Cave Story+ is now available for free on the Epic Games Store as their latest giveaway. This is for keepsies for all who grab a copy over the next seven days. After that Epic's new freebies will be Pillars of Eternity - Definitive Edition and Tyranny - Gold Edition. In case you've been living in a cave plus, here's word on this week's gratis game:

Arguably the most well-known indie game of all time, Cave Story+ features an original story brimming with personality, mystery and fast-paced fun. Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive adventure reminiscent of classic 8 and 16-bit games!

Casey Hudson and Mark Darrah are parting ways with BioWare where they had served, respectively, as General Manager and Executive Producer. There are three big posts on the BioWare Blog to hash out the news and what it means to the future of both individuals, to BioWare, and to upcoming game projects. Here's the post from Casey Hudson and here's the post from Mark Darrah. For the big picture, there's also a Message From Laura Miele, Chief Studios Officer, Electronic Arts. Here's part of that:

When I think about BioWare’s future and the next generation of talent in place, I could not be more confident or optimistic. As we look to the studio’s future and the projects currently under development, the next generation of BioWare talent is leading the studio forward and working on some incredible games that I know you will be excited to experience in the coming years.

Samantha Ryan, who came to Electronic Arts after leading Warner Brothers Games, is one of the strongest leaders in the industry. She will continue to oversee the studio. I’m also excited to announce Christian Dailey, who joined BioWare from Blizzard, will be leading our Dragon Age project currently in development. Christian is a fantastic creative leader and I look forward to you all getting to know him in the coming days. We recently announced Mass Effect: The Legendary Edition and Mike Gamble is leading a team hard at work on that franchise’s future.

The search for a new GM is underway and we are already talking to some great people. We will find the right leader who has a deep love and respect for this studio’s heritage, who embodies the values of this team and who will help carry on the incredible legacy of BioWare

CD PROJEKT RED tweets about plans for a Twitter launch party next Wednesday for Cyberpunk 2077:

No matter if you have been Tweeting since day one or just recently joined us - we are thankful for our community here.
That is why we’ve teamed up with @TwitterGaming for something special #CyberNight
Dec 9th 3pm PT | Midnight CET

Per Aspera is now available for Windows on GOG.com and Steam offering a Martian base-building game with hard sci-fi roots. Here's the Release Trailer and here's what to expect:

A challenging combination of hard science fiction and base building, Per Aspera takes players to the hostile surface of Mars and tasks them to colonize the planet on a scale never before seen in the genre.

Mars’ surface is littered with humanity’s failed attempts at colonization, but this time has to be different - there is no room for human error. As AMI, an artificial consciousness with the prime directive of terraforming Mars for human colonization, you’ll explore a sprawling map based on real geographical data from NASA, harvest valuable resources from the surface, and experiment with various colonizing strategies to transform a dead world into a new home for life in our solar system.

Continue here to read the full story.

The Phoenix Point: Year One Edition is now available on the Epic Games Store and now that a year has passed the game's exclusivity is over and it can be purchased on GOG.com, and Steam, as well. Snapshot Games calls The Year One Edition the definitive version of this turn-based strategy game from X-COM creator Julian Gollop. It includes all the game's previous DLC along with a "massive" new Polaris update that adds new content and features. Owners of the Epic Games Store version can update at a discounted price for a limited time. Here's the Release Trailer and here are details on the Polaris update:

Phoenix Point: Year One Edition’s launch today coincides with the game’s massive new Polaris update, which adds new content and features driven by community feedback, including:

• A brand-new tutorial prologue that introduces new characters, cinematics, and maps while teaching the core gameplay fundamentals.
• New weapons and equipment with their own research tracts, including a riot shield, shotgun, grenade launcher and heavy cannon.
• A new contextual pop-up help system integrated throughout the entire game.
• New menu screens with updated info, plusa wide range of gameplay improvements, balance updates and more.

Continue here to read the full story.

Valve announces Operation Broken Fang is in full effect in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, introducing new gameplay modes, maps, a points shop, and more to their competitive first-person shooter. A full briefing is on this page and here's a brief briefing:

CS:GO's Operation Broken Fang, the 10th Operation in the series, is now available via Steam and introduces new gameplay modes, maps, a points shop, and more.

Operation Broken Fang features a new competitive mode, a detailed personal statistics display, all-new agents, weapon collections, stickers, and more, available exclusively to Operation pass holders. Additionally, the update introduces the fast-paced Retakes Mode which is available for all players.

