A post on Steam announces a delay to the launch of Metal Eden (thanks Wccftech). This robot-filled first-person shooter was announced with a May 6th release date. But word is the recent demo identified potential improvements. Thus the game is being pushed off to the summer, and it no longer carries a specific release date:

We’ve decided to move the release of METAL EDEN to Summer 2025.

After going through the feedback from the demo, we saw some clear areas where we can improve. We’re taking a bit more time to refine the game and make sure it delivers the experience we’re aiming for. Your input has been a big part of that process, and we appreciate it.

We know delays aren’t ideal, and we really appreciate your patience. We’ll share the new date as soon as we can—and we’re confident it’ll be worth the wait.

An interview on the PlayStation.Blog talks with Blizzard's Dylan Snyder, Senior Game Designer on Overwatch 2. The topic is the new Stadium mode that's part of the planned overhaul of the multiplayer shooter. As this gets set to launch next week, Dylan outlines what to expect. Here's a bit on how the addition of Armory upgrades between rounds influences gameplay in this best of seven mode:

A huge component of Stadium is the Armory; it’s where you start every match, and it’s where you return when in your spawn room between rounds. We wanted an easy to read yet fun way to spend Stadium Cash on your Heroes. In the Armory, you can buy Items that offer a range from simple Stat boosts to your damage or healing output, to ones that punch up specific abilities. Then there are Powers that are unlocked before rounds 1, 3, 5, and 7, and they are incredibly cool ways to play with really strong new abilities. You want to shoot Ana’s Nano Boost ultimate at your teammates through walls? Because with the right Items and Powers, you can shoot Ana’s Nano Boost ultimate at your teammates through walls.

Sacre Bleu! Sacre Bleu is now available for Windows on Steam and for Switch, brining us an action/platformer featuring speedrunning, bullet-time, and a great deal of Frenchness. The Launch Trailer demonstrates its savoir faire in introducing the game, where you play as a sole musketeer with a steampunk musket:

Mon dieu! Some rascal has thrown you, the captain of the Musketeers, into prison – on false charges, no less! Time to grab your blunderbuss and blast your way to freedom!

Use your blunderbuss to launch yourself from platform to platform, taking down enemies in graceful bullet-time aerial battles! Hone your skills and unlock even tougher encounters!

Get graded on combat encounters to reduce your overall time. Better grades mean faster times. How fast can you go?

Tranquil Isle is now available on Steam, offering a low-fi town-builder for Windows that advertises its level of chill right up front. For more of the vibe, the Launch Trailer takes a tranquil look. Here's more on the game, which comes with a 20% launch discount:

While away the hours on the sunkissed shores of your own tiny paradise! Tranquil isle is a minimalist townbuilder, set on idyllic, randomly generated islands. The sun will rise and set as you work to grow your town to keep everything humming along nicely.

There’s no combat, no trading - just focus on making your little islands the best they can be.

The game has 2 main modes: Classic Mode, where players must strategically place buildings to build up your high score and unlock new buildings and islands, and sandbox mode for those looking to chill out and build purely for aesthetics and vibes. There's also a Daily challenge, where all players will play for a high score on the same fixed map.

• Vellum - 1.0 Release Date Trailer. Literary action roguelike leaves Early Access May 2nd.

• EA Reportedly Sending Out Surveys About Sims Competitor InZOI - GameRant.

• Train Sim World 5: Route Remix Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*
• Return to Metroidvania (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*

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

• Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 - Bluntman & Chronic Tracer Pack Bundle.

Official patches.

• TRIBE NINE - Ver. 1.1.0 Update Notes.

Official trailers.

• Empire of the Ants – The Making-of a Next-Gen RTS - Microids. Thanks Ant.
• Fortnite Reload - FEEL THE RUSH Trailer (ft. Eric André and Kyle Mooney).

• Nintendo Switch 2 dodges tariff price increase, but accessories will experience 'price adjustments' - Game Developer.
• Next Week on Xbox- New Games for April 21 to 25 - Xbox Wire.

• Introducing Call of Duty: Mobile Season 4 — Infinity Realm.

• Pocketpair Presents Strong Defense Against Nintendo's Palworld Lawsuit - Game Rant.
• Cops can’t do cell tower mass surveillance ‘dumps,’ court rules - The Verge.

As I forewarned, I am out a little early to get into some trouble tonight. Wish me luck!

Last Link of the Day: New Pornographers' Joe Seiders Arrested for Child Porn Possession - The Hollywood Reporter. Seriously?

