Today's Gaming Pulse
Valve hikes Steam Deck OLED prices amid component cost surge
Valve announced a price increase for its Steam Deck OLED handheld, pushing the 512 GB model to $789 and the 1 TB version to $949. The company cited rising memory and storage component costs and broader supply‑chain challenges as the reason for the hike.
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By the numbers: Goldenpeak invests majority stake in Ampere Analysis
How to Get an Use a Water Pump in ARC Raiders
The Water Pump, a rare item in ARC Raiders, has become more valuable after the Shrouded Sky update. While it has no direct combat use, it’s required to finish the Unexpected Initiatives quest and the Weather Monitor System project’s fourth stage. Players can find it across all five maps, with higher drop rates in Mechanical and Industrial zones, especially on Dam Battlegrounds and Spaceport. Recycled, the pump yields valuable materials, making it a sought‑after resource.
Marvel: Maximum Collection Revealed, Featuring 13 Classic Games
Limited Run Games announced the Marvel: Maximum Collection, a retro compilation featuring 13 classic Marvel video games from the 8‑bit and 16‑bit eras. Six titles, including X‑Men: The Arcade Game and Silver Surfer, are confirmed, with the remaining seven to...
Throne and Liberty Opens Double Archboss Spawn Event, Makes Big Tower of Greed Changes and Battleground Tweaks
Throne and Liberty’s latest patch introduces a double Archboss spawn event running through March 12, expands Battleground map features, and launches a PvP creator roundtable. The update also delivers the first major overhaul of the Tower of Greed, resetting the season...
How To Fix The Troll Under The Bridge Glitch In High On Life 2
The Gamer details how to locate the "Troll Under The Bridge" side activity in High On Life 2 and warns that the encounter frequently freezes the game. The quest becomes available after unlocking the Circuit Arcadia map and approaching the southwestern...
3 Pokémon Games that Were Ahead of Their Time
The article spotlights three overlooked Pokémon spin‑offs—Pokémon Ranch, Pokémon Duel, and Pokémon Magikarp Jump—each introducing mechanics that predated broader industry trends. Ranch (2008) offered a pet‑sim experience on the Wii, essentially a precursor to Pokémon Home’s creature storage. Duel (2016) translated a tabletop...
How to Get Clay in Windrose Demo
Windrose, a pirate‑era survival crafting title, offers a free demo that introduces players to its island world and resource‑gathering loops. One of the hardest materials to locate is Clay, which appears only in a few coastal‑jungle spots. The demo guarantees...
It's a Big Week for Fans of Arcade Racing Games on PS5
Genki’s Tokyo Xtreme Racer has arrived on PS5, delivering its final PC version as a next‑gen arcade racer. The classic 1995 title Rave Racer debuts on PS5 tomorrow via Hamster’s Arcade Archives, bringing split‑screen multiplayer and new modes. Both games...
Hellguard Is an Upcoming Dark Action MMORPG for Mobile with Co-Op Raids
UAE‑based Black Anvil Studio announced Hellguard: Dark Action MMORPG, a mobile‑first dark fantasy title after five years of development. The game drops players into a grim, medieval world where ancient seals fail and hostile spirits emerge. It features multiple heroes,...
GameSquare Named Title Sponsor of EsportsNext 2026
GameSquare (NASDAQ: GAME) has been announced as the title sponsor of EsportsNext 2026, the premier esports trade conference scheduled for April 29‑30 in Fort Worth, Texas. The two‑day event will convene senior executives, investors, and brand leaders to discuss industry trends...
Guilty Gear Strive 2.00 Still on Schedule Despite Months of Silence
Arc System Works confirmed that Guilty Gear Strive’s version 2.00 update remains on track for a 2026 release, despite months of radio silence. Producer Ken Miyauchi reassured the community via social media, noting that development is proceeding as scheduled. The upcoming patch follows...
Deadswitch Combat: Free-to-Play 2D Shooter on Steam
Deadswitch Combat, a free‑to‑play 2D multiplayer shooter from Wilkin Games, entered Steam Early Access in September 2025 and quickly earned a Very Positive rating. Built on Phaser 3, the title offers fast‑paced combat across multiple modes, including ranked matches, clans, and...
