The dark saga of Dark and Darker seems to be nearing its conclusion, as Epic Games announces plans to remove the game from user's libraries on November 1st. The fantasy dungeon crawler has been embroiled in controversy for quite some time amid allegation that it uses assets stolen from Nexon. Nexon recently scored a big court victory over the claims. Epic removed the game from its store in March, and now it will be removing it from everyone's account. This will affect a lot of users after Legendary Status in the game was a free giveaway around six months ago. And those who paid for a Legendary Status upgrade will be getting refunds. Here's word:

We removed Dark and Darker from sale on the Epic Games Store on March 5 in consideration of a court decision in Korea between Nexon and the game's publisher, IRONMACE. On November 1, 2025, we will be removing Dark and Darker from your library, at which point it will no longer be playable via the Epic Games Store.

Effective immediately, players can no longer purchase Redstone Shards or the Legendary Status upgrades via the Epic Games Store. Players can continue to use the Redstone Shards that they have previously purchased until November 1, 2025.

FBC: Firebreak is now available for Windows and consoles, as Remedy shoots out this first-person shooter that shares a setting with Control, the 2021 action/adventure. This features co-op PvE gameplay, making it Remedy's first-ever multiplayer offering. The Windows edition is on Game Pass and is available for purchase from the Epic Games Store and Steam. This post on Steam from the developers say work is not done, and that: "Working together, we can and will continue to grow this game into the best version of itself that it can be." A Surviving the Workplace Trailer celebrates the launch by introducing the premise with puppets. Here's more:

FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative first-person shooter set within a mysterious federal agency under assault by otherworldly forces. As a years-long siege on the agency’s headquarters reaches its boiling point, only Firebreak— the Bureau’s most versatile unit—has the gear and the guts to plunge into the building’s strangest crises, restore order, contain the chaos, and fight to reclaim control. Dive into the Federal Bureau of Control’s (FBC) unpredictable and extradimensional headquarters during its darkest—and strangest—hours. As one of the FBC’s fearless first responders, you and your team are on call to confront everything from reality-warping anomalies to otherworldly monsters... no matter the odds. Will you contain the chaos or finally lose control?

TRON: Catalyst is now available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Switch, offering another chance to enter the setting of the science fiction films. The Windows edition is on Steam along with a playable demo. Here's more on this chance to get with the program:

TRON: Catalyst pulls you back into the world of Disney’s TRON to battle multiple opposing factions in the latest imaginative story from Bithell Games (Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular, TRON: Identity). TRON: Catalyst is an all-new story-driven, isometric action adventure game, set in the immersive and diverse locations of the Arq Grid introduced in TRON: Identity.

Play as Exo, a highly resilient and resourceful program wielding an unexpected power known as the Glitch, gaining strength and abilities which the overlords of the Arq Grid’s crumbling society seek to bring under control. Ride Light Cycles, engage in Identity Disc combat, and more as you’re relentlessly pursued through the city and beyond by Conn, a malevolent program with an agenda of his own, while uncovering more about the glitches that threaten the stability of this world.

NVIDIA announces that the launch of FBC: Firebreak mentioned above comes with full support for full ray tracing and DLSS 4, offering an RTX On Gameplay Trailer to show the game using this tech. The post also states that the promised path tracing update for DOOM: The Dark Ages will arrive tomorrow with an NVIDIA-specific feature for the first-person shooter prequel. An on a related note, this post announces the release of a new GeForce game ready Windows driver to support these launches. Coincidentally, these details on the version 576.80 WHQL driver includes 576.8 charts and screenshots to show off what it does. Here's more:

Our new GeForce Game Ready Driver includes day-0 support for Remedy Entertainment’s co-op multiplayer game, FBC: Firebreak, featuring full ray tracing, DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, DLSS Frame Generation, DLSS Super Resolution, DLSS Ray Reconstruction, and NVIDIA Reflex. Additionally, there’s support for DOOM: The Dark Ages’ new update, which adds path tracing and DLSS Ray Reconstruction to the critically acclaimed shooter. And support for REMATCH, a new multiplayer sports game featuring DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation.

