Look what I’ve found. the Monday gaming news!
SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS
Cyberpunk 2077 has now sold more than 40 million copies, 'a testament to what CD Projekt does best'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/cyberpunk-2077-has-now-sold-more-than-40-million-copies-a-testament-to-what-cd-projekt-does-best/
It's hard to imagine now, but Cyberpunk 2077 was an unmitigated disaster when it launched back in 2020. The PC version wasn't too bad, relatively speaking, but the console version was so wretched that Sony literally kicked it off the PlayStation Store. It was so far gone that several months after launch, with CD Projekt just beginning to start the work of cleaning up the mess it made, we recommended that it just fix the bugs and move on. Whoops.
I mention all this because that was then and this is now, and now Cyberpunk 2077—which these days sits comfortably with a "very positive" user rating on Steam—has surpassed 40 million copies sold.
"40 million copies sold shows the incredible, lasting strength of Cyberpunk 2077 and is a testament to what CD Projekt does best—creating high-quality, immersive stories that keep players returning for years," co-CEO Michał Nowakowski said. "It's a great foundation for our upcoming projects in this universe, including the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 anime arriving this fall,"
Sand publisher celebrates 300,000 copies sold: 'We getting a half hour of air conditioning tonight!'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/sand-publisher-celebrates-300-000-copies-sold-we-getting-a-half-hour-of-air-conditioning-tonight/
A couple weeks after its early access launch, things are going mostly pretty well for the steampunk-mechs-in-the-desert game Sand: Raiders of Sophie. An update that rolled out on July 2 caused some surprise headaches and had to be rolled back, which isn't great, but on the brighter side the game looks to be a legitimate hit, too.
"300K copies for Sand sold," Alex Nichiporchik, CEO of publisher TinyBuild, wrote today on X. "We getting [a] half hour of air conditioning tonight!"
Meccha Chameleon celebrates 15 million sales by teasing a 'collaboration with a famous Japanese star'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sports/meccha-chameleon-celebrates-15-million-sales-by-teasing-a-collaboration-with-a-famous-japanese-star/
If what Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier says is true and making an indie game is like buying a lottery ticket, Meccha Chameleon has hit the jackpot. It seems uncontestable as the friendslop hit of the year now, with over 15 million copies sold in less than a month. Developer lemorion_1224 thanked players for all the attention in a Steam community blog post. "Thanks a million," the post reads. "Get ready for a new collaboration with a famous Japanese star next week!"
Who could it be? I'd have to brush up on my contemporary famous Japanese stars to hazard an educated guess, but my uneducated guess would be the vocaloid Hatsune Miku given that she's crossed over with everything from Fortnite to Sonic the Hedgehog to Magic: the Gathering. Being not a real person seems to open up one's schedule quite a bit. That, and they could rebrand the game as 'Miku Chameleon.'
Counter-Strike 2 might be the biggest game on Steam, but Global Offensive is breaking player count records since it went standalone again
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/counter-strike-2-might-be-the-biggest-game-on-steam-but-global-offensive-is-breaking-player-count-records-since-it-went-standalone-again/
Anytime you're talking about the hottest game on Steam, there's an evergreen unspoken caveat: 'after Counter-Strike, of course.' CS2 is unquestionably Steam's killer app—it has well over a million concurrent players as I write this according to SteamDB, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. But don't count out the game it once absorbed and then spat out: its predecessor, Global Offensive.
According to SteamDB, it hit an all-time (post re-release) concurrent player peak just three days ago. That's a bit more than 68,000 simultaneous terrorists and counter-terrorists. While that's small potatoes compared to the original game at its peak or CS2 right now—SteamDB appears to only go back to earlier this year when CS:GO un-merged from CS2—it marks a sudden upward trend, a pretty impressive showing for a game you can't just search up on Steam normally. It's drawing similar numbers to Deadlock, another (much newer) Valve game you also can't simply browse for and download.
