Microsoft's FY24 Q4 Results are now public, showing the software giant racked up $64.7 billion for the quarter. This set of business highlights show that the Activision acquisition provided an extraordinary boost to the Xbox bottom line:

Revenue in More Personal Computing was $15.9 billion and increased 14% (up 15% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Windows revenue increased 7% (up 8% in constant currency) with Windows OEM revenue growth of 4% and Windows Commercial products and cloud services revenue growth of 11% (up 12% in constant currency)
• Devices revenue decreased 11% (down 9% in constant currency)
• Xbox content and services revenue increased 61% driven by 58 points of net impact from the Activision acquisition
• Search and news advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 19%

Electronic Arts Reports Strong Q1 FY25 Results has the latest financials from EA, "strong," as always. In this case that adds up to $1.262 billion in net bookings for the quarter. The only titles mentioned in the results are sports games, but the next Dragon Age is mentioned in the forward looking comments:

“EA delivered a strong start to FY25, beating net bookings guidance as we continue to execute across our business,” said Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA. "Our focus on delivering bigger, bolder, and more connected experiences for our players has never been sharper and is illustrated by the record-breaking launch of EA SPORTS College Football 25 as we head into another historic Q2 sports season at EA."

“Strong execution, live events and continued player engagement across our experiences, delivered Q1 results above expectations,” said Stuart Canfield, CFO of EA. “Looking ahead, the remarkable success of our launch week for College Football, combined with the upcoming launches for EA SPORTS Madden NFL, EA SPORTS FC and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is building momentum for FY25 and beyond. We are well positioned to deliver our multi-year financial objectives.”

SAG-AFTRA announces performers currently on strike against video game makers will be picketing WB Games offices in Burbank, CA on Thursday from Noon to 3:00 pm EDT. The limited scope shows this is not as much to disrupt operations as to draw attention to the strike, which was called last week. Here's word:

SAG-AFTRA members who perform in video games went on strike against all video game companies signed to the Interactive Media Agreement, effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 26.

SAG-AFTRA is striking this contract so that members working in interactive media (video games) can continue earning a living doing the job they love. Our members’ work and likenesses are being exploited by artificial intelligence, and video game companies have refused to offer a fair deal that addresses this existential threat.

Early Access to Stormgate is now underway for Windows on Steam, giving gamers eager for this new RTS game from Frost Giant Studios the chance to enter its science fiction universe. And eager you will probably have to be, as this requires buying an Early Access pack (US$24.99 and up) for two weeks of access to what will launch as a free-to-play game on August 13th. Here's the hook: "Created by veterans of StarCraft II and Warcraft III, Stormgate is a love letter to classic RTS games. Set in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi and fantasy future, Stormgate challenges players to build and command armies in epic battles." A new Gameplay Trailer accompanies the release. Word is making them pay for Early Access is the developer's way of thanking supporters:

Tim Campbell, President and Game Director, added, "This early access preview is our way of thanking our supporters, including our playtesters and all the die-hard RTS players who have been with us for every step of our development journey. For Stormgate, this is only the beginning. We’re planning to release more story, more game modes such as 3v3, as well as our powerful new editor, while we continue working with the community to make Stormgate the best RTS it can be."

Early Access Packs:

• Early Access Pack ($24.99 USD): Includes Amara, a Vanguard hero; Chapter 1 of the Vanguard campaign (containing three replayable missions); and the Gold Vanguard Army Accent cosmetic upgrade.
• Deluxe Early Access Pack ($39.99 USD): Includes everything in the Early Access Pack plus Maloc, the Infernal Hero; Auralanna, the Celestial Hero; and a Chicken Supporter Pet.
• Ultimate Early Access Pack ($59.99 USD): Includes everything in the Deluxe Early Access Pack plus unlocked access to Chapters 2 & 3 of the Vanguard campaign and the Firestorm Fog of War shader.

Continue here to read the full story.

Dystopika is now available on Steam, offering a Windows city-building game set in a dystopian future (thanks OctopusPrime). The elevator pitch is quite low-key: "A city-building sandbox for futuristic cities. No goals, no management, just creativity and dark cozy vibes." The Launch Trailer takes a look. Here's a more detailed explanation:

Dystopika is a small city-builder inspired by cyberpunk and the wanderlust of cities that never sleep.