CS:GO's 10th Operation highlights seven new maps that can be played in a variety of game modes, along with weekly missions that allow players to earn stars that can be redeemed for rewards in the new Operation Shop.

The Twisted & The Twilight Lord Pack is now available on Steam, adding two new Legendary Lords to Total War: WARHAMMER II, Creative Assembly's fantasy strategy sequel. This comes alongside a free content release for everyone who owns the game along with a patch with various improvements. This post has the patch notes, and here's a bit on the characters in the new DLC:

The Twisted vs The Twilight
The Sisters of Twilight, known individually as Naestra and Arahan, are twins of unusual circumstance and are as different as night from day. Equally devastating with a bow or spear, they stalk the battlefield atop a Great Eagle or Forest Dragon, inflicting wrath upon those who threaten the forests.

Throt The Unclean is the most twisted and ingenious Master Mutator of Clan Moulder. A mutated and bloated beast, he excels at ensnaring large characters and using his trusted Creature-killer and Whip of Domination to break them to his will.

Continue here to read the full story.

The Dauntless Reforged expansion is now live, offering the largest content update yet for Phoenix Labs' multiplayer action/RPG. Here are the version 1.5.0 patch notes and undaunted, we'll press on with an overview:

Dauntless Reforged launches on December 3, and is the largest Dauntless expansion ever. Reforged introduces new open-world gameplay systems and reimagines the progression and story of Dauntless.

• New way to hunt: Hunting Grounds. Hunting Grounds is Dauntless’ biggest and most ambitious hunt type yet, designed from the ground up to provide players with an endless amount of content and activities to take part in. Hunting Grounds offers 18 handcrafted islands to explore, brimming with flora, fauna, treasures to discover, and fearsome Behemoths.
• New progression system: Slayer's Path. The Slayer's Path is an all-new branching progression system that lets you determine your path through the Shattered Isles.
• Upgrade your weapons using the new Reforge system to unlock new passive bonuses. Further upgrade your weapons using a Power Surge. Power surging lets you take a single weapon or piece of gear and push it beyond its normal power limits — permanently.
• Soar through the skies with gliders, arriving in the Hunting Grounds when Dauntless Reforged launches.
• Explore the Cold Front Hunt Pass, filled with Frostwarden-themed items including two armour sets on the Elite Track.

• Team Fortress 2 Update Released.

Thanks Ant.

• Kratos Enters Fortnite through the Zero Point.
• Documentary Trailer: How 'Play As Anyone' Works in Watch Dogs: Legion.
• TF2's Smissmas 2020 Explained.

• The Outer Worlds- Board-Approved Bundle Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• NHL 21: Rewind Bundle Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• Wildfire Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• EA STAR WARS Triple Bundle Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• Haven Is Now Available For Windows 10, Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• PHOGS! Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S (Also Included In Xbox Game Pass).
• Oniria Crimes Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.

• Warner Bros. Will Launch Every 2021 Movie on HBO Max at the Same Time They Hit Theaters. Thanks Ant.

• AMD’s “Smart Access Memory” feature tested on INTEL Z490 platform, first third-party gaming benchmarks leaked.
• Chalk and Awe: Studio Crafts Creative Battle Between Stick Figures with Real-Time Rendering. Thanks Hypothermia.

• Beware - that email about your Amazon delivery alert could be an online scam. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Why Covid may mean more facial recognition tech.

• Facebook sued for 'denying opportunities to US workers.'

• ESA says gaming employs 143k in US, pays an average of $121k…
• Dead Island 2 Is Still In Development, Confirms Deep Silver…
• Warner Bros has removed Denuvo from Batman: Arkham Knight, adds two new free skins…

Last Link of the Day: Cass County First Responders Rescue Stranded Dog on a Chunk of Ice in the River. Thanks Acleacius.

Immortals Fenyx Rising is now available for Windows and consoles, allowing you to wield the power of the gods in Ubisoft's new action/adventure based on Greek mythology. The Windows edition is available directly from Ubisoft and on the Epic Games Store. Here's the Launch Trailer with a look, and here's more of what to expect:

YOU ARE THE GODS' LAST HOPE
Play as Fenyx on a quest to save the Greek gods from a dark curse.
Take on mythological beasts, master the legendary powers of the gods, and defeat Typhon, the deadliest Titan in Greek mythology, in an epic fight for the ages.

CONFRONT MYTHOLOGICAL ENEMIES
Face off against legendary beasts like Cyclops, Medusa, or Minotaur, and confront them in fast-paced aerial and melee combat, combining your god-given abilities and weapons.

