE (@LimboLaneGames)April 3, 2024

08:01 amUTCNOW FOR THURSDAYThe Merlin Matrix has overloaded! Hose it down for a few minutes while I fetch another bucket of pixies. FEED THE MAW.

NOW FOR THURSDAYThe Merlin Matrix has overloaded! Hose it down for a few minutes while I fetch another bucket of pixies. FEED THE MAW.

NOW FOR THURSDAY

The Merlin Matrix has overloaded! Hose it down for a few minutes while I fetch another bucket of pixies. FEED THE MAW.

08:03 amUTCHere’s agame updatefor this week’s surprise hit Content Warning, which adds a party popper item, a garden projector and a reporter mic, amongst other things.‼️Breaking news ‼️Content Warning bug patch and new items!pic.twitter.com/vvjrMgXymX— Landfall (@LandfallGames)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Here’s agame updatefor this week’s surprise hit Content Warning, which adds a party popper item, a garden projector and a reporter mic, amongst other things.‼️Breaking news ‼️Content Warning bug patch and new items!pic.twitter.com/vvjrMgXymX— Landfall (@LandfallGames)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Here’s agame updatefor this week’s surprise hit Content Warning, which adds a party popper item, a garden projector and a reporter mic, amongst other things.

‼️Breaking news ‼️Content Warning bug patch and new items!pic.twitter.com/vvjrMgXymX— Landfall (@LandfallGames)April 3, 2024

‼️Breaking news ‼️Content Warning bug patch and new items!pic.twitter.com/vvjrMgXymX

08:04 amUTCMaw-ning dear readers! Here’s a big bowl of indie to start your day off right. The world ofSkaramazuzuis a monochrome, shadow puppet-esque puzzle adventure, set among ancient gothic buildings. It’s got the perfect balance of whimsy and melancholy that I personally love, and you play as a leshen-looking ghost creature.

Maw-ning dear readers! Here’s a big bowl of indie to start your day off right. The world ofSkaramazuzuis a monochrome, shadow puppet-esque puzzle adventure, set among ancient gothic buildings. It’s got the perfect balance of whimsy and melancholy that I personally love, and you play as a leshen-looking ghost creature.

08:07 amUTCThere’sa new Palworld update, too, which adds the game’s first Raid Boss, Bellanoir, alongside a host of fixes and smaller changes.

There’sa new Palworld update, too, which adds the game’s first Raid Boss, Bellanoir, alongside a host of fixes and smaller changes.

08:10 amUTCThe trailer of the Mechwarrior 5: Clans demo that Pirahna games showed off to the press at GDCis now availablefor your perusal. It’s a got one of those fun riffs on Full Metal Jacket games have been doing for years now in it. Very creative with the insults.

The trailer of the Mechwarrior 5: Clans demo that Pirahna games showed off to the press at GDCis now availablefor your perusal. It’s a got one of those fun riffs on Full Metal Jacket games have been doing for years now in it. Very creative with the insults.

08:35 amUTCThe Last Epoch devs have penneda rather severe blog about two, now-fixed exploitsthat allowed people to duplicate items and generate gold. Excerpt: “We don’t think it’s a very controversial statement to say that abusing an exploit, ruining the game for all players is not acceptable, and that doing so should result in a ban.”

The Last Epoch devs have penneda rather severe blog about two, now-fixed exploitsthat allowed people to duplicate items and generate gold. Excerpt: “We don’t think it’s a very controversial statement to say that abusing an exploit, ruining the game for all players is not acceptable, and that doing so should result in a ban.”

08:36 amUTCPolygonClassicist says:Is the Key Points section new? It’s a welcome addition for easier reference!Sort of! We could use it before but it auto-promoted the liveblog to the top of the site, which seemed a bit excessive. There’s now a magic tickbox that stops this happening. And yes, it hopefully makes the feed more digestible, pun intended.

PolygonClassicist says:Is the Key Points section new? It’s a welcome addition for easier reference!Sort of! We could use it before but it auto-promoted the liveblog to the top of the site, which seemed a bit excessive. There’s now a magic tickbox that stops this happening. And yes, it hopefully makes the feed more digestible, pun intended.

Sort of! We could use it before but it auto-promoted the liveblog to the top of the site, which seemed a bit excessive. There’s now a magic tickbox that stops this happening. And yes, it hopefully makes the feed more digestible, pun intended.

08:53 amUTCAccording toPolygon, Ninja Theory’s founder and Hellblade writer-director Tameem Antoniades has left the studio, for reasons yet to be shared.

According toPolygon, Ninja Theory’s founder and Hellblade writer-director Tameem Antoniades has left the studio, for reasons yet to be shared.

