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PlayStation Plus Essential-level subscribers will get Borderlands 3, NHL 24, and Among Us as part of their subscription beginning July… Continue reading PlayStation Plus free games for July 2024: Borderlands, Among Us, and ice hockey
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PlayStation Plus Essential-level subscribers will get Borderlands 3, NHL 24, and Among Us as part of their subscription beginning July 2, PlayStation announced on Wednesday.

All three are big names but something of a known quantity to dedicated console gamers. NHL 24 might seem timely, but the Stanley Cup finals just concluded, with Florida arresting a near-collapse in the winner-take-all seventh game to prevail 4-3 over the Edmonton Oilers. That begins professional hockey’s minuscule offseason, with opening day set for early October and the next edition of EA Sports’ officially licensed video game expected a few weeks before that.

Borderlands 3 is the latest edition of a franchise that pioneered the loot-shooter sub-genre with the first Borderlands in 2009. Borderlands 3 launched in 2019 for PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One, with native versions later coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for the launch of both consoles. In either case, fans can expect wild sci-fi post-apocalyptic mayhem, unreasonably aggressive mutant beasts and psychopathic villains, and wisecracking robots on Gearbox Software’s latest adventure in the series.

Among Us, which first launched in 2018 and saw a massive resurgence in player count and popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, is not, despite assumptions, a free-to-play game. The mirthful, social-deduction game (a la Clue) set aboard a spaceship does have something of a live service model with crossovers and collaborations.

When are these PS4 and PS5 free games available?

But it’s still a paid-for title in which a group of players try to find who is the evil Impostor out to kill the Crewmates and destroy their ship. Among Us’ most recent update, arriving last week, introduced new imposter roles and a new crewmate to keep everyone on their toes.

All three games are free to add to your library and download beginning Tuesday, July 2.

June’s free games — Streets of Rage 4, AEW Fight Forever, and SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake — are still available to download until July 2.

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Apple will soon better support third-party iPhone displays and batteries in a bid to improve its smartphones’ repairability. A common… Continue reading Apple pursues ‘longevity’ by improving support for third-party iPhone displays and batteries
The post Apple pursues ‘longevity’ by improving support for third-party iPhone displays and batteries appeared first on ReadWrite.

Apple will soon better support third-party iPhone displays and batteries in a bid to improve its smartphones’ repairability.

A common criticism levelled at Apple is that its hardware is not built to last. The fact that iPhone batteries and displays can usually only be replaced (at a considerable expense) by official Apple stores and repair teams means that people can’t reliably fix their own smartphones themselves or with cheaper third-party service providers, like Android users can.

Typically, a replacement iPhone battery will cost around $100, while a new screen can cost as high as $250, depending on the specific device. However, Apple has started various initiatives to improve its repairability, such as extending its self-service diagnostics tool to Europe. This offers customers across 32 countries an easier way to test products for possible problems.

More software features coming to third-party iPhone components

Apple has also published a white paper called Longevity, by Design that outlines “the company’s principles for designing for longevity.” The most important detail within is that the tech giant will extend more software features to third-party iPhone components.

That means that features like True Tone, the way that an iPhone display’s white balance will automatically adjust to better match your environment, will no longer be disabled when hardware elements like the display are replaced by third parties. This means repairs will not always need to go through Apple’s cost-high streams.

Apple does note that the results may not be up to its usual standards, due to the fact that True Tone depends on variable server-side calibrations and detailed communications but the effort is being made to improve the experience for customers. What’s more, iPhone owners “will be able to deactivate True Tone in Settings if the display does not perform to their satisfaction.”

Battery metrics are also coming to third-party batteries, with the provision that Apple cannot verify the information presented. The company is still clearly wary of third-party batteries, with the white paper featuring data on many tests that led to failures as extreme as fire or explosions, in some cases.

“We encourage all consumers to confirm that the product meets stringent safety requirements,” Apple writes.

The changes will reportedly come later in 2024, suggesting iOS 18 will be required to perform the necessary expansions.

Featured image: Unsplash

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Google has revealed the date of its upcoming Pixel launch event, as well as teasing the smartphone at the event’s… Continue reading Google teases Pixel 9 Pro and confirms date of Google’s August Pixel event
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Google has revealed the date of its upcoming Pixel launch event, as well as teasing the smartphone at the event’s center: the Pixel 9 Pro.

In a surprise move, Google is bringing its Pixel launch event forward from October to Tuesday, August 13. In an official teaser, the tech company confirmed the event and dropped some hints about what to expect from the reveal.

