Updated: Sep 14, 2024 10:53 am EDT (GMT -04:00)
Saturday, Sep 14, 2024
Counterfeit Game Ring Smashed [10:53 am ET] – Share – 14 Comments
BBC News has details
on a video game crime ring broken-up by Italian authorities that resulted in the
seizure of counterfeit video games and consoles with a street value of over
US$52 million (thanks brother19). The seized games "all from China" are
reportedly now destroyed, and nine individuals face up to eight years in prison
for trading in counterfeit goods. Word is the games were titles popular in the
1980s-90s, and the consoles were imitations of Nintendo, Sega, and Atari systems
which "did not meet strict safety standards."
Around 12,000 consoles holding over 47 million pirated video games were seized by police, Alessandro Langella, head of the economic crime unit for Turin's financial police, told the AFP news agency.
The haul had an estimated value of €47.5m, Mr Langella said, a figure which includes the value of the consoles and hundreds of licenses for the pirated programs.
They were "all from China" and were imported to be sold in specialised shops or online, Mr Langella said.
StormEdge Storms Out [10:53 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
StormEdge is now available for Windows PC on
GOG.com* and
Steam, and
this action/roguelike from Shieldbreaking Games and HypeTrain Digital is 10% off
for the next two weeks. This recent
gameplay trailer shows
off fast-paced gameplay and retro pixel-art graphics. If you're still on the
fence, there's a playable demo
on Steam to
see just how edgy this is. Here's more:
StormEdge is an Action-Roguelite where you have to balance your desire to use powerful skills with the risk of taking damage or putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Experiment and try new things!*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.
You will take the role of one of the bravest and most talented mages who is forming StormEdge – a guild whose aim is to stop the elemental storms and save the world.
On Sale [10:53 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
- Learn To Create Game Art in Blender 2024 (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*
- Save 40% on Nightingale on Steam.
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.
Saturday Patches [10:52 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.
Saturday Tech Bits [10:52 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
Saturday Safety Dance [10:52 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Game Reviews [10:52 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
- Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Benchmarks & PC Performance Analysis - DSOGaming.
- Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown review - tech issues mar the return of the original name in open-world racers - Eurogamer.ne.
- Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Review - IGN.
- Warhammer: Space Marine 2 Performance Benchmark Review - 35 GPUs Tested - TechPowerUp.
Hardware Reviews [10:52 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Out of the Blue [10:52 am ET] – Share – 5 Comments
The Hollywood Reporter has a story on Roland Emmerich, noting that he's
getting ready to shop a Lawrence of Arabia remake. So take whatever
complaints I would normally register about remaking a classic and amplify them
quite a bit, since we're talking about Roland Emmerich. He is apparently
oblivious to his oeuvre, as the director hopes "to do a little bit what
Godfather II did." But since he is the creator of Independence Day
and The Day After Tomorrow, it's more likely this will involve T.E.
Lawrence trekking across the entire desert to save his son, or some side
character winning World War I by heroically flying his Sopwith Camel into enemy
HQ.
Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.Brunch Link
Stories
- A Sports Memorabilia Gold Mine Is Uncovered in Virginia - The New York Times.
- Campbell's drops 'soup' from its company name - NPR. Thanks Boing Boing.
Science
Media
Creature Features
Established 1995. Over one-and-a-third billion visitors since 1997.
Friday, Sep 13, 2024 Scooby Doo Day
Edge of Sanity Released [7:11 pm ET] – Share – 2 Comments
Daedalic Entertainment and Vixa Games have launched Edge of Sanity, and
this survival/horror game is available for Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox
One/Series X|S, and Switch. The Windows edition comes with a 10% launch
discount, and you can pick it up from the
Epic Games
Store, GOG.com,* and
Steam.
The demo is no longer available, but
this post on Steam discussing the launch reminds everyone they can pick up
in the full game where they left off if they played it, saying "your saves
should move automatically." Here's the
Release Trailer and
here's more on the Eldritch horrors it depicts:
Edge of Sanity is a psychological survival horror game set in the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska featuring hand-crafted 2D art and intense atmosphere inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos.*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.
You were part of a resupply team helping scientists working in the Alaskan field lab. Finding the site devoid of humanity, you stumble upon horrifying creatures and during the escape your group splits up. You barely made it out alive and managed to set up a provisional camp. It’s time to get to the bottom of what happened.
Demos & Freebies [7:11 pm ET] – Share – Post a Comment
- Animal Shelter 2: Prologue on Steam (Windows). "Welcome back to the heartwarming world of Animal Shelter 2: Prologue! Provide a loving home for every four-legged friend in need – play with them, pet them, even dress them up! Get to know them and find them a loving family. Play with your friends and manage your shelter together in co-op!"
