Pipes Feed Preview: Kagi News - Gaming & Kagi News - Technology

Death Stranding 2 PC release lifts sales past 2 million

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:10:12 -0000

<p>Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has passed 2 million total sales after its PC launch, according to Eurogamer, giving Hideo Kojima's sequel a fresh commercial lift beyond its earlier console window. Wccftech's coverage of the PC version looks at a different question: how a visually ambitious AAA release balances image quality and performance across a range of hardware.</p><img src='https://kagiproxy.com/img/xVjCkDH38gwnvf0FQ6GAcT7xL_wzxSaMRkxyzNOa0ReeUZUAGX9Xfh1H4q3EDLLG9SUNu_LEUA1CQSygbPp1wxyb8QHjDECww4DLdWgTEubskMx3muxPDWWF88MpyjRFT_0rbI2jbRCSufBGB0Ka4Wo' alt='Death Stranding 2: On the Beach featured art used with PC performance coverage' /><br /><h3>Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Demand profile: Wccftech says a cutting-edge AAA game like this is usually expected to push even fairly powerful PCs, which is why launch-day performance scrutiny matters.</li><li>Prior benchmark: The outlet compares the sequel with the first Death Stranding's strong PC reputation, treating this port as an extension of an established standard rather than a complete unknown.</li></ul><h3>Perspectives:</h3><ul><li>Eurogamer: Eurogamer focuses on the commercial story, framing the PC release as the trigger for the sequel's new cumulative sales milestone. (<a href='https://www.eurogamer.net/death-stranding-2-on-the-beachs-pc-release-takes-sequels-total-sales-past-2-million'>Eurogamer</a>)</li><li>Wccftech: Wccftech treats the launch mainly as a PC optimization story, focusing on how a visually demanding AAA game scales across hardware rather than on unit sales. (<a href='https://wccftech.com/how-to/death-stranding-2-on-the-beach-pc-performance-analysis-tuning-guide-how-to-get-best-experience-on-pc/'>Wccftech</a>)</li><li>Google News roundup: The aggregated feed shows the PC release driving several storylines at once, including sales coverage, performance analysis, and feature-focused reactions. (<a href='https://news.google.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'>Google News</a>)</li></ul><h3>Sources:</h3><ul><li><a href='https://wccftech.com/how-to/death-stranding-2-on-the-beach-pc-performance-analysis-tuning-guide-how-to-get-best-experience-on-pc/'>DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH PC Performance Analysis & Tuning Guide – How To Get Best Experience On PC</a> - wccftech.com</li><li><a href='https://www.eurogamer.net/death-stranding-2-on-the-beachs-pc-release-takes-sequels-total-sales-past-2-million'>Death Stranding 2: On the Beach's PC release takes sequel's total sales past 2 million</a> - eurogamer.net</li><li><a href='https://news.google.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'>DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH PC Performance Analysis & Tuning Guide – How To Get Best Experience On PC - Wccftech</a> - google.com</li></ul>
Mario Galaxy movie builds buzz before April 1 release

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:25:11 -0000

<p>Pre-release coverage of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is settling around a few spoiler-light themes ahead of its reported worldwide cinema launch on April 1, 2026: a behind-the-scenes casting story about Donald Glover and Yoshi, along with a spoiler-free premiere reaction from attendee Matt Ramos. Another thread of coverage is focused less on plot than on the roster, with TheGamer using the film's expected mix of familiar and new faces to ask which Nintendo characters still have not appeared in a Super Mario movie.</p><h3>Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Premiere chatter: My Nintendo News said the report came from Matt Ramos after an invited premiere, where he said the movie has two end-credit scenes and kept their content spoiler-free.</li><li>Behind the scenes: Insider Gaming focused on Glover's account of landing the Yoshi role rather than on plot reveals from the film.</li><li>Wishlist framing: TheGamer used the movie's mix of familiar and new faces as a springboard for discussing who is still missing from Mario films.</li><li>The source mix stands out: one piece is actor-driven, one attendee-driven, and one fan-speculation-driven, giving the movie several distinct pre-release angles at once.</li></ul><h3>Sources:</h3><ul><li><a href='https://insider-gaming.com/donald-glover-on-playing-yoshi-in-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie/'>Donald Glover on Playing Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie</a> - insider-gaming.com</li><li><a href='https://mynintendonews.com/2026/03/29/apparently-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-features-two-end-credits-scenes/'>Apparently The Super Mario Galaxy Movie features two end credits scenes</a> - mynintendonews.com</li><li><a href='https://www.thegamer.com/super-mario-galaxy-movie-characters-want-see-wario-daisy-waluigi/'>Which Nintendo Characters Have Yet To Be In A Super Mario Movie?</a> - thegamer.com</li></ul>
Update: Pearl Abyss rolls out Crimson Desert 1.01.00 patch

