Archived News:

Friday, Feb 24, 2023 Qtest Released (1996)

Propnight Free Weekend

A free weekend is underway on Steam for Propnight, a 4v1 physics-based hide-and-seek game. This comes just in time to check out a big patch that adds a new map among other things. This post has details on the update. For those who want to carry on, the game is on sale for 75% off. In Propnight, hide-and-seek does not involve hiding behind furniture, it involves hiding as furniture:
PLAY AS A SURVIVOR TO ESCAPE

  • Turn into a chair, a toy, or any object from the surroundings
  • Customize and choose perks to fit your own personal strategy
  • Use various items and unique abilities

PLAY AS A KILLER TO HUNT SURVIVORS

  • Crush and destroy everything on the location
  • Use frightening abilities
  • Cause events that lead to horrific disasters on the location

Baldur's Gate 3 Specs Updated

A post on Steam has more on the news that Baldur's Gate 3 will launch in August. Along with a video we missed from yesterday highlighting J.K. Simmons as General Ketheric Thorm, there's word that the system requirements for the RPG sequel have changed (thanks PC Gamer). Word is: "One last thing: Baldur's Gate 3's graphical fidelity and complexity has improved quite a bit as it's grown throughout Early Access. We've been keeping an eye on its minimum system requirements, and as the game nears release we've raised the minimum system requirements listed on Steam to better reflect the realities of the launch version." The recommended requirements are also higher than the original specs for the Early Access version, which Larian actually thought might decrease over time:
MINIMUM:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel I5 4690 / AMD FX 8350
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 970 / RX 480 (4GB+ of VRAM)
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 150 GB available space

RECOMMENDED:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel i7 8700K / AMD r5 3600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia 2060 Super / RX 5700 XT (8GB+ of VRAM)
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 150 GB available space
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Into the Black

Last Link of the Day: 'The Consultant' review- Christoph Waltz gets the job done in Amazon's creepy thriller. Hadn't heard of this until a spate of stories popped up surrounding its premiere. I always find Christoph Waltz compelling, so I'll definitely give it a chance.

Kerbal Space Program 2 Early Access

Kerbal Space Program 2 has launched into Early Access, and you can now buy the unfinished rocket science sequel for Windows on the Epic Games Store and Steam. This post on Steam outlines plans for testing the game, illustrated by this Early Access Launch Cinematic Trailer. Here's word:
Kerbal Space Program 2 blasts off into Early Access today! Pioneer the game with us as we enter the deep space journey of Early Access. Your feedback and suggestions can help shape the future of the game. Make sure to join the Discord, Subreddit, and/or forums, and follow us on social media! We’ll be posting frequent game development updates, challenges, and much more across these channels. Don’t miss out!

For information on how to submit feedback, check here: Feedback FAQ.

Grab a snack and delve into Kerbal Space Program 2 Early Access! We can't wait to see what you build, discover, and accomplish.

From us at Intercept Games and Private Division, thank you for your support. Enjoy a new cinematic trailer to watch over and over! Happy launching!
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Sons Of The Forest Hits Early Access in a Big Way

Early Access to Sons Of The Forest is now underway, and you can pick up the beta of Endnight's survival/horror game on Steam to support its ongoing development. This arrived yesterday, and has blown up in a big way, achieving a peak user count of over 350,000, and showing a "Very Positive" rating based on over 16,000 reviews. Here's the recent Multiplayer Trailer with a look, and here's word on the game:
Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator.

Experience complete freedom to tackle the world how you want. You decide what you do, where to go and how best to survive. There are no NPC's barking orders at you or giving you missions you don't want to do. You give the orders, you choose what happens next.

Enter a world where nowhere is safe and fight against a range of mutated creatures, some who are almost human like, and others who are like nothing you have ever seen before. Armed with pistols, axes, stun batons and more, protect yourself and those you care for.
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Released

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has completed its travels, and the new standalone RPG sequel is now available for Windows on Steam (and Steam Deck) as well as for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch. A new Launch Celebration Trailer revels in the news, introducing the game and showing it off in action. Read on for more:
Developed by the creators of the critically acclaimed original, which has sold over three million copies worldwide*, OCTOPATH TRAVELER II introduces players to the brand-new world of Solistia, where eight travelers with unique storylines and motivations must navigate treacherous lands, conquer enemies in strategic turn-based battles and navigate the perils and promise of a new industrial era.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II tells a brand-new epic story, set in a new World independent from the original title. Players will be introduced to eight original characters and experience all-new features and gameplay elements. OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is the perfect entry for newcomers to the series, while also preserving the charm of the original game for existing fans by improving upon the series’ iconic HD-2D visuals, which feature a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
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Elden Ring is D.I.C.E. GotY