Developer Stelleas announces Stellar Reach, a 4X strategy game set in space, where no one can hear you comment on its Civilization influences. A Teaser Trailer takes a first look, and you can track development through the Steam Listing, which shows a September 25th. Word is this is set after humanity has transformed into the Borg:

Some time in our future, humans and their machine work force have reached a distant stellar neighbourhood and multiple factions are competing for dominance. Explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate across the nearby stars in a real-scale, fully-3D environment to overcome your rivals, mastering military power, prosperous governance, booming industry, wealth, resources, and their separate technology trees. Choose your faction and your path to victory, but travel it alone; you’ll find no friends in the hostile and dangerous depths of space.

Mud and Thunder is now available for Sniper Elite: Resistance, adding a Thor-free DLC to the World War II sharpshooting sequel. This is a weapon and skin pack that also promises to extend the game's story, as shown off in the DLC Trailer narrated by not-Jason Statham. The Windows edition is on the Epic Games Store and Steam, and while the Epic version is a dollar cheaper for some reason, you must purchase the DLC from the store where you bought the game. Here's the briefing:

A new mission awaits you in this Mud and Thunder pack. A Resistance contact has gone missing following reports that Axis forces have invaded the region. It is now down to you to locate and save the contact to uncover their valuable intel.

Also included in this pack are the MAS 36, a reliable bolt action rifle which was designed to replace the French Berthier and Lebel rifles, and the Auto-5 shotgun, which was the first mass-produced semi-automatic shotgun on the market. Its mechanism provides a faster rate of fire compared to manually operated shotguns.

Alberta Hunting Preserve is now available for theHunter: Call of the Wild, adding new content to the sport hunting game for PC and consoles. The Windows edition is on the Epic Games Store, Steam, and the Xbox Store, depending on where you bought the original game, which is required. The Launch Trailer takes us to snowy Alberta to "meet the wildlife," pleading ignorance on how this will turn out. Likewise the description unironically describes the area as "teeming with life." There's a hint you might even have to take a page out of Ball Four and shoot some beaver:

It may be bitterly cold, but the frigid landscape of Alberta, Canada, is teeming with life - if you know where to look. Discover and track 19 species through the snow, tackle 13 engaging missions, and explore from the pine-covered peaks down to the frost-swept grasslands to find the perfect hunting spot - but watch out for falling trees, a sign that the preserve’s most industrious inhabitant is active!

Hooded Horse and Lantto Games announce Sandustry, a side-scrolling strategy/automation game "coming soon" to PC. This is coming to Steam, where there's a playable demo to check out right now. This post discusses the game's new publishing deal, which prompts the news, serving the Announcement Trailer which shows Factorio x Terraria-influenced gameplay. Here's a description of this game that brings the sand to the sandbox:

You’ve arrived on a vast unexplored planet filled with diverse biomes and beautiful landscapes – time to bring the fires of industry! From humble beginnings sifting gold from sand, you will quickly build a growing factory, unlocking powerful new technologies and production chains. Countless options lie before you – will you focus on developing more advanced processing and logistical capabilities across your rapidly-expanding factory? Will you prioritize arming yourself with a powerful arsenal of weapons to overcome potential threats that await deep beneath the planet’s surface? And hey, there’s no faster way to mine than with the help of a rocket launcher, right? Build a beacon of industry and automation starting with nothing more than the trusty conveyor belt, incorporating filters, drones, pipes, pumps, and a myriad of other parts as you harness nature itself to do your bidding.

ININ Games announces Simon The Sorcerer Origins, an upcoming prequel to the original Simon The Sorcerer, a point-and-click adventure that launched in 1993. This will come to PC and consoles on October 28th, and the Steam Listing is live for the Windows, macOS, and Linux edition. Get ready to be rickrolled, as the look at the game in the Announcement Trailer notes that its cast includes none other than Rick Astley himself. Here's word:

With over three decades having passed since Simon The Sorcerer first cast his spell on adventure game fans, Simon The Sorcerer Origins invites players to step back into the enchanting world of magic, sarcasm, and mystery – this time, to discover how it all began. Longtime fans will be thrilled to know that the original voice actors return in both English (Chris Barrie) and German (Erik Borner), adding an extra layer of authenticity and nostalgia to this lovingly crafted origin story.

