A post on X announces that Mafia: The Old Country is gold, meaning development is complete on this organized crime prequel. Word is this puts Hangar 13's open-world action/adventure on track for its planned August 8th launch:

Mafia: The Old Country has gone gold.

We can't wait to welcome you into our Family on August 8, 2025!

3dSen PC is now officially available on Steam, launching version 1.0 of the NES Emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux that entered Early Access five years ago (thanks Reddit). This is 40% thanks to a launch discount for the next week. This adds a new dimension by creating new 3D versions of these games using voxels, as seen in the Early Access Exit Trailer. The project's 10 year journey to this point. is discussed in this post. Here's word:

3dSen PC is a passion project that reimagines classic NES games by turning them into fully playable 3D voxel dioramas. It’s not just about nostalgia—it's about seeing these beloved games in a whole new light. Whether you're jumping back into old favorites or discovering hidden gems for the first time, 3dSen offers a fresh way to experience retro magic across every genre: platformers, RPGs, shooters, beat ’em ups, puzzlers, and more.

A video from Jay Tholen announces the cancelation of Dreamsettler, a spiritual successor to Hypnospace Outlaw announced in 2022 as an addition to the "Hypnospace universe." In the video Jay seems to be overwrought over what he describes as a "mutual decision" arrived at with publisher No More Robots. "I didn't want to make a video like this, but I'll cut to the chase - Dreamsettler has been cancelled," he explains (thanks Eurogamer.net for the transcription). "It means it's not coming out, it won't be finished. This was a mutual decision between the publisher and I. They didn't pull support or anything, and they tried what they could to keep it going, but it's just time to stop it." He thanks supporters, and says the most recent pledges on Patreon are being refunded. He takes full blame for the situation, suggesting he may be suffering a case of burn out:

"Maybe I've been burnt out this whole time. I don't know. I was able to do Slayer X, though I would like to do kids' stuff. Stuff for children. I don't know if it would be a video series, or an app for kids, or something. And it's not because I think this is a great market to get into, but it's because there are things I've searched for and they don't exist, and I want to make them, just for my own kids.

"I'm sorry, everyone. This just stinks. Again, I want to emphasise the publisher did a great job, Mike and Mark did an excellent job. I think I'm a hard person to work with. On a normal team, where there wasn't some guy who needed to work a weird way, they would have finished this game, and it would have been great, but I just couldn't get it going, you know? And it's too late. Hopefully you all stick around, and don't hate my guts, and hopefully we'll talk soon."

• 100 in 1 Game Collection on Steam (Windows). "100 in 1 Game Collection is a gigantic compilation of 100 arcade games that blend classic arcade games with fresh concepts. Unlock new minigames, improve scores, and challenge yourself solo or in multiplayer." Here's a trailer and there's a playable demo.
• Jewel Match Solitaire Fantasy - Collector's Edition on Steam (Windows). "Experience a fresh take on solitaire — in an epic adventure, where magic and strategy intertwine. Complete fantasy village quests by solving creative puzzles with super-polished card play. Restore castles and meet a cast of charming characters across 1,000+ levels of beautifully crafted adventure."

• First look at Battlefield 6 campaign leaks from latest test - VGC.

• 1047 Games, developers of Splitgate 2, layoff 'a small group of valued staff' - XboxEra.

• SEGA mistakenly reveals sales numbers for Like a Dragon- Infinite Wealth, Persona 3 Reload, Shin Megami Tensei V, and more - Gematsu.

Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• An unofficial PC port of Mario Kart 64 is now available for download - DSOGaming.

Official trailer.

• DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse- Ready to Party - Announce Trailer.

• The Blood of Dawnwalker gameplay reveal livestream on Twitch. Today at 3:00 pm EDT.

• The Computer-Science Bubble Is Bursting - The Atlantic (may require registration or subscription).
• Windows updates might finally be getting better — Microsoft to remove legacy drivers from Windows Update to boost security - Tom's Hardware.
• HYTE- Special Survey for X50 Modern Performance Case.
• Visual Studio Code version 1.101.1. Thanks Console General.

