1. Epic Games Store has been offering free games weekly since 2018, a strategy that CEO Tim Sweeney calls 'magical'. 2. Sweeney noted that while some exclusivity deals were not profitable, the free game program has been highly effective, attracting new users at a lower cost than traditional advertising methods. 3. Developers often see increased sales of their paid games after offering a free title, prompting them to collaborate with Epic for timed releases of free games to boost awareness of upcoming titles.

1. Geoff Keighley has confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong will not be featured at the upcoming Gamescom Opening Night Live. 2. The game was previously announced as a day-one Game Pass addition with a planned release within a year, but no new timeline has been provided since. 3. Despite the absence of Silksong, the ONL showcase will still feature several highly anticipated games.

1. Valve has updated Steam's review system to prioritize helpful reviews for potential buyers. 2. The new system sorts reviews based on their usefulness rather than just the number of 'helpful' votes. 3. This change aims to assist potential players in making informed purchasing decisions by highlighting more informative reviews.

1. The Callisto Protocol and Gigantic: Rampage Edition will be available for free on the Epic Games Store from August 22nd to 29th. 2. The Callisto Protocol, released in late 2022, received mixed reviews with praise for its visuals but criticism for gameplay variety. 3. Despite its development challenges, the game is worth trying, especially given its free availability.

1. Square Enix, known for remaking Final Fantasy VII, appears to be teasing a potential Final Fantasy XIII remake. 2. The official Square Enix Twitter account responded to a user suggesting a remaster with a question about why a remake wasn't considered. 3. The decision to remake FFXIII is intriguing due to its modernity and the fact that it was originally a trilogy, raising questions about how its story would be adapted.

1. Valve has been continuously improving Steam with numerous quality of life enhancements throughout 2024. 2. A new 'Trending Free' tab has been added to the Steam Store to address issues caused by the implementation of game prologues. 3. This update helps to declutter the store front and makes it easier for players to discover games they are interested in.

1. Death’s Gambit: Afterlife, a 2D Souls-like metroidvania, is available for free on the Epic Games Store until August 22nd. 2. The game features 10 new levels, over 30 weapons, 5 new bosses, and mechanical overhauls. 3. With detailed pixel art and an intriguing aesthetic, the game offers a challenging experience with deep RPG elements.

1. AMD is reportedly adding a Ryzen 5 5500X3D to its 3D V-cache CPU lineup, revitalizing the AM4 platform. 2. The CPU was discovered in an EEC filing and is expected to have six cores, 3.0GHz base clock, 4.0GHz boost clock, and 96MB of L3 cache. 3. Pricing and availability details are yet to be announced.

1. Black Myth: Wukong, a visually demanding game, is set to launch this month with a standalone benchmark available on Steam. 2. The benchmark allows users to test their PC's performance with real-time in-game sequences. 3. Recommended hardware includes an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or 1st Gen Ryzen 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a GeForce GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 580 graphics card, with higher settings requiring more advanced hardware.

1. SEGA has removed the original 2011 version of Sonic Generations from the Xbox 360 store but will keep it available via bundles on Steam and Xbox. 2. Existing owners can still download and play the game, and mods on the Steam version will not be affected. 3. This semi-delisting approach is a compromise to preserve the game while preparing for the release of Sonic x Shadow Generations.

1. Disney is rumored to be getting a separate store in Fortnite, focusing on cosmetics from various IPs like Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar. 2. The store layout has leaked, indicating a dedicated space for Disney items. 3. This move follows recent announcements of more Disney characters joining Fortnite, suggesting a deepening partnership between Disney and Epic Games.

1. Epic Games has fully integrated the Fall Guys IP into Fortnite after acquiring Mediatonic. 2. The update includes new game modes and allows players to transform their skins into Fall Guys bean variants. 3. Epic Games aims to make Fortnite a hub for all its games and IPs.

1. Dead by Daylight is set to crossover with the classic video game series Castlevania, featuring Dracula and Trevor Belmont. 2. The crossover event is scheduled for August 27th. 3. This collaboration follows previous crossovers with characters like Lara Croft and Freddy Krueger.

1. DNF Duel, a 2.5D fighting game from Arc System Works, is available for free on the Epic Games Store until August 15th. 2. The game received positive reviews for its visuals and accessibility but faced criticism for balance issues. 3. Along with DNF Duel, players can also claim CYGNI: All Guns Blazing and an Apex Legends bundle for free this week.

1. The Callisto Protocol, a spiritual successor to the Dead Space series, was released earlier than planned due to pressure from higher-ups. 2. Glen Schofield, the creator, wanted an additional three and a half months for development but was forced to launch in December 2022. 3. The rushed development led to the removal of four bosses and two enemy types, contributing to the game's overall disappointment.

1. Epic Games is altering the exclusivity of Fortnite's Battle Passes by making earnable cosmetics available in the in-game store after 18 months. 2. This change allows continued investment in new Battle Pass rewards and enables players to access past content, including popular licensed character outfits. 3. Previously, Battle Pass exclusive items could not be obtained after the season's end, but now players can purchase them directly.

1. Humble’s Choice subscription for August includes games like SIFU, High on Life, and Gotham Knights. 2. Subscribers can pause and unpause their subscription at any time. 3. A portion of the subscription profits goes to charity, with this month's beneficiary being WWF.

1. Humble's Capcom Summer 2024 bundle offers a selection of games at discounted prices, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. 2. The bundle is available in four tiers, ranging from £3.90 to £23.44, each including different games from Capcom. 3. The bundle supports charities 'Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' and 'Breakthrough T1D'.

1. Meta has shut down the video game studio Ready at Dawn, which was acquired in 2020 for developing virtual reality games. 2. The studio, known for titles like The Order: 1886 and Lone Echo, had over two decades of experience. 3. Employees are encouraged to apply for positions within Oculus Studios, but the closure came as a surprise with little advance notice.

1. HBO's The Last of Us Season 2 teaser trailer released, hinting at a 2025 release; 2. The teaser features the phrase 'I saved her', resonating with fans of the original game; 3. The adaptation of The Last of Us Part II is expected to tackle its complex narrative and controversial themes.