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Friday news, part two:

Annapurna reveals Storyteller, a compact, clever puzzle game about telling tales
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/annapurna-reveals-storyteller-a-compact-clever-puzzle-game-about-telling-tales/
In 2013, Daniel Benmergui posted a video showcasing some alpha gameplay from his puzzle game project Storyteller. In 2018 he really committed to it, announcing a partnership with Annapurna Interactive that meant, among other things, that "we *have* to finish it." And now, in 2021, we're finally getting a look at how far it's come in a new trailer revealed today during Annapurna's online showcase.

Sci-fi exploration game Outer Wilds is getting a surprise expansion in September
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/sci-fi-exploration-game-outer-wilds-is-getting-a-surprise-expansion-in-september/
Released in 2019 by Mobius Digital and Annapurna Interactive, Outer Wilds is a game about exploring a solar system a few minutes before its sun goes supernova and wipes out everything—only to wake up and do it over and over again, thanks to a time loop that only you seem to be aware of. It's excellent—we gave it an 89% score in our review—and in September it will come back yet again with a surprise expansion called Echoes of the Eye.

Valve responds to antitrust lawsuit, defends Steam's 30% cut
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/valve-responds-to-antitrust-lawsuit-defends-steams-30-cut/
In April, Wolfire Games filed an antitrust lawsuit against Valve, alleging that it uses Steam's dominance of the PC game market to suppress competition and extract "an extraordinarily high cut" of sales made through its storefront. In a response filed earlier this week, Valve has asked that the lawsuit be dismissed outright, because it "fails to allege the most basic elements of an antitrust case."

Ubisoft CEO says 'important progress' has been made since 2020 harassment scandal
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-ceo-says-the-company-has-made-many-improvements-since-2020-harassment-scandal/
Yesterday, Ubisoft employees signed an open letter criticizing company management for failing to address widespread complaints of "systemic discrimination, harassment and bullying" at the company that were made public in 2020. (...)
Ubisoft said in a brief response that it has "deep respect for the engagement of our teams who are pushing for changes within our industry," and supports efforts to create a safer and more inclusive workplace for all employees. It didn't get into details about what's been done, or how it plans to effect further change in the future, but in a more in-depth message shared with employees today, CEO Yves Guillemot touched on some specifics.

Forza Motorsport 7 is being removed from sale only four years after release
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/forza-motorsport-7-is-being-removed-from-sale-only-four-years-after-release/
Forza Motorsport 7 is a very good racing game: "One of the most expansive, beautiful driving sims ever," we said in our 2017 review, marred only by a "regressive reward system" built around prize crates. Yet less than four years after it's release, Microsoft has declared that it has reached "End of Life status," and thus will be removed from sale on September 15.

Microsoft Flight Simulator patch improves performance but causes more crashes
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/microsoft-flight-simulator-patch-improves-performance-but-causes-more-crashes/
A major update came to Microsoft Flight Simulator this week, with improved performance as one of its main focuses. According to the release notes, it added "improved multi core support for CPU" as well as "better memory and GPU usage" and "faster loading times". In addition, "stutters have been significantly reduced". That all sounds like great stuff, but unfortunately the update has also been causing the game to crash to desktop for some players, even in the menu. That's not so great.

Try not to get guillotined in Ambition: A Minuet in Power this August
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/try-not-to-get-guillotined-in-ambition-a-minuet-in-power-this-august/
Back in late 2017 developers Joy Manufacturing co. ran a Kickstarter for Ambition: A Minuet in Power, a visual novel/dating sim about wining and dining your way through decadent Paris in the final days before it all comes down and the heads come off. It raised $61,503, just clearing its $60,000 goal, and has been in the works ever since. After a delay, it's now ready for an August release.

Ubisoft staff say they're waiting for 'real, fundamental change' at the company
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-staff-say-theyre-waiting-for-real-fundamental-change-at-the-company/
Ubisoft staff who signed an open letter have criticised CEO Yves Guillemot's response, saying the "majority of our demands were sidelined and few of our points seem to have been addressed."
>> This won't end well...

And these are the weekend deals at GOG and Steam:

+GOG

• The first one is the Weekly Sale with its classics up to 86% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210726_weekly_sale
• The Special Sale featuring Humble Games up to 75% off will also last until Monday: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210726_humble_sale
• The Midweek Sale and its up to 90% discounts will last another 22 hours: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210728_midweek_sale
• The Weekend Sale features games where you're the "bad guy" up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210730_weekend_sale
• And there are also two new releases:
  • No Longer Home arrives with a 20% discount until August 6: https://www.gog.com/game/no_longer_home
  • And Banners of Ruin launches with a 20% discount until August 12: https://www.gog.com/game/banners_of_ruin

+Steam

• The first weekend deal is Golf With Your Friends, free to try during the weekend and also 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/431240/Golf_With_Your_Friends/
• Publisher Snail Games USA puts its games up to 80% off until Monday: https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/SnailGamesUSA
• Next comes the World Nature Conservation Day Sale, with up to 90% discounts until August 2: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/WorldNatureConservationSale
• The Sonic 30th Anniversary Sale features up to 90% discounts until the 4th of August: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/Sonic30th
• Days Gone gets a 20% discount until August 5: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1259420/Days_Gone/
• Paint the Town Red will be 25% off until August 5: https://store.steampowered.com/app/337320/Paint_the_Town_Red/
• Banners of Ruin is getting a 20% discount until August 12: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1075740/Banners_of_Ruin/
• And of course, there's also the weeklong deals.

And we're done! Until next time, have a happy and gaming weekend.