• Applebee’s and IHOP Plan to Introduce AI in Restaurants - WSJ. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• Nvidia reportedly books entire server plant capacity through 2026 to build Blackwell and Rubin AI servers, pushing out other potential customers - Tom's Hardware.
• Apple is reportedly considering the acquisition of Perplexity AI - Engadget.

• Massive DDoS attack delivered 37.4TB in 45 seconds, equivalent to 10,000 HD movies, to one victim IP address — Tom's Hardware.

• Playdead Has Filed a Lawsuit Against its Co-Founder - LV80.

• The Alters Review - Seeing Double - GameSpot.
• Galactic Glitch - Christ Centered Gamer.

• Case: be quiet! Pure Base 501 DX Mid-Tower Chassis - TweakTown.
• Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 9060 XT Pulse OC 16 GB Review - Samsung Memory Tested - TechPowerUp.
• Laptop: Framework Laptop 12 Review- The Most Repairable Laptop Ever - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• SSD: Acer Predator GM9000 2TB SSD Review- The Bargain High-End PCIe 5.0 SSD - Tom's Hardware.

In the end our adventure yesterday turned out far simpler and less disruptive than I imagined. The drive was about 2½ hours and our initial plan was to stay over. In the end our start time got pushed back and we were able head home after, and we're back in the Blue Tower safe and sound. So what seemed like a big messy operation was clean and easy. The get-together was fun, and we had a fine lunch, despite there being only one eatery open in the entire town. This did upend out plans to visit Cooperstown, but that's not going anywhere, so that will happen some day.

Following up on the passing of Console General's dad, here's a video of John Douglas Tilbrook's Funeral, which was yesterday. I mentioned that John's impressive military résumé was difficult to reproduce. The service covers this, and the description of the video lays it all out nicely. Sadly, there's still no update on his missing uncle, so we're still hoping for good news there.

Obituary: Jack Betts Dead- ‘Spider-Man’ Actor, Spaghetti Westerns Star Was 96 - The Hollywood Reporter.

Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Story

• At least eight dead in hot air balloon accident in Brazil - BBC.

Science

• Eli Lilly’s Obesity Pill Appears to Work as Well as Injected GLP-1s - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Most People Overestimate Their Moral Courage Under Pressure - Neuroscience News.
• Volcanic gold in Hawaii may have come directly from Earth's core - Earth.com.

Media

• What Exactly Happened to SpaceX's Starship. Thanks The Flying Penguin.

A post on the X celebrates the success of Rematch, saying more than one million unique players have tried the futbol/soccer/association football game since it kicked off for PC and consoles yesterday. It's on Game Pass, so these are not all sales. Here's word:

One million unique players in 24 hours. Seeing so many of you jump into Rematch on day one is incredible.

The whole team is super grateful! And already hard at work on fixing and improving the game.

We are just getting started.

Shoreline Games and Lightbulb Crew have launched Nova Hearts for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, taking the battle of the sexes to a new level with a turn-based strategy game that combines fighting and dating. The Windows edition is 15% off on Steam for the next two weeks. The Launch Trailer shows off how this works. Here's word on the game and how all that combat can make you thirsty:

Our heroine, Luce, has returned to her hometown from the big city for the summer to escape her past, but the town of Vermillion is even more than meets the eye. No worries! Nothing like a fantastic summer vacation and some wild parties to forget all your woes right?

…That is, until a mysterious cosmic force suddenly grants Luce magical powers and a sick transformation sequence to boot! With her new powers, Luce and her friends, Will and CJ, are off to fight a strange threat as the ultimate magical girl crew and uncover the mystery of their hometown! (And maybe find love along the way!)

New Casino DLC is now available for Windows on Steam for Drug Dealer Simulator 2, adding a new way to enjoy your ill-gotten gains in the crime sim sequel. There's no launch discount because True Games Syndicate and Movie Games don't want to spoil the lucky $7.77 USD price point they rolled up. A new HIGH Stakes Trailer shows this off. Here's the buzz:

What turns a person into a drug dealer? And a drug dealer into a casino top dog? Take a crack at the high-stakes world with the Drug Dealer Simulator 2: Casino DLC!

