I ended up getting a 9070XT. My local Microcenter has a model for MSRP and I was able to sell my 7900XTX to cover the costs. I was on the fence but with everything going up in cost and my 7900XTX being more valuable than I thought, I said way not. I'm tired of wanting to see if official FRS4 INT8 support was coming to the 7000 series. Good news for everyone else. I have awful luck. So now that I sold my 7900XTX, AMD will probably make announcemnt next week...

Congrats on your new GPU! I think longer term, RDNA 4 will age better than RDNA 3 anyway.

The 9950X has a higher TDP than the 9800X3D, and yet we haven't seen cases of it burning down. I don't think that is one of the causes for all these troubles.

Unless Asus has done an AsRock and has launched a messy BIOS, killing those CPUs, we should start asking AMD why so many of their new cache on the bottom X3D processors are dying. Maybe the design can be improved.

Congratulations! Finding a 9070XT at MSRP nowadays is almost a miracle.

I hope it gives you many hours of great gaming experiences.

The X3D parts use stacked silicon which concentrates more thermal energy into a smaller surface area for a heatsink.
Think of the vcache as a little heater sitting under the cores... Electrons can also potentially leak between layers as well if the grade and insulation of the chips aren't sufficient.

The 9950X is able to spread it's thermal load over a relatively larger area. Watt for watt.

But there is more to it, the motherboard software with Asrock wasn't actually reading CPUID's properly, so it was treating X3D parts like non-X3D parts for things like precision boost... And that is where the issues start.

...But when you start to dig a little deeper on how these motherboards are designed with the software placed-on top, Asus, Asrock and other board manufacturers aren't actually building their own BIOS solutions from complete scratch.
Rather they are taking a "reference" BIOS (AGESA) and making changes on top of it, so if the "Reference" BIOS has a certain flaw, all motherboard manufacturers have a chance of experiencing that flaw with production models.

So the issue to this likely stems from Asmedia and/or AMD via AGESA (AMD Generic Encapsulated System Architecture).

I spoiled. I'm fortunate enough to live a half hour from Microcenter.

Hugely expanding wafer production at cutting-edge nodes, by the looks of it. They asked hyperscalers etc. to see the receipts and left pretty satisfied, apparently.

Yeah, in addition he has a fresh guarantee and a much more efficient GPU (probably lower temperatures, less noise, less electricity costs...) 

Hey, look what I’ve found. It’s the Monday gaming news!

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

Diablo-like No Rest for the Wicked has sold a million copies, and co-op is coming next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/diablo-like-no-rest-for-the-wicked-has-sold-a-million-copies-and-co-op-is-coming-next-week/
No Rest for the Wicked might just look like a painterly take on Diablo, but it's actually a top-down soulslike—and a pretty good one at that, according to PC Gamer contributing writer Tyler Colp. It seems to be paying off, as developer Moon Studios announced Thursday that the game has moved one million copies on Steam in early access, though it is about to share at least one thing in common with Diablo: 4-player co-op.

Steam reportedly raked in a record-breaking $1.6 billion in December with Arc Raiders alone moving over a million copies
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steam-reportedly-raked-in-a-record-breaking-usd1-6-billion-in-december-with-arc-raiders-alone-moving-over-a-million-copies/
2025 may have been a mixed bag overall, but as far as videogames are concerned, it was pretty great. If you're a PC gamer, your cup runneth over so much that you may still be catching up on the year's biggest hits even now, and you're not alone. In fact, one industry analysis group reckons Dec. 2025 was Steam's highest-grossing December ever.
That estimation comes courtesy of Alinea Analytics, which reported that last month saw over 100 million Steam users generate $1.6 billion dollars in gross revenue. That would make it the platform's best Christmas month in history. The report explains "that’s up 22.7% over December 2024 and even more than December 2020’s pandemic-driven high of $1.4 billion."
The report also notes that Arc Raiders is the second-biggest breadwinner of the season⁠—the first is eternally Counter-Strike 2, as dictated by the laws of physics—with a staggering 1.2 million copies sold just in the weeks between Dec. 21 and Jan. 4. As the article puts it, "the brakes are broken on the ARC Raiders train," with the game selling 12 million copies overall. 250,000 copies were apparently sold on Boxing Day alone, with almost 3.2 million players checking in and half of them doing so on Steam.
>> Take it with a pinch of salt.

