Public Newshttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/blog/2-public-news/Announced gaming releases 2026https://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/21-announced-gaming-releases-2026/ ChatGPTImageJan2202611_47_05AM.thumb.png.9d79205ae9024efcb67be8c7c3374670.png

Title: Beyond the Horizon: The Most Anticipated Games of 2026

 

Introduction
If you thought 2025 was going to be a blockbuster year for gaming, just wait until you see what’s lining up for 2026. While the immediate future is packed with heavy hitters like Grand Theft Auto VI and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (currently slated for 2025), the delay-prone nature of game development means many of the industry's biggest titans are likely to land in 2026.

 

As we look further down the pipeline, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of refinement, massive sequels, and the fruition of long-gestating projects. Here is a preview of the announced and highly anticipated gaming releases slated for 2026.

 

The "Safe Bet" Blockbusters

While few publishers have stamped "2026" on their marketing materials just yet, industry trends and development cycles suggest these giants will arrive that year.

 

1. Grand Theft Auto VI (The Likely Delay Candidate)

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Rockstar Games has officially targeted a 2025 release window for the return to Vice City. However, Rockstar is infamous for polishing its games until they shine. Given the sheer scale of the map and the leap in technology required, many analysts and betting markets are quietly predicting a slip into early 2026.

  • Why we’re watching: The first trailer broke the internet, and the hype is unmatched. If it lands in 2026, it will undoubtedly be the biggest entertainment launch of the year, possibly the decade.
 

2. Fable

Playground Games, the masters behind the Forza Horizon series, are taking their first crack at a serious RPG with a reboot of the beloved Fable franchise. While a 2025 window has been tossed around, the transition from racing mechanics to deep RPG combat and storytelling is massive.

  • Why we’re watching: We haven't had a true Fable entry since the Xbox 360 era. Early footage suggests a whimsical, dark fairytale aesthetic that runs on Unreal Engine 5. If Playground brings the same joy to exploration that they bring to driving, this could be a system-seller for Xbox.
 

3. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Nintendo recently shocked fans by finally revealing gameplay for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. While they haven't given a hard date, the revitalization of Retro Studios usually implies a "when it's done" mentality. While late 2025 is possible, a 2026 release feels like a comfortable fit for Nintendo’s schedule, allowing them to space it out from other Switch successors launch titles.

  • Why we’re watching: It has been nearly two decades since Metroid Prime 3. The return of Samus in first-person form is one of the most requested comebacks in history.
 

The Next Generation of RPGs

Role-playing games are getting longer, bigger, and more expensive to make, pushing several massive titles into the 2026 window.

 

4. Assassin’s Creed Hexe

Ubisoft is entering a new era with the Codename Infinity platform, and Assassin's Creed Hexe is a major pillar of that strategy. Set in 16th-century Europe during the witch trials, this title promises a return to the stealth-heavy, darker roots of the franchise, moving away from the massive RPG bloat of Valhalla.

  • Why we’re watching: Rumor has it that this will be the most narratively dense Assassin's Creed in years, ditching the vast open worlds for a tighter, more terrifying experience.
 

5. Civilization VII

The Civilization series is the king of the "one more turn" addiction. With Civilization VI released in 2016 and supported for nearly eight years, a sequel is overdue. Development has likely been in full swing for years, and a 2026 window fits perfectly with the lifecycle of the previous game.

  • Why we’re watching: Firaxis always reinvents the wheel. How will they handle districts now? What will the new combat mechanics look like? For strategy fans, this is the event of the decade.
 

The Wildcards & Wish List

These games are currently floating in "TBA" (To Be Announced) limbo, making 2026 a very realistic possibility.

 

6. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Okay, we’ve been burned before. We’ve been waiting for this sequel for what feels like eons. However, Team Cherry has stated that the game is content-complete and in the polishing phase. It is highly unlikely it will arrive in late 2024 alongside Shadow of the Erdtree. Could 2026 finally be the year?

  • Why we’re watching: If 2017’s Hollow Knight was a masterpiece, Silksong promises to be bigger, harder, and faster. The hype for this indie giant rivals AAA titles.
 

7. Monster Hunter Wilds (Potential Expansion?)

While the main Monster Hunter Wilds game is slated for 2025, Capcom is known for its aggressive expansion cycles (G/U versions or Title Updates). A massive expansion or the "Iceborne" equivalent for Wilds would be a prime candidate for late 2026, keeping the hunt alive for another two years.

 

Conclusion

While 2025 might be the year of the initial splash with the arrival of the Switch 2 and GTA VI, 2026 looks to be the year where the next console generation truly finds its footing. From the fairy-tale lands of Albion to the witch-hunting grounds of Central Europe, the lineup is shaping up to be diverse and deep.

 

Keep your savings jars ready, gamers. The future is bright, and it’s arriving in 2026.

 
]]>21Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:48:45 +0000Netflix Announced the Cancellation of 11 Shows This Yearhttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/20-netflix-announced-the-cancellation-of-11-shows-this-year/ ChatGPTImageDec29202508_16_27AM.thumb.png.3d117cea08c983f84e078d2b60a932be.png

Netflix is the most popular streaming service on the planet, thanks in large part to its expansive library of shows, movies, documentaries, and specials, but a big part of its success is its lengthy list of original series. However, some of those titles did not survive 2025.

As Netflix brings one of its successful original series to a close, with Stranger Things officially set to wrap up with a climactic series finale on Jan. 1, the streaming giant also ended several different original shows in much more anticlimactic fashion.

Throughout the year, Netflix announced the cancellation of 11 different original series, including a few that were well-received by fans.

Territory

Release on Oct. 24, 2024, Territory is an Australian neo-western drama focusing on a family that runs the world’s largest cattle station that is sought by rival cattle station families, various gangsters, Australian Aboriginal elders, and mining magnates.

The debut season of the show had just six episodes. Unfortunately for fans of the show, however, the series will not be renewed.

In February of 2025, Netflix officially announced that the show had been canceled and would not be back for a second season.

The Sandman

Based on the comic book that ran from 1989 to 1996, published by DC Comics, The Sandman is a dark fantasy drama that follows a cosmic being who personifies dreams as he attempts to restore order to his realm and atone for past mistakes after being held captive for 105 years.

After a successful first season, which first debuted on Aug. 5, 2022, the show was renewed for a second season, which was released in parts, releasing on July 3 and 24, 2025, before concluding with a special episode on July 31.

Back in January, however, Netflix announced that the show would not be returning for a third season.

The Recruit

The Recruit is an American spy adventure television series that follows a CIA lawyer who becomes involved in massive international conflicts with dangerous parties after an asset extorts the agency, threatening to expose her relationship to the CIA.

Originally premiering on Dec. 16, 2022, the show was well-received and was actually renewed for a second season, which was released on Jan/ 30, 2025. However, that is where the series will end.

In March 2025, The Recruit was officially canceled after two seasons.

Pulse

Premiering on April 3, 2025, Pulse is an American medical drama that follows the personal and professional lives of the emergency and surgical residents at Maguire Hospital, a level-one trauma centre in Miami.

The show ran just one season, focusing on the race for the position of Emergency Medicine Chief Resident at the hospital, but it will not be returning for another season.

On July 2, 2025, the series was canceled after one season, even though it spent time inside Netflix’s list of top-10 shows.

The Residence

Inspired by the novel The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, The Residence is a mystery comedy drama centered around an eccentric detective who arrives at the White House to help solve a murder that occurred during a state dinner for the Australian prime minister.

The show had some success, spending time inside Netflix’s top-10 and was a part of the streaming giant’s Shonda Rhimes’ “Shondaland” lineup over the summer, but it will not be returning for another season.

The show was officially canceled back in July of 2025.

FUBAR

Premiering on May 25, 2023, FUBAR is an action comedy television series starring the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first leading role in a scripted live-action television series.

