Delta Emulator version 1.7 now allows users to play Nintendo DS games online through community WFC servers, offering pre-configured options like Wiimmfi, WiiLink WFC, or AltWFC.
Atomfall has attracted over 1.5 million players since its launch on March 27th, achieving one million players within its first weekend. The game is available through the Xbox Game Pass subscription service and debuted on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. It became the 15th highest-grossing title on Steam within its first week. Rebellion, the studio behind Atomfall, considers this launch their most successful to date.
Rebellion's latest title, Atomfall, launched on March 27, has attracted over 1.5 million players, making it the most successful debut in the company's 32-year history. Co-founder and CEO Jason Kingsley emphasized the importance of balancing project scale and cost to avoid layoffs, preferring smaller, focused games. Atomfall, inspired by titles like Fallout and Stalker, offers a straightforward gameplay experience without unnecessary bloat. The game peaked at over 6,000 concurrent players on Steam during its opening weekend, with its overall player count boosted by availability on Game Pass. Kingsley hinted at a story expansion titled Wicked Isle, which will introduce new content, though a release date has not been announced.
The Patapon series is debuting on PC with the release of Patapon 1+2 Replay, a remastered collection of the first two games, on Steam on July 10. Originally launched on the PSP in 2007, the remaster includes quality-of-life improvements such as adjustable difficulty settings, enhanced button-press timing options, and full controller support. The updated version is being published by Bandai Namco, marking a shift from the original publisher, Sony. Players can wishlist the game on Steam, but pricing details have not yet been announced.
Arc System Works and APLUS Games have released the PC version of the rhythm puzzle game Magical Beat on Steam, priced at .99 or 990 yen. The game originally launched in Japanese arcades on May 31, 2012, and was later released on PS Vita on December 12, 2023, and PlayStation 3 on August 5, 2014, with the PS Vita version reaching Western audiences on June 17, 2014. Magical Beat combines match-3 gameplay with rhythm elements, where players drop colored blocks called beatons in sync with the music. The game features an original Vocaloid soundtrack by Kikuo and includes tracks from various Arc System Works titles, such as Guilty Gear and BlazBlue. Players can eliminate beatons by connecting three or more of the same color, and the game includes over 100 soundtracks from different series.
Last year, Copilot+ PCs were introduced as the fastest, most intelligent, and secure Windows PCs. They have since integrated new silicon, devices, and AI experiences to enhance user interaction and productivity.
New accessibility features include Live Captions, which provide real-time translations in English for audio and video content during virtual meetings and media playback, now available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for Simplified Chinese and translations from over 40 languages. Voice Access has also been updated to improve navigation through voice commands.
AI-enabled creativity features are now available on AMD and Intel devices, including Cocreator in Paint, which allows users to create designs using text prompts and freehand drawing, and new tools in Photos for transforming images and creating visuals based on prompts.
Some features will be available through the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, requiring the November 2024 update. Features may vary by device and region, with updates continuing through 2025. Users can check for updates in Windows Settings.
Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds has sold over ten million copies within its first month, marking the fastest sales rate in the company's history. The game launched on February 28th and sold eight million copies in the first three days. Capcom credits this success to the combination of new gameplay elements with the series' core mechanics. Additionally, Monster Hunter Wilds was the second-highest grossing item on Steam for pre-orders and became the number one title shortly after its release.
A Minecraft Movie is an upcoming film featuring stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa, directed by Jared Hess. The story follows four individuals who are transported through a portal into a creative realm, guided by a master crafter. The film aims to transform Minecraft's 16-bit aesthetic into a live-action experience and is set to be released in theaters on April 4th.
The Dark Mod, launched in 2009 as a total conversion for Doom 3 and transitioned to a standalone title in 2013, has released its latest update, version 2.13, which includes significant enhancements to gameplay. The update features a comprehensive rework of guard AI, improving their perceptiveness to mirror the original Thief experience. The AI now utilizes a "stochastic sampler model" that allows them to gauge illumination levels effectively, making them more aware of their surroundings. Additionally, the update introduces support for parallax occlusion mapping, enhancing visual detail, particularly in ceiling rendering, along with improved water reflections and volumetric lights. User experience improvements include a refined mission management system with a search filter and updates to the training mission. A fix for the "broken behaviors" of drunk guard AI has also been implemented. The Dark Mod 2.13 is available for download, and fans have access to unofficial content, including the 2023 campaign The Black Parade and the upcoming game Thick as Thieves.
PowerWash Simulator has surpassed 17 million players since its launch, with 12 million reported by April 2024. The game saw a growth of five million players in 11 months. A sequel is in development, and FuturLab, now acquired by Miniclip, is set to self-publish it.
