Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.
A demo for the psychological horror game "There Are People In Your Walls" is available on Steam. The game focuses on paranoia and anxiety, where players take on the role of an apartment dweller disturbed by unsettling noises, suggesting the presence of individuals in the walls. Gameplay relies on auditory perception to detect threats, with players able to interact with the environment and use an axe to confront intruders. The game requires only 4 MB of RAM and a GTX 560 to run, but lacks controller support. The developer, badideasdigital, has not announced a release date for the full version.
In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include:
- Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative.
- Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic.
- Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario.
- Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2.
- Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay.
Upcoming events include:
- The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9.
- The London Games Festival starting April 13.
- The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17.
- The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24.
Steam sales in April are:
- March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest
- April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest
- April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest
Early access and full releases include:
- Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features.
- Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access.
- Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access.
- Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access.
Major updates include:
- Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC.
- The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test.
- Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching.
- Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month.
Additional game releases:
- April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam)
- April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam)
- April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam)
- April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam)
- April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)
Samson is a game set to launch on Steam and EGS on April 8, where players must meet daily financial targets while managing limited action points. The game emphasizes strategic hand-to-hand combat, having removed gunplay to enhance engagement. Players navigate the city of Tyndalston, utilizing the environment for escape and exploration. Driving mechanics are designed to reflect realism and spontaneity. The development team at Liquid Swords has faced challenges in securing funding and acknowledges the pressure of the upcoming launch, emphasizing their commitment to quality despite potential bugs.
Cassette tape recordings from the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference reveal insights into the gaming industry's evolution. Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concerns about an oversaturated PC gaming market, reflecting ongoing industry anxieties. A panel titled "The Golden Days of Computer Games" highlighted nostalgia for gaming history. Steve Cartwright credited Activision co-founder David Crane for his entry into game design, while M.U.L.E. designer Danielle Bunten Berry lamented the shift from a product-oriented mindset to one influenced by market demands. Garriott noted the decline of the "one programmer, one product" model, emphasizing the need for specialization and the importance of marketing in contemporary game development. Despite these challenges, indie development continues to thrive, with small teams creating celebrated titles. The complete panel recording is available from the Video Game History Foundation.
Owning a Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicle has provided insights into EV charging, particularly with a Level 2 charger installed at home. Key Android Auto applications help alleviate charging anxiety during road trips. Finding public fast-charging stations can be challenging, requiring more planning than traditional gas vehicles. PlugShare is a useful app for locating reliable public EV chargers, providing a comprehensive list of charging stations, user reviews, and average charging speeds. In the Greater Toronto Area, many EV chargers are often out of service, making PlugShare's features valuable. Waze offers navigation with EV charger information, but its updates may lag behind PlugShare. A Better Route Planner (ABRP) helps plan road trips by tailoring recommendations based on specific EV models and factors affecting battery life, though it requires a subscription. FLO EV Charging is the preferred charging network in the Greater Toronto Area, allowing convenient payments through the app and filtering options for chargers.
In Dungeon Bodega Simulator, players are greeted with a message reflecting on job loss and resilience. Solo developer Alien Fruit, previously at Turn 10 Studios, experienced layoffs and the emotional toll that comes with it. Harrison, the creator of the game, struggles with imposter syndrome after being laid off and acknowledges the impact of job loss on identity. He is currently working on Dungeon Bodega Simulator as a way to navigate the indie market while also holding an entry-level QA position to manage finances. Harrison expresses a desire to find another role in systems or gameplay design, valuing teamwork and collaboration in his career.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has raised concerns about battery performance, leading users to seek solutions for extending battery life. In response, Google is working to simplify the identification of applications that drain battery resources, particularly those using the "wake lock" feature, which keeps the CPU active when the screen is off. Google plans to implement technical measures to reduce wake lock overuse and introduce disclaimers for apps that frequently exceed the "Excessive Partial Wake Lock" threshold. If issues persist, Google may limit the visibility of such apps in the Play Store. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve battery efficiency across Android devices, including a prototype warning for users about battery-draining apps. Google is also collaborating with developers to optimize apps that rely on background processes, as seen in its partnership with WHOOP to enhance battery efficiency in its applications.
Spotify's interface relies heavily on gesture controls for playback and queue management, which some users find frustrating due to their mandatory implementation. Users can swipe to add or remove songs, toggle the Now Playing screen, and navigate tracks, but these gestures can lead to errors, especially for those unfamiliar with them. There is a desire among users for more control over gesture settings, as the current setup does not allow disabling specific gestures. Proposed enhancements include a menu to toggle gestures on or off and the ability to rearrange or hide buttons on the Now Playing screen. This customization could improve usability and cater to diverse user needs.