Place buildings, giant billboards, and towering holograms, working in harmony with procedural generation for landscape, traffic, and lights to create your own future metropolis rich with vibes and ambience. Escape to your own little dystopian dreams (or nightmares).

Continue here to read the full story.

Intel support now offers a new version 32.0.101.5768 WHQL-certified Windows driver for Intel Arc and Iris Xe graphics (thanks VideoCardz). Here are some gaming highlights from the patch notes:

Intel® Game On Driver support on Intel® Arc™ A-series Graphics GPUs and Intel® Core™ Ultra with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs for:

• Stormgate

Game performance improvements on Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics Products versus Intel® 31.0.101.5762 software driver for:

• Yakuza: Like a Dragon (DX11)
  • Up to 91% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
  • Up to 35% average FPS uplift at 1440p with Ultra settings
• Metro: Last Light Complete Edition (DX11)
  • Up to 20% average FPS uplift at 1080p with High settings
  • Up to 23% average FPS uplift at 1440p with Very High settings

A44 Games announces details on the successful launch of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, saying the action/RPG has sold over a half-million copies since launching for Windows and consoles a couple of weeks ago. Here's a little humble bragging:

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, the latest title from A44 Games (Ashen) and publisher Kepler Interactive (Tchia, Sifu Pacific Drive) officially launched on July 18, and over 500,000 players have already started their quests to free the world of Kian from its tyrannical gods. This monumental milestone comes off the heels of acclaim from media who have praised Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn for its inventive take on the action-RPG genre. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store) and Xbox Game Pass & PC Game Pass.

Since its launch on July 18, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has been enjoyed by fans across the globe, with the title currently sitting on Most Popular lists for both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass in multiple regions.

• EA CEO Says Video Game Actor Strikes Won't Have 'Short-Term Impact' on the Company - IGN.

• Yves Lachance Appointed Studio Head of Warner Bros. Games Montréal - Business Wire.
• Humble Games' recent restructure is hurting devs and their games - Game Developer.

• Activision explains that weird spike in Call of Duty cheaters last week - PC Gamer.

• Mafia- Definitive Edition is officially coming to Game Pass - VGC.

• 5 of the Biggest Changes Coming to XDefiant’s Ranked Mode - Ubisoft.

Official trailers.

• XDefiant- Ranked Mode Changes - XDebrief.

• Diablo IV — Tune in to Our Next Developer Update Livestream.

• Star Wars Outlaws- The Final Preview - IGN. Includes a lengthy video.

• DLSS 3 & Reflex Available Now In Stormgate - GeForce News.
• AMD to report second quarter earnings, as investors look for continued AI growth - Yahoo! Finance.
• SK hynix Commences Next-Gen GDDR7 Memory Mass Production In Q3 2024- 32 Gbps Speeds, 74% Reduction In Thermal Resistance - Wccftech. Thanks Max.
• Advancing Humanoid Robot Development - NVIDIA (video). Thanks Kxmode.
• Microsoft PowerToys version 0.83.0. Thanks Console General.

• Microsoft apologises after thousands report new outage - BBC.
• Amazon forced to recall 400K products that could kill, electrocute people - Ars Technica.

• Google’s antitrust defense could benefit from the threat of SearchGPT.
• U.S. Senate passes two kids safety bills for tech and games platforms - VentureBeat.
• Garry's Mod-Skibidi Toilet DMCA Claim Has Been 'Resolved,' Creator Garry Newman Says - IGN.

Last Link of the Day: Honest Trailers - The Acolyte.

A Demo Announce Trailer for Visions of Mana announces a playable demo is now available for this action/RPG in the works at Square Enix. The Windows demo is on Steam and there's one for Xbox Series X|S as well. There's a bonus involved, as it's explained that playing the demo unlocks three weapons for the full game when it launches on August 29th. These are early unlocks, but not exclusive, so the weapons can also be unlocked in the full game. Word is: "The content featured in the demo has been cut down to make a satisfying demo and progress cannot be carried over to the full game." So speaking of the full game, here's a description:

Visions of Mana is a brand new title in this series revolving around the sacred sword and mana.
The protagonist Val and his childhood friend Hinna, the newly appointed Alm of Fire, set off on a journey to the Mana Tree.

