• A YouTube blogger, known as Serg Pavlov, conducted an experiment in which he attempted to run Red Dead Redemption 2 on a Red Magic 9 Pro smartphone. To achieve this, he utilized Wine, a program that enables running Windows applications.
• The game from Rockstar Games ran at approximately 4-15 fps on the smartphone, with the test conducted at low graphics settings and a resolution of 540p. Despite these limitations, the blogger managed to navigate a horse around the city and explore farms located outside its limits.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 encountered several graphical issues, including disappearing textures and incorrect behavior of shadows. Additionally, there were instances where the sound in the game would temporarily vanish.
• According to the data provided, Serg Pavlov also tested other games on the Red Magic 9 Pro, such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Resident Evil 6, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Some of these games ran smoothly on the device, achieving a stable 60 fps with minimal slowdowns.
• The Red Magic 9 Pro boasts an eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 third-generation processor, an Adreno 740 graphics accelerator, and an OLED display measuring 6.8 inches diagonally. Developers tout it as a flagship gaming smartphone.

• Tarn and Zach Adams, the creators of Dwarf Fortress, told the journalists of PC Gamer about the sales of their sandbox game.
• As of the end of March 2024, the game was bought at least 800 thousand times. This result was achieved more than two years after the release of the updated version on PC. One of the authors of Dwarf Fortress admitted that he had never imagined that it would have such a circulation.
• The developers also stated that Dwarf Fortress is on the wish list of more than a million users.
• On April 17, the game designers will release a "beta" update for the game, which will add Adventure mode from the free build.
• Dwarf Fortress was originally released back in 2006 and was free to play for 16 years. In the end, Tarn and Zach Adams decided to release a paid re-release with improved graphics, mouse support and other improvements.

• Flint: Treasure of Oblivion narrates the tale of Captain Flint, embarking on a quest for a mysterious treasure alongside his crew and friend, Billy Bones. Despite his temptation towards the unknown, the hero doesn't anticipate finding true freedom at the journey's end, as described in the game's synopsis.
• In Flint: Treasure of Oblivion, players will immerse themselves in a vast world spanning from the French city of Saint-Malo to the exotic landscapes of Central America. Throughout their journey, characters will traverse diverse locales, from bustling cities to remote camps and dense jungles.
• The game's creators have pledged a dynamic storyline crafted in the style of an original comic book, featuring tactical battles and a myriad of characters boasting unique skills, ensuring an engaging experience for players.
• Scheduled for a late 2024 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, Flint: Treasure of Oblivion has already established its RPG page on Steam. The game is under development by the French studio Savage Level, with Microids serving as the publisher.

That's the kind of cast we approve! But frankly, I don't believe it.

• Co-founder and former executive at Embracer, Matthew Karch, who now serves as the head of Saber Interactive, shared his views in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, suggesting that the holding receives excessive criticism.
• Karch mentioned that the number of layoffs at Embracer isn't disproportionate compared to other major companies. He also highlighted Embracer's CEO, Lars Wingefors, as someone who prioritizes retaining jobs whenever possible, and emphasized his genuine concern for the gaming industry.

The process that we've had to go through to terminate studios has absolutely been... it's killed us. I say 'us' even though I'm no longer part of the company because I feel like… I mean, I still have shares, I still have close relationships and good friends, and obviously the best wishes that they succeed over there. But I would say Embracer tried harder than anybody to save as many jobs as it could.

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• Karch also confirmed that Embracer's two billion dollar deal with Savvy Games Group, a Saudi Arabian investment firm, fell through in May 2023. This had not previously been officially disclosed.
• Karch notes that Embracer didn't really need the deal, but he says the market at the time required rapid and significant expansion. So the holding company decided to try the agreement, hoping it would bring more financial stability to the company.
• Karch agrees that Embracer had too high hopes for the Savvy Games Group deal, and during the lead-up to it, some of the holding company's divisions put their operations on hold instead of looking for partners on their own.
• However, now, according to Karch, Embracer's management has managed to rectify the situation.

