AYANEO has paused its Kickstarter campaign for the Pocket Play smartphone as part of its "Service Improvement Plan" to address community complaints about unfulfilled orders and delays.
Windows 11 is experiencing issues with unfinished AI features and bugs, while its user interface lacks refinement. It offers touch support, unlike macOS. At CES 2026, Intricuit introduced the "Intricuit Magic Screen," an attachable display for MacBooks that provides touch capabilities and stylus input, connecting via USB-C. The anticipated price is , with a Kickstarter launch planned. Users have long requested touchscreen support on macOS, but Apple has not yet responded. Speculation about a touchscreen MacBook continues, while Microsoft has offered touch support in Windows PCs for over a decade.
Eleventh Hour Games (EHG) has confirmed that the upcoming Orobyss expansion for Last Epoch will be free for all existing players who own the base game, and new players purchasing the game post-launch will also receive the expansion at no additional cost. This decision honors a pledge made during the game's Kickstarter campaign in 2018. EHG's leadership has stated that their development approach will not change despite Krafton's shift towards an "AI-first company." EHG is preparing for two upcoming seasons with substantial updates to the base game, although the intervals between these seasons may be longer due to recruitment efforts and preparations for the game's debut on PlayStation 5.
The 3D One from Abxylute is a handheld gaming PC that combines tablet functionality with gaming console features. It measures 10.2 inches wide, 6.7 inches tall, and weighs 1.92 pounds, expanding to 14.4 inches wide and 2.45 pounds with detachable controllers. The controllers attach magnetically and include buttons, Hall effect joysticks, and a touchpad. It has a 10.95-inch touchscreen with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 480 nits. The device features a 50-watt-hour battery, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, and a one-terabyte NVMe SSD. It includes various connectivity options, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth. The Kickstarter campaign offers early bird pricing at 9 and standard pricing at 9, with shipments starting in December.
The life cycle of video games can vary greatly, with some experiencing rapid success followed by decline, while others remain relevant for decades due to dedicated players and ongoing developer support. As of 2024, several enduring games continue to thrive, having received updates since 2018.
- Klondike: Developed on a Lisa computer, it has been maintained by Michael Casteel for 40 years, with updates including color in 1988, animations in 1989, and high-resolution cards in 2004.
- NetHack: Launched in 1987, it has received updates as recently as February 2023 and has an active community with leaderboards available on nethack.alt.org.
- Gemstone IV: Launched in 1988, it is one of the oldest MMORPGs, continuously updated by a dedicated team, and has a subscription model to maintain its player base.
- Kingdom of Drakkar: Since 1989, it has evolved from a text-based game to a graphical RPG, maintained by creator Brad Lineberger.
- Genesis: A MUD and fantasy RPG since 1989, it has expanded significantly and continues to receive updates.
- UnReal World: Released in 1992, it is a roguelike RPG inspired by Finland's late Iron Age, with continuous updates since 2018.
- Meridian 59: Released in 1996, it remains active with volunteer developers and annual updates, despite ownership changes.
- Furcadia: Launched in 1996, it emphasizes user-generated content and was revitalized in 2016 after a successful Kickstarter campaign.
- Ultima Online: Since 1997, it has maintained an active community and continues to receive updates and expansions.
- Utopia: A text-based fantasy strategy game launched in 1998, it has seen ongoing development and community engagement.
- Age of Empires 2: Released in 1999, it was revitalized by a Definitive Edition in 2019 and continues to receive expansions and updates.
Ashes of Creation, an MMORPG from Intrepid Studios, will debut on Steam on December 11 at a price of .99, with a 15% discount available for purchases made within the first two weeks. The game is currently in the Alpha Two phase, with plans to move to Beta One and Beta Two before full launch. The 'Alpha Two Third Wave Bundle' is available for , including access to both beta tests, a month of game time, and in-game currency. Existing playtesters will not receive a Steam key and must purchase the game on Steam or continue using the standalone client, which will be cross-compatible. Players who participated in testing before the Steam launch will receive two unique titles that alter their cloak's appearance.
Krafton has announced its intention to become an "AI-first company" with an investment of over 130 billion won. The company has implemented a hiring freeze and a voluntary resignation program for its South Korean workforce. Krafton acquired Eleventh Hour Games (EHG), the studio behind Last Epoch, in July. EHG has maintained a commitment to providing players with free content since its Kickstarter launch in 2018, but recent communications suggest that the pricing for upcoming expansions is uncertain. EHG co-founder Cobler outlined limited options during the acquisition process, including pursuing other intellectual properties, seeking unfavorable funding, joining Krafton, or facing bankruptcy. Cobler expressed optimism about the acquisition's long-term benefits, despite skepticism from others. There is currently no evidence that Last Epoch is declining, but Krafton's strategic decisions may impact the studio. EHG recently launched its third season and plans additional content leading up to an expansion.
Elestrals Awakened is a creature-collecting game that has raised over 0,000 on Kickstarter from more than 10,000 backers, making it the most-funded video game of the year. The game is a 16-bit retro homage to classic JRPGs and will feature a 2.5D turn-based RPG experience with dynamic over-the-shoulder battles. It is set to introduce creatures like Arcalith, Helialith, and Verdalith, with a full release planned for late 2027. The game includes features such as extra save files, permadeath options, a randomizer mode, and a Clash Tower mode. Alpha and beta testing will continue until summer 2027, and the 'Late Pledges' period is still open for additional support.
The Steam Deck originally launched with a price tag of 9, cheaper than other x86 handhelds. AYANEO and AYN have now released Android gaming handhelds powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, offering top spec models for 9 and 9 respectively. These handhelds can run Windows emulation and offer a user-friendly experience for gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of emulating other consoles, including Switch games. AYANEO, AYN, and Retroid are releasing handhelds with a similar price-to-performance ratio as the Steam Deck.
Headwolf is launching a gaming tablet called the Titan 1, which features an 8.8-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 CPU, and a six-core ARM G715 GPU. The tablet also has 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 7,200mAh battery.