Steam has two new deals:

• Colony Survival , still in Early Access, is going to be 50% off until the 25th of January: https://store.steampowered.com/app/366090/Colony_Survival/
• SWORD ART ONLINE Last Recollection has a demo and a 75% discount that will last until the same 25th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1566880/SWORD_ART_ONLINE_Last_Recollection/
• There have also launched 5 new sales/events since Friday. You can check them out here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/collection/sales/

Humble Bundle has the new Iceberg Interactive Hidden Gems Bundle, with up to 12 items to get (11 games + 1 coupon) during the next 18 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/iceberg-hidden-gems-bundle

And Fanatical has a new Star Deal, a Sale and two comebacks:

• The new Star Deal is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, 42% off during 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered
• The January Savers Sale is back. With up to 96% discounts on many games. Check it out here: https://www.fanatical.com/en/on-sale
• The NeuroVoider - Deluxe Edition Bundle makes a comeback with its usual 18% discount, that will last 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/neurovoider-deluxe-edition
• We have another comeback in the form of the Batman: Arkham Collection, 88% off as usual and that will also last 13 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/batman-arkham-collection

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Steam updates AI disclosure form to specify that it's focused on AI-generated content that is 'consumed by players,' not efficiency tools used behind the scenes
https://www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/steam-updates-ai-disclosure-form-to-specify-that-its-focused-on-ai-generated-content-that-is-consumed-by-players-not-efficiency-tools-used-behind-the-scenes/
Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney recently said digital storefronts like Steam should stop using AI disclosure labels because "AI will be involved in nearly all future production" anyway. PC Gamer's Tyler Wilde disagreed (as do I), but he also noted that such disclosures can be tricky for developers: "Does it count if you used Photoshop's generative fill tool while making concept art that was never intended for the public eye? Or if you used Claude to generate a few code snippets? Or if someone in marketing used ChatGPT to make a spreadsheet?"
It seems that Valve has also been contemplating these questions and has made a tweak to its AI disclosure form for developers.
In its submission form, Valve now specifies that game publishers must disclose pre-made generative AI assets only when used in marketing materials or content that "ships with your game, and is consumed by players." That's via a screenshot of the form shared by Simon Carless' GameDiscoverCo.
In other words, Steam's disclosure requirement is not concerned with generative AI tools used behind the scenes for efficiency gains (presumably including coding helpers) or office work, but with things like final art, sound, and writing.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Nexus Mods quashes rumor of 2-year bans for linking the site on Discord: 'There does not appear to be any risk of being moderated by Discord for posting Nexus Mods links'
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/nexus-mods-quashes-rumor-of-2-year-bans-for-linking-the-site-on-discord-there-does-not-appear-to-be-any-risk-of-being-moderated-by-discord-for-posting-nexus-mods-links/
Nexus Mods community manager Pickysaurus has shared a statement to the modding site's Discord server addressing a claim circulating on social media and gaming sites that Discord is banning users who share links to Nexus Mods. The claim does not appear to be true. I have reached out to Discord for comment, and will update this story if I hear back.

This mod adds 80 real cars to Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/this-mod-adds-80-real-cars-to-grand-theft-auto-5-enhanced/
Modder ‘DimoSerb’ has released a cool new pack that adds 80 real cars to Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced Edition. This pack has 80 real cars that served as prototypes for the GTA5 cars. So now, you can drive the real cars and not their clones.
Do note that these cars do not support LSC tuning parts. Using vanilla tuning options will not work correctly. I should also note that this pack was not created by DimoSerb. DimoSerb simply collected all these cars, which were made by other modders, and released a modpack that includes them.
Some of the cars you can find in this modpack are the Audi A3, Dodge Charger SRT8, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2009, Pontiac GTO, and Toyota GT86. You can also drive the Ford Mustang RTR, Audi R8 V10, Ferrari 355, BMW M3, and Lambo Aventador.
You can download this modpack from this link. To install it, you’ll have to copy the contents of the folder to: onigiridlcpacksNVE_vehicles. And that’s it.
>> The article has no media.

