Splitgate studio reveals its new game, looks a lot like its old game
Splitgate studio 1047 Games said in March that it was working on something new, and now we know what it is: A “fast-paced 6v6 movement shooter” called Empulse. No, that’s not a typo, it’s literally “Empulse,” reasons for which I assume will be made clear later. For now, 1047’s new game sounds quite a bit…
Civ 7’s massive overhaul update brings its highest Steam player count in over a year
This week marks the culmination of Civilization 7’s yearlong attempt at a post-launch redemption arc, as Firaxis has released its Test of Time update, a free patch the studio has called an expansion-sized overhaul. Alongside the much-requested option to play as the same civilization between age transitions, Test of Time reworks victory conditions, adds systems…
Valve asks New York court to dismiss Counter-Strike lawsuit, says ‘people enjoy surprises’ and equating loot boxes to gambling is ‘nonsensical’
Valve has moved to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the New York attorney general, Letitia James, in February this year, which argues that “children and adults alike illegally gamble for the chance to win virtual prizes” in Counter-Strike 2. Some of the arguments that Valve brings forward in its motion are familiar: this isn’t the…
Stern Pinball releases new Transformers Pinball Table
Earlier today, Stern Pinball formally announced through a video and a news release on its website that it has developed and is now selling a Transformer pinball table, specifically titled Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye. This table is themed around the 1986 animated film, Transformers: The Movie, although it also utilizes story elements…
Another live service game is dead just a few months after launch
I feel bad saying this because it sucks when a game fails, but frankly this may be the least surprising news of the day: Spellcasters Chronicles, the MOBA released by Quantic Dream just three months ago, has reached the end of the line. The studio said Spellcasters Chronicles “has not reached the audience needed to…
Embark busts 9 myths about Arc Raiders’ aggression-based matchmaking, and says defending yourself is no longer a hostile action
Are PvE-only lobbies a thing in Arc Raiders? Will one measly kill mark me as a hostile player in future matches? These are questions Embark tackles head-on in a new matchmaking-focused blog post. This is by far the most the developer has spoken in detail about its unique aggression-based matchmaking system since we first learned…
007 First Light’s James Bond (probably) won’t be a sexist, misogynist dinosaur: ‘Some things fall by the wayside,’ IO Interactive says
James Bond, the dashing 007 of British intelligence, is famous for his way with the ladies: smooth, casual, kind of misogynistic sometimes. If you’ve watched any of the pre-Daniel Craig movies, you know what I mean. The womenfolk in the films tend to be treated a bit like furniture from Ikea: Nice to look at…
Opinion: Replaying Games Is Better Than Playing Games
Daily constitutional. Between 3D All-Stars and the N64 app, I’ve always got a version of Super Mario 64 downloaded, ready to boot up and triple jump and belly slide before that seamless curl back into a pit-a-pat run as I head towards Jolly Roger Bay, to hear its progression of pure melody to underwater synth…
Paralives is the very definition of early access, but it’s already a promising Sims rival
Paralives Studio has been busy tempering expectations for its life sim in the run up to its early access launch on May 25—the game’s been cooking for close to seven years now, but that certainly does not mean it’s done. And after spending 10 hours with the game, I most definitely understand why the developer…
An AI speaker messed up and skipped the names of students at a college commencement ceremony and yes, there were many boos
Well, it’s been a hell of a few weeks for AI interfering with educational ceremonies, after two speakers at separate events (including ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt) were roundly booed for calling it the future. This instance, though, is slightly different. @nowthisimpact You can hear the outrage. ♬ original sound – NowThis Impact Glendale Community College…
