Posted by: xSicKxBot - 07-15-2026, 08:59 AM - Forum: Lounge
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News - GDQ Cancels SNK Stream Over Saudi Arabia Ties
Games Done Quick is best known for its feel-good moments like a dog hitting a walk-off home run in a baseball video game while raising money for charity. However, this year's Summer Games Done Quick charity stream ran into controversy after GDQ announced a sponsored stream with SNK only to cancel it shortly thereafter due to players angered over the latter's ties to Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, July 12, SGDQ announced it was partnering with SNK to stream a sponsored speedrun of Metal Slug in support of the franchise's 30th anniversary.
Under three hours later, GDQ reversed course and announced the cancellation of the stream citing "concerns from our community regarding this partnership, specifically the company’s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and the human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government."
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News - The New PlayStation Black Ops Ports Feel Like The Bare Minimum
The first two Call of Duty: Black Ops games have launched on PS5 and PS4, but they're not exactly the remasters that fans were expecting. Both games feature a high price considering their age--$40 each--while their respective DLC packs are being sold as optional extras, an odd move considering how most remasters include that content to sweeten the deal. To make things worse, it looks like the technical presentation isn't much to write home about either, as the PlayStation ports feature barely any noticeable improvements at all.
According to Digital Foundry, Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 have been updated to run at 1080p on PS5 and PS4, and that's it. No option for a 4K resolution on PS5 or the opportunity to push the framerate to 120Hz, no improved shadows or lighting, and no quality-of-life updates like you'd find in modern Call of Duty games at all. In comparison, the original Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 games get the resolution bump for free on Xbox Series X|S through the console's backwards compatibility program, while PC gamers have been creating custom mods for years now.
As mentioned above, each remaster is being sold for $40, and their map packs cost $30 each. That's $70 per game, but it is worth mentioning that Activision is offering a discount to PlayStation Plus subscribers, dropping the price to $20 per game and $10 per map pack. Still, paying $60 per complete edition of a game is expensive, especially when they aren't that much of an improvement compared to the original titles.
"For a native PS5 title and a somewhat high-profile port, this is a deeply odd state of affairs. Even the game's obvious visual blemishes are preserved: shadow quality was necessarily poor back in the day, but why preserve that problem in the present day when so much more graphics horsepower is available?" Digital Foundry wrote.
Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 was recently revealed and will be out later this year. Unlike the 2024 and 2025 games, Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, Modern Warfare 4 will not be available on Game Pass at launch, and Activision is busy reminding players in ads for the game. Modern Warfare 4 will launch for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2 on October 23.
A large part of development has been dedicated to increasing gameplay variety while continuing to improve stability and overall performance. As we move closer to the first public playable build, every new feature also has to integrate cleanly with everything that already exists.
A new infected variant
One area we've been expanding is enemy variety. One of the newest additions is a new infected type internally inspired by a parasitic infection. Unlike the regular infected, these creatures are literally being consumed from the inside by aggressive parasites that have spread throughout their bodies.
The infection has progressed so far that parasites can often be seen emerging from the mouth and other wounds while the host is still alive.
Their most distinctive behavior happens when you shoot them or after death.
Instead of simply collapsing, the body ruptures, releasing dozens of living parasites into the surrounding area.
The death of the host therefore doesn't necessarily mean the encounter is over. In many situations it actually creates a new problem that forces the player to quickly reconsider positioning and movement.
Rather than simply introducing "another enemy", we're trying to create situations where different enemy types naturally change the rhythm of an encounter.
Expanding the arsenal
Combat has also received significant attention. While the original prototype already included the standard 9mm pistol and the 12-gauge shotgun, we've recently introduced several additional firearms, each designed with its own handling characteristics rather than simply dealing different amounts of damage.
The current arsenal now includes:
Suppressed 9mm pistol
.45 Colt handgun
AK-12 assault rifle
9mm burst-fire pistol
Each weapon is intended to encourage a slightly different approach.
Some reward precision and stealth, others offer raw stopping power at the cost of heavier recoil or reduced ammunition efficiency.
Our goal isn't simply to increase the number of weapons available, but to ensure that choosing one over another genuinely changes how certain encounters are approached.
The final encounter
Another major area of development is the game's final boss encounter.
Without revealing too much, we've spent considerable time prototyping what we hope will become one of the most memorable moments of the experience.
This isn't simply about creating a larger enemy.
Like the rest of the project, we're trying to build a confrontation that grows naturally out of the systems players have been learning throughout the game, rather than relying solely on spectacle.
We're working toward delivering a stable, polished and reliable playable build in the coming weeks.
Much of the work over the past month hasn't been immediately visible: optimization, bug fixing, balancing and countless small improvements that help the game run consistently across a wide range of hardware.