Fallout Legends is a massive new mod, featuring resources and lore from all Fallout games
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/fallout-legends-is-massive-new-mod-featuring-resources-and-lore-from-all-fallout-games/
Modder ‘CYB3RP0NK’ has released a massive new mod for Fallout 3, Fallout Legends. Fallout Legends has been in development for around 10 years. It is a post-apocalyptic simulation with a dash of Mutant RPG.
According to the modder, Fallout Legends uses resources and lore from all the Fallout games. In other words, it adds lore-friendly content to Fallout 3. Not every addition is perfectly accurate to the Fallout story, but it’s close enough. The goal of the mod is to bring elements from all the Fallout games together and explain their lore inside Fallout 3.
To give you an idea, Fallout Legends has the Institute from Fallout 4, Skynet from Fallout 2, The Chosen One from Fallout 2, Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel from Fallout Tactics, The Vault Dweller from the first Fallout, and elements from the Van Buren Project.
Armor and Weapon stats are somewhat true to the nature of the previous/current games but are also balanced to follow the FWE levels. Some storylines had to be added to make the lore work. Moreover, you will find all the soundtracks from all the previous Fallout games.
And that’s not all. Players will encounter unique people and armors, upgraded armors, weapons, and cybernetics throughout Fallout 3 and the DLCs. For instance, you can find the Armored Chinese Stealth suit in Point Lookout. You can also get your hands on the Tesla Armor from Fallout 1-2. Or how about the Alien Blaster from Fallout 1-2? There are also upgraded small arms, energy weapons and heavy weapons from Fallout 1-2, as well as the Advanced Power Armor Mk1-2 from Fallout 2.
>> The article has three videos.

Quake 3 Arena RTX Remix Update 1.0.1 Released to Address Fan Feedback
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/quake-3-arena-rtx-remix-update-1-0-1-released-to-address-fan-feedback/
Last week, we informed you about an RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod for Quake 3: Arena. This mod, made by woodboy90, added real-time Path Tracing to the classic shooter. However, many fans felt that the game looked too shiny and reflective. Because of this, woodboy90 released an update to fix most of the issues players pointed out.
Patch 1.0.1 makes several important fixes. First, it makes the maps Q3DM1, Q3DM6, and Q3DM10 less shiny and less bright. It also changes the skybox lighting in Q3DM6 by adjusting the amount of light and its color. The update removes the machine gun’s muzzle flash, and item pickups, like armor, ammo, and shards. are now less bright. Lastly, the rocket launcher explosion animation has been returned to its original look.
For those wondering, this new update does not improve any more maps. The only maps that have been overhauled and have real-time Path Tracing are the Q3DM1, Q3DM6, and Q3DM10 maps.
To showcase the improved visuals, the modder shared a new trailer. So, I suggest watching it as it can give you an idea of how Quake 3: Arena now looks with this new version of the RTX Remix Path Tracing Mod.

Ambitious The Witcher 3 restoration mod adds yet more cut dialogue to the game, including a new Yennefer romance scene and extra choices for its most famous quest
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-witcher/ambitious-the-witcher-3-restoration-mod-adds-yet-more-cut-dialogue-to-the-game-including-a-new-yennefer-romance-scene-and-extra-choices-for-its-most-famous-quest/
With nearly half a million words in its script and 950 speaking roles to voice them, one thing The Witcher 3 isn't short of is dialogue. Yet like any properly edited work of fiction, there were originally a lot more words in CD Projekt's brilliant RPG. Hundreds of cut voice lines lurk within The Witcher 3's game files, ranging from simple one-liners to dialogue choices and even entire cutscenes.
Under the forensic eye of PC gaming's modding community, however, nothing remains hidden for long. Over the last few years, The Witcher 3 mega-mod Brothers in Arms has restored hundreds of these cut lines (alongside other features like missing NPCs, restored books and journal entries). Brothers in Arms has been regularly updated since its release in 2021, with a new update reinstating even more missing dialogue from CD Projekt's cutting-room floor.
These newly restored lines and cutscenes were highlighted by YouTuber xLetalis. The most notable is a new romance scene between Geralt and Yennefer that occurs during the quest The Last Wish. It revolves around a dialogue choice for Geralt where he chooses whether to say "I love you" to Yennefer.
In the original version, if he chooses not to say it, it leads to a brief and cordial exchange between the lovers. In the restored version, however, choosing not to say "I love you" not only results in a longer exchange, but it's also more romantic, with Geralt and Yen sharing a kiss before parting ways. This isn't the only additional scene from The Last Wish that the updated mod restores, either. Another choice, made at the end of the quest, has been expanded with a scene where Geralt and Yen hold hands.
Elsewhere, other restored lines include a scene where Ciri talks to the warriors of the Wild Hunt, an additional conversation with fellow Witcher Eskel when Geralt returns to Kaer Morhen, and an expanded list of dialogue choices during the Witcher 3's Bloody Baron quest. Here, the player can more clearly vocalise whether they intend to kill or cure the Botchling while speaking to the Baron, although the choice doesn't force you to pursue either of those approaches—possibly why it was cut.
>> The article features the almost 20 minutes long video linked above.