The show follows Luke Brunner and his daughter Emma, who have each lied to each other for years, with neither of them knowing that the other is a CIA operative. When they both learn the truth about each other, they then have to work together on dangerous missions while realizing that they do not know anything about each other.

After a successful debut season, the show was actually renewed for a second season. However, it will end there as it was officially canceled back in August of 2025.

The Waterfront

Inspired by true events, The Waterfront is an American crime drama that follows the Buckley family, a wealthy elite family who rules the fishing industry in fictional Havenport, North Carolina, but face the possibility of financial ruin.

“This is about a working man who’s trying to make a go of it for his family. They’ve pulled themselves up from nothing and they’ve built this mini fishing empire in their small little town,” creator Kevin Williamson told Tudum. “Now it’s being taken away from them bit by bit. They’ll do anything to hold onto it, because it represents their family.”

The show did seem to catch on, however, as it was canceled in August of 2025, just two months after it premiered.

Kaos

Kaos is a British mythological dark comedy television series that follows three humans as they discover their common connection to a prophecy and to each other, all while contending with the gods of Greek mythology.

Starring Jeff Goldbloom, the show ran one season with eight episodes, but it will not be back for another season as the streaming giant announced its cancellation back in May.

The Ultimatum: Queer Love

Premiering on May 24, 2023, The Ultimatum: Queer Love is a dating reality television show that is a spinoff of the popular show, The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.

The show features couples on the verge of marriage. Each pair has eight weeks to decide whether they want to get married or break things off forever after facing challenges and having the opportunity to explore connections with other people.

The show ran two seasons, but was ultimately canceled by Netflix back in October.

Too Much

Originally released on July 10, 2025, Too Much follows thirty-something New York City commercial producer Jessica after she accepts a work transfer to London following a traumatic breakup. In London, she falls in love with a musician whom she brings back to the United States, where they fight to keep their relationship alive.

While the first season of the show was moderately well-received, earning a 79 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, it will not be back for another season.

In November, Netflix officially announced that Too Much had been canceled after just one season.

Boots

Based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White, Boots is an American military comedy drama television series set in the 1990s that follows a closeted gay teenager from Louisiana who enlists in the United States Marine Corps alongside his best friend.

The show was popular, spending four weeks in Netflix’s top 10 and peaking at No. 2. It was also very well received, earning a 90 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from both viewers and critics. However, it will not be coming back for a second season.

The show was surprisingly canceled after just one season, with one expert calling it “not a straightforward cancellation.”

Other Shows Ending

While these 10 shows were officially canceled by Netflix, there are nine more shows that have come to planned endings or have been renewed for a final season.

  • The Empress (3 seasons)
  • Heartstopper (3 seasons)
  • Queer Eye (10 seasons)
  • Outer Banks (5 seasons)
  • Squid Game (3 seasons)
  • Stranger Things (5 seasons)
  • The Witcher (5 seasons)
  • Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2 seasons)
  • Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black (3 seasons)

Squid Game officially concluded back in June, though Netflix has announced a major spinoff series, bringing the show to the United States. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft released its final season on Dec. 11.

Meanwhile, Heartstopper will conclude with a feature-length film, titled Heartstopper Forever, that will serve as a series finale.

All of the other shows, however, are still awaiting the release of their final season or final episodes.

]]>20Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:23:56 +0000The Best Steam Winter Sale Discounts On 2025 Gameshttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/19-the-best-steam-winter-sale-discounts-on-2025-games/ Snow is falling, the chimney fire is blazing, and hot cocoa is brewing. Maybe that's happening for real in your life, or maybe you live in Florida like me and have to imagine these nice Winter scenarios because they don't exist here. Nonetheless, it's Winter here in the U.S., and that means it's time for the 2025 Steam Winter Sale, which went live today and lasts through January 5. 

Though the sale just began, we're already seeing some deep discounts on some of 2025's biggest and best games. While you're free to peruse the sale yourself, your wallet might be afraid. It's dangerous to go alone, though, so pull up the Steam storefront with this handy dandy round-up while you shop. 

The Biggest And Best Steam Winter Sale Discounts On 2025 Games

 

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Alrighty folks, we've all got some gaming to do, so we're going to keep this simple with some alphabetized bullet points, links to the games, and the discount price alongside the standard price. And, if it's for a game Game Informer reviewed, we'll link to that, too, to help your decision-making process. Let's get to it!

If we're missing anything big here, please let us know in the comments below and we'll get it added! Happy holidays, and happy gaming!!!

]]>19Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:26:42 +0000The first episode of Fallout season two answers 15-year-old New Vegas mysteryhttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/18-the-first-episode-of-fallout-season-two-answers-15-year-old-new-vegas-mystery/ The first episode of Fallout's second season debuted yesterday, and within its hour or so run time solved one of the biggest cut content mysteries from New Vegas, which had been left unanswered for 15 years.

 

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Please be aware of spoilers for Fallout season two episode one below.

Along with introducing some new faces, the second season of Fallout also reunites us with the likes of Lucy and The Ghoul, who left together at the end of season one on the trail of disgraced (at least, in the eyes of many) Vault-Tec executive Hank MacLean. Hank, meanwhile, was last seen fleeing towards a ruined New Vegas in his pinched Brotherhood of Steel Power Armour.

And, that brings us to the first episode of season two, with Lucy and The Ghoul following the bloody trail Hank has left in his wake. This includes a little stop off at Vault 24, a cut location from Fallout: New Vegas. We only know about this place because players discovered a Vault 24 jumpsuit tucked away in New Vegas' game files, which could only be found using console commands

Now, as I am sure you are aware if you have read this far, many of the vaults in Fallout - both the show and the games - were set up to conduct experiments and such within. This has included the TV show's Vault 4, which experimented with mutants, and Fallout 76's Vault 63, which was set up by Vault-Tec's Hugo Stolz and his wife as a research facility for various technologies that would help with setting up post-War societies. There was also that poor chap that got put into Vault 77 totally on his own save for some puppets.

So, what was tucked away in Fallout: New Vegas' Vault 24? For a long time it seemed likely we would never know, but, thanks to Amazon's show, we now have an answer. And that answer is… communists! When Lucy and The Ghoul step into the vault, which is now derelict and covered in vegetation, they come across skeletons strapped down in front of a propaganda video, which when they were alive would have been brainwashing the poor chaps.

These aren't the only skeletons that were left to rot in the vault. Lucy and The Ghoul find many more strapped down within Vault 24, with pseudo-Soviet gear about the place. "These are Americans," Lucy realises, "and the Vault turned them into communists."

This seems like a pretty odd thing for the Vault-Tec heads to have done, but to be fair, when did they ever do anything that couldn't be labelled as pretty odd? (Again, that poor man with the puppets). On further exploration, Lucy and The Ghoul come across someone alive down there. A Wastelander with a chip in his head like the one House used at the start of the episode, which allowed him to control a goon's mind, is sitting strapped down and clearly not of sound mind.

This mind controlling chip is what Hank went into the vault to get a hold of, though it still needs some work to perfect, as so far the only people we have seen with the chips in their heads have not lived very long… that's probably a plot thread for another episode.

So, there you have it. After 15 years, we now know what's in Vault 24.

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The second season of Amazon's Fallout is releasing on a weekly basis, with the final episode airing in February of next year.

The team is already hard at work on season three, though, with the next series being written as we speak. Filming is then expected to begin in summer 2026, Fallout series executive producer Jonathan Nolan said earlier this month.

