Undying Flower has sprouted for Windows on Steam, bringing us the debut release from Indonesian developer Calcatz. This takes on serious topics like grief and regret for a what's an admittedly "emotionally charged" journey. This is amply demonstrated in the Launch Trailer, which is exceedingly weepy. The clip is included in this post discussing the release that also outlines how fans can support this indie effort. Here's more on the game, which carries a 10% launch discount:

Would you forgive yourself if you killed someone you love? Enter the traumatic memories of The Flower, experience death as the killer and the killed, and submerge yourself in a dark, interactive adventure of emotions, suffering, and regret - looking for a way to forget.

• Disposable Corps Demo on Steam (Windows). "Disposable Corps is a tactical low-poly 5v5 FPS/TPS set in the WW1-era but with Steampunk Mechs! Build artillery, dig trenches and tunnels, and blow up the environment!" Here's a Reveal Trailer.

• Lost Rift on Steam. "Lost Rift is a First Person Survival Shooter Adventure that blends base-building PvE co-op with high-stakes PvPvE extraction gameplay set on a mysterious archipelago that can be explored solo or in teams of up to 5 players."

• Rainbow Six Siege X and Year 10 Roadmap - Live Reveal - YouTube. May 18th.

• Save 20% on Last Epoch on Steam.
• Save 25% on Legacy- Steel & Sorcery on Steam.
• Save 60% on The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante on Steam.
• Wales Interactive Publisher Sale on Steam.
• Xbox Games Studio Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*
• TID Breakthrough- Games with Links to the Diabetes Community (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.* The Ozempic Games.

*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.

• Converse Shared Naruto Shippuden Chuck Taylor All Star Line - Siliconera.

• Clanfolk - Update 17 - World Map and Expeditions.
• EVERSPACE 2 Patch 1.4.48035.
• V Rising 1.1 Hot Fix 8.

• Fortnite's AI Darth Vader Has Only Been Live For An Hour And Already Epic Has Patched Out Him Saying 'F**k' - IGN. May the f**k be with you.

• I Just Finished Playing Doom: The Dark Ages, and These Are My Top 5 Tips for Beating the Game - PCMag.

Official trailers.

• Clanfolk - Update 17 Gameplay Trailer - Colony Sim.
• It took 100+ cameras, a lot of patience, and one snack break.. but Seth Rogen is in Call of Duty.
• Rainbow Six Siege- Wamai Elite Trailer.

• Keita Takahashi created one of the most beloved cult video games ever - Bullseye with Jesse Thorn - NPR. Katamari Damacy.

• Killer Instinct Gold just got added to Switch Online - Polygon.
• Share of the Week- Days Gone Remastered – Landscapes – PlayStation.Blog.

• Spotify made podcast play counts public — creators didn’t like it - The Verge.

• FCC approves Verizon's $20 billion merger with Frontier - Engadget.
• GlobalWafers to invest $4 billion into U.S. chip manufacturing after opening Texas plant - Tom's Hardware.
• AMD's next-generation Zen 6 -Medusa Point- APUs could feature as many as 22 cores, claims leaker - Tom's Hardware.
• The Trump Memecoin Dinner Winners Are Getting Rid of Their Coins - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

• Deepfake voices of senior US officials used in scams- FBI • The Register.
• Microsoft Edge gets security patches for vulnerabilities exploited in the wild - Neowin.
• Facebook and Instagram overwhelmed by scam ads and listings - Boing Boing. Only since 2004.

• Meta argues enshittification isn’t real in bid to toss FTC monopoly case - Ars Technica. The gaslight defense.
• DEF CON defeats Chris Hadnagy's defamation lawsuit • The Register.

Last Link of the Day: Foo Fighters Fire Drummer Josh Freese: "I'm Not Angry, Just A Bit Shocked & Disappointed."

Fans of legal drama will be pleased to see this post on X from Epic Games saying that Apple is blocking its resubmission of Fortnite to the App Store, despite a recent legal decision in Epic's favor and a subsequent subsequent "peace proposal" (thanks GameRant). Word is this is preventing the release of the battle royale shooter on iOS globally:

Apple has blocked our Fortnite submission so we cannot release to the US App Store or to the Epic Games Store for iOS in the European Union. Now, sadly, Fortnite on iOS will be offline worldwide until Apple unblocks it.