WoW's combat UI mods break with this week's pre-patch, marking an enormous change for the 20-year-old MMO
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/wows-combat-ui-mods-break-with-this-weeks-pre-patch-marking-an-enormous-change-for-the-20-year-old-mmo/
World of Warcraft's changing in a big way—announced a while back, Blizzard's decided that you shouldn't have to download a huge list of UI mods (addons) just to play at a competitive level with others, and will kneecap the ones related to combat in this week's patch. Depending on when you're reading this, it might've done it already, given the patch launches on January 20.
>> Take it as a last reminder before it goes into effect.

GAMING NEWS

Battlefield 6 Title Update 1.1.3.5 Detailed – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/battlefield-6-title-update-1-1-3-5-detailed-full-patch-notes/
DICE will release Title Update 1.1.3.5 for Battlefield 6 on January 20th, and it has shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new update brings to the table.

No, Ubisoft did not shadowdrop Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/no-ubisoft-did-not-shadowdrop-prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-remake/
Last year, a report from Tom Henderson suggested that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake would be released on January 16th, 2026. Well, that date has passed, and no. Ubisoft did not shadowdrop this game on current-gen consoles and PC. The game is not out.

Monday gaming news, part two:

With The Division 3 still in early development, series boss Julian Gerighty leaves Ubisoft to work on Battlefield instead
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/with-the-division-3-still-in-early-development-series-boss-julian-gerighty-leaves-ubisoft-to-work-on-battlefield-instead/
Ubisoft suffered a blow today as Julian Gerighty, the executive producer of The Division games, announced that he is leaving the company to take a position at EA's Battlefield Studios.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 continues its awards sweep, getting 8 out of 9 nominations at the GDCA
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/clair-obscur-expedition-33-continues-its-awards-sweep-getting-8-out-of-9-nominations-at-the-gdca/
It's simply not enough that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept The Game Awards. Now, it's set its sights on the Game Developer Choice Awards—and has been nominated for eight of the nine possible award categories.

Arc Raiders has released its Cold Snap numbers, and only 8% of raiders managed to finish their Candleberry Banquet
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/arc-raiders-has-released-its-cold-snap-numbers-and-only-8-percent-of-raiders-managed-to-finish-their-candleberry-banquet/
I didn't throw one snowball during the Arc Raiders Cold Snap event, not at a fellow player and definitely not at a Rocketeer like some of you absolute mad lads. Why, you ask? I dunno, I must hate whimsy. But do you know what I hate even more? A wasted meal. I'm talking about all of you out there who failed to finish the Candleberry Banquet in Arc Raiders.
>> And the game almost had an auction house (link)

Facepunch Studios COO says he'll buy New World for $25 million, and he might not be joking: 'We're always looking for new opportunities and we are open to all avenues'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/facepunch-studios-coo-says-hell-buy-new-world-for-usd25-million-and-he-might-not-be-joking-were-always-looking-for-new-opportunities-and-we-are-open-to-all-avenues/
Despite being a moderate success, Amazon's New World MMO will be taken out behind the woodshed on January 31, 2027 and put down for good. But Facepunch Studios chief operating officer Alistair McFarlane says "games should never die," and has thus made an offer to buy it—and a couple other well-known industry figures have said they're willing to help.

There's a fantasy swordsmithing sim launching on Steam next week, which is a sentence I've been waiting to hear since browsing my dad's replica sword catalogs in 4th grade
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/theres-a-fantasy-swordsmithing-sim-launching-on-steam-next-week-which-is-a-sentence-ive-been-waiting-to-hear-since-browsing-my-dads-replica-sword-catalogs-in-4th-grade/
As the son of a man who was a historical reenactor, pre-internet Tolkien lorehead, and casual collector of bladed weaponry, my upbringing was of a very specific flavor. While I've overheard more complaints about the accuracy of period film costumes than anyone ever should, it did have its benefits—like getting to browse the occasional catalogs that would arrive in our mailbox selling replicas of historical and fictional swords. Hours of my youth were spent fascinated by the fact that there were people out there making Oakeshott Type XVIII longswords and copies of Gandalf's Glamdring.
In other words, I was destined from a young age to be the kind of person who'd see that Bladesong, a fantasy swordsmithing simulator, is launching in early access on Steam next week, and immediately add it to PC Gamer's task tracking software with the addendum "hell yes dude this is videogames."
>> That next week is, in fact, this week. Thursday, to be more precise. Oh, and it has a demo.

