Chivalry may be dead, but there's always Chivalry 2. And speaking of the first-person slasher from Torn Banner Studios and Tripwire, it is available to play for free this weekend on Steam. This gives you two days to sample the game, including the just-launched Winter War. Progress will carry over after the weekend if you buy the game, which is currently on sale for half-off. Here's the recruiting pitch:

Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer first person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles. Players are thrust into the action of every iconic moment of the era - from clashing swords, to storms of flaming arrows, to sprawling castle sieges and more.

Dominate massive, 64-player battlefields. Catapults tear the earth apart as you lay siege to castles, set fire to villages and slaughter filthy peasants in the return of Team Objective maps.

A free weekend is underway for theHunter: Call of the Wild on Steam, allowing you to see if this dog will hunt without having to track down your wallet. This hunting simulation from Expansive Worlds is also currently on sale for 80% off, so there's a bargain to be had if you decide to pick it up. Here's the call of the Call of the Wild:

Never before have you experienced a hunting game like theHunter: Call of the Wild. Plunge into an atmospheric open world, teeming with life: from the majestic true-to-life animals to the rustling of leaves above you as you stalk your prey. You can decide to hunt on your own or join up and hunt together with friends. Just remember, you are not just a visitor in this world, you are a living and breathing part of it. As you finally spot the majestic crown of your first red deer through the brush, the feeling is indescribable.

Grinding Gear Games has launched the promised PC edition of Path of Exile: The Forbidden Sanctum, the latest installment for the free-to-play action/RPG. The console versions are due next week, and the official website is counting off the day until the launch. In addition to all the new content of an expansion, this also adds a new Ruthless mode, an optional way to play with "extreme item scarcity." The recent Official Trailer takes a look at what's new. This forum thread is being continuously updated with new information about the launch. Here's more:

In Path of Exile: The Forbidden Sanctum, you will test your resolve as you make your way through the Sanctum's dangerous halls. In the Sanctum, each decision you make can cost you greatly.

Our December expansion introduces the Sanctum challenge league and improvements to Path of Exile's endgame, alongside two new Skill Gems, seven new Vaal Skill Gems, over 15 new Unique Items, significant balance changes to jewels, hexes, monster modifiers, unique weapons and more. We are also proud to introduce Ruthless, an optional new way to play Path of Exile with extreme item scarcity.

Continue here to read the full story.

Just when you thought you were out, they drag you back in! Activision announces "everything you need to know" about Season 01 Reloaded for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0. This gets underway in both games once they are patched on December 14th at 1 pm EST. Word is this will also invoke XP bonuses:

To celebrate this new update, Double XP and Double Weapon XP will be active across all platforms during its extended launch weekend, from December 15 at 10 a.m. PT to December 19 at 10 a.m. PT. PlayStation owners will also have Double XP active from December 14 at 10 a.m. PT until the start of the Double XP and Double Weapon XP event across all platforms.

Prior to the launch of Season 01 Reloaded, expect patch notes with details on all technical changes, including major fixes and balance tuning. Raven Software will handle Warzone 2.0 Battle Royale updates, and Infinity Ward will detail changes to Modern Warfare® II and the Warzone 2.0 DMZ Beta. Major Patch Notes updates can be found here.

Developer Sad Owl Studios and publisher Thunderful announce Viewfinder, a puzzle game coming next year to PC and PlayStation. The game will task players with solving puzzles by using 2D media like posters and photographs to alter the 3D environment. If this imaginative mechanic is hard to picture, the Announcement Trailer will help make sense of it. Here's more:

In Viewfinder, you explore a beautiful and fun world full of mystery. Photos, paintings, sketches, screenshots and posters can be placed in the world to become a fabric of its reality, reshaping the environment around you. This unique mechanic delights in the way it plays with perception, evolving in surprising directions that keeps players challenged with every new puzzle they encounter.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Runescape- Paths to Adventure Bundle (pay what you want and help charity).*
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• AWS Case Study: FromSoftware Inc. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Content creator video.

• Duke Nukem 3D- Legacy - Cut Content Lives Again In This Kickass Duke Nukem Mod.

• Quizzing Blizzard about Diablo 4 - Eurogamer.net.

• Xbox addresses lack of Game Awards reveals: ‘We have a lot planned to show.’
• Person Arrested at The Game Awards for Interrupting on Stage.
• Al Pacino Is Just As Confused As You About His 2022 Game Awards Appearance.
• Al Pacino and Christopher Judge was the high point of The Game Awards.