As the 28th most played game on Steam right now, it's bigger on the platform than Baldur's Gate 3, Rainbow Six Siege, Battlefield 6, and all sorts of other blockbusters. It's no Meccha Chameleon, but not shabby for a game that's 14 years old, and interesting to note that it's growing beyond the initial hype it attracted back when the standalone version was first restored earlier this year.
Humble Bundle brings the Summer Games Done Quick 2026 Bundle, featuring up to 10 items to get (8 games + 2 coupons) during 18 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/summer-games-done-quick-2026
Fanatical has these deals:
SOFTWARE & DRIVERS
EVE Online studio Fenris follows through on yearslong promise to make its in-house game engine fully open source
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/mmo/eve-online-studio-fenris-follows-through-on-yearslong-promise-to-make-its-in-house-game-engine-fully-open-source/
On July 1, Fenris Creations (formerly CCP) completed the full open source release of its in-house Carbon Engine, the tech behind long-running MMO EVE Online and early access space survival game EVE Frontier. The Carbon Engine's repositories are available now on GitHub.
It's an impressive, surprising move in a time when proprietary game engines are increasingly rare. Even studios that were once defined by their in-house tech, like CD Projekt and its Red Engine, have abandoned it in favor of the ascendent Unreal Engine, which recently unveiled the first details of its sixth iteration. Notably, while Space MMOs EVE Online and Frontier are built on Carbon, Fenris' FPS project Vanguard is being built with Unreal.
MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS
First Look at a Co-Op Mod for Resident Evil 3 Remake
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-look-at-a-co-op-mod-for-resident-evil-3-remake/
Modder ‘HeySnippy’ is currently working on a co-op mod for Resident Evil 3 Remake, and shared a gameplay video from its latest WIP version. This video will give you a glimpse of what the mod is currently capable of. So, if you are a Resident Evil 3 fan, you should definitely check it out.
The biggest feature of the latest WIP version is enemy sync and the fact that both players can damage zombies. HeySnippy plans to make enemy sync more efficient in later versions of the mod. Not only that, but the mod can allow you to drop items so that your partner can pick them up.
The modder plans to launch an Early Access phase before the mod is publicly available. This limited group will allow him to discover and fix bugs and issues that can emerge. It will also be a stress test for the mod before hitting the public. To join this Early Access phase, you’ll have to join the Discord server of the mod.
HeySnippy has also hinted at a potential co-op mod for Resident Evil 2 Remake. However, you should not be expecting this mod to come out anytime soon. For now, the modder is busy with the co-op mod for Resident Evil 3 Remake.
Finally, there is no ETA for when the mod will be fully released. Naturally, though, I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
>> The article has an almost 5 minutes video.
BREACH Is a New Horror Quest Mod for Fallout 4, Inspired by the Aliens Franchise
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/breach-is-a-new-horror-quest-mod-for-fallout-4-inspired-by-the-aliens-franchise/
Modder ‘RascalArt’ has just released a new horror quest mod for Fallout 4 that is inspired by the Aliens franchise, called BREACH. BREACH is a narrative dungeon mod that sees the player explore a sunken research facility, uncover its secrets, and discover the fate of the unfortunate expedition that came before them.
Going into more details, the mod adds a new abandoned underwater facility that players can explore. It also adds to the game the Pulse Rifle. This new weapon is, obviously, inspired by the iconic M41a Pulse Rifle we first saw in the Aliens movie. Moreover, it comes with custom armours, consumables, and a trophy decoration to grace your settlement.
Since this is a free mod, I highly recommend trying it, especially if you are a fan of the Aliens movie. You can go ahead and download it from this link.
Do note that the mod requires the Automatron, Far Harbor, and Nuka World DLC. It also needs the textures from the Tesla cannon that are included in the free Enclave Remnant CC/2024 next-gen update.
>> Sadly, they forgot to add the link to the mod in the article, but you can find it in the description of the over 20 minutes video.
