Today's Gaming Pulse
Capcom rolls out free demo for blockbuster Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem, which has sold over 7 million copies, now offers a free demo across major platforms. Players can try early chapters on Steam, Epic, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2, though progress cannot be transferred to the full game.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Goldenpeak takes majority stake in Ampere Analysis
Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time Coming to Smartphones
Japanese developer Level-5 announced that its life‑sim RPG Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time will launch on iOS and Android this summer. The title, already available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, PS4 and PS5, will be optimized for touch controls and cloud‑save integration. The move expands the franchise’s reach to the 2.7 billion global smartphone user base. A new trailer highlights the game’s anime‑style visuals and streamlined UI for mobile.
Proton Experimental Brings Fixes for Classic Resident Evil 1 & 2, Dino Crisis 1 & 2 and More
Valve released the April 10 Proton Experimental update, a staging branch of its Windows‑to‑Linux compatibility layer. The build adds native launch support for classic titles such as Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2, eliminating the need...
Rust 2 Isn't in Development, Facepunch Boss Confirms After Suspicious Steam Page Sparks Speculation
Facepunch founder Garry Newman has publicly denied that a sequel, Rust 2, is in development after a mysterious Steam listing sparked speculation. The SteamDB team flagged the page as suspicious, warning users it could be malicious or an impersonation. Newman previously...
Xbox's Promised Shift May Be Marketing, Not Real Change
Will be important to distinguish marketing shifts from actual on the ground changes with Xbox. So far there's every indication this is the same post-platform future the company's been teasing, just with more buying from the community. https://t.co/ReCIHue4iz
SteamVR Beta Brings a Number of Fixes for Linux Gamers
Valve has released SteamVR Beta version 2.16.1, followed by 2.16.2, delivering a suite of fixes for Linux users. The updates address display shimmering, AMD memory leaks, VR streaming stability, and introduce timeline‑semaphore GPU synchronization. Linux‑specific improvements include preventing crashes, fixing...
New Arc Raiders Update Sees yet Another Duplication Glitch Bite the Dust
Embark Studios rolled out hotfix 1.23.1 for its extraction shooter Arc Raiders, targeting a long‑standing item duplication glitch. The fix follows community reports of hardware‑spoofing methods that let players clone top‑tier weapons and resources. Earlier this month, patch 1.23.0 addressed...
Recruitment Support Cap Reduced to 70: What Is the Real-World Impact?
The popular gacha mechanic known as Recruitment Support has reduced its hard pity cap from 80 to 70 pulls, and the probability boost now begins at pull 60 instead of 64. Under the new system, the SSR rate climbs to...
![[Event News] New Game Plus Returns Next Week with 100 Playable Games, Industry Talks, International Showcases, and Much More](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/908b5c2992486b23a509cbc6cb7d1283.webp)
[Event News] New Game Plus Returns Next Week with 100 Playable Games, Industry Talks, International Showcases, and Much More
London Games Festival’s New Game Plus returns on April 16‑17 at Exhibition White City, offering a two‑day public showcase. The event will host 100 new playable games, featuring titles from the LGF Official Selection and international partners such as BitSummit...
Phantom Blade Zero Isn't Using AI: "Human Artistry Is the Value Itself"
Phantom Blade Zero, an action‑RPG slated for September 9, 2026, is being developed entirely by human artists despite industry push toward generative AI. S‑Game’s CEO Soulframe reiterated that every visual, map and motion‑capture asset is handcrafted, even the game’s Chinese‑brush maps created...
Exoria Codes April 2026
Roblox’s Blue Exorcist‑themed game Exoria has released ten new promotional codes, each granting five free rolls that unlock premium abilities. The codes—such as NEWMILESTONE and LUCKOVERDRIVE—are part of developer HADEZ_STUDIO’s strategy to reward active players and celebrate recent updates. Redemption...
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Could Be Making Its Way to Nintendo Switch 2
A rating entry filed by Taiwan’s Digital Game Rating Committee suggests a native Nintendo Switch 2 version of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is in development. The action‑adventure title, originally released by Square Enix and Eidos Montreal in 2021, only appeared on...
![[Industry News] Enter Evolvania: A Twisted, Evolution-Driven Metroidvania Coming to PC via Steam](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/ev.png)
[Industry News] Enter Evolvania: A Twisted, Evolution-Driven Metroidvania Coming to PC via Steam
Indie publisher IV Productions and solo developer Elan Manuguerra have launched a Steam demo for Evolvania, a 2D metroidvania set inside a dying organic creature. The game blends classic exploration with an evolution mechanic that lets players fuse over 100...
