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As reports suggesting major changes are brewing at Xbox, likely involving mass layoffs, continue to swirl, the console maker’s current boss’ plans for the future apparently involve pushing out new Fallout and Elder Scrolls games in speedier fashion. Asha Sharma’s desire to whip out new entries in flagship series reportedly comes as Microsoft are considering spinning out or restructuring Xbox as a subsidiary.

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### June’s Steam Next Fest: Unveiling “Iron Nest: Heavy Turret Simulator”

June’s Steam Next Fest has received mixed feedback, especially from gamers who found the event somewhat unsatisfactory. Despite a few exceptional titles, many lament the overwhelming presence of subpar games drowning out the true gems. This year, one title that has managed to rise above the din is *Iron Nest: Heavy Turret Simulator*, a game that exceeds expectations.

#### The Highlight of the Fest

Currently leading the Steam demo charts, *Iron Nest* is crafted by a duo, Nick Nieuwoudt and Dominik Latos. The game sports an impressive 99% Overwhelming Positive rating on Steam, signaling a robust reception from its players. For the uninitiated, *Iron Nest* is a hyper-realistic cannon-firing simulator that has captured attention not just for its gameplay, but also for the entertaining marketing emails dispatched by its developers.

Initially hesitant to delve into *Iron Nest*—due to the belief that military simulations lack appeal—players have swiftly discovered it to be a remarkable experience among the festival’s selections.

#### Gameplay Dynamics

At its essence, *Iron Nest* centers around the mechanized tasks of loading and firing a sizable cannon. Players take on the role of an unnamed Operator for High Command, an enigmatic military organization. Directives are delivered via an automatic typewriter, offering coordinates and artillery types for bombardments. This apparent simplicity belies a deeper and more intricate gaming experience.

The humor in the game is highlighted by the absurdity of your role—you’re directed to follow commands that may result in morally dubious outcomes, such as striking an allied hospital. This thematic tension injects a layer of critique into the gameplay, placing players as unwitting agents of a faceless adversary.

#### Tactile and Immersive Experience

What distinguishes *Iron Nest* from conventional simulators is the elaborate tasks required to execute commands. Players must plot ranges and bearings on an expansive map, enter calculations into a Ballistic Calculator, and meticulously load the cannon before firing. This thorough approach turns each mission into a hands-on puzzle demanding critical thought and problem-solving skills.

The game’s design promotes a tactile experience; every action—from turret rotation to elevation adjustments—feels purposeful and gratifying. Players have noted finding a soothing rhythm in the structured sequence of operations, despite the inherent pressures of combat situations.

#### Increasing Challenges

As players advance, challenges become more formidable. Incomplete target information compels operators to make estimates, while machinery failures and enemy attacks add extra layers of difficulty. This combination of strategy and dexterity leads to moments that can be either intensely rewarding or frustrating, mirroring the unpredictability of military operations.

Despite its complex gameplay, many players express a sense of achievement and intellect as they tackle the challenges introduced in *Iron Nest*. The game has succeeded in engaging players on a distinctive level, demonstrating that even those typically averse to simulators can find pleasure within its domain.

#### Conclusion

Although June’s Steam Next Fest may have left numerous players feeling disenchanted, *Iron Nest: Heavy Turret Simulator* has surfaced as a standout, surpassing expectations with its innovative gameplay and captivating mechanics. The fusion of humor, moral intricacy, and detailed simulation provides players with an unforgettable experience that distinguishes itself in a saturated landscape. As excitement builds for the full launch, *Iron Nest* has quickly established itself as a title of interest—transforming casual gamers into connoisseurs of the military simulation genre.

The Witcher 3‘s multiplayer mod, the world’s premier tool for forming big towers of multiple Geralts precariously perched atop each others’ shoulders, has added another string to its bow. You can now meet up with some mates at a tavern to play games of Gwent against them, a concept so appealing CD Projekt made a whole game out of it.

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**The Cult Classic Reputation of Control and the Excitement for Control Resonant**

When Remedy Entertainment debuted *Control* in 2019, it emerged as a singular addition to the gaming sphere, one that didn’t neatly align with traditional genres. It was neither a standard AAA shooter nor merely an indie game; instead, it was a singular AA title that many swiftly regarded as a possible cult classic. The game’s remarkable fusion of brutalist architecture, ordinary office settings, and elements of urban weird fiction struck a chord with gamers, establishing a niche of appreciation that has only intensified since its launch.

Mikael Kasurinen, the creative director behind *Control* and its forthcoming sequel *Control Resonant*, discussed the innovative aesthetics present within the game, noting a cultural transition towards a new brand of horror that intertwines the familiar with the strange: “There’s this new weird,” he asserts, alluding to the emergence of creepypasta and internet lore that introduces disquieting features within recognizable environments. This phenomenon also enriched the game’s distinctive ambiance, epitomized by the unconventional location dubbed The Oldest House—a surreal skyscraper in Manhattan filled with inexplicable occurrences.

In *Control*, players interact with the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), a clandestine organization striving to comprehend and manage supernatural events. From a floppy disk that grants psychic powers to a slide projector that acts as a gateway, *Control* presents players with an array of odd concepts and beings. The game also showcases unforgettable characters like Ahti, a Finnish custodian whose enigmatic speech hints at deeper enigmas, adding richness to the gameplay experience.

With widespread praise, *Control* cemented its role as a pivotal work, capturing a fanbase that valued its unique narrative style and gameplay mechanics. The Ashtray Maze, a highlight sequence, exemplifies the game’s groundbreaking approach, merging gameplay with storytelling in an unparalleled fashion. The accolades received by *Control* paved the way for Remedy to broaden the interconnected universe formed through its narrative, linking to the legendary *Alan Wake* and its 2023 sequel.

