Gearbox announces Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary is now available as free DLC for Borderlands 2 owners. This confirms the the leak on the topic, and that this is to help bridge the gap between Borderlands 2 and the upcoming Borderlands 3. Here's a trailer showing off what to expect. Word is this is free for about the next month:

Announced during today’s Microsoft Xbox E3 2019 Briefing, Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary is the fifth campaign DLC for Borderlands 2. This all-new adventure not only sets the stage for Borderlands 3 but also introduces some exciting new features along the way. We’re talking new areas to explore, new enemies and bosses to battle, a new level cap to hit, new aesthetic options for your Vault Hunters and vehicles, two new endgame OP levels, and a new better-than-Legendary Effervescent tier of weapons and equipment to loot. And it’s free until July 8!

Led by the legendary Firehawk Lilith, The Crimson Raiders are in possession of the Vault Map and are preparing to leave Sanctuary in search of its secrets. But when Dahl-branded ships full of soldiers arrive and deploy a chemical weapon, the team is forced to change plans, and a hasty escape leaves Lilith and the Vault Hunters scattered across the Pandoran desert. Enemies infected by Dahl’s toxic gas pose a new threat to Pandora, and only you and your friends can stop it.

If you want to start the new Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary with one of your existing Vault Hunters, you need to visit the new “Fight for Sanctuary” location, which is accessible via Fast Travel stations. Note that attempting to play the new DLC content is not recommended unless your Vault Hunter is at least level 30.

Want to jump right into the DLC without delay, regardless of how much Borderlands 2 you’ve played? You also have the option to create a new level 30 Vault Hunter already loaded into the start of Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary. Go to the Select Character screen, create your level 30 character, and then start the game to automatically be transported to the new content.

That’s not all! If you’d like to play Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary but don’t have a copy of Borderlands 2, you might be interested in one of the great deals that are currently available for Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bethesda Softworks offers the Official E3 2019 Wastelanders gameplay trailer showing off a free update coming to Fallout 76. Word is: "One year after the opening of Vault 76, other humans have returned to Appalachia. Factions of Settlers and Raiders aim to make the world their own and claim a rumored fortune. Embark on a new main quest of choice and consequence, interact with characters and their unique stories, discover the faction settlements of Crater and Foundation, and collect powerful new weapons and armor. Your choices decide their fates." They also announce Nuclear Winter, a new 52-PLAYER battle royale "experience" coming to the irradiated RPG this fall, saying a sneak peak at this will be available to all starting tomorrow during a Fallout 76 Free Trial Week. This video developer diary explains that this take on the genre will retain the core focus of the game, and will include PvE elements, story elements, base building, and, of course, nukes. Here's word on what makes this S.P.E.C.I.A.L. from the Fallout website:

Nuclear Winter is an all-new 52-player PvP Battle Royale mode, free for Fallout 76 players. Nukes have set the world ablaze and the battle to claim your spot as Overseer of Vault 51 has begun – will you be the last one standing or be consumed by the ring of fire? Rank up, unlock exclusive perks and build your C.A.M.P. to weather the storm in true Fallout fashion. Scavenge for weapons, supplies, and nukes to take on other players and creatures and earn unique cosmetic rewards. Sneak Peek Starting June 10, 2019.

Continue here to read the full story.

The official E3 2019 cinematic trailer (NSFW) for Cyberpunk 2077 is online, revealing an April 16, 2020 release date for CD Projekt RED's highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, confirming a recent report the game will come next year. In an unexpected twist, the clip concludes revealing that the game will include the voice and likeness of a Hollywood star quite well known for his starring role in a cyberpunk film trilogy of his own (we won't spoil it further than we have already). Here's word:

Mark your calendars — Cyberpunk 2077, the open-world, action-adventure story from CD PROJEKT RED, is coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC April 16th, 2020.

Pre-order now: https://www.cyberpunk.net/pre-order

About Cyberpunk 2077:
In the most dangerous megacity of the future, the real you is not enough. Become V, a cyber-enhanced mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant — the key to immortality. Customize your cyberware and skillset, and explore a vast city of the future obsessed with power, glamour and body modification. The choices you make will determine the story and shape the world around you.

Continue here to read the full story.

This video is the EA Play presentation for Apex Legends, going into detail about what's coming in Season 2 for the battle royale game, including a new mode, a new weapon, an improved battle pass, and the reveal of a 10th legend coming to the game. Also, Stories from the Outlands – “A Father’s Letter” is a new trailer rolled with a little bit of storytelling. Here's the description of that:

Natalie “Wattson” Paquette made the Apex Arena’s Ring a reality. Her proud father congratulated her on the breakthrough in a heartfelt letter – but that’s not all he had to say.

Apex Legends™ is a free-to-play battle royale game where legendary characters battle for glory, fame, and fortune on the fringes of the Frontier.

Continue here to read the full story.