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:22:15 -0000

<p>Pearl Abyss rolled out Crimson Desert update 1.01.00 over the weekend. Coverage describes it as a broad quality-of-life patch focused on faster loading, control refinements, crafting convenience, and five new summonable mounts. Several reports also say the update replaces AI-generated assets that the studio had previously acknowledged were left in the game by accident, casting the change as part of ongoing visual improvements. The patch matters because it goes straight at complaints players raised soon after launch, including awkward sprinting, wonky controls, and slow fast-travel and revival loading. Across outlets, coverage says players have responded positively to how quickly Pearl Abyss moved, making 1.01.00 feel like rapid post-launch iteration rather than a routine bug-fix release. That comes against a strong early player response. Destructoid reported that Crimson Desert peaked at more than 270,000 concurrent players on Steam and improved its user review label from "mixed" to "very positive," suggesting the patch cycle may be helping stabilize momentum after a rougher first impression.</p><img src='https://kagiproxy.com/img/Y7UdiDxouuq_GN5Uo5KjR9p7AfnYjHAUMuaPli9-EURFHAh5OkxS6zUdLgSiD3HQJzx6wLndF0aWQlJqvwOGRiMeLTCIIZT-_6QonMMXTCrS1duz4l1cPSpdbi57ROgJ' alt='A Crimson Desert character goes fishing in a river' /><br /><h3>Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Platform options: On PS5, the update adds a new 4K graphics toggle alongside broader performance improvements, giving console players another display option on top of the gameplay fixes.</li><li>Upgrade easing: Patch 1.01.00 adds a Refinement Coin item that can raise equipment to Stage 4 without extra materials, lowering early upgrade costs and smoothing progression.</li><li>Crafting shortcuts: The new "Make Now" function lets players cook or craft learned recipes directly from the recipe menu.</li><li>Platform rollout: Eurogamer said the weekend patch landed across all platforms rather than as a PC-only hotfix.</li><li>Movement tweaks: Reports say player and horse movement now ramp up speed when you hold or tap run as part of the wider controls pass.</li></ul><h3>Perspectives:</h3><ul><li>Pearl Abyss: The developer framed the asset replacement as part of ongoing visual improvements after earlier apologizing for AI-generated assets left in the game by accident. (<a href='https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/crimson-desert-replaces-ai-generated-assets-left-in-the-game-by-accident-as-part-of-ongoing-visual-improvements-alongside-improvements-to-loading-and-controls/'>GamesRadar</a>)</li><li>Players praising patch: Some players publicly thanked the studio for listening, especially on sprinting and controls, and pointed to the fast turnaround as a model for post-launch support. (<a href='https://www.destructoid.com/crimson-desert-fans-praise-the-devs-for-quickly-and-directly-addressing-player-complaints-and-requests-this-is-what-game-studios-should-aspire-to-be/'>Destructoid</a>)</li></ul><h3>Sources:</h3><ul><li><a href='https://www.gamewatcher.com/news/crimson-desert-update-1-01-00-patch-notes'>Crimson Desert Update 1.01.00 Patch Notes</a> - gamewatcher.com</li><li><a href='https://www.eurogamer.net/crimson-desert-deploys-weekend-patch-heres-whats-new'>Crimson Desert deploys weekend patch – here's what's new</a> - eurogamer.net</li><li><a href='https://www.destructoid.com/crimson-desert-fans-praise-the-devs-for-quickly-and-directly-addressing-player-complaints-and-requests-this-is-what-game-studios-should-aspire-to-be/'>Crimson Desert fans praise the devs for quickly and directly addressing player complaints and requests: ‘This is what game studios should aspire to be’</a> - destructoid.com</li><li><a href='https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/crimson-desert-replaces-ai-generated-assets-left-in-the-game-by-accident-as-part-of-ongoing-visual-improvements-alongside-improvements-to-loading-and-controls/'>Crimson Desert replaces AI-generated assets left in the game by accident "as part of ongoing visual improvements," alongside improvements to loading and controls</a> - gamesradar.com</li><li><a href='https://kotaku.com/crimson-desert-patch-101-controls-stamina-2000682947'>Fresh Crimson Desert Update Is Filled With New Quality-Of-Life Improvements</a> - kotaku.com</li><li><a href='https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/03/major-crimson-desert-patch-out-now-on-ps5-makes-countless-gameplay-improvements'>Major Crimson Desert Patch Out Now on PS5, Makes Countless Gameplay Improvements</a> - pushsquare.com</li><li><a href='https://www.polygon.com/crimson-desert-update-removing-ai-art/'>Crimson Desert's next big update claims to replace AI art</a> - polygon.com</li><li><a href='https://dotesports.com/crimson-desert/news/crimson-desert-patch-1-01-00-notes'>Crimson Desert patch 1.01 adds new summonable mounts, reduced fast travel and revival loading times</a> - dotesports.com</li><li><a href='https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxONTN5cnJpQnNiY3RVZWdlaTlyWXVEZWdfYURkYkNTdkZPUF93TThlaDZlUl9fOTNETUZpclR2dWJQQzhCS0o1eERYUVg2Qko1Wi0wUVphSkUyemNXVTJzZzJoR09CNmZOcmJkUlRrNUNkN045TFU2eUUxQ0ZXemJtX0FTTWhyNHhRUU5vYW9KUHFNc0lwOWEzRURwOUt1R0V0X1VEalo1a042TmpEeTdBek43cUEwQ1VxV28zOE5R'>Crimson Desert Hits New Steam Concurrent Player Peak as Latest Game-Changing Update Kicks In - ign.com</a> - google.com</li></ul>
Bethesda shuts down Elder Scrolls mobile game June 30

