Timber! Early Access to Timberborn is now underway on Steam, offering the chance to sink your teeth into this city-building game for Windows and macOS where the world is run by "lumberpunk beavers." Here's an Early Access Trailer showing off the only workplace where slapping tail is not considered inappropriate. Here are some dam details:

Mankind turned Earth into a dry wasteland and perished, but some species adapted and evolved. Pick one of the beaver factions and see how long your colony can last.

Control one of two beaver factions: the nature-friendly Folktails or the industrious Iron Teeth. Each faction has a unique style, buildings, and gameplay traits. Choose what fits your playstyle!

Prepare your settlement for recurring droughts. Stockpile on food and keep fields and forests alive even after rivers dry up. Rely on both natural water sources and artificial irrigation to keep the land arable.

Continue here to read the full story.

Get pumped! Gas Station Simulator is now available on Steam, offering a Windows game where you attempt to make a thriving business by restoring a run-down service station. Here's a recent trailer, and here are some details to fuel your imagination:

Gas Station Simulator is all about renovating, expanding and running a gas station along a highway in the middle of a desert.
Freedom of choice and multiple approaches to run your business and deal with pressure are key ingredients in this game.

Buy an abandoned gas station in the middle of nowhere and restore it to its former glory.
Get rid of debris and broken furniture, fix up the walls, paint and decorate the place to your liking.
Just don’t spend all your cash on the looks right away, you bought a gas station after all.
Repair the equipment, buy what can’t be repaired and start serving your customers to earn money for further renovations and improvements.

Continue here to read the full story.

A post on Reddit has word that Bethesda Softworks is looking into performance issues in DEATHLOOP that many are attributing to the Denuvo DRM in the just-released shooter:

Hey all, I'm one of the DEATHLOOP Community Managers, and while those burgers do look great, regarding performance we are aware of reports that some PC users are experiencing stuttering issues in DEATHLOOP. We're actively investigating the issue right now as a priority, and will update you with more specific information as soon as possible.

Madmind Studio announces development is complete on Succubus, and the now-gold action/adventure is set to launch on GOG.com and Steam. This also means the Adult Only game has received approval from Valve, despite its racy graphics. This is because the game will launch in its censored form, but Madmind promises free DLC on day one to unlock all its adult material. In the meantime, there's still a free SUCCUBUS: Prologue on Steam you can sample. Here's the pitch:

You are the Succubus – a wild and lustful demon who rejected the role of the queen of the infernal abyss. ­With the disappearance of the legitimate rulers of Hell, the remaining demons recognized Nimrod as their ruler, because he was the only soul who could dominate the mind of the mighty Beast. By raising his new empire from the corpses of sinners, the new king, along with his new queen – you – managed to control the chaos left by former rulers. The life of luxury and walking on rugs sewn from the skins of martyrs was not for you though, and so you have chosen a life in the wilderness. You inflict pain by hurting everyone and everything in your path to satisfy your apetites and primal instincts.

RAM Pressure is out of Early Access and now available on Steam as a free online tactical game inspired by the turn-based combat of the XCOM/X-COM series. For us non-physicists, here's the Wikipedia article explaining the game's title. Here's a new trailer showing off gameplay. The game's business model involves optional in-game purchases, but the nature of these is not clear from the description:

Tactical story-driven online multiplayer game combining the turn-based combat of X-COM with a deep, well-grounded sci-fi setting. Experience intense tactical online multiplayer action and explore a deep plot and unique storyline built on both single-player and multiplayer missions.

In the near future, Earth is hit by an unusual meteorite swarm: the remains of alien fleets decimated by an ancient galactic war. To avoid widespread panic, world governments hide the truth from the population by sending elite mercenary squads to crash sites – gaining access to the alien technology before anyone else can do the same.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Humble Be the Bad Guy Bundle (pay what you want and help charity).*
• Save 76% on Disgaea Dood Bundle on Steam.
• Save 66% on Complete Nidhogg Bundle on Steam.

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

Official patch.