If the drug-dealing underworld is not enough to satisfy your craving for money and power, now you have a chance to reach beyond! Are you ready to take your chances in a casino? And later, to take over its operation?

Prime Time Studios and GrabTheGames want to let bygones be bygones, while dreaming you will buy Bygone Dreams, a new fantasy action/adventure for Windows that's on Steam with a 10% launch discount. The Steam Release Trailer is here with a look at gameplay, which you can sample firsthand in the playable demo. This promises RPG elements and a surreal dream world setting. Here's more:

The dream land of Lume, under the protection of its matron deity, is being threatened by a terrible Nightmare. Embodying the spirit known as Wa, you are the world's last hope for survival.

To aid you in your quest, you must seek out the world's Guardians - powerful creatures worshiped and revered in times long before the corruption seeped in. However, the task ahead is anything but easy, as the Guardians themselves succumbed to the Nightmare.

• Skull Horde on Steam (Windows). "Skull Horde is an auto battler dungeon crawler where you play as a flying skull necromancer. Find powerful loot and create overpowered builds. Summon a horde of skeletons in a battle of bone versus flesh!"

• Chrono Odyssey Closed Beta is starting now.

• Red Pistol - Release Date Announcement Trailer. July 15th.

• KOEI TECMO Publisher Sale on Steam.
• 🚀Team17 - Publisher Sale on Steam.
• Save 50% on Nova Lands on Steam.
• Save 90% on The Wild Eight on Steam.
• Puzzle Pizzazz Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*
• Serenity Forge Storyteller's Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*

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

• My Friend Pedro Joins Shotgun Cop Man - Free Expansion Out Now (video).

• Castlevania And Devil May Cry Anime Producer Buys Duke Nukem Rights - GameSpot.

Official patches.

• FBC: Firebreak - Patch Notes v1.2.
• Lies of P - Update Notes Version 1.9.0.0 + 1.10.0.0.
• Shotgun Cop Man 20% OFF + My Friend Pedro FREE DLC.

• Should you play Rematch with a mouse or a controller? It's a harder decision than you might think - PC Gamer.

• MAESTRO: THE COMPLETE EDITION - LIV TRAILER.

• Gearbox answers the pleas of Borderlands fans, adding a combat radar to Borderlands 4 - Eurogamer.net. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Official trailers.

• Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy – ESRB Accolades Trailer.
• Crime Boss: Rockay City Anniversary Retrospective.

• Longer commercial breaks lower the value of ad-based streaming subscriptions - Ars Technica.

Thanks Simon.

• Neural Texture Compression demo shows it can do wonders for VRAM usage - TechSpot. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Dissecting AMD Ryzen - CPU Engineering Discussion, ft. Wendell & AMD Engineer Amit - Gamers Nexus.
• AMD's Freshly-baked MI350: An Interview with the Chief Architect - Chips & Cheese (video).

• Netflix, Apple, BofA sites hijacked with fake help numbers • The Register.

• YouTube is hiding an excellent, official high-speed Pac-Man mod in plain sight - Ars Technica. Thanks Ant…

Last Link of the Day: Spider-Man- Brand New Day - Jon Bernthal to Star as The Punisher - The Hollywood Reporter.

Obituary: Gailard Sartain Dead- 'Hee Haw,' 'The Buddy Holly Story' Actor Was 78 - Deadline.

Victoria 3 is free to play on Steam this weekend, giving players the chance to sample the base version of the latest installment in this historical strategy series from Paradox Interactive. The Windows, macOS, and Linux game is 70% off if you decide to pick it up, and you'll retain your progress from the free weekend. Here's the pitch:

Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history.