As expected, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are front and center of the event, with the brief promo clip offering us our first glimpse of the upcoming smartphone.

It appears the Pro model from Series 9, as suggested through the triple-lens camera that you can just about spot on the rear of the handset. The glimpses are admittedly brief but it does confirm that the two upcoming handsets are in the works and should be revealed officially in just a couple of months’ time. This could be an attempt from Google to get ahead of Apple’s reveal of the iPhone 16, scheduled for September.

What to expect from the Pixel 9 Pro

With only the barest glimpse of the handset and no technical details offered, the official Google event page is keeping most information under wraps. However, there are some rumors about the upcoming handsets.

In terms of aesthetics, the color options are thought to be the typical black and white, as well as the more vibrant green and pink. The Pro is thought to have a 6.1-inch screen, potentially increasing to a 6.7-inch panel on the rumoured Pro XL.

In terms of power, the Tensor G4 chip is believed to power Google’s future phones. In keeping with industry trends, the tech giant is also thought to expand the number of on-device AI features.

Other potential handsets set for rumored reveals also include the Pixel Fold 2 (aka the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the follow-up to the Pixel Fold from May 2023), the Pixel Watch 3, the Pixel Tablet 2, and/or a new pair of Google Pixel Buds.

Featured image: Google

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The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Illustration Contest has eliminated a number of finalists for allegedly using AI in their… Continue reading Pokémon trading-card game illustration contest disqualifies finalists, alleging AI use in images
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The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Illustration Contest has eliminated a number of finalists for allegedly using AI in their entries.

Less than two weeks after the finalists were announced, the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest has announced that some entrants included in the top 300 finalists of the content have now been disqualified. Although the statement doesn’t specifically cite generative AI as the reason for the disqualifications, instead saying merely they were found “violating official contest rules,” fans have been pointing out the use of AI in some entries ever since they were announced.

“We are aware that select entrants from the top 300 finalists of the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024 have violated the official contest rules,” reads the statement. “As a result, entrants in violation of the rules have been disqualified from the contest.

“Furthermore, additional artists participating in the contest will soon be selected to be among the top 300 finalists. We’re committed to upholding the integrity of the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest and appreciate fans’ continued support as we celebrate the artistic abilities of the talented Pokémon community.”

https://t.co/0zw5YjCQs0 pic.twitter.com/4AEJ550D0u

— Pokémon TCG (@PokemonTCG) June 25, 2024

As well as the use of AI, it’s also been suggested on social media that one participant submitted multiple entries under slightly different names. This was also something that was expressly forbidden in the rules and could therefore have resulted in disqualification from the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest.

What happens next for the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest?

As noted in its statement, more finalists will be selected to fill out the now vacant spaces in the top 300. A timeframe has not yet been given for when these finalists will be announced.

Some fans are already pushing their own or others’ submissions in the replies to the post on X but presumably the same judging system will be used for this second round of selections.

Featured image: Pokémon Illustration Contest

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GOG, the online digital distribution retailer for PC games, will work with Capcom to re-release the original Resident Evil trilogy… Continue reading Original Resident Evil trilogy coming to PC DRM-free, thanks to GOG
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GOG, the online digital distribution retailer for PC games, will work with Capcom to re-release the original Resident Evil trilogy on PC without digital rights management software.

The first of the three original Resident Evil games is now available on GOG to purchase, with the next two coming at later and as yet unspecified dates. The iconic series of horror games set the bar for the survival horror genre and is one of Capcom’s best-selling video game franchises, so much so that the game production company has been remaking its old classics.

The original Resident Evil trilogy was available on Windows PC beginning 1996 to 1999, but those versions of the game were not compatible with modern PCs. Thus the OG trilogy never made it onto Steam, meaning today’s PC gamers can’t access them easily, and instead are forced to emulate them via ROMs.

“The game that defined the survival horror genre returns – uncut, compatible with modern machines, and scarier than ever,” said GOG’s statement on X.

The game that defined the survival horror genre returns – uncut, compatible with modern machines, and scarier than ever…

Resident Evil is now available on GOG: https://t.co/CQehBj9GqQ

Own a piece of history and play it offline today!@RE_Games @CapcomUSA_ pic.twitter.com/4fwQKM688l

— GOG.COM (@GOGcom) June 26, 2024

What does Resident Evil being DRM-free mean?

GOG has made it a mission to preserve classic PC games from becoming lost media over time, with its next target being the Resident Evil trilogy. As well as introducing quality-of-life improvements and upgraded compatibility for modern PCs and gaming hardware, the re-releases will be DRM-free.