• Diablo IV Is a Classic Action/RPG Wearing a Deeply Cinematic New Skin.
• Take Control of the Wheel in Need for Speed Unbound with EA Play.
• Get to Know the World of Atomic Heart.

• Musk brings back Twitter Blue with new features to prevent impersonation.
• That was fast- Amazon's 'Alexa thank my driver' tip program is over.

• GALAX officially launches GeForce RTX 4090 HOF, dual 16-pin and 666W power limit.
• Asus' latest SBC packs a 12-core, 4.5Ghz Intel i7.
• Microsoft testing a new Windows 11 screen recorder so you can stop using the Xbox Game Bar.
• Asus Teases Its First 27-Inch, OLED Gaming Monitor.
• Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25262. Thanks Console General.

• Legit Android apps poisoned by sticky ‘Zombinder’ malware.
• Why You Should Blur Your Home on Google Maps Right Now.

• Twitter sued for targeting women and staff on family leave in layoffs.

Obituary: Tina Turner and Ike Turner's Son Ronnie Turner Dead at 62.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing to block Microsoft's proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The New York Times has details on this latest roadblock for the potentially game-changing deal:

The Federal Trade Commission, in one of the most aggressive actions taken by federal regulators in decades to check the power of the tech industry’s giants, on Thursday sued to block Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of the video game maker Activision Blizzard.

The F.T.C. said that the deal would harm consumers because Microsoft could use Activision’s blockbuster games like Call of Duty to lure gamers from rivals. The agency’s commissioners voted 3to 1 to approve filing the suit.

The decision is a blow to the expansion of Microsoft’s video game business, which has become its most important consumer unit and topped $16 billion in annual sales during the most recent fiscal year. For the F.T.C. chair, Lina Khan, a legal scholar who rocketed to fame after she wrote an article criticizing Amazon, the lawsuit will test whether her aggressive plan to rein in the power of Big Tech can survive in the courts.

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS announces DEATH STRANDING 2 is officially in development, saying the name is a working title. Like its acclaimed predecessor, the walking simulator sequel is only announced as coming to PlayStation, but it seems safe to think it will eventually launch on PC as well. Presuming your papers are in order, the developer's website has the announcement and a TGA 2022 Teaser Trailer with a first look. Details are still scant, but here's a bit:

As with all of his past masterpieces, the latest title will be produced, written, directed and designed by Hideo Kojima himself. The cast announced so far includes Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and Troy Baker.

Continue here to read the full story.

Blizzard announces D-Day for Diablo IV, saying the action/RPG sequel will launch on June 6, 2023. This will come to Windows and consoles (with cross-platform play and progression) as a Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate Edition. Preorders are underway on the Diablo IV Website, and they include incentives for the leap of faith. Here's the Official Release Date Trailer and more:

The demon Lilith and the angel Inarius united to create the world of Sanctuary in their desire to escape the Eternal Conflict between Heaven and Hell. But now, decades after the events of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls®, they are bitter enemies who have resorted to war against each other with their respective followers. The lands of Sanctuary have become plagued with ceaseless demons, and only the most steadfast of heroes will be able to hold in the face of darkness. Players will enter the world with their choice of five classes—the shapeshifting Druids, agile Rogues, elemental Sorceresses, brutal Barbarians, and cunning Necromancers. As players grow in power, they can build their gameplay experience in directions that appeal to them, experimenting with skill trees to showcase complimenting spells and abilities.

Continue here to read the full story.

Ghost Story Games announces Judas, a single-player, narrative first-person shooter in the works at this studio founded by renowned designer Ken Levine. This does not have a release date, but its listings on the Epic Games Store and Steam both say it's "coming soon." Here's an Official Reveal Trailer, and, without betraying too many details, here's some more:

A disintegrating starship. A desperate escape plan.

You are the mysterious and troubled Judas. Your only hope for survival is to make or break alliances with your worst enemies. Will you work together to fix what you broke – or will you leave it to burn?

Judas is a narrative FPS developed by Ghost Story Games, a studio led by Ken Levine, Director of System Shock 2, BioShock, and BioShock Infinite.

Supergiant Games announces Hades II, a sequel to Hades, the acclaimed roguelike dungeon crawler. A Reveal Trailer marks the news, saying Early Access will begin next year. In the meantime we can keep up with the project through its official website, its Epic Games Store Listing, and its listing on Steam. Otherwise things are pretty scant for now:

In Hades II, you'll battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery as you take on the sinister Titan of Time in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft.

