The Steam Games Festival is returning this summer offering gamers a digital-event where they can play limited-time demos for upcoming releases. The event will run from June 9th to 14th directly through the Steam launcher.
Geoff Keigley announced the very first Steam Games Festival in 2019 as part of The Game Awards. For 48-hours, players could try limited-time demos of games including System Shock and SkateBird.
Similar to last year’s event, the upcoming Steam Game Festival will spotlight games set to be released within the next year, so any game available to demo won’t be so far off from launch. The demos will likely be limited-time only, meaning once the festival is over the demos will disappear.
The Steam page for the Game Festival is currently live, and players can set reminders for when the event launches. For developers, there’s a separate link for them to get their upcoming games featured in the festival. The deadline to submit your game ends on April 24th.
The Steam Game Festival is yet another digital-event taking place during what was traditionally the week reserved for E3. IGN will be hosting its own Summer of Gaming event throughout the month highlighting new announcements, along with IGN’s full pre-show and post-show coverage of any games.
In Season 3, Episode 5 of Westworld the villain of the story, Serac (Vincent Cassel), steps out from the shadows and into the spotlight. The episode, titled “Genre,” digs deep into his history and how he came to be one of the most powerful figures in the world. Seeing his history and hearing his reasoning may change your perspective on whether Serac is the villain at all or it may solidify his role as the antagonist of the tale.
Genre is also a big episode for Aaron Paul’s character, Caleb, who undergoes quite an … aesthetic journey, let’s call it. At the same time, we learn a little bit more about Caleb’s history. And the new details are delivered in a way that looks to be setting up a more comprehensive look at what he lived through before we joined him at the start of Season 3.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s a rather in-depth history of Rehoboam given to us this episode, so we learn a great deal about how it came to be and what the intention behind it was. As always, Lucy and Tamoor have combed through the episode and are here to break down everything that’s crucial to know, point out any cool easter eggs, and theorize on what could be happening next.
Beyond the reef, the shelf drops away into the turquoise haze of the open ocean. I find myself surrounded by golden-peaked pillars aglow with the shimmering petals of sunlit life. Bright green webs of twisted tendrils extend from pillar to pillar, forming a writhing network of bridges for the feathery, fern-like creatures who patrol and maintain them. It’s a spectacular, awe-inspiring scene. Yet it exists mostly in my imagination, its wonder shaped by a handful of single-sentence descriptions and a simple two-colour contour map. In Other Waters does so much with seemingly so little, emerging as a masterclass in prudent, minimalist storytelling.
Dr. Ellery Vas is a xenobiologist following in the wake of her partner who disappeared while researching extraterrestrial life on the ocean planet Gliese 667Cc. Stationed at her partner’s abandoned lab and equipped with an AI-controlled diving suit, Vas explores the depths in search of answers. In a disarming inversion of the typical human-AI relationship, you play the AI; Vas sets the objectives, often conferring with you, but it’s your job to plot her course, gather samples, and run tests back in the lab.
The setup allows Vas room to breathe as a character. As you guide her maritime expedition, she provides intermittent narration. She pauses to marvel at new sights, thinks out loud as she works through possible theories, and occasionally confides in you her doubts and fears. Conversation may be sparse, and your ability to respond is limited to the odd yes or no answer, yet it’s perhaps all the more affecting because of it. The two of you are strangers at the outset, but Vas’ wariness at revealing her innermost thoughts to an AI gradually washes away as she realises, despite your reticence, that you understand her predicament–in the process unearthing a memorably multi-layered character. It’s a friendship forged in aquatic isolation, one quiet line at a time.
Similarly, there’s an elegance to the overall design in that it communicates a great deal of information in very few words. The view of your travels is confined to a bathymetric chart where hydrographic features are drawn in clean lines and navigational points of interest are clearly marked whenever you activate the local scanner. Vas is an assiduous note-taker, and her short written descriptions of each location bring these points to life in remarkably vivid fashion. The textual imagery combines effectively with the subtle palette changes of the map–the warm greens of the shallows segue into the rich blues and yellows of the deeper waters before giving way to the blacks and reds of the darkest depths. Add in the obscure, ambient hum of the sea and the gentle thrum of the diving suit’s propulsion engine as you push off to a new destination, and In Other Waters delivers a richly immersive audio-visual experience that belies its spartan aesthetic. It’s quite an achievement.