]]>18Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:17:39 +0000‘Godfather Of BioWare Design’ Steps Down At The Studio Making An Ambitious Successor To Mass Effecthttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/17-%E2%80%98godfather-of-bioware-design%E2%80%99-steps-down-at-the-studio-making-an-ambitious-successor-to-mass-effect/ Hasbro is shuffling its video game division after making a big splash at the Game Awards

 

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James Ohlen joined Wizards of the Coast back in 2019 after a 22-year stint at BioWare to create a new IP for the Hasbro-owned tabletop gaming company. Six years later, after cofounding Archetype Entertainment to ship a very Mass Effect-looking RPG called Exodus, he’ll no longer be head of the studio when the game eventually ships in 2027.

 

“At this stage, James felt his work on the game was complete and that the polishing and tuning were in great hands with the team,” Hasbro VP of Communications Abby Hodes told Bloomberg in a statement. She added that Ohlen asked to “shift his creative focus” and would remain a consultant for the company on tabletop gaming.


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Updated with a new trailer during last week’s Game Awards 2025 showcase, Exodus touts all of the things fans loved about Mass Effect, including bespoke relationships with NPCs, but with a new time dilation twist where the impact of choices players make will show up when they return to past locations decades or even centuries in the future. It’s an expensive-looking game from a brand new studio that began work during the pandemic, which might be part of why the delayed project is still a couple of years from launching.

But Exodus isn’t just the potential start of a new franchise, it’s an entire world that Hasbro wants to use as a springboard for other products. Wizards released an Exodus TTRPG book earlier this year and would no doubt love to look at trading card and TV spin-offs if the game eventually becomes a Clair Obscur: Expedition 33-like hit.

Bloomberg also reports that Ohlen stepping down comes alongside Blizzard veteran and Dreamhaven co-founder Paul Della Bitta becoming head of Wizards’ Digital Ventures division underneath fellow Blizzard veteran John Hight. Plenty of other BioWare veterans still remain at Archetype, including Chad Robertson and Drew Karpyshyn.

]]>17Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:40:55 +0000Here Are 10 Great RPGs You Can Add To Your Collection For Surprisingly Cheaphttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/16-here-are-10-great-rpgs-you-can-add-to-your-collection-for-surprisingly-cheap/ Who knows how many more holidays of physical game shopping we have left?

 

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This time of year makes me miss being a kid and unwrapping a cool new RPG I could then spend the winter quietly toiling through. Not an internet guide in sight. Just a fan living in the moment. So I’m always on the lookout to see what games are getting discounted during the holiday sell-off in case there are one or two things I can pick up and add to my physical collection for cheap. I might even wrap them and put them in a stocking or under the tree and pretend they’re from Santa.

 

Here are a few of the good deals out there so far. I’ll be on the lookout for more and will update the list if I find them. Please feel free to share any good ones you’ve spotted in the comments as well.

Visons of Mana 

The whimsical action-RPG is currently just $20 everywhere across both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (physical only). It’s a surprisingly decent stab at reinvigorating the Mana franchise after more than a decade without a real sequel.

Final Fantasy 16

This one’s also $20 at most stores this week, a steal for a 2023 GOTY contender that shines despite its most glaring flaws. The music, performances, and cinematic boss fights are all top-tier and the action feels great even when it gets repetitive.

Unicorn Overlord

This Vanillaware strategy RPG also gets a bit repetitive in the back half but is worth it for the current price of just $25 across PS5 and Switch. The story makes no sense but the art is exceptional and the mash-up of turn-based combat and RTS micro-management is enough to keep you powering through.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

I’m still not very far in Warhorse Studios’ open-world immersive sim but I’m liking it a lot more than the first game. It’s also surprisingly cheap for a 2025 Game Awards nominee. It’s just $40 for PS5 and only $30 for Xbox. The PS5 version’s also been going in and out of stock at GameStop for the same lower price.

Fantasian Neo Dimension

Don’t let the mobile game origins fool you. Fantasian Neo Dimension is the good stuff. Mistwalker’s Hironobu Sakaguchi channels his early Final Fantasy roots to deliver a slick turn-based adventure that feels like it would have been right at home on the PS1. Amazon has the PS5 and Switch copies for just $30.

Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection

I’ve been meaning to pick this one up for a while and for some reason it’s just $20 right now on Amazon. The games themselves are very similar but the hybrid strategy gameplay remains peak Game Boy Advance nostalgia.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

I feel like FF12 is a bit underrated these days. It’s pound-for-pound one of the densest entries in the series and the remaster does an excellent job of polishing up the PS2 visuals and improving some of the job board progression to make it feel more like a familiar job-based MMO system. It’s only $25 on both PS5 and Switch at the moment.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster

Is the Pixel Remaster collection overpriced? Yes. Are the smoothmaster visuals a bummer? Also yes. But you can’t get too picky about owning a piece of history. Adding it to your collection for just $40 isn’t bad.

Super Mario RPG

You’ll probably never own the original SNES version of Super Mario RPG. Used copies start at $50. Nice ones are quite a bit more. The Switch remaster, which looks excellent and improves combat with a new ultimate system, is a great pickup at just $25 right now.

Persona 3 Reload

The physical version for PS5 is currently just $17 at Amazon and only $25 a Best Buy. It’s a stellar remake and probably my favorite game in the series at this point. Not as flashy as Persona 5 but with way better melancholy teen vibes.

]]>16Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:33:58 +0000ROG Xbox Ally Gaming Handheld Is On Sale For Only $489 For A Limited Timehttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/15-rog-xbox-ally-gaming-handheld-is-on-sale-for-only-489-for-a-limited-time/ The Asus ROG Xbox Ally is an entry-level Windows handheld with impressive performance for the price.

There's still time to save big on the first official Xbox gaming handheld. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally, which launched in October with a $600 MSRP, is on sale for $489 at Amazon and Walmart, $490 at Best Buy, and $520 at Target. It's still not entirely clear when this deal ends, but it's still available as of December 17. The $489 price at Amazon is an all-time low for the recently released Windows gaming handheld. Amazon has also restocked the official Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case.

If you pick up the Xbox Ally at Amazon, you should also check out some of the third-party accessories available now, including docking stations, screen protectors, travel cases, and microSD UHS-II cards. Though it's sold out more often than not at Amazon, the official Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case is currently available to order.

Asus ROG Xbox Ally Gaming Handheld

$489 (was $600)

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The ROG Xbox Ally is an entry-level Windows gaming handheld with impressive features and performance for the price. The Ryzen Z2 A chip is comparable to Steam Deck's custom AMD APU, and if you increase the TDP--at the expense of battery life--the Xbox Ally can outperform the Steam Deck OLED. For reference, the Steam Deck OLED 512GB model retails for $549.

The Xbox Ally has a 1920 x 1080p IPS display with 120Hz refresh rate and support for VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium. If you're comparing to the Steam Deck OLED, Valve's handheld has a 7.4-inch 1280 x 800p OLED display with HDR and 90Hz refresh rate. So the Steam Deck wins in panel type and size, but the Xbox Ally wins in resolution and refresh rate. That said, to get the best performance on Xbox Ally, you will often want to lock the resolution at 720p, so the Xbox Ally doesn't always take full advantage of its advantages.

The Xbox Ally is arguably the most comfortable Windows gaming handheld on the market today. Asus opted for the PlayStation Portal approach by essentially splitting the Xbox Wireless Controller in half and connecting it to each side. Along with all of the buttons, triggers, and bumpers found on the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Xbox Ally has two remappable back buttons. It also has motion controls and HD haptics.

One of the big selling points of the Xbox Ally is the custom, console-inspired dashboard that is easier to use than the traditional Windows interface. The Xbox Ally has a 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, a microSD UHS-II card slot to expand storage capacity, two USB-C ports, and a headphone jack.