We will announce when Hades II will be available and for which platforms closer to when it's complete. The game is in full production right now, though we have a lot left to build!

Like its predecessor, Hades II will be available in Early Access for some time leading up to its full v1.0 launch. Expect more information on Hades II Early Access sometime in 2023.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bandai Namco announces ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, confirming a recent rumor that a new installment in the mech action series is in the works at FromSoftware. There's no suspense about a port, as the official website includes a logo for Steam along with those for consoles. Here's a Reveal Trailer and here are more revelations:

ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON will offer a game experience based on the mech game know-how FromSoftware cultivated over 25 years of developing games in the series, but now introducing groundbreaking gameplay found in the developer’s recent action games. The new ARMORED CORE title will combine these elements into thrilling action that only mechas can provide. The game promises to be a unique entry in the mech action game genre.

InARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, p layers will be able to freely move through massive three-dimensional environments with rapid maneuverability while experiencing visceral vehicular combat. Signature to FromSoftware’s carefully crafted game design, the game will feature challenging and memorable battles along with a fulfilling progression system and deep gameplay, all of it now powered by assembling mechs and going into combat with massive bosses. Players will recognize the sense of satisfaction and achievement when they overcome a difficult situation and relish momentary victory, and perhaps a boost to their standing, before encountering the next challenge.

Continue here to read the full story.

Developer Ascendant Studios and publisher Electronic Arts announce Immortals of Aveum, a single-player, "magic" first-person shooter coming to PC and consoles in 2023. Details are pretty sparse at the moment, but there's an Official Teaser Trailer with a look, and a bit in the description about the developer's pedigree:

Immortals of Aveum is a groundbreaking new single-player, first-person magic shooter, created by Ascendant Studios and released by EA Originals, that delivers a visceral, cinematic campaign. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it will release in 2023 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Watch the teaser trailer, which debuted at The Game Awards.

Made by the creators of Call of Duty and Dead Space, Immortals of Aveum is set in an original fantasy universe engulfed in magic, rife with conflict, and on the verge of oblivion.

Ascendant Studios is an independent team of veteran developers with BAFTA and Game of the Year award-winning experience, and EA Originals will release the studio’s debut title.

Continue here to read the full story.

EA announces a March 17th release date for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the action/adventure sequel set in space, where no one can hear you celebrate St. Paddy's. A March 16th date recently appeared and disappeared on Steam, and this is within the margin of error to call that accurate. Here's an Official Reveal Trailer, and here's more:

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order™, as Cal continues to grow as a Jedi and evade the Empire’s constant pursuit. With trusty companion BD-1 by his side, he joins forces with new and old allies to aid him on his quest, including the mercenary Bode Akuna (Noshir Dalal) and former crew member Cere Junda (Debra Wilson). With new traversal options such as an ascension cable to reach new heights and the ability to tame and ride creatures, Cal has many ways to navigate the perils he will face as he explores both familiar and new worlds across the galaxy.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor also introduces numerous combat stances to enhance gameplay, including Dual Lightsabers for lightning fast gameplay and a new Crossguard stance, that brings a measured, but hard-hitting combat option to help Cal defeat threats standing in his way – from Stormtroopers and Imperial Sentry Droids to powerful beings shrouded in mystery.

Continue here to read the full story.

Gearbox Publishing and Gunfire Games announce Remnant II, a sequel to Remnant: From the Ashes coming to PC and consoles next year. Word is this will evolve the co-op third-person shooter with new environments and new challenges. The Remnant II Website is online with details, wishlist links, and newsletter signups. Here's the Official Announcement Trailer and here's the pitch:

Remnant II is the sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity’s extinction.

Continue here to read the full story.

Good Shepherd Entertainment and Dark Horse Comics announce Hellboy Web of Wyrd, an upcoming roguelite action/adventure for PC and consoles based on the demonic comic book character. This boasts an additional air of authenticity, as it will include the participation of Mike Mignola, who created the character. The official website is online, as is the game's Steam Listing. Here's the Reveal Trailer with a first look, and here are a handful of details:

Hellboy Web of Wyrd is coming! It has a new, original story created in partnership with Mike Mignola and Dark Horse Comics. Discover how Hellboy and the BPRD uncover the ancient secrets of the mysterious Butterfly House and join his adventures in the perilous Wyrd. Battle powerful creatures in search of forgotten godforms, magnificent treasures, and forbidden secrets.

