Humble Games also announces Wild Blue, an airborne combat game that recalls the on-rails (skyrails, in this case) shooters of a bygone era. The World Premiere Teaser offers a moment of video game sky and no gameplay before going off the rails (sorry). Giles Goddard appears with a heavily redacted (and nutso) bit touting the participation of the Star Fox creator in the project. Despite his claim to be the solo developer, we meet the rest of the team at Chuhai Labs, their sweet liquor collection, and the supple flexibility of their middle fingers. Here's word from the Steam Listing:

Soar over oceans, desert ridges, and perilous caves, battling waves of enemies and pushing back the Baron’s forces. With the help of allies, you’ll fight to restore peace while experiencing the thrill of classic arcade flight-combat!

Easy-to-learn controls make Wild Blue accessible for newcomers and genre veterans alike, while the game’s stunning visuals immerse you in a hand-crafted, anime-style universe. With its compelling gameplay loop, branching paths, and thrilling missions, every flight is an adventure!

Continue here to read the full story.

Humble Games and Studio Pixanoh announce Town of Zoz, an action/RPG coming to Steam with a TBA release date. This combines cuisine and combat, as it includes hacking and slashing as well as farming and cooking. The Announcement Trailer gets a little cloying before the action starts, as this seems to swing between cuteness and chaos. Here's more:

After receiving a letter from his parents, Ito reluctantly returns home to help the family farm and restaurant. As he settles back into family life, Ito realizes that the once peaceful village hides an ancient secret, and the town needs his help to reveal its forbidden past, and the dark cloud that haunts them.

As you explore the area around Zoz and help the townspeople, take advantage of Ito’s skills with his trusty machete as you slash and dodge through enemies while teaming up with several trusted companions. Each one uses their own unique skills to dispatch enemies.

Continue here to read the full story.

Expelled! is now available for PC and Switch, kicking off an adventure from inkle, developer of Overboard! In this case someone is thrown out of a window at a girl's school, rather than overboard from a ship. Just your luck, you are the prime suspect, and it turns out that murder is ground for expulsion. The Windows and macOS edition is available on Steam with a 15% launch discount. Here's the most recent trailer and word:

1922. Miss Mulligatawney's School for Promising Girls is one of the best boarding schools in England. You are Verity Amersham, here on a scholarship - and today you're going to be expelled for attempted murder.

From the creators of Overboard! and A Highland Song comes a highly replayable detective game with a wicked twist. Can you escape expulsion through fair means - or foul? Can you find the culprit - or someone else to take the blame?

Continue here to read the full story.

Publisher astragon Entertainment and developer weltenbauer announce Firefighting Simulator: Ignite, a firefighting simulation promising a realistic experience when it arrives on PC and consoles this autumn. An interesting note is that this project is has the backing of the German government, as it's "supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action." The Reveal Trailer has a cinematic look and informative exposition ("we are firefighters!"). Here's the hot word:

Step into the boots of a U.S. firefighter and face high-stakes missions that require skill, strategy, and teamwork. From rescuing civilians to battling complex fire scenarios—such as electrical fires, grease fires, and explosive hazards—Firefighting Simulator: Ignite delivers a thrilling and authentic experience.

Teamwork is everything. Whether playing solo with AI-controlled teammates or teaming up in four-player cooperative multiplayer, you’ll need to work together to contain the flames and save lives.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Antro on Steam (Windows). "ANTRO. The underground revolution. Join Nittch and Los Discordantes in the race to overthrow La Cúpula. In this rhythm, action, puzzle and 2.5D platforming game, music will be your ally!"

• Bubble Ghost Remake Release Date Announcement + PlayStation Version. March 27th.

• Bethesda’s Oblivion Unreal Engine 5 remake could be releasing sooner than you think - VGC.

• Save 25% on The Plucky Squire on Steam.
• Save 40% on Auto Sale Life on Steam.
• Save 50% on Still Wakes the Deep on Steam.
• Save 90% on Barro on Steam.
• Save 50% on Rail Route on Steam.
• Save 33% on Echo Point Nova on Steam.

• Heroes of the Storm Live Patch Notes - March 12, 2025.

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

• Batman- Arkham Knight just got an amazing X-Men Wolverine Mod - DSOGaming.

Official trailer.

• Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy From – 1999 to 2025.

• Interview with the creator of The Last General - Spillhistorie.no.
• The story of Ports of Call - Spillhistorie.no.

• Ubisoft reverses Steam Deck support for Assassin’s Creed Shadows - VGC.