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:33:05 -0000

<p>Bethesda will permanently shut down the servers for The Elder Scrolls: Blades on June 30, 2026, ending support for the free-to-play mobile and Switch spinoff. The game has already disappeared from the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Nintendo eShop, so only existing players can keep accessing it until the shutdown date. As the game winds down, Bethesda is giving remaining players a free bundle of Gems and Sigils and cutting all in-game store prices to one Gem or Sigil each.</p><img src='https://kagiproxy.com/img/qbk3prnntPaEQYhlqnXYfsj1hLwHegs6FRtFuDb7ZhbPUmKM4i8MQbUMHjNUIglL11yGNQmjHEzRwcdjih8GIgqO1keOcEUH0sbtnnYvi9pIn6nZJR_lRRTLZUckpqTP_tSWKfEcOJs9LJFqUSw7PTnSxxB-lPrniPQ5BPRhj9kzlcrf1iIStyWb4NubJ-W1N6g6c4LxqNQ5L4EUPl8WF3-KQNSIm4SdSKh2TAgY6LSOR45cpohepbBy_dlCYgLsjVKJ6SzvV26qQQzIIEAHQ73Fn8N9aeXoI6YUEnR5Ssv3wtEhF_VEKCtx2pcG_-nuPke2M4A0Rhvwt1lF11QtYzfrKNefmb8-Dfu-JJr8oKhigzZRLMHyhNbqmzG8FyRzC4VR' alt='A promotional image of The Elder Scrolls: Blades showing a character standing in front of a castle.' /><br /><h3>Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Critical reception: Blades finished with a “Generally Unfavorable” Metacritic score, and critics called it repetitive and too reliant on microtransactions.</li><li>Portfolio pattern: Engadget said the closure was not a total surprise, since Bethesda had already shut down another Elder Scrolls spinoff.</li><li>Lifespan: Even with the shutdown, Blades will have lasted about six years from its 2020 official release on Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.</li></ul><h3>Perspectives:</h3><ul><li>Bethesda: The company is giving Blades a controlled sendoff, keeping it online for a set final stretch while making in-game spending much simpler for the players who remain. (<a href='https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bethesda-is-shutting-down-the-elder-scrolls-blades-on-june-30-191016852.html'>Engadget</a>)</li><li>Engadget: The outlet contrasts Blades’ strong early download numbers with the fact that it never became anything close to a mainline Elder Scrolls hit. (<a href='https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bethesda-is-shutting-down-the-elder-scrolls-blades-on-june-30-191016852.html'>Engadget</a>)</li><li>Remaining players: Anyone still active in Blades is now in a farewell window, deciding whether to log in one more time before the fixed June 30 cutoff. (<a href='https://www.techjuice.pk/bethesda-is-shutting-down-the-elder-scrolls-blades-in-june-2026/'>TechJuice</a>)</li></ul><h3>Sources:</h3><ul><li><a href='https://www.techjuice.pk/bethesda-is-shutting-down-the-elder-scrolls-blades-in-june-2026/'>Bethesda is Shutting Down The Elder Scrolls: Blades in June 2026</a> - techjuice.pk</li><li><a href='https://www.engadget.com/gaming/bethesda-is-shutting-down-the-elder-scrolls-blades-on-june-30-191016852.html'>Bethesda is shutting down The Elder Scrolls: Blades on June 30</a> - engadget.com</li><li><a href='https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxOcTROaWt1V3lPWG5DVjRfbllsblFLREY1YmVuMjVMZUl3dnJXNnRfeGNZaHR5ckpDeG9US3o0aEEyOWNtaEJmNTFzemtocExmcEpORS03eU5fbDVkSDV0RWJ2bEVDbmJmRzJWUVQ2T3NYMC1HcHBHVnBrZHRMRnFMQXVzY3lJLTctSEJDQlZjUmZUZUhDa0Zia0hTR0dLV2FEZF9jenFMTFhvUmFz'>Bethesda is shutting down The Elder Scrolls: Blades on June 30 - Engadget</a> - google.com</li></ul>
Avatar fighting game sets July 2 launch