Medieval RPG Valorborn Launches in Early Access on April 15
Indie studio Laps Games announced that its medieval sandbox RPG Valorborn will enter Steam Early Access on April 15. The initial build delivers a microcosm of the planned open world, featuring autonomous NPCs, factions, and fully explorable towns. Laps intends...
Stardew Valley 1.7 Marriage Candidates to Be Revealed Tomorrow, and Fans Think They Know Who They’re Proposing to Next
ConcernedApe will unveil two new marriage candidates for Stardew Valley in the 1.7 update during the game’s 10‑year anniversary video tomorrow. The reveal will raise the total number of eligible partners to 14, adding fresh romance content for long‑time players....
ESL Announce Opening Matchups for Pro League Season 23 Stage 1
ESL announced the opening matchups for Pro League Season 23 Stage 1, a five‑day online event running March 1‑5 using a Swiss format. Top seed Parivision will face bottom‑ranked SemperFi, while headline games include Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Legacy, Liquid vs Passion UA, and...
How Stepping Away From Esports Helped SoaR Gaming Outlast the Competition
SoaR Gaming, founded in 2011 as a Call of Duty trick‑shot collective, grew into a multi‑title esports organization before being acquired in 2019. After the purchase, the new ownership divested all competitive rosters, exiting esports entirely. The company redirected resources...
Post-Apocalyptic Action MMORPG Project DNA Gets First Gameplay Trailer and Details
Supervoid’s upcoming post‑apocalyptic action MMORPG Project DNA unveiled its first gameplay trailer, showcasing fast‑paced combat, massive bosses, and a bleak 2046 Earth setting. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes precision dodging and strategic skill use. The narrative centers on...
How Recent Laws Impact Game Design, From In-Game Chat to Notifications
2026 marks a turning point as a wave of regulations—DMCCA, the EU Digital Services Act, the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, the AI Act and others—target core game mechanics. Dark‑pattern practices, UI prompts, loot‑box disclosures, virtual‑currency pricing and player‑generated communication are...
Resident Evil 9 Perfectly Balances Horror and Action
I've played half of Resident Evil 9 and my time with it is easy to describe: incredible. (Or, how I just put it on a Remap Radio recording, fucking awesome) A truly inspired blend of horror and action, perhaps the...
Asha Sharma Returns as Xbox CEO, Second Microsoft Stint
Fun fact: Asha Sharma's appointment as CEO of Xbox is her second time working on Microsoft's gaming brand A Microsoft rep confirmed to me that she did some Xbox work back during her initial 2011-2013 Microsoft stint but didn't specify what...
All Marathon Server Slam Twitch Drops and How to Get Them
Bungie is using a Server Slam weekend to preview its upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, scheduled for full launch on March 5, 2026. From February 26 to March 2, viewers who watch Marathon streams on Twitch can earn a tiered set...
Moonlake's World Model Enables Rich Gaming Interactions
Very different than other world models I have seen. Much more focused on gaming. Will have a video up later to dive into this.
Chess.com Global Championship Renamed to Chess.com Open
Chess.com has rebranded its Global Championship as the Chess.com Open, positioning it as the largest open chess tournament of 2026. The event runs from March 14 to April 26, featuring a $250,000 prize pool and three direct berths to the...
Embers Adrift Adds Dynamic Weather System to Add Rain and Snow Across Biomes
Stormhaven Studios rolled out a dynamic weather system for Embers Adrift, adding rain and snow that react to each biome's temperature, humidity, and precipitation probability. The server‑client calculation triggers precipitation, while new footstep audio layers realism for wet and snowy...
Mortal Kombat II Poster Reveals IMAX Summer Release
WB really told their marketing team to FINISH HIM and so they did deliver an epic poster of #MortalKombat2, ahead of its trailer debut this weekend, confirming that it has #IMAX locked for its debut. #MortalKombatII debuts this SUMMER on MAY...
Jigglypuff | Pokémon Guide
Pocket Tactics’ Jigglypuff guide details the pink Normal/Fairy Pokémon’s evolution, base stats, type match‑ups, and comprehensive move lists across every main series game. It outlines where to catch Jigglypuff from Generation 1 through Generation 9, noting its unique Moon Stone evolution into...