A free weekend is underway on Steam for FOUNDRY, the Early Access robotic factory simulation from Channel 3 Entertainment and Paradox. This post has details on the festivities, saying this gives players the chance to sample all the game has to offer, including the recent Galactic Commerce update. For those who wish to continue to grow your manufacturing empire, the game is on sale for half-off, and your progress from the weekend will carry over. Here's word on the foundations of FOUNDRY:

FOUNDRY is a first-person (first-robot?) factory builder with complete creative freedom set in a procedurally generated and infinite voxel world.

Land on an unexplored planet and design a giant automated robot production facility under the watchful direction of your AI friend, Carl. Navigate the complexities of interstellar trade and sell your products through interplanetary trade networks to reach your

Steam is also hosting a free weekend for Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, an extraction action/RPG for Windows from Notorious Studios, a studio which boasts veterans of the World of Warcraft team. The news is celebrated in this post noting this will show off Season 1 and comes with the chance to pick up the game for 25% off and continue where you left off should you so desire. Here's a bit on the game:

Legacy: Steel & Sorcery is a third-person action PvPvE RPG featuring distinctive fantasy classes. Go on adventures solo or with friends to search for treasures, level up, and defeat any who stand in your way.

Combat has been designed from the ground up for PvP. Feel the impact of your attacks and use your abilities to carve out the flow of battle. Quick decisions and precision are necessary to win.

• MALL MANAGER SIMULATOR on Steam (Windows). "Are you ready to manage 5 stores simultaneously in a shopping mall? Can you keep the mall's quality index maximally positive for as long as possible? This isn't just a simple management simulator! Here, you'll need to tackle challenges and ensure that everything is running smoothly." Here's a trailer.
• Manifest Destiny on Steam (Windows). "When a frustrated game developer escapes into his remaining Utopia—the game world, how can he discover the meaning of the existence of virtual characters with the abilities he learned, and the truth behind the fate?" No explanation on the choice of such a fraught title.

• Disposable Corps Demo on Steam (Windows). "Disposable Corps is a tactical low-poly 5v5 FPS/TPS set in the WW1-era but with Steampunk Mechs! Build artillery, dig trenches and tunnels, and blow up the environment!"
• The Necromancer's Tale on Steam (Windows, macOS). "A story-rich gothic RPG. Master the rituals of an ancient spellbook. Raise an undead army to march against your enemies. Commune with the realm of the dead & struggle with your descent into madness. Progress through secrecy, diplomacy, blackmail, coercion & seduction until ready to reveal yourself."
• XWheels Grandslam (Prototype) by -Corso-> on itch.io (Windows). "This game is a reflection of the 1990's era super cars and the arcade video games about them. It has meticulously hand drawn tracks with pixel art vehicles to give an overall sense of vitality and beauty. Despite the objective to smash as much as you possibly can while you race overpowered sports machines." Thanks Indie Retro News.

• Beff Jezos Simulator - Closed Beta Opportunity is Coming.
• Planet Party Time on Steam. "'Planet Party Time' combines social sim & party games. As an alien, team with robot PADI to restore a planet via unique recruits. Become a Cube Galaxy Hero Candidate: explore space, play minigames for rewards. Build custom minigames via intuitive editor & host parties!"

• Galactic Glitch - Official 1.0 Release Date Announcement Trailer. June 3rd.
• Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks - Speed Freeks 1.0 Launches on May 22nd.
• Zombie Cure Lab - Release Date Announcement Trailer. May 27th.

• Bungie Responds to Marathon Art Theft Accusation - Game Rant. Blames "former Bungie artist." In case you thought it was a writer.
• Stellar Blade On PC Has Been Blocked In Over 130 Countries, Catching Its Developer By Surprise - GameSpot.

• Blades of Fire on X: 🔥 Would you enjoy a bottle of Blades of Fire hot sauce? Let us know.

Official patches.

• Commander Quest - 05/16 (Fri) Update Notice.

• Seeing Beyond: Diablo IV's Screen Reader & Navigation Innovation - Diablo (video). Thanks Ant.

Official trailer.

• General Grievous Arrives in Fortnite - Fortnite Galactic Battle.

• Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick on game prices, Civilization 7's launch and Switch 2 - GamesIndustry.biz.
• Kepler Creator Series- René Habermann [PVKK] - Kepler Interactive (video).

• Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO Opens Its Doors to Bring Smiles to Guests of All Ages, Near and Far.

• Game Developer - The 'deprofessionalization of video games' was on full display at PAX East. "Speaking with Rigney and other developers, I sensed that 'deprofessionalization' isn't just a catchy phrase to describe demand-side economics in game industry hiring. It's a frustrating reality that may undervalue games from big and small teams alike."

• Red Dead Redemption 2 is reportedly coming to Switch 2, as Take-Two commits to Nintendo - VGC.
• City Bus Manager - Console Edition - Release Trailer - OUT NOW.
• Copycat - Official Console Release Date Trailer. May 29th.

• CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out today - Apple. For James Bond and the other Aston Martin driver.

• US cable giants Charter and Cox, under assault by streaming services, pursue $34.5 billion merger - AP News.
• Teens exposed to weapons, violence & suicide content on social media - BBC.
• Grok’s white genocide fixation caused by ‘unauthorized modification’ - The Verge. So everyone there has root access?

Thanks Console General.

• MSl's new PortalX website 'eliminates the need for software' to control your gear's RGB lighting and I'm happy to ditch the PC apps - PC Gamer.
• US Tech Visa Applications Are Being Put Through the Wringer - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.5912 to the Release Preview Channel - Windows Insider Blog.
• Releasing Windows 11 Build 22631.5409 to the Release Preview Channel - Windows Insider Blog.
• StreamFab version 6.2.3.6.

• AI resurrects James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader in Fortnite - Polygon. They win by including the quote: "He’s more machine now than man."

• In Doom: The Dark Ages, a Frenzied Franchise Takes the Fight Up Close - The New York Times (free account required). Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Case: Fractal Meshify 3 XL Case Review - Hardware Asylum.
• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: be quiet! Silent Loop 3 420mm Review - APH Networks.
• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: Valkyrie V240 LITE Review - TechPowerUp.
• Graphics Card: INNO3D GeForce RTX 5060 Ti TWIN X2 16GB Review - Compact, Quiet, Powerful - TweakTown.
• Headset/Earbuds: Sony WH-1000XM6 review- The best headphones just keep on getting better - Engadget.
• Laptop: Razer Blade 16 (2025) Review - MMORPG.com. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Mouse: Orbitalworks Pathfinder Review- Make your own mouse - Tom's Hardware.
• Mouse: Zaopin ZPW Max Review - TechPowerUp.
• PC: $8000: Disaster Prebuilt PC - Corsair & Origin Fail Again - Gamers Nexus (NSFW video). Thanks The Flying Penguin.
• SSD: Crucial BX500 4TB 2.5 inch SSD Review - MADSHRIMPS.

Here's a heads-up that I will head out early today, to expect the later update to be earlier than usual. Based on what I thought my plans were, this should have been because of plans to watch the NBA playoffs and also dig into DOOM The Dark Ages. But in reality I simply forgot we have plans this evening to celebrate a family birthday. So I'll get to be that guy at the party continuously glancing at the game on my phone. It could be worse, it's not like I'm  bringing my laptop to play DOOM, right?

DOOMed Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Story

• Cheap Chinese faucets sold on Amazon may be dangerous, CPSC says - NBC News. Now with less lead!

Science

• Century-Old Mystery May Hold the Key to Diabetic Nerve Pain - Neuroscience News.
• Excessive Sleep May Hurt Cognitive Function - Neuroscience News.

Media

• "BEDTIME THOUGHTS" — A Bad Lip Reading of Return of the Jedi. Lip reading a puppet seems like cheating.
• Hitting molten metal into a crowd of people - r/AbruptChaos. Is it time to just redub this era the Age of Stupidity? Thanks The Flying Penguin.

Auction

• No Reserve: 2,500-Mile 2017 Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition for Charity for sale on BaT Auctions. Former mascot of Forza developer Turn 10.