 

Specs:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A
  • RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X-6400
  • Storage: 512GB M.2 2280 SSD
  • Display:
    • 7" IPS touchscreen (Gorilla Glass Victus)
    • 1920 x 1080
    • 120Hz refresh rate
    • VRR supported
    • AMD FreeSync Premium
  • Controller Design:
    • Contoured grips
    • Hall Effect triggers
    • Shoulder bumpers
    • ABXY bumpers
    • 2 remappable back buttons
    • Analog sticks with light rings
    • 6-Axis motion controls
    • HD haptics
    • 5 menu/settings buttons
  • Ports:
    • 2x USB 3.2 Type-C
    • 3.5mm audio
  • microSD: UHS-II reader (only UHS-II)
  • Network: Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.4
  • Battery: 80Wh
  • Battery life: 1.5-5 hours
  • Weight: 670g
  • Dimensions: 290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm

 

 

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have a built-in library of hundreds of games for the Xbox Ally. Whether you already have a subscription or not, you'll want to purchase your membership from a major retailer instead of directly through Microsoft. The price of Game Pass Ultimate increased to $30/month in October, but major retailers still sell prepaid codes for $20/month.

 

If you want to play your Xbox Ally on your TV or use it as a regular PC--you can switch to the standard Windows OS interface--you'll need a USB-C docking station. The official Asus ROG Xbox Ally 100W Charger Dock will set you back $85 (was $100), but there are solid third-party options that work well and come with a stand. UGREEN's 6-in-1 Docking Station is on sale for only $30 (was $46) for a limited time. You can upgrade to a 9-in-1 model with additional ports for $46 (was $60).

The JSAUX Docking Station & 100W Charger is available for $50 (was $70). This one is nice because it also comes with the AC adapter, so you'll have a second charger. If you don't need an extra charger, you can get the same JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station for $33.24 (was $40). Another notable option is iVanky's 14-in-1 RGB Docking Station for $65 (was $80). It doesn't include an AC adapter or USB-C cable, but it has more ports for accessories and is capable of 144Hz refresh rate. All of the docks in the list below support 4K resolution but refresh rates vary; we've included max refresh rates when displaying games in 4K in parentheses.

Xbox Ally Tempered Glass Screen Protectors

The Xbox Ally has a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus screen, but it never hurts to add a screen protector to pricey handhelds, even if it's just for your own peace of mind. Plus, screen protectors are cheap. You can get a 2-pack of JSAUX's tempered glass anti-glare screen protector with an alignment frame for $11.59 (was $13). Two of the biggest names in the screen protector market, amFilm and iVoler, have 3-packs for $9-$10 without an alignment frame.

 

Xbox Ally Carrying Cases

The official ROG Xbox Ally carrying case retails for $70. It has a built-in stand and comes with a removable pouch for accessories. On the back are the words: "This is an Xbox case." It's a very nice hardshell case, but if you don't want to spend $70 on a carrying case, there are numerous third-party options to check out.

JSAUX's hardshell travel case is only $25.19 (was $28), and several smaller brands have carrying cases for around $30. Here's a list of some of the best-selling ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X cases on Amazon.

 

Xbox Ally Grip Cases & Thumbstick Grips

The Xbox Ally already has great ergonomics, but so does the Steam Deck, and that hasn't stopped players from buying ergonomic grips. One of the benefits of a grip case beyond enhancing comfort is protecting the handheld from drop damage when outside of a travel case. For a premium option from a major accessory brand, check out Dbrand's Killswitch Travel Case for $72 (was $80). Dbrand's Killswitch series is fantastic, and Best Buy recently started carrying select Dbrand grip cases. We haven't tested the Xbox Ally Killswitch, but the Switch 2 Killswitch is the best ergonomic grip we've tried for Nintendo's new console. You can also find a a few budget-friendly options from generic brands on Amazon, including this popular $20 silicone grip case with a built-in stand.

 

microSD UHS-II Cards for Xbox Ally

As mentioned, you can expand the Xbox Ally's storage with microSD cards. Unfortunately, the entry-level handheld is limited to UHS-II cards; the Xbox Ally X can read UHS-I cards, which are cheaper and easier to find in higher capacities. We've rounded up a few options below. The most affordable is Kodak's 256GB microSD for $45.60. For 512GB, the Gigastone Ultimate Pro is the cheapest we saw at $100.

  • Kodak UHS-II microSD (300MB/s)
  • Lexar Professional Gold UHS-II microSD (280MB/s)
  • Nextorage UHS-II microSD (280MB/s)
  • Gigastone Ultimate Pro UHS-II microSD (280MB/s)

 

]]>15Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:28:47 +0000Dying Light: The Beast Update Introduces Nightmare Experiencehttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/14-dying-light-the-beast-update-introduces-nightmare-experience/ If you thought Dying Light: The Beast was hard before, wait until you see the advanced difficulties of the Nightmare Experience.

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If you've been looking for more of a challenge from Dying Light: The Beast, then you're about to get it. Developer Techland has dropped Update 1.5 for Dying Light: The Beast, and it's giving players the chance to test their skills in the Nightmare Experience.

To turn up the heat on players, human and infected enemies are now smarter, more aggressive, significantly stronger, and more reactive to the players' actions. Volatiles may now even appear during the day in some of the Dark Zones, and players have far fewer resources to deal with them all.

If that wasn't enough, there's a new super enemy, the Alpha Volatile. Techland calls it "the most intelligent Volatile in the history of Dying Light." It's even smarter than the traditional Volatiles and its heightened senses can track the player across the entire map unless they reach a safe zone. The Alpha Volatiles can be killed, but good luck trying to pull that off. At night, the player is the prey for this creature. Players can also get new finishing maneuvers, including one-handed blunt weapons and one-handed slashing weapons.

The dev team must not have thought the new Volatiles were enough to make Nightmare Experience a true challenge. Now players have to deal with hunger, which is tracked through The Hunger System. If players don't keep their character fed, they will succumb to debilitating effects that will weaken their stamina, health regeneration, and combat efficiency. The developers even added more challenge to the game by using the flashlight--its battery can become too low to use if players don't periodically recharge or replace it.

The rest of the additions to the game are included below.

Dying Light: The Beast Update 1.5 Notes

Gameplay

New Game+ & Legendary Levels

  • Adjusted the NewGame+ and Legendary Levels progression curves to reduce farming exploits and balance the experience better.
  • Starting a NewGame+ will now check the Legend Level of players to adjust enemies difficulty accordingly.
  • Reaching Legend Level 300 before reaching NewGame+ 10 will make enemies' difficulty adjust accordingly.

Legend Levels

  • Fixed the possibility for players with no Legend Levels progress to pick up Legend Levels reward weapons left by coop teammates and obtain blueprints of such weapons
  • Balanced mods bonus damage related to Legend Levels Rewards
  • Balancing of durability of legend weapons Balanced situation where car HP scaled inconsistent with player damage for legend levels
  • Fix for the buff “+15% damage (humans) of “Butcher’s Dream” failing to apply correctly
  • Fix for critical hit damage does not scaling accordingly with legend levels
  • Fixed cases of weapon mods and charms multiply base damage different than the one visible to the player

NewGame+

  • Balancing amount of XP granted on higher NewGame+ levels
  • Suiciders, Gas Tank Bitters and Gas Tank Virals fixes of explosion strength for higher NewGame+ levels
  • Fixed the case of XP loss on Story Mode NewGame+ upon player’s death
  • Fixes related to AI having higher ranks than quest rank in cases where it is not intended

Performance & Stability

  • Fixed multiple COOP crash cases when peer joins the host
  • Fixed a crash triggered by changing FPS limiter values
  • Fixed instances of FPS drops when switching graphics settings from Ultra to High

Graphical improvements

Raytracing

  • Fixed laggy tree shadows when Raytracing enabled
  • Applied various lighting fixes in Side Quest interiors on Raytracing mode
  • Fixed COOP synchronization issues on PS5
  • Fixed graphical artifacts in the Exile cave upon adjusting Upscaler settings
  • Implemented various occluder fixes across the environment
  • Fixed rectangular blood shapes on the Peacekeeper weapon
  • Fixed of reward icons glowing irregularly depending on how players highlight or claim rewards