DRM refers to digital rights management, so being DRM-free essentially means that it’s less likely for the games to become inaccessible over time because more people can store it locally. It can be installed as many times on as many different machines as you want, giving greater control to the player, rather than the creator.

What’s more, GOG’s re-release of Resident Evil will be the uncut edition, including more gory scenes of extreme violence than the original version released back in 1996. That will entice long-term fans of the franchise, who largely agree that the blood-and-guts, super-scary version is the preferable version to play.

Featured image: Capcom

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A whopping $19 billion is estimated to have been spent on games that have been purchased, but never been played.… Continue reading Steam’s total Pile of Shame is $19 billion spent on games never played
The post Steam’s total Pile of Shame is $19 billion spent on games never played appeared first on ReadWrite.

A whopping $19 billion is estimated to have been spent on games that have been purchased, but never been played. This amusing figure, representing the combined “Pile of Shame” of games that fans bought, say they’ll get around to — yet never do — is more than the gross national product of some countries like Mauritius, Nicaragua, or Niger.

And with the Steam summer sale kicking off on Thursday (June 27) that pile of shame could grow even further.

The estimation was made by Ed Smith of PCGamesN. He arrived at the estimate by examining the registered accounts on the video game digital distribution service. Just 10%, or about 73 million, are publicly visible through the SteamIDFinder’s database.

Based on the data from those accounts, Smith and PCGamesN then calculated that “collectively there’s around $1.9 billion / £1.4 billion worth of games that have been purchased and then never played even a single time.

“Times that by ten, to roughly account for all the Steam profiles that are not public, and you arrive at $19 billion…”

You can even look up your own shame through PCGamesN’s widget.

Steam pile of shame could grow further under the upcoming summer sale

Another dozen — or even more — games could go unplayed in your library as Steam on Monday promised a “Summer Sale Deep Discounts” category which will be visible from Thursday (June 27) to the sale’s July 11 conclusion. This could see 80% to 90% price cuts on truckload of offerings, making a single-digit price tag potentially too good to resist.

In the announcement of the sale which begins tomorrow and lasts until July 11, some oldies-but-goodies were revealed like Lego Star Wars, The Saboteur, Dirt Rally 2.0, and Doom.

Other long-standing hits with high value can be seen in the montage too, like Terraria, Football Manager 2024, Hades, and Dead Cells.

If you’re looking to the present, some new releases could be hit with a price cut like Palworld and Manor Lords.

The Steam Deck handheld console will also be on sale with a 15% discount, which will take the 64 GB, LCD configuration of the device down to $296.45.

Featured Image: Via Ideogram

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Baby Doge Coin has experienced a recent dip, but notable developments have emerged, including its latest epic NFT collaboration with… Continue reading Baby Doge Coin Seeks Revival Through Epic NFT Collab as New P2E Crypto Presale Soars Past $5Million
The post Baby Doge Coin Seeks Revival Through Epic NFT Collab as New P2E Crypto Presale Soars Past $5Million appeared first on ReadWrite.

Baby Doge Coin has experienced a recent dip, but notable developments have emerged, including its latest epic NFT collaboration with the on-chain multiplayer game Katana Inu.

This milestone could significantly increase the token’s utility, as the Baby Doge Coin community eagerly awaits the launch of playable characters and weapon NFTs usable within the game.

Baby Doge Coin (BabyDoge) price analysis and price prediction

While Baby Doge Coin’s price has dipped slightly in the past day and week, some investors see this as a buying opportunity considering the project’s overall strength.

With a market capitalization exceeding $200 million, Baby Doge Coin presents a compelling investment opportunity, especially considering its recent resilience and signs of stabilization.

The coin’s presence is further bolstered by its availability on high-volume platforms like PancakeSwap and Uniswap, alongside strategic partnerships with OKX, Bybit, and Gate.io.

These exchanges play a crucial role in enhancing liquidity and expanding global investor access.

Looking ahead, the community anticipates continued momentum, particularly with potential listings on major exchanges like Bitstamp, which could further elevate market liquidity and investor confidence, as hinted on their social media.

Additionally, investors eagerly await listings on major platforms such as Binance and Coinbase, underscoring the coin’s substantial trading volume and potential utility.

Currently trading around $0.000000001417, price predictions for the coming week offer a range of possibilities, with estimates between $0.000000001712 and $0.000000002074.