Funcom recaps the recent launch of Dune: Awakening, bragging about reviews and engagement for the science fiction survival game. The game has hosted a peak of over 189,000 concurrent players, which is corroborated by SteamDB, though the Steam's Most Played List puts the number closer to 155K. This dwarfs the peak player count for Funcom's Conan Exiles and is the fastest-selling game in the developer's history. The reviews are also positive, and celebrated in a new Accolades Trailer. Here's word:

Dune: Awakening, the Funcom-developed, open world, multiplayer survival game on a massive scale, has launched to rave reviews, and is currently sitting at an 85% Very Positive Steam rating with over 28,700 reviews. It currently has an 80 rating on Metacritic and 81 on OpenCritic. Take a break from spice hunting and see the new Accolades trailer.

In the first weekend following launch, Dune: Awakening beat its peak concurrent players record three times, reaching over 189,000, and massively beating the 53,400 record of their previous title, Conan Exiles. It is now also Funcom’s fastest-selling game of all time. Since the Head Start, Dune: Awakening has consistently been among the most played games on Steam.

Steam now features the launch of After Light Fades, a "mystical, magical sokoban puzzle journey" with a 10% launch discount for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The environments are described as surreal, while the feels are genuine, as it promises an "emotional transformation" exploring grief and memory. This can be seen in the Launch Trailer, and there's a playable demo to experience things for yourself. Here's more:

Developed by indie studio Orchid of Redemption, the game invites players into a surreal, magical world shaped by memory and loss. Across seven handcrafted puzzle worlds and more than 100 sokoban-style challenges, players must uncover meaning, navigate grief, and ultimately let go of what once was.

The story is told primarily through gameplay and environment. Each interaction, whether connecting circuits, redirecting fire, or growing vines, is designed to reflect Alice’s emotional transformation. Rather than relying on dialogue or cutscenes, After Light Fades encourages players to feel the emotional weight of its themes through the mechanics themselves. The act of letting go is not only narrative but mechanical, as players are asked to abandon key abilities they have grown attached to. This design choice reinforces the game's central message: loss and growth are deeply connected, and transformation requires change.

Netease announces Blood Message, a narrative single-player game set in historical China coming to PC and consoles. This trailer brings the news, showing off some Unreal Engine 5 cinematics, reminding us: "When History Forgets, Warriors Remember." The Official Website is live, but this doesn't seem to yet have a release window. Here's word:

Blood Message is a narrative-driven, linear action-adventure single-player game developed by NetEase ThunderFire's 24 Entertainment 临安（Lin'an）Studio, coming to PC and console platforms. The game is based on the true historical event of "Dunhuang's Uprising".

Set in the late Tang Dynasty in 848 AD, players take on the role of a nameless messager who embarks on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of his homeland.

BUILD SCRAP is now in Early Access for Windows, offering a scrappy little deckbuilder from hard-to-Google developer βearsGame. This is on Steam with a 30% launch discount, and there's also a playable demo. Here's a video with a look at gameplay and the brief description:

BUILD SCRAP is a roguelike deckbuilder enriched with grid-based movement and customizable mudra that can be engraved onto cards.
Each playthrough offers new discoveries and strategic combinations.
By engraving “mudra” onto cards, you can modify attack range or add bonus effects, greatly expanding your deck-building freedom. A wide variety of unique enemies await, and mastering their traits can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

• Drop Point on Steam (Windows). "In the desolate remnants of a war-ravaged world, a once-thriving civilization lies in ruins. The cataclysmic conflict between two powerful Nations has left the land scarred and its inhabitants struggling for survival. As the chaos ensues, a new era emerges, where the few remaining survivors must navigate the treacherous war zone to eke out a living amidst the ruins."
• FISH³- FISHTASTIC FISHING FISHSCAPES on Steam (Windows, Linux). "FISH³ is high-octane, surreal speed-fishing adventure where your boat is powered by fish! Engage in time-attack stages, dual-rod fishing, and underwater spear-fishing in a dreamlike world teeming with bizarre aquatic creatures."
• Holy Shoot on Steam (Windows). "In Holy Shoot, the player embarks on a journey as a member of The Sanctum. The ultimate goal is to defeat the powerful demons that represent the Seven Deadly Sins. Each character, is granted unique abilities and traits that make them valuable assets in the fight against demonic forces."

