Carzy Zarx’s PC Gaming Emporium - Catch Up on All the Latest PC Gaming Related News

[JEMC]

Tuesday news, part two (the first two articles are from the weekend, that I somehow missed):

Indie developer Rob Hale has died, posthumously making their games free to enjoy
https://www.pcgamer.com/indie-developer-rob-hale-has-died-posthumously-making-their-games-free-to-enjoy/
Indie game developer Rob Hale, also known as Squid in a Box, died of cancer earlier this month. Hale's partner, CJ, revealed the news in an announcement on the Steam forums of Hale's next game, Waves 2. Per Hale's final wishes, CJ has made the developer's games Waves and Waves 2 free to download on Steam.
>> D.E.P.

The least likable developer on Steam may have hit the limit of its permissive moderation
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-least-likable-developer-on-steam-may-have-hit-the-limit-of-its-permissive-moderation/
Dolphin Barn's gladiator management sim Domina lost any appeal it may have had when, starting last May, its developer began inserting screeds against "soft" men and LGBTQ people into the game's patch notes and forum discussions. The game's official account has been banned on both Twitter and Bandcamp, with the individual having previously equated support for trans youth with pedophilia on the former platform.
Now the developer says he's been temporarily banned from posting on his own game's Steam forums, although he can still publish Domina patch notes, the latest of which accuses Valve and Steam Support of being "cowards." Meanwhile, Domina's "Mostly Negative" recent reviews are full of references to the developer's views, the game's forums are a battleground, and Dolphin Barn's recent banning shows Steam's typically laissez-faire moderation turning its attention to the game.
>>***com***

GTA creator reports Rockstar put copyright strikes on his prototype videos
https://www.pcgamer.com/gta-creator-reports-rockstar-put-copyright-strikes-on-his-prototype-videos/
One of the founding members of DMA Design, the studio that created the Grand Theft Auto franchise, is the latest victim of Take-Two and Rockstar's itchy copyright trigger finger. Videos posted to YouTube by developer Mike Dailly from his early time at DMA Design were taken down on copyright strikes. Dailly was the first employee at DMA Design and later created the graphics engine for GTA, the bedrock for the series' now-famous style.
>> **It's because of things like these that I wish GTA 6 would bomb, badly, so they go f*ck themselves.**

New patch video outlines extensive changes coming to Total War: Warhammer 3 tomorrow
https://www.pcgamer.com/new-patch-video-outlines-extensive-changes-coming-to-total-war-warhammer-3-tomorrow/
Creative Assembly has published a new video detailing a lengthy list of updates coming to Total War: Warhammer 3 tomorrow, as the studio gears up for release of its Champions of Chaos DLC and beta access to the massive Immortal Empires campaign. Titled "Patch Notes 2.0", the video charts various additions and changes coming to the base game, all of which will be free.
>> That tomorrow is today. Oh, and here you'll find when Immortal Empires releases.

Minecraft Steve has a beard again
https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-steve-has-a-beard-again/
For the first time in over ten years, iconic Minecraft default skin/character Steve has a beard again, via the latest update to Minecraft's upcoming version. The skins for both the default Steve and Alex characters in the beta launcher now have a couple small tweaks to texture that make a big difference.

Cities Skylines is ditching cars for walking in a new expansion
https://www.pcgamer.com/cities-skylines-is-ditching-cars-for-walking-in-a-new-expansion/
You know what's cool? When you can walk around a city and don't have to use a car. That's cool, and the developers of Cities: Skylines agree, as the upcoming Plazas & Promenades DLC will add pedestrian-only zones, specialized districts, and services that cater to a playstyle I've seen people clamor for since Cities launched in 2015.

Railway Empire 2 takes the train simulation cross-continental
https://www.pcgamer.com/railway-empire-2-takes-the-train-simulation-cross-continental/
Gaming Minds Studios and Kalypso have announced that Railway Empire 2 is on the way in 2023, complete with sprawling maps depicting the entirety of Europe and North America. It'll come to Steam, and I'd guess Epic too, and publisher Kalypso notes that it'll come to Xbox Game Pass for PC. The announcement was made at GamesCom 2022.

Stardew Valley creator teases boss fight, music for upcoming project Haunted Chocolatier
https://www.pcgamer.com/stardew-valley-creator-teases-boss-fight-music-for-upcoming-project-haunted-chocolatier/
On August 21, Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, aka Concerned Ape, shared a screenshot and accompanying OST snippet of his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier. It's a snappy little tune to go with what looks like a bee boss fight in a giant, golden hive.

How to watch Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022
https://www.pcgamer.com/gamescom-opening-night-live-how-to-watch-2022/
The yearly German gaming festival Gamescom is back in person this year and so is its kickoff event Opening Night Live. Geoff Keighley is returning again to host the evening and we can expect a similar sort of event to his Summer Game Fest shows. ONL will come with premieres and announcements and gameplay for some of the big upcoming games of 2022 and 2023.
Of course, ONL isn't the only place for previews and announcements next week. Check out our full Gamescom 2022 schedule for a list of events to watch. Don't worry, this week isn't as cram-packed with broadcasts as the middle of June. For the most compact reel of reveals though, Opening Night Live is where you'll want to tune in.

It looks like Sonic Frontiers is speeding towards a November launch
https://www.pcgamer.com/it-looks-like-sonic-frontiers-is-speeding-towards-a-november-launch/
Sonic Frontiers has been a rather baffling project so far. PC Gamer's Morgan Park saw a 30-minute playable demo during not-E3 and though he thought it was "bad" in the way many modern Sonic games are, he also couldn't wait to play more. This open-world, puzzling platformer looks like the hedgehog's attempt to get a little Breath of the Wild, but how that works as a tiny mammal whose sole desires include going fast and fast food, lord knows. In any case we've now seemingly got a release date due to a new Japanese trailer.

A new subclass, destination, and info on the next season have seemingly leaked before today's Destiny 2 showcase
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-subclass-destination-and-pirate-themed-season-have-seemingly-leaked-before-todays-destiny-2-showcase/
In advance of the upcoming Destiny 2 showcase later on today, lots of Lightfall images have surfaced via the Destiny 2 leaks discord. Before we start, though, if you don't want to see any spoilers for Lightfall or Season 18, which also starts later today, you should probably leave now.
>> If, despite the leak, or maybe because of it, you still want to see the showcase, here you'll find how to watch it.

Here's when Genshin Impact 3.0 unlocks in your timezone
https://www.pcgamer.com/genshin-impact-3-0-unlock-time/
There's not long to wait for Genshin Impact 3.0 to unlock in your timezone, and we'll finally get to explore the region of Sumeru. As you'd expect from any major version update, there are new bosses to overcome and a new Archon quest to complete. Events take a turn in the spotlight too, with Graven Innocence and the return of Ley Line Overflow.

Two of the best racing sim games are about to be delisted from Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/two-of-the-best-racing-sim-games-are-about-to-be-delisted-from-steam/
Two of the best racing sims are being delisted from Steam. Both Project Cars 1 and 2 are going to be removed from Valve's storefront in the coming months due the expiration of various licences and, boy, is that really sad for both the team at Slightly Mad as well as fans of the series.