gaming

When you're a self-funded, self-publishing studio like Rebellion, the team behind the Sniper Elite series and last year's breakout new IP, Atomfall , you have to find a few ways to stand out from the pack. Steam has ballooned in size in recent years. In 2012, Steam would see about 30 new games per month , or an average of one per day. In March of this year, 2,472 new games hit Steam, or an average of more than 80 new games every day . Between tiny indie teams of as few as one person and mega AAA studios, there are studios like Rebellion trying to survive in the middle, and by many accounts, it's getting harder. But Rebellion has some battle-tested ways to push out of the crowd. "The key, I think, is controlling budgets and controlling ambition and having a very focused idea," CEO Jason Kingsley told me. "So a lot of our games are named in a way that would allow people to guess what they're all about. Sniper Elite is about being an elite sniper. Zombie Army is--guess what--about an army of zombies, you know?" This sort of simplicity, Kingsley believes, helps consumers quickly make up their minds as to whether a game is for them or not. "And, you know, even Alien Deathstorm , which we've announced recently, it's about a deathstorm with aliens," he continued. "I know it sounds a bit stupid, but when we don't have the marketing money of people, brilliant people like Ubisoft or Electronic Arts, or whoever it might be, we have to have all those things that will allow people to guess what we are." Continue Reading at GameSpot

Resident Evil Requiem protagonist Grace Ashcroft seemed to be an instant hit with series fans following the game's launch back in February; so much so that when Nvidia unveiled an AI-powered DLSS 5 makeover for the character just a few weeks later, the pushback was strong and swift. And speaking to Eurogamer in the aftermath of that controversy, Requiem game director Koshi Nakanishi has said he sees the passionate response as positive, suggesting it means the development team got Grace's original design "right". Read more

New Game Pass Games Microsoft has announced its next round of newcomers to Xbox Game Pass for May 2026, and it's looking like it'll be pretty difficult to decide which of the day-one offerings to spend your time with when they're released. From the aquatic depths of Subnautica 2, to the road-trip adventures of Outbound, there's something for everyone this month. Personally, I'll be keeping an eye on the music-focused Mixtape, but read on to see the next wave of titles coming to Game Pass this month. There are also several titles being removed from Game Pass in the coming weeks. Subnautica 2 After a somewhat tumultuous development period , to say the least, Subnautica 2 will release into early access day-one on Game Pass on May 14. It'll be included for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers and you can dive into the depths solo or with up to three other friends in co-op. Doom: The Dark Ages While Doom: The Dark Ages was already included for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, those with Game Pass Premium can get in on the action too from May 14. Elite Dangerous Get behind the wheel of your very own starship when Elite Dangerous comes to Game Pass on May 12 if you're a Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass Premium subscriber. Call of the Elder Gods Another day-one Game Pass release, Call of the Elder Gods will be available to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers on May 12. If you played 2020's Call of the Sea, this sequel is for you. Black Jacket If you've ever dreamed of getting stuck in a purgatorial card game, Black Jacket will be right up your street. This dark take on blackjack comes to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass players on May 12. Mixtape This nostalgic music-driven narrative adventure will be released day one on Game Pass for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers on May 7. Wuchang Fallen Feathers Wuchang Fallen Feathers is a soulslike RPG where you'll play as a pirate warrior. It was previously available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, but joins Game Pass Premium on May 6. Descenders Next If extreme sports are more your thing, Descenders Next will join Game Pass Premium on May 6. It was previously available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. Outbound Available day one for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, Outbound is a colorful and cozy camper game. You'll need to use sun, wind, and water to power your vehicle, grow crops, and live a sustainable existence when it releases on May 11. Ben 10 Power Trip Ben 10 will blast on to your screens on May 6 if you're a Game Pass Premium, Ultimate, or PC Game Pass subscriber. Forza Horizon 6 Driving through the beautiful Japanese landscapes in a choice of more than 550 cars will be a treat to look forward to when Forza Horizon 6 comes to Game Pass on day one, May 19, for Ultimate and PC Game Pass players. Wheel World Wheel World is a cosmic biking adventure that becomes available for Game Pass Premium subscribers on May 6. It was previously only available for Ultimate and PC Game Pass players. Wildgate This PvPvE shooter comes to Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass on May 6.

