Updated: Nov 21, 2024 8:11 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop Free Weekend

An extended free weekend is underway on Steam for Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, giving five days to test drive this transportation. If this inspires you to emulate the great bus drivers of history (Ralph Kramden, Cosmo Kramer, and Keanu Reeves), you can pick up a copy for half-off and continue the journey. And if you are really into buses, read on to how this will allow you to nerd out:
Look forward to Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, and the most comprehensive and advanced fleet in the history of the series. For Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, a fleet of 30 officially licensed buses by well-known, international manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis, Blue Bird, BYD, Grande West, IVECO BUS, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Setra, and Volvo is available for you to drive. For the first time, you will also have access to a double-decker and electric buses.

Get ready for the brand-new, impressive US map Angel Shores and a revamped version of the European Seaside Valley map from the previous game instalment – including its map extension. Different difficulty levels and play modes are also available for a wide range of player types.

Automate It Testing

Automate It is undergoing playtesting on Steam, giving South Blue Moon and Forklift Interactive feedback on this upcoming factory simulation/puzzle game. The "Request Access" button is live to get players into this to prepare for its launch next year. Here's the Announcement Trailer to get things rolling. Here's more:
Build and solve complex problems in a rainbow of natural landscapes spanning five distinct worlds. Unlock power by completing objectives for new machines, and deliver parts on time within a limited space. Discover limitless solutions using a variety of customizable devices and technological advancements in a race against the clock and dwindling resources.

Fiddle with groundbreaking mechanics in Campaign Mode, progressing through 50 structured challenges offering unique automation and increasing difficulty from very simple to brain teasing. Explore and automate without the puzzle constraints of Campaign Mode in Omniverse Mode, an expansive world with added survival mechanics. Experiment with endless automation and resource management with the main goal of creating the Omniverse Singularity.
Continue here to read the full story.

Golden Joystick Awards 2024

GamesRadar+ has the winners of the Golden Joystick Awards 2024, a prominent entry in the world of competitive game development. The PC game of the year is Satisfactory. Other big winners include Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, Helldivers 2, and Ultimate Game of the Year, Black Myth: Wukong. Here's the full rundown:
The full list of all the winners in each category is as follows:

  • Best Audio Design - Astro Bot
  • Best Soundtrack - Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
  • Best Storytelling - Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
  • Best Multiplayer Game - Helldivers 2
  • Best Visual Design - Black Myth: Wukong
  • Best Indie Game - Balatro
  • Best Indie Game (Self-published) - Another Crab's Treasure
  • Studio of the Year - Team Asobi (Astro Bot)
  • Best Lead Performer - Cody Christian (Cloud, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth)
  • Best Supporting Performer - Briana White (Aerith, Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth)
  • Breakthrough Award (Critics Choice) - Balatro
  • Still Playing Award (Console & PC) - Minecraft
  • Still Playing Award (Mobile) - Honkai: Star Rail
  • PC Game of the Year - Satisfactory
  • Console Game of the Year - Helldivers 2
  • Most Wanted Game - GTA 6
  • Critics' Choice Award - Helldivers 2
  • Best Game Expansion - Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Best Gaming Hardware - Steam Deck OLED
  • Best Early Access Game - Lethal Company
  • Best Game Trailer - Helldivers 2
  • Streamers' Choice Award - Chained Together
  • Best Game Adaptation - Fallout
  • Ultimate Game of the Year - Black Myth Wukong

Demos & Freebies

  • Roman Triumph: Survival City Builder on Steam (Windows). "At the northern fringes of the empire, a new Roman city is born! Manage and grow your city, please the gods, and survive against barbarians and mythological threats to achieve Roman Triumph!"
  • Spray Paint Simulator on Steam (Windows). "Sit back, relax and express your creative side in the colorful world of Spray Paint Simulator. Enter the town of Spatterville, meet the locals while you restore, repair, mask and spray paint everything from a kitchen to local landmarks. Buy new equipment, unlock Free Spray and transform the town."

Evening Crowdfunding

Evening Tech Bits

Into the Black

Last Link of the Day: Honest Trailers - Megalopolis.

