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Planet Zoo 2’s Release Timing Revealed, Pre-Loading Now Available on Steam
Frontier Developments has announced that Planet Zoo 2 will be released on October 13 at 3 PM BST, with pre-loading now available on Steam. The game promises an immersive zoo management experience with a variety of habitats and species.
Gears Of War: E-Day–How’s It Selling? Let’s Unpack Things
Gears of War: E-Day has sold approximately 230,000 copies across Steam and Xbox platforms, with a significant portion of players acquiring it through Game Pass. Analysts suggest that while direct sales are soft, the Game Pass model, including premium upgrades, generated substantial revenue, but questions are being raised about Xbox's overall strategy and its ability to drive console sales.
Gears of War: E-Day reportedly courts over 1.7m Xbox Game Pass players and makes over $37m since launch
Gears of War: E-Day has reportedly sold around 230,000 copies across Steam and Xbox consoles/PC, generating over $37 million including Premium Edition upgrades and microtransactions. A significant portion of its player base, over 1.7 million, engaged with the game through Xbox Game Pass, with many opting for the $30 Premium Edition upgrade for early access. The article also touches on player overlap with other titles and discusses the studio's confidence in the game as a foundation for future installments.
Nivalis Nights Takes The Danger Out Of Night City To Deliver A Cyberpunk Slice Of Life That’s Now Cheaper Than Ever
Nivalis Nights, a cyberpunk slice-of-life simulation game, is currently available at a discounted price of $22.49 / £19.79 on Steam via Fanatical. The game offers a cozy experience contrasting with the typical dangers of the cyberpunk genre, focusing on running a noodle bar and interacting with the community.
You can now sign up to playtest the genre-bending Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, and while you're at it the original is free for a few days too
Players can now sign up for a playtest of the upcoming genre-bending game Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, with a new trailer showcasing its varied gameplay. Additionally, the original Pony Island is available for free on Steam until October 12th, serving as a promotion for the sequel.
Vampire games on Steam are a recession indicator and I have the charts to prove it
This article posits that the increasing number of vampire games released on Steam serves as an indicator of economic downturns. Analyzing SteamDB data, the author notes a significant rise in vampire game releases and listings over the past six years, correlating this trend with rising costs of living, increased debt delinquency, and decreased savings rates in the US.
PS5 GOTY Contender Hits PlayStation Store Today With PS Plus Discount
Wych Elm's survival-horror game Silver Pines is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms, including Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game, which blends survival horror, resource management, and puzzle-solving with Metroidvania-inspired level design, is currently offered at a 10% discount. The development team, comprised of veterans from games like The Darkness and Helldivers, drew inspiration from '90s cinema and TV shows.
Arc Raiders’ Big Update Has It Surging To Numbers It Hasn’t Seen In Months
Arc Raiders has seen a significant surge in players and sales following a major update from Embark Studios. The extraction shooter is now among Steam's best-selling and most-played games, reaching over 100,000 concurrent players, a number not seen since May. This success follows Embark's shift to a semi-annual update cadence, aiming for larger, more impactful releases.
Knuckle Paradise Demo Is Now Live on Steam | Invision Game Community
ARTE France and Flying Oak Games have released a Steam demo for Knuckle Paradise, a hand-drawn, pixel art beat 'em up inspired by 1990s action comedies. The demo allows players to experience a full chapter, including the first boss, and explore side quests. The game features fluid combat inspired by titles like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, alongside exploration and side activities.
ARC Raiders Temporarily Trials Free to Play Run
Embark Studios is making ARC Raiders temporarily free-to-play on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S from October 8th to 12th. This event coincides with the launch of the 'Frozen Trail' update, which adds a new map, enemies, weapons, and progression systems. The studio is also implementing stronger anti-cheat measures.
Hellraiser Revival Launches With Brutal New Horror | Invision Game Community
Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival has launched on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, offering a new survival-horror action experience. Developed by Saber Interactive in collaboration with Clive Barker, the game features an original story, the return of Doug Bradley as Pinhead, and supernatural abilities for players to wield.
Shadow Of War And All Of Its DLC Is 92% Off, So Now’s Your Chance To Ruin Sauron’s Day
Middle-earth: Shadow of War, an action RPG known for its innovative Nemesis System, is currently available with all its DLC for under $5 on Steam. The game, which takes place after Shadow of Mordor, allows players to build their own orc armies and conquer fortresses in Middle-earth.
SULFUR: A Deeply Striking FPS!
SULFUR is a creative first-person shooter that blends dungeon crawling and extraction mechanics with roguelike elements. While the gunplay, weapon customization, and presentation are strong, the punishing difficulty and occasional repetitive nature can be drawbacks. The game is currently in Early Access on Steam for $24.99.
Three Years Later, The Outlast Trials Just Smashed Its Concurrent-Player Record
Red Barrels' co-op horror game, The Outlast Trials, has achieved a new concurrent player record, surpassing 120,000 players, significantly exceeding its previous peak of 36,000 during its Steam Early Access launch. This surge is attributed to a substantial discount during the Steam Autumn Sale and a notable increase in popularity in China. The game recently received its version 1.0 update and continues to receive seasonal content.
Airborne open world Atmosfar gets an early access release date and a trailer full of flying islands, cloud cruisers and sky taxis
Atmosfar, an open-world survival game featuring flying islands and customizable airships, will launch in Early Access on October 29th. Players will pilot various "Wasp" vehicles and larger "Cloud Cruiser" mobile bases to explore an alien planet and uncover humanity's fate. The game is developed by Apog, known for Airport CEO, and aims to remain in Early Access for at least nine months.
State of Decay 3 Layoffs Wil Cause Major Changes
Undead Labs, now an independent studio after leaving Xbox, has undergone layoffs impacting the development of State of Decay 3. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game's overall scope remains, adjustments are necessary due to the workforce reduction. The title is currently in alpha, expected in 2027, and will launch on Game Pass.
Steam discoverability is "the big issue" in gaming right now, Peter Molyneux says. "There's just too much choice."
Veteran developer Peter Molyneux believes Steam's discoverability is the biggest issue facing the gaming industry today, citing an overwhelming amount of choice that buries good games. He also expresses concern over the rapid pace of development from Chinese studios and the pervasive influence of AI, contributing to a challenging environment for indie developers.
Black Myth: Wukong Has Dropped To Its Lowest Price Yet, So Here’s Your Chance To Bonk Some Demons
Black Myth: Wukong, an action-RPG inspired by Chinese mythology, is currently available at its lowest price of $40.19 / £33.49 on Fanatical. The game, developed by Game Science, features intense soulslike combat and challenging boss battles.
Xbox CEO says Battle.net isn't turning into Steam after The Witcher 3 deal: "We will do it the right way"
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that Blizzard's Battle.net storefront will not become a direct competitor to Steam, despite adding titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Sharma emphasized a selective, curated approach for Battle.net, focusing on games that align with its existing player base, and assured that the platform will be developed "the right way."
What Can Online Casino Games Learn From Xbox Game Design?
Microsoft's Xbox platform, particularly its Xbox 360 achievements and Gamerscore system, has significantly influenced modern game design and has been adopted by various sectors, including online casinos. While online gambling operators have incorporated social gaming elements and personalization inspired by Xbox, careful consideration of regulatory and societal differences is crucial. The article explores how concepts like achievements, leaderboards, and personalized recommendations are used in both gaming and online casinos, while also highlighting the distinct challenges and responsibilities within the gambling industry.
