Early Access beta weekend for Diablo IV has not gotten off to the kind of start Blizzard was hoping for when it gave the first customers first crack at the action/RPG sequel. A post from Blizzard updates players on what's gone wrong and what's being done about it:

While the team tackles these specific items and more, we are also managing the flow of players in-game via our queue. Many players have successfully logged in to the game, but we are aware that some have experienced longer than expected wait times. As we continue to rollout improvements to our server stability, we expect our players to see continued improvements to the queue time.

While the teams continue to work this evening and overnight, we will be providing additional updates throughout the evening when needed and no later than tomorrow morning (PDT) here on our forums.

Continue here to read the full story.

Rumors have been flying for a while, suggesting Valve is working on a follow-up to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive using the newest version of the Source engine. Now PCGamesN adds more fuel to the fire, noting that Valve has filed a Trademark application for CS2. This is a recent development, the application is dated March 14th. This is for a "standard character mark" to cover:

Computer game software, electronic game software, video game software, computer game programs downloadable via the internet.

Thunderful, Coatsink, and Noname Studios announce Worldless, a "beguiling" 2D adventure/platformer coming to PC and Xbox this year. A new Polar Opposites Trailer highlights the fact that this will blend both turn-based and action combat. Here's a wordful look at Worldless:

Worldless is set in a world where polar opposite realities are aligned with a common spark. Players will venture into an abstract setting full of entities with opposing goals. One half is fixated on the virtue of their nature, the other is seeking to exchange it for their demise. Polarities attract, resulting in neverending conflict, and the result is the traumatic process of Absorption which sees their very natures exchange.

In Worldless, you’ll learn the nuances of an optimised combat system by mastering your timing and refining your strategies. Absorb enemies to learn new abilities in an ever-expanding skill tree to unlock new ways to explore and add depth to combat encounters. You’ll explore intricate areas filled with secrets, using finesse and fluid action to uncover them, and engage ferocious beings in fast-paced, turn-based action combat.

Thunderful, Headup, and Team Meat announce Dr. Fetus' Mean Meat Machine, a new installment in the Super Meat Boy series featuring Meat Boy's arch-enemy. Despite the seemingly casual match 4 gameplay, this is described as a hardcore game that promises punishment, which presumably begins with the mental images the title invokes. Here's the brief Announcement Trailer showing this isn't your grandma's puzzle game, and here is a description to get to the meat of the matter:

Puzzle your way through familiar Super Meat Boy and Super Meat Boy Forever locations like the picturesque forest, the hospital, and salt factory with dazzling backgrounds and animations created by the original Super Meat Boy and Super Meat Boy Forever artists, as well as a wonderful soundtrack by RIDICULON. There are over 100 hand-crafted levels filled with creative traps and hazards for you to beat and, if you can survive this hardcore take on a classic formula, you’ll be confronted by a gruesome boss fight at the end of each world to offer the ultimate challenge.

Continue here to read the full story.

Steam now offers the debut release of the Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode One, a new VR mod for the first Half-Life 2 Episode. This is free, but word is: "You must own the original Half-Life 2: Episode One (family sharing is not sufficient). You do not need to have the non-VR version installed." This is from the Source VR Mod Team that created the Half-Life 2: VR Mod, and looking ahead, the release date on the Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode Two is just two weeks off. Sadly, Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode Three will have to wait for Half-Life 2: Episode Three, just like the rest of us. Here's word:

Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode One is a community-made adaptation of Valve's episodic continuation of Half-Life 2, transformed into a fully roomscale Virtual Reality experience.

Return as Gordon Freeman to City 17 and deal with the consequences of your actions. Operate the gravity gun to deadly effect, battle gunships and striders and survive the darkness. Can you manage to escape City 17 with Alyx?

• Hollywood and the Games Industry Pay Tribute to Lance Reddick- 'We Just Lost a Beautiful Human' - IGN.

Official patch.

• The Outer Worlds- Spacer's Choice Edition - The Outer Worlds- Spacer's Choice Edition Patch Notes - v1.1.

Content creator videos.

• Spirit Caller Cave - Elden Ring 43 - Carbot. Thanks Ant.
• Firearms Expert Reacts To Titanfall 2’s Guns.

• Godot Engine arrives on Epic Games Store making it easier to download.

• 9 New PS5 System Perks Making It Way More Convenient.
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha Skip-Ahead (2308.230315-2000). Thanks Console General.

Thanks Console General.

• Intel Rumored to Pull-in 2nm Arrow Lake-S Launch to H1 2024.
• Report Claims Seagate, Hitachi HDDs Most Likely to Fail.
• What happens when the chatbot stops loving you back (video)?
• Releasing Windows 10 Build 19045.2787 to Release Preview Channel.
• Releasing Windows 11 Build 22000.1757 to the Release Preview Channel.