14:44 pmUTCCreative Assembly are splitting Thrones of Decay, the upcoming expansion for Total War: Warhammer 3, into three parts, purchasable either separately or as a discounted bundle. This means if you just want to buy say, the new dwarfs, you can. “We recognise that these large sized, higher priced packs aren’t always what you’re looking for,”readsthe blog post “So, we’ve decided to do something different just for Thrones.”

Creative Assembly are splitting Thrones of Decay, the upcoming expansion for Total War: Warhammer 3, into three parts, purchasable either separately or as a discounted bundle. This means if you just want to buy say, the new dwarfs, you can. “We recognise that these large sized, higher priced packs aren’t always what you’re looking for,”readsthe blog post “So, we’ve decided to do something different just for Thrones.”

15:45 pmUTCMomentous news in the indie scene - Rami Ismail has sold his share of Vlambeer to co-founder Jan Willem Nijman.🚨 VIDEOGAME COMPANY ACQUISITION ALERT 🚨Big news: I now own 100% of@Vlambeer, the studio I co-founded with@tha_ramiback in 2010. Here’s what this means:pic.twitter.com/7pFjwwYfCG— Jan Willem Nijman (@jwaaaap)April 4, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Momentous news in the indie scene - Rami Ismail has sold his share of Vlambeer to co-founder Jan Willem Nijman.🚨 VIDEOGAME COMPANY ACQUISITION ALERT 🚨Big news: I now own 100% of@Vlambeer, the studio I co-founded with@tha_ramiback in 2010. Here’s what this means:pic.twitter.com/7pFjwwYfCG— Jan Willem Nijman (@jwaaaap)April 4, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Momentous news in the indie scene - Rami Ismail has sold his share of Vlambeer to co-founder Jan Willem Nijman.

🚨 VIDEOGAME COMPANY ACQUISITION ALERT 🚨Big news: I now own 100% of@Vlambeer, the studio I co-founded with@tha_ramiback in 2010. Here’s what this means:pic.twitter.com/7pFjwwYfCG— Jan Willem Nijman (@jwaaaap)April 4, 2024

🚨 VIDEOGAME COMPANY ACQUISITION ALERT 🚨Big news: I now own 100% of@Vlambeer, the studio I co-founded with@tha_ramiback in 2010. Here’s what this means:pic.twitter.com/7pFjwwYfCG

16:06 pmUTCSaber’s Matthew Karch has been talking toGamesIndustry.bizabout life at Embracer Group, of which Saber are no longer a subsidiary. He mounts an extended defence of Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors, whom Karch says has been “very maligned” because look, Embracer haven’t laid off absolutelyeverybodyand besides, other big publishers have done worse. The article includes Karch’s account of the role of interest rates and skittish/calculating investors in precipitating last year’s mass cost-cutting. It also touches on the infamous failed Savvy Games deal.

Saber’s Matthew Karch has been talking toGamesIndustry.bizabout life at Embracer Group, of which Saber are no longer a subsidiary. He mounts an extended defence of Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors, whom Karch says has been “very maligned” because look, Embracer haven’t laid off absolutelyeverybodyand besides, other big publishers have done worse. The article includes Karch’s account of the role of interest rates and skittish/calculating investors in precipitating last year’s mass cost-cutting. It also touches on the infamous failed Savvy Games deal.

23:20 pmUTCAs Edwin noted earlier, Nuclear Throne makers Vlambeer return, now as a dynamic solo rather than a duo.Here’s more on the whys and hows.

As Edwin noted earlier, Nuclear Throne makers Vlambeer return, now as a dynamic solo rather than a duo.Here’s more on the whys and hows.

23:21 pmUTCGoblin Stone is about building a colony for, well, goblins, thenbiffing other fantasy races (and humans) with turn-based RPG combat and cards.

Goblin Stone is about building a colony for, well, goblins, thenbiffing other fantasy races (and humans) with turn-based RPG combat and cards.

23:23 pmUTCThere’s a proper3D camera mod for SimCity 4, which is truly baffling to me because I thought its buildings were 2D sprites generated from 3D models not included in the actual game. Is this magic? It seems like magic. I want to try it out.

There’s a proper3D camera mod for SimCity 4, which is truly baffling to me because I thought its buildings were 2D sprites generated from 3D models not included in the actual game. Is this magic? It seems like magic. I want to try it out.

23:24 pmUTCSpeaking of games that exist, No Plan Bcame out this week. It’s a topdown tactics game about plotting synchronous breaches, takedowns, and grenade tosses. It looks like it might be slicker (and less ick?) than Doorkickers.