ESL Pro League Season 23 Preview: Teams, Format, Schedule and More
ESL Pro League Season 23 runs March 1‑15, 2026, featuring 24 Counter‑Strike 2 teams in online Swiss stages followed by LAN playoffs in Stockholm’s Annexet. The tournament offers a $275,000 prize pool, with the champion earning $100,000 and a spot...
“The Price Is Ridiculous”: CS2 Fans Slam PGL Singapore Major Ticket Prices
Tickets for the PGL Major Singapore 2026, scheduled Dec 10‑13 at Singapore Indoor Stadium, were released on Feb 25 and have drawn sharp criticism for steep pricing. Single‑day tickets start at $144 and rise to $369 for the final day,...
Helika and Avalanche Bring Accelerator Demo Day to San Francisco Featuring Top Studios and a First Look at Helika’s Publishing...
Helika and Avalanche are co‑hosting a joint Accelerator Demo Day at Pocket Gamer Connects in San Francisco on March 9, 2026, concluding a 12‑week program that equips game studios with funding, mentorship, and Helika’s data‑driven publishing support. The event will debut Helika’s AI‑powered...
Requiem's Excellence Makes RE2 Remake a Mandatory Play
REVIEW: I liked Resident Evil Requiem so much that I took a break while on review deadline to play RE2 Remake through for the first time... a game I'd say is mandatory for this one See, Requiem is an excellent Resident...
Garden Horizons Gear and Tools Guide
Garden Horizons, a Roblox farming title, features six distinct gear items that boost planting and harvesting efficiency. The gear spans Common to Legendary tiers, priced between $5,000 and $100,000 in-game currency. Players obtain gear exclusively from Molly's Gear Shop, which...
Ponchorado Is a Satirical Wild West Survival-Action Game in a 1930s Cartoon Style, Out Now
Ponchorado, an indie title from Seal Games, is now available on Android. The game blends satirical Wild West survival‑action with roguelite mechanics, all rendered in a 1930s cartoon style. Players control Poncho, a forgotten stuntman stranded on an unfinished western...
Can I Play ARC Raiders on Steam Deck?
Embark Studios' extraction shooter ARC Raiders is now officially Steam Deck verified, allowing handheld play alongside its PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC releases. Early builds strained portable hardware, but recent Server Slam optimizations have lifted performance to a playable...
Put some FEAR in Your STALKER 2 with the Debris-Flinging CinematicFX Mod
The CinematicFX mod for STALKER 2 injects dramatic dust, smoke, and debris whenever bullets strike surfaces, turning previously muted impacts into visually striking events. Developed by Cazanu and available on Nexus Mods, the mod tailors particle effects to the material hit,...
Four Years After the Last One, Baldur's Gate 1 and 2's Enhanced Editions Have a New Patch Out in Steam...
Beamdog has released patch 2.7 for the Enhanced Editions of Baldur’s Gate 1, Baldur’s Gate 2, Icewind Dale and Siege of Dragonspear, currently available in the Steam beta and slated for GOG later. The update, the first since 2021, adds native Apple...
PlayStation-Owned Marathon Will Have Free Exclusive Xbox Items
Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon, owned by PlayStation, launches on March 5, 2026 for all platforms. Xbox Series X|S owners will automatically receive two exclusive Emerald‑themed weapon charms at launch. A free Server Slam demo runs from February 26 to...
Here's What's Included In The Xbox February 2026 Update
Microsoft’s February 2026 Xbox update rolls out 1440p, high‑bitrate cloud streaming for Game Pass Ultimate members on Series X|S, One X and One S consoles, expanding the service beyond PC and TV devices. The Xbox PC app receives subtle navigation sounds that enhance controller‑based...
Kimimaro’s the Next Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker DLC Character
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker will add Kimimaro as its 47th DLC character, launching on February 27, 2026. The new hero brings bone‑themed Ninjutsu—Larch Dance, Clematis Dance, and the AOE Bracken Dance—along with a dedicated Bone: Dance tool. Kimimaro’s arrival...
Exclusive: Dungeons & Dragons Online Retrospective: Looking Back On 20 Years Of DDO
Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) marks its 20th anniversary, having evolved from a problematic 2006 launch into a resilient free‑to‑play MMO. The game shifted to a free‑to‑play model, briefly becoming the second‑most played Western MMO behind World of Warcraft, and...
