Jurassic World Evolution is now available completely free on the Epic Games Store. This dinosaur-filled Windows strategy game caps off Epic's free game per day holiday spree. And yes, this means this tweet turned out to be 100% accurate at predicting every game being handed out in this promotion. Since the daily freebies are ending, you have seven days to claim this for keeps. They also announce the free game that will take its place next Thursday as Crying Suns. Here's a bit on what to expect from Jurassic World Evolution, keeping in mind, of course, the variances caused by chaos theory:

Take charge of operations on the legendary islands of the Muertes archipelago and bring the wonder, majesty and danger of dinosaurs to life. Build for Science, Entertainment or Security interests in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.

Bioengineer dinosaurs that think, feel and react intelligently to the world around them. Play with life itself to give your dinosaurs unique behaviors, traits and appearances, then contain and profit from them to fund your global search for lost dinosaur DNA.

Control the big picture with deep management tools or go hands-on to confront challenges on the ground or in the air. Expand your islands and choose your own journey in an all-new narrative featuring iconic characters from across the franchise and decades of Jurassic lore at your fingertips.

The Cyberpunk Website says that the promised free DLC for Cyberpunk 2077 is coming soon. It now offers a splash panel saying the following about plans to upgrade the science fiction RPG:

Cyberpunk 2077

FREE DLC STARTS HITTING NIGHT CITY EARLY 2021

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO

PBA Pro Bowling 2021 is now available for Windows and consoles, with the PC edition available on Steam. This bowling simulation features online PvP multiplayer, 26 simulated pro players, over 150 balls from which to choose, and the ability to "bowl as your favorite pro," though none of them seem to be The Dude or Jesus Quintana. Either way, I still don't roll on Shabbos. Here's a trailer and a description:

PBA Pro Bowling 2021 is the ultimate game for all bowling fans! Now you can bowl as your favorite PBA pro! Play online versus your friends, competing head-to-head and in tournaments, or start your PBA Career in a deep single player experience. This game has something for everyone with options for both an authentic simulation mode or an explosive arcade style of gameplay!

PBA Pro Bowling 2021 is officially licensed by the Pro Bowlers Association and includes 26 of the top pros in the game today along with in-game commentary from the TV broadcast team of Rob Stone and hall-of-famer Randy Pedersen.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Awesome Games Done Quick gets underway this weekend.

• Sony is auto-refunding players who recently bought this RPG before it came to PS Plus.
• New Games with Gold for January 2021. Thanks ConsoleGenRL.
• PlayStation developers’ favorite games of 2020.

• Galaxy S21 Official Announcement and Livestream Date Revealed.
• iPhone 13 leak just confirmed killer upgrade to fight Galaxy S21.
• Two Foldable iPhone Prototypes Reportedly Pass Internal Durability Tests.
• Drone users face new rules across Europe and UK.
• Trade-in site Gazelle is ending trade-ins. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• I broke up with wireless earbuds this year — here's why. It's not you, it's me.

• Adobe Flash rides off into the sunset.
• Pandemic-boosted remote workforce may be in for a shock at tax time. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• LG brings its transparent OLED TV to beds, restaurants and public transit windows.
• The 2020 Good Tech Awards (may require registration or subscription).
• Better names for the gaming hardware of 2020.

• Security Evaluation of VeraCrypt. Thanks Ant.

• Ticketmaster will pay $10 million for hacking rival ticket seller.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Case: BLAZER Essence by Cougar! - Overclockersclub (video).
• Case: DEEPCOOL MACUBE 110 MICRO ITX CASE - Modders Inc.
• CPU Cooler: DEEPCOOL AS500 CPU Cooler Review - TweakTown.
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX3080 benchmarked in the 17 most demanding PC games - DSOGaming.
• Keypad: Nuki Keypad Combo Bundle Nikk Tech.
• Laptop: Asus ZenBook Flip S review- A solid laptop with a stunning display - The News Minute.
• Monitor: Asus VP28UQG Monitor Review- 4K Gaming Savings - Tom's Hardware.
• Mouse: Sharkoon Light² 100 Review - TechPowerUp.
• RAM: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB 2666MHz 2x16GB CL18 SODIMM Memory Review - Mad Shrimps.
• SSD: Kingston KC2500 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD Review - TechPowerUp.
• SSD: addlink S92 2TB QLC M.2 PCIe SSD Review - TweakTown.

• Release MAME 0.227. Thanks Ant…
• Chiaki, a free and open source PlayStation Remote Play client adds PlayStation 5 support. Thanks Neutronbeam…

Happy New Year's Eve! We're planning a quiet evening at home here in the BlueTower. This is not actually a concession to the pandemic. MrsBlue and I are traditionally not into heading out for the occasion, and I'm not sure we have actually ever attended a New Year's party in all the years we've been together. Some buddies have suggested we do a virtual get-together later, which would actually make this a more social New Year's Eve for us than usual. That's at least as ironic as a fly in your chardonnay. I will probably make a foray out into the world to pick up something special for dinner. I hope you all have plans that are equally appealing, that you stay safe, and your balls drop on schedule.

Obituary: 'Breakin'' star and dance pioneer Adolfo 'Shabba-Doo' Quiñones dies at 65: 'The world lost a legend today.'
Obituary: Man called most prolific serial killer in US history dies.

Countdown Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Brunch Links
Thanks RedEye9.

• In Memoriam 2020: The Musicians We Lost.
• This Is the Worst Alcoholic Drink for Your Body, Say Experts.
• Water And Molten Aluminium Is A Dangerous Combination. PSA.

Stories

• The Times Square ball drop’s raucous past and lonely present.
• To End 2020, Squirrels Are Attacking Humans In New York. Thanks RedEye9.

Media

• Jump Up Super Star! - Full Big Band-Strings cover ft. Grace Kelly (The 8-Bit Big Band).
• Grappling Gun In Real Life.
• Vader Episode 2: The Amethyst Blade Cinematic.

The Funnies

• xkcd: Flash Gatsby.