Hello everyone!
It’s another week of the Digest! It’s already the last month - where did all the time go? The news is slowing down towards the end of the year, but we still have lots to look forward to.
Tis the season in this week’s TIL - there is an official Minesweeper Christmas jumper and it’s absolutely hideous and amazing at the same time. Unsurprisingly it’s already sold out, even with a crazy price tag of $75.
So without further ado, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s latest - curated by yours truly! If you like what you see, don’t forget to share and subscribe, your support means a lot to us.
✨ The Game Awards is happening this week! Check out this coverage for a comprehensive guide on the schedule and participants. Geoff Keighley has also confirmed that the event will not feature Activision Blizzard beyond their nominations due to the latest controversies.
📦 Earlier this week Valve gave everyone a closer look at Steam Deck’s final prototype for the official packaging and accompanying case. The instruction includes “Please do not use the shipping box as an umbrella, smash on the ground, or use as a magnet.”
💰 Gaming as a force for good: A new charity bundle is upon us, this time to support World Land Trust, an organization dedicated to saving the planet from climate change. Within 24 hours the bundle has already reached its initial $10K goal. Lots of great gems in the bundle, too! In other wholesome news, Ustwo games has reached their goal of 1 million trees planted in Alba’s Forest as part of their pledge to plant one tree for every copy of Alba: A Wildlife Adventure sold.
🎮 A PlayStation version of Game pass is allegedly being worked on by Sony, according to a Bloomberg report. The service is expected to launch in Spring next year, merging both PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now.
💼 This is not a drill - Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe is finally coming early next year, for real this time. The announcement was made with a gem of a trailer, poking fun at their own promises and delay notices.
🍅 It’s been a great week for Farming Sim 22 as the installment broke the series’ record with 1.5M copies sold in the first week of launch alone. The Farming Sim League season 3 finals also took place this weekend, crowning Trelleborg Wheels as this year’s champion.
Seasonal events
🎄 Christmas is drawing near, and one of our favorite activities is exploring the festive events that various games have to offer. Here are some that got us pumped for the upcoming week 🎄
New World’s | Winter Convergence Festival is your chance to grind for tokens to please a Yeti overlord and a special town project to light up the town tree;
Albion’s Yuletide Challenge brings back the adorable Snow Husky and festive chests full of holiday-themed loots;
World Of Tanks’ Holiday Ops lets you decorate the village and earn in-game prizes, this year with a cameo by the Terminator himself.
6th December
This Is The President (PC) is a political thriller that puts you in the Oval office as the 46th president. Manage your staff, handle tasks, and clean up messes as necessary as you cover your shady past. Feel free to watch House of Cards for inspiration.
7th December
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (PC, PS4+5) is FF14’s latest expansion, bringing players the climax to the Hydaelyn and Zodiark storyline. The game is also offering a free week for owners to make up for the massive congestion issues during Early Access last week.
Heavenly Bodies (PC, PS4+5) puts hand-eye coordination to the next level with unique movement mechanics simulating weightless motion in space. Take on the role of a cosmonaut tasked to assemble space telescopes and manipulate complex machinery to carry out important research.
SpellForce III Reforced (PC) combines all SpellForce 3 and its DLCs into one package, featuring improved RTS mechanics and faction designs, an enhanced UI, and loads of new content. The console launch has been pushed back to March next year.
Thunder Tier One (PC) is KRAFTON’s latest shooter, this time putting players in a top-down view in the midst of a fictional country threatened by terrorism. Four multiplayer modes are supported, including 4v4 and FFA deathmatch - so squad up!
White Shadows (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) is a charming b&w platformer featuring Ravengirl, a brave adventurer on her way to escape an unforgiving dystopia full of violence and oppression. Hope is in short supply, so better keep it alive.
8th December
Halo Infinite (PC, Xbox One + Series X|S) marks the return of Master Chief with an expansive campaign set in the massive Halo ring. Get ready to confront the most ruthless enemies and go on epic adventures to save humanity’s fate once and for all.
Startup Panic (PC) lets you experience the exciting startup landscape by building your own company from the ground up. Upgrade your office, manage staff, and survive the brutal competition with classic tycoon gameplay.
9th December
Breakwaters (PC Early Access) puts you and your friends in a dynamic oceanic landscape full of surprises - both delightful and deadly. Build and customize your boat, set up a base, and delve into the depths of the ocean.
Wytchwood (PC, PS4+5, Xbox One + Series X|S, Switch) is an adventure game that lets you explore a charming world of gothic fables and fairytales. Collect strange ingredients, brew potions, and experiment with different spells to solve the puzzles scattered around the countryside.
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We are The Iterative Collective - an indie games incubator & publisher! Each week, we shed light on the latest gaming trends for all folks interested in the scene by going through a summary of the latest news from the industry as well as promising upcoming game releases! Click to learn more about us below!