WoW The War Within: Karesh Zone Brings Fresh Air to the Expansion
The new K’aresh zone revitalizes *The War Within* by swapping cramped tunnels for vertical, floating islands that demand true aerial navigation. While the Phase Diving mechanic initially hampers movement, the Reshii Wraps artifact later eases traversal. Narrative-wise, the zone finally...
Clint Hocking, Creative Director of the Next Assassin's Creed, Leaves Ubisoft Following Restructure
Sensor Tower’s State of Gaming 2026 report shows mobile game revenue barely budged, rising just 1% to $82 billion while downloads slipped. In contrast, PC and console revenue jumped 13%, driven by a surge in AA and AAA releases and a record‑breaking...
Popular Japanese RPG Sky Dragon: Guild Battles Launches Globally with Its 10v10 Battles
Japanese RPG Sky Dragon: Guild Battles has launched globally via ALPSE on Google Play. The mobile title features 10v10 guild battles and 10‑player raids, emphasizing monster recruitment and avatar customization. New players receive up to 430 free summons and various...
Geekay Esports Joins Rainbow Six Siege Partner Program for Europe and MENA
Geekay Esports, the Saudi Arabian powerhouse, has been added to Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege partner program for both Europe and MENA leagues. The partnership grants the team revenue‑sharing rights, branded in‑game items, and a formal seat at Ubisoft’s strategic table....
Jeff Grubb Says PlayStation Studios Got Gran Turismo 7 Running on Nintendo Switch 2
Video game journalist Jeff Grubb revealed on the Game Mess Decides podcast that Sony’s PlayStation Studios managed to get Gran Turismo 7 running on a Nintendo Switch 2 prototype. The demonstration shows the flagship racing title can boot on the upcoming...
Donald Trump’s Tariffs Affect AmiAmi, Aitai Kuji, and Hobby-Genki
U.S. courts have struck down President Donald Trump’s 2025 tariff authority, prompting a revised global tariff of 10%. The ruling has forced Japanese hobby retailers AmiAmi, Aitai Kuji, and Hobby‑Genki to hold or delay shipments to the United States. Both...
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Offers Replayability on Switch
Knights Peak announced a new patch for Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree that introduces infinite replayability on Nintendo Switch. The update also brings quality‑of‑life tweaks, UI refinements, and graphical enhancements. The game is available worldwide in Standard and Deluxe...
Rainbow Six Mobile Is Here, but Don't Expect Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake Operator Anytime Soon
Ubisoft announced Operation Silent Hunt for Rainbow Six Siege, debuting a Solid Snake attacker skin priced at 25 K Renown or 600 R6 Credits and voiced by David Hayter. The expansion, revealed at Six Invitational, celebrates Metal Gear Solid with additional skins...
Unstoppable Domains and SuperVerse Launch On-Chain Domain .super
Unstoppable Domains and SuperVerse have launched the .super on‑chain domain, designed for the SuperVerse gaming ecosystem. The .super name serves as a unified digital identity across games, marketplaces, creators, and community initiatives, replacing wallet addresses with human‑readable names. Each domain...
Ed Fries: New Xbox Leaders Mirror Original Management
Ed Fries weighs in on the new Xbox changes, saying Asha Sharma and Matt Booty are not so different from the original leadership. Exclusive. https://t.co/muo6ftTR4C
Blood-Drunk Shooter Ultrakill Is Back with a Whole Hellworld Full of Lies, Portals and Non-Euclidean Spaces
Ultrakill's long‑awaited Fraud update introduces the eighth layer of Hell, a non‑Euclidean environment filled with deceptive portals and illusionary design. The patch, delayed months due to the technical difficulty of rendering portal physics and enemy behavior, finally arrived with a...
Arc Raiders Rocketeer Crafting and Wolfpack Features Explained
Arc Raiders has re‑engineered the Rocketeer enemy, turning its wreckage into the coveted "Rocketeer Driver" needed for high‑tier gear. The new Wolfpack munition system ties these drivers to aerial drops, creating a tightly coupled resource loop. Early player feedback indicates...