1047 Games announces the success of its recent alpha test for Splitgate 2, offering an infographic to show the reaction to the portal-hopping first-person shooter was "bonkers." Some alpha gameplay is shown off in the Open Beta Announcement trailer which concludes with the announcement that open beta testing will begin in May. Here's word:

Splitgate 2 creator 1047 Games has released an infographic recapping the “Bonkers” reception of the Splitgate 2 Open Alpha, sharing key stats and other fun points of reference for just how wild things got in the much-anticipated portal-jumping FPS’ latest showdowns.

The alpha’s debut of 24-player Multi-team Portal Warfare, along with the playable debut of other fresh game modes and maps, proved to be Hot Fire in the eyes of fans. More than 500,000 matches were played across the alpha’s array of modes and maps, resulting in 59 million kills and 20 million portals spawned - more stats are below.

Continue here to read the full story.

Hazelight announces on BlueSky that Split Fiction sold a million copies in the first 48 hours following last Thursday's launch of the co-op action/adventure. Word is:

SPLIT FICTION sold 1 MILLION units in its first 48 hours!!!

The love you all show for our game is overwhelming! 😍 Everyone here at Hazelight are beyond happy - and we can’t stop enjoying your amazing reactions! 🤩

Hauntsville is now available for Windows on Steam, giving rise to a western first-person shooter with a horror theme. These occult elements come into play as you learn what it's like to homestead near a ghost town. Here's the Launch Trailer with a look at gameplay and word on the game, which is 20% off for the next two weeks:

Players step into the boots of a nameless traveler stranded in a once-thriving frontier town, now shrouded in mystery and terror. The hired hands have vanished, the horses are missing, and the townspeople are nowhere to be found. Fleeing inhabitants left behind cryptic messages and occult artifacts, hinting at a darkness that took root long before your arrival. Some say the town’s secrets are buried with the dead, but one thing is certain—the horrors that lurk in the valley are far from human. And as the howls echo through the trees, one chilling truth emerges: something is out there, watching, waiting.

Continue here to read the full story.

ORDER 13 is now available on Steam, bringing some order to the chaos of this Windows warehouse simulation where not everything is as it seems. This sinister undercurrent is on display in the Official Release Date Trailer, as is your faithful cat companion. Here's the pitch from Cybernetic Walrus, Oro Interactive, and Drillhounds.

You’re all alone working at a remote fulfillment center. Your only companion is your loyal cat—a comforting presence in the vast, dark warehouse you are stationed in.

Start each shift by reviewing incoming orders, then venture into the warehouse to retrieve the items. Armed with a flashlight and basic tools, move quickly, avoid lingering, and complete your tasks while the shadows around you grow darker and more dangerous.

Continue here to read the full story.

• FUBUKI ～zero in on Holoearth～ HOLOLIVE ALTERNATIVE on Steam (Windows). "『FUBUKI ~zero in on Holoearth~』is a high-speed pixel action game where you control the protagonist, Shirakami Fubuki, and battle using swords and skills."

• Forgotlings Release Date Trailer. June 12th.
• Urban Jungle - Release Date Announcement Trailer. March 21st.

• Xbox's new hardware plans begin with a gaming handheld in 2025 - Windows Central.

• Save 25% on The Plucky Squire on Steam.
• Save 40% on Ale & Tale Tavern on Steam.
• Save 80% on Hotline Miami on Steam.
• Save 60% on Robin Hood - Sherwood Builders on Steam.
• Save 33% on Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT on Steam.
• Save 33% on Echo Point Nova on Steam.
• Save 65% on Corpse Keeper on Steam.
• Save 90% on Cursed to Golf on Steam.

• Coperni Mixes Fortnite and Fashion at Paris Show - The New York Times (free account required). Thanks Neutronbeam.

Official patches.

• Space Engineers 2 Alpha- Vertical Slice 1.1 - Steam Workshop.
• Steam Client Update - March 10th.

Official trailers.

• BLEACH Rebirth of Souls – Opening Cinematic Movie.
• Steam Spring Sale 2025- Official Trailer. Starts Thursday.
• Space Engineers 2 Alpha: Vertical Slice 1.1 - Steam Workshop.
• Space Engineers 2 - Workshop Guide.

• Bluesky adds 3-minute video uploads and inbox management features - Engadget.
• Nexstar Launches Free Streaming Apps for Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC News On Roku, Fire TV, & Apple TV In More Markets - Cord Cutters News. Thanks Broadband Bulletin via Ant.
• Google warns folks with dead Chromecasts not to reset them • The Register.