I wouldn't bet against Lars right now. He's really on top of it. I haven't heard him this confident in a long time

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• Embracer completed the restructuring process in March: as part of it, the holding company closed three internal studios and laid off more than a thousand employees.

Taiwan was hit by a massive earthquake that damaged the infrastructure of the world's largest chipmaker, TSMC. Production lines busy fulfilling orders for customers including Apple, AMD, NVIDIA, and other global tech giants were severely damaged. Some factories have suspended operations, and some have been damaged. There is a possibility that the assembly line will remain idle for several weeks.
This event could lead to a worldwide semiconductor shortage, and with it, a possible price hike for graphics cards, processors, and other hardware.

In Giltsteader, farming meets tower defense in a drone-infested world. Fabricate and combine turrets, grow and sell delicious vegals, complete quests, invest in a 401K, and fish for resources to survive.

Giltsteader is based on the Warcraft 3 custom game ‘Random Farm’, and it takes this wonderful concept to the next level with 6 unlockable maps and 4 difficulty levels, day and night modes, an investment system, an interactive tutorial, controller support, in-game speed adjusting, Steam achievements, and various changes to the “Random Farm” ruleset - such as enemy difficulty scaling being rebuilt from scratch (which is currently the main focus of development).

If you’re a tower defense fan, I would love to hear your thoughts on the trailer and the game itself.

Here’s a link to the Steam page for those interested:

What do you prefer? A minimalist interface with a compass that isn't too distracting (like Skyrim) or a more informative minimap, which usually also has a compass, but is probably more distracting. Or are you a hardcore gamer and prefer to navigate by terrain?

• On March 27th, IGN France published a preview of the action game Stellar Blade. The author of the article expressed admiration for the game, praising its atmosphere and gameplay, which successfully blend mechanics from other games.
• However, the journalist critiqued the main character, Eve. The author noted that she couldn't be compared to iconic characters like Bayonetta and 2B, explaining that Bayonetta stands out for her iconic design while 2B "inspires generations of cosplayers."
• Contrastingly, the Stellar Blade heroine, as described in the text, only sports "a tight jumpsuit that emphasizes absurd proportions and heels perfect for war." The author suggested that the character resembled "a tasteless doll sexualized by someone who has never seen women," with the model's appearance drastically redesigned beyond recognition.
• People reacted negatively to the IGN France quote, with critics noting that the game director of Stellar Blade has been married for over a decade, implying familiarity with the appearance of women.
• Responding to the criticism, some lines were cut and replaced with a note stating that "the statement was corrected after death threats."
• However, in early April, IGN France staff removed the controversial phrase from the text and issued an apology to the developers of Stellar Blade. The statement also clarified that the French branch operates independently from the main IGN.

It was not our intention to disrespect Shift Up, its staff, or their work. We acknowledge that the phrase used was inappropriate and we regret it. We sincerely apologize to anyone at Shift Up who may have been offended by this passage.

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From IGN France's statement.

The rest of the text has been left with no noticeable changes.

• The fact that the next "Matrix" film is in production was reported by Hollywoodreporter citing a press release. The movie will be directed by Drew Goddard, known for films like "Cabin in the Woods" and "Bad Times at the El Royale," as well as "World War Z" and "The Martian." Warner Bros. officials stated that the filmmaker will approach the franchise from a "unique perspective."
• Details about the plot and cast of the film have not yet been disclosed, so it's unclear if Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively. Lana Wachowski, one of the original trilogy's directors, will executive produce the upcoming action movie, while her sister is not involved in the development.
• The previous installment, "The Matrix: Resurrection," was released in December 2021. Foreign journalists gave it a Metacritic score of 63 out of 100, while IMDb users rated it lower at 5.7 out of 10.

Interested in exploring games featuring captivating underground environments like caves or subterranean structures. Feel free to suggest any titles you have in mind!

