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

[JEMC]

And here’s the third part of the Monday news:

Abstract factory-building sequel Shapez 2 will release in August
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/abstract-factory-game-sequel-shapez-2-will-release-in-august/
Hope you're ready to build some huge factories, because Shapez 2 is set to release in Early Access on August 15, 2024. The sequel to the previous hit factory-building game takes the simple, flat graphics of the prior and replaces them entirely with a massive 3D spacefield to fill with an infinitely large factory dedicated to one purpose: Making very specific shapes and then throwing them into a huge swirling abyss.

The Behemoth will update Castle Crashers, Battleblock Theater, and more
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-behemoth-will-update-castle-crashers-battleblock-theater-and-more/
Indie studio The Behemoth has announced a slate of updates and releases for its older games. The 20-some-year old development team will revisit its games Castle Crashers and Battleblock theater in particular. Castle Crashers will get a new DLC and a visual revamp. Battleblock Theater will get a nebulously-named "Quality of Life Update" which I think we can safely assume will include some quality of life updates for the now decade-old game.

Mortal Kombat 1 is getting animalities, the T-1000, Conan, and Ghostface from Scream
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fighting/mortal-kombat-1-is-getting-animalities-the-t-1000-conan-and-ghostface-from-scream/
I do like a NetherRealm fighting game story mode, and the upcoming expansion for Mortal Kombat 1, Khaos Reigns, is adding to the narrative with the return of Havik—though this time, a Havik from an alternate timeline. I don't expect to understand what's going on, but I do expect to see a bunch of gratuitous slow-motion martial arts and eviscerations, and that's always a good time.
The Khaos Reigns expansion also comes with Kombat Pack 2, adding several more fighters. Some are reimagined versions of returning characters seen in the story mode: Noob Saibot, Cyrax, and Sektor. It also comes with three crossover guest fighters: Conan the Barbarian (based on the version played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movies), Ghostface from the Scream series, and the T-1000 from Terminator 2.

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford says he hasn't 'done a good enough job of hiding' the studio's next project, pretty much immediately confirms it's Borderlands
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/gearbox-ceo-randy-pitchford-says-he-hasn-t-done-a-good-enough-job-of-hiding-the-studio-s-next-project-immediately-pretty-much-confirms-it-s-borderlands/
Borderlands is a funny old series—one I have plenty of affection for, clumsy story aside. Its formula hasn't changed much in the past few years, ignoring the industry landslide of looter shooters all becoming live service games in favour of your bog-standard ARPG model, sans some expansion packs and class additions along the way.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, naturally, has a lot of affection for it too. So much so, in fact, that he appears to have said too much and all but-confirmed a new Borderlands game is in the pipeline with details coming soon, stopping short of a wink wink, nudge nudge.

Remnant 2 announces plans for its 3rd DLC: The Dark Horizon—and it'll be chucking in a free game mode and 'progression system' to boot
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/remnant-2-announces-plans-for-its-3rd-dlc-the-dark-horizon-and-it-ll-be-chucking-in-a-free-game-mode-and-progression-system-to-boot/
Remnant 2 rules. I've not talked about (or played) it in a while, mind, but that's because it's not a game that overstays its welcome, nor does it string you along with battle passes and endless mandatory FOMO grinds. It's just a very competent, imaginative soulslikey shoot-'em-up ARPG that sees you gunning through multiple worlds, packed with some excellent build variety.
It's also received two generous DLCs—The Awakened King and The Forgotten Kingdom. Now the third one's on its way, and it's called The Dark Horizon. In the same way that Remnant 2's last two expansions further developed the base game's worlds of Yaesha and Losomn, The Dark Horizon will take place in the already-existing science fiction horrorscape N'Erud—a place that wears its Ridley Scott influences on its sleeve.

Fallout: New Vegas designer slams unrealistic release dates that 'burn out and demoralize the developers' as he shares tips on how to spot when a game needs more time in the oven
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fallout/fallout-new-vegas-designer-slams-unrealistic-release-dates-that-burn-out-and-demoralize-the-developers-as-he-shares-tips-on-how-to-spot-when-a-game-needs-more-time-in-the-oven/
Game development is a tricky business, and one consequence of this is that games often take longer to make than anticipated. The nature of the creative process means such delays are not always avoidable, but according to writer and designer Josh Sawyer, known for games like Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and medieval detective sim Pentiment, there are ways to identify when a game is going to get kicked down the calendar, and therefore set better expectations to avoid unnecessary stress, and overwork.

One last note: We’ll see if something changes, but right now it looks like I won’t be able to make the news tomorrow.