Follow-up

• A Baby Received a Custom Crispr Treatment in Record Time - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025, serving up the usual set of astronomical numbers to boggle our minds. These include $1.58 billion in Q4 Net Bookings, $5.65 billion fiscal year 2025 Net Bookings, and initial projections for fiscal 2026 of Net Bookings between $5.9 and $6.0 billion. There's a mention of the recently announced delay of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26, 2026, and the results mention Grand Theft Auto V no fewer than four times as one of the largest contributors to its bottom line. But an interview on VentureBeat with Strauss Zelnick explains the GTA6 delay is not because GTA5 continues to rake in the bucks after almost 12 years. Instead Zelnick explains that "Rockstar Games sometimes requires more time" before saying Take-Two historically hits promised release dates. And worthy of a Jedi master, he adds that this is not the "long delay" we're looking for:

I asked why it was such a precise date, in terms of the new date for launching the game on May 26, 2026. Zelnick said that, generally speaking, when Take-Two announces a specific date, they stick to those dates, historically speaking.

While to me it looked like a long delay, Zelnick said that he would quibble that it was a long delay, as it was less than six months later. Since we didn’t know the original date Rockstar had in mind, we didn’t know it was a short delay. I asked if Zelnick felt like the industry was stabilizing, but he said Take-Two wasn’t reporting on how the industry was doing, only the company itself, and that it was a great fiscal year.

The Epic Games MEGA Sale is underway, offering discounts on tons of games between now and June 12th. There do not seem to be any perpetual coupons in this one, but word is the Epic cash-back reward is boosted to as much as 20% for the duration. Here's more:

Your one stop shop for MEGA deals, free games and featured giveaways is back! MEGA Sale runs from May 15 to June 12. Check out our buyer's guide to find your next favorite game.

Brushes with Death is now available, adding the first of three planned narrative add-ons for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, the action/RPG sequel from Warhorse Studios and Deep Silver. The DLC is available on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam, and it is already yours if you own the Gold Edition or the Expansion Pass. It comes with a patch updating the base game to version 1.3, adding quality of life improvements, bug fixes, and a free horse racing feature. The Brushes with Death DLC Trailer paints a picture of what to expect, and the description has more:

Delve into a new storyline in Brushes with Death, where Henry must help a mysterious artist uncover his enigmatic past. In a series of quests spanning both maps of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance II world, Henry must find, persuade, and sometimes eliminate a host of familiar and unfamiliar characters to help his new friend complete the most important painting of his life. Discover the answers to the many questions that surround this eclectic character. Who and what is he? How does he know so much? And why does he carry around a painted human skull?

Marvel Contest of Champions is now free-to-play for Windows, allowing PC gamers to join the battle that's raged on mobiles for over a decade now. This is announced on the official website for the super-powered fighting game, where the client can be downloaded. The game also has a Steam Listing which says it's "coming soon," but there's no outlook on how soon. A new trailer declares The Contest is LIVE on PC and this clip discusses PC features in detail. Here's the big picture:

Marvel Contest of Champions brings a classic arcade experience filled with modern, action-packed battles and over 300+ Champions including popular Marvel heroes, villains, and Kabam original characters. The PC launch features cross-play functionality with the mobile version, stunning graphics in full HD & 60FPS, and overhauled UI optimized for the PC platform. And just like the mobile version of MCoC, PC players can expect new monthly events, stories, and playable character releases as the game continues to grow its expansive roster of Champions to collect and rank up.

Rajas and Tribes is now available on Steam, adding new DLC to Field of Glory: Kingdoms, the medieval grand strategy game from AGEOD and Slitherine. This post has the announcement and a Gameplay Trailer featuring the most over-compressed voiceover in recording history. There's also another post outlining the content of a companion patch with a load of changes and fixes for the base game. Here's the pitch:

This new DLC introduces an array of captivating new nations, including the Rajput states of India and powerful realms such as Christian Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Ghana. It is an epic journey across expanded frontiers, from the bustling cities of the Indian subcontinent to the legendary kingdoms of Africa.

The enlarged map now stretches several thousand kilometers east and south, reaching as far as Delhi and following historical trade routes like the Silk Road. With the extended campaign, the player can experience the full Kingdoms’ timeline (1054-1270) and command powerful new nations, each uniquely adapted for trade, conflict, or legacy building.

Tennis anyone? Because Tennis Manager 25 is out for Windows and macOS, serving the chance to get in touch with your inner King Richard Williams. Word is: "Inspired and co-developed with world-renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Tennis Manager 25 sets a new benchmark for the genre." It's available on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam with a 10% launch discount. An Official Trailer shows off gameplay, which includes both pointing and clicking. Here's more:

Tennis Manager 25 is a landmark release, packed with innovations for every type of player. The new Youth Center lets you scout, train, and shape future champions, using a system inspired by Football Manager. You can now create custom tournaments, relive iconic draws, or write your own tennis stories with the integrated editor.

