Gaming

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• Latest news Meccha Chameleon sells over 20 million copies in two months after Steam launch

  Meccha Chameleon, an indie hide-and-seek game, launched on Steam two months ago and has sold more than 20 million copies. The game's developer posted the sales milestone today. The rapid uptake makes it one of the biggest hits of the year and demonstrates unusually fast commercial success for an indie release.

• Latest news Smilegate to run Lost Ark's Western servers as Amazon exits MMO support in 2027

  Amazon Game Studios will stop supporting Lost Ark's Western servers from 2027, ending its role in the game's Western live service. Smilegate will take over operation of those Western servers and handle ongoing service for players in North America and Europe. The change follows Amazon's broader retreat from MMO development and shifts responsibility for updates, support and hosting away from Amazon. This matters because Western players' accounts, updates and customer support will be managed by a different company starting in 2027.

• Latest news X-Men '97 finale sets up Season 3 after battle to stop Apocalypse and save Gambit

  Season 2 of X-Men '97 ended with a mix of victory and heartbreak as friends, family and former teammates battled one another to stop Apocalypse and rescue Gambit. The season featured time travel, extraterrestrials and a rogue artificial intelligence, and the finale left the X-Men hopeful while teasing new threats. Those unresolved plot threads set up a potential Season 3 and raise questions about the team's next challenges and timing for a release.

• Latest news Nier: Automata’s soundtrack reveals androids’ quest to be human

  Nier: Automata is a 2017 action RPG about robots and androids whose longing to be human is central to the story. The game’s soundtrack is used to reveal and reinforce that theme, shaping player perception of the characters. Polygon listed Nier: Automata among the best games of 2017 and highlighted its score as a standout element.

• Latest news Brian David Gilbert creates new genre to fix Fallout’s unchanged music

  Brian David Gilbert designed a completely new musical genre aimed at the Fallout universe. He developed the style to address the fact that Fallout's in‑world music has not evolved for centuries. The goal is to produce music that better fits the post‑apocalyptic wasteland setting.

• Latest news Journey composer Austin Wintory struggled most with final track 'Apotheosis'

  Austin Wintory composed Journey’s full soundtrack and found its concluding piece, 'Apotheosis,' the hardest to create. He wrote the game's opening track almost immediately after joining the project, but the final song required extra work from both Wintory and the development team. The closing track was vital to delivering Journey’s emotional finale and helped define the score’s lasting impact.

• Latest news Jerry Martin on how The Sims' minimalist new‑age jazz piano defined build mode

  Composer Jerry Martin says the distinctive new‑age jazz piano pieces were written for The Sims soundtrack and are especially prominent in the game's build mode. Those minimalist piano tracks have become some of the soundtrack's most famous and helped make The Sims music iconic. Martin was interviewed about the creative choices that made the style the game's signature sound.

• Latest news Leaked Files Suggest Shigeru Ohmori's Decade-Long Pokémon Run at Game Freak Is Ending

  Leaked information suggests Shigeru Ohmori's long tenure leading Pokémon development at Game Freak may be coming to an end. Ohmori has overseen most mainline Pokémon releases since 2014, shaping the series from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Sapphire through Pokémon Pokopia. A change in his role would end a decade of consistent creative leadership that defined recent entries and could alter the franchise's direction.

• Latest news Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse launches on Steam with 50+ levels and Workshop

  Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse launched on Steam this week as a premium edition of an itch.io puzzle. Players use a variety of magnifying glasses with different distortion effects to match two horses with pixel precision. The release has over 250 "Very Positive" Steam reviews, appeared in Steam's Popular New Releases, and includes more than 50 levels plus Steam Workshop support.

• Latest news IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat reach Day 5 with 25+ deaths in Minecraft Hardcore boss run

  Streamers IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat have spent five days attempting to defeat Minecraft’s four biggest bosses in a single Hardcore run. The effort has been chaotic: IShowSpeed has already died more than 25 times as the pair repeatedly gear up, explore, and re-enter high-risk boss encounters. Because Hardcore mode enforces permadeath, each fight can permanently end the run, raising the stakes for their live streams.

• Latest news Saber denies replacing lead writer with ChatGPT on Rideshare; ex-writer disputes claim

  Stella Sacco, who served as lead writer at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, posted that she was replaced mid-development on the upcoming Rideshare game and that passenger voices were generated by ChatGPT. Saber Interactive denies that any writers were replaced with AI 'for Rideshare or any other game' and says it will use AI for dialog because the number of in‑game passengers is effectively infinite. Saber CEO Matthew Karch confirmed the game trailer contains a hidden jab at Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. The allegation prompted immediate community blowback on YouTube and Steam, making studio AI use and staffing choices a public controversy.