The minimalist construction extends to your interactions with the world. Scanning reveals the nearest nodes you can travel to via the point-to-point movement system. It also uncovers any lifeforms that you can click on to have Vas study. Each unique encounter with a specific lifeform adds to her observations until she’s able to properly identify and catalogue it. There are also special samples to collect, often hidden in out-of-the-way corners of the map, that contribute to the deep taxonomy of this alien ecosystem and reward the time it takes to track them all down.
All of this is accomplished via an interface that just begs to be played with. Intriguingly unlabelled buttons, dials, switches, scopes, and sliders don’t so much fill the screen as grace it, teasing enigmatic functions with perfect stylish form. Inconspicuous tutorial tips light up the dashboard when it’s appropriate to utilise each component, but there’s plenty left for you to decipher. Just as Vas confronts the unknown in her journey and has to speculate and experiment, testing out her hypotheses, you too are handed a highly tactile, symbolic interface and left to probe it until you eventually intuit how it all operates. In many instances, the mysteries coincide; Vas’ search for understanding of the lifeforms she’s encountering mirrors your own rumination on the best means to proceed. Indeed, all throughout, the themes and mechanics of exploration and scientific method align and intertwine.
Although principally a narrative-driven game, there is a light undercurrent of resource management flowing through each outing from the base. Sampling and researching marine life allows you to extract the power and oxygen you’ll need to maintain Vas’ diving suit on longer treks. Certain environmental hazards deplete these resources at a greater rate, though, while you’ll need a supply of specific samples to progress through otherwise inaccessible regions, both scenarios serving to gently nudge you to at least consider the limited inventory space as you prepare for each expedition. Even though failure here isn’t punishing–Vas will be extracted via drone back to base if you let her run out of oxygen–having to monitor your use of resources builds tension and benefits the feeling of trepidation as you set a course into uncharted waters.
In Other Waters develops its central mysteries in expert fashion, drip-feeding its revelations in a way that feels natural, and dispatching you to inspect the corners of its map in a way that doesn’t feel contrived. As you steadily learn more of what Vas’ partner was up to on this strange planet, and you yourself begin to grasp humanity’s plight, the mystery builds to a confident conclusion–one that satisfies yet remains aware that some questions are more enticing when left unanswered. In this sense, its story echoes the restraint that runs through the entire game to deliver a stylish, assured, and utterly absorbing adventure that demonstrates again and again it knows how to do a lot with seemingly very little.
The Witcher and Superman actor Henry Cavill is passing his time in self-isolation by proving his geek bonafides on social media, namely by painting Warhammer figurines.
In an Easter message to his followers, Cavill posted the image below to his Instagram account of him painting a helmet for a Warhammer figurine:
“Considering we are, both, going through the Easter period, and going through The Lockdown, I figured it a good time to put a silver lining onto the cloud that is some of the darker moments during this time,” Cavill posted. “So I’ve decided to polish some old skills and try my hand at some new ones! It is a time of rebirth after all.”
Cavill went on to profess his love for Games Workshop, the British miniature wargames company behind the Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 fantasy game titles:
“So, as you can see here, the obvious might look a little bit like a tiny helmet…which it is. One of my almost life long hobbies, that I’ve been following but not actively doing, is this. A company called Games Workshop…or plastic crack as ‘we’ call it. Genuinely can’t get enough of the lore they have built over the decades. They have been some of my most enthused reads! If you were in denial about me being a geek before, you can’t hide from it now.”
You can also see a computer monitor behind Cavill’s with a document being written so it appears Cavill is working on a story of his own while in self-isolation or, as he puts it, “there may just be some completely new skills I’m working on…..or there may not be, so all of your eye squinting and attempts at digital unfocusing will be in vain….orrrr maybe they won’t.”
Disney Plus is playing for keeps in the streaming wars, with a massive catalog of both classics and original content, as well as a handful of new releases recently expedited to digital thanks to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. There’s plenty to watch on the platform–as long as you don’t mind some uh, interesting censorship.