Baby Doge Coin forges ahead with hardware wallets and exchange listings

Baby Doge Coin (BabyDoge) transcends the limitations of a typical meme coin by offering a robust ecosystem brimming with utility.

This is evident in features like Baby Doge AI, Baby Doge Swap, and integrations with over 110 platforms across diverse sectors.

The project’s innovation extends beyond digital solutions. Baby Doge Cards, a recent introduction, represent hardware wallets designed for enhanced security and user-friendliness.

These cards boast quick access, secure activation, and support for over 2,500 cryptocurrencies. Additionally, WalletConnect integration enables seamless interaction with DeFi and NFT platforms.

Are you ready, BabyDoge family? 👀

Check out this amazing video from @katanainu showcasing our exclusive Baby Doge character and its Immortal cosmetics! 🔥

⏳ The NFT Collection is going live in just a day! Start hunting for the whitelist spot!

Don’t miss it — it’s going to be… https://t.co/rmcOrNxgJf

— Baby Doge (@BabyDogeCoin) June 26, 2024

Native NFT support and upcoming market functionalities further solidify Baby Doge Coin’s commitment to cutting-edge technology.

This emphasis on user autonomy and top-tier security positions Baby Doge Cards as a unique offering within the cryptocurrency space.

Baby Doge Coin’s dedication extends beyond technology. The project boasts a Guinness World Record and actively contributes to charitable causes. Farming-as-a-service provides another avenue for user engagement.

The project’s global reach is undeniable. Spanning 149 countries, the BabyDoge community is thriving, as evidenced by the overwhelming response (over 10,000 applications in 24 hours) to its Telegram game waitlist.

This widespread adoption and enthusiastic community fuel optimism for BabyDoge’s long-term success. For those seeking alternative investments, check out our 2024 guide to the best meme coins to buy.

Investment opportunity with Tamagotchi vibes: PlayDoge

A new Play-to-Earn (P2E) investment opportunity, PlayDoge, has emerged as a hot topic in the crypto market. The project’s presale has reached a significant milestone, fueled by a clever combination of nostalgia and cryptocurrency.

PlayDoge taps into the cherished memories of 90s kids by basing its gameplay on the addictive Tamagotchi craze. This unique blend has resonated with both gamers and crypto enthusiasts, leading to a successful fundraising campaign.

The project’s appeal extends even further, attracting investment from crypto experts who appreciate the intriguing theme and the website’s pixelated design—a delightful echo of the past.

Beyond its nostalgic charm, PlayDoge offers a compelling P2E experience. However, it doesn’t stop there. Users can also participate in staking, which is currently available on both Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain.

Rewards, distributed over three years, are paid out in $PLAY tokens. The project’s traction is undeniable; over 1.4 million PlayDoge tokens have already been staked, with estimated annual percentage yields (APY) reaching a staggering 126%.

PlayDoge’s presale continues to draw attention, recently surpassing the $5 million mark. This milestone has further fueled excitement within the crypto community, with many experts and enthusiasts closely watching the project’s development.

Comparisons to Axie Infinity, a major player in the P2E space, are emerging, suggesting PlayDoge has the potential to become the next big thing in the crypto-gaming world. To take part in the $PLAY token presale, visit playdoge.io.

Related

Baby Doge Coin (BabyDoge) Rallies as the Best P2E Doge Companion Game Presale Surges to $4 Million
Play-to-Earn Crypto Makes a Resurgence with Trending Tokens Like Hamster Kombat and PlayDoge

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Shadow of the Erdtree might just be the DLC of all DLCs, enhancing the already incredible Elden Ring to even… Continue reading All Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree weapons, shields, and seals added in the DLC
The post All Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree weapons, shields, and seals added in the DLC appeared first on ReadWrite.

Shadow of the Erdtree might just be the DLC of all DLCs, enhancing the already incredible Elden Ring to even loftier heights.

With the new areas, bosses, and NPCs, there are also a bunch of new weapons, shields, and seals that you can use to enhance your build, potentially making it even stronger than ever before.

To help you out, we’re going to detail each new weapon, shield, and seal, so you can see if any are taking your initial fancy, and then you can go on the hunt to find them.

All Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree weapons

Here are all of the Shadow of the Erdtree weapons that have been added with the DLC. This has been separated into weapon type so you can find your preferred section right away.