To mark the launch of Wolf With Inn from indie developer Thundertale Studio, we got the chance to ask some questions to lead artist Alice, and narrative designer Arina, about where the inspiration for the game came from, how they balance cozy playstyle with the dark setting and the one feature they think players will be surprised about. How would you describe Wolf With Inn to new players? Arina: At first glance, Wolf With Inn seems like a meditative, dark cozy game about a werewolf innkeeper in the remote wilderness. And it is! But if you look a little deeper, it becomes clear that the game is about the shadow self. It’s about the duality of human nature that many refuse to accept, often choosing to live in one of two extremes. Some lean entirely into the “light”, constantly sacrificing themselves for the sake of others, while others throw their lives away in a blur of self-destruction, fully surrendering to their “shadow”. Yet, that shadow actually carries many qualities we truly need: confidence, courage, and decisiveness. We created Wolf With Inn as a safe space where you can experience both sides of human nature to find a balance that is comfortable for both yourself and those around you. Where did the concept for Wolf With Inn come from? Alice: We really love the “dark cozy” genre, so we tried to embody that in this project. We drew a lot of inspiration from various fairy tales, paintings, and, of course, music. Arina: As for the name itself, that’s actually a funny story. Our internal chat was originally called Wolf Within —that was the working title. Then, when our Game Director asked me to come up with a “proper” name for the game. I couldn’t resist a bit of wordplay, so I just asked him to add a space and an extra ’n’. That’s how Wolf With Inn was born! In what ways does playing as a werewolf affect the gameplay? Arina: At the very start of the game, the Beast’s personality forces the protagonist to smash up the furniture as a form of protest. This interaction with the Beast also serves as the foundation for the skill tree in Wolf With Inn . As you learn to live with your shadow side and improve your relationship with the Beast throughout the story, you also progress at the wolf’s altar. This allows you to learn how to cook new dishes, carry more items in your inventory, and even unleash the Beast and kick rowdy customers out of the tavern—we actually have an entire mini-game dedicated to that! What approach did you take to the design of the mini-games? Alice: We leaned into the overall visual style of the project; it was essential to maintain the game’s coziness and ensure the player doesn’t lose their sense of immersion. We also wanted the games to reflect specific actions, whether it’s chopping wood, gathering herbs, or cooking. I feel like we really pulled it off! Wolf With Inn features many distinct characters from fairy tales, how did you make each character unique? Alice: It was a team effort; our artists had a significant amount of freedom in conceptualizing the characters' visual identities. We tried to reflect each character's personality through art and animation, while also adding references to their backstories. For example, the drow merchant Xerry and his colleague are former convicts—this is reflected in their clothing and their wagon. But my favorite detail is the makeshift shiv tucked behind his ear. Arina: We firmly believe that game development is a team effort, so the narrative team didn’t restrict the creative freedom of our artists when it came to character design. While we provided references and character bios, the artists were always encouraged to propose changes based on their own unique vision. Exploring the land of Mystmoor is a key feature of the game, what can players expect to see and do in the various biomes? Alice: Beyond gathering resources and making new acquaintances, players can, of course, soak in the atmosphere of the mysterious forest, explore the vibrant mushroom location, and catch a "summer at the sea" vibe in the mermaid cove. The music helps sustain the emotions stirred by wandering through the world of Mystmoor. Wolf With Inn is a ‘cozy game’, but you'll be dealing with rowdy customers in a dark fantasy world. How do you balance those elements in the game? Arina: Dealing with rowdy customers can be cozy too, trust us! Generally, we don’t believe that cosiness and dark fantasy are at odds; in fact, they often complement each other. We’ll admit that in the early stages of development, the game was planned to be much darker. However, we eventually struck the exact balance between “light” and “dark” that we had been searching for. How can your tavern change over the course of the game? Alice: As the game progresses, you can increase the challenge by adding more tables and patrons. In future updates, we’d like to introduce new interesting visitors as well as various tavern decorations so that our players can customize the space to their liking. How do the ‘monsters’, mushroom folk and mermaids help you in your journey? Arina: In our game, the “monsters” are often actually quite a friendly bunch! The inhabitants of Mystmoor, much like the heroes who come hunting for them, play a vital role in the protagonist’s character development. The forest itself guides our hero, helping him to eventually reconcile with the Beast within. What’s one feature in the game you think players will be surprised about? Arina: The story is also packed with plenty of unexpected twists. And then there are the mini-games! There’s a huge variety of them—our game designers worked incredibly hard on those. Plus, the music and art are wonderful. We believe it’s always obvious when a game has been made with love, and this one certainly was. We truly hope our players will feel that too. Build a cozy business, explore Mystmoor and learn to master your inner beast in Wolf With Inn , available now for PC via Steam.

Capcom cut an entire chapter from Resident Evil Requiem ahead of its release, as part of a "rigorous process of selection and elimination". Read more