July 22, 2025 • By Joel Couture

Hattack of the Wizard Brain Stealer is a free game on itch.io where an evil hat steals magical abilities from spellcasters. The hat, once owned by the dead mage Malakazam, attaches to hosts' heads, taking their powers and adding them to its array of spells. Players use these spells, each with an MP cost, to cause damage, protect, heal, or buff. However, using a spell strains the corresponding brain area, increasing the MP cost for subsequent uses. The game requires strategic planning, including rest and spell management, to achieve victory. With its unique brain exhaustion mechanic and variety of spells, Hattack of the Wizard Brain Stealer offers a fun and satisfying experience.

July 22, 2025 • By Jesse Whittock

There is no news article provided, only a snippet of a webpage with comments and a signup section for breaking news alerts. If you provide the actual news article, I'd be happy to summarize it for you.

July 22, 2025 • By Alicia Haddick

CharacterBank is updating Ruinsmagus to support leg-tracking features on Pico's VR headsets, specifically the Pico Neo 3, Pico 4, and Pico 4 Ultra. This update will allow players to physically walk around the game's missions using the motion sensors. The update is expected to release later this year, with an early version showcased at the BitSummit indie gaming convention in Kyoto, Japan. Ruinsmagus is currently available on Quest, Steam, PS VR2, Viveport, and Pico.

July 22, 2025 • By Joey Paur

The Zellner Brothers' upcoming alien invasion comedy, "Alpha Gang", has added major stars to its ensemble cast, including Chris Pine, Lily-Rose Depp, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Doona Bae. They join previously announced cast members Cate Blanchett, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, and Riley Keough. The film follows a team of alien invaders disguising themselves as a 1950s biker gang, but they become infected with human emotions, threatening their mission of ruthless domination. With a unique concept and a strong cast, "Alpha Gang" is shaping up to be an intriguing indie project.

July 22, 2025 • By Vwei

A games artist, Vwei, shares their four-step workflow for creating fantasy art. The steps include: 1. Finding references and sketching to establish the overall direction of the painting. 2. Sketching out the initial line drawing to see the structural relationship between characters and the scene. 3. Shaping the light and shadow within the scene to achieve an authentic space. 4. Making final adjustments and adding details to improve believability. Vwei emphasizes the importance of having realistic references to create a believable world. They also provide tips on adding color, adjusting contrast, and guiding the audience's attention within the composition. The artist's goal is to create a visually interesting scene that tells a story, and they achieve this by strengthening the contrast of light and shadow, adding details, and adjusting the composition.

July 22, 2025 • By Alana Hagues

Nintendo of Europe has launched its Summer Sale, offering discounts on hundreds of games for the Switch and Switch 2 consoles. The sale runs until August 3, 2025. Some notable games on sale include: * 1000xResist (£12.56, -25%) * 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (£12.49, -75%) * A Short Hike (£3.45, -45%) * Abzû (£3.74, -75%) * Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (£24.99, -50%) * AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative (£8.74, -75%) * Alien: Isolation (£9.99, -23%) * Alisa Developer's Cut (£11.32, -30%) * Ape Out (£1.88, -86%) * Astral Ascent (£10.49, -50%) * Axiom Verge 2 (£8.09, -50%) * Bad North (£2.69, -80%) * Balatro (£11.51, -10%) * BioShock: The Collection (£7.99, -80%) * Blasphemous (£4.99, -75%) * Blazing Chrome (£3.82, -75%) * Botany Manor (£16.86, -25%) * Catherine: Full Body (£8.99, -80%) * Chicory: A Colorful Tale (£8.54, -50%) * Citizen Sleeper 2 (£15.74, -25%) These games have all received high scores from Nintendo Life, with many being considered some of the best in their respective genres. The sale offers a great opportunity for gamers to pick up some excellent titles at discounted prices.

July 22, 2025 • By Patrick Clarke

The article explores the music scene in Estonia, a country with a rich cultural heritage. Estonian music is characterized by its choral singing tradition, which is deeply ingrained in the country's national identity. The article mentions the Estonian Song Festival, which has been held every five years since 1869 and features over 30,000 singers and 100,000 spectators. Choral singing played a significant role in Estonia's struggle for independence from the Soviet Union, with mass singing emerging as a peaceful form of protest during the 1980s. The article also highlights the work of renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, whose spiritual choral works are performed worldwide. Pärt's music is known for its minimalist style, which blends sacred stillness with emotional depth. His compositions, such as "Spiegel Im Spiegel" and "Tabula Rasa," are beloved worldwide and have become an integral part of Estonian cultural identity. In addition to traditional choral music, the article explores Estonia's contemporary music scene, which is characterized by a mix of indie, electronic, and experimental genres. Artists such as Tommy Cash, Roma Vjazemski, and Misha Panfilov are pushing the boundaries of Estonian music, incorporating elements of folk, jazz, and psychedelia into their work. The article also mentions the importance of nature and the weather in shaping Estonian music. The country's harsh climate and stunning natural landscapes have inspired many musicians, who often incorporate elements of nature into their work. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Estonia's vibrant music scene, which is rooted in tradition but also embracing innovation and experimentation.

July 22, 2025 • By Liam Doolan

Here is a concise summary of the news article: Moon Studios, the developer of Ori, is considering releasing their new game "No Rest for the Wicked" on the Nintendo Switch 2. The game's CEO, Thomas Mahler, stated that a Switch 2 version is "potentially" on the cards, despite current market conditions. The game is currently in early access on Steam and has received "mostly positive" user reviews. Mahler noted that the team would ultimately ship the game on all platforms, but not necessarily at the same time. The Switch 2 version is still not officially confirmed, but the developer is gauging interest from fans.

