Online events continued to highlight new games with Upload VR Showcase, the Steam Game Festival, EA Play, and Guerrilla Collective. Efforts to support the Black Lives Movement also moved forward. While itch.io's Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality concluded with over $8 million donated to charity, Humble Bundle hosted a new bundle sale to raise money for organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. (Humble Bundle also previously started a fund to publish new games by black game developers.)
In other gaming news, Pokémon Snap is making a comeback on the Nintendo Switch, and This War of Mine will be free to Polish high schools as it joins the country’s national curriculum.
Highlights From This Week's Gaming News
Cyberpunk 2077 Has Been Delayed Again
Originally slated to launch on April 16, the game was pushed back to Sept. 17 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Cyberpunk 2077 has now been delayed by a few months, to Nov. 19. TechRaptor also looked at the transcript of an investor call with CD Projekt executives to learn more about the new delay.
This War Of Mine Is Now Recommended Classroom Reading
The wartime survival sim will be incorporated into Poland's national curriculum next year for education in history, ethics, philosophy, and sociology. This includes making This War of Mine free for all Polish high schools.
New Pokémon Snap Announced During Pokémon Presents Stream
Pokémon Presents revealed that a new Pokémon Snap will launch on the Nintendo Switch. The online showcase also announced Pokémon Cafe Mix and Pokémon Smile for smartphones, and shared news about Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Humble Bundle Launches Fight for Racial Justice Bundle
For at least $30, people can buy several games, comics, and books from Humble Bundle, with all proceeds going to charity. The bundle includes games like Neo Cab and Hyper Light Drifter; comics like Prince of Cats and Ghost in the Shell; and books like the Starfinder Core Rulebook. It also includes nonfiction titles like Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids and The Power of Protest: A Visual History of the Moments That Changed the World.
Ikenfell Announces PC Release Window
The launch of RPG Ikenfell was announced for this summer during Guerrilla Collective. Other events like EA Play, Upload VR Showcase, and Steam Game Festival also started with announcements and demos for games like It Takes Two, Cosmophobia, and Paradise Lost.
Features and Reviews of the Week
The game shines with stylish and moody visuals, a versatile selection of weaponry, and Ron Perlman’s excellent voice.
Cris Tales Handles Time Right, No Red Twine Needed
In a new preview, TechRaptor shares more about the upcoming RPG's time travel mechanics, Colombian influence, and more.
Pokemon GO Community Stays Together During Social Distancing
Pokémon Go, which largely involved encouraging players to go outside and gather together, has had to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. TechRaptor took a look at how the game's developers, players, and community organizers have responded with remote-friendly updates to Pokémon Go and a new emphasis on remote competition in the game's PvP mode.
Have you been checking out all of the gaming events? Do you plan to buy the new charity bundle? Did you see other news in gaming this week that deserves attention? What did we miss from the last week in gaming? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on COVID-19’s ongoing impact on gaming, check out TechRaptor’s evolving hub of COVID-19 updates.