Environmental & navigational fixes

  • Resolved an environmental issue in the Exile Cave where players get stuck behind a tent
  • Corrected several geometry gaps visible when climbing ledges in the old town
  • Addressed several geometry gaps visible when climbing ledges in the swamps area

UI & Audio

  • Fixed the big message for Legend Level gained suggests using "U" key for the Skills Menu instead of the correct "L" key
  • Resolved missing strings related to Legend Levels
  • Applied several Steamdeck UI issues related to misaligned or overlapping text
  • Fixed weapon damage display for high Legend Levels (above 10m)
  • Fixed the crest of recommended Legend Levels in the NewGame+ config screen not matching the actual Legend Levels crest of players on higher NewGame+ levels
  • Re-enabled Photo Mode at the beginning of NewGame+
  • Adjusted the NewGame+ category title in Public Games section to prevent overlapping with other titles in certain languages
  • Corrected the camouflage skill sound not playing correctly
]]>14Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:16:35 +0000Battlefield 6 Free Trial: Start-Times Revealed, Here's When You Can Start Playinghttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/12-battlefield-6-free-trial-start-times-revealed-heres-when-you-can-start-playing/  

Battlefield Studios has announced a free trial for Battlefield 6, taking place over the Thanksgiving break for people in the US. The free trial runs November 25 through December 2, and it'll feature a sampling of the full game, including five modes and three maps (these were not specified, however).

The free trial will be available across all platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Battlefield 6 free trial start-times

The free trail begins November 25 at 4 AM PT / 7 AM ET. It ends at the same time on December 2.

November 25

  • 4 AM PT
  • 7 AM ET
  • 12 PM GMT

The announcement of the free trial came on the same day that Battlefield Studios launched the Battlefield 6 California Resistance update. This adds a new map, Eastwood, along with a "fast-paced" limited-time event mode called Sabotage.

 
 

 

The November 18 update also added a new Gauntlet mission for the Redsec battle royale mode, along with new items called Prepper Stashes, which are now scattered throughout the Fort Lyndon map.

The next phase of Battlefield 6's Season 1 arrives on December 9 with Winter Offensive; this update will add "special seasonal themed content" to the game.

For more, check out the full Battlefield 6 California Resistance update patch notes, which includes a major change for aim-assist.

Battlefield 6 launched in October and has reportedly sold more than 10 million copies. Its owner, EA, is in the process of being acquired for $55 billion.

]]>12Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:48:48 +0000Nordic Horizons: Trondheim + BIG in Nordic Horizonshttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/11-nordic-horizons-trondheim-big-in-nordic-horizons/ In today's blog, we're excited to share another preview from the Nordic Horizons DLC with our amazing #BestCommunityEver! This time, we're heading to the stunning city of Trondheim to explore its beauty and check out the new oversized cargo routes available for truckers owning the Special Transport DLC.
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On the banks of the Trondheimsfjord lies the charming city of Trondheim, with over a thousand years of history dating back to the Viking Age, when it was founded by Olav Tryggvason in 997. If you're familiar with Trondheim, you'll likely recognize several of these in-game locations our map designers have recreated with attention to detail.

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In the northern part of Trondheim, you'll find a unique two-storey roundabout along the Rv706, which spans both the surface and an underground level, connecting to a tunnel leading into the city center. Nearby, we've recreated a shopping mall, the town hall, and the Leangen train station, all positioned close together just as they are in reality.
 

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Continuing along the Rv706, you'll reach the city's port area, home to another historic landmark: the Dora submarine pens. Right next to them is the Trondheim Maritime Center and a local factory. From this area, you can also see the popular local waterfront sauna and cultural venue - everything faithfully recreated to mirror the real-life locations.

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We've also paid attention to smaller, yet distinctive architectural details that enhance the sense of place: the utilities near the port shaped like a submarine sail, and several sculptures along a nearby roundabout. Together, these elements aim to make you feel as if you're truly there.
 

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Trondheim is a major land and sea transport link of Norway, connecting the more densely settled south with the far-northern regions. Because of that, you will find plenty of industries to deliver cargo to and from, including a supermarket, scrapyard, furniture factory, quarry, construction site, river port, and paper mill. At the last three mentioned depots, you will be able to experience the new dynamic cargo loading and unloading feature (loading at the river port, and unloading at the construction site and paper mill)!
 

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BIG in Nordic Horizons

If you own the Special Transport DLC, which lets truckers haul oversized cargo, you'll want to know which routes are designated for these massive loads!

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In Nordic Horizons, drivers will be able to tackle five new routes, each carefully planned with escort vehicles and local police support to ensure smooth deliveries. Apart from the new routes, you will also be able to transport new cargoes - the Wind Turbine Blade and the Underground Loader. You can read more about these cargoes in the dedicated blog.
 

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The payoff is worth the challenge - these jobs offer extra rewards for your skill and effort. But don't underestimate them: even with escorts, manoeuvring oversized cargo through tight turns and tricky terrain is no easy feat. Think you have what it takes? Pick a job and prove your skill on these special routes:

Jyväskylä to Vaasa (Finland)
Kuopio to Kajaani (Finland)
Oulu to Rovaniemi (Finland)
Narvik to Kiruna (Norway to Sweden)
Trondheim to Östersund (Norway to Sweden)

If you don't own this DLC and want to give these challenging jobs a try, you can buy the Special Transport DLC on Steam!

]]>11Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:41:30 +0000Everything We Know About Valve’s ‘Steam Machine’https://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/10-everything-we-know-about-valve%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98steam-machine%E2%80%99/

 

I’m going to save you an in-depth history lesson: about a decade ago, Valve tried to launch its own line of gaming PCs—working with partners to provide hardware while it aimed to provide a Linux-based software platform—called ‘Steam Machines’. It didn’t work out.

Now, though, Valve has a working software solution in SteamOS (the software that underpins the fantastic Steam Deck), and the knowledge and means to build its own hardware. So, it’s trying again.

The Steam Machine, as Valve is calling it, is a small-form-factor pre-built PC running SteamOS (built on the open-source Linux, rather than Windows or MacOS), and will be available to buy in “early 2026”. Valve did show off quite a bit of info about the Steam Machine, but it left some important details out: a specific release date, and how much it’ll cost.

 

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What we do know, though, is that the Steam Machine will be able to play most modern games at 4K resolutions at 60 frames-per-second using upscaling technology (as well as natively at lower resolutions), it runs at a significantly lower voltage than a traditional gaming tower, and it’ll bring a lot of the best features of the Steam Deck to a more powerful device.

It’ll also launch in Australia day-and-date with the rest of the world—we won’t be waiting an additional two years like we did with the Deck—alongside a revamped Steam Controller, and its latest VR offering, the Steam Frame (both seen above).

Like many of my fellow nerds, I’m really excited to see what Valve brings to the hardware space, and I’m hoping the Steam Machine will bridge the gap between PCs and consoles in the same way the Steam Deck did with PCs and handhelds. We’ll have to wait a little bit more before we see where it lands, so here’s what we know about the Steam Machine so far:

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Tech Specs

Valve’s ‘Steam Machine‘ Confirmed Specifications
Price TBA
OS SteamOS (Linux)
Internals – AMD Zen 4 CPU (4.8GHz, 6 cores)
– AMD RDNA 3 (2.45GHz, 8 GB DDR6 VRAM)
– 16GB DDR5 RAM
Ports – 4x USB-A Ports
– 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
– DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4K 240Hz, 8K 60Hz)
– HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K 120Hz)
– Gigabit Ethernet
– SD Card Reader
Storage – 512GB or 2TB M.2 Storage
– Can be upgraded by user
Dimensions – 156mm x 152mm x 162mm
– 2.6 kg
Other – Replaceable front cover

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Is it a Gaming PC? Or a Gaming Console?

