A tweet from Telltale Games announces the a delay to The Wolf Among Us 2. Word is the "difficult decision" to push the release of the adventure sequel out of this year to "do what's right for the game while protecting the health of our team." There's an interview on IGN where Telltale CEO Jamie Ottilie explained this was to avoid unnecessary crunch for the team. This also admits that the reason crunch would be required to hit a 2023 release is because of a switch from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5. Word is the game is now expected next year: "It's now on the docket for 2024, but Telltale does have one major release this year: The Expanse: A Telltale Series, which it's making in partnership with Deck Nine Games. Telltale also has a third, unknown title in very early development." Here's a bit from Ottilie on crunch:

"I've done [crunch], and I don't want to do it again, and it's not fair to ask it," he says. "You can't plan a business around it. So yeah, part of it is about maintaining a healthy work culture. We don't want to burn out our good people. It has been incredibly difficult to recruit the last two years between COVID and the labor markets and the growth in the games industry. So certainly, burning people out or grinding them down is the wrong thing to do long-term. It's not how you build a business. And as an industry, we're terrible about it. We burn our people out. We burn our best people out faster. And as an industry, if we're going to continue to grow, we have to stop it. We just have to stop doing it and make better choices."

There's a Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Relief Bundle Humble Bundle to help raise funds for the humanitarian crisis caused by the disaster. Word is: "To lend a hand how we can, we’ve joined forces with game makers & book publishers for a bundle 100% dedicated to supporting Türkiye-Syria quake relief efforts." Here's more:

The Türkiye-Syria earthquake relief bundle features over 70 items worth over $1,000, including:

• Gotham Knights, the 2022 open-world action-RPG featuring Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin; cyberpunk slasher Ghostrunner; epic RPG Pathfinder: Kingmaker Enhanced Plus Edition; sci-fi strategy hit XCOM 2; action-packed heist game PAYDAY 2; and acclaimed sim Euro Truck Simulator 2.
• All 10 current digital volumes of Image Comics’ Eisner Award-winning series Saga, plus the Starfinder tabletop RPG from Paizo.

100% of the proceeds will go to Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, and Save the Children in support of their ongoing Türkiye-Syria quake relief efforts.

Heart Core announces Gripper will come to Windows and Switch on March 29th, putting this story-driven "cyberbike" action game in gamer's clutches. Word is: "Players will soon be able to enter the burnout seat of their very own cyberbike as they race through an explosive cyberpunk setting featuring furious dark synth tracks, emotionally charged storytelling, and deadly bosses, each based on a different stage of grief." In the meantime, there's a playable demo on Steam to sample. A new Release Date Trailer illustrates the news with a stylish introduction to the plot. Here's more:

In Gripper, players take control of None, a cyber biker trapped inside a world on the brink of collapse. Long-estranged from his parents, None is jolted back into their lives and forced to save the world from the mysterious AI known as Zero. Aided by his childhood stuffed animal, turned mechanized cat buddy, Kat-Kit, None must race across post-apocalyptic wastelands, explore treacherous tunnels, and defeat challenging bosses by gripping and ripping their hearts out. Working through grief is never easy, especially when the fate of the world is in your hands.

Brought to life by a talented development team whose credits include Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Atomic Heart and Rainbow Six Siege, Gripper is an adrenaline filled adventure, chalk full of action and replay value.

Continue here to read the full story.

Developer Sloclap announces plans to bring a free Arenas expansion to Sifu this month. This will coincide with the launch of the martial arts action game on Steam and Xbox. Here's an Arenas Expansion Release Date Trailer with a look at what this brings to the game. Here's more:

With nine new locations and 45 merciless challenges spread over five game modes, the Arenas Expansion is packing up to 10 extra hours of gameplay into the already demanding title. Masters of Kung Fu will be pushed to their limits as waves of enemies crash upon them in Survival mode, or pushed to perfection in the Performance mode. With Time Attack, players can also battle against the clock on a path filled with enemies. Sifus looking for a twist on the game’s impactful combat can also try the new Capture mode - where players must take and hold a marked area - or Manhunt mode, where a specific target surrounded by protectors must be taken down.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bethesda is on a hi-fi high, tweeting that over two million players have rushed to play Hi-Fi RUSH since the surprise launch of the rhythm action game just over a month ago. Here's word:

Two million players have moved to the beat of @hifirush! Keep on being rockstars!

• Save 50% on The Medium on Steam.
• Save 80% on Generation Zero on Steam.
• Save 34% on Knights of Honor II: Sovereign on Steam.
• Save 25% on NEBULOUS: Fleet Command on Steam.

• Steam Beta Client Update- March 1st.
• Steam Deck Beta Client Update: March 1st.
• Team Fortress 2 Update Released.

↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• Haunted Lands - Burial Grounds - An awesome action platformer homage to classic DOS games.

Official trailer.

• Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor - Announcement Trailer.

• "The narrative had to be baked into the corridors": Marc Laidlaw on writing Half-Life - Rock Paper Shotgun. Turns out even he thought releasing the Half-Life 2: Episode 3 story the way he did was "deranged."