"We are extremely excited by this amazing new Hellboy game developed by Good Shepherd Entertainment,” said Mike Richardson, CEO of Dark Horse Media. “Mike Mignola has created a hero and world unique in comics, and this game gives fans a new way to share in his supernatural adventures.”

Continue here to read the full story.

Larian Studios announces an August 2023 launch window for Baldur's Gate 3, the D&D Forgotten Realms RPG sequel. A new The Game Awards Trailer offers the latest look at the game. The news comes with some additional details on the trailer and a pricy CE:

New sights and surprises abound in this trailer, but you especially won’t want to miss these details:

• Launch Month: Larian confirms August 2023 for the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3.
• Minsc & Jaheira: Two beloved Baldur’s Gate legends re-join the fray after 20+ years.
• City of Baldur’s Gate: Catch a first gameplay glimpse at the game’s namesake, one of the most prosperous and influential cities of Faerûn.
• Collector’s Edition: Baldur’s Gate 3 Collector’s Edition pre-orders begin after its announcement at The Game Awards. It costs EUR 259.99 / USD 269.99 and is limited to 25k units worldwide. Pre-order at https://baldursgate3.game.

Continue here to read the full story.

Capcom announces June 2nd is the launch date for Street Fighter 6, confirming the recent rumor to that effect. A new Pre-Order Trailer shows off the game and the opportunity to pay for it right now. Here's a bit on the fighting sequel:

Next up, we shared new details on the all-new World Tour mode. Visit exciting locations like a beach in Jamaica, an arena in Italy, a festival in France, and more as you travel around the world learning Special Moves from Masters. You can even mix and match Special Moves from different Masters meaning that your avatar can throw out a Hadoken or Sonic Boom, perform a Spinning Bird Kick, and execute a Yoga Flame, all in the same match as long as they’re using different inputs. World Tour also introduces Master Assist, allowing players to fight alongside a Master like Ryu by calling upon them in battle to help for a period of time, a useful tool for when you encounter more than one opponent. Lastly, play your heart out with minigames like karate-chopping bottles, enjoying Italian cuisine, parrying basketballs, and more. Minigames are playable in between matches in the form of part-time jobs where you can earn World Tour mode currency to purchase in-game clothing, food, and more.

Continue here to read the full story.

Focus Entertainment and DONTNOD announce Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, an "ambitious" action/RPG coming to Steam and consoles by the end of next year. Here's the World Premiere Reveal Trailer, and here's a bit on where this is going:

Immerse yourself in a beautiful, intimate and powerful story between two fated lovers. As Banishers, enter the lives of New Eden’s communities and solve haunting cases in a mystical, lore-rich world plagued with supernatural creatures and ancient secrets. Use your wits or combine Antea’s spiritual powers and Red’s arsenal to defeat and banish the souls tormenting the living.

Challenging decisions will lay on your path, dramatically impacting your story and the fate of New Eden’s inhabitants—be they living people or wandering souls. How much will you compromise your ghost-hunting vow for the sake of your lover who became one of such spirits?

Continue here to read the full story.

NecroBouncer is now available for Windows and macOS on GOG.com* and Steam, offering a roguelike adventure set in a nightclub dungeon. There's also a free NecroBouncer: Prologue on Steam for us to sample. As the title implies, you are here to bounce the rowdies, using your necromancy powers along the way. Feel free to shout "you're dead to me" as you toss them. Here's the launch trailer and here's more:

As an old-school hack and slash title with modern sensibilities, NecroBouncer was designed with Twitch integration in mind. Followers and friends can spawn minions to support or undermine their favorite streamers during a broadcast. Help the NecroBouncer reap the rewards of a good asswhooping… or watch him get shaken and stirred by the crowd all night long.

*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item. Continue here to read the full story.

Evil Empire and Motion Twin announce Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania, new crossover DLC for Dead Cells that hopes you'll have fun storming the Castlevania. This is launching early next year for PC and consoles, and a new Animated Trailer is here to get everyone hyped. Here's word:

The coming DLC unfolds a new storyline in which The Beheaded is approached by Richter Belmont following the appearance of a strange, malevolent castle. Drawn by the promise of new loot more so than an ethical sense of duty, players will need to harness their utmost undead fighting skills to defeat the evil within. Packed with new loot, creative-but-deadly new weapons, loads of enemies begging for a stake through the heart and more, this is the largest and most ambitious DLC for Dead Cells yet.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania introduces a jaw-dropping 14 iconic weapons and items from one of gaming’s most venerable franchises to assist you in your undead-slaying needs in Dead Cells, including Castlevania favorites the Vampire Killer, the Cross and, of course, the Holy Water. Tweaked from original renditions in the Castlevania franchise, the Dead Cells versions of these weapons will reflect the fast-paced, frantic style of combat that players have come to love, hate and love to hate.