It’s worth noting that while Valve is very much positioning the Steam Machine as a gaming PC, it’s also skirting the line into console territory.

According to Valve, you should be able to plug the box into your TV, projector, monitor, or whatever you’re using and get running quickly and seamlessly. It’ll have sleep-to-wake functionality with the new Steam Controller, which is something PC gaming has traditionally struggled with, meaning you can easily jump back into a game on your TV when you get home from work.

Plus, with how well SteamOS simply works as a full-screen gaming OS, rather than a more traditional Windows-like environment (which is very cumbersome to navigate using a gaming controller), it’ll be very well suited to a home theatre-like role—plugged directly into your TV, rather than sequestered away on a desk.

 

Assuming it all works as it should, the Steam Machine could be a great bridge between those who want the freedom of PC gaming without giving up the comfort of a living-room console, and given my months of Steam Deck use, I can say that a lot of these things already work pretty well: the biggest problem I tend to hit with the Deck is that it’ll run out of battery while asleep, which shouldn’t be an issue for a device that is perennially plugged in.

It’s also worth noting that one of the other ways it eschews closer to consoles is in the Steam Machine’s virtual inability to be upgraded.

It should be pretty simple to swap out the device’s storage, but here you effectively get what you pay for. You’re not going to be tossing in a new GPU once performance starts lagging as you could with a more traditional desktop PC, and without a Thunderbolt/USB-4 capable port the Steam Machine can’t function with an external GPU.

Instead, Valve is banking that a lot of people will be comfortable gaming without cutting-edge hardware, but with the added software customisability of a PC—and, based on Steam’s monthly hardware surveys, its probably spot on. Plus, there are plenty of people without the patience to tinker with hardware but who still would prefer to game on Steam than a console.

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Who’s the Steam Machine For?

It’s worth stating here that if you’re someone who already has a high-end gaming PC capable of hitting 4K on ultra with respectable frame rates, it’s unlikely you’ll get a lot out of a Steam Machine aside from a potentially cheap living room box to stream games to. You could, instead, simply install a similar Linux-based OS (such as Bazzite) and make your own Steam Machine.

If you’ve been looking to get into PC gaming on a budget: the jury is still out, but this one should be an answer to that problem.

 

If you’re coming from a console, though, there’s quite a bit to talk about.

Valve says the Steam Machine lands somewhere around six times the power of a Steam Deck—which sounds like a massive jump, but actually puts it pretty close to today’s entry-level console architectures. The technically-minded folk at Digital Foundry believe the capabilities on show here theoretically put the Steam Machine between the Xbox Series S and the base PlayStation 5.

These would be very respectable benchmarks to hit, though we still don’t know anything about how it’ll compare on pricing.

The Steam Deck is still one of the cheapest PC handhelds on the market, thanks to the fact that it natively runs SteamOS, and Valve takes a cut of every game sold on the Steam store—the de facto gaming store on PC. Getting the device into your hands cheaper means more games sold on Steam, which means more money for Valve in the long run.

We don’t know if that’ll be the approach Valve is taking this time, but its hinted that it aims to keep the Machine affordable.

Similarly to modern consoles, the Steam Machine will rely on upscaling technology to hit its quoted “4K 60fps” capability. However, if you’re happy playing games at 1080p, or even 1440p for certain titles, the Steam Machine should function well even without any kind of upscaling.

 

Additionally, it costs nothing to play online games through Steam. Comparatively, it costs AU$30 a year to jump in on Nintendo’s cheapest membership tier, AU$102.95 for a year of PlayStation Plus ‘Essential’, and AU$155.40 on Xbox’s Game Pass ‘Essential’ tier (paid at AU$12.95 monthly).

You do get a lot more value in some of these memberships beyond just playing online (free games, discounts, game streaming, etc), so it isn’t exactly a fair comparison—but if you don’t want any of those things, and just want to play games you buy online with friends this could be an attractive way to get there.

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Are There Any Red Flags?

It can’t all be good though—the included SD Card Reader should make transferring games between your Steam Deck and Steam Machine a breeze, but actually playing those games off an SD card isn’t going to be a great experience. You’ll likely still want to transfer games onto local storage to keep read times quick—especially if you’re playing something competitive.

As with the Steam Deck, which launched with underpowered capabilities, the Steam Machine isn’t going to be leading the pack graphics-wise—even among other mini PCs.

While RDNA 3 graphics are good, RDNA 4 is already a thing and there are far more powerful pre-built mini PCs on the market: though it’s worth noting they’re all quite expensive as a result. If Valve is trying to keep the device affordable and small, while still performant, as it says it is, keeping some costs in check is inevitable.

Then there’s the issue of Linux.

 

While Windows and MacOS are pretty well-embedded into our lives at this point, Linux is a bit tricky to get started with. Yes, SteamOS is a pared back, simple version of the OS, but if you’re reliant on specialised software to do your job there’s a large chance Linux won’t fit your needs (unless you’re willing to get very, very in the weeds to make it work).

If you only use your PC for gaming, streaming content, and browsing the web, you’ll be completely fine—though there will still be a learning curve.

Beyond that, even gaming can get tricky on Linux. Valve has made huge strides in this space in the past decade with its Proton translation layer, which I’m not going to go into at all (this story is long enough already), but many newer games require a type of anti-cheat that Linux itself does not support.

‘Kernel-level’ anti-cheat effectively embeds itself into the deepest depths of your PC’s software with the aim of keeping an eagle-eye on whether or not you’re cheating in online matches, though it also appears in single-player games from time to time. Game developers swear this level of visibility is necessary to keep hacking in their games under control, but many people see this as complete overkill and an invasion of their privacy. It’s a thorny issue that, again, I don’t have time to get into here.

The result is that many modern games, such as Battlefield 6, will not run on the Steam Machine without some tweaking from the developers—and few developers will bother unless there is a large contingent of players flocking to Linux to make it worth their while.

That may not be a big deal to veteran PC players who know enough about this issue to go in with the knowledge needed, but if someone is buying their first gaming PC only to find out that their favourite game simply won’t run after already dropping an unspecified amount of money on the hardware—that’ll be a kick in the teeth.

 

What do you think? Are you interested in a new player entering the console wars? Are you interested in jumping into PC gaming, but haven’t wanted to deal with the hassle? Are you interested in a small-format PC?

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]]>10Sun, 23 Nov 2025 21:18:55 +00002025 PC Gaming Releaseshttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/9-2025-pc-gaming-releases/ ChatGPTImageNov23202501_40_26PM.thumb.png.53a9e85e3a61be83ed2b6d01789e9b8f.png

2025 delivered one of the strongest lineups in PC gaming history, with over 10,000 Steam releases, massive AAA blockbusters like Monster Hunter Wilds and Civilization VII, long-awaited sequels like Hades II and Hollow Knight: Silksong, and critically acclaimed indies topping Metacritic charts (e.g., Hades II at 95, Blue Prince and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 92).