July 22, 2025 • By Gavin Sheehan

Indie game developer Strange Scaffold and co-publisher Frosty Pop are releasing "Co-Op Kaiju Horror Cooking" on July 29, 2025. In this absurd co-op horror game, players take on the role of medieval monks who must cook food for kaiju monsters to appease them and prevent the apocalypse. The game features online multiplayer for 2-4 players, where they must gather ingredients, evade enemies, and navigate a labyrinth to feed the kaiju within a 10-minute time limit. A public playtest is available now on Steam.

July 21, 2025 • By Nintendo Life

The article reviews Monument Valley 3 on the Nintendo Switch, praising its beautiful presentation, delicate narrative, and mind-tickling puzzles. However, it criticizes the lack of touchscreen controls, which were a key feature of the original mobile game. The reviewer notes that the game's cursor controls can be imprecise and frustrating at times. The game also has some glitches and rough edges, but these are not game-breaking. The reviewer gives the game an 8/10, stating that it lives up to its predecessors as an excellent puzzler, but is in need of a touch up. The developer, Ustwo Games, has no plans to implement touchscreen controls, citing frustration with the functionality, but is open to feedback.

July 21, 2025 • By Gavin Sheehan

The original soundtrack of the game Limbo will be released on vinyl through iam8bit to mark its 15th anniversary. The soundtrack, composed by Martin Stig Andersen, will be available on a single 10" vinyl pressing and can be pre-ordered for $32 until August 22. The release is a collaboration between iam8bit and Playdead, the game's original developers. The vinyl will feature the complete soundtrack on classic black vinyl, with a specially designed jacket that reflects the game's monochromatic style. The soundtrack is set to be released in Q4 2025.

July 21, 2025 • By lincoln.carpenter@futurenet.com (Lincoln Carpenter) , Lincoln Carpenter

Legendary game designer John Romero believes that indie developers will shape the future of the games industry. Despite the industry's current challenges, including layoffs and studio closures, Romero is optimistic about the impact of indie games. He notes that indie games are having a significant impact, with many recent hits developed by independent devs and studios, such as Balatro and Minecraft. Romero attributes this success to the ease of game development and distribution, thanks to low-barrier-to-entry software and platforms like Steam and Itch.io. However, he acknowledges that discoverability is a major problem for indie devs, with nearly 19,000 games launching on Steam in 2024. Funding also remains a persistent issue, making it difficult for indie devs to develop games without external support. Despite these challenges, Romero is hopeful that indie developers will continue to drive innovation and shape the industry's future.

July 21, 2025 • By Andrea Doyle

Liz Lathan, co-founder of The Community Factory and co-creator of Club Ichi, is a pioneer in event marketing, focusing on emotional intelligence, experimentation, and authentic connections. She challenges traditional industry norms, encouraging innovation and measuring success through emotions rather than attendance. Lathan's work has led to the creation of communities like Club Ichi, which promote creativity, support industry professionals, and bring joy back to the sector. She believes everyone is an innovator and advises finding one's voice, surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals, and building something that doesn't exist yet. Lathan's goal is to leave a lasting impact on the industry, making event professionals feel fulfilled and celebrated in their work.

July 21, 2025 • By Gavin Sheehan

Refugium Games is developing "Agefield High: Rock the School", an indie game where players take on the role of Sam Tatum, a high school senior trying to make his last year unforgettable in a new town. The game is set in the early 2000s and features satire, comedy, and rebellious energy. Players can explore a simulated campus and open world, making choices that shape their legend and reputation. The game is expected to be released in Q1 2026 and may fill the void for fans of the game "Bully" who are waiting for a new installment from Rockstar Games.

July 21, 2025 • By Andrew Roberts

The article discusses several controversial comic book releases over the years. Some notable examples include: * "The Judas Contract" (DC Comics), which featured a storyline involving a 16-year-old character, Terra, having an intimate relationship with the villain Slade Wilson. * "X-Statix" (Marvel Comics), which included a reference to Princess Diana and sparked controversy with the UK Royal Family. * "One More Day" (Marvel Comics), a storyline that altered Spider-Man's history and was widely criticized by fans. * "Avengers" #200 (Marvel Comics), which featured a storyline involving Carol Danvers being impregnated by a villain and deciding to keep the baby, sparking outrage and criticism. * "Elseworlds 80-Page Giant" (DC Comics), which included a story featuring Baby Clark Kent crawling into a microwave, leading to the comic being removed from shelves. * "Green Lantern" (DC Comics), which featured the death of Kyle Rayner's girlfriend, Alexandra DeWitt, who was killed and stuffed into a fridge, sparking criticism of the "women in refrigerators" trope. * "Earth X" (Marvel Comics), which included a hidden message targeting former Marvel editor-in-chief Bob Harras, leading to the issue being removed from shelves. * "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (DC Comics), which featured a real advertisement for a product called the "Marvel Whirling Spray Syringe," leading to controversy and the removal of the Marvel name from the issue. These examples demonstrate how comic book releases can spark controversy and outrage among fans and the wider public, often due to sensitive or provocative content.

July 21, 2025 • By Gavin Sheehan

Descenders Next, an extreme sports title, has been released on PC, Xbox, and Game Pass. Developed by RageSquid and published by No More Robots, the game is the natural evolution of the original Descenders experience. It features snowboarding and mountainboarding with a focus on fluidity and different handling for each sport. The game includes online multiplayer, tricks, grinds, and huge biomes to explore, as well as a customization system and procedurally-generated tracks. A banging soundtrack from Monstercat is also included.