Also from EA Play is this post recapping the showing of Battlefield V. It includes this video of the entire presentation stream. They also offer this trailer to introduce Marita, a new map coming to the military shooter sequel next month in a free update for all players. Here's word on the next two maps coming to the game:

Al Sundan: Desert Fights on a Vast New Map
We know you’ve been hungry for more maps. Therefore, we were pleased to reveal that a lot of fresh fighting grounds are being cooked up. First stop: The North African desert. Coming in June, the Al Sundan map is based on the vista used in the single player War Story Under No Flag.

Optimized for all-out multiplayer action, the location focuses on large distances, vehicle-based teamplay, and battles across all ranges. Al Sundan is classic Battlefield. We can’t wait to let you play it.

Marita: Infantry-Focused Map Coming in July
Following the release of the Mercury map, the Battle of Greece will continue with Marita. Here, you’ll deploy on a sloping mountain ridge and within the tight streets of a rural town, where Allied forces are making a last stand to halt the Axis army.

Marita is an infantry-focused map, where all four soldier classes will be able to shine. Tanks and aircraft will stand aside for intense infantry gunfights and sneaky flanks in the cobbled streets. We look forward to letting you tackle this vertical environment as the Battle of Greece rages on.

Continue here to read the full story.

Capping off the EA Play recap, EA announces details about EA SPORTS FIFA 20, revealing an all-new VOLTA Football mode coming to the association football/soccer sequel when it's released on September 27th. Here's a trailer and here's word:

VOLTA Football lets players build their own character, express their individual style, and immerse themselves in a realistic street football experience. A brand-new style of gameplay grounded in football realism immerses players in the flow of the street with new tools including simplified flicks and skill moves, new flair animations, or using the wall as a teammate.

Continue here to read the full story.

A new trailer for The Sims 4 shows off some fun in the sun in Island Living, the upcoming thousandth expansion for the lifestyle simulation. This will come to the Windows and macOS editions on June 21st, and to consoles on July 16th. Here's the announcement with more details on the break this will offer your Sims from their workaday world:

The expansion pack introduces the beautiful, sun-soaked world of Sulani, where for the first time in The Sims 4, Sims can enjoy activities in the clear blue waters surrounding the island, setting sail in a peaceful canoe or going on a wild aqua zip ride alongside pods of playful dolphins that surround the island. Sims can also swim to their heart’s content, build sandcastles on the shore, or kick back and relax under the sun. Sims will immerse themselves into the Sulani lifestyle by learning local folklore, tasting traditional delicacies, dressing in tropical garb or decorating their new oasis with objects inspired by the local culture.

Continue here to read the full story.

Here's the new list of the 10 bestselling titles on Steam for last week:

1. Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
2. PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
3. MORDHAU
4. BATTALION 1944
5. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition
6. Hell Let Loose
7. Stellaris: Ancient Relics Story Pack
8. Grand Theft Auto V
9. OCTOPATH TRAVELER
10. Cooking Simulator

• Steam Daily Deal - Tooth and Tail + Monaco, 85% Off.
• Steam Daily Deal - Subsurface Circular & Quarantine Circula, 50% Off.

• Borderlands is at E3 2019.

• Yves Guillemot interview -- Ubisoft is backing new platforms like Google Stadia to expand gaming - VentureBeat.

• Ditch the GPS. It’s ruining your brain.

• How a Google Cloud Catch-22 Broke the Internet.
• Firefox is planning to offer a premium subscription before the end of the year.
• Cringely Predicts The End Of Broadcast TV Within A Decade. Thanks Ant.

• Maker Faire halts operations and lays off all staff. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

• Amazon's helping police build a surveillance network with Ring doorbells.

• Comcast to pay $9.1 million for adding service plans without consent.
• Prominent Reporter Peter Bright Arrested for Soliciting Sex with Children. Thanks RedEye9.
• Lawsuit alleges Unity CEO sexually harassed former VP.

• HAG Capisco Puls 8020 Ergonomic Chair on Nikk Tech.
• TEAMGROUP T1 DDR4 GAMING 2x8GB DDR 2666 Memory Kit on Mad Shrimps.

• A sneak peek at a new Steam UI may have leaked…
• JRPG Publisher Removes Producer From New Game's Credits Because She Left The Company…

The pollen around here is absolutely crazy today, which is saying something because it's been quite heavy for some time now. I don't generally suffer from allergies, but when it gets this bad, it starts to get to me. I've got the full raft of symptoms, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and my throat is starting to feel like it's actually accumulating a coating of pollen. I'm pretty sure that's not the actual case, but I wouldn't be completely surprised if bees start following me around.

Pollinated Links:	Thanks Ant.
Science:	Is it time to treat sugar like smoking? Thanks RedEye9.
Media:	Ronald McDonald vs The Burger King. Epic Rap Battles of History. NSFW. Who Started the Moon Landing Hoax Conspiracy Theory? Thanks RedEye9. Southwest China Put On A Dazzling Drone Show.
The Funnies:	'Smart-Ass Phone' - FoxTrot.