- REYNATIS on Steam (Windows). "Fantasy meets reality in Shibuya, Tokyo, where magic is something to be feared. In this action RPG, a young wizard seeks freedom through strength, and an officer seeks to control magic and restore order. When their paths cross, a darkness that will transform the world descends."
On Sale [7:11 pm ET] – Share – 1 Comment
- Rhythm is Gonna Get You VR Bundle (pay what you want and help charity).*
- Blender Market- Best of 2024 (pay what you want and help charity).*
- Hot Lap Racing - Epic Games Store. Save 15%.
- Forza Franchise Sale on Steam.
- Worms Franchise Sale '24 🔫 on Steam.
- Save 35% on Gunfire Reborn on Steam.
- Save 50% on A Hat in Time on Steam.
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.
Business & Finance [7:11 pm ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Evening Patches [7:11 pm ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Official patches.
Evening Multiplex [7:11 pm ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Evening Op Ed [7:11 pm ET] – Share – 7 Comments
Evening Legal Briefs [7:11 pm ET] – Share – 2 Comments
- US locks in steep China tariff hikes, some industries warn of disruptions - Reuters.
- “Fascists”: Elon Musk responds to proposed fines for disinformation on X - Ars Technica.
- 23andMe agrees to pay $30 million to settle lawsuit over massive data breach - The Verge. Security isn't in its DNA.
- Biden moves to crack down on Shein and Temu, slow shipments into US - Ars Technica.
LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP Pops Out [10:38 am ET] – Share – 5 Comments
LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP is now available for Windows and consoles, and PC
gamers can pop over to
Steam and pick this fighting game remake with a 10% launch discount. The
Release Trailer (NSFW)
is here with a look at the remastered craziness this brings. Here's
word:
Lollipop Chainsaw, which sold 1.24 million copies worldwide, is back with the latest graphics!Continue here to read the full story.
The cheerleader Juliet, born into a family of zombie hunters, uses her trusty chainsaw to rip and tear through the undead! But now that RePOP adds speedier chainsaw action and auto-fire for her chainsaw blaster, the action never slows down till the very end! And it's not just the gameplay that's been improved, the visuals and soundtrack have been powered up too! Don't miss out on this unparalleled zombie hunting adventure!
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles DLC [10:38 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
The Fairy Queen's Labyrinth is now available for Windows
on Steam and for consoles, adding a second DLC pack to That Time I Got
Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles. So yeah, this carries the very
Bandai Namco title That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles -
The Fairy Queen's Labyrinth. The
Introduction Trailer
takes a look, and in case the paragraph-long title doesn't paint a complete
picture, here are more details:
In “The Fairy Queen’s Labyrinth” DLC, Veldora joins the battle as a playable character. The DLC also introduces a new mode where players can explore the original labyrinth built by Demon Lord Ramiris alongside the revived Veldora, pushing their limits as they take on a 100-level dungeon packed with formidable monsters. Additionally, the DLC includes five new sub-quests and seven new buildings for players to experience the base game’s “Tempest Story” on a deeper level.Continue here to read the full story.
In addition to the DLC, fans can also purchase the Season Pass and Digital Deluxe Edition which includes more bonus content.
Caravan SandWitch Released [10:38 am ET] – Share – 6 Comments
Dear Villagers and Studio Plane Toast have released Caravan SandWitch for
Windows, PlayStation 5, and Switch, and the PC edition of this narrative sci-fi
game is on the
Epic
Games Store and
Steam
with a 10% launch discount. The
Launch trailer shows
off space campers, ziplines, talking frogs, and more, set to a haunting French
theme song. Here's word:
The title sets the player in a Sci-Fi Provence-like world, driven by a mystery through your missing sister that unfolds with each step you take. Players will traverse a rich landscape in their evolving van, interacting with various inhabitants and uncovering the mysteries of Cigalo. With an emphasis on inclusivity and environmental themes, the life in Caravan Sandwitch is simple: no combat, no death, no timer, just you, your van, and the world.Continue here to read the full story.
Hollowbody Released [10:38 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
Hollowbody is now available for Windows with a 10% launch discount on
GOG.com* and
Steam,
kicking off a "tech-noir survival horror title" from solo developer Headware
Games. The game's creepy environments and third-person gameplay are shown off in
the PC Launch Trailer
(NSFW), which also features the soundtrack which is available separately. Here's
the pitch:
A dystopian love letter to survival horror, Hollowbody effortlessly evokes classic titles of yesteryear, while carving out its own distinct take on the genre. Grimy and abandoned urban locations sit toe-to-toe with an eye-catching futurist aesthetic, while a mysterious, tech-noir narrative will grip players as they explore a long abandoned British city.*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.
