Deckbuilding is a genre of games that combines card-based gameplay with collecting powerful cards to use in battle against other players. It started in tabletop gaming before moving to video games. Roguelike deckbuilders add procedural generation to keep gameplay fresh and unpredictable. Slay the Spire is a popular example of a tactical deckbuilding game.
J.K. Simmons discussed his experiences with video games on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, particularly his role in Portal 2, which he found impactful despite not being an avid gamer. He shared a humorous interaction with actor Tom Britney regarding his character from Baldur's Gate. Eric Wolpaw, the writer of Portal 2, is returning for the upcoming game Aperture Desk Job. Other actors in the gaming industry include Elias Toufexis and Konatsu Kato, while Steven Ogg humorously suggested players read Dostoevsky instead of gaming.
Tormentum II is a standalone sequel to the original Tormentum: Dark Sorrow, which was heavily influenced by H. R. Giger's biomechanical art. The sequel, developed over eight years, offers a fresh narrative while maintaining similar thematic elements. It is currently available on Steam with a 15% discount, and a demo is also offered. The original game is on sale with a 67% discount.
The villain's monologue is a common trope in video games, often replaced by musical performances from antagonists in some titles.
In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, The Singer is an orc who sings operatic verses about battles, enhancing the experience.
In Hades 2, Scylla's performances are humorously interrupted by a witch, contrasting her siren songs with Melinoe's indifference.
The Joker in the Arkham series incorporates musical interludes, including a haunting rendition of "Only You" during the credits of Arkham City.
In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Teh Earworm is a creature that plays catchy tunes, leaving players with memorable melodies.
GLaDOS's song "Still Alive" from Portal has become a cultural touchstone, reflecting her personality and enhancing her character's narrative.
Total Distortion features guitar warriors, where failure results in a memorable game-over song, integrating music into gameplay.
Conroy Bumpus in Sam & Max: Hit the Road offers a satirical country song, critiquing the big-game hunter archetype.
In Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell, Satan sings with Broadway flair, adding humor and depth to his character.
Ursula in Kingdom Hearts 2 showcases her villainy through song, providing comedic relief with her playful references.
I.M. Meen opens with a song that sets the tone for a game blending education and entertainment.
In Cuphead, King Dice performs a jazzy number in "Die House," enhancing the stakes and his flamboyant personality.
The Epic Games Store is offering the game Foretales for free from July 23 until July 30 at 4 PM BST. The game can be downloaded from the Epic Games Store and is yours to keep indefinitely. Foretales is a story-driven card game with turn-based combat, set in a fantasy realm, and features a narrative about a thief named Volepain who must stop a curse. It has a retail price of .99 and is also available on Steam for .99 until July 28. Foretales has a Metacritic score of 74 and an 86% rating on Steam, with gameplay lasting approximately 15 hours for the main story, 20.5 hours including side quests, and up to 32 hours for completionists. The game is narrated by Travis Willingham.
Gardaland Resort is hosting the Minecraft Meet the Mobs event, running until 28 August 2026, making it the only location in Italy and one of two in Europe to feature this event. Guests can interact with Minecraft characters like Steve, the creeper, and the chicken jockey, and participate in themed activities. The event includes the Minecraft Hub, where visitors can take photos and enjoy themed snacks, and the Baby Mobs Trail, an interactive adventure across six areas featuring baby mobs. Completing the trail rewards guests with a digital prize. Additional activities include Mob Hunt and Zombie Freeze, and exclusive merchandise is available for purchase.
A round raccoon named Jimothy has become a viral sensation in Seattle, attracting attention from various brand accounts. His unique appearance, possibly due to a spine condition, has led to collaborations with popular video games. World of Warcraft depicted Jimothy as a potential in-game pet, while RuneScape created a nostalgic illustration of him. Dead by Daylight featured a dramatic version with glowing eyes and tentacles, and Mouse: P.I. For Hire illustrated him in a vintage 1930s film noir style. The Sims presented a controversial version that confused some viewers, while Halo showcased Jimothy in Spartan armor and placed him in iconic game settings. Speculation exists about a potential Jimothy skin in Fortnite, humorously imagining him in a mech suit.
GameDiscoverCo hosted the 'Scrappy Saves The Animals' game jam in collaboration with the Oakland Ballers on Itch.io, with the top game being Scrappy’s Rescue Run, which will be showcased at an upcoming event. GDCO Pro reported on trending unreleased Steam games, with Dear Passengers leading in wishlists, followed by Paper Shredder and Guildrun. An analysis revealed that AI-flagged games achieve around 3,000 sales, which is 55% of the rate of non-AI titles. The Binding Of Isaac Complete Bundle sold nearly 4 million additional units after a 90% off sale during the Steam Summer Sale. A developer was arrested for injecting malware into Steam games, affecting around 8,000 users and stealing approximately 0,000 in cryptocurrency. Roblox announced a UGC-centric Build feature, raising concerns about predatory offers to creators. Xbox Game Pass added titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Beast of Reincarnation. Valve updated SteamVR with a more VR-native interface. Epic Games and Google withdrew a lawsuit settlement attempt that could impact Android app stores. GameDiscoverCo Pro introduced automated graph annotations for Steam demo launches. An analysis of games released between July 2023 and July 2025 showed cumulative sales increases over time, with higher-priced titles having better long-term sales. Multiplayer and co-op games are experiencing promising sales trajectories. The GameDiscover Show has returned, discussing trends in game discovery and insights from GDCo’s AI survey.
