The Android app price drops include FINAL FANTASY VII for , Cafeteria Nipponica for .25, Skul: The Hero Slayer for , Cafe Master Story for , Beastie Bay DX for , and Backrooms for free.
The text highlights four free games available on Steam:
1. The Song of WILL: Act I - An RPG by Dylan Webber, inspired by 90s JRPGs, featuring randomized weapons and a "Positive" rating based on 11 reviews.
2. All Tomorrows: Invasion - A casual first-person shooter by Bluestone, with solid shooting mechanics and a "Positive" rating from 11 reviews.
3. Oblivion Maiden - Developed by Project Ex Libris, this game has a "Positive" rating from 29 reviews and combines elements of The Legend of Zelda and classic Final Fantasy.
4. BomBee - A puzzle game described as an online arcade PvP game, currently lacking a rating.
In 2026, the gaming landscape is marked by industry challenges, including layoffs and anticipation for major releases like GTA 6. Notable game soundtracks include:
- Arcade – Screamer: Features a fusion of rock and electronic elements, particularly in the Arcade mode selection track.
- Eatin' Rats – Mewgenics: Has whimsical lyrics and catchy melodies about cats on a culinary adventure.
- Lone Wolf – Crimson Desert: Stands out with haunting choral elements.
- Club Arch DJ set – 007 First Light: Includes a virtual DJ set by Chase & Status, adding gritty British charm.
- Blood Moon – Life is Strange Reunion: Blends licensed music with original compositions, featuring haunting vocals and atmospheric instrumentals.
- Inner Child – Paralives: Evokes nostalgia with a twangy melody and whimsical undertones.
- In Death We've Just Begun – Marathon: Showcases Poppy's ethereal voice with Son Lux's melancholic composition.
- Cryogenic – In Falsus: Features a standout track by Camellia, combining dreamy vocals with an electronic beat.
- Under the Lights – People of Note: Early impressions suggest it enhances gameplay and motivates exploration.
Valve has launched Proton 11, which is based on Wine 11 and available to Linux users through Steam settings. This version includes support for several games, such as "Deadly Premonition," "Resident Evil," and "DCS World Steam Edition." Key fixes in Proton 11 include improved KDE window maximization support, video playback fixes, and enhanced controller support. The update also addresses various rendering issues, game crashes, and performance improvements for multiple titles. Proton 11 is rebased on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, enhancing the gaming experience on Linux platforms.
Yesterday, layoffs at Xbox affected ZeniMax Online Studios, with reports indicating that half of its workforce was impacted. This has raised concerns about the studio's future and morale among remaining employees. Game director Matt Firor left the studio following the layoffs, which also resulted in the cancellation of a new MMO project called Project Blackbird. The situation has drawn comparisons to Amazon's New World, which was shelved due to a reassessment of its gaming strategy. A former developer expressed deep sadness over the loss of team camaraderie and creativity.
Modder David Matos has developed a custom Shader Injector mod for the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, addressing the game's flat open-world lighting. The upcoming version 2.0 of the mod will eliminate manual shader setup, introduce new game shaders for improved tonemapping, experimental screen-space global illumination, and automatic exposure. Users will have customization options to disable certain features and adjust settings like contact shadowing and ambient occlusion. Matos has shared that version 2.0 is expected to release within a week and will include a complete overhaul of screen-space reflections to fix light-leak issues. The mod's release coincides with renewed interest in the Final Fantasy VII trilogy following the Summer Game Fest reveal of Final Fantasy VII Revelation. While the enhancements may affect PC performance, Matos believes the visual improvements are worthwhile.
The author began their journey into video games with a Mega Drive controller given by their father, which sparked a lifelong passion for gaming and video game music. They highlight the influence of video game music on their identity, recalling their appreciation for the soundtrack of Killer Instinct Gold on the Nintendo 64 and the impact of Final Fantasy 10-2's "Real Emotion" during the mp3 era. The author expresses a desire to hear others' experiences with video game soundtracks.
In July 2026, notable game releases include:
- Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced (July 9, Steam | Singleplayer): A remake of the original game with enhanced visuals.
- College Football 27 (July 9, Steam | 4-player co-op): The latest installment in the football franchise.
- Palworld 1.0 (July 10, Steam | 4-player co-op): A survival crafting game with new features.
- Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28, Steam | 4-player co-op): A remake of the original Halo campaign with additional missions.
Co-op indie horror games releasing include:
- Cursed Cooking Mama - Happy's Burgatory (July 16, Steam | 4-player co-op).
- After Hours Puzzler - Storebound 1.0 (July 16, Steam | 3-player co-op).
- Asymmetric Rabbit Hunt - Carnival Hunt (July 23, Steam | 5 players).
- Killer Customer Service - Shift at Midnight (Release date TBD, Steam | 3-player co-op).
Gaming events include:
- Tennocon (July 10 – 11).
- Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest (July 25 – 26).
- Various Steam Sales throughout the month.
Game updates and expansions include:
- Flight Simulator 2024 (July 4).
- Doom: The Dark Ages (July 7).
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink (July 8).
- Phasmophobia (July 21).
Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) are increasingly adopting a seasonal structure, with titles like Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and The Elder Scrolls Online implementing named seasons. This shift aims to address player fatigue from extensive power grinds, offering a reset mechanism that allows for a more level playing field. In contrast, games like Old School RuneScape, EVE Online, and Project Gorgon focus on permanent progress without seasonal resets. Guild Wars 2 utilizes a hybrid model, combining major patches with a horizontal progression system.
Forza Horizon 6 has lost its position as the top-selling game on Steam to Meccha Chameleon, a hide-and-seek game released on June 9, which has sold five million copies in ten days. Meccha Chameleon is priced affordably and has an 85% approval rating from over 6,000 user reviews. The top five best-selling games between June 9 and June 16 are Meccha Chameleon, Forza Horizon 6, Path of Exile 2, EA Sports FC 26, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. The rankings for positions six through ten include 007 First Light, Gothic Remake, Burglin’ Gnomes, Rust, and Voidling Bound. Titles in spots ten through twenty are Dead by Daylight, Resident Evil 4, Road to Empress II, Subnautica 2, Hearts of Iron IV, Paralives, Monster Hunter Wilds, Witchspire, Gamble With Your Friends, and Resident Evil Requiem.
