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Stop Killing Games has joined a lawsuit against Sony's move to digital-only sales: 'You won't have any…
The consumer group Stichting Massaschade & Consument, supported by Stop Killing Games, is suing Sony over its move towards digital-only game sales. They argue that eliminating physical discs by 2028 will create a monopoly for Sony, allowing them to dictate game prices and usage rights, removing the second-hand market and alternative purchasing options.
Defender of the Crown released – no, you haven’t time-travelled to the 80s – it’s actually back
Defender of the Crown: The Legend Returns, a modernized version of the 1980s classic, has launched on Steam developed by Black Tower Basement and published by Nordcurrent Labs. The game features Classic, Retro, and a new Kingdom Mode with procedurally generated maps and unlockable abilities. This relaunch celebrates the 40th anniversary of the original title.
Here’s how Stars Reach Kickstarter backers can get their Steam keys and cosmetic goodies
Playable Worlds has provided instructions for Stars Reach Kickstarter backers to receive their Steam keys and in-game cosmetic items for the game's upcoming early access launch. Backers can find their keys in their Firstlook portal, with Steam keys redeemed on Steam and cosmetic keys redeemed in-game. An AMA session is scheduled for August 14th to discuss early access and future development.
UNC Greensboro game preservation project back on track after Trump funding cuts
A game preservation project at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, led by Dr. Colin Post, has resumed after funding cuts by the Trump administration were overturned in court. The project aims to establish how libraries can preserve and provide access to digital video games. This initiative gains urgency with Sony Interactive Entertainment's announcement to end physical disc production for new PlayStation games, highlighting the critical need for digital preservation strategies.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Sold 1.2 Million Copies, Performed Worst on Steam – Rumor
Halo: Campaign Evolved has reportedly sold 1.2 million copies, generating an estimated $67 million in revenue, with Steam sales underperforming significantly compared to Xbox and PlayStation. This underperformance on Steam is attributed to the value proposition of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which includes multiple titles and competitive multiplayer, features lacking in Campaign Evolved. A substantial portion of Xbox players accessed the game through Game Pass.
Subnautica 2 now has a beta update branch, letting players try out patches before they're finished, but beware, your saves won't carry over
Unknown Worlds has launched an experimental beta branch for Subnautica 2 on Steam, allowing players to test upcoming patches before their official release. Developers caution that saves made in this branch are not compatible with the main game and that builds may contain bugs. This feature aims to gather player feedback and catch issues before wider deployment.
Dark Fantasy Action Adventure 1666: Amsterdam Launches in Early Access This Month
Panache Digital Games announced that 1666: Amsterdam will launch in Early Access on August 25th, 2026, for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, with console versions planned for later. The dark fantasy action-adventure game features supernatural mystery, investigation, and witchcraft elements, allowing players to switch between two characters with distinct playstyles.
Undead Night Crew comes to Steam later this year — MP3s & NPCs
Undead Night Crew, a rogue-lite zombie survival game, is set to launch on Steam for PC in Q4 2026. The game features 10 unique managers, 4-player online multiplayer, and extensive customization options for runs. A demo is currently available.
Marvel Tōkon's first big PC patch has mostly fixed performance woes, though it hasn't done much for its Steam…
Marvel Tōkon has received a significant PC patch addressing performance issues that plagued its launch. The update optimizes CPU usage and resolves audio input checks that caused frame drops, improving the game's overall smoothness. While the patch has boosted its Steam rating from 'Mostly Negative' back to 'Mixed', it has not resolved player complaints regarding mandatory PlayStation Network logins.
MMORPG Throne and Liberty transitions from Amazon Game Studios to NC (formerly NCSoft)
NC (formerly NCSoft) will take over global publishing duties for the MMORPG Throne and Liberty from Amazon Game Studios, aiming to consolidate it into a single online service by Q4 2026. FirstSpark Games, an NC subsidiary, is collaborating with Amazon on the transition, ensuring player accounts and assets remain unchanged across platforms like Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. NC stated this move allows them to directly support the game and shape its future.
Meccha Chameleon has now sold 20 million copies in two months
The indie hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon has achieved over 20 million sales in just two months since its Steam launch. Despite a slight slowdown from its initial month's pace, the game continues to attract a significant daily player base across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The game's success is attributed to its creative prop hunt gameplay where players paint themselves to blend into the environment.
This week's most compelling new Steam game is Horse Magnifier, which is about magnifying horses
Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse, a puzzle game about magnifying horses, has launched on Steam to a "very positive" reception with over 250 reviews. Originally an Itch.io title, the premium Steam version features over 50 levels and Steam Workshop support, allowing for potentially endless gameplay.
Hardcore FPS immediately becomes Steam top seller as devs list '10 reasons not to buy' it
The tactical FPS Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, has become Steam's top-selling premium game ahead of its early access launch on September 10. The developers have released a video detailing '10 reasons not to buy' the game, transparently addressing concerns about early access content, pricing, player count fluctuations, and the studio's past project, Battalion 1944.
A long-lost Lord of the Rings action RPG makes a surprise return to Steam
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, an action RPG originally released in 2011, has returned to Steam in a new Legacy Edition. Developed by Aspyr, which is owned by Embracer (also owner of Middle-earth Enterprises), this updated version includes enhancements like hot-swappable characters, a refined interface, and bug fixes. The game is currently available on Steam with a 10% launch discount.
Narrative CRPG Travelling At Night Launches a Steam Demo
Weather Factory has released a Steam demo for their upcoming narrative CRPG, Travelling At Night. The game is set in a post-war Europe filled with eldritch parasites and Cold War politics, focusing on choices rather than combat. The demo allows players to explore the Introduction chapter, customize their character, and interact with NPCs in Antibes.
"Just pirate it": Roguelike dev would rather you download its games illegally than buy from Steam code…
Indie developer Dicehit Games, creator of the roguelike Runeveil, has publicly stated they would rather players pirate their games than purchase them through unofficial key reseller websites. The studio explained that these sites often sell game keys that were initially provided for free to content creators, thus abusing developer goodwill and failing to generate revenue or content coverage.
Much-wishlisted 100-player shooter Wardogs gets an early access release date and promises refunds for anyone unhappy with the closed beta
The multiplayer shooter Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, will launch on Steam Early Access on September 10th. The game will be priced at $40 during early access, with plans to increase to $60 at full release. A closed beta will be available from August 21st-23rd, and players are offered refunds if they are unhappy after participating.
"We live in a world full of AI, let's be honest with ourselves" - 1666: Amsterdam developer still using AI tools despite recent controversy
Canadian developer Panache Digital, co-founded by Patrice Désilets, is still using AI tools in the development of its action game 1666: Amsterdam, though less frequently. Following controversy over AI-generated assets in a playable prologue, Désilets stated that AI will not be present in the final product, but acknowledged its ongoing use as a development tool. The game is set to launch into PC early access on August 25th for $30.
Highest rated game of 2026 sells 1,000,000 copies in six days
The co-op puzzle game Big Walk, developed by House House, has achieved over one million copies sold in just six days. The game, which received a 9/10 review and is currently the highest-rated game on Metacritic, is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, with a significant portion of sales likely coming from PC and Switch platforms.
1666 Amsterdam Enters Early Access on August 25 | Invision Game Community
Panache Digital Games announced that 1666 Amsterdam will launch into Early Access on August 25, 2026, for PC players on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $29.99 USD. The game features investigation, combat, and mystical abilities, with players controlling two characters, Noa and Aaron, who possess unique skills to uncover mysteries and restore balance.