Those aren't always the most exciting updates to talk about, but they're essential if we want the first public build to represent the game in the way we intend.
As always, thank you for following the project and for all the feedback you've shared over the past months.
We look forward to letting everyone finally experience these systems firsthand very soon.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 07-14-2026, 12:15 AM - Forum: Lounge
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News - New Counter-Strike 2 Map Has Players Rescuing Dogs Instead Of Hostages, And T
A new, fan-made map for Valve's free shooter Counter-Strike 2 has a unique spin on the game's popular Hostage Rescue mode, having players instead rescue dogs in danger.
The "Shelter" map (via Dexerto) takes place in a fictionalized suburban animal shelter, as players race to stop "Phoenix Biotechnical" from kidnapping animals for medical trials.
As you can see in the walkthrough video below, Shelter is a large, impressively detailed map, featuring all manner of indoor and outdoor spaces. The attention to detail is notable, as you can see in the video that there are even "kennel cards" for the dogs in the facility that are only visible when scoping in. These are complete with descriptions like, "Very energetic and loves to run around."
It's also grim and sad to see the areas of the shelter with medical equipment where the kidnapped animals are tested on. In terms of gameplay, a video shows that players rescue the dogs and carry them on their shoulders to safety. If the mode is similar to regular Hostage Rescue, one team will try to rescue the dogs and the other team will try to stop them. I wouldn't want to play that side.
The new Shelter map comes not long after a story about dogs being rescued from a medical research facility garnered international headlines. More than 1,500 beagles were released from the Ridglan Farms facility in Wisconsin this year and have been put up for adoption, with many heartwarming stories of pups landing in good homes.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 07-13-2026, 07:46 AM - Forum: Lounge
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News - Your Loyalty To Sony Or Xbox Means Nothing, Analyst Says
In response to Sony announcing that it will stop producing physical game discs for PlayStation starting in 2028, a lot of people have had a lot of things to say. One of those voices is Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, who offered a refreshing, if not brutal, reminder that your loyalty and love of PlayStation--or any other game console or franchise--means nothing to the corporate overlords controlling them. It's all about money, and it always has been.
"You can love your preferred video game ecosystem, franchise, or whatever all you want. You can think your years of customer loyalty should/will be reciprocated. But these businesses don't love you back. Same with your job, fwiw. You're a number on a spreadsheet," he said.
Piscatella also pointed out that, with forecasts for the PS6 and Project Helix to cost $1,000 or more (if they are ever released), console manufacturers like Sony and Xbox will "prioritize profitability" where they can. The thinking is that, if Sony can't convince as many people to buy a very expensive console, it can make up some of the difference by cutting out discs to improve margins.
As reporter Jason Schreier breaks down in a great video, a company like Sony would take home about $45.50 from the sale of $70 game sold at retail on a disc. With digital games, Sony keeps the full $70. It's not hard to see why Sony is shifting to an all-digital future.
Third-party games will go all-digital on PlayStation in 2028 as well, and this will help those publishers make more money (by way of improved margins), and Sony will make lots more money as well through collecting its platform fees.
"Digital is just too lucrative"
Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games said Sony is not going to reverse its decision on killing off physical game discs because the money to be made in an all-digital world is too lucrative to ignore.
"I sympathize with physical media fans, but Sony will not reverse this decision," Toto told IGN. "They of course knew what the online reaction would look like, and they now wait for this storm to pass."
"Sony has over 120 million active PlayStation users," he added. "Around 50 million people subscribe to PlayStation Plus. As a thought experiment, let's say 500,000 cancel in protest, that would be just 1% of that business gone--of course not enough to Sony to start rethinking. Digital is just too lucrative."
The numbers
According to IGN's accounting, a first-party PlayStation game sold on a disc at retail would see Sony keeping about 65% of the sale price, with about 30% going to the retailer; the other 5% is for the manufacturing costs.
A third-party game sold on a disc at retail--say, a Call of Duty game from Activision--would provide Sony a licensing fee of about 15%.
For a digital game, a first-party game sold via the PlayStation Store would net Sony all of the revenue. For third-party games, Sony would collect its 30% cut as the platform owner. That works out to about $21 for a $70 game. When all games go digital in 2028, Sony stands to make significantly more money, as you can see.
What's next
For what it's worth, while Sony has confirmed plans to kill discs, Microsoft has not yet announced plans, but many are theorizing the next Xbox will be all-digital as well. After all, the numbers show that the share of digital game sales only continues to grow at Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and third-party publishers.
