On May 24, 2026, 'Star Citizen' surpassed ₩1.4 trillion (approximately billion) in cumulative crowdfunding, achieved entirely through fan support without publisher involvement. The game, developed by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) since its Kickstarter launch in 2012, is still not officially released. It has raised ₩210 billion in 2025 alone, marking an all-time high for annual fundraising. 'Star Citizen' is recognized as the most expensive game ever made, with its crowdfunding amount being 3.8 times the production cost of 'GTA V' (₩370 billion). The game's revenue model includes the sale of in-game spacecraft, with prices ranging from tens of thousands to millions of won. Despite being in development for 14 years, the game continues to engage a growing community, with hundreds of thousands of players participating in its ongoing alpha state. The timeline for completion remains uncertain, with the single-player campaign 'Squadron 42' tentatively set for 2026 and the main multiplayer project suggested to be completed around 2028. Opinions on 'Star Citizen' are divided, with some viewing it as a scam due to its lengthy development and unfulfilled promises, while others see it as a cultural movement and a significant community-driven project.
Paralives allows players to customize difficulty settings from the start, offering various storytellers that adjust gameplay elements. Players can create their own storytellers, modifying parameters like time ratios and life stage durations. The game incorporates strategy into social interactions, requiring players to consider character traits and relationship dynamics when choosing conversation options. Additionally, personality traits and simulated events, such as a child character getting sick, impact gameplay and require strategic management. The design encourages critical thinking about characters' moods and actions, making the experience engaging and challenging.
One Move Away is a game that uses the act of packing as a storytelling device, allowing players to engage with the life of an unnamed protagonist. The game begins in 1973 with the protagonist as a baby, teaching players mechanics like stacking and organizing items. As the protagonist grows, players experience significant life events, such as moving into their first apartment, where they must fit possessions into small moving vehicles. The game captures the satisfaction of packing while also depicting the stress of transitions. Players may reflect on their own moving experiences, facing challenges like fitting large furniture and improvising packing strategies. Ultimately, the game emphasizes the joy of problem-solving and the satisfaction found in imperfect solutions.
Helldivers 2 is experiencing community dissatisfaction due to a lackluster Warbond and a decline in enthusiasm after the Siege of Cyberstan event, resulting in 'Mostly Negative' reviews on Steam. In response, Arrowhead is rolling out a series of patches for game performance, with a focus on improved upscaling support, advanced visual optimizations, and reduced latency through Nvidia Reflex and AMD Anti-Lag 2, starting May 27. A dedicated tech-focused update is expected later this summer. Additionally, Arrowhead plans to enhance the game with longer in-game events, new vehicles, and additional red stratagems. Despite some player dissatisfaction, the overall consensus on Steam remains 'Very Positive.'
Mathematicians Molly Lynch and Michael Weselcouch developed a method to approximate the value of pi (π) within the game Minecraft using a probabilistic darts technique. They constructed a circular structure with a radius of 11 blocks surrounded by a square and introduced random events using slimes, which move randomly. By counting the number of slimes killed within the circle compared to the total number killed, they calculated an approximation of π. During their test, they killed 619 slimes, with 508 inside the circular area, yielding an approximation of π ≈ 3.283. They noted that increasing the size of the square and the number of slimes could improve accuracy.
The collaboration between the Federal Agency for Civic Education and Paintbucket Games has resulted in the development of a historical-political deduction game titled SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force. The game is set in 1970s West Germany and allows players to assume the role of a special police task force agent, tasked with identifying and neutralizing terrorist threats. Players navigate through fictionalized scenarios inspired by real historical events, making decisions that impact the investigation while addressing moral and legal questions related to state authority and public safety. The game features a roguelike structure with procedurally generated storylines, ensuring a unique experience with each playthrough. Players will engage in police operations, conduct interrogations, and manage public perception, all within an authentic historical backdrop. SOKO 1977 is scheduled for release in 2027.
Steam is currently hosting its Ocean Fest event, which runs until May 25. The event features 24 games available for free for the next 24 hours, including titles like "Collector's Cove" and "Darwin's Paradox."
Witchaven and Witchaven 2 are set to be delisted from Steam on July 15th. Originally released in 1995 and 1996, these games were reintroduced to modern platforms in 2021. The announcement of their delisting was made by SNEG on May 22nd, with no specific reasons provided. Those who purchase the games before the delisting will retain access to them indefinitely. The status of the games on GOG is uncertain, and it is speculated that they may also be removed from that platform. Currently, both games are available at a discount of 89%, priced at less than .50 for the bundle.
The February 2012 "Armchair Designer" column in PC Gamer highlighted ten desired features for Elder Scrolls VI, shortly after Skyrim's release. The game is now projected for a 2026 release. Bethesda has since developed Fallout 4 and Starfield, incorporating new systems like settlement management. Fans hope for a return to Morrowind's flexibility and improved stealth mechanics, influenced by design director Emil Pagliarulo's background. The column proposed exploring Akavir, introducing colonial themes and diverse factions, with a narrative that allows for complex interactions between Tamriel and Akavir's cultures. The vision for TES 6 aims to blend nostalgia with innovative storytelling, enhancing player choices and consequences.