Allison Pregler recently uncovered one such instance on Twitter in Disney’s 1984 classic Splash, starring Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks. Hannah, who plays a mermaid-turned-human named Madison, has one brief scene where her (currently human) butt is briefly exposed as she runs back toward the ocean. This, apparently, was far too scandalous for Disney Plus, so they opted to do the only thing they could do: utilize some absolutely bizarre looking CGI hair to hide poor Madison’s rear-end.
Take a look.
Nevermind the fact that Disney’s entire catalog is packed to the proverbial gills (pun intended) with all manner of violence–from run-of-the-mill guns you can find in family favorites like E.T. to the world-ending sci-fi catastrophes you can find in virtually any MCU film. Apparently a split second glimpse of a very PG-rated butt is just a bridge too far.
Who knows, maybe digitally generated hair will become Disney’s go-to censor for anything from now on. It’s nothing if not creative, we’ll give them that.
The good news is: Splash is still very much worth watching, censored or otherwise. And if mermaid love stories aren’t exactly your speed, check out our recommendations for the best streaming slasher movies, the best streaming cosmic horror movies, and the best streaming comedy shows to make your time in lockdown a little more bearable.
And speaking of things you should be watching, consider listening to GameSpot’s weekly TV series and movies-focused podcast, You Should Be Watching. With new episodes premiering every Wednesday, you can watch a video version of the podcast over on GameSpot Universe or listen to audio versions on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.
It was reported late last week that the XFL, the football league launched by WWE chairman Vince McMahon, has suspended operations, laid-off employees, and had no plan to return for another season. Now, it’s being reported that the league has filed for bankruptcy. This all comes after the XFL cut its inaugural season short due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
News of the bankruptcy filing was first noted by The Hollywood Reporter senior editor Eric Gardner, who shared the filing on Twitter. The documents note Alpha Entertainment LLC, the company that owns the XFL, is filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, with McMahon appointed as one of the two “liquidating agents” that wrap up the company’s business affairs.
This was the second attempt to launch the XFL. McMahon originally launched the league in 2001, with it folding after the first season. In 2018, the revival was announced, with the first game taking place on February 8, 2020. Little more than a month later, on March 12, the league canceled its remaining games, joining the NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS in suspending or canceling its seasons. Additionally, the NCAA canceled the 2020 March Madness tournament.
The league has yet to publicly discuss shuttering operations. However, the XFL’s official Twitter account seemingly references the end of the league with a puzzling tweet that was a video of actor Jake Gyllenhaal blowing a kiss as he walked out of a room. It remains the final thing the account has tweeted.
While the XFL won’t be continuing, McMahon’s other venture–WWE–is still producing weekly television. After holding Wrestlemania in front of no live audience, the company will be broadcasting its TV programming live from the WWE Performance Center.
The Nintendo Switch’s Spring Eshop Sale is still going in full force, and now, a new publisher has entered the fray with a slate of discounts on its own games. Bandai Namco comes bearing deals on its large number of anime fighting games, action adventures, and much, much more. The Bandai Namco sale joins Ubisoft and Warner Bros. in the Eshop discounts, and it’s scheduled to run from now until April 28 at 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET.
There are plenty of other deals on the Nintendo Switch’s Eshop, so be sure to check out the full sale for all of the discounts. And if you’re looking for some games to play while you’re stuck at home, be sure to check out the best games, TV, and movies for social distancing.
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition — $30 ($50)
Doraemon: Story of Seasons — $35 ($50)
Dragon Ball FighterZ — $15 ($60)
God Eater 3 — $30 ($60)
Katamari Damacy Reroll — $9.89 ($30)
Little Nightmares: Complete Edition — $9.89 ($30)
My Hero One’s Justice — $19.79 ($60)
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy — $20 ($40)
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm — $10 ($20)
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 — $10 ($20)
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst — $10 ($20)
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch — $30 ($50)
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 Deluxe Edition — $12 ($40)
With Gears Tactics getting ready to hit PC on April 28, developers The Coalition and Splash Damage have shared a brand-new launch trailer that sets the stage for the spin-off’s story and gameplay.