The game features an original soundtrack composed by Mason Fischer, capturing the emotional range and whimsical tone of Simon’s magical world. And as a very special surprise, Simon The Sorcerer Origins includes music icon Rick Astley in a special role - bringing a touch of 80s soul to the fantasy adventure.

ACTION GAME MAKER is out for Windows on Steam, offering a user-friendly, no-programming development toolbox from Gotcha Gotcha Games. As seen in the Launch Trailer, this will allow you to create any sort of action game you wish, as long as it's a platformer. There's also a playable demo, but this is time limited, and will stop working on Thursday. Here's the call to action:

The latest in the long-running “Maker” series of game development toolkits, “ACTION GAME MAKER” brings 2D action game development to those of all skill levels! Built using Godot Engine, “ACTION GAME MAKER” provides access to professional level functions without any programming required!

Hard Road Games is going way offroad, announcing Catch&Cargo, a first-person boating and fishing game expected to launch in Q1 2026. It's got a Steam Listing where you can add it to your wishlist. The announcement trailer charts the course for the project's future. Here are some details to catch us up further:

“Catch & Cargo” is a first-person, single-player fishing and boating semi-simulator with survival elements, set in tropical waters. Catch and sell fish, deliver cargo, avoid storms, stay hydrated, and shed the “gringo” label as you adapt to the challenges of life on the open sea.

• Kity Builder on Steam (Windows). "Create charming cities for happy Kitties on a peaceful island playground, using your buildings to bounce, climb and fling yourself from place to place. There’s no limit to your time or resources, just endless construction fun!" TFW you misspell kitty.

• The Complete Python, Machine Learning, Bots and AI Mega Bundle+ (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*
• The Complete 100-HOUR Software Architecture Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*

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

• Roblox’s Grow a Garden Surpasses Fortnite With 16.4 Million Players - The New York Times (free account required).

• The Last Of Us' Joel And Ellie Get The Premium Treatment In New Dark Horse Statue - Game Informer.

Official patches.

• Heart of the Machine - Major Update 18- New Tactical Levers - Pressure Points.
• HELLDIVERS 2 - 🛠️ PATCH 01.003.103 ⚙️.
• Lost Skies - Craft the Perfect Island with the Island Creator Update.
• War Robots: Frontiers - Season 2- Power Surge – Electrifying New Update Lands June 17.

• Splitgate 2 Adding Popular Features From Original Game - GameRant.

Official trailers.

• DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH – The Story So Far.
• STREUMON - UNANNOUNCED TITLE TEASER.

• Celebrate 10 Years of Aerials and Epic Saves in Rocket League Season 19. Thanks Game Rant.

• Studio Camelia shuts down a year after raising €300,000 on Kickstarter to fund JRPG - Game Developer.

• Adobe's Firefly comes to iOS and Android - TechCrunch.
• One last look at software support as macOS 26 Tahoe winds down the Intel Mac era - Ars Technica.

• Trump Says He Will Probably Extend Deadline For TikTok Divestiture - Deadline.

• Intel will lay off 15% to 20% of its factory workers, memo says - oregonlive.com. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• NVIDIA Studio Driver - 576.80 - Windows 11.
• 5 registry tweaks I made to instantly speed up my Windows PC - XDA. Includes the appropriate warning to not do any of this. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Evernote version 10.142.1. Thanks Console General.

• Google Search Console Now Counting AI Mode - Search Table Roundtable.

• Game publisher laments spoilers, sues man for $150,000 over stream of leaked game character - Game File.
• UK watchdog fines 23andMe for 'profoundly damaging' data breach - BBC.

