Nintendo has released a brand new game exclusively on mobile called Pictonico, which uses the contents of the player's phone's photo album as the basis for its microgames.
868-Back is a roguelike puzzle game created by Michael Brough, set on randomly generated 6x6 grids where players navigate through eight floors filled with enemies. Players use limited resources to acquire weapons and currency while accumulating points, with each collected item spawning additional adversaries. The game features single-screen gameplay that encourages strategic thinking and adaptability, transforming the grid into a dynamic environment for creative play. It builds upon Brough's earlier title, 868-Hack, while expanding its scope and offering constant surprises.
June features a tranquil gaming landscape with both blockbuster and indie titles. Key upcoming releases include:
- June 2: Marathon (Steam) launches Season 2 with a new "PvP-lite" mode called Sponsored Survival.
- June 5: The Gothic Remake (Steam) is released, overhauling the classic 2001 RPG.
- June 8: Solarpunk (Steam) introduces sustainability to survival crafting.
- June 9: Destiny 2 (Steam) receives its final live service update.
- June 10: Burglin' Gnomes (Steam) offers a lighthearted co-op experience.
- June 18: Shift at Midnight (Steam) blends horror with gas station management.
Major updates include:
- June 2: Final Fantasy 14 expands endgame content with a legendary villain.
- June 11: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Steam) unveils its third story expansion, The Infinite Museion.
- June 16: Dead by Daylight adds Jason to its roster; Warhammer 40,000: Darktide introduces a new class.
- June 18: Dave the Diver adds a new freshwater ecosystem and missions in its In the Jungle DLC.
Notable events include:
- Sony State of Play on June 2.
- Summer Game Fest starting June 5.
- Wholesome Direct on June 6.
- PC Gaming Show on June 7.
- Steam's themed sales, including Bullet Fest from June 8 – 15 and the Steam Summer Sale from June 25 – July 9.
Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, testified in an antitrust lawsuit by Wolfire Games, asserting that Steam does not operate as a monopoly in the PC gaming market and highlighting the variety of purchasing options available to consumers. He stated that he would remove Overgrowth from Steam if it were sold at a lower price elsewhere, indicating Valve's commitment to its pricing structure. Despite rising video game prices, Steam remains popular for discounted titles and has reduced the retail dominance of major publishers, benefiting indie developers. Newell's testimony comes amid ongoing legal challenges, including a million lawsuit in the UK accusing Valve of inflating game prices and suppressing competition.
A recent poll revealed that 25% of gamers refrain from paying full price for games, choosing to wait for sales or price drops. 51% of participants buy games at full price only when excited about a release, while 18% are willing to pay full price for indie games. Only 4% consistently purchase games at full price, and just 3% still pre-order games.
Nina Freeman's first gaming experience was with the 1991 game Rodent's Revenge, which she played on a friend's computer or at school. She has developed autobiographical games like Cibele and Last Call, and worked as a level designer on Tacoma and Open Roads. Currently, she is working on an undisclosed project with Don't Nod and developing an indie horror game titled Size Zero with her husband. Freeman recently played Angeline Era on her Steam Deck and completed Scarlet Hollow, which she describes as a masterpiece with a complex branching narrative. The oldest game installed on her PC is Rollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1999. She has logged over 2,101 hours in Dota 2, which she and her husband enjoy together. Freeman considers Devotion by Red Candle Games one of the best horror games and will never uninstall it from her library. She relies on OBS for her work as a game developer and Twitch streamer, and maintains a tidy desktop for streaming purposes, although her external hard drives are less organized.
Sean Velasco, co-founder of Yacht Club Games, discussed the pricing and significance of their upcoming title, Mina the Hollower, which is positioned as a pivotal moment for the studio. He mentioned challenges faced during its development that may influence future projects. The studio is currently focused on supporting and marketing Mina the Hollower, a top-down homage to the Zelda franchise. Velasco indicated a potential return to the Shovel Knight series, noting that a 3D version was considered but the team chose to focus on the 2D adventure. Yacht Club Games follows a one-at-a-time approach to game development and Velasco expressed optimism about their future release schedule. Early backers are eagerly anticipating Mina the Hollower, which received a 90% review score from PCG contributor Kerry Brunskill.
The Android gaming market offers a variety of outstanding games, including indie hits, retro classics, and Nintendo-published originals. Some Android games are comparable to AAA console and PC titles. Subscription services like Google Play Pass and GameClub offer access to hundreds of games without microtransactions. Google's licensing of Android to more partners has made it a popular platform for gaming-focused mobile hardware. Despite some failed initiatives like Google Cardboard and Google Stadia, Android remains a strong gaming platform with options for all tastes.
Patrick Johnson, head of discovery at Playstack, discussed the indie publisher's involvement with the game Balatro, which is anticipated to be the 2024 game of the year. He emphasized the importance of diligent effort in game publishing and noted that Playstack scouts games across various platforms, reviewing titles on Steam daily. Despite skepticism about the significance of Steam wishlists, Playstack chose to support Balatro, which had few followers and wishlists at the time. Johnson reached out to the game's developer, LocalThunk, via Twitter, leading to a pivotal interaction during a challenging time for the developer. Playstack's early involvement was highlighted as a key factor in the game's potential success. Additionally, Playstack is in discussions to sell its majority stake to Integrated Media Company (IMC) for million, indicating a significant transition for the indie publisher.
The indie game Mina the Hollower has received a Metacritic score of 92, surpassing Microsoft's Forza Horizon 6. Developed by Yacht Club Games, it features a retro-inspired, isometric, 2D action-adventure style reminiscent of the Game Boy Color era. Players control Mina on a quest to free an island from a curse, navigating through gothic-horror castles and battling monsters with various weapons. The game is available on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