Studio Ghibli Mod for Skyrim Completed, Overhauling All Landscapes and Towns
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/studio-ghibli-mod-for-skyrim-completed-overhauling-all-landscapes-and-towns/
We first reported on the Studio Ghibli Mod for Skyrim back in December 2025. Since then, the modder has been working hard on it. And, from the looks of it, the mod has been completed, covering all of the game’s landscapes and towns.
According to the modder, this mod series aims to make Skyrim look like a Studio Ghibli game. And I know that some will just say that this is a “cel-shaded” filter. But hey, this is how the modder describes it so we’ll go with that.
There are currently two AIO mods that you need to download to transform the whole game. The first one covers Skyrim’s landscapes. This includes textures for trees, grass, rocks, plants, roads, and more. The second covers all of Skyrim’s towns, farms, dungeons, forts, clutter, and more. You can download them from here and here.
All in all, these two mods will allow you to experience Skyrim with a completely different art style. Some will hate it, while others will love it. Personally, I find it cool. But that’s just me.
>> The article has the links to the two mods and an over 5 minutes video.
This Elden Ring Mod Allows You to Play as Queen Marika With Her Unique Moveset and Boss Abilities
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/this-elden-ring-mod-allows-you-to-play-as-queen-marika-with-her-unique-boss-abilities-and-moveset/
Modder ‘TomJerry125’ has released a pretty cool mod for Elden Ring that allows you to play as Queen Marika. This is such a cool thing, as you can now wreak havoc with her and experience the game in a completely different way.
What’s great here is that the mod has a boss-inspired moveset for her, featuring her attacks, animations, and divine combat style. In other words, this isn’t just a skin mod. Instead, it adds a new moveset and new abilities to the game. As such, Queen Marika will feel like Queen Marika.
>> There’s an over 10 minutes video of the mod.
Modders made a Fallout 4 quest in a weekend for charity, and it features iconic Elder Scrolls actor Wes Johnson
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fallout/modders-made-a-fallout-4-quest-in-a-weekend-for-charity-and-it-features-iconic-elder-scrolls-actor-wes-johnson/
A new Fallout 4 mod, Double Feature, is the fourth collaboration by modders Kinggath and co. with Elder Scrolls icon Wes Johnson—the man behind characters like Molag Bal, Sheogorath, and a whole lot more—as well as Fallout actors Jan Johns and Leer Leary. It's part of Kinggath's annual modding for charity project, which led to the creation of similar mods like Shady Motives and Trunk's Malfunction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Johnson#Video_games The mod's associated Alzheimer's fundraiser has raised just over $5,000 as I write this, with a current goal of $6,000; far past its original goal of $2,500. Combined with the other modders' supporting campaigns, it's up to $7,895. While Wes Johnson seems up for all sorts of RPG fan projects and shenanigans, it seems like the cause to end Alzheimer's is a particular passion: this is just part of Johnson's broader Fallout-themed "Voiceapalooza" effort, a partnership with the Fallout For Hope charity.
The mod itself features a unique dungeon and offers some custom rewards: a plyaer home, a new companion, some Vault Boy-themed power armor, and a new weapon. For details on how to start the quest and all the modders involved in Double Feature's creation, check out the Nexus page (you can also download it for free there). As with previous mods made for the charity event, it was all done in a weekend.
The Kinggath Creations website shows off the modders' other projects, which includes the previous charity mods as well as larger projects downloadable through Bethesda's creations library. One you might find familiar is the Sim Settlements mod for Fallout 4, which we named the best mod of 2017. Back then, PC Gamer's Christopher Livingston said it's "so good it should be an official part of the game."
>> The article doesn’t have any media.
One of our favorite Half-Life 2 mods is getting a stealth game prequel where you're a Combine assassin preying on the human resistance
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/one-of-our-favorite-half-life-2-mods-is-getting-a-stealth-game-prequel-where-youre-a-combine-assassin-preying-on-the-human-resistance/
The cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series Entropy: Zero has another entry in the works, and speaking as a fan of Thief, Deus Ex, and all things immersive sim, Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors may be the most exciting one yet.