Posted by: Abendroth23 - 07-13-2026, 03:59 AM - Forum: Lounge
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Have you ever encountered a game that’s deceptively simple yet wildly addictive, pushing your reflexes and rhythm to their absolute limits? Welcome to the electrifying world of geometry dash. More than just a game, it's an experience in precision, perseverance, and the pure satisfaction of overcoming seemingly impossible challenges. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking for a new digital adventure, Geometry Dash offers a unique blend of platforming and rhythm that's surprisingly accessible but incredibly deep.
What is Geometry Dash? The Basics of a Rhythmic Gauntlet
At its core, Geometry Dash is a rhythm-based platformer where you control a small, geometric icon (typically a square) through a series of obstacle courses. The key? Everything moves to the beat of an accompanying song. Your job is to tap, hold, and release to make your icon jump, fly, flip gravity, and change forms, all while avoiding spikes, saws, and other hazards. There's no health bar, no second chances within a single attempt – one wrong move, and you're back to the beginning of the level. This "one-hit-kill" mechanic is what makes the game so challenging and, paradoxically, so compelling.
The game boasts a vibrant, neon-infused aesthetic with dynamic backgrounds that often sync to the music. Each official level, designed by the game's creator, RobTop, introduces new mechanics, enemies, and increasingly intricate layouts. Beyond these official levels, a monumental part of Geometry Dash's appeal lies in its robust level editor and an enormous community-driven online library. Players worldwide create and share their own levels, ranging from beginner-friendly introductions to mind-boggling "demon" levels that only the most dedicated players can conquer.
The Art of the Tap: Experiencing the Gameplay
Playing Geometry Dash is an exercise in muscle memory and pattern recognition. You don't just react to what's on screen; you learn to anticipate it. The music isn't merely background noise; it's your primary guide. Successful players often describe feeling the rhythm in their bones, instinctively knowing when to tap before the obstacle even fully appears.
You start with simple jump mechanics, but as you progress, your icon can transform. You'll pilot a small rocket ship, soaring through narrow corridors. You'll flip gravity in a unique "ship" form, navigating upside down. You'll control a fast-moving ball that flips between ground and ceiling with each tap, and even a spider that teleports between surfaces. Each form has its own unique controls and nuances, adding layers of complexity to the gameplay.
The official levels serve as excellent tutorials, gradually introducing these mechanics and increasing the difficulty. When you venture into the online levels, the possibilities are endless. Creators push the boundaries of what's possible, crafting levels that demand incredibly precise timing, intricate sequences of movements, and even clever use of "trick" obstacles that require you to react counter-intuitively.
Mastering the Beat: Tips for New Players
Embarking on your Geometry Dash journey can be daunting, but with a few pointers, you'll be conquering those challenging levels in no time:
Start Simple: Don't jump straight into "insane" or "demon" levels. Begin with the official levels in order, or look for user-created levels tagged as "easy" or "auto." Building a foundational understanding of the game's mechanics is crucial.
Practice Mode is Your Friend: This invaluable feature allows you to place checkpoints anywhere in a level. When you inevitably crash, you'll restart from your last checkpoint. Use Practice Mode liberally to break down difficult sections into smaller, manageable chunks. Focus on one tough jump or sequence until you can consistently nail it.
Learn the Music: The music isn't just for atmosphere; it's your metronome. Try to internalize the beat and timing of each level's song. Often, the visual cues align perfectly with the rhythm.
Don't Get Frustrated (Easier Said Than Done!): Geometry Dash is designed to be challenging. You will die hundreds, if not thousands, of times on a single level. See each death as a learning opportunity. What went wrong? How can you adjust your timing or movement next time? Persistence is key.
Watch Others Play: Head to YouTube or Twitch and watch experienced players. You can pick up strategies, discover hidden paths, and get inspired by their skill.
Experiment with Controls: While tapping is the primary input, some players prefer to use the spacebar or mouse click. Find what feels most comfortable and responsive for you.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Game
Geometry Dash is a testament to the power of simple mechanics combined with ingenious level design and a thriving community. It's a game that will test your patience, push your reflexes, and reward your perseverance with immense satisfaction. There’s a unique joy in finally passing a level that once seemed insurmountable, a feeling of accomplishment that few other games can replicate. So, if you're ready to embrace the rhythm, conquer the spikes, and become a master of precision, dive into Geometry Dash. You might just find your next obsession.
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News - New Fallout Game Is New Focus For New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment--the developer behind Grounded, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed--will reportedly shift strategies to work on a new Fallout game. That means that a planned Avowed sequel and other unannounced projects will get shelved in the process, according to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg adds that studio design director Josh Sawyer is set to lead this new Fallout project at Obsidian. Sawyer previously served as the director of Pentiment as well as Fallout: New Vegas. The report noted that Sawyer was in charge of another RPG at Obsidian with similarities to Fallout before being reassigned. Bethesda oversees the Fallout franchise and will be involved on this project.