• That was quick- Speedrunner beats Sons of the Forest in under 9 minutes.

Thanks Console General.

• PlayStation and LeBron James team up on limited edition PlayStation 5 accessories.
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha (2303.230227-2217).
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha Skip-Ahead (2308.230226-2000).

• Google Fi Ditches Another Mobile Network, Leaving Only T-Mobile.
• Motorola’s new Razr foldable is arriving this year.

• Twitch streamer Kai Cenat breaks subscriber record.

Thanks Console General.

• Stop exaggerating about AI, US government warns tech companies.
• ChatGPT Will Command More Than 30,000 Nvidia GPUs: Report.
• Elon Musk Is Reportedly Building 'Based AI' Because ChatGPT Is Too Woke.
• Introducing a big update to Windows 11 making the everyday easier including bringing the new AI-powered Bing to the taskbar. Thanks Dimitris.
• Meta’s hardware plans include thinner Quest this year, ad-supported AR in 2027.
• Windows 7 users are finally abandoning ship – but not for Windows 11.
• Microsoft PowerToys version 0.68.0.
• Visual Studio Code v1.76.0.
• Audacity 3.2.5. Thanks Neowin.

• Vulnerability Summary for the Week of February 20, 2023 - CISA. Thanks Ant.
• Security Incident Update and Recommended Actions - The LastPass Blog. Thanks Console General.
• Hackers use fake ChatGPT apps to push Windows, Android malware. Thanks The Flying Penguin.
• Stop using your 4-digit iPhone passcode in public. Do this instead.

• Meta says $725M deal ends all Cambridge Analytica claims; one state disagrees.
• Texas Republican wants ISPs to block a wide range of abortion websites.

• Neural Chip Plays Doom Using a Thousandth of a Watt…

Last Link of the Day: Tech Is Allowing Businesses to Overcharge You in Tips (may require registration or subscription). I've seen a lot of these where 15% is the minimum of the three easy choices.

Funday Games and Ghost Ship Publishing announce Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, a single-player survival game based on co-op shooter Deep Rock Galactic. The plan is to launch the new game in Early Access on Steam this year. There's no video yet, but here's a description of this "reverse bullet hell" game:

REVERSE BULLET HELL, WITH MINING
Kill bugs, upgrade your gear, and delve ever deeper into the lethal caves of Hoxxes. Collect and assemble a devastating array of guns, unleash hell upon wave after wave of alien monsters in fast and frenetic combat, and tunnel your way to collect precious riches from deep within the cave walls. Each mission is unique, using procedural cave generation and enemy waves, just as you've come to know from Deep Rock Galactic.

CHOOSE WHAT MISSIONS TO TAKE ON AS YOU DIG DEEP
Delve deep, Miner! Once the Drop Pod releases you into the oppressive darkness, you are on your own. Complete the mission objectives set forth by the Company, and make it back to the Drop Pod in time to try your luck at even more deadly and lucrative encounters. Choose your route though a path of harder and harder missions while you grow ever stronger, survive all the way to the very end of your assignment, and finally get extracted alongside your hefty sack of loot.

Continue here to read the full story.

Focus Entertainment and Deck13 Interactive announce the release date for Atlas Fallen, saying the action/RPG will land on May 16th for PC and consoles. There's a post about the news on Steam illustrated by "glorious new screenshots showcasing the game’s high-octane action and breathtaking environments." These actually look like cinematics, but we'll find out for sure shortly, as we're promised a gameplay trailer "soon." Here's more:

On your own or with a friend, take on a heroic journey through a variety of breath-taking environments, swiftly gliding through the desert landscapes of a vast sand-covered world. Explore ancient ruins and unearth the mysteries and secrets of a fallen society. Fight corrupt gods and extraordinary beasts thanks to the divine power of your shape-shifting weapon. Unlock powerful skills and abilities to build a unique moveset and rise as the champion who will liberate the people of Atlas.

Atlas Fallen releases May 16 on Steam. Register your Focus Entertainment account for exclusive news and benefits!

Merge & Blade is now available on Steam and Xbox Game Pass, offering a auto-battler/puzzle game hybrid for Windows from Magic Cube. This is not to be confused with Mount & Blade, which is also available on Steam, but has nothing to do with puzzles nor auto-battles. There's a Merge & Blade Launch Trailer showing off gameplay that will completely dispel any confusion. Here's word:

You will engage in large-scale battles with monsters with your own squad which is made using merge mechanics.

After a battle, you can recruit new units using merge mechanics.
By proceeding with these puzzles and battles, you will retake the castles occupied by monsters.

As you retake the castle one by one, your base and squad get stronger.
Your journey will continue until retaking the last castle.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Phil Spencer Says He 'Never Said Starfield Was Not Going To Be Exclusive To Xbox.'
• The face of Final Fantasy doesn't like the term JRPG, once considered it 'discriminatory.'

• Midweek Sale: hunt super bargains up to -90%! - GOG.com.*

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

• Video game industry has been slow to hire Black video game developers.