Star Wars Outlaws Gets Steam Version and Story Pack

Star Wars Outlaws is now available on Steam with a 25% launch discount, offering the Windows edition of Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars action/adventure that launched during the summer as an exclusive on the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft. This comes with a major Title Update removing forced stealth missions and bringing the game to version 1.4.0. There's also a Windows 11 hotfix for a problem that will still need more attention and may cause lag. Here's more on the game's biggest patch yet: "This Title Update brings changes to combat and stealth allowing for greater player choice, the ability to now keep pick-up weapons in more situations, visual options to allow for a sharper image and much more to improve your journey across the galaxy. You can find the complete list of changes below." There's also a new Wild Card Story Pack adding the ever-charming "notorious high roller" Lando Calrissian to the game which is also part of the Season Pass. Here's the Story Pack Launch Trailer and here's more on the patch:
In addition to the release of Star Wars Outlaws on Steam, Title Update 1.4.0 is releasing today as part of the team's dedicated support of the game. TU1.4.0 brings with it a range of improvements, including:

  • Notable updates to stealth and combat that allow players greater choice in how they approach each quest, using stealth or reaching for their blaster, even in syndicate territories in cities.
  • Enemy AI and detection improvements, with players being notified when entering combat, or notified when they're being detected and can choose to escalate or change tactics to remain in stealth. Enemies will also now be more tactical as they use cover and seek better combat lines.
  • Enemy weak points added to reward strategic gameplay, which if targeted can trigger explosions or give players a way to defeat enemies in spectacular new ways.
  • Re-tuned Kay's blaster and pickup weapons to improve the combat experience, including being able to carry two handed weapons up ladders or grapple points.
  • Animations in dialogue scenes, the option to toggle off the cinematic lens, the visibility of distant lights and much more have been added to improve the experience across the galaxy.

Continue here to read the full story.

Get Beholder for Free

Behold, a new freebie! The Epic Games Store is now offering Beholder completely free, giving the chance to be a tool of your totalitarian government. In this you are a landlord who must spy on the tenants in your state-run apartment building and decide which of their transgressions to overlook, and which to report back to the authorities. You can take on this pleasant task as a permanent job as long as you claim your copy before it's replaced by next week's giveaway, which will be Brotato, bro. Behold the details:
You are the State-installed manager of an apartment building. Your daily routine involves making the building a sweet spot for tenants, who will come and go. However, that is simply a facade that hides your real mission...

SPYING on your renters!
Your primary task is to covertly watch your tenants and eavesdrop on their conversations. You must BUG their apartments while they're away, SEARCH their belongings for whatever can threaten the authority of the State, and PROFILE them for your superiors. You must also REPORT anyone capable of violating the laws or plotting subversive activities against the State to the authorities.

Steam Cracking Down on Season Pass Letdowns

You notice how some games don't always deliver on promises of post-release content via sales of Season Passes? Well Valve has too, and a Steamworks Documentation Update about Season Passes includes discussion of this problem, and an outline of consequences for failure to properly fulfill such obligations. Valve reminds publishers: "Under the Steam Distribution Agreement you have provided a warranty to Valve that your DLC will conform in all respects to the descriptions provided to customers, including promised release dates." While also pointing out the dubiousness of selling pigs in pokes, Valve says refunds will be required for games that fail to deliver DLC promised in Season Passes on a timely basis:
Even if there has not yet been a customer complaint, Valve may take action if you delay a DLC more than a quarter (3 months) beyond the release window you originally promised.

Actions include removing the Season Pass from sale on Steam, refunding all customers who purchased the Season Pass for the value of unreleased DLC, or allowing customers the option of refunding the entire Season Pass. For the purposes of refunds, the value of unreleased DLC will be decided in discussion with Valve.

Valve may also take action if your Season Pass content is not released after one year has passed. Actions may include refunds to customers and removing the Season Pass from sale on Steam.

DDS x Narcos Announced

Movie Games comes closer to loving up to its name, announcing DDS x Narcos, a standalone TV game coming in 2025 to Steam, adding elements of the Narcos television series to the Drug Dealer Simulator franchise. This follows the rule that adding Pedro Pascal makes anything better, as the actor will appear in this as Javier Peña, his character based on the real-life DEA agent who fought the Medellín and Cali drug cartels and consults on the show. This post has a first look at environments and Pascal's character, and here's more on what's actually being called the Drug Dealer Simulator Universe:
Life was good… Until it wasn’t. I’m Daniel. I was fired by the CIA when they started covering the tracks of their illegal operations. And if that’s not enough, my family in Mexico is going broke. They closed the factory which was the only source of income in the town.