Throwing Blades

Smithscript Dagger

Daggers

Fire Knight’s Shortsword
Main-gauche

Straight Swords

Stone-Sheathed Sword
Sword of Darkness
Sword of Light
Velvet Sword Of St. Trina

Light Greatswords

Leda’s Sword
Milady
Rellana’s Twinblade

Greatswords

Greatsword of Damnation
Greatsword of Solitude
Lizard Greatsword

Curved Swords

Dancing Blade of Ranah
Falx
Horned Warrior’s Sword
Spirit Sword

Curved Greatswords

Freyja’s Greatsword
Horned Warrior’s Greatsword

Colossal Swords

Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword
Fire Knight’s Greatsword
Greatsword of Radahn (Light)
Greatsword of Radahn (Lord)
Moonrithyll’s Knight Sword

Thrusting Swords

Carian Sorcery Sword

Heavy Thrusting Swords

Queelign’s Greatsword
Sword Lance

Backhand Blades

Backhand Blade
Curseblade’s Cirque
Smithscript Cirque

Katanas

Star-Lined Sword
Sword of Night

Great Katanas

Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana
Great Katana
Rakshasa’s Great Katana

Twinblades

Black Steel Twinblade
Euporia

Axes

Death Knight’s Twin Axes
Forked-Tongue Hatchet
Messmer Soldier’s Axe
Smithscript Axe

Greataxes

Bonny Butchering Knife
Deathknight’s Longshaft Axe
Putrescence Cleaver

Hammers

Flowerstone Gavel

Flails

Serpent Flail

Great Hammers

Black Steel Greathammer
Smithscript Greathammer

Colossal Weapons

Anvil Hammer
Bloodfiend’s Arm
Devonia’s Hammer
Gazing Finger
Shadow Sunflower Blossom

Spears

Bloodfiend’s Fork
Smithscript Spear
Swift Spear

Great Spears

Barbed Staff-Spear
Bloodfiend’s Sacred Spear
Messmer Soldier’s Spear
Spear of the Impaler

Halberds

Poleblade of the Bud
Spirit Glaive

Reapers

Obsidian Lamina

Whips

Tooth Whip

Fists

Golem Fist
Madding Hand
Pata
Poisoned Hand
Thiollier’s Hidden Needle

Hand-to-Hands

Dane’s Footwork
Dryleaf Arts

Claws

Claws of Night

Beast Claws

Beast Claw
Red Bear’s Claw

Perfume Bottles

Chilling Perfume Bottle
Deadly Poison Perfume Bottle
Firespark Perfume Bottle
Frenzyflame Perfume Bottle
Lightning Perfume Bottle

Light Bows

Bone Bow

Bows

Ansbach’s Longbow

Greatbows

Igon’s Greatbow

Crossbows

Repeating Crossbow
Spread Crossbow

Ballistas

Rabbath’s Cannon

Torches

Nanaya’s Torch
Lamenting Visage

Staffs

Maternal Staff
Staff of the Great Beyond

All Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree shields

After that pretty hefty list of weapons you can utilize, here are all of the new shields in Shadow of the Erdtree, again separated by their type:

Small Shields

Shield of Night
Smithscript Shield

Medium Shields

Golden Lion Shield
Messmer Soldier Shield
Serpent Crest Shield
Sun Realm Shield
Wolf Crest Shield

Greatshields

Black Steel Greatshield
Verdigris Greatshield

Thrusting Shields

Carian Thrusting Shield
Dueling Shield

All Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree seals

Finally, we’ve got the new seals added with Shadow of the Erdtree. There is only a few, but worth knowing them all the same.

Dryleaf Seal
Fire Knight’s Seal
Spiraltree Seal

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Bleed builds in Elden Ring are a fan-favorite, allowing you to deal some serious damage if you get enough hits… Continue reading How to get Bloodfiend’s Arm in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
The post How to get Bloodfiend’s Arm in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree appeared first on ReadWrite.

Bleed builds in Elden Ring are a fan-favorite, allowing you to deal some serious damage if you get enough hits off.

With Shadow of the Erdtree, there are a bunch of new bleed-based weapons that some are suggesting are better than the ones in the base game.

One in particular that is catching the eye is the Bloodfiend’s Arm since the blood loss buildup stat is over 200 once tweaked.

Below, we’ll teach you how to get Bloodfiend’s Arm in Shadow of the Erdtree so you too can get to using this stat to your advantage.

Where to find Bloodfiend’s Arm in Shadow of the Erdtree

Unlike other top weapons in the Elden Ring DLC, you don’t actually get Bloodfiend’s Arm from a boss. Instead, it can be secured from a basic enemy, albeit a very specific one.

As you might have guessed, it is the Bloodfiend enemy you are after, but there are many variants of these, so you must hone in one the one that is using the Arm as a weapon itself.