• Firmware update bricks HP printers, makes them unable to use HP cartridges - Ars Technica.
• Fake Ryzen 7 9800X3D bought from Amazon was actually an old AMD FX chip disguised by IHS sticker - Tom's Hardware. Thanks brother19.
• Apple is reportedly planning a major redesign for iOS 19 and macOS 16 - Engadget.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader version 2025.001.20432/a>. Thanks Console General.

• Elon Musk blames X outages on “massive cyberattack” - Ars Technica.

• Allstate sued for exposing personal info in plaintext • The Register.

Last Link of the Day: Beast Games Pitch Meeting.

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH will hit the beaches on June 26th, announces KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, revealing when the highly anticipated walking simulation sequel arrives for PlayStation 5. There will be a 48-hour headstart for those who spring for the pricier editions. A PC version is still yet to be announced, but it is speculated one will follow, just as it did with the first game. A new Pre-Order Trailer shows off cinematics and how gameplay widely expands on the original, including a hint of Metal Gear and a glimpse of a character we want to call Solid Fake. Lastly, there's a new SXSW Panel Discussion of the game. Here's word:

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, in collaboration with PlayStation, hosted a special panel for DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH at this year’s SXSW in Austin, Texas. Hideo Kojima was joined by Norman Reedus, Troy Baker and Woodkid for the panel where the latest DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH news was announced, including:

• PlayStation® Presents DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH Special Panel: Here

Continue here to read the full story.

Cheaters Cheetah is now available for Windows on Steam, kicking off a multiplayer first-person shooter with a 20% launch discount. Cheating is usually a major issue in such games, and developer Acmore Games' unusual solution to this is to lean into it, so this is a game where cheating is part of the process. This includes built-in wallhacks and aimbots, as well as a physical banhammer, because losers get banned. It's not clear how deep the rabbit hole goes, so it's unsure if using actual external cheats is also acceptable in this game. Here's the previously released Reveal Trailer and here's more on just how far this leans into the memes:

The game is set in a prison for former cheaters, who were caught using cheats in a popular online FPS. Transformed into cheetahs, they are forced to participate in a game show "Cheaters Cheetah" as a punishment.

Winners will be granted with the "BAN Hammer", allowing them to BAN all of the losers from the game. Show no mercy to those scumbags!

Continue here to read the full story.

Activision celebrates the fifth anniversary of Call of Duty: Warzone, as the free-to-play first-person shooter launched on this date in 2020. Taking things back to where they started is a new Unforgettable Verdansk Teaser Trailer (Johnny Mathis warning - things may get frisky if you leave the sound up). As the title states, this shows off a new version of the original Verdansk map returning to the multiplayer Call of Duty spinoff for Season 03 on April 3rd. Here's word:

Call of Duty: Warzone is celebrating five incredible years of bringing players together across the world in epic large scale and free-to-play battles. More than 125 million players have dropped into Warzone since launch in 2020, and the game is ever-evolving and growing with the community.

In celebration of Call of Duty: Warzone's 5th anniversary, it's time to revisit the place where it all began - with the original Verdansk map returning on April 3 with Season 03. Get ready for the drop zones and familiar terrain that players loved, alongside new updates to explore.

Continue here to read the full story.

Paradox Interactive is also celebrating an anniversary, as city-bolder Cities: Skylines launched on this day in 2015, marking the game's first decade. A new Anniversary Video rolls back the clock to see how 10 years has transformed the skyline. But Paradox is being constructive, so the news looks forward as well. Word is a free anniversary patch will arrive for Cities: Skylines II next week, and a separate anniversary patch will come to the original Cities: Skylines a week after that. Each will add new content to its respective game, and this post on Steam has has all the details. There's also word that beginning next week the first game will launch a subscription service to give access to all its content for those who find the typical Paradox DLC flood to be too much to handle. A post on the Paradox Interactive Forums has more on that. The plans also include a way to own more of that DLC if you wish, and an upcoming opportunity for newcomers to get a sample:

For those diving in for the first time and looking to experience where it all began, Cities: Skylines will have a Steam Free-to-Play period from March 20th to March 24th. There’s more— we’re also launching a subscription service for the original Cities: Skylines to make our massive 65+ DLC catalog more accessible than ever. New DLCs will be included in the subscription, so you’ll always have the latest content at your fingertips. Long-time players, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered, too, with a special completion offer to round up your collection.