• Call of Duty: Warzone Season Five Reloaded Patch Notes.

Thanks Ant.

• Clash: Artifacts of Chaos - ‘Welcome to Zenozoik’ Dev Diary.
• The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes – 20 Minutes of Gameplay with Game Director's Commentary.
• EVE Online - Gateway - Quadrant 3 Trailer (2021). Thanks Neutronbeam.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• How Arkane Studios Designed Prey - Documentary - Noclip.
• Life of a completionist - Collectibles - Viva La Dirt League.

• Call of Duty: Warzone Mode Intel- A Guide to Iron Trials ’84.

• Report: Hardware spending grew by 45% in August (NPD).
• Introducing Superstar X-Factors in NHL 22.
• Flynn: Son Of Crimson Is Now Available For Windows 10, Xbox One, And Xbox Series X-S (Xbox Game Pass).
• Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered Pounces onto Xbox One and Xbox Series X-S Today.
• Dustwind - The Last Resort Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X-S.
• Xbox Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Lawmakers Push Facebook To Abandon Instagram For Kids, Citing Mental Health Concerns.
• Trillian 6.5 for Windows. Thanks Ant.

• AMD & Microsoft Collaborate To Bring TensorFlow-DirectML To Life, Up To 4.4x Improvement on RDNA 2 GPUs. Thanks Simon.
• The Labor Of Love That Is Recovering Lost Software. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Jensen Huang Is on the 2021 TIME100 List.

• Customer Care Giant TTEC Hit By Ransomware.

• Petition · Warning at Activision Blizzard: Do not layoff workers!…
• Twisted Metal TV adaptation casts Anthony Mackie as John Doe…
• Ex-Ubisoft Devs Open New Studio, Immediately Diss Ubisoft…

Last Link of the Day: Talking Parrot Tells Cat to Quiet Down (NSFW). Thanks Boing Boing.

In a tweet, EA and DICE confirm the rumor in the story below, saying Battlefield 2042 is being delayed to November 19th. Updates on plans for open beta testing of the military shooter are promised later this month:

Building the next generation of battlefield during a global pandemic has created unforeseen challenges for our development teams. Given the scale and scope of the game, we had hoped our teams would be back in our studios together as we move towards launch. With the ongoing conditions not allowing that to happen safely, and with all the hard work that teams are doing from home, we feel it is important to take the extra time to deliver on the vision of Battlefield 2042 for our players.

Your enthusiasm for the game has been very inspiring. We believe in the game we're making, and we thank you for your patience as we put some finishing touches into the experience.

Updates on the open beta will be coming later this month.

Continue here to read the full story.

A tweet from professional leaker Tom Henderson continues the intense effort to divine plans for Battlefield 2042 before they are revealed. The latest is speculation that the next installment in the military shooter series is being delayed. Tom disagrees with other rumors of a delay of months, saying he hears it's more like several weeks, and a late November release window "is currently flying around." Tom penned an article on DualShockers with more:

EA’s lack of communication on Battlefield 2042 could be a small indication that the game has been facing some development issues. Both the Beta date and Hazard Zone are still yet to be announced by EA officially and although I would like to think this is down to smart marketing, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

What’s particularly interesting about the Battlefield 2042 delay rumors though, is that the Battlefield 2042 Beta still seems like it’s scheduled for later this month, with an announcement expected to be made soon.

NPD analyst Mat Piscatella tweets NPD's August video game sales analysis for August 2021. This includes chart that delves into detail, but Mat also offers a handy summary:

August 2021 US NPD THREAD - August 2021 consumer spending across video game hardware, content and accessories grew 7% when compared to a year ago, to an August record $4.4B. YTD consumer spending totaled $37.9B, a 13% increase when compared to the same period in 2020.

Stunlock Studios offers a new trailer from V Rising, the open-world vampire survival game in development for release on Steam. This features a first look at gameplay, showing off the game's environments, combat, base-building, and more. The company also announces a beta test will get underway later this year, and those interested should sign up here. For more, sink your teeth into these details:

To survive as a vampire, you need to hunt for blood in nearby settlements, hide from the scorching sun and avoid stepping into garlic fields. Build your castle and invite blood-thirsty friends to join as you explore a gothic open-world, pillage villages, raid bandits, and wander into the territories of supernatural beasts.