• Sonos’ streaming box is reportedly canceled. Good riddance. - Ars Technica.

• Intel Names Lip-Bu Tan as New CEO Amid Turnaround Efforts - The New York Times (free account required). Thanks Neutronbeam.
• The ‘world’s smallest microcontroller’ measures just 1.38 mm² and costs 20 cents - Tom's Hardware.
• Asus anticipates price increases as it shifts production from China - Tom's Hardware.
• Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27813 (Canary Channel) - Windows Insider Blog. Thanks Console General.
• CrystalDiskInfo 9.6.3. Thanks Ant.

• Meta mocked for raising “Bob Dylan defense” of torrenting in AI copyright fight - Ars Technica.

Obituary: Obituary- Thomas Lee, EA alum and strategic advisor, has died - Game Developer.
Obituary: Obituary- Voice actor Dave Mallow passed away at age 76 - Game Developer.
Obituary: Former NBA Player Oliver 'Big O' Miller Dead at 54 TMZ.

THQ Nordic announces Titan Quest II will enter Early Access "soon," though it has barely a week to arrive during the winter as promised. But the chance to play the action/RPG sequel is upon us, as the launch will be preceded by a closed beta test. Those interested can request access on the Epic Games Store or Steam, and word is the test will host thousands of players. This post on Steam discusses the news and offers links to a bunch of posts and articles outlining what to expect from the game. Here's more:

The time to carve your legend is almost upon us! Before Titan Quest II charges into Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store soon™️, we’re calling upon thousands of brave warriors for an exclusive closed playtest.

Head over to the game's store page - either on Steam or on the Epic Game Store - and request access to be among the chosen ones who will don their armor, wield their weapons, and battle the forces of chaos. Experience epic combat, heroic feats, and a first taste of what’s to come when Early Access begins!

Rise and shine! FATE: Reawakened is now available for PC and consoles, offering the chance to revisit your fate with an updated collection of all four games in the FATE series of dungeon crawlers. The windows version is on the Epic Games Store and Steam and for the next week it carries a 20% launch discount. The Official Launch Trailer is here with a look at the new reawakened graphics and gameplay. Here's the pitch:

Revitalizing a beloved classic, FATE: Reawakened brings the iconic dungeon-crawling quadrilogy to life with complete graphical overhauls and expanded language support. This definitive edition includes all four original games, featuring the sequels FATE: Undiscovered Realms, FATE: The Traitor Soul, and FATE: The Cursed King.

FATE is celebrated and recognized as one of the early pioneers of the ARPG genre and a notable precursor to games like Torchlight. Players set out on an epic quest, battling vicious monsters, collecting unique weapons, and learning magical spells in their quest for glory and fame. Cited as many players’ first dungeon crawler, FATE’s legacy is preserved and enhanced in its upcoming Reawakened remaster, maintaining all the beloved characteristics of the original while giving the series a good polish.

Continue here to read the full story.

Crusader Kings III: Chapter IV is now available on Steam as the expansion pass for Crusader Kings III, Paradox Interactive's historical strategy/RPG for Windows, macOS, and Linux. This entitles purchasers to two expansions, an event pack, and a cosmetic pack. Here's a new trailer where the new content is introduced, along with details on a new version 1.15 Crown Update that's now live in the base game. Paradox also shares details on Khans of the Steppe, the game's next expansion that's launching on April 28th as part of the new season pass. Here's a new (AI?) Khans of the Steppe Trailer with a look. For more details, keep KHAAAAN! and carry on:

The winds sweep across the Great Steppe as you look over your people, preparing to ride toward the horizon in search of greener pastures, lands to conquer, and new treasures to claim. In Khans of the Steppe, the second Core Expansion for Crusader Kings III, the nomadic life takes center stage, offering a rich tapestry of new challenges and opportunities. Become — or defeat — the Great Khan as you harness the unique powers of the nomads, navigate the ever-changing Steppe Seasons, and bend the world to your will.

Continue here to read the full story.

ALPHAWING and PLAYISM are bringing the metal, as Metal Bringer is now available for PC and PlayStation 5, offering a roguelike action game that allows you to build and operate customizable robots as you seek to "uncover the mysteries of the world." This is follow-up to Samurai Bringer, though the game bears little resemblance to each other. The Windows edition is on Steam with a 10% launch discount for the next two weeks. The game's playable demo update is updated to reflect the release edition if you are looking for an updated sample. The recent Release Date Trailer takes a look at the game's throwback graphics and a listen to its orchestral midi soundtrack. Here's the pitch:

Metal Bringer is the second game in the Bringer series, and this time, the setting is completely different—in this game, you fight in a sci-fi world with androids and giant robots in horde-based combat that's even more satisfying than the last game all while enjoying an in-depth character customization system.

