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Torpor Games Announces Two New Suzerain DLCs and Standalone War Strategy Game Wars of Suzerain
Torpor Games has announced three new additions to the Suzerain Universe: the narrative DLC Suzerain Stories: The Neutral Lens, the country DLC Suzerain: Socialist Republic of Galmland, and the standalone turn-based strategy game Wars of Suzerain. These titles will expand the franchise into new genres, including media influence, socialist state management, and military conflict, all while maintaining the series' signature political storytelling. All three are planned for release in 2026 and will be available on PC, consoles, and mobile platforms.
Discovering the Strangest High Score System in Gaming
This article examines the peculiar and counterintuitive high score system in the 1999 Game Boy Color title Pong: The Next Level. Unlike traditional Pong, this version rewards players for extending games and achieving higher scores through precarious play rather than decisive victories. The analysis explores how this design choice fundamentally alters the player's experience, transforming the game into a test of nerve and endurance, akin to a bullfight, despite the lack of a save feature for these high scores.
Xbox owner loses decades of digital games after Microsoft deletes account
An Xbox player, Joshua Khane, lost 25 years of digital games and personal data after Microsoft permanently suspended his account due to a hack. Microsoft stated the account deletion was irreversible to protect personal data, even refusing to recover Minecraft purchases. This incident highlights growing concerns about digital ownership and account security in an increasingly digital-only gaming future.
As GTA 6's PC portless launch looms, ex-Rockstar producer says prioritising consoles first is primarily about being "better off starting with the constraints"
Former Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio explained that prioritizing console development first for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 is a strategic choice to manage complexity. He stated that it's easier to scale up a game from hardware with stricter limitations than to scale down a PC version for consoles, a philosophy applied to Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit Brings Us More Ghostly Charm
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, a sequel to the popular cozy life sim, has launched on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game introduces a new island, fresh spirit bears, expanded campsite customization, and asynchronous multiplayer. Developed by Spry Fox and published by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, it offers a new story for both returning players and newcomers.
FATE: Reawakened’s Prometheus DLC Launches on Mobile with Controller Support
Publisher gamigo and developer Tableflip have released the Prometheus DLC for FATE: Reawakened on mobile platforms including Google Play and the App Store. This new content adds controller support for mobile play and introduces a new adventure set in the city of Prometheus, where players must recover the stolen Golden Flame. FATE: Reawakened, a modern reimagining of the classic FATE series, is also available on PC and consoles.
GTA 6 isn't on PC at launch because it's 'always better to start with the constraints', suggests…
Former Rockstar producer John Ricchio suggests that Grand Theft Auto 6 is not launching on PC simultaneously because starting development with console constraints is more efficient. He explained that shrinking a game for consoles is harder than extending it for more powerful PC hardware, and that development priorities, such as working on Grand Theft Auto 5, also influenced the decision.
The rumoured Resident Evil 1 Remake reportedly entered pre-production last year
A rumored remake of the original Resident Evil game reportedly entered pre-production nearly a year ago, according to insider Dusk Golem. Development is expected to proceed after Resident Evil Veronica, with a potential release around 2029. Another insider report suggests Resident Evil Zero entered full production in late 2022, possibly making it the next remake after Veronica.
As a Spyro fan from the '90s, here's what Spyro: A Realm Beyond needs to get right
A long-time fan of the original Spyro games discusses expectations for the upcoming title, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, developed by Toys for Bob. The article highlights the importance of balancing nostalgic elements with modern game design to appeal to both older and newer generations of players, emphasizing the potential of free flight mechanics and the need to retain the series' core charm.
Evening Reading - July 14, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading from Shacknews covers various gaming industry updates, including pre-order guides for Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves DLC. It also reports on Ubisoft Barcelona developer strikes over layoffs, a delay for the PlayStation FlexStrike Fight Stick, and the retirement of Dead Space creator Glen Schofield. Additionally, the article touches on non-gaming news regarding data centers and healthcare.
Control Issues
The release of the PlayStation FlexStrike Fight Stick has been delayed due to unexpected production issues. The exact nature of these problems has not been disclosed, but it impacts the availability of the new accessory.
The NES is 45 years old – here’s why there’s no nostalgia for it in the UK
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), despite its global importance and iconic franchises, had a minimal cultural impact and generated little nostalgia in the UK. This is attributed to its late release in 1987, high price point compared to dominant home computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, and a perception of being for children, unlike Sega's offerings. While foundational for many genres and franchises in North America and Japan, the NES's legacy in the UK is largely overshadowed by these market factors.
GOG Wants You To Make Your Own Physical Games
GOG.com has released a tutorial demonstrating how players can create physical backups of their digital PC games to ensure long-term preservation. This initiative addresses concerns about digital-only libraries and the potential disappearance of storefronts, offering a method to 'own' purchased games indefinitely by downloading offline installers and saving them to discs.
PlayStation Flexstrike Fightstick indefinitely Delayed
Sony's FlexStrike wireless fight stick has been indefinitely delayed due to production issues. The accessory was originally scheduled to launch on August 6, but gamers will need to wait for further updates from the company.
Sony's attack on physical goods spreads to Crunchyroll as it adds a $14 subscription requirement just to access its…
Crunchyroll, owned by Sony's Funimation, is implementing a significant change to its online store, requiring Mega or Ultimate tier subscriptions to make purchases starting in August. This move, which follows the absorption of Right Stuf, means only subscribers paying $13.99 or $17.99 per month will be able to access the store, impacting the availability of physical anime and manga merchandise.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 208 - Backyard Baseball
Mega Cat Studios and Playground Productions have released a reboot of the classic PC baseball title Backyard Baseball in 2026. The game is currently available on PC and will be coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch in the future. This article covers a livestream event where the game was played.
PlayStation FlexStrike wireless fight stick delayed without a firm release date
PlayStation has announced a delay for its upcoming FlexStrike wireless fight stick. The product will not be released on its previously planned schedule, and a new release date has not yet been provided.
Cluedo Drops The Sherlock Suspect Pack with Four Special Characters
Marmalade Game Studio, in partnership with Hasbro, has released the Sherlock Suspect Pack for the digital version of Cluedo. This new pack introduces four iconic mystery characters: Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty, Dr. Watson, and Irene Adler, as playable suspects. The pack is available now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
You Can Earn A $15,000 A Year For Mastering Your Favorite Game
The University of Silicon Valley has launched the Max Achievement Scholarship program, offering up to $15,000 annually to students who demonstrate exceptional mastery in video games. Applicants must complete specific, often rare, in-game achievements across over 50 listed titles or meet platform-specific criteria to qualify for Legendary or Mastery tiers.
PlayStation FlexStrike Fight Stick delayed due to production issues
PlayStation has announced a delay for its upcoming FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick due to production issues. Originally slated for release on August 6, the new launch date is currently unspecified. The company cited the need for extra time to ensure the best possible player experience.