Continue here to read the full story.

There were actual awards handed out at last night's The Game Awards. If you have time, patience, and bandwith, the winners are spread over 31 pages on the official website. Here's a quicker rundown:

• GAME OF THE YEAR
  Elden Ring (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco)
• BEST GAME DIRECTION
  Elden Ring (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco)
• BEST NARRATIVE
  God of War Ragnarök (Sony Santa Monica/SIE)
• BEST ART DIRECTION
  Elden Ring (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco)
• BEST SCORE AND MUSIC
  Bear McCreary, God of War Ragnarök
• BEST AUDIO DESIGN
  God of War Ragnarök (Sony Santa Monica/SIE)
• BEST PERFORMANCE
  Christopher Judge, God of War Ragnarök
• GAMES FOR IMPACT
  As Dusk Falls (Interior Night/Xbox Game Studios)

♪♫ Intermission ♫♪

• BEST ONGOING GAME
  FINAL FANTASY XIV (Square Enix)
• BEST INDIE
  Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna)
• BEST DEBUT INDIE
  Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna)
• BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORT, PRESENTED BY DISCORD
  FINAL FANTASY XIV (Square Enix)
• BEST MOBILE
  MARVEL SNAP (Second Dinner Studios/Nuverse)
• BEST VR/AR
  Moss: Book II (Polyarc)
• BEST ACTION
  Bayonetta 3 (Platinum Games/Nintendo)
• BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE
  God of War Ragnarök (Sony Santa Monica/SIE)
• BEST ROLE PLAYING
  Elden Ring (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco)
• BEST FIGHTING
  MultiVersus (Player First Games/WB Games)
• BEST FAMILY
  Kirby and the Forgotten Land (HAL Laboratory / Nintendo)
• BEST SIM/STRATEGY
  Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (Ubisoft Milan/Paris/Ubisoft)
• BEST SPORTS/RACING
  Gran Turismo 7 (Polyphony Digital/SIE)
• BEST MULTIPLAYER
  Splatoon 3 (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
• MOST ANTICIPATED
  The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
• CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
  Ludwig
• BEST ADAPTATION
  Arcane: League of Legends (Fortiche/Riot Games/Netflix)
• INNOVATION IN ACCESSIBILITY
  God of War Ragnarök (Sony Santa Monica/SIE)
• BEST ESPORTS GAME
  VALORANT (Riot Games)
• BEST ESPORTS ATHLETE
  Jacob “Yay” Whiteaker (Cloud9, Valorant)
• BEST ESPORTS TEAM
  LOUD (Valorant)
• BEST ESPORTS COACH
  Matheus “bzkA” Tarasconi (LOUD, VALORANT)
• BEST ESPORTS EVENT
  2022 League of Legends World Championship
• Players Voice
  Genshin Impact (miHoYo)

• Company of Heroes Complete (pay what you want and help charity).*
• Unreal Nature & Fantasy Assets (pay what you want and help charity).*
• Weekend Sale: Casual titles up to -90% off! - GOG.com.*

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Official patches.

• Orbital Bullet – The 360° Rogue-lite - It's Over 9000! - Orbital Bullet v.1.1.0 is available now.
• Steam Client Beta - Steam Beta Client Update - December 8th.
• Star Control: Origins - v1.6 Update Improves Visual Fidelity.
• StarCraft II 5.0.11 PTR Patch Notes.
• Steam Deck Beta Client Update - December 8th.
• World of Warcraft — Hotfixes- December 8, 2022.
• World War 3 - Operation Redline: New Update Available Now.

• The Witcher Writers Defend the Series Against Mounting Fan Backlash. Thanks Acleacius.

• Raid Episode 01 - Call of Duty- Modern Warfare II.
• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty — Official Teaser #2. Reveals participation of Idris Elba.
• Dune: Awakening - Pre-Alpha Teaser Trailer.
• The House In The Hollow - Gameplay Showcase Video.
• The Lords of the Fallen - Gameplay Teaser Trailer.
• The Rogue's Legacy: A Sea of Thieves Adventure - Cinematic Trailer.
• Nightingale: Realmwalker’s Journey Trailer.
• REPLACED - World Premiere Trailer - The Game Awards 2022.
• Scars Above – Gameplay Trailer.
• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Official Batman Reveal - “Shadows.”
• TEKKEN 8 - Story & Gameplay Teaser Trailer.
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Gameplay Reveal Trailer - The Game Awards 2022.
• WILD HEARTS - Game Awards Trailer- The Mighty Kemono.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• CUPHEAD CARTOON ULTIMATE RAP BATTLE TRILOGY. Thanks Ant.

• Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney thinks ‘every politician should fear’ Apple’s power - The Verge.
• Rusel DeMaria Interview- Prima Guide maestro, author of High Score, editor of PC Games, GamePro - MattChat (video). Thanks Ant.

• The Biggest Gaming Disappointments That Made 2022 Suck - Kotaku. Thanks RedEye9.

• The Forest Cathedral - Accessibility Features (video).
• Meet Ubisoft’s Accessibility Team.

• Riot Games and Xbox Game Pass Benefits Coming Soon.
• Blue Protocol Coming to Xbox Series X-S in 2023.
• Next Week on Xbox- New Games for December 12 to 16.
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha (2302.221206-2200). Thanks Console General.

• 10 advanced Google Search operators every pro user should know. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Thanks Neutronbeam and Console General.

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Specs Leak- AD104 Cut by a Quarter.
• Computer Science Students Face a Shrinking Big Tech Job Market (may require registration or subscription). Thanks Max.
• Phison 8TB SSD Receives NASA Certification, Ready For Lunar Moon Mission In 2023.
• 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Windows PC’s Login Process.
• Screen recording in Snipping Tool begins rolling out to Windows Insiders.
• Start11 1.36 Release.
• StreamFab v6.0.0.6.
• Winamp 5.9.1 RC3 Released. Thanks Ant.

• Children stopped sleeping and eating to play Fortnite - lawsuit. Thanks brother19.
• Disgraced FTX founder to testify at House hearing on crypto exchange crash.

• De'Vine- Heavenly Acres - Christ Centered Gamer.
• Ixion review - PC Gamer.
• Need for Speed- Unbound review - the best Need for Speed in a generation - Eurogamer.net.

Sorry about the screw-up last night. As I said, this was entirely self-inflicted. I was so pleased with my graphics upgrade that it tempted me to pick up a new 2TB SSD to replace the physical data drive in my system. The install was simple, but the data transfer was lagging. After poking around I found a problem in the Rapid mode setup. All this was fine, but while I was waiting for another process to complete, I happened to look at the settings in the Disk Management feature, and saw a setting for my boot drive to "mark partition as active." I guess I was a little delirious, and reading something about how this should only be turned on for a boot drive, I turned it on. The machine no longer recognized the drive, and it's been a complete shitshow ever since. Even getting to the point where I tried to reinstall Windows from a USB ran into roadblocks, as the installer claimed not one of my drives was suited for the installation, and all my efforts to get under the hood with tools like diskpart have failed. At this point I can't reformat or repartition the boot drive.

Not to drag out the horror, but that's when I realized that I had not installed some necessary software on my laptop after I factory reset it a few months ago. This was another unnecessary self-inflicted wound, and led to the circus of having to hunt down my external DVD-ROM drive to fix. When I finally found the drive I tried to make a Windows 10 install CD to see if that would bring more luck than the USB. Here's something cool: The disk image is actually just a hair too large to fit on a standard DVD! So I've updated my laptop, and am working from it right now. All in all, it was just a special, rewarding sort of day. Sarcasm aside, it bears repeating that as frustrating as this all was, it was exponentially worse because it all stemmed from my reckless behavior.

And of course I messed myself up on the crest of The Game Awards, rather than, say, over the weekend. Because, well, cocky. I'm determined to find the positive in this, so I plan to sit down for a meeting with myself when the dust settles and update my setup to better ensure redundancy going forward. Apologies again for the problems.

Screwed-up Links
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Breakfast Link

• ‘Indiana Jones’ theory suggests ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ was responsible for World War II. Thanks Console General.

Story

• South Koreans are getting a year younger, according to parliament.

Science

• Greater self-consciousness linked to decreased hypnotizability, study finds.
• Harnessing the brain's immune cells to stave off Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Thanks Acleacius.

Image

• Webb telescope spies hidden stars in stellar graveyard. Thanks Acleacius.

Media

• The killer experience. Thanks Ant.
• "INTERROGATING ZUCKERBERG" — A Bad Lip Reading. Thanks RedEye9.