Build and control android soldiers called "Labor", or have them pilot giant machines called "Arms". Each and every Labor and Arms you build is highly customizable. You can change the color and appearance of their features, or swap out parts to change their fighting styles.

Continue here to read the full story.

Cyrenaica is now available on Steam, adding new DLC to Panzer Corps 2, the strategy game set in the North African campaign of World War II. The new add-on recreates the battles of Operation E and Operation Compass, allowing players to command either the British or the Italian side. The DLC is 10% off for the next two weeks. Here's a Gameplay Trailer and here are the details:

Experience the crucial North African Campaign like never before in Panzer Corps 2 Frontlines: Cyrenaica. Covering the battles of Operation E and Operation Compass, this DLC immerses you in the iconic struggles for control over Cyrenaica. Lead both the Italian and British forces in two expansive campaigns that bring the desert theater to life with unique units, innovative mechanics, and immersive desert warfare.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Ground of Aces on Steam (Windows, macOS, Linux). "Take command of a remote military air base during World War II. Build your own airfield, manage iconic aircraft and oversee your crew’s well-being. Prepare them against air raids and send your pilots on dangerous missions. Survive and help your nation win the war!"
• Scholomatch on Steam (Windows). "Match gems, level up, and date wizards in this match-3 visual novel with a lot of heart and a little spice. Form deep relationships with faeries, sirens and werewolves, each with their own endearing personalities and challenges. Make choices that affect your relationships, and their destinies."

• Bullet Noir - Early Access Cinematic Trailer. April 15th, missing previous EA launch date by 200%.
• Cursed Dawn - Release Date Announcement Trailer. April 7th.
• Warside - Release Date Announcement. April 14th.

• Ubisoft Is "Horribly Managed," Investor Says, Report Claims EA And Microsoft Might Buy Franchises - GameSpot.
• EA Adds Microtransactions To Skate's Closed Alpha - Insider Gaming.

• Return of the Infinite Space Trilogy Sale! by Digital Eel - itch.io.

• SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike- Sides Far Apart, Union Says - The Hollywood Reporter.
• Pokemon Go Studio Niantic Sold to Scopely in $3.5B Deal - The Hollywood Reporter.
• Ori developer Moon Studios goes ‘fully independent’, will finish No Rest For the Wicked without Take-Two - VGC.

• Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Now the Worst User-Reviewed GTA on Steam - IGN.
• Rise of the Ronin is off to a rough start on PC as it becomes Team Ninja's worst-performing major Steam launch in years - VG247.

• Devil May Cry - Official Trailer - Netflix.
• Introducing: Hamilton's Latest Video Game Collab Is A Limited Edition Boulton For 'Death Stranding 2' - Hodinkee.

• Aloft - The Critters & Wonders Update is Here! 🦋.
• Elsword - March 12th Patch Notes.
• ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist - Patch notes- 1.1.0.
• EVE Online: Revenant - Major Update.

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

• New Version of Skyrim Fan Remake in Unreal Engine 5 Released - DSOGaming.

• PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Weekly Bans Notice (03/03~03/09).

Official trailers.

• Aether & Iron Announcement Trailer - New Narrative RPG.
• Aloft – Critters & Wonders Update.
• Elsword: New Region Serpentium Teaser Trailer.
• Hopetown - Kickstarter Video Preview.
• ICE on the EDGE - Official 4K Trailer - Figure Skating Simulation. With bonus upskirt mode.
• Many Nights A Whisper - Reveal Trailer.
• Resonant Blade Announcement Trailer.

• The actors behind Kingdom Come- Deliverance II - ESPN.

• PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS 8th Anniversary Events.
• Sea of Thieves - This Month in Sea of Thieves: March 2025 and Seventh Anniversary.

• PlayStation Store Mega March promotion starts March 12 – PlayStation.Blog.

• Update your iPhone now- iOS 18.3.2 patches a serious web browser bug - ZDNET.
• Is your Pixel fingerprint scanner missing after the March update- Here's the quick fix - ZDNET.

• 'Star Wars: Andor' Hits Hulu & YouTube – Watch for Free Before Season 2 Drops. Thanks Reddit via Ant.
• Spotify tries to defend its artist payout rates - Engadget.