• Latest news Wardogs pre-orders top Steam sales as devs warn of limited early-access content

  Wardogs, a tactical milsim FPS from developer Bulkhead, launched Steam pre-orders at $39.99 with beta access and immediately became the platform's top-selling premium game. Bulkhead published a '10 reasons NOT to buy' list advising buyers that early access will ship with limited content while the team focuses on bug fixes, player feedback, and one new map. The studio expects an initial player surge to decline over months and says it aims to settle into a smaller, sustainable community, so purchasers should set expectations before buying.

• Latest news No Man’s Sky head rejects paid DLC and microtransactions to keep updates free

  Sean Murray, head of Hello Games, says the studio deliberately avoided charging for expansions or adding microtransactions for No Man’s Sky. The team provides all post-launch updates for free so every player receives the same content, which Murray says preserves shared progression and long-term creative motivation. Murray warned that paid fragmentation would break features like the turn-based Xeno Arena; Hello Games also marks No Man’s Sky’s 10th anniversary and is developing a new dragon-focused title, Light No Fire.

• Latest news Saber CEO embeds jab at Randy Pitchford in Rideshare 'Stimulator' trailer

  Saber Interactive CEO Matt Kartch confirmed a deliberate reference to Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford in the Rideshare 'Stimulator' trailer. The trailer includes the line 'randiest of passengers' and a Texas license plate reading 'USB DRV' with a gear emblem, nodding to Pitchford's infamous USB-drive camgirl story. Kartch framed the inclusion as payback after Pitchford publicly criticized Embracer, turning an in-game detail into a public developer-on-developer call-out.

• Latest news OSRS player OnlyShrimp99 spent 4,304 hours catching shrimp and anchovies to hit 99 fishing

  A player using the account OnlyShrimp99 reached level 99 fishing in Old School RuneScape after a 27-month grind of exclusively catching raw shrimp and anchovies. The effort took 4,304 hours, produced 275,196 shrimp and 257,064 anchovies, and generated about 9.5 million gold at current in-game prices. The grind began on May 11, 2024, used low-level fishing spots such as Al Kharid, and provided no gameplay advantage beyond the achievement, though the player says they gained friends and life milestones during the run.

• Latest news Mark Zuckerberg publishes 6,434-word AI manifesto urging broad access and power balance

  Mark Zuckerberg posted a 6,434-word essay on Meta's website titled "The Future is for Everyone: The Path to a Positive AI Future." He argues superintelligent AI should be broadly accessible, framed by individual empowerment, invention as its primary purpose, and a balance of power as the basis for safety. The piece stresses the question of who will control superintelligence—centralized institutions or tools available to everyone—and uses historical examples of non-establishment inventors to support decentralization.

• Latest news Leaked photos show all-black Logitech G Pro X3 Superstrike with hardware tweaks

  Full product images of the Logitech G Pro X3 Superstrike surfaced showing an almost all-black finish with small white accents and a more textured coating. The pictures use a white studio background and show a shape, side buttons and skates that match the X2 model; leak materials indicate the X3 will keep the existing Hero 3 sensor while adding an upgraded controller and tweaks to Logitech's HITS haptic‑inductive trigger system. This matters because HITS provides analogue clicks unique to the Superstrike line, and controller or design changes could affect feel and performance ahead of an expected Logitech G Play reveal in September.

• Latest news Wardogs launching on Steam Early Access on Sept 10; refunds offered for closed beta

  Wardogs, a 100-player shooter from Bulkhead Interactive, will arrive on Steam Early Access on 10 September. Bulkhead — the studio behind Battalion 1944 and The Turing Test — ran months of invite-only closed tests before setting the date. The studio will refund any closed‑beta participant who is unhappy, a move intended to reassure the game's large wishlist and early community.

• Latest news Panache Digital still uses AI, scaling back on witchy action game 1666: Amsterdam

  Canadian studio Panache Digital, co-founded by Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets, says it continues to use AI tools on its witchy action game 1666: Amsterdam. The studio reports it is using those tools "less and less" while development continues despite recent controversy around AI in games. The stance matters because developer practices shape how AI tools are adopted and regulated across the industry.

• Latest news Job Simulator: Human Relations announced as 4-player co-op, seeks $150K on Kickstarter

  FarBridge announced Job Simulator: Human Relations, a cooperative spin on Job Simulator where up to four players pilot robots through simulated eight-hour shifts completing workplace tasks and surviving disasters. The studio has launched a Kickstarter with a $150,000 funding goal and backer rewards including private playtests, VIP Discord access, and copies of the game at higher tiers. The project aims to bring Job Simulator’s satirical workplace gameplay to flat-screen platforms with additional disasters, customization, and jobs planned as stretch goals.