• "Last of Us" Season 2 Could Shoot This Year. Thanks Ant.
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Boardgame by Awaken Realms - Gamefound. Pre-crowdfunding. Thanks Rhialto.
• Stranger Things play heads to London in 2023, Netflix announces. I could eat Pop Tarts all day!

Official patches.

• Anvil Saga - Update Anvil Saga now to play the second chapter.
• Genshin Impact – "Windblume's Breath" Version 3.5 Update Details. Thanks DSOGaming.
• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - Patch Notes v1.1.0.
• No Man's Sky Fractal version 4.12.
• War Thunder - Update 2.23.1.48.
• WILD HEARTS - Patch - Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
• World of Warcraft Hotfixes: February 28, 2023.

• Destiny 2: Lightfall known issues list on the Bungie Forums. Thanks GameSpot.

Official trailers.

• 15 years ago today, AOL discontinued support for all versions of the Netscape browser. Thanks Ant.

• Path of Exile - 3.20 End-of-League Events.

• INDIE Live Expo 2023 Summer Showcase Submissions Underway.
• Game Devs of Color Expo 2023 - Speaker Application.

• Save The World by Winterwolves — Kickstarter. "Amid conflict & greed, hope arrives in form of aliens listening to everything you say. Can you save the world with this newfound power?" Also, boobs.

• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Delta (2303.230223-2200). Thanks Console General.
• Rise Of The Ronin PS5 Has Been In Development For 7 Years, Says Koei Tecmo.
• Players’ Choice: Vote for February 2023’s best new game.
• Mega March promotion comes to PlayStation Store.
• Xbox and Lucasfilm Launch 'The Mandalorian'-themed Gaming Gear for Season 3.

• Official Steam Deck compatible list now features over 8000 games.
• Tesla officially opens Superchargers to non-Tesla EV owners in the US and explains how it works. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• TikTok will automatically limit screen time for teens.
• The iPhone 15 could embrace USB-C in the most Apple way possible. Proprietary connectors?
• Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche are getting their own in-car app store — and yes, that includes TikTok.

Thanks Ant.

• Microsoft staff read users’ chatbot posts, prompting security fears. Wait, users were trusting them not to? Thanks DSLReports.
• Twitter back after two-hour outage affected tweets.
• Fast-moving Musk makes very slow progress turning Twitter into “everything app.”
• SeaMonkey 2.53.16 Beta 1 is out.

Thanks Ant.

• Largest Canadian bookstore Indigo shuts down site after cyberattack. Thanks DSLReports.
• Ohio’s largest oil producer says ‘no impact’ seen after cyberattack. No fracking problem. Thanks DSLReports.
• Google adds client-side encryption to Gmail and Calendar. Should you care?
• Don’t Trust Your iPhone’s Passcode to Keep Your Data Safe.
• PlugX RAT masquerades as legit Windows debugger.

• CISA: Hold software makers liable for selling insecure tech. Thanks DSLReports via Ant.
• Union Says Activision Fired QA Testers Illegally Over Protest.

• River City Girls 2 is MORE, but is it BETTER- - Indie Ramble (video).

• Flash Drive: Lexar JumpDrive P30 USB 3.2 Flash Drive Review - ThinkComputers.org.
• Graphics Card: Intel Making Moves- Acer Arc A770 BiFrost GPU Review, Thermals, & Tear-Down - Gamers Nexus (video).
• Keyboard: ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review - TechPowerUp.
• Monitor: ViewSonic Elite XG341C-2K 34-inch Curved Mini LED Gaming Monitor Review- Elite Color and Image Quality - Tom's Hardware.
• PSU: Montech Titan Gold 1200w ATX 3.0 Gaming PSU - TweakTown.
• Webcam: Insta360 Link Review- The Rolls-Royce of USB Webcams - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

• Poll: Is VR gaming destined to remain niche?…

Welp, it's March already. This is the in like a lion, out like a lamb month, and true to that we got a lion's share of bad weather into last night. This spoiled my chance to play with my doggie friends Adler and Sandra, as it cancelled their mom's trip into the office. But it was a two-day obligation, so I'll get to take them for a walk today. It should even be a bit warmer when I get to it, so the contrast with yesterday will be all the more noticeable. And even if it stays cold, I will quickly end up with a thick coating of Labrador retriever fur as extra insulation.

Obituary: Linda Kasabian, member of notorious ‘Manson family’, dies at 73.
Obituary: Two-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97. The original Wheaties cover athlete.
Obituary: R.I.P. "Black Lagoon" Star Ricou Browning. Here's a musical tribute.

Insular Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Breakfast Link

• The Long, Strange Trip of ‘Dark Side of the Moon,’ 50 Years Later. Thanks Frans.
• Addiction to Highly Processed Food Among Older Adults. Thanks Max.

Stories

• Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl Barbecues for Over 24 Hours at Homeless Shelter.
• Hugh Jackman Has 'Dual Role' In "Deadpool 3."

Science

• One easy way to fight antibiotic resistance? Good hand hygiene. Thanks Acleacius.

Media

• True Facts: Mussels That Catch Fish. Thanks RedEye9.
• Honest Trailers - Velma.