• Dune: Awakening review - Rock Paper Shotgun.
• FBC: Firebreak review - PC Gamer. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Tron: Catalyst Review - IGN.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Graphics Card: ASUS PRIME RTX 5060 OC Review - Vortez.
• Graphics Card: INNO3D GeForce RTX 5070 Ti X3 Review - Compact, Powerful, and Ready for 4K - TweakTown.
• Handheld: Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS) Review - IGN.
• Mouse: HyperX Pulsefire Saga Pro Gaming Mouse Review - ThinkComputers.org.
• SSD: Micron Crucial P510 (Phison e31t PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD @ 10GB/s) - Guru3D.
• SSD: Phison E28 2TB SSD Review- A return for vengeance - Tom's Hardware.

James Gunn tells Variety the "movie industry is dying," and: "The number-one reason is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay." While I don't disagree that this is a weird process, we've heard stories about this since the dawn of Hollywood, even following the silents, which obviously were not heavily scripted. Movies like Jaws and Chinatown were started without finished scripts, and they're considered classics. I agree that if it's not on the page, it's not on the stage, but there's a grand tradition of producing those pages just moments before the cameras roll. It's only a problem when the hastily written scripts stink.

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

Story

• R. Kelly hospitalized after prison overdose, alleged murder plot, lawyers say - USA Today.

Science

• 3D-printed device splits white noise into an acoustic rainbow without electricity - Phys.org. The audio prism.
• Human brains solve complex problems with simple tricks - Earth.com.
• Banking data reveals early warning signs of cognitive decline in older adults - Medical Xpress.

Media

• Nobody Knows Why: The Taconic State Parkway Crash - Fascinating Horror. I wrote at the time about witnessing the horrific aftermath.
• Why The Hell Is It Called Ruth's Chris Steak House?

Follow-up

• 'Star Wars' "Looks Terrible" in Screening of Original 1977 Version - The Hollywood Reporter.
• Doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry will plead guilty - NPR.

A post from Ubisoft related to promoting The Rogue Prince of Persia has a reassurance for Prince of Persia fans that the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is still on the way, no matter how much sand has passed through the hourglass since it was announced in 2020. Despite four delays over time a developer switch and the cancellation of preorders, Ubi says the game is still in development:

Yep, we’re still deep in the game — exploring, building, and ensuring the sands move with purpose.

This game is being crafted by a team that truly cares, and they're pouring their hearts (and a lot of coffee) into every step.

Thank you for sticking with us.

We have now hit peak peak, as PEAK is now available for Windows on Steam, giving rise to this co-op mountain climbing game. Landcrab and Aggro Crab provide this Release Trailer with a trailer showing off the gravity of the situation. Here's word:

PEAK is a co-op climbing game where the slightest mistake can spell your doom. Either solo or as a group of lost nature scouts, your only hope of rescue from a mysterious island is to scale the mountain at its center. Do you have what it takes to reach the PEAK?

Need a Hand? You’ll need to rely on your friends to have any hope of scaling the mountain, which changes each time you play. Help each other up ledges, or place ropes and climbing spikes to make the way easier for those who come after.

Steam now offers Early Access to Nightmare Frontier, an extraction shooter for Windows from Ice Code Games in an alternate history setting in the early 20th century that includes some supernatural goings on. The Early Access Launch Trailer takes a look at some combat and the role magic plays in the game. There's also this disclosure of AI content: "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some additional 2D/3D assets of inventory items, enhancing visual variety in the game and contributing to overall improved game experience. Some languages have been translated using automated systems." Here's word:

Welcome to the first Tactical Extraction Looter where you pit your courage and leadership against fears made manifest: the Dreadweavers. Your band of scavengers ventures into American Dream turned American Nightmare of the alternative 1900s, to reclaim a devastated former boom town. For those brave enough to make the best of it, the opportunities are now... supernatural!

The next evolution of tactical combat is here: rain lead on enemies by chaining trick shots and overcoming dread. Then get in their midst and rearrange the odds by pushing, countering and combining attacks.