WIELD THE POWER OF GODS
The gods of Olympus have blessed you with gifts. Use them to fight mythical monsters, solve ancient puzzles, and explore the vast open world.

Continue here to read the full story.

Kalypso Entertainment announces that German developer Realmforge Studios is taking over the Tropico series going forward. Their first contribution to the banana republic simulation is a new add-on for Tropico 6 called Caribbean Skies that will arrive on December 16th. Tropico 6 was originally developed by Limbic Entertainment, another German studio. They explain the change is part of a shift towards more internal development, as they took full ownership of Realmforge at the beginning of this year. "The expansion and complete takeover of the shares is a logical consequence of our strategy to expand our own development resources not only in Germany but internationally," explains Kalypso Media Managing Partner Simon Hellwig. "We are offering the highly qualified, motivated team in Munich the opportunity to focus exclusively on the further development of exciting franchises such as Tropico, Dungeons and Spacebase Startopia in the future." A Steam Listing for Caribbean Skies is now online, and here's a bit of what it has to say about the DLC:

The beloved dicta…uh, leader El Presidente sets out to conquer the Caribbean Skies! The biggest DLC for Tropico 6 to date takes the fun to new altitudes with - drones. Prepare to play a dedicated scenario-driven campaign with 5 new missions, each unlocking different play styles and features. Caribbean Skies takes you on a journey to save the world and with it, your dear Tropico. Throughout the campaign, meet new characters like eccentric scientists and a new antagonist, who means nothing but trouble for El Prez and his endeavors.

The skies above Tropico have never been busier. Put the teamsters to one side and use air delivery to take logistics to the next level. Make use of multiple new buildings revolved around the features of Caribbean Skies – such as the Cargo Airport which lets you transport and export goods between different islands of the Tropican archipelago via cargo planes. With the Drone Delivery Service, set up a drone delivery route between two buildings and use your buzzing new helpers to deliver goods. Meanwhile, the Drone Taxi offers Tropicans a new way to get around. Maintain absolute control and set up a Central Intelligence building to deploy Security Drones to ensure that no scheme goes unnoticed. Finally, the new Balloon Tours lets you provide hot air balloon rides to tourists. Make them happy by choosing scenic routes that show off the beauty of Tropico.

The promised Bloodtrail update is now available on Steam for Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. This addition to WOLCEN Studio's action/RPG is extensive enough to require two posts for the patch notes, here's part one on all the new content and here's part two on bug fixes. This post has an overview along with a trailer. Here's word:

We’ve added a new Game Mode: Chronicles.

Chronicles allows you to play with a new character in a completely fresh economy, and access the seasonal events during the campaign and in the endgame. This specific event will require you to successfully track a Prey and make decisions during your hunt to make it more or less challenging depending on the choices you make. This will allow you to customize your hunt in order to earn even more powerful rewards!

Continue here to read the full story.

A new video from Rare explains what's on the horizon for Sea of Thieves. This includes plans to introduce seasons for free to all owners of the piracy game, supported by premium Plunder Passes, their version of those battle passes that are all the rage. They will be moving away from their pattern of monthly updates in favor of updating every three months or so with the launch of each new season. They also discuss the Festival of Giving update which is expected to set sail next week. Here's an overview of the clip:

The final Sea of Thieves News for 2020 is here, and we're setting our spyglass on 2021 as we detail a change to our update schedule and the introduction of new goals and rewards with Seasons! Plus, a tease for next week's Festival of Giving update. Grab a grog and listen well.

Continue here to read the full story.

Early Access to Tinkertown is now underway on Steam, offering a chance to dip your toe into the sand of Headup's multiplayer sandbox game. The Early Access Launch Trailer takes a look at the game 16-bit graphics and the announcement explains more of what to expect:

Come to Tinkertown - A refreshing new Multiplayer Sandbox Experience! Grab your shovel, your pickaxe, and your sword and enter the realms of Tinkertown. A magical place awaits filled with loot, danger, and creativity. Build your own village - from small shacks to impressive castles and townships.

Gather resources as you explore this procedurally generated world either by yourself or with friends! Need some extra challenge? While the surface world is mostly peaceful, only the most courageous explorers will enter the sinister dungeons scattered around the world, and defeat the horrors that live within. Epic loot awaits those who dare to face the underworld.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Elva the Eco Dragon Release Trailer.