• Latest news Insomniac crafting a cinematic, destructive opening for Wolverine

  Insomniac Games is actively designing the opening sequence for its Wolverine game, treating that moment as central to the player experience. Mike Fitzgerald, Head of Technology, points to the Spider-Man game's jump-out-the-window-and-swing-opening as the reference and says the team is looking for an equivalent signature beat for Wolverine. The studio aims for a ferocious, destructive, cinematic opening to set the game's tone and identity.

• Latest news Razer launches Naga V3 Pro with 50,000 DPI sensor and swappable thumb plates

  Razer released the Naga V3 Pro, an MMO-focused mouse that ships with three tool-free, snap-in thumb plates to switch between 12-, 6- and 2-button layouts. The mouse uses Razer's Focus Pro 3rd‑generation optical sensor with up to 50,000 DPI and 4th‑generation optical switches. It weighs 97 g without a thumb plate and 112–117 g with plates installed, and is available now for $180 / £180 / €200. The configurable button counts (23, 17 or 13 total) let players adapt one mouse for MMOs, MOBAs and FPS playstyles.

• Latest news Star Wars: Zero Company adapts XCOM-style turn-based tactics to Star Wars

  Star Wars: Zero Company is a turn-based tactics game that applies core XCOM mechanics within the Star Wars setting. It centers on small-squad management with permanent ally death, grid-based close-quarters combat, and a base/mothership metagame featuring light RPG progression. This combination brings established tactical systems to a major franchise, merging strategic depth with Star Wars flavor.

• Latest news Pulsar Feinmann F01 Noctua Edition: fan-cooled mouse with 42,000 DPI

  Pulsar's Feinmann F01 Noctua Edition pairs a built-in Noctua cooling fan and a honeycomb shell with a Pulsar XS-2 sensor that reaches up to 42,000 DPI and an 8,000 Hz polling rate. The fan is designed to blow air onto the palm to reduce sweat and is tuned for fast movements, while the mouse supports wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes and uses optical switches. The mouse weighs 73 g, offers 8–20 hours battery life depending on polling and fan speed, costs $180/€199, and targets competitive players who want active palm cooling despite the added weight.

• Latest news Calamity mod ends after 10 years as developers cite grooming allegations and 'tainted' reputation

  The Calamity mod for Terraria will cease all development after a 10-year run, the remaining development team announced on the mod's Discord. Developers said they have lost passion and called the project's reputation 'irrecoverably tainted' following allegations tied to the mod's absentee leader. The leader, Ozzatron, is accused of involvement with and permissiveness toward a NSFW server that included minors; he succeeded former leader Fabisol, who faced similar grooming accusations in 2022. Calamity functioned as a major expansion-style mod adding new bosses, weapons and large content, and its shutdown directly affects the Terraria modding community.

• Latest news Gears of War: E-Day beta's wall-bouncing sparks split between new and veteran players

  The first stage of Gears of War: E-Day's beta has concluded, but debate over the game's movement continues. Wall-bouncing—leaping between cover while wielding a shotgun—is polarising newcomers and long-time players. The argument matters because some call the mechanic high-skill while others call it 'sweaty' and say it risks alienating casual players.

• Latest news Calamity Mod development ends after controversy involving lead developer

  The Calamity Mod team announced on Aug. 10 that it is ending development of the popular Terraria mod after nearly 10 years. The decision followed internal turmoil and allegations involving lead developer Ozzatron, with several contributors departing and requesting removal of their work. The team described the mod’s reputation as "irrecoverably tainted" and said many developers no longer wanted to be associated, marking a significant closure for the Terraria modding community.

• Latest news Guide: Best Team-Up for Every Marvel Rivals Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist

  A guide identifies the optimal Team-Up ability for every hero role (Vanguard, Duelist, Strategist) in Marvel Rivals. Team-Ups are special collaborative abilities and each hero has two options, with one often clearly outperforming the other. The recommendations show which Team-Up to pick to boost a hero's effectiveness in matches.

• Latest news Alan Wake 2 surpasses 3 million copies sold

  Updated sales data show Alan Wake 2 has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. The title recorded an initially slow launch but gained sales momentum after release to reach this figure. The milestone is a significant commercial win for Remedy Entertainment and improves the studio's recent sales performance.

• Latest news House House's Big Walk sells 1 million copies in under a week

  Big Walk, a collaborative puzzle-solving and hangout game from developer House House, has sold over 1 million copies in under one week. Publisher Panic announced the milestone on Bluesky. The rapid sales represent a strong commercial debut for the developer and publisher and highlight robust player interest in social cooperative puzzle experiences.