Continue here to read the full story.

Hooded Horse and Slug Disco announce Exploding Ants, new DLC coming to Empires of the Undergrowth, the Windows and macOS RTS game where your sects are insects and every little decision matters. This will burst onto the scene on March 24th, and will be available on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Steam, depending on where you bought the original. Here's a trailer with a look, and here are the explosive details:

Exploding Ants expands your arsenal across all game modes by introducing two powerful new species to the battlefields of Empires of the Undergrowth – one for the termites, and one for the ants. Whether you’re experimenting with them in Freeplay Mode and Custom Games, using Remix mode to bring them into campaign levels, or unlocking them for use in the defense of your Story Mode’s formicarium, each species includes a new unit capable of autothysis, the ability to voluntarily explode, giving you access to a powerful response against intruders that might otherwise overwhelm your forces.

Continue here to read the full story.

ESDigital Games and Storm in a Teacup announce an official release date for Steel Seed, saying the third-person stealth/action game will arrive for PC and consoles on April 10th. This is a bit of a delay, as the game was announced as coming late last year. A new Release Date Announcement Trailer asks the oddly existential "why am I doing this" question while showing off the game's action, stealth, and science fiction environments. This post has details, saying the playable demo on Steam is updated since it was released last summer. Here's more:

Steel Seed — a gripping action-adventure game from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed Close to the Sun, set in a dark sci-fi world where humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Join protagonist Zoe and her flying drone companion, KOBY, as they investigate the depths of a hostile underground facility in search of answers and the key to the survival of mankind.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Shooter Games Promo on GOG.com.*

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

• Elon Musk's Tesla facilities in the US face 'Takedown' protests - BBC.

• Square Enix Employees Uncover Huge Collection of Untouched Retro Games - GameRant.

• Core Keeper - Core Keeper’s Bags & Blasts Update is Out Now! - Steam News.

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

• Someone recreated the entire Resident Evil Spencer Mansion in Unreal Engine 5 - DSOGaming.

• Insomniac's delisted VR games return to the Meta Store - Eurogamer.net.

Official trailers.

• CORE KEEPER BAGS & BLASTS - COMING MARCH 10TH.
• Cthulhu's Reach- Devil Reef - Steam Deck Verified.
• The Last Caretaker - Gameplay with Voiceover. And what an epic voiceover it is.

• Raised in a Civil War, He Makes Games to Bring People Together - The New York Times (free account required). Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Capcom Announces Partnership with the Esports World Cup! - Business Wire.

• Nintendo News: Nintendo Reveals More Ways to Join the MAR10 Day Fun Today - Business Wire.
• PlayStation Store- February 2025’s top downloads – PlayStation.Blog.

• Microsoft shows off Windows 11’s battery icon’s upgrade, similar to Android and iOS - Windows Latest. Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Google Chrome is killing more extensions than you think - is your old favorite on the list? - ZDNET.
• Trump says four bidders in queue for TikTok, a deal could come soon - Neowin.

• Nvidia RTX 5050, RTX 5060, and RTX 5060 Ti specs leak — expect 8GB-16GB flavors and higher TGPs - Tom's Hardware.
• Russia sees tech boom amid sanctions — microelectronics industry sees massive hiring surge and increased salaries - Tom's Hardware. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Fake MSRP - Gamers Nexus (NSFW video).

• Are AI-generated video games really on the horizon? - The Guardian.
• Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour on AI, press freedom, and the future of news - The Verge.

• Malicious GitHub repositories linked to nearly 1M infections • The Register.
• Vulnerability Summary for the Week of March 3, 2025 - CISA. Thanks Ant.
• How NOT to f-up your security incident response • The Register.

• First Porn, Now Skin Cream? ‘Age Verification’ Bills Are Out of Control - Electronic Frontier Foundation.
• Free Software Foundation rides to defense of AGPLv3 • The Register. Thanks Slashdot.
• Trial of former Ubisoft bosses in France adjourned until June - Le Monde.