Here's a chronological table of standout PC releases (curated from major calendars; all confirmed for PC/Steam, many multi-platform):

 
 
Date Game Genre/Notes
Jan 9 Freedom Wars Remastered Action RPG remake
Jan 23 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth JRPG epic (PC port)
Jan 30 Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Open-world superhero action (PC port)
Feb 4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Medieval RPG
Feb 11 Civilization VII 4X strategy
Feb 18 Avowed First-person fantasy RPG
Feb 28 Monster Hunter Wilds Action RPG
Mar 6 Split Fiction Co-op action-adventure (91 Metacritic)
Mar 20 Assassin's Creed: Shadows Stealth-action in feudal Japan
Mar 27 Atomfall Survival shooter
Mar 27 The First Berserker: Khazan Soulslike ARPG
Apr 8 South of Midnight Action-adventure
Apr 10 Blue Prince Puzzle adventure (92 Metacritic)
Apr 24 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Turn-based RPG (92 Metacritic)
Sep 4 Hollow Knight: Silksong Metroidvania (90 Metacritic)
Sep 25 Hades II Roguelike (95 Metacritic, top-rated)
Oct 3 Digimon Story: Time Stranger JRPG
Oct 10 Battlefield 6 Multiplayer FPS
Oct 10 Little Nightmares 3 Horror platformer
Oct 21 Jurassic World Evolution 3 Management sim
Oct 21 Ninja Gaiden 4 Action hack-and-slash
Oct 21 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 RPG
Oct 29 The Outer Worlds 2 RPG shooter
Oct 30 Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake JRPG remakes
Oct 30 Arc Raiders Co-op extraction shooter
Nov 14 Where Winds Meet Open-world action
Nov 15 Escape from Tarkov (full release) Hardcore FPS
Nov 19 Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Roguelike shopkeeper
Dec 4 Octopath Traveler 0 JRPG prequel
Dec 4 Routine Horror exploration
Dec 8 Skate Story Stylish skateboarding
 

This focuses on highly anticipated/AAA titles and top critics' picks; full SteamDB calendars show thousands more indies monthly (e.g., Dec has dozens upcoming). For Steam's top-rated by user reviews, early 2025 hits like those in March (96%+) and October dominated peaks over 400k concurrent. Check PC Gamer or SteamDB for exhaustive lists/updates.

]]>9Sun, 23 Nov 2025 11:42:27 +0000Review for the Game: Where Winds Meethttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/8-review-for-the-game-where-winds-meet/ where-winds-meet-yxixg.thumb.jpg.31dbbe98176f3b5f61de5ca06233b931.jpg


Where Winds Meet is a free-to-play open-world action-adventure RPG developed by Everstone Studio (published by NetEase), set in a fantastical version of 10th-century China during a turbulent era of warring factions. You play as a martial artist mastering Wuxia-style combat with weapons like swords, spears, fans, and umbrellas, exploring a massive seamless world filled with quests, boss fights, base-building, stealth, minigames, crafting, fishing, and multiplayer elements like co-op, PvP, and battle royale modes.

It launched globally on November 14, 2025, for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PS5 (console exclusive initially), with mobile versions in China earlier. The game has exploded in popularity, hitting 2 million players in its first 24 hours and maintaining high Steam concurrent peaks into week two (over 200k recently).

 

Aggregate Review Scores

 
 

 

Platform/Source Score Reviews Notes
Steam (User) 85% Very Positive  35,894 total (recent focus)      Users praise combat, world, and value; some note UI jank.
Metacritic (PC) 70 Mixed/Average   13 critics; User: 6.8 PC-focused; critics call it ambitious but unfocused.
OpenCritic 73 (Fair)   9 critics 62% recommend; highs from GamingBolt (9/10), Wccftech (8.5/10).
IGN 6/10   N/A "Action RPG amusement park... every ride at half speed."
GamesRadar+ Unscored (Positive)   N/A "Bloated but fun"; loves Sekiro combat and spectacle.

 

Critic reception is mixed—praising the spectacle but critiquing bloat—while users are far more enthusiastic, especially for a F2P title.
 

Pros

  • Stunning visuals and world: Breathtaking landscapes, immersive Wuxia atmosphere, rewarding exploration with secrets, creepy quests, and verticality (triple-jumps, parkour).
  • Combat shines: Fluid, Sekiro-inspired parry/dodge system with spectacular bosses ("exploding fireworks factory"), combos, and "Mystic Arts" (e.g., Tai Chi throws). Evolves with progression; optional challenges for Soulslike fans.
  • Depth and variety: Rich lore/story, excellent character creator/customization, side content (hunting, cooking, base-building), charming tone with witty scripts and scoundrels.
  • F2P value: Not predatory; cosmetics are gaudy but earnable in-game, no major P2W. Huge content for free.

Cons

  • Overwhelming UI/menus: "Four million currencies," cluttered screens, hard to navigate—like "Gatwick airport drunk." Throws everything at you early.
  • Jank and inconsistencies: Floaty movement, poor hit feedback, buggy stealth (e.g., spotted while invisible), minigames/rhythm debates feel forced/annoying, occasional performance issues.
  • Kitchen-sink bloat: Too many half-baked systems (AI NPCs, multiplayer rituals) dilute focus; simple puzzles, tonal whiplash.
  • Microtransactions: Battle pass and pricey cosmetics ($30+ outfits) pop up often, though skippable.

Verdict: A ambitious, joyous Wuxia playground with top-tier combat and a gorgeous world that's perfect for fans of open-world action (think Assassin's Creed meets Nioh/Sekiro). It's rough—especially the UI—but the highs outweigh the lows for most players, and patches could polish it further. Highly recommended as F2P; download on Steam/PS5 and try it yourself. If you love martial arts spectacle and exploration, it'll hook you despite the chaos.

 

]]>8Sun, 23 Nov 2025 11:28:02 +0000Euro Truck Simulator 2: 1.57 Update Releasehttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/7-euro-truck-simulator-2-157-update-release/  
 

We’re excited to share with our community that the 1.57 update for Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now officially released! This free update brings new content, refreshed DLCs, quality of life improvements, and more. Let’s dive in and take a look at what’s in store.

 


Before we take you through all the new features this update brings to the game, we would like to thank everyone who took part in the Open Beta and reported issues on our forum. This really helped us fine-tune the update and make it ready for the full update release.

 

Scandinavia Refresh

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Update 1.57 for ETS2 brings the long-awaited refresh for the Scandinavia DLC. Our team has embarked on an ambitious refresh of the Scandinavia map expansion to create and bring the region up to the quality standards of newer map content.

Key improvements include:

 

  • A full refresh of the region with updated textures, vegetation, and road assets, alongside new rest stops and fuel stations.
  • A major overhaul of the road network: custom-designed junctions replacing old prefabs (notably around Denmark’s motorways and Sweden’s busy E-corridors).

New map additions, including the brand-new cities of Aarhus in Denmark and Karlstad in Sweden, along with a completely rebuilt Copenhagen featuring modern infrastructure and landmark recreations to enrich the network and scenery, and much more for you to discover!
 

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This update is intended to ensure that when players cross through the Scandinavia region en route to the upcoming Nordic Horizons expansion, the visual and structural transition feels seamless and up-to-date.
 

HDR Support

We are implementing HDR (High Dynamic Range) support in the game. HDR is a feature that enhances image quality, allowing players with HDR-compatible monitors or TVs to experience richer colours and improved contrast.

Alongside HDR, we are also updating the brightness setup to give players more control over visual settings. This will include a dedicated setup screen where you can preview your brightness adjustments on actual in-game images, as well as an HDR Calibration feature, which lets you fine-tune the HDR effect using a simple slider.
 

HDR_Support-EN.thumb.jpg.01317a1a5084ef15a01dcb4cb80a903e.jpg
 
 
 

 

For players using HDR-compatible displays, the feature will be automatically enabled in the game, ensuring you get the best possible visual experience from the moment you start playing.

Cursor Navigation Enhancements

We've also fine-tuned the cursor navigation experience. The cursor speed is now consistent across all screen resolutions, and the overall speed and control precision have been slightly increased when using a controller, making navigation smoother and more responsive.

Dynamic Cargo Loading and Unloading

The long-awaited dynamic loading and unloading feature is debuting in Euro Truck Simulator 2, bringing even more immersion and realism to your trucking experience.

08.thumb.jpg.7d3c116e0d9a719e72e4332fe3978d88.jpg

 

Originally introduced in American Truck Simulator, this feature will now appear in selected custom and prefab depots across ETS2, starting with locations in the Nordic Horizons DLC and expanding to suitable depots throughout the base map, other map DLCs, and even a custom shipyard in Athens, Greece.