Speaking of games that exist, No Plan Bcame out this week. It’s a topdown tactics game about plotting synchronous breaches, takedowns, and grenade tosses. It looks like it might be slicker (and less ick?) than Doorkickers.

To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

07:32 amUTCFRIDAY THENHow long is a piece of string? Is it long enough to FEED THE MAW?

FRIDAY THENHow long is a piece of string? Is it long enough to FEED THE MAW?

FRIDAY THEN

07:39 amUTCThe developers of factory sim Shapez 2, which Olliereally rates, have written anextensive Steam postabout what they’re doing between now and the Early Access release. They note that “it’s unrealistic we’ll be ready for Early Access before September” but that “our bottomline is to release the game this year still.”

The developers of factory sim Shapez 2, which Olliereally rates, have written anextensive Steam postabout what they’re doing between now and the Early Access release. They note that “it’s unrealistic we’ll be ready for Early Access before September” but that “our bottomline is to release the game this year still.”

07:43 amUTCNightdive have amassive patchin the works for their System Shock remake - topline additions include a female hacker protagonist and a reworked final fight. It’s out 11th April.

Nightdive have amassive patchin the works for their System Shock remake - topline additions include a female hacker protagonist and a reworked final fight. It’s out 11th April.

07:47 amUTCBlizzard have been talking toPCGamerabout not doing advance community testing (aka, Public Test Realms) for Warcraft Classic Season of Discovery, which launches today. According to associate production tester Clayton Stone, having more bugs is an OK price to pay for not spoiling much of the season in advance. “Keeping that level of mystery and of discovery for Season of Discovery, with each phase that we roll out, has really created a moment every time for the whole player base to come together and experience something fresh together at the same time.”

Blizzard have been talking toPCGamerabout not doing advance community testing (aka, Public Test Realms) for Warcraft Classic Season of Discovery, which launches today. According to associate production tester Clayton Stone, having more bugs is an OK price to pay for not spoiling much of the season in advance. “Keeping that level of mystery and of discovery for Season of Discovery, with each phase that we roll out, has really created a moment every time for the whole player base to come together and experience something fresh together at the same time.”

07:51 amUTCCastawayis a pint-sized The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. I saw this go past earlier in the week and forgot about it - thanksGamesradarfor the reminder.Castaway - Reveal TrailerWatch on YouTube

Castawayis a pint-sized The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. I saw this go past earlier in the week and forgot about it - thanksGamesradarfor the reminder.Castaway - Reveal TrailerWatch on YouTube

Castawayis a pint-sized The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. I saw this go past earlier in the week and forgot about it - thanksGamesradarfor the reminder.

Castaway - Reveal TrailerWatch on YouTube

Castaway - Reveal Trailer

Cover image for YouTube video

07:53 amUTCThere are distant rumblings of the Splinter Celery variety over on Ubisoft Toronto’s Facebook page. Seems likely we’ll hear more at the Ubisoft Forward event on June 11th.Maaaybe some news on Splinter Cell Remake.Ubisoft Toronto changed their Facebook header and profile picture just yesterday.https://t.co/6KUXYmGjjspic.twitter.com/bSwYCjbtkF— MauroNL (@MauroNL3)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

There are distant rumblings of the Splinter Celery variety over on Ubisoft Toronto’s Facebook page. Seems likely we’ll hear more at the Ubisoft Forward event on June 11th.Maaaybe some news on Splinter Cell Remake.Ubisoft Toronto changed their Facebook header and profile picture just yesterday.https://t.co/6KUXYmGjjspic.twitter.com/bSwYCjbtkF— MauroNL (@MauroNL3)April 3, 2024To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

There are distant rumblings of the Splinter Celery variety over on Ubisoft Toronto’s Facebook page. Seems likely we’ll hear more at the Ubisoft Forward event on June 11th.

Maaaybe some news on Splinter Cell Remake.Ubisoft Toronto changed their Facebook header and profile picture just yesterday.https://t.co/6KUXYmGjjspic.twitter.com/bSwYCjbtkF— MauroNL (@MauroNL3)April 3, 2024

Maaaybe some news on Splinter Cell Remake.Ubisoft Toronto changed their Facebook header and profile picture just yesterday.https://t.co/6KUXYmGjjspic.twitter.com/bSwYCjbtkF

08:01 amUTCYu Miyake, the long standing producer of the Dragon Quest series, has stepped down from his role. The news comes fromBloomberg, who say the news comes as part of shuffle-up at Square Enix under new President Takashi Kiryu, who recently told investors that the studio’s new structure is intended to be less reliant on external resources, more focused on making big titles in-house.