Bazzite Linux Gets some Major Upgrades for the April 2026 Update
Bazzite Linux, the Fedora‑based gaming distro for handhelds, announced its April 2026 update. The release ships with the 6.19.10 OGC kernel, Mesa 26.0.4, and a suite of security features such as SBOM‑powered changelogs, build attestation, and signed ISOs. Image sizes shrink by...
Crimson Desert Is Fixing Its Biggest Long-Term Problem, and That's Just the Start of a Packed New Roadmap
Pearl Abyss unveiled a two‑month roadmap for Crimson Desert, with all items slated for release by June. The headline fix re‑populates the open world with hostile remnants and adds boss rematches to counter late‑game emptiness. New difficulty tiers (easy, normal,...
Overwatch Sierra Abilities Guide
Blizzard unveiled Sierra, the newest DPS Recon hero, in the Summit Breach trailer ahead of Overwatch Season 2’s April 14 launch. She wields a helix‑pattern plasma rifle and a versatile bird‑like drone that provides grappling, tracking and bomb‑dropping capabilities. The trailer detailed...
![[Industry News] Eyebolls Unveils Magic: The Gathering’s New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Launch Trailer](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/Eyebolls_MTG_TMNT_001.jpg)
[Industry News] Eyebolls Unveils Magic: The Gathering’s New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Launch Trailer
Eyebolls announced a new live‑action and hand‑drawn animation trailer that places the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inside the Magic: The Gathering universe, created in partnership with Wizards of the Coast. The 30‑second spot, directed by Phil Hawkins with animation direction...
Machine Party Is Buckshot Roulette’s More Violent Co-Op Successor
Machine Party, the latest title from the creators of Buckshot Roulette, was unveiled at the Triple‑i Initiative 2026 showcase. The game expands the brutal co‑op formula with 2‑4 player "illegal" party mini‑games that punish losers with shotgun blasts and other...
Zynga and Gearbox Soft‑Launch Borderlands Mobile Shooter on iOS
Zynga has soft‑launched a free‑to‑play Borderlands mobile shooter on iOS in the United States, with Gearbox providing creative guidance. The limited‑time test aims to gauge player response before a wider rollout, highlighting the growing trend of bringing core console franchises...
The Game Bakers Launches Free "On the Trail" DLC for Cairn, Adding Water Soloing and New Character
The Game Bakers unveiled a series of free DLC titled "On the Trail" for its climbing simulation Cairn, beginning with the Deep Water pack this summer. The update adds three new rock faces, water‑soloing mechanics and a playable Marco, expanding...
GameRant Daily Crossword Mini (April 11, 2026)
GameRant has launched a Daily Crossword Mini, a bite‑sized video‑game trivia crossword that updates each day. The new puzzle joins a growing suite of interactive challenges, including silhouette quizzes, emoji riddles, and release‑date ordering games. Designed for quick play on...
From Halo to Hidden Gems: Keith David’s Full Gameography Explained
Keith David, renowned for his deep, resonant voice, has built a two‑decade legacy in video games, beginning with Decker in the original Fallout. His most iconic performances include the Arbiter (Thel ‘Vadam) in Halo 2, 3 and 5, mentor Captain Anderson in the first Mass...
Crimson Desert Dev Details List Of New Features Coming To Its Massive Xbox RPG
Pearl Abyss announced a slate of post‑launch updates for the Xbox‑only RPG Crimson Desert. The roadmap includes boss rematch modes, difficulty sliders, new character skills, expanded storage systems, UI and control refinements, and a free soundtrack DLC. While dates remain...
Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless Earbuds Review: Open Gaming Buds?
Asus’s ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds aim at mobile gamers with a low‑latency USB‑C dongle that supports PC, consoles and smartphones. The open‑ear design delivers clear, punchy game audio while keeping the wearer aware of surrounding sounds, though it falls...
Konami Hits 1bn Downloads of eFootball Game, Launches Suite of New Features
Konami announced that its eFootball title has surpassed one billion cumulative downloads worldwide, marking a major milestone for the free‑to‑play football franchise. To leverage the achievement, the company introduced a limited‑time Master League Sprint mode, daily login incentives and a manga...