Ubisoft reveals a May 15th release date for A Pirate’s Fortune, the DLC for Star Wars Outlaws that was unveiled last year as part of the post-release roadmap for the open-world Star Wars game. This will come to PC and consoles, and speaking of platforms, the announcement adds the news that Outlaws will launch on Switch 2 on September 4th. There are details on the pack, and news that a time-limited playable demo is now available. The Windows demo is on the Epic Games Store, Steam, and the Ubisoft Website. Word is: "Experience the Free Demo of Star Wars Outlaws on Tatooine as the scoundrel Kay Vess alongside your loyal companion, Nix. Navigate the planet’s lawless dunes, face off against the Hutt Cartel and Tusken Raiders, and pick up contracts in Mos Eisley. Venture beyond the city limits to uncover opportunities and engage in thrilling space dogfights! There will be no save game carryover on any platform, but you can enjoy up to three hours of gameplay." Here's more on the DLC, the latest title to perversely invoke one of a game publisher's most hated words:

Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune takes players on an adventure with pirates and lost treasures. Kay Vess and Nix will team up with Hondo Ohnaka as they face off against Stinger Tash and her Rokana Raiders, infiltrating the Khepi Tomb to uncover the secrets and hidden treasures it holds. Along the way, they’ll discover the Miyuki Trade League who offer new rewards for the Trailblazer in exchange for smuggling dangerous goods across the galaxy. Players must complete the main storyline from the base game before the story pack can be played.

Early Access to Lost Skies has taken flight on Steam, and this co-op survival adventure carries a 10% launch discount for the next two weeks. This post covers the news, providing an Early Access Q&A Video where the developers at Bossa Studios discuss the project. Here's a bit on what you can find in Lost Skies:

Embark on a high-flying journey through the remnants of ancient civilizations and uncover the mysteries behind their downfall. As you traverse skies teeming with wonder and danger, harness advanced technology to overcome challenges and push the boundaries of human ingenuity.

You’ll need to explore ancient ruins and utilize Atlas, the mysterious power that keeps the world afloat, to solve puzzles and discover the precious technology left behind by those who came before. However, danger lurks around every corner on both land and in the air. Fight against the ancient turrets and drones that hunt you across the floating islands, and engage in epic sky battles with colossal beings that have been roaming the skies since they brought about humanity's destruction.

Pax Augusta is now available for Windows on Steam, launching a strategy game for Windows set in the heyday of the Roman Empire. As the title implies in Latin, this is set during a peaceful period, where you play as a governor trying to nurture his territory while keeping the Emperor appeased. An august Release Trailer shows off gameplay, and developer Roger Gassmann and publisher Senatis provide the following details:

Take on the role of an ambitious governor as you build impressive city districts, ensure the well-being of your citizens, engage in flourishing trade and erect magnificent monuments that will last for centuries. The road to the top is full of challenges - fire, corruption, unrest and the whims of the emperor will put your leadership skills to the test time and again.

Pax Augusta features historically accurate architecture, with numerous buildings based on real-life models that have been recreated with meticulous accuracy. That carries over into a gripping campaign based on the historical writings of the Roman historian Tacitus. Pax Augusta also offers a sandbox mode where you can create your perfect Roman city without restrictions.

Rusty Rabbit has hopped out onto PC and consoles, giving rise to an action game based on the premise that rabbits will become the planet's dominant species following the downfall of mankind. The Windows edition is on Steam with a 10% launch discount and a playable demo. Here's part of the description with a surprising amount of rabbit lore:

The earth has entered another ice age. Humans have abandoned the planet. Over time, those who would inherit the world are... rabbits!

This civilization of highly evolved of rabbits took to the task of reclaiming human technology in the ruins known as "Smokestack Mountain". This fluffy society has long refered to humans as "giants" from the past and think the book Peter Rabbit is the Bible. Those fearless enough to explore this vast unknown are called "rust diggers." Our protagonist, an old rabbit named Stamp, is one such rust digger, making his living by excavating and exploring for a profit.

Retro publisher Rock It Games now offers the rerelease of Bases Loaded for Windows PC, a return to this SNES baseball game from 1988 and the 1991 sequel Super Bases Loaded. Available on GOG.com* and Steam with a 20% launch discount, this rerelease bundle is ready to return to the steroids and midi era, as seen and heard in this trailer. Here's how this works:

The PC release delivers an authentic baseball experience with arcade-style graphics, a unique behind-the-pitcher view, and intuitive controls. Players can switch between the NES and SNES versions on the fly, reference an updated in-game manual for quick tips, and enjoy a retro CRT mode to play with a nostalgic 90s feel. Featuring realistic retro-style voices, action, and graphics, both games will offer single and multiplayer options including the addition of leader boards, allowing users to play a full season or a quick match while selecting from 12 teams and witnessing intense umpire disputes.

Coincidental to the above story, the LUNAR Remastered Collection is now available for Windows and consoles, offering an updated version of two JRPGs from the 1990s. The PC edition is on Steam where this post announces a launch livestream this evening. This Story Trailer outlines the plot, while a Launch Trailer takes a look at gameplay featuring cute little pixel characters that make one wonder what its "partial nudity" warning is all about. Here's more on the bundle:

LUNAR: Silver Star Story introduces Alex, an aspiring Dragonmaster who bands together with his friends to combat the perilous emergence of the Magic Emperor and stop him from taking over the world.

LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue picks up a thousand years later, and follows Hiro and his friends as they set out in search of the Goddess Althena alongside an enigmatic girl named Lucia. On this grand quest, fend off enemies like Borgan and White Knight Leo, who hunt down the group to eradicate what they deem to be the "Destroyer of Lunar."