• X-Out- Resurfaced - Christ Centered Gamer.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Headset/Earbuds: Baseus Bowie MC1 Review- Surprisingly Good Sound, But Can You Wear It All Day- - Gizmochina.
• Headset/Earbuds: Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro review- Great budget earbuds with some fun tricks! - Android Central.
• Laptop: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i review- The most luxurious ultrabook - Tom's Hardware.
• Monitor/Projector: Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED (AW2725Q) Review - PCMag.
• Monitor/Projector: Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM review - PC Gamer.
• PSU: FSP MP7 and NP5 Air Coolers Review: Simple and effective - Tom's Hardware.
• PSU: FSP Vita GM 1000W Report - APH Networks.
• RAM: Patriot Viper EV330 M.2 2230 SSD Enclosure Review - ThinkComputers.org.
• Speakers/Soundbar: Majority D40X Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers - Nikk Tech.
• Speakers/Soundbar: Better than the real thing- Spark 2 packs 39 amp sims into $300 Bluetooth speaker - Ars Technica.

Following my problems with FrontPage 2003 during our recent trip to Atlanta, I got a recommendation from long-time friend of the site j.c.f. to look into Expression Web, Microsoft's replacement HTML editor, though this is also discontinued. I messed with it at one point, but dismissed it for some reason I can no longer recall. But after this suggestion I fooled with it again and came away pleased. It's 98% of what I'm used to, and most of the differences quite minor. But it's easier to get, installs cleaner, and has way less clutter. It also feels happier running under Windows 10, as its responsiveness is evidence that FrontPage was laggy on a barely noticeable level. Yesterday I worked out what needed to make the switch and am happily working on my "new" setup. So thank you to j.c.f. for prodding me in the right direction. It also just sounds less eccentric to no longer be working on software that practically qualified for Y2K compliance testing. Maybe not that much, since Expression Web 4.0 is close to 15 years-old, but when it comes to seeming less eccentric, I can use all the help I can get.

Obituary: Simon Fisher-Becker death: Harry Potter and Doctor Who actor dies aged 63 - The Independent.
Obituary: Athol Fugard, South African Playwright Who Dissected Apartheid, Dies at 92 - The New York Times (free account required).
Obituary: Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies from rare disease - CNN. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Upgraded Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Breakfast Links

• For an anaesthesiologist, intuition stands between life and death - Aeon Essays.
• Here's The Best Instant Coffee Brand For Your Money - Tasting Table.

Story

• Tool Apparently Booed for Disappointing Set at Their Own Festival - Consequence.

Science

• Maybe megalodon wasn’t so chonky after all - National Geographic.
• Colossal CEO Ben Lamm says humanity has a 'moral obligation' to pursue de-extinction tech - TechCrunch.

Media

• The longer you watch the crazier it gets. Thanks VideoSift.
• Dick Winters Walked Off the Set of Band of Brothers and Never Came Back.

NVIDIA now offers a hotfix update for the version 572.70 Windows driver it released last week. This deals with what seems to be a lingering problem, as it addresses a black-screen problem, just like the hotfix released at the beginning of this month. It also fixes a bug that underclocked cards that owners attempted to overclock:

GeForce Hotfix Display Driver version 572.75 is based on our latest Game Ready Driver 572.70.

• [GeForce RTX 5080/5090] Graphics cards may not run at full speeds on system reboot when overclocked [5088034]
• [GeForce RTX 50 series] GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs crashes with black screen [5120886]

The Prime Gaming Blog details the March Content Update to this Amazon program that's a perk for Amazon Prime subscribers. As always, this includes free games, free game content, and games to stream via Luna. Here's a rundown on games that are free to keep for Prime members who claim them in time:

This March, Prime members can claim a fresh lineup of free games, including Saints Row®: The Third™ Remastered, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, Crime Boss: Rockay City, Naheulbeuk’s Dungeon Master, Wall World, Syberia: The World Before, Endling — Extinction is Forever, Dark Deity: Complete Edition, Beholder 3, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, Mutazione, Figment 2: Creed Valley, Legacy of Kain: Defiance, Mortal Shell, The Forgotten City, Deus Ex: Invisible War, Session: Skate Sim, Let’s Build A Zoo, Gamedec — Definitive Edition and The Wisbey Mystery.

• Death Stranding 2 editions details leak ahead of expected Kojima announcement - VGC.

• Battlefield dev reveals more of his Bad Company 3 script and confirms the plot would revolve around the squad getting kicked out of the military and brought back for a final suicide mission - Gamesradar+.

• Rebellion CEO puts the studio's recent avoidance of layoffs down to control of scope and cost- 'Sometimes we say, guys, this game's too big' - PC Gamer.