BLAST Announce Open Singapore for March 2027
BLAST announced that Season 1 of the BLAST Open 2027 will take place in Singapore in March, coinciding with a PGL event. The tournament will feature a $400,000 acceptance pool, equating to $25,000 per team. BLAST also revealed a revamped 2027...
Google Removes Doki Doki Literature Club From Play Store
Google removed the popular visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) from its Play Store on April 8, citing violations of its terms of service related to the game’s depiction of sensitive themes. The indie title, originally launched on PC in...
"There Is a New Narrative From Haters," Off the Grid Studio Boss Says of Accusations Gunzilla Haven't Paid Workers on...
Gunzilla Games’ CEO Vlad Korolev used a lengthy tweet to rebut former staff claims that the studio delayed contractor payments for months, insisting full‑time employees have never waited more than a week. He framed the criticism as a “new narrative from...
Gunzilla Called Out, Netflix's Surprise App Store Surge, and Indie Publishers Rise up - Patch Notes #47
The week’s game‑industry roundup highlighted several positive developments amid otherwise low expectations. Netflix rolled out Playground, a child‑focused, ad‑free gaming app, and its Game Controller app briefly topped the U.S. iOS free‑app chart. Indie studios Black Tabby Games and Landfall...
![Zweih: "There Is No Excuse in This Result. We Should Win This Tournament 10/10 [Times]"](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/58820f0b70b3ad7b04737dd7f39fc5bd.webp)
Zweih: "There Is No Excuse in This Result. We Should Win This Tournament 10/10 [Times]"
PARIVISION’s promising run at PGL Bucharest unraveled when a 9‑3 lead collapsed to a 9‑13 loss against The MongolZ on Ancient. After edging Wildcard in the group stage, coach Dastan “dastan” Akbayev publicly berated his roster, sparking tension. Player Ivan “zweih” Gogin dismissed...
The First Berserker: Khazan Studio Neople Announces Restructure of Dev Teams
Neople, a Nexon subsidiary, announced a reorganization of its development teams as The First Berserker: Khazan moves into its final phase. The company emphasized that the shift is a strategic reallocation of talent, not a layoff, and will support live‑service...
If You Loved Balatro, Don't Miss Your Chance to Get This Indie Deck Builder at Under $3
Fanatical’s Platinum Collection now features the indie deck‑builder *This Ain't Even Poker, Ya Joker*, priced under $3 (≈£3). The game mixes chaotic deck‑building with rogue‑like upgrades, letting players battle a sinister Jester and craft reality‑warping combos. Fans of Balatro will...
![[Event News] Indie Showcase Submissions Open](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/Develop-2025-Day-1-AM-2121_BRB5905.jpg)
[Event News] Indie Showcase Submissions Open
Develop: Brighton has opened submissions for its Indie Showcase, a competition that gives independent game studios a chance to present their latest titles to a large UK audience. Up to ten finalists will be selected by industry experts and will...
![[Industry News] GAMED Is the First Unified Identity and Monetization Layer for Gamers](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-04-10-091441.jpg)
[Industry News] GAMED Is the First Unified Identity and Monetization Layer for Gamers
GAMED, powered by Dizzaract, launched a unified identity and monetization platform for gamers, consolidating data from multiple gaming ecosystems into a single dashboard. The service follows a Telegram MVP that attracted over 900,000 users and tracked roughly $15 million in in‑game...
![[Guest Post] Chris Rowe: Co-Dev Without the Culture Clash](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/Chris-Rowe-portrait-Copy.png)
[Guest Post] Chris Rowe: Co-Dev Without the Culture Clash
Chris Rowe argues that AAA studios can avoid costly culture clashes by keeping a small, high‑performing core team and scaling through phased co‑development rather than bulk hiring. He recommends building a solid prototype over 6‑12 months, then adding external specialists...
Esports Has Changed, but Sexist Situations Won’t Go Away
Recent accounts from League of Legends players Ève “Colomblbl” Monvoisin and Maya “Caltys” Henckel reveal they were turned down for team spots solely because they are women. Their stories sparked a wave of community backlash, highlighting that gender‑based exclusion remains...
VCT 2026 Americas Stage 1: Schedule, Results, Teams, Format, More
The VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) 2026 Americas Stage 1 launches on April 10 and runs through May 25, featuring 12 partnered teams in a two‑phase league split. A single round‑robin group stage (April 10‑May 11) determines the top four from each group, who advance to...
"I’ve Died More Times than I Can Count": This Side-Scrolling Roguelike Is an ID@Xbox Triumph. Say Hi to 'Absolum,' Your...