• Metal Tales- Overkill by Zerouno Games — Kickstarter. "An action-adventure game where Metal and Adrenaline clash to give you the 3D roguelike guitar-shooter experience of a lifetime."
• ILLUMINATI CONFIRMED- A New Kind of Strategic Video Game by RadioFree.Net — Kickstarter. "A new video game based on Illuminati: New World Order, the award-winning card game from the 1990s."

• The Call of Duty Endowment Announces the Second Annual C.O.D.E. Bowl on December 11.

• PS3 Update 4.87 Sneaks Out.
• Immortals Fenyx Rising Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• Wonder Blade Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X|S.
• Morbid: The Seven Acolytes Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• Quiplash 2 InterLASHional- The Say Anything Party Game! Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• Free Play Days – The Elder Scrolls Tamriel Unlimited and Soulcalibur VI - Xbox Wire.

• Notebook PC sales balloon, with 26-percent growth expected in Q4. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Verizon’s Galaxy S20 models are the first to get Android 11 and One UI 3.0.
• December 2020 security update hits Galaxy Note 20, S10 with hiccups.
• If you’ve got an older iPhone, your FaceTime calls just got better.
• Google Photos now lets you set a dynamic, changing wallpaper.

• Web Summit: Facebook urges Biden to restore global internet.
• Covid-19: Facebook to take down false vaccine claims.
• Google now lets anyone contribute to Street View using AR and an app.
• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Should Be on Your Short List of Cloud Service Providers. Thanks LinkedIn via Redwood.
• Broadband: Virgin to offer hyper-fast speeds in parts of Wales.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT Big Navi Graphics Card is Up To 13% Faster Than RX 6800 XT In OpenCL Benchmarks.
• Investigating Performance of Multi-Threading on Zen 3 and AMD Ryzen 5000.
• Intel considers tapping TSMC to produce its 7 nm chips. I'd tap that.
• Cooling electronics efficiently with graphene-enhanced heat pipes. Thanks Simon.
• How to Change Mechanical Keyboard Switches in Minutes.
• BurnAware version 14.0 Beta. Thanks DSLReports via Ant.

• Researchers Find Powerful Cellphone Location Surveillance in Europe, Middle East, Australia. Thanks DSLReports via Ant.
• New TrickBot version can tamper with UEFI-BIOS firmware.
• 8% of all Google Play apps vulnerable to old security bug.

• Haven PC Review - GameWatcher.
• Haven Review - IGN.
• Haven review - Rock Paper Shotgun.
• Haven Offers a Little Slice of Life on a Strange Planet - Siliconera.
• Immortals Fenyx Rising Is Another Homeric Epic From Ubisoft - Siliconera.
• Twin Mirror Review - Reflecting Imperfectly - Wccftech.
• World of Warcraft: Shadowlands review - PC Gamer.

• CPU Cooler: Corsair iCue H115i Elite Capellix review - PC Gamer.
• Graphics Card: ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 Ti STRIX OC Review - TechPowerUp. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GAMING X TRIO Review - TweakTown.
• Mouse: Corsair Katar Pro Wireless Review - TechPowerUp.
• Mouse: Mountain Makalu 67 mouse review - Guru3D.
• Mouse: Mountain Makalu 67 White Gaming Mouse Review - Mad Shrimps.
• PSU: Solid Gear Neutron 550W Power Supply Review - The FPS Review.
• SSD: DataLocker DL3 FE 512GB Encrypted Portable USB 3.2 Gen 1 SSD Review - Nikk Tech.

• David Hayter would be happy to return as Snake in future Metal Gear Solid projects…

I'm planning on taking a trip to our old hometown to visit my buddy Jedi the Jindo and take him for a walk. This is sort of a proof of concept on whether this is practical enough to do more regularly. I miss my buddy and my waistline misses the exercise, so if this works out it will be a way to kill a couple of birds with one stone.

Walkabout Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Breakfast Link

• Star Trek's Most Challenging Ethical Quandaries.

Stories

• Man’s wife sells his PS5 he said was an air purifier.
• Lord of the Rings Cast Reunite to Buy $6 Million Home of Author J.R.R. Tolkien. Thanks mwirkk.

Science

• Reversal of biological clock restores vision in old mice. Thanks Max.
• Exercise 11 Minutes a Day for a Longer Life. Thanks j.c.f.

Image

• China releases a super-clear image of the Moon taken by Chang’e 5 probe. Thanks brother19.

Media

• 007: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN- James Bond Revisited.
• Behind The Curtain - Hans Zimmer Percussion.
• Guy Passes Out During Skydiving.