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.
The tech community has long awaited the "Year of the Linux Desktop," but Linux has struggled to gain mainstream market share. Valve's SteamOS and the Steam Deck have shown that consumers are open to Linux for gaming. The upcoming Steam Machine aims to present Linux in a console-like format, booting directly into Steam and offering a user-friendly interface while still providing access to a full desktop mode. This approach allows users to engage with Linux without recognizing it as the underlying operating system. Valve has improved Linux gaming compatibility through initiatives like Proton, making it more accessible. However, the Steam Machine faces challenges related to hardware costs and the risk of obsolescence due to rapidly evolving technology. If successful, the Steam Machine could redefine Linux adoption by introducing it into homes through entertainment rather than direct competition with Windows.
Kemuri is a co-op action game focused on hunting mythical demons in urban environments, developed by Ikumi Nakamura's studio. The first gameplay trailer was revealed during Sony's State of Play event, showcasing vibrant animation and dynamic action. The game aims to provide a multiplayer experience similar to the Dark Souls series, featuring unique hunters and yokai. Questions remain about its structural design, including whether it will be open-world or mission-based and if it will prioritize campaign or loot systems. Kemuri's launch is timed with a cultural interest in demon hunting, and it is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 in 2027, with hopes for a PC version.
Sony has reintroduced its “Game available only on PS5” disclaimer in promotional materials, particularly in a trailer for a new PS5 monitor featuring the game Ghost of Yotei. This change follows reports that Sony has decided to halt the development of single-player first-party PC ports, marking a return to platform exclusivity after six years of releasing PlayStation Studios titles on Steam. From 2020 to 2024, Sony had embraced the PC market, launching titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War on Steam, but concerns about diluting the PS5's value and hindering hardware sales have led to this strategic shift. The “Only on PS5” branding in the monitor trailer indicates this new policy, which specifically targets first-party, internally developed single-player games, while co-published titles like Death Stranding 2 will still be released on PC. Ghost of Yotei was initially planned for a PC port before those plans were scrapped. Reports suggest that the upcoming Saros, a follow-up to Returnal, has also had its PC port canceled. The future implications of this policy remain uncertain, particularly regarding potential exceptions beyond multiplayer titles.
The soundtrack of Mario Kart World has been integrated into the Nintendo Music app, with most tracks available and Free Roam tracks to be introduced gradually. The update includes new features such as seamless integration with CarPlay and Android Auto, on-screen controls, and the ability to use Siri or Google Assistant for track selection. A web player has also been launched for streaming from browsers. The update was released on a Tuesday, maintaining the tradition despite speculation about a shift to Fridays.
Alienware has launched its flagship gaming monitor, the AW3926QW, featuring a 39-inch OLED display with a 5K resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 and a refresh rate of 165Hz, which can reach 330Hz in reduced-resolution mode. It incorporates RGB-stripe OLED technology for improved image quality and has a 1,500R curve for better viewing angles. The monitor includes a KVM switch for device connectivity. Alienware has not disclosed a specific price, but it is expected to be around ,500. Additionally, Alienware introduced the AW3426DW, a 34-inch OLED monitor with a refresh rate of 280Hz and peak brightness of 1,300 nits, along with the AW3426DWM and AW3226DWM, both 240Hz LCD monitors. The AW3426DWM is a 34-inch ultrawide display with a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440, while the AW3226DWM is a 1440p model, priced at 9 and 9, respectively. All monitors are set to be available this summer.
NVIDIA is preparing to enter the Windows PC market with at least two distinct ARM chip product tiers, the N1 and N1X, although these remain unverified. The N1X will have two configurations: a larger variant with 20 CPU cores (10+10 layout), 48 Blackwell Streaming Multiprocessors (6,144 CUDA cores), and a smaller variant with 18 CPU cores (9+9 layout) and 40 SMs (5,120 CUDA cores). The power envelope for the N1X models is projected to be between 45 to 80 watts. The smaller N1 variant is expected to have a power range of 18 to 45 watts and up to 20 SMs. Retailer listings suggest that Lenovo may offer models like the Yoga Pro 7 15.3 with NVIDIA N1X configurations and options for 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. NVIDIA and Microsoft plan to unveil the first Windows PCs featuring NVIDIA chips, with potential vendors including Microsoft’s Surface brand and Dell. The success of the Windows-on-Arm platform will depend on factors beyond CUDA core count, such as native applications, drivers, power management, and gaming compatibility. NVIDIA's extensive resources, including CUDA and AI frameworks, may give it an advantage over competitors like Qualcomm.
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, indicated in a recent interview that there are significant developments anticipated for GTA VI, which is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. He mentioned that there is "a lot of work to do after the launch of GTA VI," suggesting potential post-launch updates and preparations for a PC release of the game and GTA Online. Currently, GTA VI is confirmed for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but there has been no official announcement regarding a PC version. Historically, Rockstar Games has released PC ports of major titles about a year after their console launches.
The introduction of parrying mechanics into turn-based combat games has caused confusion and frustration among players who value the strategic depth of traditional turn-based gameplay. Many gamers feel overwhelmed by this shift, longing for simpler mechanics that allow for strategic planning rather than reactionary gameplay. While some appreciate the challenge of parrying, others believe it detracts from the satisfaction of executing well-thought-out plans. There is a desire for game developers to explore alternative ways to challenge players without relying on trends like parrying, which may not align with the core essence of turn-based games. Players yearn for a return to the simplicity and depth that once defined the genre.
A player known as rI1975 successfully dismantled a Bastion in 16 seconds without using the Deadline mine. The player used a hullcracker to shoot the Bastion's knee three times, then targeted the core at the back with three additional shots, followed by a final kill-shot to the internals. The hullcracker has emerged as a powerful alternative to Deadline mines for defeating larger arcs, and the ability to efficiently eliminate Bastions is valuable due to the substantial arc parts they yield.