Yu Miyake, the long standing producer of the Dragon Quest series, has stepped down from his role. The news comes fromBloomberg, who say the news comes as part of shuffle-up at Square Enix under new President Takashi Kiryu, who recently told investors that the studio’s new structure is intended to be less reliant on external resources, more focused on making big titles in-house.

08:07 amUTCfirst-person point & clickerDesolatiumis out on Steam today as part of the platform’s Lovecraftian Days event, a tribute to pop culture’s favourite bigoted uncle. It’s from Sanatorium developer Superlumen, and the art looks proper good. Please, Howard. Just pass the gravy and be quiet. No-one is stealing your pension.

first-person point & clickerDesolatiumis out on Steam today as part of the platform’s Lovecraftian Days event, a tribute to pop culture’s favourite bigoted uncle. It’s from Sanatorium developer Superlumen, and the art looks proper good. Please, Howard. Just pass the gravy and be quiet. No-one is stealing your pension.

08:09 amUTCEremite are bringing species hubs to Against The Storm in update 1.3, amongstmany other bits and pieces. It’s due some time in May.

Eremite are bringing species hubs to Against The Storm in update 1.3, amongstmany other bits and pieces. It’s due some time in May.

08:15 amUTCSpider Fox, a horrible looking game where you play an unholy mashup of spider and fox, is not part of Steam’s Lovecraftian Days event, but it bloody well should be. This is purely informational. Don’t encourage them

Spider Fox, a horrible looking game where you play an unholy mashup of spider and fox, is not part of Steam’s Lovecraftian Days event, but it bloody well should be. This is purely informational. Don’t encourage them

08:46 amUTCPlayer Non Playeris out now, and has the smack of something special. Explore a sad island full of brutalist structures, musical sculptures and lost souls, stroking and embracing characters to help them Move On. You can also chuck them around like dolls.Player Non Player - Gameplay trailerWatch on YouTube

Player Non Playeris out now, and has the smack of something special. Explore a sad island full of brutalist structures, musical sculptures and lost souls, stroking and embracing characters to help them Move On. You can also chuck them around like dolls.Player Non Player - Gameplay trailerWatch on YouTube

Player Non Player - Gameplay trailerWatch on YouTube

Player Non Player - Gameplay trailer

Cover image for YouTube video

17:15 pmUTCAs Edwin mentioned earlier, Company of Heroes and Dawn of War developers Relic have confirmed a round of layoffs one week after reclaiming their independence from Sega.Here’s the full story.

As Edwin mentioned earlier, Company of Heroes and Dawn of War developers Relic have confirmed a round of layoffs one week after reclaiming their independence from Sega.Here’s the full story.

18:05 pmUTCIGNhave an inside report on claims of toxicity, hate speech and crunch at Life Is Strange: True Colors developers Deck Nine.

IGNhave an inside report on claims of toxicity, hate speech and crunch at Life Is Strange: True Colors developers Deck Nine.

18:41 pmUTCMore details on the allegations of toxic working culture at Life is Strange devs Deck Nine, as Edwin recently shared.

More details on the allegations of toxic working culture at Life is Strange devs Deck Nine, as Edwin recently shared.

19:28 pmUTCThere’s now a cure for Dragon’s Dogma 2’s dreaded pawn pox Dragonsplague:mods!

There’s now a cure for Dragon’s Dogma 2’s dreaded pawn pox Dragonsplague:mods!

22:22 pmUTCReports say thatGears 6 will be announced during an Xbox showcase on June 9th, alongside release dates for Avowed and Indiana Jones And The Great Circle.

Reports say thatGears 6 will be announced during an Xbox showcase on June 9th, alongside release dates for Avowed and Indiana Jones And The Great Circle.

22:22 pmUTCCosy free-to-play life sim Palia released on Steam just a couple of weeks ago, butits developers have now laid off a third of their staff.

Cosy free-to-play life sim Palia released on Steam just a couple of weeks ago, butits developers have now laid off a third of their staff.

22:23 pmUTCFrostpunk 2’sclosed beta kicks off on April 15thand will run for a week, but it’s only available if you’re willing to pre-order the digital deluxe edition, and it ain’t cheap.

Frostpunk 2’sclosed beta kicks off on April 15thand will run for a week, but it’s only available if you’re willing to pre-order the digital deluxe edition, and it ain’t cheap.

22:24 pmUTCNo Plan B is a close combat tactics ‘em up in the Door Kickers style, in which you command troops to breach and clear on a timeline. It’sout now. I mentioned this in The Maw previously but hey, now it has its own post.

No Plan B is a close combat tactics ‘em up in the Door Kickers style, in which you command troops to breach and clear on a timeline. It’sout now. I mentioned this in The Maw previously but hey, now it has its own post.