• The House of the Dead 2: Remake - Switch and PC Release Date Trailer. August 7th.

• Leaked footage of "paused" Dungeons & Dragons RPG shows the thing doing a thing with the stuff - Rock Paper Shotgun.

• Monster Hunter Wilds' Recent Reviews Drop to Overwhelmingly Negative - 80LV.

• Palworld × Terraria - Tides of Terraria Major Update Animated Trailer.

• Once Human - Version 1.6.3 Update Announcement (June 18). Includes custom server rentals.
• Star Citizen Alpha 4.2 - Roberts Space Industries.

• Exit Condition One HD Announce Trailer.

Official trailers.

• Lost Colony Expansion Pass Trailer.

• Here are the winners of the MCV/DEVELOP Awards 2025.

• Rail Route Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch.
• Nintendo Download- Summon the Summer Sun.

• Meta announces Oakley smart glasses that shoot 3K video - The Verge. Party like it's 1999.

• Windows 11 24H2 updates are still failing on Western Digital's SN770, despite the fact that a fix came out 8 months ago — Tom's Hardware.
• A False Start on the Road to an All-American Bitcoin - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

• BBC threatens AI firm with legal action over unauthorised content use - BBC.
• Cloudflare CEO says people aren't checking AI chatbots' source links - Engadget.
• White House crypto and AI adviser warns China catching up to the U.S. — Tom's Hardware.
• Nvidia products could be made using humanoid robots for the first time ever — Tom's Hardware.
• Study: Meta AI model can reproduce almost half of Harry Potter book - Ars Technica. That's nothing, X can completely reproduce J.K. Rowling's POV.

• Attack on Oxford City Council exposes 21 years of staff data • The Register.

• FF14 'stalker plugin' PlayerScope shut down after creator says they were sent a cease & desist—though that's not quite the end of it - PC Gamer.
• A battle over air quality between Musk's xAI and the citizens of Memphis now looks to be heading towards the courts - PC Gamer.

• FBC Firebreak review - a really weird game - Eurogamer.net.

• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 612 Apex Review - APH Networks.
• Graphics Card: ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition Review - Mainstream RDNA 4 is a Winner - TweakTown.
• Laptop: Acer Swift 14 AI review- give it up for the ports - The Verge.
• RAM: XPG Lancer NEON RGB DDR5-8000 32 GB CL38 Review - TechPowerUp.

Happy first day of summer/winter, depending on your orientation to the equator. The solstice arrives tonight at 10:42 pm EDT, so you still have time to change into seasonal clothing,

As I mentioned yesterday, MrsBlue and I are adventuring northward today. I've got my laptop packed up, and remembering the mishaps from my fiasco-filled trip to Atlanta, I was sure to include my mouse. I'm also permanently keeping the ominous Terminator 40th Anniversary SKYNET LED Gaming Mouse I picked up on that trip as a backup, as there is no fate. Hopefully the hard lessons learned in Atlanta will serve me and I will have things more buttoned down. The wild card is that I will not know what the deal will be with the internet. A worst case scenario is it's so bad that there won't be another update here until tomorrow, but I'm reasonably confident everything will work out fine.

Obituary: Lou Christie Dies: 'Lightnin' Stikes' Musician Was 82 - Deadline.

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

Breakfast Link

• The Mail Room: Who Will Direct the Next Bond Movie? - Puck. Thanks Dark Horizons.

Science

• The FDA Just Approved a Long-Lasting Injection to Prevent HIV - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• First methane-powered sea spiders found crawling on the ocean floor - CNN.

Media

• Jaws - UNHINGED VERSION. Thanks The Flying Penguin.
• Man brags could do marathon with no training - wife signed him up to one next day - SWNS. Thanks VideoSift.

Auction

• "My one great mistake": Einstein's atomic bomb letter comes to auction, expected to fetch $150,000 - Boing Boing.

Follow-up

• Database includes hundreds of vaccine randomized controlled trials - Boing Boing.