Gameplay strategy has been upgraded with a more intuitive, yet deeper, interface for game plans and in-match tactical adjustments. Visually, the revamped 3D engine sets a new standard, with two fresh camera angles: MatchBeats for key moments and Eagle View for line calls, just like on TV.

Backed by the most exhaustive tennis database ever - over 5,000 players and nearly 3,000 tournaments from ATP, WTA, and ITF - Tennis Manager 25 offers unrivaled realism. This year, the spotlight is on French prospect Moïse Kouame, following in the footsteps of Musetti and Mensik as Rebound’s next breakout star.

A post on Steam from Stardock announces plans for a major patch for Galactic Civilizations IV to update the 4X space strategy game to version 3.0. This "Hyperlane" update will arrive on June 12th adding its namesake hyperlanes to the map, which can speed up interstellar travel between specific star systems while maintaining the game's overall free-form space navigation. This will also add a Fleet Supply feature to reduce micromanagement along with a revamped user experience. Here's the intro from an overview on Steam:

Galactic Civilizations IV is closing in on a large and important milestone in its development history with the imminent release of version 3.0, the Hyperlane Update, with a lot of work done in previous versions to prepare the way for the incoming additions and changes to the game too. Now it’s time to take you through some of the main features of v3.0. This is an overview rather than a deep-dive, and we’ll be releasing more developer journals on these features soon.

• Blades of Fire Demo on the Epic Games Store (Windows). "The Blades of Fire demo features the beginning of the game allowing you to forge your first weapons, experience the unique combat system, fight a big troll and learn more about Aran's journey."

• Train Valley. Release Date Reveal Trailer. June 12th.

• Hideo Kojima says he’s left staff a ‘USB stick of game ideas’ for after he dies - VGC.
• Test Death Stranding 2 reviews are scoring far higher than the original, claims Kojima - VGC.

• Galactic Civilizations Franchise Sale on Steam. Save up to 90%.
• Kepler Publisher Sale on Steam.
• Save 60% on Shotgun Farmers on Steam.
• Save 30% on Manor Lords on Steam.
• Save 70% on Martha Is Dead on Steam.
• Humble Software Bundle: Level Up: 5K World Building Assets (pay what you want and help charity).*
• Learn To Make Games in Godot 4 by GameDev.tv 2025 (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*

*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.

• Haven Interactive Studios founder Jade Raymond departs - Gematsu.

• Dune: Awakening beta players extracted nearly 9 million liters of blood last weekend, enough to fill 3 Olympic-size, extremely gross swimming pools - PC Gamer.

• Artist accuses Bungie of stealing her designs for Marathon's art- 'I am tired of designers from huge companies moodboarding and parasitising my designs while I struggle to make a living' - PC Gamer.

• 'Gears of War' Movie Landing David Leitch as Director - The Hollywood Reporter.

Official patches.

• Obsidian - Avowed 1.4 Update is Here — And So Is Our Roadmap.
• Deadzone: Rogue - Balance Updates, Bug Fixes, and a Tougher Nightmare.
• Dustwind Two Friends - Update and FREE DLC.
• The First Berserker- Khazan - [PC/PS/XBOX] Patch Notes – May 15.
• Heroes of the Storm Live Patch Notes - May 15, 2025.
• KAISERPUNK - Patch 1.01.001 - Major Performance & World Map Visuals Update.
• Unrailed 2: Back on Track - Update 4- New Biome, New Wagon and a New Crewmate.

• Pirates VR- Jolly Roger – Official PS VR2 Launch Trailer.

• Xbox Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day - Xbox Wire.

• Dog Witch - Reveal Trailer.
• For Honor- Content Of The Week - 15 May.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• Skipping an NPC's final words - Viva La Dirt League (NSFW). Thanks Ant.

• Support Veterans with the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) United Force: Tracer Pack and C.O.D.E. Got Your Six Event.

• The Need For GTA 6's Success Is A Symptom Of A Broken Industry - Aftermath. "This is not about rooting for the game to fail, or hating on a game that no one has played yet. Rather, this is about perspective, and a sober assessment of an industry entirely in the thrall of a single release."

Thanks Console General.