The 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards were handed out last night by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. The listing on the official website only mentions God of War Ragnarök and Elden Ring. The former earned seven awards, and the latter five, including Game of the Year. GamesHub helps out with a complete list of winners:
DICE Awards 2023: All winners

  • Outstanding Achievement in Animation- God of War Ragnarok
  • Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction- God of War Ragnarok
  • Outstanding Achievement in Character - God of War Ragnarok – Kratos / Christopher Judge
  • Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition - God of War Ragnarok
  • Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design - God of War Ragnarok
  • Outstanding Achievement in Story - God of War Ragnarok
  • Outstanding Technical Achievement - Elden Ring
  • Action Game of the Year - Vampire Survivors
  • Adventure Game of the Year - God of War Ragnarok
  • Family Game of the Year - Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
  • Fighting Game of the Year - MultiVersus
  • Racing Game of the Year - Gran Turismo 7
  • Role-Playing Game of the Year - Elden Ring
  • Sports Game of the Year - OlliOlli World
  • Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year - Dwarf Fortress
  • Immersive Reality Game of the Year - Red Matter 2
  • Immersive Reality Technical Achievement - Red Matter 2
  • Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game - TUNIC
  • Mobile Game of the Year - MARVEL SNAP
  • Online Game of the Year - FINAL FANTASY XIV: Endwalker
  • Outstanding Achievement in Game Design - Elden Ring
  • Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction - Elden Ring
  • Game of the Year - Elden Ring

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Final Demo

A new final demo for Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is now available for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, paving the way for next week's launch of the new Three Kingdoms action/RPG from Team NINJA and KOEI Tecmo. For Windows, head over to Steam, but don't dawdle, as the demo is only good for about a month. Here's the game's new Launch Trailer, and here's word:
Today, KOEI Tecmo and developer Team NINJA released the final demo for their highly-anticipated action-RPG, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. The demo will be available from Feb. 24 through March 26, 2023 and is available across all systems the game is scheduled to release on, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and on PC via Windows and Steam®.

The final demo features two early stages of the game that were not featured in the first demo, including Chapter 1: Village of Calamity along with Chapter 2: Two Chivalrous Heroes. Both chapters showcase the electrifying combat and intense fighting of a demon-plagued, fantasy Three Kingdoms, as an anonymous militia soldier fights his way through waves of monsters and enemy soldiers in this Later Han Dynasty thriller.
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NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS This Year

Bandai Namco announces NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS, an Ultimate Ninja STORM anthology described as "a one-of-a-kind collection." This is expected to launch on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch later this year, in time for the 20th anniversary of the series. You can read up on the project on the official website and get a first look at what to expect in the Announcement Trailer. Here's an explanation of what sets this apart from every other game ever:
NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS is a unique game experience that combines key gameplay moments from the series that highlight select scenes from across Naruto and Sasuke’s deeply emotional story arcs. The experience immerses both new and long-time fans in an exciting NARUTO action game, where they can relive some of the most important and beloved storylines from the series’ history. In addition to this, an original story will also be available in the game.

NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS features the largest roster in a NARUTO game with playable characters from across the series, including fan-favorites Ashura and Indra Otsutsuki. The game also faithfully recreates the anime’s art style, now delivered with crisp visuals and 60 FPS on new-gen consoles.
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Out of the Blue

Today is the third anniversary of our Supporter Program, which first launched on February 24, 2020. I want to take the occasion to thank all of you so very much for making this a success. As I said at the time, this initiative was not taken lightly, it was essential to keeping the site going. So this is a very sincere expression of gratitude to past and present supporters. And thanks in advance to future supporters, as this is an ongoing concern.

Today is also the 27th(!!!) anniversary of Qtest, the early test version of Quake that gave most of us the first taste of true 3D in the genre many of us were already calling 3D shooters (the very first name of this site was "blue's 3D House of 3D Shooters").

Obituary: FIFA Series Commentator John Motson Has Died At The Age Of 77.

Anniversary Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Stories

Science
Thanks Max.

Media
Thanks Acleacius.

Follow-ups

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