• Marvel Rivals players blast NetEase for poor moderation of racist and sexist slurs - Eurogamer.net.

• The Last of Us Season 2 - Official Trailer - Max.
• Fallout Series Pip-Boy Die-Cast Replica – Official Bethesda Gear Store.

Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• Starfield just got a new cool immersive quest mod - DSOGaming.
• MediEvil 2 Unreal Engine 5 Fan Demo Released - DSOGaming.

• A New Wireless Dreamcast Controller Is Available Now, Also Works On Switch And PC - GameSpot.

Content creator videos. Thanks Ant.

• I Just Want to Fight MONTERS - Monster Hunter Wilds - Ep 2 - Carbot.
• When It's Not the Game That's Broken - Warp Zone.

• Blending the worlds of hardware, games and creators in gaming PCs - Jo Tan interview - VentureBeat. HP.

• Treasure Hunter Simulator 🪙 Nintendo Switch Trailer.
• Yes, you'll need a Microsoft account to play Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 - Eurogamer.net.
• Nintendo Switch 2 Games Could Be More Expensive on Average - MP1st.

• Meta, Mark Zuckerberg considered censorship for China, whistleblower says - The Washington Post (may require registration or subscription).

• AMD's Zen 6-based desktop processors may feature up to 24 cores - Tom's Hardware.
• AMD's 16-core 9950X3D chip allegedly lands 14% faster than last-gen in PassMark - Tom's Hardware.
• Absolutely Absurd RX 9070 Video Cards: Every 9070 XT & 9070 So Far - Gamers Nexus (NSFW video).
• Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell reportedly comes with 96GB GDDR7 and 600W TDP - Neowin.
• The Morning After- Buying a good graphics card is an expensive mess - Engadget. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• How to Get Windows Games Working on a Mac - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• A HDD with 6x more capacity than rivals: That's what Chinese scientists are exploring thanks to molecular hard disk drives - TechRadar.
• Apple’s plans for a smart display suffer a Siri-related setback - The Verge.
• Nvidia RTX 5090's 16-pin power connector hits 150C in reviewer's thermal camera shots - Tom's Hardware.
• Microsoft lists a reason why you should update to Windows 11 from 10 via clean install - Neowin.
• Here's why you should never throw out the box that came with your TV - Tom's Guide.

• Undocumented commands found in Bluetooth chip used by a billion devices - Bleeping Computer. Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Cybercriminals Allegedly Used a StubHub Backdoor to Steal Taylor Swift Tickets - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Trump’s DOJ still says Google should be broken up - The Verge.

• Dawnfolk Is a Game That Really Prioritizes Resources - Siliconera.

• CPU/GPU/AIO/SSD Cooler: [M] be quiet! Light Loop 360mm AIO - Mad Shrimps.
• Microphone: Elgato Wave Neo Review- I hope you got this as part of a bundle - Tom's Hardware.

For some of us today is a day we dread, as we lost an hour overnight in the switchover to Daylight Saving Time. And yes, take that winter equinox, because this makes today by far the shortest day of the year. As always it will take time to adjust, but also as always, I do enjoy the delayed sundowns during DST. Here's a protip: Be careful on the roads, as a recent study shows a six percent increase in fatal car accidents during the week following the change to DST.

Daylight Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Stories

• Nuggets' Nikola Jokic records NBA's 1st 30-20-20 triple-double - ESPN.
• Weight loss drugs expose women to society's harsh judgements on their bodies - BBC.
• Global coffee trade grinding to a halt, hit hard by brutal price hikes - Reuters.

Science

• Butterfly populations declining rapidly in U.S. with 22% disappearing in 2 decades, study finds - CBS News. Thanks Slashdot.
• The Blood of Exceptionally Long-Lived People Suggests Crucial Differences - ScienceAlert. The Bram Stoker theory.
• Gene-edited non-browning banana could cut food waste, scientists say - Food science - The Guardian.

Media

• The Failure of BRAVESTARR & the Downfall of FILMATION.
• 10 Movie Innovations That Happened Earlier Than You Think - What Culture.

Creature Features

• Geese show care and concern when human friend pretends to faint - Boing Boing. Feel pretty bad for them.

Follow-up

• FOBBV CAM - 3/6/2025 Fluff Bundle Chick#3 Has Arrived. Thanks Frans.
• Inside Amazon’s 007 Takeover, Impact on Future of James Bond - The Hollywood Reporter.