• Polterguys: Possession Party on Steam (Windows, Linux). "Supernatural multiplayer madness where 8 players use sneaky sabotage to get opponents caught by a raging monster! Play as mischievous ghosts who possesses every-day objects to gain special powers and show off! Battle in spooky maps full of traps and use whacky powerups to sacrifice your friends!"
• SushiCup Legend on Steam (Windows). "A teacup engraved with the Kanji of seafood used for Sushi. That is the SushiCup. You are the SushiCupMaster who makes the traditional SushiCup, and in order to pass down your skills, you must make sure that the Kanji engraved on the SushiCup made by your apprentice is correct."

• Hate You on Steam. "Welcome to the polar station, where a mysterious timer counts down every hour! Your task is to decipher and input codes on an old terminal, but beware: the polar night holds many secrets. Can you face the horrors that might become reality?" Here's a Gameplay Teaser Trailer.

• Diablo IV - Join Our Next Developer Update Livestream — April 24th.

• Xbox hints at Indiana Jones sequel: ‘We think there’s life in that franchise’ - VGC.

• -80% DOOM (2016) on GOG.com.* Thanks The Flying Penguin.

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

• Hogwarts Legacy Game and Creator Kit Patch Notes - 4/17/2025.

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

• GTA- San Andreas Definitive Edition just got a 6DOF VR Mod - DSOGaming.

• Apple Vision Pro 2 Reportedly Cheaper & Lighter, Mac-Tethered Headset Coming Too - Upload. Thanks Reddit.
• Pirates VR: Jolly Roger - Announcement Trailer I PS VR2 Games.

• After a disastrous recent update and a flurry of attempts to fix it, Path of Exile 2's next patch will bring 'two highly sought after improvements' - PC Gamer.

Official trailers.

• NosFire Event Server- Burning Hot Boosts & Action.
• Torchlight: Infinite Sandlord Season Preview - Blasphemer Thea, Blending, Anniversary Events & MORE.

• Matt Chat Live: Battle Chess with Becky "Burger" Heineman.

• Gayming Award 2025- Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game Nominees - Gayming Magazine.

• As layoffs continue to scar the video game industry, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle proves the value of keeping dev teams together - Eurogamer.net.

• How Nintendo Bled Atari Games to Death - The MIT Press Reader. "Nintendo’s lawyers, more than Mario, made Nintendo. Atari’s lawyers, more than ET, sealed its downfall." Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

• Nvidia vows to continue making products for Chinese market - Tom's Hardware.
• The Real Reason Windows is Free - And what that costs you! - Dave's Garage (video).

• Nvidia, the chip giant caught between the US and China - BBC.
• Intel's New CEO Lip-Bu Tan Would Now Directly Handle The AI Business; Makes Financial Turnaround a Priority - Wccftech.
• Can this $70,000 robot transform AI research? - Fox News.

• The splintering of a standard bug tracking system has begun • The Register.
• Microsoft Edge gets fixes for the setup experience and security issues - Neowin.

• Sunderfolk review- RPG magic that transports your friends together - Ars Technica.
• Tempest Rising Review - Single-Player Campaign - IGN.

• Graphics Card: MSI RTX 5060 Ti 16G Gaming Trio OC review - PC Gamer.
• Headset/Earbuds: Corsair VOID Wireless v2 Review - APH Networks.
• Headset/Earbuds: PowerColor ALPHYN AH10 Wireless Gaming Headset - TweakTown.
• Mouse: Teevolution Terra Pro Review - TechPowerUp.

I actually forayed beyond the walls of the BlueTower yesterday to hang out for a bit with my mutant buddies Devicer and MrKawfy. This used to be a commonplace occurrence when we all lived in Manhattan, but both of them have moved even farther up the Hudson than I, so these days it takes some effort. But it wasn't as difficult as all that, and we had a good time, so we plan on doing this more often to help offset the effects of being a little isolated. Although If I keep things up, I may be in danger of losing my shut-in card (to be honest, I never made it out to pick it up) as I have more plans for today! One of my old softball buddies has a band, and a few others of us are getting together to attend one of their gigs. As I mentioned, my proximity to New York City isn't what it once was, so I'll be heading off early for this. You should expect an evening update a few hours earlier than usual, making it more of an afternoon update. Apologies for the disruption, hopefully it will be minor.

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

Stories

• Musk's SpaceX is frontrunner to build Trump's Golden Dome missile shield - Reuters.
• Ryan Gosling's 'Star Wars' Film Titled 'Starfighter,' Sets May 2027 Release - Variety. Sadly not an adaptation of the game.

Science

• Half The Universe's Matter Was Missing. Astronomers Just Found It. - ScienceAlert.
• Earth is peeling underneath the Sierra Nevada, rare evidence shows - CNN.
• Dogs 'eavesdrop' on humans - study - BBC. You can notice them doing it.

Media

• Back to a Website - Homestar Runner.
• When Kitty Litter Caused a Nuclear Catastrophe - Practical Engineering.

Follow-ups

• Anti-Vaxxers Are Grifting Off the Measles Outbreak—and Claim a Bioweapon Caused It - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• I Lost - Karl Jobst. Billy Mitchell lawsuit update.