Entropy: Zero has always presented the bad guys' side of things in Half-Life, but Progenitors trades the first two episodes' standard Combine trooper for a super sneaky assassin type—she strikes me as a riff on the black ops ninjas from Half-Life 1.
Progenitors takes place an indeterminate amount of time after the Seven Hour War where the Combine took over the Earth, and our assassin protagonist is charged with taking out the rogue Progenitor from which the Combine's soldiers were first cloned or otherwise derived (or something). If Mr. P turns out to be Adrian Shephard from Opposing Force, I'll think about eating my shoe.
It's a neat take on the Half-Life lore bolstered by some great visual direction. All of the Entropies: Zero have done a great job of blending and homaging various eras of Half-Life—Zero 2 took place in an Aperture Science facility and paired you with a snarky turret companion—and Progenitors looks to be turning its gaze toward Opposing Force. I'm particularly fond of the evil Combine United Nations logo—it's giving the dark Nazi future gags from MachineGames' Wolfensteins.
As for gameplay, developer Blixibon has been sharing clips of new weapons and mechanics on YouTube, and Progenitors looks incredibly ambitious—practically an immersive sim, or at least a shooter-immsim hybrid like Dark Messiah or the aforementioned neo-Wolfensteins. Blixibon's latest clip shows a player pickpocketing an enemy soldier then throwing a beer bottle to distract him. We have Dishonored 3 at home, god bless it.
Progenitors does not have an estimated release date, and the latest blog post on its ModDB page alludes to development difficulties and creative burnout on the part of some team members.
But it sounds like the worst of it is behind them, and this is an incredibly exciting project. You can keep up with Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors via its ModDB page and Blixibon's YouTube channel.
>> The article has a video and some screenshots.
GAMING NEWS
Crimson Desert Update 1.13.00 Released – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/crimson-desert-update-1-13-00-released-full-patch-notes/
Pearl Abyss has released Title Update 1.13.00 for Crimson Desert and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new patch brings to the table.
Atomic Heart Is the Latest Denuvo Game That Has Been Cracked
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/atomic-heart-is-the-latest-denuvo-game-that-has-been-cracked/
Atomic Heart is the latest victim of voices38, who has managed to crack its Denuvo anti-tamper protection. The game was released in February 2023. From what I know, it was never cracked by EMPRESS. Thus, it took over 3 years to crack.
First 4 Hours of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Leaked Online
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-4-hours-of-assassins-creed-black-flag-resynced-leaked-online/
YouTube’s ‘Skill Games’ has released a video, leaking the first 4 hours of gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. So, if you’ve been looking forward to this remake, you should definitely check it out.
>> Here’s another video with “only” 15 minutes of footage (link).
Senua and State of Decay 3 Will Not Be Canceled, Doom, Wolfenstein and Quake Franchises Are Also Safe
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/senua-and-state-of-decay-3-will-not-be-canceled-doom-wolfenstein-and-quake-franchises-are-also-safe/
Microsoft has just announced a huge pivot in its gaming policies. And, with all the rumors that were surfacing online lately, a lot thought that games like Senua and State of Decay 3 would be canceled. Well, there is at least some good news. Senua and State of Decay 3 have not been canceled, and they will see the light of day.
Microsoft confirmed that it will sell Ninja Theory and Undead Labs to undisclosed buyers. However, both of these studios will keep working with XBOX on Senua and State of Decay 3. This means that Microsoft will keep funding and, eventually, publish these games.
(...)
Before closing, I should note that Compulsion Games and Double Fine will go back to being independent. Again, this is somewhat good news as MS will not close them. It will be difficult to go back to being independent. But hey, compared to the alternative, it’s at least a positive thing.
Finally, Microsoft will begin a consultation process with Arkane Studios Lyon to review potential strategic options. There is no word on whether this will have any negative impact on the Blade game. We also don’t know whether MS has any plans to fund and publish it, as it will do with Senua and State of Decay 3.
>> Many people will lose their jobs, as the article that Jizz posyed shows, but it could have been worse.
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