Fortnite bans paid prize wheels in third-party games just days after Steal the Brainrot started selling them
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/battle-royale/fortnite-bans-paid-prize-wheels-in-third-party-games-just-days-after-steal-the-brainrot-started-selling-them/
Just a few days after the massively popular Fortnite game Steal the Brainrot took advantage of a rules change to roll out paid wheel-spins for prizes—gambling, in other words—Epic has announced another incoming rule change that seems pretty directly aimed at putting a stop to it.

Earth Must Die in this adventure game boasting a Dispatch-like voice cast of British comedy superheroes, and it releases later this month
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/earth-must-die-in-this-adventure-game-boasting-a-dispatch-like-voice-cast-of-british-comedy-superheroes-and-it-releases-later-this-month/
I already feel like I'm trapped in the middle of a game called Earth Must Die, one where the rules make no sense and I have zero control over how it's all going to end. Perhaps that's why I'm excited for the latest comedy adventure of the same name from Size Five Games, which has just announced that it'll let you embark on a mission of planetary destruction later this month.

The sequel to isometric mech sim Brigador gives off serious Syndicate vibes in its latest footage, and you can play its alpha version right now
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/the-sequel-to-isometric-mech-sim-brigador-gives-off-serious-syndicate-vibes-in-its-latest-footage-and-you-can-play-its-alpha-version-right-now/
Isometric mech sim Brigador is 10 years old this year—a fact that kicked me right in the mortality given that I was certain it only came out a few years ago. The original version of Stellar Jockeys' shoot 'em up was a decent, if flawed affair. But the developer spent the next year overhauling the experience, delivering a new campaign and several other reworks that netted it a much more favourable Steam rating.
The sequel, Brigador Killers, has been in development for ages, which surprised me as I assumed it was just Brigador on a larger scale. But Stellar Jockeys recently released some new footage of the game, which shows it is a very different affair from the original, almost like a mix of Syndicate and OG Grand Theft Auto.

Minecraft-like Hytale got a huge dinosaur update just a few days after release
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/minecraft-like-hytale-got-a-huge-dinosaur-update-just-a-few-days-after-release/
Hytale is finally playable after a legendary run through development hell, and it's doing pretty well for itself, considering. It's made a pretty penny already, enough to fund two years of further development, and crucially, it's actually good. PC Gamer senior editor Christopher Livingston said in his impressions that the game "has a long road ahead" but "what's here and working works well."
The Hytale Team seems keen to keep the momentum up, as just four days after release, players have already been treated to a sizable update. It kicks off with a patch note containing the two most beautiful words in the English language: "added dinosaurs." It's a good sign that the team has its priorities straight.

Goblin Sushi is a cooking sim about a goblin who cooks sushi for other sushi-loving goblins
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/goblin-sushi-is-a-cooking-sim-about-a-goblin-who-cooks-sushi-for-other-sushi-loving-goblins/
A new ingredient has appeared in the tray. I click to see what it is, forgetting that'll send it out onto the preparation mat. Instead of combining it with other ingredients to make a dish, I panic and click on the mat instead, which rolls up then unfurls to send a failed dish onto my conveyor belt in the form of a pile of poo. My only hope is that the customer I unlocked with the Poop Tasty upgrade appears. That goblin loves eating poo.
This is Goblin Sushi, a cooking game where you are a goblin chef with a queue of hungry dungeon dwellers to serve and ingredients including rice, seaweed, and a variety of fish and cave creatures to serve them. Looks like salmon nigiri is back on the menu, boys.

Surprise, surprise. Today most articles qualified to be shared in full.

Terraria's long-awaited 1.4.5 patch finally has a release date, and it's this month: 'start the countdown'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/terrarias-long-awaited-1-4-5-patch-finally-has-a-release-date-and-its-this-month-start-the-countdown/
It's happening. After three years of development, Terraria's highly anticipated and supposedly final 1.4.5 update finally has a release date. It's also imminent. Developer Re-Logic has set the date for January 27, less than two weeks away.