Attack other players’ castles, or become a diplomat in a game of blood, power, and betrayal. Devise your vampiric playstyle and engage in real-time PvE and PvP combat. Fight your way up the food chain and claim your place as the apex predator of a dark fantasy realm.

Continue here to read the full story.

Developer SpiffyBit and publisher RockGame announce the conclusion of Early Access for Scrapnaut is upon us, with the game's official release for Windows on GOG.com and Steam. A post on Steam details all the changes in the release version for those who have previously played the scrappy survival game. Here's the Full Release Trailer (phrasing!) and here are some scraps of information:

Scrapnaut is a co-op & singleplayer top-down, base building survival game with steampunk elements. Explore an open world with different biomes, take care of oxygen, manage your farms, generate electricity, build your home and much more!

Continue here to read the full story.

The Isn't Company announces Hometopia, a home renovation and sale game coming to Steam in January 2022. The Official Trailer shows off the game's use of the Unity Engine to create a world where house flipping meets asset flipping. Word is to expect a week-long free demo starting October 1st as part of the next Steam Next Fest. Here's more:

Build, design and renovate houses across five unique neighborhoods in Career mode or create your own neighborhoods and dream homes from scratch with friends online! Builder. Designer. Renovator. What's your Hometopia?

Continue here to read the full story.

• Special Sale: sci-fi RPGs up to 90% off - GOG.com.

Mods.

• New Tales or Arise PC Mod Allows Users to Increase NPC Draw Distance, Unlock the Dev Console and More.
• This new Doom mod will let you send Thatcher back to Hell.

• Warzone's game-breaking invincibility glitch returns with Riot Shield exploit.
• Apex Legends Octane Jump Pad trick still works despite nerf.

• Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The First Cases l Dev Diary l Microids & Blazing Griffin.
• Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot: The First Cases l Everything You Need to Know.
• Medieval Dynasty - Insider Video 1.0.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• The Legendary TOPGUN Intro Inside DCS 2.7. Thanks DSOGaming.

• Diablo 2: Resurrected's Post Launch Content Plans - GameRant. Not concrete. Thanks Blizzplanet.

• Deathloop delivery booth code location.
• Where to find the best weapons and ammo in Deathloop.
• Life Is Strange: True Colors Ending Guide - How To Secure The Vote.

• Aliens Fireteam Elite - DSOGaming.

• New PS5 Update 21.02-04.00.00.42-00.00.00.0.0 Now Out, File Size & Details Listed.
• Switch system update version 13.0.0 now available. Adds Bluetooth audio support.
• New PS4 Firmware Update 9.00 Causing Issues Loading PSN Store, Connecting & More.
• Nintendo Switch finally supports Bluetooth audio—but beware the lag.
• Xbox Returns to Tokyo Game Show 2021.
• OlliOlliWorld: New Burntrock biome revealed, 120fps confirmed for PS5.
• Catlateral Damage: Remeowstered Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X-S.
• Merek's Market Is Now Available For Xbox One And Xbox Series X-S.
• Arkan: The Dog Adventurer Is Now Available For Xbox Series X-S.
• Skeletal Avenger Is Now Available For Digital Pre-order And Pre-download On Xbox One And Xbox Series X-S.
• PlayStation Plus Double Discounts promotion comes to PlayStation Store.
• Defeat the hordes when BPM: Bullets Per Minute arrives October 5 – PlayStation.Blog.

• Google's Android Auto for People With Dumb Cars Is Good.
• Arm launches hardware platforms for software-defined cars.
• iPhone 13 versus iPhone 12 performance comparisons missing.
• Fitbit smartwatches now detect snoring and other loud noises.
• Amazon gives Kindle e-readers a rare user interface overhaul. Thanks Slashdot.
• What Is a High Refresh Rate- Frame Rate? (Phones, TVs, Monitors) (may require registration or subscription).
• Razer's finger sleeve absorbs thumb sweat for mobile gaming. No RGB, no sale.