This game’s iconic vibrant and vast semi-open field contains adorable yet ferocious monsters, allowing you to enjoy swift three-dimensional battles using the power of the Elementals.
Through adventures with friends met along the way, they start to see the truth about the world.

Continue here to read the full story.

New High Voltage DLC is here for Railway Empire 2, PC and console the transportation simulation sequel. The Windows edition is on the Epic Games Store and Steam with a 10% launch discount for the first week. As the title indicates, this brings electrically powered locomotives to the mix, as shown off in the jaunty Release Trailer. This also adds a new Swiss map to the game, along with related new products like Swiss Army Knives and cheese fondue sets. Here's more on this cutting-edge 20th century science:

Embrace the power of electricity in Railway Empire 2 – High Voltage with the addition of 10 new and historically accurate electrical locomotives including the famed Ce 6/8 III Krokodil and PRR GG1 Blackjack. Utilize the electric railway to trek through the middle of Europe at previously unmatched speeds in the new regional Switzerland map. Transport 10 new Swiss products including seminal favorites such as the Swiss Pocket Knives and delightful indulgences including Cheese Fondue through the breathtaking landscape of the Swiss countryside.

Continue here to read the full story.

Amazing Seasun Games announces that open beta testing of Mecha BREAK will come to PC from August 10-13th, providing a chance to strap in and check out this fast-paced hero shooter. This will be preceded by a closed Beta Test that will run from August 2-8 for previous Mecha BREAK Closed Beta testers, and select VIPs. If you want to be part of that you can now request access on Steam. Here's an Open Beta Gameplay Trailer along with more on testing and how to increase your chances of getting in on its limited phase:

This test focuses on the intense 6v6 Battlefield mode, Mecha BREAK’s fast-paced, three-axis movement hero shooter experience. The latest build of the beta also adds a new pilotable mech, Stego, as well as significant changes to the rhythm of combat, time-to-kill, and an overall faster pace for all mechs.

For a chance to join the Limited Access phase, dedicated players should follow @MechaBREAK on socials, pre-register on the website, and watch on Twitch to receive a test code via Twitch Drops. A select number of codes will also be available from partners such as Razer and ALIENWARE.

Continue here to read the full story.

Space for Sale is now for sale for Windows on Steam, where Early Access is now underway for this co-op simulation where you explore outer space and sell prime extraterrestrial real estate for fun and profit. A new Early Access Trailer takes a look, and there's a playable demo to sample. Here's more on the game, which is 20% off for the first two weeks:

Your list of househunting alien clientele is ever expanding, and so are their demands for prime real estate on unexplored worlds. It's up to you to research the local wildlife, gather resources, construct your base, and turn these harsh biomes into dream neighbourhoods.

A word of warning - some of the local flora and fauna have a taste for space realtors, and you'll need to keep your wits about you if you're going to survive. You may even want to bring in a co-op partner to help.

Continue here to read the full story.

• New Valve game Deadlock could be announced soon after mystery update - PCGamesN.

• Point, Think, Click! Promo is here! - GOG.com.*

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

• How Dr Disrespect Almost Derailed New Studio’s First Video Game - Bloomberg (may require registration or subscription).
• Moon Rover nets $3.5 million from NCSoft to develop emergent FPS - Game Developer.
• Studio Says Humble Layoffs May Impact Its Game's Development - GameSpot.
• My.Games divests creator platform allegedly used to violate Russia sanctions - VentureBeat.

• Olympics ditched Mario & Sonic series to explore NFTs and esports - Eurogamer.net.

Official patches.

• Duck Life 9: The Flock - Update 1.2- The Wizard Duck is here.
• ELDEN RING - Patch Notes Version 1.13.
• Fallout 76 Update Notes – July 23, 2024.
• No Man's Sky Worlds Part 1 Patch 5.03.
• Smalland: Survive the Wilds - Patch Notes 15- The Treetops Update.
• World of Warcraft Hotfixes- July 29, 2024.

• Fallout: London devs hand out maths homework to players who are suffering from a bug that lowers their HP - PC Gamer.
• New Helldivers 2 Freedom’s Flame Warbond burns bright on August 8 – PlayStation.Blog.

