Games
Exploding Kittens makes offline games for terminally online families
Making games is hard, but the Exploding Kittens company is nailing simple rules with super fun concepts that give great reasons for spending time together around the table.
Catan Nationals are underway: There's events all around Australia this winter for hardcore Settlers of Catan players to prove their stuff. Winners will meet at the National Championships in Canberra later in the year to fight for a place at World Championships next year. All the details here.
Elder Scrolls Online is celebrating 10 years in 2024, and in May you can snag an absolutely stunning house for free as part of their daily login rewards. It'll take just three days of logins to get it and it includes everything you see in this picture and more – there's a whole underground cavern hidden away here too. Even if you don't play often, scoring Sword Swinger's Redoubt will make you feel like royalty whenever you visit again.
If you're unsure whether this footage from POOLS is relaxing or horrifying, join the club. Liminal spaces are a game genre now.
Last year Xbox had some fun with controller shaped BBQ Shapes largely for media promo purposes, but enough people wanted it that they're hitting stores. The word is they'll be appearing at Coles stores so check the savoury snacks aisle to get your hands on a pack. "From early May until sold out." Good luck.
Fly Arrakis Airways: There are a lot of games getting totally carried away with IP tie-ins. There's plenty I like, there's plenty more that are real head scratchers on why they exist. One of the best I've ever seen has to be this new update for Microsoft Flight Simulator, giving players the option to fly Royal Atreides Ornithopters across the surface of Arrakis. The precision engineering of Flight Simulator applied to a gorgeously rendered fictional world feels like a win for fans of both.
Geometry Survivor is out now: A "rogue-lite auto-shooter" that looks super fun. Seemingly a blend of the Xbox classic Geometry Wars and Vampire Survivors, take a look at the trailer and you'll know if it's for you or not. It's on Xbox, Playstation, Switch and Steam now.
The very particular purpose of a PlayStation Portal
At first glance I wasn't sure what problem a PlayStation Portal solves. But after a bit more thinking it's going to be exactly what a specific kind of household needs.
Immersive Gamebox review: a genuinely fun alternative to movies or arcades
The photos look weird, but they just don't do it justice. Immersive Gamebox is a nice new option for some interactive fun in the heart of Sydney.
Xbox adds vaporous new styles to its custom controller Design Lab
Electric, Fire, Cyber, Dream, Nocturnal, and Stormcloud. Can you guess which colour is which in the new Vapour style range on the Xbox Design Lab?
Destiny 2 is having some fun with a Mass Effect crossover event, letting players nab some armor sets inspired by some of our fave friends from the Normandy Crew. Titans can get a Commander Shepard style N7 set, for Hunters there's a Garrus style Vakarian set, and Warlocks can go a Liara style Shadow Broker look. They hit the Eververse store in-game on February 14, just in time to show your love to the crew member of your dreams.
Exploring a Gold Road in 2024. The Elder Scrolls Online does story so well, making the annual chapter reveal always a moment for excitement. This new chapter picks up on the same story threads from last year as we learn more about a new Daedric Prince and their plot to – you guessed it – wreck our world.
Lots of juicy details here.
The third season of Diablo IV kicks off January 24. Season of the Construct adds a lot of new features, like Companions, Vaults, and a new town centre. A lot of meat to flesh out the game. Nice to see.
Final Fantasy XIV has revealed the next expansion, Dawntrail, will launch 'Summer 2024' (so mid year here in Australia). Two new jobs, Viper and Pictomancer, will arrive with it – Picto in particular looks rather colourful!
SQUARE ENIX Ltd.
Donate to cancer research and win prizes: do it now!
Give $50 to charity and win a prize worth the same or more? Yes! Help fight cancer through the gift of giving and get a gift of giving in return.
Logitech G goes high-end with Astro A50X wireless gaming headset
Logitech G ASTRO A50 X LIGHTSPEED gaming headset goes seriously premium, with a base station to switch between Xbox, Playstation and PC.
Holiday themed game festivities are always a bit of fun. And World of Warships isn't being left out of the yuletide joy. There's 20 stages of rewards available through their 'Holidays in Santa City' update. In Blitz you'll also find an Advent Calendar of goodies, and in Legends you'll find a free Holiday Box gift bundle.
So remember to relax for a few moments and enjoy the vibes. Then get back to blowing your enemies out of the water.
Clever new launch from CRKD (pronounced 'Cracked') that give you a chunkier, more comfortable in the hand controller setup for your Nintendo Switch (both OG and OLED). The Nitro Deck gives adds swappable thumbsticks, and a generally improved control setup with drift-free sticks and remappable back buttons, plus a carry case.
Get it in white, black, mint and purple. $99 for the first two. $149 for the others. It's at JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, Big W, and The Gamesmen.
Sea of Thieves finds some chill for casual good times
Safer Seas aims to make Sea of Thieves more welcoming for beginners and laid-back veterans by excluding pesky human pirates from being a concern.
My relationship with Magic has been all about how much I like a set theme or not. There's so many sets these days it's hard to keep up with every release, but when the right set catches the eye I'm keen.
Wilds of Eldraine is one of those 'love this vibe' sets for me.
