Google has rolled out the Android 17 Beta 4 update, which includes a new Easter egg feature. The Easter egg presents users with a connect-the-dots puzzle that triggers an animation when completed.
A new report highlights Google's "Tap to Share" feature, which includes a redesigned sharing menu that aligns with Android 16 aesthetics. Users will initiate the transfer process by overlapping their devices, which will emit a glow to indicate successful completion. The user interface features a straightforward sub-menu with three selectable options for sharing. The upcoming Galaxy S26 series will have dual antennas to support this feature. The process may utilize NFC technology, with potential future iterations using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The design of the sub-menu has been refined to match Android 16's visual elements.
The release date for the live-action sequel, Minecraft 2, is set for July 2027. Jack Black and Jason Momoa will reprise their roles, and Kirsten Dunst will portray the character Alex. An informal survey conducted at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre revealed that children enjoyed memorable scenes from the original film, expressed excitement about the returning characters, and showed curiosity about Kirsten Dunst's character.
Gamers are seeking alternatives to GTA 6, leading to the release of a new crime-themed game called Samson, set in Tyndalston. The game has received mixed reviews due to crashes and performance issues. Christopher Sundberg, founder of Liquid Swords, acknowledged these problems and stated that the team is working on improvements. A patch is scheduled for April 10 to address issues such as crashes, performance enhancements, and various gameplay fixes, including NPC fall damage and improved enemy AI. Despite the game's current 53% positive rating on Steam, the developer is committed to ongoing improvements and player feedback.
Power creep has affected various online multiplayer games, including Dead by Daylight, where new Killers and Survivors have introduced complex gameplay mechanics and balance issues due to infinite stacking of in-game modifiers. The latest patch introduces the Diminishing Returns system, which modifies how gameplay modifiers and status effects interact during a Trial, applying a decay effect over time. The most effective modifier will provide a full bonus, while subsequent modifiers will yield reduced bonuses: the second will yield 50%, the third 25%, the fourth 12.5%, and any additional effects will contribute only 5%. Item addons remain unaffected by this system. This change aims to normalize modifier interactions, preserve game integrity, and facilitate the introduction of new powers, items, and perks. The Diminishing Returns system is currently live on the Dead by Daylight Public Test Build, alongside other updates such as color customization for auras and various buffs and nerfs for Killers and their addons. The update is part of Behaviour Interactive's ongoing efforts to refine Dead by Daylight's core systems, focusing on balancing gameplay while addressing player concerns.
The animated series Pac-Man, produced by Hanna-Barbera from 1982 to 1983, features characters such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man (Pepper), and Pac-Baby living in Pac-Village, which is governed by the Pac-President and protected by Super-Pac. The series includes antagonists like Mezmaron and a group of ghost monsters: Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde, and Sue. Mezmaron seeks to capture Pac-Man for his knowledge of Power Pellets, which grow on Power Pellet Trees in the Power Pellet Forest. The show consists of 44 episodes over two seasons and often concludes with Pac-Man consuming the ghosts, who then return to Mezmaron in new ghost suits. The humor is aimed at children but lacks cleverness, and notable voice actors include Peter Cullen and Alan Lurie. The second season introduced a younger version of Pac-Man named PJ and increasingly bizarre plots.
A new raid in the World of Warcraft saga, part of the Midnight Falls expansion, features a boss named L'ura, whose abilities have been adjusted by Blizzard to make the encounter more manageable. Notably, her Phase 1 attacks have been toned down, with her Heaven's Glaives ability now having shuriken-like projectiles that travel 20% slower and have improved visibility. A hidden fourth phase in the encounter surprised Team Liquid, who initially celebrated their progress after the third phase, only to realize the fight was ongoing. Team Liquid has faced L'ura 450 times, reducing her health in the fourth phase to 44%, while their closest competitor, Echo, has not surpassed 65% health in the same phase. Team Liquid currently leads the Race to World First after defeating another boss, Chimaerus the Undreamt God, in three attempts.
The recent update to Gray Zone Warfare, named Spearhead, has generated significant enthusiasm for the tactical first-person shooter developed by Madfinger Games. The update includes a dedicated onboarding zone for newcomers, a comprehensive 110-page Field Manual, and an expansion of the island of Lamang with over 25 new locations and diverse biomes. The game features a restructured terrain and vegetation for enhanced player strategy, reorganized computer-controlled adversaries into seven factions, and a revamped progression system with over 250 replayable tasks.
Spearhead introduces eight new weapons, over 380 weapon parts, and more than 150 gear pieces, along with a revamped vendor system and extensive changes to the loot system, doubling the number of distinct loot items. An animation overhaul has improved movement fluidity, and new sprinting options have been added. Audio quality has been enhanced with natural sounds and new enemy voiceovers. The health system has been refined for better combat clarity, and updates to the HUD and tactical map have improved user experience.
Player engagement has surged, with active user counts increasing to over 40,000 and a total player count of 160,000. The game is currently available on Steam at a promotional price of £23.44 / .79. Future updates and an updated roadmap will be provided by Madfinger Games.
The Rust April update introduces several enhancements, including the new Water Wheel, a renewable energy source that generates up to 30 power when placed in a river. The update features a new craftable item, the Armored Ladder Hatch, which requires 60 Scrap, 35 High-Quality Metal, six Gears, and a Wooden Ladder. Adjustments to shield mechanics have been made, reducing the hitbox size when the shield is not actively held. A tech-tree unlock chaining feature allows players to unlock an entire research path at once if they have enough Scrap. A new radial menu for low-light solutions enables individual control of light sources. Fishing mechanics have been adjusted to prevent overfishing, with server admins able to modify this feature. Additional updates include new colored buttons, improved UI elements, and a transition to a new terrain rendering system for better CPU performance. The update coincides with an Easter Egg Hunt event running until April 16, featuring themed cosmetics.
Solasta 2 is an Early Access sequel developed by Tactical Adventures, designed to be faithful to the tabletop D&D experience. The game emphasizes mechanics over narrative, featuring a hex-grid map and a party of four adopted siblings. Players engage in exploration and combat, with a variety of environmental factors influencing decisions. The combat system allows for both ranged and melee attacks, and events often require ability checks or dice rolls. Character creation is limited to four ancestries and six classes, with some animation issues present. The early hours of the game feel somewhat linear, with limited choices, but a roadmap for future updates is in place. Estimated playtime for Act One is 10-15 hours, though players may exceed this as they explore.