Slitherine and Steel Balalaika announce that three days of premium Advance Access is now underway in Broken Arrow for those who purchase the Vanguard Edition of the real-time strategy game. This 72 hour head-start on Steam runs until the Standard Edition launches on Thursday. According to a John Woo movie, "broken arrow" is a lost nuke, according to a Randall Wallace movie it's a military position in danger of being overrun, while a Delmer Daves film from 1950 using the title was one of the first westerns that didn't portray native Americans as villains. This seems to be none of the above, as it's a modern RTS with no lost nukes, no Mel Gibson, and no Apaches except helicopters. Here's a bit on the game and how it thwarts basic rush strategies:

In many real-time strategy games, brute force wins the day. Most of the time, players have to build as many units as possible, rush the enemy, and hope to overwhelm them — no real tactics, no careful planning — just speed and numbers.

But Broken Arrow plays by different rules. Here, victory isn’t about mindless mass production. It’s about strategy, timing, and precision. Players must read the battlefield, identify the best routes to outflank enemy positions, probe for weaknesses, and craft a winning plan tailored to the moment.

Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! is now available for Windows on Steam, launching a real-time strategy game with a story-driven single-player campaign. The Launch Trailer shows off gameplay and the titular crystal mining that's more of an RTS mainstay than an innovation. Here's more on the game, which is 20% off until the end of this month. Here are some grim details:

Grimstar, the real-time strategy game about corporate servitude, planetary exploitation, and personal loss, launches today exclusively on Steam. Developed by Sven Rahn Games, Grimstar combines a dark science fiction narrative with classic RTS mechanics and a progression system that rewards ruthless efficiency.

In a future where Earth’s energy reserves are exhausted, a powerful corporation turns to the planet Grimstar—rich in alien crystals and teeming with hostile life. After the sudden death of your brother during a mission, company law demands that you fulfill the remainder of his contract. What begins as forced labor becomes a journey into a planetary mystery—and a fight for something more than just survival.

Early Access has concluded for Snow Plowing Simulator, and this chance to keep the roads clear is now officially available on Steam with a 25% launch discount. The Full Release Steam Launch Trailer shows off gameplay, including hints at some sort of greater mystery this presents beyond where to put all that snow. Here's a flurry of details to plow through:

You start your adventure in the middle of a town with one simple shovel, manually clearing the snow from sidewalks and garage driveways. Once you've made some extra money, it's time to buy more and more serious machines and vehicles.

The more efficient equipment you have, the more sophisticated tasks will be available for you to do in more and more interesting places. Explore the town and its surroundings while admiring the breathtaking scenery.

The Steam Fishing Fest is underway, celebrating games that angle to hook you with their fishing mechanics. This includes presentations, playable demos, and a boatload of discounts, all outlined on this page. The event is celebrated in the Official Trailer. And if you think our fish puns smell, check out Valve's:

Holy mackerel! Steam Fishing Fest has begun, with a full week of discounts and demos on all sorts of fishing games. From the most bass-ic to the more cod-plicated, you'll find many kinds of games just waiting to hook you.

Just for the halibut, here's another look at our trailer if you were hoping for a quick example. (Although it probably makes more sense for you to just troll on over to the fest straight away.)

Uncoincidental to the story above, Desktop Fishing is now available on Steam, giving the chance to engage in its titular activity, fishing from your Windows desktop. Ostend Games offers this Release Trailer showing you play as a frog. But not one that has developed a taste for seafood, as word is you are catching these fish to save them from an even worse fate: "A mysterious algae infestation is spreading across the waters, threatening the fish population. Your goal? Rescue as many fish as possible before it’s too late!" Here's more:

You can catch over 50 different types of fish – and with a bit of luck, you might even reel in rare Shiny and dazzling Holo variants!

You gradually unlock various fishing spots, ranging from a peaceful lake to a bubbling volcano. Each spot offers exclusive customization items that, with a bit of luck, you might snag on your hook!

• Marvel Contest of Champions - Symphony of Smackdowns PC Trailer. June 18th on Steam.
• Atomic Owl - Official Launch Trailer - Indie3 Showcase 2025. July 15th.

• Save 20% on Kingdom Come: Deliverance II on Steam.
• Save 35% on Heart of the Machine on Steam.
• Save 85% on Port Royale 4 on Steam.