Currently, excitement is mounting for *Control Resonant*, a sequel that aims to both pay homage to and advance the distinctive qualities of its forerunner. Moving away from the evocative strangeness of The Oldest House, *Control Resonant* presents a new protagonist, Dylan Faden, who emerges into a chaotic Manhattan devastated by the remnants of the Hiss—a mysterious extraterrestrial force. This transition from the known to the unknown signifies a purposeful storytelling choice by Kasurinen and his team, intending to challenge players’ viewpoints and deliver a new narrative experience.

In this sequel, Dylan’s adventure commences in a Manhattan on the brink of reality. The Hiss have transformed the urban landscape, causing surreal environmental alterations, such as streets intertwining and peculiar beings breaching from alternate dimensions. This atmospheric transformation serves as the setting for Dylan’s quest to grasp his purpose amidst the disorder—themes of identity and self-exploration resonate profoundly throughout the narrative.

Dylan’s character markedly contrasts with his sister, Jesse, as he exhibits a more hesitant and uncertain nature. This character development encourages players to make dialogue choices that influence the storyline, enhancing the gameplay experience. As the game progresses, players will engage with new combat mechanics through Dylan’s shape-shifting weapon, the Aberrant, facilitating diverse combat strategies that incorporate elements from the first game while unveiling innovative gameplay features.

During the preview, players observed a seamless fusion of combat and narrative, with Dylan traversing a visually captivating environment characterized by strange and supernatural events. The introduction of skill trees and various forms for the Aberrant weapon indicates profound customization and dynamic gameplay, setting the stage for intense confrontations with formidable foes.

In summary, *Control Resonant* encapsulates the inventive spirit of Remedy, showcasing a dedication to evolving the narrative and gameplay mechanics introduced in its predecessor. As the sequel readies to reveal more of the mysteries and wonders within *Control*’s universe, fans eagerly anticipate returning to the beautifully eerie world crafted by Remedy Entertainment, looking forward to the emergence of yet another enthralling chapter in this distinctive saga.

“The mid-summer dry spell”? My friend, your naivete is exceeded only by your boorishness. You should be ashamed of yourself! This week is anything but dry. It’s the week of another Steam Next Fest – a period of carefully abbreviated, wishlist-baiting bounty, in which we cram the Maw’s many jaws with demos and playtests.

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Claude Guillemot, a notable persona in the video game sector and one of the five siblings who established Ubisoft in 1986, has tragically passed away in an aviation accident in La Baule-Escoublac, France. The incident, involving a Cessna 421 airplane, took place on June 19, 2023, resulting in the deaths of Guillemot and the unrecognized owner of the aircraft.

As per statements from local officials, the Cessna 421, a twin-engine propeller plane, went down while approaching the La Baule airfield. Observers reported that the aircraft made a turn before plunging into a field. The crash caused a fire that engulfed a large area of vegetation, leading to a substantial emergency response comprising 60 firefighters and 30 ambulances. Despite their attempts, search efforts for a possible third victim proved unsuccessful. Flags at the La Baule airfield were lowered to half-mast to honor the deceased.

At the moment of his death, Claude Guillemot held the position of Chairman and CEO of Guillemot Corporation, which was established in 1985 as a distributor of computing hardware and later branched out into developing gaming and audio accessories. The Guillemot family has retained ownership of Ubisoft since its founding, successfully navigating through difficulties, including a hostile takeover bid and recent organizational restructuring associated with falling sales.

Co-founded by Claude and his siblings, Yves, Michel, Christian, and Gérard, Ubisoft has evolved into a significant force in the gaming world, known for renowned franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. The legacy of the Guillemot brothers persists through their impact on gaming, as Ubisoft continues to be a critical publisher in the international market.

Back when I first tried a G-Sync Pulsar monitor at an Nvidia shindig in February, I clung to the hope that maybe, finally, gaming display tech had made its first real breakthrough in years. Dozens, if not hundreds of samey screens would be revealed as incompetent fools in the searing light of Pulsar’s innovative genius; Nvidia’s own frame generation systems would weep in shame that they once tried to mock up the fluidity and motion clarity that Pulsar could deliver for real.

Now, I have one such Pulsar monitor – an identical 1440p, 360Hz Asus ROG Strix XG27AQNGV to the one from that demo – to test at length, and can at last say with certainty: yeah, s’alright. Pretty decent. Doesn’t make much of a difference in some games but it can look quite nice. Probably too expensive, mind. Why can’t I hear any weeping?

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The UK government have announced a ban on social media platforms for British people under the age of 16, encompassing Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.com (known hereabouts as MechaHitler.com or Xitter, among other lousy putdowns). The ban is expected to come into force in spring 2027, and will have far-reaching impacts on ye olde videogame discourse, because people do so love to share and talk about games on social media.

The under-16s ban will also directly apply to certain gaming “services”, though prime minister Keir Starmer and his minions have yet to specify which. It won’t, apparently, “affect the ability for children to participate in multiplayer games online”.

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Xbox Games Studios boss Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O’Connor have left Microsoft, according to reports, with all the studios under Duncan’s watch now operating under Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty until a replacement is found.

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“There is a hole in the world,” writes Ursula K Le Guin in The Farthest Shore, “and the light is running out of it.” Alas, The Farthest Shore contains no terrible mechanical instruments of hole-digging. For that, we must turn to MOLE, “a psychological horror experience with tactile simulation elements about madness, faith, and the depths we choose to dig”.

Out now on Steam, it makes me think of Mike Klubnika’s clicky torture instruments, of Iron Lung‘s unseen exteriors, and of Mouthwashing‘s workaday cabin fever. In brief, it seems like an effective delivery system for some extraordinarily bad vibes.

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