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:46:14 -0000

<p>Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game launches July 2 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. It will cost $29.99 for the base game, or $59.99 for a deluxe edition. The 2D fighter pulls from both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, with 12 characters at launch, casual and ranked online play, cross-play, a single-player story mode and a gallery featuring previously unseen art. Coverage so far points to both excitement about the game’s craft and debate over its roster. Engadget and Digital Trends highlighted the hand-drawn animation, elemental combat and rollback netcode as signs of an unusually polished licensed fighter. Gizmodo, though, argued that the launch lineup gives comparatively less attention to The Legend of Korra, a reminder that enthusiasm around the trailer is arriving alongside scrutiny of how the broader Avatar universe is represented.</p><img src='https://kagiproxy.com/img/v-IkfwmQ4vKBSxXAbxVvh4gwEUEhYNzgp84e0Acv3aFpvUyVuvu69DRLuQbzQmpMHvT-KUOKOb4RIJkLYn9aBS5upayH4tYVtWqVvxrz2_KHiEhkc1JMAbYLm_Gr2og_Q6MZZU3bVKCGIsza3Cus4cKaoOrIoJaReNKHIrdl8O4IOEuV77rAEAmzAYWZEdrYMygm5vtxWljb5pxb1SYtREl22C5VTXTefzmGDof_o4sa8pqtS2xYn1jzmegfA-ZONVw1NGwNJsVejBEYbA-vsDtJp9lJ_Sr0YX5pUWANjTPSLt_KRcKuGeTeMwLE0wgLBGCksW3eINuxzZrU3KL07d6wjfIzstJfQfzdk21sHoGixX4puCbVsiCziqZnRJMKBC2D' alt='Gameplay of Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game showing Aang fighting Zuko.' /><br /><h3>Highlights:</h3><ul><li>Animation focus: Developer Gameplay Group International said each fighter uses more than 900 hand-drawn animation frames, aiming for a look close to the animated series.</li><li>Online play: The game uses rollback netcode for smoother matches and supports cross-play across major platforms, including PC and current-generation consoles.</li><li>Pre-order extras include a Samurai skin for Appa, exclusive character colors and voting privileges for Year 1 Pass characters.</li><li>The deluxe edition comes with a Year 1 Pass that will add five more characters after launch, along with a digital art book, soundtrack and unique HUDs.</li><li>Roster debate: Gizmodo said the launch lineup does not "play favorites" overall, but gives less attention to The Legend of Korra at release.</li></ul><h3>Perspectives:</h3><ul><li>Gameplay Group International: The studio described the game as a polished 2D fighter with a heavy animation focus, saying each character has more than 900 hand-drawn frames. (<a href='https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-avatar-fighting-game-will-release-on-july-2-for-pc-and-consoles-174614552.html'>Engadget</a>)</li><li>Digital Trends: The outlet highlighted the game’s stylish presentation and pointed to elemental combat, cross-play and the 12-character roster as key selling points ahead of release. (<a href='https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/avatar-legends-the-fighting-game-comes-out-in-july-and-it-looks-pretty-slick/'>Digital Trends</a>)</li><li>Gizmodo: The outlet argued that, despite drawing from both series, the launch roster gives too little attention to The Legend of Korra. (<a href='https://gizmodo.com/even-the-avatar-fighting-game-is-disrespecting-legend-of-korra-2000739485'>Gizmodo</a>)</li></ul><h3>Sources:</h3><ul><li><a href='https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-avatar-fighting-game-will-release-on-july-2-for-pc-and-consoles-174614552.html'>The Avatar fighting game will release on July 2 for PC and consoles</a> - engadget.com</li><li><a href='https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimAFBVV95cUxNVzBKc01Rcl8xX0JxWTBwYUxfRld4b2VNVm9yTUVpcDhLcm4ycU5iLWtEMEd3SWtzdXJEQXdKWHM2Z291OHpYSEI2cG9FSFdlT1VqNXlLRl9IUGtYVFpRczVNd255UGJzS3d3Tk1tNVAwcWZWb0FHV2lpQTZUN2FhR19LOHBLNjFzZEZ3dl9FdHVrSDQzTHVBVw'>Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’ - Gizmodo</a> - google.com</li><li><a href='https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/avatar-legends-the-fighting-game-comes-out-in-july-and-it-looks-pretty-slick/'>Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game comes out in July and it looks pretty slick</a> - digitaltrends.com</li><li><a href='https://gizmodo.com/even-the-avatar-fighting-game-is-disrespecting-legend-of-korra-2000739485'>Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’</a> - gizmodo.com</li></ul>