The Case of the Golden Idol
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Case of the Golden Idol across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Pony Island 2: Panda Circus release date and trailer revealed
Pony Island 2: Panda Circus is set to release on April 28, 2027, as revealed in a new trailer during Gamescom. The sequel to the cult classic Pony Island, from creator Daniel Mullins, will feature a mix of horror aesthetics, haunted arcades, and various game systems. The game will also include live-action actors and is available to wishlist on Steam.
The Golden Idol Saga Nintendo Switch physical release announced
Super Rare Games, in partnership with Color Gray Games and Playstack, has announced a physical release for The Golden Idol Saga on Nintendo Switch. This release will include the base game, its expansions, and all four DLCs on a single cartridge. Pre-orders for both standard and Deluxe Editions open on August 27.
"The Case of the Golden Idol-style deduction meets The X-Files": Former BioWare devs unveil supernatural detective game The Eventide
Studio Reset, an indie developer formed by former BioWare staff, has fully revealed its supernatural detective game, The Eventide. The game features a "Parallax Deduction" system where players select two agents with different investigative styles to solve cases. Inspired by The Case of the Golden Idol, it blends supernatural mystery with a neon-noir aesthetic and is available on Steam.
What developers can learn from this generation of game criticism
This article analyzes the impact of video essays and online game criticism on game developers, contrasting it with traditional reviews and playtesting. While direct, actionable advice is rare, developers find inspiration and insight from creators like Mark Brown, Noah Caldwell-Gervais, and Jacob Geller, influencing their design philosophies and understanding of player experience.
"Low-effort slop": The creators of the Godot engine behind Slay the Spire 2 are cracking down on "vibe-coding" and now require genAI disclosures
The Godot Foundation, the developers behind the open-source game engine used in titles like Slay the Spire 2 and Buckshot Roulette, are implementing stricter policies regarding generative AI usage. Citing a rise in "low-effort slop" and a strain on maintainers, the foundation will now require contributors to disclose any AI assistance and prohibits the use of AI for generating substantial code. This move contrasts with Epic Games' approach to Unreal Engine 6, which embraces AI integration.
Open source game engine Godot will no longer accept AI-authored code contributions: 'We can't trust heavy users of AI to understand their code enough to fix it'
The Godot Foundation has announced that it will no longer accept AI-authored code contributions to the open-source game engine. This decision aims to reduce the burden on maintainers and ensure accountability for code quality. While AI assistance for minor tasks will be permitted with disclosure, AI-generated text in human communication will also be rejected as a basic principle of respect.
On Sale
Several games are currently on sale on Steam, including Path of Exile 2 at 50% off, Insurgency: Sandstorm at 75% off, Cloudheim at 34% off, and The Case of the Golden Idol at 50% off. Additionally, Diablo merchandise is available from Blizzard Gear.
Balatro publisher Playstack could soon belong to the same private equity firm that owns Fandom and GameSpot
Playstack, the publisher behind acclaimed indie titles like Balatro, is set to be acquired by Integrated Media Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm TPG. This move would place Playstack under the same ownership umbrella as Fandom and GameSpot. Despite Playstack's reported success, its current owner, TruFin, is encouraging shareholders to approve the approximately $151 million sale, citing capital allocation strategy.
A demo is now available on The Granny Detective Society
Team Empreintes has released a demo for their upcoming detective game, The Granny Detective Society, which is now available on Steam. The game features a retired mouse named Madeleine who uncovers conspiracies with a group of spy grandmothers. The demo was announced with a new trailer during Thinky Direct.
What happened when one game writer tried making a game in 30 days with Godot
A game writer details their 30-day journey creating a game using the Godot engine, aiming to assess its approachability for solo developers. Despite encountering common development hurdles and bugs, the author found Godot to be a more accessible tool compared to larger engines, ultimately fostering a sense of accomplishment for a solo creator.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026
This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
I bought a $5 Steam Controller 7 years ago and forgot it existed. Now it's my new living room sidekick
The author rediscovers the original Steam Controller, purchased years ago for $5, and finds it to be an excellent companion for the Steam Deck in living room PC gaming setups. Despite Valve discontinuing the device, strong community support through Steam Input ensures extensive game compatibility, making it a surprisingly viable option for mouse-centric games on a TV.
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Drops Out of Nowhere — Indie Detective Games Are Having a Moment
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has been released with minimal fanfare, highlighting a current trend of successful indie detective games. Titles like Disco Elysium and Paradise Killer have paved the way, demonstrating a strong player appetite for well-written mysteries and engaging puzzle-solving experiences. This release arrives at a time when players are seeking unique narratives over mainstream trends like battle royales and live service games.