Official trailers.

• Space Marine 2 - The Space Marine Arsenal.

• (For Southeast Asia) First Look: Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller – PlayStation.Blog.

• Valve now updating SteamOS to support popular DeckHD screen replacement— others may follow - Tom's Hardware.

• Saboteurs Cut Internet Cables in Latest Disruption During Paris Olympics - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Twitch staff concerned about more layoffs later this year - Eurogamer.net.
• Apple in Talks to Bring Ads to Apple TV+ - MacRumors. Thanks Slashdot.
• Minister: Malaysia is working on an internet kill switch • The Register.

Thanks Ant.

• 'Everybody Will Have An AI Assistant,' NVIDIA CEO Tells SIGGRAPH Audience - NVIDIA Blog.
• Meta's Mark Zuckerberg chews AI cud with Nvidia's Jen-Hsun Huang, talking about delicious cows, slicing tomatoes, and old Chinese guys drinking whiskey - PC Gamer.
• What are Microsoft's different Copilots- Here's what they are and how you can use them - ZDNET.
• Cooler Master Unveils Two New Prebuilt PCs - Business Wire.
• Fences 5.80 Released with New Enhancements and 24H2 Compatibility. Thanks Console General.
• Apple security releases - 29 July 2024.
• Huang and Zuckerberg swapped jackets at SIGGRAPH 2024 and things got weird - TechCrunch.

• Poor security let hackers access 40 million voters' details - BBC.
• Ransomware gangs are loving this dumb but deadly ESXi flaw • The Register.
• 5 Bitwarden features that make it my favorite password manager - ZDNET.

• A Senate Bill Would Radically Improve Voting Machine Security - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).

• Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties has quietly become one of the best historical Total War games ever - PC Gamer.

• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: Scythe Mugen 6 CPU Cooler Review - ThinkComputers.org.
• Keyboard: Quick Look: Awekeys Full Metal Keycaps - TechPowerUp.
• Monitor/Projector: KTC H27P22S 27in gaming monitor (160 Hz - IPS gaming monitor) - Guru3D.
• Mouse: DELUX M900 Pro Review - TechPowerUp.

We came across one of the local families of Canada Geese yesterday, and it wasn't until I commented that the goslings were almost fully grown that it occurred to me that the HOA doesn't seem to have conducted its annual goose culling this year. I mentioned my objections to this in the past, and got some information back about the hygiene problems of goose poop as well as some interesting data on just how not endangered such geese are in these parts. Learning the HOA was properly following the law and had some theoretically good reasons to do so left me with no choice but to accept the situation. So this leaves me pleasantly surprised that things are different this year. I'm quite familiar with how territorial and aggressive these birds can be, but have always been shocked at how chill the local geese are. Perhaps it's all the bullying they suffer at the hands (or wings, rather) of the swans. Either way, it was nice to realize that the geese are getting the chance to live their best lives this year. Hopefully it's a trend going forward.

Obituary: William Calley, Army officer and face of My Lai Massacre, is dead at 80 - The Washington Post.

Loosey Goosey Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Stories

• How Did the Park Fire in Northern California Get So Big? - The New York Times.

Science

• Common Drug May Extend Women's Fertility by Years, Early Results Show - ScienceAlert.
• Maglev titanium heart now whirs inside the chest of a live patient - New Atlas. Thanks Reddit.
• How an emerging disease in dogs is shedding light on cystic fibrosis - Phys.org.

Media

• "Blokes Losing Their Focus Completely" - Pitch Invaders! - Ozzy Man Reviews (NSFW).
• I Worked For MrBeast, He's A Fraud - DogPack404.
• Hotter Than Hot Ones - Guinness World Records (NSFW). I like spicy food, but these are like inverse IQ tests.
• Yukon woman survives bear attack thanks to plastic hairclip. Cheaper than bear spray. Thanks RedEye9.

Follow-up

• COVID-19 concerns- 'People just don't care' - Los Angeles Times.
• The Brainstem Fine-Tunes Inflammation Throughout the Body - Quanta Magazine.

The Funnies

• Avenge Me - Savage Chickens.