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Everything That Happened in Gaming While You Were Busy

Fred
Fred · · 5 min read

Ever gotten so caught up in something new that you completely forget what you were supposed to be doing? Well, the makers of Phasmophobia just nailed it. But don’t worry, they promised us that Phasmophobia 1.0 won’t face any delays.

While they’re off exploring their side hustle, we’re here to catch you up on everything else. I’ve got to admit, I’m intrigued by what this means for the future of our ghost-hunting adventures. Let’s get started!

Phasmophobia 1.0 Won’t Be Delayed As Its Dev Gets Into Something Totally Different

Staying in the live-service world, Phasmophobia 1.0 is on track, and its developer Kinetic Games is diving into publishing without missing a beat. After six years of ghost-hunting shenanigans, Phasmophobia’s finally getting its 1.0 release later this year. While we’d expect a studio branching out to have a hiccup or two, Daniel Knight, CEO and game director, assures us that the game’s development is unaffected. They’ve expanded to 45 people, that’s a lot of ghost hunters, and even hired a publishing manager to keep things running smoothly. Asim Tanvir, Kinetic’s marketing guru, echoed that sentiment, saying the growth is a necessity, not just for kicks.

Now, the real question: what do we get in this shiny new version? Well, brace yourself for better character models, extra maps, and something called “Horror 2.0,” which sounds both intriguing and terrifying. Ghost events and hallucinations are getting a significant upgrade, perfect for making those late-night sessions even more unsettling. And, in a plot twist I didn’t see coming, there’s even a Phasmophobia movie in the works. While we wait for that and a possible Switch 2 port, we can appreciate how Knight and co. are trying to keep things fresh and immersive. Honestly, we’re just glad they’re not spreading themselves too thin. Cheers to more ghostly adventures on the horizon!

Read the full article on GameSpot

Elden Ring Switch 2 preview shows a port that’s actually pretty good

For the RPG fans, it looks like Elden Ring is ready to take the leap to the Switch 2, and surprisingly, it’s not going to be a train wreck. The Tarnished Edition was a bit of a red flag, but according to Polygon’s preview, the port is shaping up quite nicely. A solid performance on what we’re all assuming is a less powerful console is no small feat.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a bit of battle fatigue from ports that cut too many corners. We’re cautious after some previous disasters, but this one seems to be holding its own. From what Polygon shares, the frame rate is stable, and the graphics aren’t painfully downgraded, quite the win for Switch 2 owners. Does it mean we’ll all suddenly become portable Elden Lords? Probably not. But it’s a nice option for those who prefer their open-world adventures on the go or just need to sneak in a boss fight while riding the train.

Ultimately, seeing such a massive game on a portable console in decent shape is a testament to how far technology has come, or maybe just how desperate devs are to make things work. Either way, the games industry, summarized. Would you give it a spin on the new hardware?

Read the full article on Polygon

Nintendo Reveals The Secrets To Donkey Kong Bananza‘s Super Satisfying Destruction

Speaking of sequels, let’s look into Donkey Kong Bananza’s secret sauce for its oh-so-satisfying destruction. Nintendo’s lead developers have finally opened up about what makes shattering those voxels so darn addictive on the Switch 2. Turns out, their design philosophy was all about balance, giving us something that feels chaotic yet controlled. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill smash-and-dash. It’s like giving you the keys to a demolition derby, where every hit feels rewarding.

According to the devs, they meticulously crafted each voxel to break apart in a way that maximizes satisfaction. They even talked about implementing an algorithm that predicts how players try to wreak havoc and adjusts the physics for the most glorious breakdowns. It’s kind of like they figured out how we love to break stuff and made it even better. Kudos to Kotaku for getting the scoop on this one. It explains why we’ve been glued to our screens, destroying everything in sight, and loving every second of it.

In an era where so many games are competing for our limited time and attention, it’s refreshing to see Nintendo come through with something that feels both innovative and fundamentally fun. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best gaming experiences come from nailing the basics, and maybe breaking a few things along the way.

Read the full article on Kotaku

The next entry in the Harvest Moon series includes wild wolves and tigers that will make you lose your items

Staying in the live-service world, Natsume just announced their next entry in the Harvest Moon series: Echoes of Teradea. And folks, it’s got some unexpected elements. Think less cozy farming, more dodging wolves and tigers. These wild animals aren’t just for show; they can actually make you lose your items. Just when you thought Harvest Moon couldn’t get any wilder. Literally.

It’s coming to pretty much everything under the sun: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. Unfortunately, Natsume’s playing coy with the release date. So, we’re left with our imaginations and a bit of fog over Bloomfield Village for now.

It’s an interesting twist on the classic farming sim. Some might argue that adding survival elements could spice things up, while others might miss the simplicity of days spent calmly tending crops. Either way, it seems like Echoes of Teradea is taking Harvest Moon in a bold direction. As a community, we’ll have to see if this gambit pays off once we get our hands on it. No fluff, just the stuff that matters.

Read the full article on Eurogamer

Quick Hits

The modder behind the cancelled Star Wars: First Assault revival isn’t losing sleep over Disney’s legal team. They don’t think a few fan videos will get the Mouse’s attention. PC Gamer

Pokemon Pokopia is sprinting out of the gates, becoming one of the fastest-selling spin-offs in just days. Looks like trainers can’t get enough of catching ’em all. Again. GameSpot

Mina the Hollower is Yacht Club’s answer to 2D Zelda fans. The preview suggests it’s more than just nostalgia, it’s a love letter to retro gaming with some fresh twists. Polygon

Fortnite’s Save the World is going free-to-play, finally. If you missed the ride the first time, now’s your chance to jump in without dropping a dime. Destructoid

Phasmophobia 1.0 is staying on track, which is a relief considering the dev’s recent detour into unfamiliar territory. Let’s just hope they don’t get too distracted and turn the game into a cooking simulator. Whether you’re hunting ghosts or tackling your own gaming backlog, keep those controllers charged and spirits high. Got thoughts on the latest gaming gossip or just want to chat about your favorite games? Drop them in our Discord,.

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FAQ

Is Phasmophobia 1.0 still coming out this year despite Kinetic Games' new publishing venture?
Yes, Phasmophobia 1.0 is on track for release later this year with no delays. CEO Daniel Knight confirmed that the studio's expansion to 45 people and new publishing focus won't impact development.
What new features are coming in Phasmophobia 1.0?
The update will include better character models, extra maps, and 'Horror 2.0' which upgrades ghost events and hallucinations. There's also a Phasmophobia movie in the works and a possible Switch 2 port on the horizon.
How does Elden Ring run on the Switch 2 according to early previews?
According to Polygon's preview, the Elden Ring port performs surprisingly well with stable frame rates and graphics that aren't painfully downgraded, a solid result for a massive open-world game on portable hardware.
What makes Donkey Kong Bananza's destruction so satisfying?
Nintendo's developers designed each voxel to break apart with precision balance between chaos and control. They even implemented an algorithm that predicts how players try to wreak havoc and adjusts physics for maximum satisfaction.
What platforms will the new Harvest Moon game Echoes of Teradea be available on?
Echoes of Teradea is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam. However, Natsume hasn't announced a specific release date yet.

Written by

Fred
Fred LEVEL 1

Fred has been gaming since his dad brought home a recycled PC from work and installed Hugo's House of Horrors as a toddler. He continues to play games almost daily across PC, console and mobile and may have a slightly addictive personality.

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