Set in the near-future, players take control of Mica, an unlicensed black market shipper who will stop at nothing to find her missing partner. After her hover crashes deep within the exclusion zone, she is left alone and stranded with limited resources at her disposal. She will have to push her way through the zone, solve environmental puzzles, manage resources and fight for her life as she tries to find a way to escape beyond the wall.
DUCKSIDE Beta [10:38 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
Developer/publisher tinyBuild announces September 25th is the Early Access
launch date for DUCKSIDE, the fowl variation on the DayZ/RUST
survival shooter formula. To make this has all its ducks in a row, one last beta
session is underway. You can request access
on Steam if
you want a quack. The latest look at gameplay is in the
Early Access Release Date
Trailer. Here's word:
Over 10 million ducks get killed per year by featherless hunters, a statistic that would be much lower if ducks were combat trained. Enter DUCKSIDE, a persistent world survi-fowl game like DayZ or Rust… but you’re a duck, and so is everybody else.Continue here to read the full story.
Wake up at the quack of dawn and put those webbed feet to use or take flight across an expansive island, where valuable resources and egg-citing treasures await any lucky duckys fortunate enough to discover them.
Morning Patches [10:37 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
- Deadlock - 09-12-2024 Update. Matchmaking is now open 24/7 for all regions. Thanks PC Gamer.
- World of Warcraft Hotfixes: September 12, 2024.
↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.
Morning Multiplex [10:37 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Morning Mobilization [10:37 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
- FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software - FDA. Thanks Neutronbeam.
- Calibre version 7.18. Thanks Console General.
- ‘Holy smokes, I just released a MiniGolf game for Palm OS in 2024’ – OSnews. Thanks Neutronbeam.
Morning Metaverse [10:37 am ET] – Share – 1 Comment
- AI Bots Have Taken Over Facebook - Ryan George (video). Thanks The Flying Penguin.
Morning Tech Bits [10:37 am ET] – Share – 5 Comments
Thanks Console General.
- Researchers build AI-powered security systems that predict criminal behavior, claims 82.8% accuracy in predicting felonies with CCTV monitoring. Rise of the precogs.
- Music industry’s 1990s hard drives, like all HDDs, are dying - Ars Technica. Thanks Max.
- Dumbphones and Fax Machines Are the New Boss Flex - MSN (WSJ). Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
- Plex Media Server version 1.41.0.8992.
- StreamFab version 6.1.9.8.
- Visual Studio Code version 1.93.1.
Morning Audio Files [10:37 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
- Apple iTunes version 12.13.3. Thanks Console General.
Hardware Reviews [10:37 am ET] – Share – Post a Comment
Thanks Neutronbeam.
- Keyboard: Epomaker P75 Review - APH Networks.
- Monitor/Projector: ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG Monitor Review - 27-inch 1440p 240Hz Sweet Spot Gaming - TweakTown.
- Monitor/Projector: Alienware 27-Inch 4K Dual-Resolution Gaming Monitor (AW2725QF) Review - PCMag.
- Monitor/Projector: Titan Army P32A2S2 Review - Large Panel, Manageable Resolution - TechPowerUp.
- Motherboard: ASRock B760I Lightning WiFi Motherboard - OCinside.
- RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal NEO 32GB DDR5 6000MHz CL28 Dual-Channel Kit - Nikk Tech.
- SSD: Silicon Motion SM2508 SSD review- Finally, a true PCIe 5.0 contender - Tom's Hardware.
- SSD: Team Group T-Force G50 2 TB Gen4 NVMe SSD Review - Cheapest & Fastest 2 TB Gen4 Drive on The Market - Wccftech.
Out of the Blue [10:37 am ET] – Share – 19 Comments
Happy Friday the 13th, I guess? Please observe all safety protocols regarding
navigating around ladders, proper handling of mirrors, and stepping on cracks.
On the other, hand, it seems like
another solar flare (thanks Ant) is once again increasing the chances of
seeing the Aurora Borealis much further south than usual, so skywatchers may be
in luck.
Obituary: Bob Weatherwax, Trainer of Lassie and Other Celebrity Dogs, Dies at 83 - The New York Times. Thanks Devicer.
Lucky Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.Breakfast Links
- Studies on pigeon-guided missiles, swimming abilities of dead fish among Ig Nobles winners - Phys.org.
- This life-size Lego McLaren P1 can hit almost 40mph - The Verge.
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