• Rematch Launching Without Crossplay, Disappointing Many Players - Kotaku.

• Old Adobe Flash games preserved by Flashpoint Archive - Boing Boing.

• Dead by Daylight - Five Nights at Freddy’s - Official Trailer.

• The Art of Borderlands 4 Book Arrives After the Game's Release Date, But Preorders Are Live - IGN.

Official patch.

• American Truck Simulator 1.55 Update: Kenworth T680 Update.

• TaVRn's Takedown - Naheulbeuk - NEW TRAILER.

• Mauricio Tejerina on Irrational Games & System Shock 2 - Deep Dive - Irrational Games. Thanks Ant.

• Team Fortress 2 - AsiaFortress Liquid.tf 6v6 Gibus Cup.

• Ads are “rolling out gradually” to WhatsApp - Ars Technica.
• How Apple Created a Custom iPhone Camera for ‘F1’ - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Charge your Apple Watch on Spigen’s tiny iMac G3 replica - The Verge.

• We’re increasing our prices for new creators. Existing creators will not see any increase. - Patreon.
• Vandals cut fiber-optic lines, causing outage for Spectrum Internet subscribers - Ars Technica.
• Reddit will help advertisers turn ‘positive’ posts into ads - The Verge.
• Threads will let you hide spoilers in your posts - The Verge.

• Intel's next-gen desktop processors leak with a whopping number of cores - Neowin.
• The U.S. Navy is selling MSRP Nvidia RTX GPUs — 5070, 5080, and even 5090 spotted at Navy Exchange - Tom's Hardware.
• How Microsoft's Windows 95 test nearly crashed an entire software store - PCWorld, Thanks Ant.

• Freedman HealthCare targeted by cyber extortionists • The Register.

Last Link of the Day: Verona museum shows moment visitor broke artwork by sitting on it - CNN.

Obituary: 'Lilo & Stitch' Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell Dead - TMZ.

2K and Gearbox Software announce preorder details for Borderlands 4, the looter-shooter sequel that will launch on September 12th. The game's possible price-point has inspired some heated discussion, and the announcement includes details on that. The base version will be $69.99 USD while the Deluxe Edition will be $99.99 and top-of-the-line Super Deluxe Edition will be $129.99. Here are the details:

All editions are available for pre-order today and will release worldwide on September 12, 2025. Players who pre-order one of these editions will receive the Gilded Glory Pack*, which includes one Vault Hunter Skin, one Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin.

• The Standard Edition includes the base game and will be available for $69.99 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
• The Deluxe Edition will feature a variety of bonus items and will be available for $99.99 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
  • This edition includes the Bounty Pack Bundle**, featuring four separate post-launch DLC packs, each with distinct areas, new missions, and unique bosses; four Vault Cards with unique challenges and rewards; new gear and weapons; four new vehicles, and Vault Hunter cosmetics; and the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin.
• The Super Deluxe Edition will include all bonus digital content from the Deluxe Edition and will be available for $129.99 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
  • This edition also includes the Vault Hunter Pack***, featuring two new Story Packs, each featuring a new Vault Hunter, story, and side missions; two new map regions; new gear and weapons; more Vault Hunter cosmetics; and new ECHO-4 cosmetics.
  • Additionally, it offers the Ornate Order Pack with four Vault Hunter Skins, four Vault Hunter Heads and four Vault Hunter Bodies.

Paradox Interactive announces Archon Prophecy, a new expansion for Age of Wonders 4 that will come to the fantasy strategy game for PC and consoles on August 12th. This is part of the game's Expansion Pass 2, so if you own that you will get a copy of this add-on automatically. And there's news for all owners of the game, even if they don't plan on exploring this new content, as the news includes a prophecy that it will come with an update for the base game: "Launching alongside Archon Prophecy on August 12, all Age of Wonders 4 players will also receive the free Griffon Update, introducing new features such as Extra Faction data, New Form traits - Flaws, and Hero Class Updates." The Release Date Announcement Trailer highlights the date as promised, though it doesn't show the expansion in action. Here's word on the new culture this will add and the monumental changes it brings:

We are excited to announce that the Archon Prophecy expansion and the free Griffon Update will be released on August 12! Join the celestial Archons as they strike back against Urrath’s corrupt forces. Consult the oracles, glimpse hidden prophecies that shape the fates of the realms and become the master of your own destiny.