On April 2nd, Helldivers 2 received Patch 01.000.200, introducing additional content and balance adjustments to enhance the cooperative action experience.

Key Additions and Changes:

• Planetary hazards such as blizzards and sandstorms have been incorporated into gameplay.
• The level cap has been raised from 50 to 150.
• Various adjustments to missions, stratagems, weapons, enemies, and Helldivers have been made to improve balance.
• Notable weapon changes include enhancements to the Arc Thrower and Anti-Materiel Rifle, along with adjustments to the Slugger and Heavy Machine Gun.
• Stratagems like the Patriot Exosuit have been modified for improved gameplay balance.
• Enemies have undergone balancing adjustments, affecting their attacks and behaviors.
• Fixes have been implemented for issues such as save settings resets and targeting discrepancies.
• Improvements to the system preventing hellpod steering near obstacles have been made.
• Ballistic Shield mechanics have been refined for better performance and protection.
• Tutorial adjustments have been made to resolve collision issues.
• The patch addresses known issues and ongoing bug fixes.

However, some known issues persist, including occasional crashes and cross-platform friend invite challenges, which are being addressed by the development team

• On April 2nd, Yellow Brick Games, a studio founded by Mike Laidlaw, lead designer of Dragon Age, along with Ubisoft veterans, unveiled its inaugural game - a fantasy action-RPG titled Eternal Strands.
• At the heart of the narrative lies the story of Brynn, a courageous warrior determined to reclaim her homeland for her people. To achieve this goal, she embarks on a journey to confront the titans.
• The developers have promised a "revolutionary system of interactions" within the game, where elements such as heat, cold, and other effects dynamically propagate in real-time. Additionally, players will be able to manipulate the environment by breaking trees, hurling rocks, erecting walls of ice, unleashing waves of flame, and employing a form of telekinesis.
• A standout feature of Eternal Strands is the ability to scale colossal enemies, drawing inspiration from titles like Shadow of the Colossus and Dragon's Dogma. While traversing diverse landscapes, Brynn can construct bridges and obliterate obstacles to navigate the world. The creators emphasize that their "next-generation physics system" encourages experimentation in both travel and combat.
• Although the game is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, an official launch date is yet to be announced. Nevertheless, the Eternal Strands page has already appeared on Steam.

Hi there,
Introducing the new "Hot" reaction, which you can use now.

• The weekly Steam chart from March 26 to April 2 saw Helldivers 2 reclaiming the top spot, displacing last week's leader, Dragon's Dogma 2. Following closely in second place was the Steam Deck handheld device, while Capcom's role-playing action game secured the third spot.
• Making a comeback to the chart, Final Fantasy XIV regained its position at the summit, previously ranking fourth. The resurgence in interest can be attributed to the release of the Dawntrail add-on, with pre-orders opening at the end of March. As the sole new addition to last week's lineup, this DLC rounded off the top five.
• Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition experienced a slight decline compared to the previous week, dropping from fourth to ninth place. On the other hand, Cyberpunk 2077 surged into the top ten, climbing nine positions from 16th to seventh place.

Top 10 games and devices by revenue on Steam from March 5 to March 12 - excluding F2P​

1. Helldivers 2
2. Steam Deck
3. Dragon's Dogma 2
4. Final Fantasy XIV Online
5. Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
6. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
7. Cyberpunk 2077
8. Baldur's Gate 3
9. Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
10. EA Sports FC 24

Top 10 games and devices by revenue on Steam from March 5 to March 12 - including F2P​

1. Counter-Strike 2
2. Helldivers 2
3. Apex Legends
4. PUBG: Battlegrounds
5. Steam Deck
6. Dragon's Dogma 2
7. Final Fantasy XIV Online
8. Warframe
9. Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
10. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Or are you already tired of it and most likely nothing will surprise you?
I remember when I saw the first trailer (which is more of a picture than a trailer) I was very excited. But 6 years later I had forgotten that this game was even being "made".