• Gore Doctor - Xbox Launch Trailer.
• Xbox Alpha Ring (2506.250512-1120) Update Preview Release Notes - Xbox Support.
• Xbox Alpha Skip-Ahead Ring (2506.250512-1120) Update Preview Release Notes - Xbox Support.

• A Fond Farewell To Polygon, From The People Who Worked There - Aftermath.
• X is once again selling checkmarks to US sanctioned groups, report says - Engadget.
• YouTube now has a podcast chart, and Joe Rogan is on top - The Verge.

• Microsoft PowerToys version 0.91 on GitHub. Thanks Console General.

• AlphaEvolve: A Gemini-powered coding agent for designing advanced algorithms - Google DeepMind. Thanks Max.
• YouTube Gemini AI feature will target ads when viewers most engaged - CNBC.
• The Middle East Has Entered the AI Group Chat - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Exploring the Revenue-Generating Potential of AI Factories - NVIDIA Blog.

• Rogue communication devices found in Chinese solar power inverters - Reuters. Thanks Max.
• Cybercrims attacking UK retailers turn to US stores • The Register.

• Breachforums Boss to Pay $700k in Healthcare Breach – Krebs on Security.

Obituary: Charles Strouse Dead- Musical Composer Of 'Bye Bye Birdie' And 'All In The Family' Was 96 - Deadline. Those were the days.

The Epic Games Store is now handing out free copies of Dead Island 2 and Happy Game as its latest round of weekly giveaways. As usual, these are for keeps if you snag them over the next seven days. After that we'll get new gifts, which are only being revealed as three mystery games for now. Here are the extremely brief summaries of each of today's freebies:

A deadly virus is spreading across Los Angeles, turning inhabitants into zombies. Bitten, infected, but more than just immune, uncover the truth behind the outbreak and discover who -or what- you are.

A little boy falls asleep to a horrible nightmare. Can you make him happy again?

Ubisoft announces the A Pirates Fortune story pack is now available for Star Wars Outlaws, the Force-powered action/adventure. This comes alongside a new patch updating the base game to version 1.6 on all platforms. This post has all the details on the patch, while this post reveals a free cosmetic pack for all players is also now available. The previously released Reveal Trailer illustrates the news, and the Windows edition of the pack is available from the Epic Games Store, Steam, and the Ubisoft Store. Here's word:

In Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate's Fortune, keep exploring the world of Star Wars Outlaws with an all-new story, quests, and areas to discover.

The Trailblazer’s reputation precedes Kay as she runs into veteran pirate Hondo Ohnaka, who is looking to settle old scores with a ruthless gang of pirates.

Following a couple of days of advance access for premium preorders, DOOM: The Dark Ages is now officially available for Windows, Game Pass, GeForce NOW, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This single-player first-person shooter introduces new weapons, a shield, and other innovations in this medieval battle against the forces of Hell. Since it is a prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, presumably you end up losing all the new stuff in a move or something. You can pick up the PC edition on Battle.net, the Humble Store,* Steam, and Xbox.com. The previously released Official Launch Trailer shows off gameplay, and wasting no time, an Official Accolade Trailer is here to immortalize nice things people are saying about the game. Read on for more:

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells an epic cinematic story worthy of the DOOM Slayer’s legend. In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine.

Nubs! Arena is now available for Windows on Steam, opening up this multiplayer arena brawler from Rangatang and Glowfish Interactive. In an unusual move, this is free to keep for the first day, so everyone can snag a copy if they act by 9:00 am EDT tomorrow. Here's the Launch Trailer with a look and you can read on for more:

Nubs are tiny, unpredictable warriors locked in a relentless arena battle striving to be the last one standing. Online or in local couch co-op, 4 to 20 players can engage in fast-paced top-down PvP combat where quick reflexes and roguelite buffs determine the victor.

Stand out in the mayhem with a vast selection of outlandish outfits and eye-searing colors. With so many combinations, you’ll either look fearsome, funny, on-trend or completely ridiculous.

Preserve has officially launched following a run in Early Access, and this cozy strategy game from Bitmap Galaxy and Grindstone is officially available for PC and consoles. The version on Steam supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it comes with a carefully calculated 22% launch discount. The Official Release Trailer shows the gameplay centered on transforming peaceful landscapes to solve its puzzles while exercising your creativity. Here's more on why this is a natural:

Preserve is a puzzle nature-building game that takes players on a journey into a harmonious ecosystem. The objective is to foster and sustain a thriving and diverse biomes, where each component coexists in a symbiotic harmony. By utilizing strategic thinking and a keen eye for balance, players are granted the power to position a wide array of plants and animals, curating an environment that caters to their preferences and aspirations.