Build your empire with the help of the Architects — construct vast, magical monuments within your cities and dedicate them to the affinity of your choice to empower your economy and unlock powerful bonuses. Shape your domain and carve your ideology into the world.

GEX Trilogy is now available for PC and consoles, launching a return of a three-pack of action/adventure games featuring the world's second most famous animated gecko. The Windows edition is on GOG.com* and Steam. There's no launch discount, but a note on GOG.com (but not Steam) says the bundle is 15% off for owners of the original Gex. Here's a trailer along with word on the bundle and the updates it includes:

GEX Trilogy reproduces all three original games in exacting detail, precisely the way you remember them. Assuming you’ve gone senile and remember them having high-definition native 16:9 widescreen visuals and fully analog controls. Which they didn’t. No, this is the Gex series the way it was meant to be played. The Man didn’t think you were ready back then. He kept this version locked away. But the moment has finally arrived. Down with The Man! Up with Gex! GEX Trilogy is Gex, the next-gen version. The Gex’t-gen version. The Gexiest version of all.

• Terminull Brigade - Launch Date Announcement Trailer. July 29th.

• Josh Sawyer says a hypothetical Pillars of Eternity 3 would be 3D, just like Baldur's Gate 3, with 'environmental mechanics, elevation hazards, and dynamic terrain' - PC Gamer.

• Saudi Arabia’s High-Stakes Bet on Gaming - New Lines Magazine. Thanks Reddit.
• CEO Ryan Cohen lays out vision for GameStop’s future as stock plummets 20% – and trading cards play a big role - MSN.
• How Nintendo's strategy of fun led to the Switch 2 - The Indicator from Planet Money - NPR.

• Dune: Awakening and Stellar Blade both set new concurrent user records on Steam this weekend - Eurogamer.net.
• Path of Exile Player Count Soars Above PoE 2 After New Update - GameRant.

• ‘No Gods or Kings’- Elon Musk posts cryptic message — Here’s the video game that inspired it - Times of India.
• Patrick Gibson Confirms Work on Video Game Following James Bond Rumors - ComicBook.com.

• Backroom Company - v105 Patch Live Result Screen Rework & Noclip Beacon System Added.
• Blacksmith Master - Hotfix - June 12th.
• Trolls vs Vikings: Reborn - "Moving on Up" update is now live for Trolls vs Vikings- Reborn.

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

• Stellar Blade director kicks the horny nest, says steamy stuff's fine, but modders adding fresh twists would be cooler - Rock Paper Shotgun. Kicking the horny nest wins the internet for today.

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Bonjour! We're currently exploring a wide range of future improvements — from accessibility features to new content and all sorts of bits and bobs we're actively assessing. Naturally, this also includes expanded localisation options.

• An Update From Dark0ne at Nexus mods and community. Under new ownership.
• Stellar Blade's director throws down the gauntlet at modders, whose 'firepower is still weak'—all the sexy costumes are cool, he just also wants mods that 'expand the user’s play experience' - PC gamer.

• Grave Seasons - Official Gameplay Trailer - PC Gaming Show at Summer Game Fest 2025. Thanks CNET.
• SCS On The Road- Renault Trucks Engine Plant.
• Trolls vs Vikings: Reborn - Moving on Up Content Update.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• 15 Times Game Devs Said “LET'S MAKE IT WORSE” And Actually Did - GamingBolt.
• How Games Are Made- SOUND DESIGN - NoClip.

• How Mixtape reminds us that your mixtapes were your life - Johnny Galvatron interview - VentureBeat.

• Bafta Games Awards shortlists teenagers from East of England - BBC.

• Six One Indie Showcase — September 18, 2025.

• Nintendo Switch 2 gets a CT scan that shows off internals layer-by-layer, including a scan of the Nvidia Tegra SoC - Tom's Hardware.