• How to use Tor browser (and why you should).
• Thousands may have lost out to crypto trading app.

• John Deere, surrender your source code, demands SFC.

• CPU/AIO Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black Review - TechPowerUp.
• Monitor: Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 QD-OLED gaming monitor review - PC Gamer. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Mouse: Cooler Master MM712 Review - TechPowerUp.
• RAM: Patriot Viper Venom DDR5-7200 32GB Dual-Channel Memory Kit - TweakTown.

Welp, it's not like we hadn't already passed the point of no return, but our old server was shut down this week, and is now offline for good. As I say, we'd already made the permanent move to this server, so this is really just academic. But here's a salute to our now sunsetted old box. It served us loyally long past its prime.

Sunset Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Brunch Link

• What makes 'true fun' and how to spot 'fake fun.' Taking the fun out of fun.

Story

• Sam Neill assures fans he's 'fine' as blood cancer is in remission.

Science
Thanks Max.

• Water in space – a 'Goldilocks' star reveals previously hidden step in how water gets to planets like Earth. Thanks Acleacius.
• At Long Last, a Donkey Family Tree.
• Nickelback could have kickstarted life on Earth, says new study.
• Matcha Tea Powder Has Antidepressant-Like Effects.

Media

• A380 Takes Off Too Steeply. Sphincter check.

Creature Features

• True Facts Animal Awards: Best Worst Jumping and More. Thanks RedEye9.
• When your dog brings home a unexpected friend 🙈🤣.

Follow-up

• "Willow" Creator Still Hopeful About S2.
• ‘Fall’ On Netflix: News On Sequel. Who would climb back up there?

Fatshark announces Tower of Treachery, free DLC coming to Steam on March 28th for the Windows edition of Warhammer: Vermintide 2. This is timely, since the melee action game is currently on sale for 80% off. Word is: "Tower of Treachery adds a new mission to the game’s previous content update, a Treacherous Adventure, completing the two-adventure map set for Warhammer: Vermintide 2, adding 13 new in-game challenges for players to put their skills to the test." Console players shouldn't have long to wait, as this is promised for PlayStation and Xbox in early Q2. Here's the Official Trailer with a look, and here's a bit:

On the heels of its 5th anniversary, Fatshark is proud to announce Tower of Treachery, the follow-up to Trail of Treachery, in which the Ubersreik 5 set out to investigate strange happenings in a neighboring town. Now, it’s time to face off with the necromancer, Sofia Fuegonasus, to stop her reign of terror. This may very well be the deadliest foe our heroes have encountered yet, and getting to her will be a tough challenge – especially for those who dare to attempt the long climb to the top on higher difficulties.

Continue here to read the full story.

A playable demo for Strayed Lights is now available on Steam, offering a sample in advance of next month's launch of this action/adventure. A new Mix Direct Spring 2023 Showcase Trailer is also available, described like so: "The trailer reveals more about the game's stunning graphics, fast-paced combat, and abstract storyline." Here's more on the demo and the game:

"We are thrilled to be able to share our new gameplay trailer and demo with fans of Strayed Lights," says Alexandre Arramon, co-founder and creative director at Embers. "We've been working hard to create a game that is both engaging and visually outstanding, and we can't wait for players to experience it for themselves."

Strayed Lights is an atmospheric action-adventure with fluid combat set in an intricate world imbued with mystery. Players take on the role of a tiny, growing light seeking transcendence to explore a land of otherworldly ruins and glowing trees, where entities of flickering lights and luminescent shadows reside.

Continue here to read the full story.

• GOG.COM Spring Warmup Sale.* Not the actual Spring Sale. This is just a tribute.

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

• Report: PC and console global gaming dipped to $92.3bn in 2022.
• The industry's disingenuous defense of loot boxes.
• Layoffs reported at Worms maker Team17.

Official patches.

• Steam Beta Client Update: March 17th.
• Steam Deck Beta Client Update: March 17th.

• Stadia May Have Shot Itself in the Foot By Shutting Down So Early.

• Diablo 4 Open Beta suffers from long login queues that can go up to two hours. Welcome to Hell. Please take a number.

Content creator video.

• How The Last of Us TV Show Was Made - The Warp Zone. Thanks Ant.

• Kung Fury: Street Rage Developer Interview- Embrace the Absurd With a Unique Beat-Em-Up.

• As supply chain issues subside, the cold console war heats up.
• Funky 1990s Sokoban-Strategy Mashup Backbeat is Now on Xbox.

• Microsoft is testing a built-in cryptocurrency wallet for the Edge browser.
• YouTube reinstates Donald Trump's channel.