• Repealing the CHIPS Act could dramatically shrink US chip market share, analysts say - Tom's Hardware.
• UserBenchmark bashes AMD GPUs and claims they lack real-world performance - Tom's Hardware.
• Stardock announces Fences 6, beta now available to download - Neowin.
• Western Digital launches massive 26TB drives for pros & NAS users - Apple Insider.
• Evernote version 10.130.2. Thanks Console General.

• Netflix Games generative AI proponent Mike Verdu has departed - Game Developer.
• SAG-AFTRA calls out 'alarming loopholes' in AI proposals from major game studios - Game Developer.
• Democrats Demand Answers on DOGE’s Use of AI - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Bad AI from Amazon, Apple, and others is bad for the gadget world - The Verge.
• OpenAI releases new tools to help developers build AI agents - Neowin.
• Chinese Companies Rush to Put DeepSeek in Everything - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Spain to impose massive fines for not labeling AI-generated content - Reuters. AI Yi-Yi! Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

• Microsoft- 6 Zero-Days in March 2025 Patch Tuesday – Krebs on Security.
• What Really Happened With the DDoS Attacks That Took Down X - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• 8 VPN myths busted - Android Police. Thanks Android Police.
• Beware this new 'CAPTCHA' that tricks you into installing malware - PCWorld. Thanks Ant.
• Chinese snoops spotted on end-of-life Juniper routers • The Register.

• Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row - BBC.
• Record labels attempt to bankrupt Internet Archive over grandpa's dusty old 78s - Boing Boing.

Thanks Neutronbeam.

• Case: XPG Valor Air Plus Mid-Tower Chassis - TweakTown.
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D - LanOC Reviews.
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Review - The all-round X3D chip we've been waiting for - TweakTown.
• Graphics Card: Acer RX 9070 Nitro OC - LanOC Reviews.
• Handheld: Razer Handheld Dock Chroma review - PC Gamer.
• Hard Drive: Corsair K70 Pro TKL review - PC Gamer.
• Headset/Earbuds: Audio-Technica ATH R50X review - PC Gamer.
• Keyboard: HYTE Keeb TKL Keyboard Review - ThinkComputers.org.
• Laptop: After testing over a dozen Arc 140V laptops, we now which are the slowest and fastest models for gaming - NotebookCheck.net.
• Monitor/Projector: Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM review - PC Gamer.
• PSU: be quiet! Pure Power 12 1000W Power Supply - Christ Centered Gamer.

Welp, had a coffee SNAFU this morning. The built-in scale on my grinder failed, and stays at zero. So the grinder works for a bit, but since it doesn't register the weight of the grounds increasing, it cuts off thinking the bean hopper is empty. There aren't many user-serviceable parts in it, so all I could to was give it a cleaning, hoping perhaps some coffee was jamming the scale. But nothing worked, so I used a bunch of the short pulses it could manage to make our morning coffee. As a side note, I know I talk about my love of coffee, but this thing got used once a day, so it's not like we killed it by running a Starbucks out of our kitchen. But this fits, as over the years I've reported more than my share of coffee apocalypses. Some of my earliest fiascos were trying to use an auto all-in-one unit that would wake up on a timer, grind beans, and brew the coffee automatically. Except for the part where it would clog up and I'd awaken to a flood in the kitchen. Over time I've simplified to a Chemex pour over setup, but I still have a surprisingly difficult history keeping coffee grinders and even electric kettles operating properly. I should probably consider manual grinder options just to further simplify the operation. But there's no indication whatever coffee curse I'm living under will ever be lifted, so I guess the next step after that will be to heat the water over a wood fire.

Obituary: Simon Fisher-Becker, Doctor Who and Harry Potter star, dies aged 63 - Radio Times. Thanks Reddit.

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

Stories

• Spinal Tap 2 Release Date Set for September- Watch Teaser - Variety.
• March's full -Blood Worm Moon- arrives with a lunar eclipse. Here's when and where to see it. - CBS News.

Science

• Can melatonin supplements really 'reverse' DNA damage caused by lack of sleep? - Medical Express.
• Study Reveals Critical Age When Your Thinking Begins to Decline - ScienceAlert.
• Why Are Cats Such a Medical Black Box? - The New York Times (free account required). Thanks j.c.f.

Media

• Are you able to name the celebrity from childhood photos? One favorite is quite conspicuously mis-dated. Thanks VideoSift.
• Max Park vs Feliks Zemdegs With Different Cube Sizes - Guinness World Records.

The Funnies

• Savage Chickens - Rock Paper.