• Mitsubishi debuts EV battery swap network for cars AND trucks - Electrek. Thanks Slashdot.
• $3,000 Steam Deck prototype disassembled — concept units had discrete GPU support, smaller joysticks, circular touchpads - Tom's Hardware.
• Google, Meta and Snap think this tech is the next big thing - CNN Business. Smartglasses. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• Here is a list of Samsung Galaxy watches that won't be supported after September 2025 - Neowin.
• 5 Bluetooth 6.0 features I think will improve your earbuds experience - NotebookCheck.net News. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• How a race for electric vehicles threatens a marine paradise - BBC.
• Tesla blows past stopped school bus and hits kid-sized dummies in Full Self-Driving tests - Engadget. Protest mode.
• WhatsApp to start showing more adverts in messaging app - BBC.
• The next Galaxy Watch will read antioxidant levels, give you useful bedtime guidance, and become the running coach you always wanted - TechRadar.
• Trump's Company Unveils New Mobile Cellular Service Venture - Deadline.

• The GPU 16-pin melting fiasco is getting ridiculous — now this entire Nvidia RTX turns into a red ring of death when it is incorrectly plugged-in - Tom's Hardware.
• Windows Recall gets an export feature to let non-Microsoft websites and apps use your Copilot PC's snapshots - PC Gamer.
• Mac Mini won't power on- Apple will fix it for you - for free - ZDNET.
• 3D-printed homes tested against earthquakes for the first time — 'Dramatic leap forward' hailed for potential use in earthquake-prone countries - Tom's Hardware.
• Rufus 4.9 Bugfix Release. Thanks Broadband Bulletin via Ant.

• Nvidia's pitch for sovereign AI resonates with EU leaders - Reuters.
• Meta's Llama 3.1 can recall 42 percent of the first Harry Potter book - Understanding AI. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• This open-source generative AI tool converts 2D images into 3D part meshes for 3D printing in seconds - Tom's Hardware. Thanks Max.
• LLM agents flunk CRM and confidentiality tasks • The Register.

• Vulnerability Summary for the Week of June 9, 2025 - CISA. Thanks Ant.

• $124 million armored truck crypto money laundering operation busted — Australian perps apprehended, could face life in prison - Tom's Hardware.

• MindsEye Review - Not Like This - GameSpot.
• Stellar Blade review - PC Gamer.

• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: FSP AE36 AIO Review - TechPowerUp.
• Monitor/Projector: Samsung Odyssey 3D G9 gaming monitor review- Premium 4K gaming in 2D and glasses-free 3D - Tom's Hardware.
• Motherboard: ASRock Phantom Gaming B860I Lightning Wi-Fi review - PC Gamer.
• Motherboard: ASRock B860 Steel Legend Wi-Fi review - PC Gamer.
• Motherboard: ASRock B860 LiveMixer Wi-Fi review - PC Gamer.
• SSD: Phison E28 SSD Controller Preview - The Empire Strikes Back - TweakTown.

It's a celebration today at the Blue Tower, as we mark MrsBlue's birthday. I'm going to guess she's 29, so please don't go and do any math on our recent 29th wedding anniversary. I admit that after so many years it's easy to take moments like this for granted, so in the spirit of my recent vow to break free of such patterns, we had dinner out Saturday, went to a show last night, and have another plan for the end of this week. Last night we got out to see Low Cut Connie, which was tremendous. They're a fairly recent discovery (we make no claims to be on the cutting edge), but we've quickly become fans.

Annual Orbit Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Stories

• Elijah Blue Allman overdose- Cher, Gregg Allman's son hospitalized - USA Today.
• Eric Dane Says Right Arm Is No Longer Working Amid ALS Battle - The Hollywood Reporter.

Science

• A Fifth Force of Nature May Have Been Discovered Inside Atoms - ScienceAlert.
• Scientists find that dogs can alert humans to Valley fever disease - Earth.com.

Media

• The Naked Gun - Official Trailer (2025 Movie) - Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson.
• The baby plays with its reflection in the mirror. Thanks VideoSift.