• Humanoid robots are coming. Thanks A.C.M.

• TikTok has your data even if you've never used the app: Report.

• Finance YouTubers Are Being Sued For Promoting FTX. Thanks RedEye9.
• A new PlayStation NFT patent covers cross-platform use and trading.

• No One’s Getting Laid In Starfield, Apparently. That's okay, it's not deleting your "work folder." Thanks Acleacius…
• Destiny Players Honor Lance Reddick, Their Fallen Commander…

Obituary: Lance Reddick, star of 'The Wire' and 'John Wick,' dead at 60. Thanks Acleacius and David.

Epic did not announce next week's free games as usual yesterday when it launched this week's Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War Giveaway. But the Free Games Section on the Epic Games Store is now updated with the forecast of what to expect. Next Thursday everyone will be able to collect free copies of World of Warships — Starter Pack- Ishizuchi and Chess Ultra. Here's a bit on each:

Chess Ultra injects the greatest strategy game of all time with a modern twist; offering the ultimate chess experience with stunning 4K visuals, Grandmaster-approved AI and full VR compatibility.

Have you just started out on your way in World of Warships? Dip your toes in the water with a Premium battleship and a set of sweet bonuses.

The Resident Evil 4 Remake demo is now available and the full game is due to launch one week from today. To give everyone clarity on what to expect, the review embargo for the survival/horror remake died a gruesome death today. Here's a roundup of evaluations:

• Buy Resident Evil 4 Remake Review - ACG (video).
• Resident Evil 4 Remake: Small Changes Make a Huge Improvement - CNET.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake review - CNN Underscored.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake - First PC Performance Impressions - DSOGaming.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake Review- ... Bingo? - DualShockers.
• 'Resident Evil 4' review: A half-step backward for Capcom remakes - Engadget.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake review - a classic comes back to life - Eurogamer.net.
• Resident Evil 4 (Remake) Review - Refinement, Not Reinvention - Game Informer.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake Review - Stranga, Stranga, Now That's A Remake - GameSpot.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake PS5 Review - GameWatcher.
• Resident Evil 4 (2023) Review - Giant Bomb.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake review – beautiful, tense, camp, gory- all that’s best about the series - Games - The Guardian.
• Resident Evil 4 Review - IGN.
• 'Resident Evil 4' Review: A bold remake that stands on its own - NPR.
• Resident Evil 4 remake review - PC Gamer.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake review – bingo - PCGamesN.
• Resident Evil 4 remake review - Horrors and heroics - PC Invasion.
• Resident Evil 4 remake review: Capcom reinvents its survival horror classic - Polygon.
• Resident Evil 4 remake review: an exceptional return to one of the greatest action games of all time - Rock Paper Shotgun.
• Resident Evil 4 Remake Abandons Horror for Action - Siliconera.
• Resident Evil 4 remake review: a modern blockbuster with an old-school heart - The Verge.

New Zealand-based developer Space Rock Games announces Criminals Within, a third-person co-op (only) action/adventure. This debut from a studio comprising vets of the Fable series, Path of Exile, and Chivalry 2 is expected to come to PC and consoles later this year. A Reveal Trailer has a first look at what to expect, and there are details on Steam. Here's more on this game and its apparently mandatory co-op action:

Join forces with a friend and embark on an epic journey through a medieval fantasy land inhabited by powerful, de-evolved dragons. Unravel the mystery behind "The Wither," a deadly disease that is spreading throughout the kingdom, threatening its very existence.

Take on the role of Helena, a formidable royal guard with unmatched strength, and the roguish burglar Jarel, reluctantly roped into this quest. Explore treacherous caves and cursed jungles, seeking the lost prince Felix and working to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.

Criminals Within is developed by industry veterans who have previously worked on games such as Fable, Path of Exile, Black & White 2, Chivalry 2 and many others.

Continue here to read the full story.

Intel announces the launch of new drivers for its Arc graphics cards. Here's word on what these bring to those game enough to game on an Intel GPU:

Intel® Game On Drivers deliver the best experience for gamers playing on Intel Graphics with optimized launch-day patches and performance updates as new games release.

This week’s new driver supports two delightfully devilish games, Deceive Inc. and Diablo IV. Whether you put faith in your fellow demon slayers or question undercover cohorts, you can trust Intel Game On drivers for smooth gaming experiences on launch day.

Peppa Pig: World Adventures is now available for Windows on Steam and for consoles, offering a family-friendly adventure based on the animated series. This allows the whole Peppa family to travel the world and pig out in some of its most famous locales as well as to build the sty of their dreams as a homestead. Check out the Launch Trailer and read on for more:

Inspired by several episodes of the hugely popular TV series, fans can fly, drive and sail to some of the most famous places in the world including New York, Hollywood Boulevard, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Buckingham Palace in London and many more.