• Facebook under fire over secret teen research.
• Mental health: TikTok rolls out support to combat suicide searches.
• Pale Moon version 29.4.1. Thanks Ant.

• China's Domestic JM9 Series GPU Tapes Out & Is As Fast As The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Graphics Card.

• Microsoft accounts no longer need a password.
• Two-thirds of cloud attacks could be stopped by checking configurations, research finds.
• Brits open doors for tech-enabled fraudsters because they 'don't want to seem rude.' Thanks DSLReports via Ant.
• IBM finds cloud credentials sell for mere dollars in 'booming' dark web market.

• Kickstarter For Hand-Drawn Video Game Manuals Shuts Down Due To IP Threat.
• FCC Should Investigate Starlink's Half Million Pre-Orders Asks Rival.
• TikTok faces privacy investigations by EU watchdog.
• Google Is Getting Caught in the Global Antitrust Net (may require registration or subscription).
• Ransomware crims saying 'We'll burn your data if you get a negotiator' can't be legally paid off anyway.
• DOJ fines NSA hackers who assisted UAE in attacks on dissidents.

Deathloop is Being Review Bombed on PC For its DRM.

• I Am Fish review: a physics platformer with sole - Rock Paper Shotgun.
• Lost in Random Review - IGN.
• Tales of Arise PC Performance Analysis - DSOGaming.

• CPU Cooler: Bizarre Chinese CPU Cooler- Cylindrical Aigo Shadow Max V5 Review - Gamers Nexus (video). Thanks Neutronbeam.
• CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Toughliquid 360 ARGB Sync - OCinside.
• Graphics Card: Workstation GPU Viewport Performance- CATIA, SolidWorks, Siemens NX & More – Techgage.
• Keyboard: Shurikey Gear Hanzo Keyboard Review - TechPowerUp.
• Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 Review- Bigger (Screen) Is Better - Tom's Hardware.
• Mouse: Razer Orochi V2 Review - TechPowerUp.
• PSU: FSP Dagger PRO 850W SFX Power Supply Unit - Nikk Tech.

• AbleGamers Just Got a Big Win for the Disabled Gaming Community (may require registration or subscription)…
• 'Valheim' devs say players should start a new game for 'Hearth And Home.' Thanks The Flying Penguin…

A big orb weaver spider has demonstrated how smart she is by setting up her home-base outside one of our patio doors. This door doesn't get opened to disturb her webs, but the light it emits at night serves to lure prey into her trap. It's such a good spot, a second spider set up shop there below the first one. She didn't last long, but reading about orb weavers suggests their territoriality is limited to their webs, so I don't know that they came into conflict or anything. Anyway, she's been there for a few weeks now, and it can be fascinating to watch her building and destroying webs and attacking those unfortunate enough to become entangled. I mentioned feeling bad that her life-cycle would soon conclude with the onset of winter, leading MrsBlue to say something about building a terrarium for her. When I started to discuss the logistics of this she had to tell me she was kidding. You'd think she'd know better by now than to joke about such things with me.

Web Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Stories

• UK government claims people must keep flying to help cut carbon emissions.
• Ancient spider caring for offsrping is trapped in amber.

Science

• Prehistoric humans rarely mated with their cousins. Thanks Max.
• If You're Brave Enough — An Injection Of Pufferfish Toxin Could Treat 'Lazy Eye.' Poison, poison, tasty fish, eye drops! Thanks RedEye9.

Media

• Illusion that came second in the Illusion of the Year 2020.
• Clever otter clapping her hands and demanding snacks.

Follow-ups

• The pandemic puppy craze is creating a veterinary crisis. Thanks Max.
• Late-night hosts pay tribute to Norm Macdonald following his death- 'The comedy world is poorer.'
• The controversial science behind woolly mammoth de-extinction.

The Funnies

• Savage Chickens.