Indie studio Guard Crush Games and Supamonks released "Absolum", a roguelite beat‑'em‑up now on Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass. The title launched on March 25 2026 for Xbox after an earlier PC/PlayStation release, priced at $24.99. Players choose from four heroes, each...
Esports: An Arena Where Every Dollar Is Spent Effectively
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 transformed gaming from a niche hobby into a core marketing platform, drawing over 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and a $70 million prize pool across 24 games. The seven‑week tournament attracted more than 3 million on‑site visitors...
The Android Tablet That Runs Steam Games : Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5
Lenovo’s Legion Tab Gen 5 brings a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and up to 24 GB of RAM to the Android tablet market, delivering performance that rivals many ultrabooks. The device ships with a desktop mode that mimics a PC interface, offering multi‑window support,...
Sentinels Sign Victor as Stand-In for Jerrwin in VCT Americas Stage 1
Sentinels announced on April 10 that former OpTic star Victor “Victor” Wong will serve as a stand‑in for Gurjiwan “Jerrwin” Gill during VCT Americas Stage 1. The move comes without public explanation for Jerrwin’s absence, but gives Sentinels a world‑champion‑level player for the...
TAMASHIKA Runs and Guns for Switch Today
Publisher EDGLRD and developer quicktequila announced the Nintendo Switch debut of TAMASHIKA, a psychedelic first‑person shooter. Players assume the role of a rogue spirit armed only with a semi‑auto pistol and a tantō blade, navigating a procedurally generated labyrinth that...
Ninjora Echoes Cuts a Path to Switch Today
Ratalaika Games and BUG‑Studio released the 2D platformer Ninjora Echoes on Nintendo Switch today at a $6 price point. Players control ninja Hiko and his shadow clones to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and retrieve the stolen Stone of Life. The...
LoL Patch 26.8 Preview: Mel Gets a Nerf, Viego Changes Not Happening
Patch 26.8 for League of Legends zeroes in on Mel, delivering a notable nerf to her Q damage, longer W cooldown and a halved reflect window after her recent mini‑rework failed to curb her ban rate. The update also adds...
Queen Stoneback Crab Guide in Crimson Desert
Hardcore Gamer outlines how to defeat the optional Queen Stoneback Crab boss in Crimson Desert. The creature spawns at Queen’s Lake in the eastern map, triggered by a quest from the NPC Diederik. Players must first climb onto the crab’s...
Amazon Gives a Peek at Next Couple of Months Worth of Updates in Lost Ark
Amazon Games unveiled a three‑month roadmap for Lost Ark, introducing a massive April update that adds the Serca raid, Chaos Rift, Howl’s Hourglass weekly mode, and rotating Guardians raids. May’s schedule is light, featuring a delayed North American Christmas event but...
SentiPulse Open‑Sources SentiAvatar, Real‑Time 3D Digital Human Framework
SentiPulse, together with the Gaoling School of Artificial Intelligence at Renmin University, has released SentiAvatar as an open‑source framework for building expressive 3D digital humans. The package includes the SUSU avatar, a 21,000‑clip, 37‑hour motion dataset and a motion foundation...
Pokémon Champions Launch Hits Snag as Transfer Bug Traps Pokémon in Home
The global launch of Pokémon Champions this week introduced a major bug that prevents many Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Home from completing the move, leaving them stuck in limbo. Players report error messages and loss of hours spent preparing teams,...
Pokémon Champions 'Warm-Up Challenge" Competition Now Live
The Pokémon Company has launched the Pokémon Champions “Warm‑Up Challenge,” an online competition open to players worldwide. Registration runs until 13 April 2026 01:59 UTC, with battles taking place from 10 April 02:00 UTC through 13 April 01:59 UTC. The event uses a Double Battle format under Regulation M‑A, allowing up...
Annulus Redeem Codes and How to Use Them (April 2026)
Annulus, NirvanaGame’s dark‑fantasy tactical RPG, lets players command mercenary regiments on the continent of Novisess. As of the April 10 2026 check, the game has no active redeem codes, and no in‑game redemption portal exists. The developer typically releases codes via social...
Closed PC Alpha Test Registration Now Open for Honor of Kings: World
Tencent Games and TiMi Studio Group have opened registration for an overseas closed PC alpha test of Honor of Kings: World, the upcoming multiplayer action RPG derived from the wildly popular Honor of Kings MOBA. The test will run in...