In Preserve, you can expand the map not only horizontally, but you also posses an ability to stack layers of nature, forming a vertical network of interconnected habitats.

Early Access to Blacksmith Master is now available for Windows, macOS, and Linux via the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam, allowing players to wrap their (presumably brawny) arms around a simulation of this old-world profession. Developer Untitled Studio and publisher Hooded Horse offer this Launch Trailer with a look, and a 25% launch discount that's good for the next two weeks. Here's more on this chance to forge your unique identity by adopting the most common surname in the English-speaking world:

Blacksmith Master puts you in charge of your own medieval forge and has you manage resource acquisition and refinement alongside the production and sale of finished goods. Find and hire the best staff for each respective step of the process and equip them with the right tools to optimize your business and train their skills over time. Design your shop for the best throughput, fulfill orders from across the kingdom to unlock new capabilities, and seek out new opportunities in the market as customers come in looking for a variety of historically inspired items – from weapons and armor to tools and cooking utensils, you’ll perfect your craft to become the Blacksmith Master.

Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is now available for PC, PlayStation, and Switch, kicking off a "Japanese-style" action/RPG from 7QUARK and Game Source Entertainment. The Windows edition is on Steam with a 10% launch discount. A recent Gameplay Trailer (complete with post-credits Easter egg) features gameplay and cinematics, showing a distinctive art style and some skilled dodging. There's a playable demo if you want to try before you buy. Here's more:

Taking place during the Edo period, Yasha: Legends of the Demon Blade is an action RPG infused with fantasy elements and roguelite mechanics. Immerse yourself in a realm brimming with authentic Japanese ambiance as you engage in seamless combo attacks against relentless demon adversaries.

Once upon a time, a delicate equilibrium existed between humans and demons. Despite occasional discord, both factions labored to uphold their dearly attained peace. This equilibrium shattered when the sovereign of all demons, the "Nine-tailed Fox" arose, rallying demonkind to sow chaos across the mortal realm.

Into the Restless Ruins is out for PC and consoles, offering a roguelike deckbuilder where the players create the dungeons in which they do battle. The Official Launch Trailer shows off gameplay, and there's a playable demo on Steam to sample. As a wise man once said, "if it's not Scottish, it's crap," which can serve as an endorsement for this game. Here's the deal:

Into the Restless Ruins blends strategic deckbuilding with dungeon crawling, offering players the ability to create their own dungeon using a deck of cards, then auto-battling through the challenges they’ve constructed. Every card played shapes the dungeon’s layout, adds buffs or curses, and affects the outcome of each run.

Players begin their descent into the ruins in Eorisdale, the game’s introductory level. Here, players construct their first dungeon, encounter a curated selection of cards, enemies, and upgrades, and meet unforgettable NPCs like the Hen Wife and the Wulver, who offer critical boosts and card enhancements. At the end of the level, you’ll face The Grey Man (Am Fear Liath Mòr), a powerful boss drawn from Scottish folklore.

The PlayStation.Blog has more details on the PC edition of Stellar Blade following the reveal that it will launch next month. On a related note, the game is now available for pre-purchase on Steam. The blog post has system specifications for the Windows version, along with more details on PC-specific support. Here's word on that:

The PC version of Stellar Blade supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 resolution scaling and frame generation, NVIDIA DLAA image enhancement, and NVIDIA Reflex latency reduction features. AMD FSR 3 is also supported.* Additionally, it supports unlocking the frame rate, allowing you to maximize your PC’s potential.

The PC version of Stellar Blade supports ultrawide 21:9 and super ultrawide 32:9 resolutions, allowing you to use a wide range of aspect ratios from 5:4 to 32:9.** High-resolution background textures are also supported. The beauty of the artwork will become even broader and more detailed on Eve’s journey toward her mission. (Please check the 4K texture option in the settings)

• Dicealot on Steam (Windows) "Dicealot is a Arthurian-inspired roguelike diebuilder. Play fantastical Farkle hands to earn magical Quest-Dice and complete your quest." Here's an Official Demo Trailer.