The place to find one of these is close to the Gravesite Plain Site of Grace which is very early on in the DLC.

Once you’re here, if you head southwest, you should come across some of these Bloodfiends. However, these ones aren’t the mob you’re after, and instead, you need to move a little easterly into Prospect Town.

Traverse up to the built-up area and continue until you see a group of these enemies sitting down and a magic caster performing spells. The enemy closest to this caster is the Bloodfiend you’re after.

Just clear out the area, killing this specific mob in the process, and you should have Bloodfiend’s Arm.

Now you can go boost it up at the Roundtable Hold and you’ll have a seriously powerful bleed weapon on your hands!

Other Shadow of the Erdtree weapon location guides

How to get Rakshasa’s Great Katana
How to get Red Bear’s Claw
How to get Beast Claw
How to get Dragon-Hunter’s Great Katana
How to get Milady
How to get Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword
How to get Backhand Blade

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I’m sitting here watching the trailer for Forza Horizon 4 on Steam. The plaudits for one of the best race… Continue reading Forza Horizon 4’s termination is just the latest industry middle finger to the people who ultimately fund it
The post Forza Horizon 4’s termination is just the latest industry middle finger to the people who ultimately fund it appeared first on ReadWrite.

I’m sitting here watching the trailer for Forza Horizon 4 on Steam. The plaudits for one of the best race games of all time flash by – “The king of open-world arcade racing” says one. “Pure racing bliss” and “Hugely entertaining,” say others. Eurogamer rounds off with “The perfect open world arcade game.”

Cool, this sounds like a game that will be remembered forever then. Hall of Fame stuff. Except no, in December this year, you won’t be able to buy it anymore and all digital traces of it will be expunged from history because of “licenses”.

In a bit of a mealy-mouthed statement from the devs that doesn’t even say ‘sorry mate’, the opener reads, “Due to licensing and agreements with our partners, Forza Horizon 4 will be delisted from digital platforms (Microsoft Store and Steam) on December 15, 2024. This means the game and its additional content will no longer be available for purchase through online stores.”

Am I, or you or whoever not a partner with an agreement that when I gave you all the money for Forza Horizon 4, I could well, y’know, actually play it the way it was supposed to be played?

Now you can temper a little of your outrage in that if you already own the game you will still be able to play it, albeit in a hobbled format with no DLC to add should you want to expand it in the future, and the removal of the Festival game mode which has been present since it launched in 2021 and has reached Series 77.

Forza – disappearing over the….

And as much as Playground Games is doing its best to keep its baby alive (it currently has an 80% reduction in price on Steam so you can buy it and keep it) the whole thing tastes sour because I am buying the decayed corpse of the game, not the game that was “pure racing bliss” only yesterday.

Should I not buy the next Forza games because “licensing issues” will take them away from me at some point and maybe my favorite bits will vanish? Yes, it is on sale now, but it was still for sale recently for $60. Is this something that just popped up this morning? Is this the same for any game from now on with licensing, if that’s the case I might suggest making a version without anything that will self-destruct the game a few months down the line.

All DLC has been removed from purchase as of today, this minute. The only way to get my hands on Forza Horizon 4 DLC now is to pirate the game. How is this right?

How is the only way to get something that was “The perfect open-world arcade game” not long ago is to get hold of it illegally? Maybe people will just decide to do that from the off in the future, cut out the pesky middlemen.

This is not my sense of entitlement running wild. You lot forced me down a path where I can’t really buy physical copies of games anymore to keep safe under my bed.

And what are these licenses you speak of? And why were they so short? Imagine if Aston Martin suddenly decided they didn’t want to be James Bond’s car and you couldn’t watch Casino Royale anymore unless you owned it on VHS. And if you decided you wanted to buy it for yourself, well you can’t because of well, licenses, or worse still here’s a version where Bond has to get the bus everywhere.

I am big into video game preservation and small into the corporate nonsense that rides roughshod over history for a few dollars here and there. Devs, coders, marketing people, and gamers have slaved over Forza Horizon 4, all coming together to make it the great game it is (soon to be was). It’s not right it can just be erased from existence everywhere but the torrent sites.

Games companies are again pushing people towards illicit means because people can’t trust that the games they purchase (but don’t even own) these days will be around to play as the years go by. Between the ever-increasing costs, the shameless microtransactions, oppressive DRM, meaningless skins, mass layoffs and now things like this, the gaming industry will struggle to repair its reputation in the long term.

And to be fair, right now, it absolutely does not deserve to.

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