Well, I own the factory now. But keeping it operational costs money. So now I’m going into the BUSINESS. After all, it’s what I know. And I need to keep my family afloat.

DDS x Narcos is a standalone spinoff of Drug Dealer Simulator set in the late 1980s. It marries the universe of the DDS series with the world known from the legendary show Narcos and Narcos Mexico. Explore both sides of the border and the familiar world of two beloved franchises.

Loco Motive Rolls Out

All aboard! Loco Motive is pulling out of the station, and this comedic point-and-click adventure is now hurtling down the tracks on PC and Switch. The Windows edition is available on GOG.com* and Steam with a 10% launch discount. The Launch Trailer shows off some throwback graphics and a mystery that looks like it's inspired by Murder on the Orient Express and perhaps Story Lord. Here's word:
Loco Motive tasks players with proving their innocence after the untimely murder of Lady Unterwald aboard her very own Reuss Express. Using the distinctive talents of a strait-laced lawyer, a novelist-turned-amateur-detective, and an undercover agent as they attempt to absolve themselves.

Along the way, players will encounter a fully voiced cast of eccentric and memorable characters, solve satisfyingly challenging puzzles, and piece together clues to prove their innocence. Enact justice and uncover the culprit!
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.

IHAS Been Released

Move over S.T.A.L.K.E.R., IHAS is now available for Windows on Steam, offering a mysterious sci-fi first-person shooter from solo Ukrainian developer The Difference Studios. This promises challenging puzzles and epic boss fights, and the Release Trailer shows this has a Portal influence and throwback graphics that are a little different than most. There's a playable demo and the game is 10% off for the next two weeks. Here's more:
Wake up aboard a giant spaceship in this Sci-Fi Action-Puzzle FPS. With no recollection of your past, you are guided by a familiar voice claiming to be your friend.

Swarming with hostile robots, you must make your way through the vessel, looking for an escape. As you navigate through energy gateways and shifting corridors, a lingering sense of foreboding tells you that secrets lie not far beneath the surface.
Continue here to read the full story.

Miscellaneous Releases

  • Save 15% on Electrogical on Steam (Windows). "'Jigsaw Puzzle + Arithmetic' is a casual yet engaging game that appeals to puzzle gamers who enjoy immersive experiences. Customize your gameplay by rearranging "piece placement," "number manipulation," and "score selection" to aim for a high score in each stage." No trailer, but there is a playable demo.

Demos & Freebies

  • Lord Ambermaze- Prologue on Steam (Windows). "Lord Amber maze: Prologue is a free entry to a turn-based dungeon-crawler set in a labyrinth of frozen time. Plan each move carefully, battle quirky monsters, and solve intricate puzzles, one dungeon at a time."

Morning Metaverse

Out of the Blue

Well it doesn't feel like a year already, but having ridden out another orbit of the sun, it is indeed once again my birthday. An old friend claimed Thursday is the new Friday, but our plan to celebrate is a dinner reservation tomorrow night, though I'm considering pushing this out to Saturday. And I got a present from Mother Nature this morning, as it is currently raining in these parts, and we sure can use it. I won't even complain that it wasn't wrapped. I'm not sure where I'll spend my skill points, but I do know I'm going to go out to find a puddle to splash in at some point.

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

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Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 World Children's Day

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Patch Plans

A post on the official S.T.A.L.K.E.R. X follows up on launch issues in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, now that the first-person shooter sequel is in player's hands. It discusses the game's development calling it "our own story, our love letter to Ukraine" while outlining what's being done to deal with what are being called its "rough edges." Word is hotfixes should start arriving soon to address the most immediate concerns, with larger updates to follow. Here's more:
This is a project of endless love and passion from the entire team. We genuinely believe that this is felt throughout — you'll feel it in the handcrafted world, you'll feel it in the laboratory and in the poppy fields, or during the first emission, or intense battle with a bloodsucker, or the stylish reload of your new gun, or first seeing Prypiat under the moonlight. There are so many things in the game that we are incredibly proud of.