The trailer, embedded below, shows some of Gears Tactics’ gameplay elements, including the classes, skills, and enemy encounters you can expect. It also introduces the game’s characters, as well as the rewards you can earn (without participating in microtransactions because Gears Tactics doesn’t have any). There’s plenty of customization, ways to extend turns, some lighthearted humor, and more in the trailer as well.
Subscribers to either Xbox Game Pass for PC or Game Pass Ultimate can pre-install Gears Tactics on Windows 10 PCs right now. Those who purchase Gears 5 before April 28 will save 15% on Gears Tactics.
The Coalition announced that Gears Tactics went gold earlier this month, signaling that the tactical spin-off is primed and ready for distribution. In a partnership with Intel, anyone who purchases the company’s microprocessors–such as the Intel Core i5 or higher–will receive Gears Tactics for free. The studio also noted that the game will launch on Xbox One sometime in the future.
For more on Gears Tactics, check out our hands-on preview that covers everything you need to know about the game.
With many people under shelter-in-place orders due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there are fewer ways to stay active and get in your daily exercise. Now more than ever, fitness-oriented video games like Ring Fit Adventure and Beat Saber have become crucial ways for people to get their body moving while they’re stuck inside day in and day out. Unfortunately, Ring Fit Adventure is currently sold out everywhere, and virtual-reality games like Beat Saber aren’t accessible if you don’t have a VR headset.
Enter: Just Dance, a motion-based dancing game available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and even Stadia. For a limited time, you can get a free month of Just Dance Unlimited, the game’s subscription service that unlocks over 500 songs from previous games, so there’s honestly no better time to grab the game and get moving.
To get a free month of Just Dance Unlimited, you need to own a copy of Just Dance 2020, the latest game in the series. Fortunately, Just Dance 2020 is on sale on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch right now, and Google happens to be offering two free months of Stadia Pro.
Just Dance 2020 deals
A new copy of Just Dance also comes with one free month of Just Dance Unlimited. If you buy on Nintendo Switch or Xbox One, you’ll get the additional free trial on top of the one that comes with the game, netting you two months free. If you already subscribe to Just Dance Unlimited on Switch or Xbox One, you’ll get one month free anyway, which will push your expiration date back by one month.
If you’re currently doing a free trial on Stadia, you can stack the extra free month from this limited-time offer, but unfortunately, if you have an ongoing Just Dance Unlimited subscription on Stadia, you can’t tack the free one month on directly. And on PS4, you can’t claim the additional free month if you’re doing a trial or have an ongoing membership. To claim the deal, you may need to cancel your current membership first or, if you’re buying the game, claim this free trial and let it run out before redeeming the code that comes with your game. For more info on claiming the free month on each platform, see the offer page at Ubisoft.
Ubisoft also announced it’s making some Just Dance videos free on YouTube for the next month, including kids’ dance songs, dance workouts, family fun songs, and more, so consider checking those out for a taste of what Just Dance offers. There’s also a free demo of Just Dance 2020 available on Switch, Xbox One, and PS4. For more freebies to keep you busy during this isolating period, check out our regularly updated guide to all the free games you can claim and keep right now.
Riot Games’ new shooter Valorant is only in closed beta, but the game is already tearing up the charts on Twitch. As part of a continued rollout of updates, Riot has uploaded a developer diary that examines how the studio is putting a great degree of care into the game’s netcode, which is often a sticking point for hardcore first-person shooter fans.
In the video, technical director Dave Heironymus and technical engineering lead David Straily demonstrate the contrast between 64-tick servers and 128-tick servers by using hitboxes to show the difference between how the client and server see any given gun-shot. They also discuss how laggy netcode can lead to what they term “peeker’s advantage,” where a player peeking around a corner has more time to attack an opponent that they see due to the latency between their client and the opponent’s client.
The developers also mention Riot Direct, which is a program that they describe as “Riot’s own ISP.” Essentially, over the past few years, Riot has made a concerted effort to make deals with existing ISPs and communications companies like Zayo Group in order to make their games work better at a network level. While the video doesn’t go into much detail, there are several blog posts that discuss the technical details on Riot’s site.