• 'Next Game is 100% Funded by Ourselves' Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Teases Next Game - Game Rant.

• Baldur's Gate 3 - The Final Patch- New Subclasses, Photo Mode, and Cross-Play.
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl - Patch 1.4 is Live — Check Out What’s New.
• Star Wars Outlaws - Title Update 1.6.

↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• GTA 5 Enhanced Edition - NaturalVision Enhanced Mod Released - DSOGaming.

• GeForce NOW Thursday: ‘DOOM- The Dark Ages’ - NVIDIA Blog.

• Pinball FX VR - Get ready for 9 more beloved Williams tables (video).

• MapleStory Universe is launching its MapleStory N blockchain-powered online game - VentureBeat.

• A Slayer’s Guide to DOOM- The Dark Ages’ Shield Saw - Xbox Wire.

Official trailers.

• ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN - GUARDIAN Character Trailer.
• Fortnite Ballistic Test Grounds Update #2.

• Future Games Show- Summer Showcase 2025 set for June 7 - Gematsu.

• Free Play Days – Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, Train Sim World 5- Thomas & Friends and House Flipper 2 - Xbox Wire.
• City Bus Manager - Console Edition - Release Trailer - OUT NOW.
• Death Kid - PlayStation 5 OUT NOW trailer.
• Nintendo Download- Delivering the Knockout.

• Apple is placing warnings on EU apps that don’t use App Store payments - The Verge. Even Apple not immune to the post-honesty era.
• Trump has “a little problem” with Apple’s plan to ship iPhones from India - Ars Technica.
• Warner Bros. Games Announces DC Worlds Collide.

• Microsoft Cuts Off Access to Bing Search Data as It Shifts Focus to Chatbots - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Proton Drive's newest features have Google Photos squarely in their sights - Android Police. Thanks Reddit.
• Threads is finally embracing links - Engadget. Like magic from the future.

• Nvidia might launch a GeForce RTX 5080 Super-Ti with 24 GB of VRAM sooner than we thought - PC Gamer.
• Nvidia postpones disruptive new SOCAMM memory tech — originally planned for Blackwell Ultra GB300, now scheduled for Rubin/Rubin Ultra - Tom's Hardware.
• This bonkers Antec Vortex View AIO Cooler has a 360-degree rotatable 5-inch display - Tom's Hardware.

• World's first CPU-level ransomware can "bypass every freaking traditional technology we have out there" — new firmware-based attacks could usher in new era of unavoidable ransomware - Tom's Hardware.
• Crypto exchange Coinbase faces up to $400m hit from cyber attack.

• The Internet’s Biggest-Ever Black Market Just Shut Down Amid a Telegram Purge - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

• Baroque breakout hit Clair Obscur- Expedition 33 is unlike any game you’ve played before - Games - The Guardian.

• Case: Fractal Design Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB Review - TechPowerUp.
• PC: Corsair Vengeance a7500 review- High performance blended with high style - Tom's Hardware.
• PSU: Corsair RM1000e ATX 3.1 power supply review - Tom's Hardware.
• SSD: Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB Gen5 NVMe SSD - Nikk Tech.

So DOOM: The Dark Ages is how officially available, and as I previously mentioned I'm pretty pumped. I liked DOOM Eternal fine, but loved its predecessor DOOM (2016) far more, and this sounds like this prequel circles back a bit to that earlier circle of Hell. When I recently mentioned buying a copy some of you urged me to pitch for a freebie. But I don't request review copies of games, since I'm not a reviewer, and no one needs to read uncritical praise from someone who just likes most games.

Obituary: Joe Don Baker Dead: 'Walking Tall' Star Was 89 - The Hollywood Reporter. Like Charles Gray, played both a good guy and a bad guy in separate James Bond films.

Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Breakfast Link

• 2025 NFL schedule release- Top 10 prime-time games - NFL.

Stories

• The EPA Is Giving Some Forever Chemicals a Pass - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Scarlett Johansson Calls Out Oscars for 'Avengers: Endgame' Snub - Variety.

Science

• For the first time in the US, a rotating detonation rocket engine takes flight - Ars Technica. Thanks Matthew.
• You think you know the moon? NASA scientists say think again - Independent.

Media

• NOBODY 2 Trailer (2025).
• How One Company Secretly Poisoned The Planet - Veritasium.