Super Battle Golf improves the world's least interesting sport by letting you blast your competitors with orbital lasers
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sports/super-battle-golf-improves-the-worlds-least-interesting-sport-by-letting-you-blast-your-competitors-with-orbital-lasers/
I never have been (and never will be) interested in golf. I think it's a boring sport for boring people. I am, however, interested in golf that's been messed around with. That includes things like minigolf and crazy golf (is there much of a delineation there? Answers on a postcard please). But there are also video games that use the fundamentals of golf to create something more interesting, like Cursed to Golf, Dungeon Golf, and What the Golf?
Naturally, therefore, I was immediately drawn to Super Battle Golf, a multiplayer party game that lets you go full Falling Down on your clubmates.

FromSoftware-inspired RPG Lunacid is getting DLC, as its creator expresses bafflement at its success: 'This was supposed to be niche'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/fromsoftware-inspired-rpg-lunacid-is-getting-dlc-as-its-creator-expresses-bafflement-at-its-success-this-was-supposed-to-be-niche/
FromSoftware is one of the most influential game developers in recent history, though most games inspired by the studio borrow the ideas of its post-Demon's Souls output. For dark fantasy RPG Lunacid, however, developer Kira LLC took inspiration from the Japanese studio's far lesser-known series King's Field, which first appeared on the PlayStation 1.
Despite taking this leftfield approach, Lunacid proved a big hit, racking up a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam from over 7,000 Steam reviews. Indeed, Lunacid has been successful enough that it's getting some DLC, even though its creator, Kira, is confused about the game's success.

'Turns out having your game be free on Epic is great advertising for Steam sales': New Blood chief says Blood West sold 'like 200% more' the day it was a freebie on EGS
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/turns-out-having-your-game-be-free-on-epic-is-great-advertising-for-steam-sales-new-blood-chief-says-blood-west-sold-like-200-percent-more-the-day-it-was-a-freebie-on-egs/
If Steam's big draw is the seasonal sale with an avalanche of ludicrous discounts, the Epic Games Store's big draw is the freebie. Games are free to keep on the platform so often that the folks at PC Gamer maintain a living list with the latest offerings, and even though Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has conceded in the past that some of those deals weren't good investments, it remains an "economical" strategy for the storefront.
But just as all life ends in death, all digital gaming commerce ends in a cut for GabeN. Last Friday, New Blood CEO Dave Oshry said on X that Blood West's free giveaway on the Epic Games Store was a boon for the game… on Steam, where it sold "like 200% more" that day.

PSA - If you want a copy of the original Yakuza 3 PC remaster without also paying for 6 other games, you'd better snap it up soon
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/psa-if-you-want-a-copy-of-the-original-yakuza-3-pc-remaster-without-also-paying-for-6-other-games-youd-better-snap-it-up-soon/
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is billed as an "extreme" remake of the 2009 original. In addition to a new version of the old PS3 game it'll come with Dark Ties which, as Wes Fenlon discovered last week, is a "breakneck roguelite dungeon crawl" set during the same time period. That's good news for people who love shiny new things, but it's bad news for those who love old things, because when Kiwami 3 releases the remastered version of Yakuza 3 will be harder to buy.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio confirmed as much on Saturday. "Those who already own Yakuza 3 Remastered will still be able to continue playing it," the company posted on X, but "for those new to the series who wish to experience the original version, it will be available with purchase of the Yakuza Complete Series bundle."

Former Assassin's Creed franchise boss sues Ubisoft for nearly $1 million, alleging 'constructive dismissal'
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/former-assassins-creed-franchise-boss-sues-ubisoft-for-nearly-usd1-million-alleging-constructive-dismissal/

Hero shooter Highguard reportedly didn't even pay for the Game Awards slot that's earned it so much preemptive hate—the showrunners thought it deserved the spotlight
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/hero-shooter-highguard-reportedly-didnt-even-pay-for-the-game-awards-slot-thats-earned-it-so-much-preemptive-hate-the-showrunners-thought-it-deserved-the-spotlight/

Rockstar responds to plea for a terminally ill 'huge GTA fan' to get his hands on the game early
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/grand-theft-auto/rockstar-responds-to-plea-for-a-terminally-ill-huge-gta-fan-to-get-his-hands-on-the-game-early/