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.
Moves of the Diamond Hand entered early access on April 13. It is set in Off-Peak City, a noir-inspired metropolis with blue-skinned DJs, cloned jazz musicians, and animal-human hybrids. The game features a narrative that combines personal quests with societal issues, including a mayoral race. Players can engage in whimsical scenarios and utilize various non-combat skills. The gameplay is based on dice rolls and freeform mechanics, allowing exploration and interaction with characters. Players can level up skills and acquire augment dice that influence their rolls. The early access model provides feedback and funding but may be challenging for players seeking polished gameplay. The game is available on Steam, with a full release expected in spring of next year.
Enchanting books in Minecraft serve as essential tools for managing upgrades, allowing players to collect valuable enchantments without the unpredictability of the enchanting table. They can be acquired through various methods: creating them (which is random), looting chests, trading with villagers (especially librarians), and fishing. To use enchanting books, players need an anvil to combine the book with an item, but they should be cautious of escalating experience point costs and incompatible enchantments. Enchanting books provide players with greater control over their gear enhancements, enabling them to avoid undesirable outcomes. Common mistakes include applying strong enchantments to low-quality gear, failing to combine books before use, and overlooking villagers as a source for enchanted books.
On April 1, Mojang released a fictional Java Edition snapshot called the Herdcraft Update, which humorously eliminated the inventory system and introduced a mechanic where players could herd blocks and items like livestock. This update allowed players to command blocks to follow them and use them in crafting grids on the ground. The announcement included absurd patch notes and a FAQ section about the herding mechanic. Community reactions were mixed, with some appreciating the creativity of the April Fools' update while others expressed disappointment that it did not address the actual inventory issues in a meaningful way. The Herdcraft Update continues Mojang's tradition of using April 1 to humorously critique its own game.
Riot Games has announced the next installment of Teamfight Tactics, named Space Gods, which draws inspiration from Hades 2. The previous set, Lore and Legends, is noted for its well-crafted design and strategic depth, making it a favorite among players. The new set will replace the carousel mechanic with selectable god boons and introduce new gameplay mechanics, including Fiora’s guaranteed victories in 1v1 encounters. TFT Set 17 will be available on the PBE on March 31 and launch with Patch 17.1 on April 15, 2026.
Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.
Microsoft's gaming console, codenamed Project Helix, integrates console and PC ecosystems, featuring a custom AMD System on Chip (SoC) with a 3nm process, and a GPU based on AMD's RDNA 5 architecture. It reportedly rivals Nvidia’s RTX 5080 in rasterization and outperforms the RTX 5090 in ray tracing. The console includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for enhanced AI capabilities, supporting both Xbox and PC games natively. It utilizes AMD’s FSR Diamond technology for near-native 4K visuals and incorporates DirectStorage technology for faster load times. Project Helix supports four generations of Xbox games and is expected to have alpha development kits available in early 2027, with a consumer launch in 2028, priced between ,000 and ,200.
Moves Of The Diamond Hand will debut on Steam Early Access on April 13th. It is the successor to Betrayal At Club Low and will feature the first two chapters. The game introduces a "one city block RPG" concept, focusing on infiltrating the Circus X, a renowned circus and artist collective. Players will navigate challenges to secure membership while interacting with colorful characters and facing a mayoral election involving a clone of a deceased mayor. Dice mechanics will influence character stats and gameplay. A demo of the game was previously explored by Nic Reuben, who described it as hectic and disorientating. An update for the demo will be released alongside the early access announcement.
Rockstar is expected to continue supporting GTA Online alongside the new multiplayer features of GTA 6. The team behind FiveM, Cfx.re, suggests that GTA 6 will incorporate deeper roleplaying elements. GTA Online has received over a decade of updates, enhancing gameplay with customizable weapons and vehicles. The roleplaying scene offers a more nuanced experience, emphasizing creativity and storytelling. The economy in GTA Online thrives on excess, while roleplay servers reflect a grounded reality where earning in-game currency takes time and effort. The anticipated GTA Online 2.0 may feature two distinct experiences: one of abundance and one aligned with the roleplaying ethos. The acquisition of Cfx.re hints at a potential integration of more roleplaying elements in GTA 6, which could differentiate the PC version from previous installments.
At GDC 2026, Microsoft announced the introduction of ML-Powered DirectX and Advanced Shader Delivery. The ML-enhanced DirectX includes Cooperative Vectors within Shader Model 6.9, facilitating neural rendering techniques such as Neural Texture Compression and Neural Radiance Caching. DirectX Linear Algebra is introduced to support matrix-based ML workflows, and the DirectX Compute Graph Compiler enables full model graphs to run with native GPU performance. Advanced Shader Delivery allows game developers to provide precompiled shaders to reduce load times and stuttering. New APIs, App Identity API and Stats API, have been introduced to support this feature. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm have expressed their support for these advancements. Additionally, Microsoft is developing DXR 2.0, which will support Shader Model 6.10 and is expected to roll out in late summer 2026.
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