- Nintendo’s 2024 legal action against Tropic Haze, the team behind the Yuzu Switch emulator, ended with a $**.4 million settlement** and the shutdown of Yuzu.
- Lime3DS rose out of the shutdown of Yuzu and Citra as a community-maintained Citra fork, but development stopped in April 2025, leading to the creation of Azahar.
- Azahar is the successor project to Lime3DS, but the Android package name was not updated, causing confusion.
- Azahar is the default recommendation for 3DS emulation, consolidating the scattered forks that emerged after the shutdown of Yuzu and Citra.
- Azahar requires specific system files from a real Nintendo 3DS console, and users must dump their own game files legally.
A new open-source Plex client named PlxNative has been developed for older LG TVs running on webOS to improve the browsing experience of Plex libraries. It operates independently of a web browser using a native Rust/OpenGL interface, allowing it to launch in about one second and ensuring fluid scrolling and menu navigation. PlxNative supports various Plex functionalities, including library browsing, profile switching, audio and subtitle selection, and direct play or server transcoding. It does not replace the TV's built-in video decoder and connects directly to the Plex Media Server over the local network after initial sign-in. Installation options include the Homebrew Channel or sideloading via LG’s Developer Mode, which requires periodic session renewals. The developer has submitted PlxNative for official review by LG.
- Android version 9.0 or newer (64-bit) is required for 3DS emulation via Azahar; 6.0+ covers GBA and most DS apps.
- Snapdragon 835 or better is the documented floor for 3DS titles; Snapdragon 845+ is recommended for a smooth experience.
- 4GB minimum RAM is required, with 6-8GB recommended for running multiple emulators simultaneously.
- At least 4-8GB of free storage is needed for ROM dumps.
- A file manager app is required to navigate to app-specific storage folders.
- Own game cartridges or purchased digital copies are needed to dump ROMs legally.
- A Bluetooth or USB-C controller is strongly recommended for anything past the GBA generation.
Slitherine has acquired the rights to the Blood Bowl series, previously held by Nacon, which faced insolvency and impacted various projects, including Blood Bowl 3. Developers Cyanide had planned to update Blood Bowl 3 to align with the latest tabletop rules, now back on track under Slitherine. Blood Bowl 3 was released with significant issues, including bugs and frustrating microtransactions, leading players to prefer Blood Bowl 2. Despite some improvements, menu navigation remains cumbersome. There is cautious optimism for the series' future under Slitherine's management.
A father sends his daughter into an escape tunnel for safety as enemy forces approach, while he prepares to confront a commander. In the game "Prelude: Dark Pain," players engage in tactical turn-based RPG combat, controlling Soren, a blacksmith whose wife has been abducted. Players traverse an overworld map, engaging in grid-based battles with a squad of four characters, each with unique abilities. The game features various mechanics, including character-specific skills and strategic positioning for enhanced damage. It is set to launch on Steam Early Access in the third quarter of 2026, offering approximately 15 hours of gameplay and introducing nine heroes with 63 skills. The final version will include all acts of the story, over 20 heroes, 20 factions, 70 enemy types, and a crafting system.
Crafting is essential in Arc Raiders, where players gather resources to create weapons, gear, and consumables. Embark Studios is working to improve the crafting experience by addressing the time-consuming nature of resource gathering. They have introduced a new 'Acquire Resources' button in the crafting screen, which provides a list of available sources for required materials, including recyclable items from the player's inventory and options from traders. This feature aims to reduce interruptions and streamline the crafting process, although it does not guarantee immediate access to all materials. The studio acknowledges that further improvements are needed and is committed to addressing additional player concerns in future updates. They also encourage ongoing community feedback to shape their development priorities.
The Microsoft Store on Windows is implementing updates based on developer feedback to improve onboarding, publishing, distribution, and analytics. Recent changes include a streamlined onboarding process that reduces the time to create a new developer account by half. Enhancements in developer analytics include upgraded Health Reports with multi-filter support, Anomaly Alerts for unusual app health data, a consolidated Summary Dashboard, and a revamped Usage Dashboard that provides insights on active devices and engagement metrics.
Improvements to the Microsoft Store Web Installer include an auto-open feature for Win32 apps and expanded support for enterprise-managed devices. Developers can generate updated badge code for their websites to enhance user trust and installation rates. A new command-line interface allows for app discovery, installation, and updates directly from the terminal, enabling efficient app management. Developer feedback mechanisms have been simplified within Partner Center to encourage ongoing input.
Valve has announced its latest Steam Controller, which closely resembles its predecessor. The controller features large circular trackpads that enhance gameplay for PC games typically unplayable with standard gamepads. While the design may not seem groundbreaking, the trackpads make various game genres more accessible for gamers who prefer not to use a mouse and keyboard. Despite the existence of other controllers with trackpads, such as PlayStation's DualSense and DualShock 4, their implementations are often seen as underutilized. The Steam Controller aims to bridge the gap between mouse precision and the tactile enjoyment of traditional gamepads, potentially inspiring new game types or enhancing existing ones. Valve has refined its trackpad concept over the years, demonstrating its potential in the gaming market.
Football Manager 26 is set to release on November 4, 2025, at a retail price of £50. The game features a new match engine developed in Unity, enhancing visual fidelity and player animations, allowing for more informed tactical decisions. The match experience has improved, fostering emotional connections between players and their teams, but the user interface redesign has led to confusion for some players due to the overwhelming amount of information. There are concerns about the pacing of gameplay, which feels slow, particularly in the early stages of a save. Despite these issues, the game maintains its appeal through a vast database of players and a richly simulated footballing world.