Nevertheless, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a massive game. We understand that in such a game, there may still be rough edges: we literally haven't released anything of this scale before. We're absolutely committed to being here, monitoring your feedback, and quickly fixing any issues that need our attention. In the first days after release, we'll be working with hotfixes, rolling them out as precisely as possible, but as frequently as we can. Then, we'll switch to larger updates that include constant improvements. There will also be free in-game content — we'll share its roadmap later in December. We have big plans for the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe. In a way, today is both a return and the beginning of a grand new journey.
Continue here to read the full story.

Two S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games Preserved

Speaking of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, a post on GOG.com announces the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl* and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat* are now officially part of the GOG Preservation Program, the recently announced plan to provide ongoing support for select older games. For some reason prequel S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is being left out of the party, but here's word on preserving the first and third installments in the series:
But that’s not the end of the good news – with the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, we’re happy to announce new additions to our GOG Preservation Program: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, both available at a -75% discount!

If a game is part of the Preservation Program, it means that we commit our own resources to maintaining its compatibility with modern and future systems. It also means that the GOG version of this game is the best anywhere. For a game to join the GOG Preservation Program, we run it through extensive quality testing and often apply custom improvements to ensure compatibility and quality-of-life improvements.
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.

SUPERVIVE Early Access

Early Access to SUPERVIVE is now underway on Steam, kicking off a free-to-play "MOBA BR MEETS HERO SHOOTER" for Windows from Theorycraft Games. This post says servers are live in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America and offers the Open Beta Launch Trailer. Here are the details:
WHAT’S IN THE GAME (THIS LIST WILL GET BIGGER EVERY WEEK):

  • Enter a wild, open-ended combat sandbox where you’ll jump, glide, shoot, punch, bounce, nuke, and spike your enemies to be the last team standing
  • Multiple game modes: squads BR (4 players per team), duos BR (2 players per team), arena (4v4), and special event modes
  • 16+ storm-chasing hunters to play, including a mecha-suited pirate hunter, a fox with a flamethrower, and an anarchist who commands the power of lightning
  • SO MANY powers and equipment to chase every match for that perfect build - nuke your enemies, blast them with lasers, rewind time, or become a tree (you heard us)
  • A billion ways to come back and win: you’re never out until you’re out
  • From a studio of veteran devs that have built some of the biggest PvP games in the world and will be evolving SUPERVIVE for years to come with you

Continue here to read the full story.

Miscellaneous Releases

  • 6-Sided Stories on Steam (Windows, Linux). "A short and cozy puzzler with chill lofi beats: flip the puzzle pieces and colour them correctly to reveal the full picture! Discover how each image leads into the next, following a crew of adorable animals as they make friends and have wholesome adventures." Here's the Launch Trailer and there's a playable demo.

Evening Patches

Official patch.

Evening Multiplex

Content creator video.

Evening Esports & Competitions

Into the Black

Obituary: Vic Flick, guitarist on the James Bond theme, dies aged 87 - Music - The Guardian. Not sure it's him in this wonderful BBC homage, but it's definitely him at the Oscars. Thanks Neutronbeam.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Released

Grab your Geiger Counter, as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally available for Windows and consoles as a Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate Edition with no launch discounts. The PC editions can be purchased through GOG.com* and Steam, and they are also coming to the Epic Games Store, but that link is not live as this is being written. The launch follows delays from a stormy development cycle disrupted by financial problems at GSC Game World. These were only exacerbated by a war in its home country of Ukraine that caused it to relocate to Prague to complete the project. Here's the Launch Trailer and here's more on this chance to return to the mysterious Chornobyl Exclusion Zone:
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone has changed dramatically after the second massive explosion in the year 2006. Violent mutants, deadly anomalies, and warring factions have made the Zone a very tough place to survive. Nevertheless, artifacts of unbelievable value attracted many people called S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, who entered the Zone for their own risk, striving to make a fortune out of it or even to find the Truth concealed in the Heart of Chornobyl.