Explore in style with a host of new outfits and accessories and complete a greater variety of quests and mini-games than ever before, encountering new and exciting experiences along the way. Fans will meet new characters and even run into some familiar faces on their travels.

Continue here to read the full story.

• CS:GO devs fuel Source 2 rumours with mass Steam profile update.

• Three former Blizzard leads have set up new AAA studio Magic Soup Games.

• The "Tetris" Movie Reviews Are In.

• FOR HONOR PATCH NOTES 2.42.1.
• Kerbal Space Program 2 - Patch One is Go.
• Like a Dragon: Ishin! 1.04 Patch Update.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator March 16th, 2023 Development Update.
• Steam Beta Client Update: March 16th.
• Steam Deck Beta Client Update: March 16th.
• Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Update Details Ver. 1.04.

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

• Half-Life 2 remade as classic Resident Evil-style horror game, out now.

Official trailer.

• Layers of Fear - Official 11-Minute Gameplay Walkthrough.

• Dead Island 2’s creative director talks quests, quips, and more.

• Game Devs of Color Expo will return in September.
• Sea of Thieves Navigates to Season Nine.

• What's Traveller? An introduction to the sci-fi tabletop RPG that inspired Starfield.

• Samsung introduces modular camera accessories for the Galaxy S23 series.
• iPhone 15 Pro Max Rumored To Feature The Thinnest Bezels On A Smartphone, At 0.06 Inches.

• Bungie Closes Destiny 2 YouTube Comments Following Harassment.
• Square Enix Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Official Website and Discord for ‘SYMBIOGENESIS’, Its First NFT Collectible Art Project.
• Inside Elon Musk’s cost-cutting drive at Twitter.
• YouTube TV tells subscribers how to cancel after huge price hike.
• Pornhub is under new ownership.

Thanks Max.

• Just when you thought PC HDR gaming couldn't possibly get more awkward this happens.
• The Unpredictable Abilities Emerging From Large AI Models.
• Humans (Mostly) Love Trash Robots.
• Why Jellyfin Is the Plex Alternative You’ve Been Waiting For. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• SK Hynix's 300-Layer 3D NAND to Increase SSD Performance and Lower Costs.
• Intel’s record-winning 56-core rig sucks as much power as a tumble dryer.

• Samsung, Pixel, and Vivo Users are Advised to Turn Off VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling to Avoid Getting Hacked, Says Google Research.
• CYBER: This Is Why America's Trains Keep Crashing.

• Feds charge exiled Chinese billionaire over crypto fraud.

• Panic Porcupine - Christ Centered Gamer.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Gaming Desk: Quick Look: Autonomous SmartDesk Connect - TechPowerUp.
• Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 7900 XT Pulse Review - TechPowerUp.
• Headset/Earbuds: Antlion Audio Kimura Duo Review - APH Networks.
• Headset/Earbuds: Logitech G FITS - PC Gamer.
• Headset/Earbuds: Sennheiser IE 200 review- Clean as a whistle - Pocket-Lint.
• Keyboard: Hacoa's Low-Profile Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Made Of Solid Wood Is Stunning - HotHardware. Thanks Max.
• Laptop: HP Dragonfly Pro Review- Pretty, but Problematic - Tom's Hardware.
• Mouse: MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless Review- Kinda Heavy - Tom's Hardware.
• SSD: Samsung T7 Shield portable SSD reviewed- 4TB storage at an attractive price - RedShark.
• SSD: Predator GM7 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD - STH.

• Rust developer cancels community event due to death threats…

Happy St. Paddy's to all, since legendarily, everyone is at least a little Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Being an Anglo-Saxon mutt, I am genuinely at least a little Irish myself, though I don't think it's a lot. In a fit of unintentional authenticity, we watched The Banshees of Inisherin last night. That will probably be as authentic as we get though. I made corned beef and cabbage a couple of years ago, but neither MrsBlue nor I are very big on cabbage, so that was a one-off. I do have an excellent bottle of Irish Whiskey, which might make for an appropriate toast, but we're not having a big party or anything. Hopefully your plans suit you equally, and if they do involve any big parties, be safe, watch out for drunk drivers, and please don't be one yourself. Erin go Bragh!

Festive Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Stories

• Is It Safe to Get Your Neck Manipulated by a Chiropractor?
• Newark mayor signs deal with Hindu nation that does not exist.

Science

• Caffeine Could Reduce Body Fat and Type 2 Diabetes Risk.

Media

• DONT BREATH. Thanks VideoSift. Don't Breathe?
• How a Traded-In Apple iPhone Gets Refurbished. Thanks VideoSift.
• ADHD but medicated. Thanks Max.