Take over a role of the lone stalker and explore photorealistic seamless open world in a 64-km² radioactive zone with a variety of environments that reveal post-apocalyptic atmosphere from different angles. Make your way through the Zone to define your destiny as you choose your paths within highly branching epic story.
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Reviews

The extended development cycle for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl seems to have left no time for a review embargo, so evaluations are drifting out today alongside the game's release. If there's one takeaway we hope GSC Game World will get from these (besides the need for more complete testing) is that it should drop the periods from the title of the series the way almost every outlet did. Period. That said, here's a roundup:

Armored Brigade II Rolls Out

Armored Brigade II is now available for Windows on the Matrix Games Store, offering a real-time strategy sequel that returns to the Cold War setting of the original game, now in 3D. It is not labeled Early Access, but the game's Steam Listing says it's coming next year, so make of that what you will. The Matrix Launch Trailer introduces gameplay and explains what to expect. This post has more details, including word that the 10% launch discount is good for the next month:
Experience the full breadth of the Cold War. Military formations, weapons, and vehicles from 1965-1991 are fully modeled. Fight in the early days of guided missiles with T-54’s and M48 Pattons, or play with all the high tech toys of the early 1990’s like the Abrams and T-80. Along with all your favorite Cold War vehicles like the Chieftan or Marder, more obscure vehicles like the 2P32 or M56 scorpion are at your disposal.

Play with a wide range of different vehicles and national armies. The United States, USSR, United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, and East and West Germany are fully modeled. National differences matter. Which country you choose to play will effect troop quality, fire support call-in times, formation composition, and more.
Continue here to read the full story.

THRESHOLD Released

THRESHOLD has crossed the release threshold, and this horror/adventure is now available for Windows on Steam with a 10% launch discount. The work of solo developer Julien Eveillé, this is a narrative-driven game where you work at the border of a totalitarian regime, tasked with keeping the trains running on time while not succumbing to the existential dread the game promises. It all takes place in a throwback low-poly, low-oxygen environment that's on display in this Release Trailer. Here's more on this thankless task:
High in the mountains, an endless train thunders through a decaying station. This is the Border Post. Your job is simple: blow a whistle to keep the train on schedule. But the air is thin up here.

Don’t speak. Don’t run. Don’t look in the train. Just do your job. It’ll all be over soon.
Continue here to read the full story.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Launch Issues Declared "Solved"

Another Launch Day Update from Microsoft has more on yesterday's rocky launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This includes a Developer Launch Day Update Video with apologies and details on the situation. Today's post declares the problems players had downloading and entering the game "solved," which is hopefully not premature, as word is the game is "now bringing players in at a steady pace." Many are blaming the developers for the issues, but it turns out "the server" the entire operation depended on was at fault:
We have worked hard with our partners, including Asobo and others, to bring you an amazing sim experience. The excitement for the sim today has been overwhelming, but we encountered an issue with one of our services handling the new systems in the game like career mode and various missions. The server responsible for handling data requests got overloaded, causing delays and errors.

As a result, players are experiencing long loading times and missing content like aircraft. We have solved the issues and are now bringing players in at a steady pace. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. We will keep you updated on our social channels, forums, and website. Thank you very much for all your feedback and support.
Continue here to read the full story.

Engagement Ring

Out of the Blue

Time for a couple of instant follow-ups to recent out of the blue rambles. My comments Monday about the dry conditions in our area were right on time, as shortly thereafter it was announced that 15 downstate counties, including ours, are now in a full drought warning, and a statewide drought watch is now underway. This includes the first drought warning in New York City in over 20 years. As I said, there's some spotty rain in the forecast, and we sure can use that and more, so fingers crossed.

And more sportsball. On Sunday I mentioned that my New York Football Giants started the day in position for the second pick in the 2025 college player draft. Based on history, I predicted the team would go on a late run to ruin that plumb position. Little did I know how much a team's mojo can exert itself even when it is not playing. Thanks to the outcome of all the other Sunday games, during a bye week when they did not play, the team's projected draft position dropped three spots to number five. So yeah, you can accuse me of overstating the club's recent ineptitude, but I think this makes the Giants the first team in NFL history to lose its bye week.

Obituary: In Memoriam: Thomas E. Kurtz, 1928–2024 - CHM. Creator of BASIC. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

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

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