10.thumb.jpg.a88ae2979f80e50ee7430e1d49371880.jpg

 

For the initial rollout, logging trailers will be the first to benefit from this feature. Players hauling Logs, Large Tubes, or Iron Pipes will see material handlers or crawler excavators dynamically loading and unloading their cargo. Simply position your trailer in the designated area, and the process will start automatically, adding a satisfying touch of realism to every delivery.

04.thumb.jpg.87618715fbceda6d0b2d5ecd3ae9b810.jpg

 

 

From sawmills and construction sites to steelworks and material stores, drivers will find plenty of opportunities to try out this new system. And this is just the beginning, our team plans to expand dynamic loading and unloading to more cargo types and locations in future updates.

Scania R/S SUPER, 770 V8 + Smart Dash

The Scania R & S series will receive a major overhaul in 1.57, introducing the newest SUPER engines (420–560 hp) and V8 powertrains (590, 660, 770 hp) alongside Opticruise G25, G33, and G38 transmissions.

10_1.thumb.jpg.44cf9b54ff512b4692a34a7d926068fe.jpg
 
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Inside, drivers can enjoy Scania’s new Smart Dash and Smart Dash Advanced interiors, available in several variants. On the outside, there are fresh customization options such as SUPER badges, sensor-equipped fenders, and official Scania SUPER and 770 paint jobs for both trucks and trailers.

04_1.thumb.jpg.1cd18dcd2015bb423fd00ed1696048ae.jpg

 

Special Transport DLC Update

We have some thrilling new content for owners of the Special Transport DLC. This free update adds two massive new cargoes designed to push your driving precision and skill to the limit, perfect for those who love a real challenge on the road.

Wind Turbine Blade

First up is the Wind Turbine Blade, an impressive 30-metre load that demands full control and focus. Hauled on a 4-axle steerable trailer, this heavy cargo will test even the most experienced drivers. You’ll find this contract available from Rostock to Berlin in Germany and, for those exploring the upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC, from Jyväskylä to Vaasa.

04_2.thumb.jpg.9561f0bbb8526f972b3c4f702ed08160.jpg

 

Underground Loader

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The second addition, the Underground Loader, is a mining powerhouse that comes with serious weight and scale. Carried on a 6-axle low loader trailer, this job will challenge your ability to handle long and heavy loads, with routes available from Dortmund to Hannover and Narvik to Kiruna in Nordic Horizons.

 

Krone Trailer Pack DLC Update

The Krone Trailer Pack DLC is expanding with several new configurations and visual upgrades! This update introduces city versions of existing Krone trailers, each featuring steerable axles for improved manoeuvrability in tight urban environments.

New Additions Include:
  •     Profi Liner City
  •     Cool Liner City
  •     Dry Liner City
  •     Profi Liner HCT
     
     
 
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04_3.thumb.jpg.8c7643f14356b1c37d8fab02e31f728b.jpg
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Additional Updates & Features
  •     Profi Liner gains a new body variant: Profi Liner TIR with sideboards.
  •     Profi Liner and Dry Liner both receive new 15m chassis and body variants
  •     The Profi Liner building variant receives a new chassis with a steerable axle plus an additional new body design

 

Reworked Players' Company Logos & Paint Jobs

Last but not least, the update 1.57 refreshes your company identity with a new set of logos to choose from when creating or updating your profile. The classic designs were modernized to give every company a fresh but familiar look.

01-EN.thumb.jpg.e26b30b13dfd784d111ee9d09d4f2fa1.jpg

 

 

The update also adds new customisation options for paint jobs - you can now choose your own colours using the RGB picker or select from preset combinations to create a look that perfectly fits your company’s identity.
 

04_4.thumb.jpg.1670bc7d442724e05e7910e63598e58a.jpg
 
 
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Adjustable Trailer Suspension Height

Adjusting your trailer height can make all the difference when hooking up or making a delivery, and in this update, we're introducing a new feature to help with exactly that. Adjustable trailer suspension height lets you raise or lower your trailer as needed whilst on the road.
 
Adjustable_Trailer_Suspension_Height-EN.thumb.jpg.793d8240e203979afe312d1c93e5871b.jpg

Much like the existing option for adjusting your truck’s suspension height, players can set up dedicated hotkeys in the settings to control the trailer suspension, giving you the flexibility to fine-tune the height whenever you need to. It’s a simple but practical addition that we hope you’ll find helpful!

 

Changelog

Vehicles

  • Dynamic Cargo Loading and Unloading
  • Scania R/S SUPER, 770 V8 + Smart Dash
  • Special Transport DLC Update
  • Krone Trailer Pack DLC Update
  • Added new AI truck variants to traffic
  • Adjustable trailer suspension height controls added 

Map

  • Scandinavia Refresh
Visual
  • HDR Support
  • Reworked Players' Company Logos & Paint Jobs

UX

  • Cursor Navigation Enhancement

01_3.jpg

]]>7Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:51:48 +0000Euro Truck Simulator 2: 1.57 Update Open Betahttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/6-euro-truck-simulator-2-157-update-open-beta/ We’re thrilled to announce that the Open Beta for the 1.57 update of Euro Truck Simulator 2 is now available to try and test out!

Scandinavia Refresh

Update 1.57 for ETS2 brings the long-awaited refresh for the Scandinavia DLC. Our team has embarked on an ambitious refresh of the Scandinavia map expansion to create and bring the region up to the quality standards of newer map content.

001.thumb.jpg.dd989c31e6bc3dafb0e6250d65e6ba00.jpg

Key improvements include:

 

  • A full refresh of the region with updated textures, vegetation, and road assets, alongside new rest stops and fuel stations.
  • A major overhaul of the road network: custom-designed junctions replacing old prefabs (notably around Denmark’s motorways and Sweden’s busy E-corridors).
  • New map additions, including the brand-new cities of Aarhus in Denmark and Karlstad in Sweden, along with a completely rebuilt Copenhagen featuring modern infrastructure and landmark recreations to enrich the network and scenery, and much more for you to discover!
016.thumb.jpg.218e5ffc30c200832b5e4227ddb0529e.jpg
 
018.thumb.jpg.5628858ccfa0023c41cc2d14cb96e604.jpg
 
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This update is intended to ensure that when players cross through the Scandinavia region en route to the upcoming Nordic Horizons expansion, the visual and structural transition feels seamless and up-to-date.
 
 
HDR Support

We are implementing HDR (High Dynamic Range) support in the game. HDR is a feature that enhances image quality, allowing players with HDR-compatible monitors or TVs to experience richer colours and improved contrast.

Alongside HDR, we are also updating the brightness setup to give players more control over visual settings. This will include a dedicated setup screen where you can preview your brightness adjustments on actual in-game images, as well as an HDR Calibration feature, which lets you fine-tune the HDR effect using a simple slider.

HDR_Support_WIP.thumb.jpg.b52f0429d33515392f2c57921f50c263.jpg

For players using HDR-compatible displays, the feature will be automatically enabled in the game, ensuring you get the best possible visual experience from the moment you start playing.

Cursor Navigation Enhancements

We've also fine-tuned the cursor navigation experience. The cursor speed is now consistent across all screen resolutions, and the overall speed and control precision have been slightly increased when using a controller, making navigation smoother and more responsive.

Dynamic Cargo Loading and Unloading

The long-awaited dynamic loading and unloading feature is debuting in Euro Truck Simulator 2, bringing even more immersion and realism to your trucking experience.

05.thumb.jpg.10b1bb834958d7ca31201546048b37f8.jpg

Originally introduced in American Truck Simulator, this feature will now appear in selected custom and prefab depots across ETS2, starting with locations in the Nordic Horizons DLC and expanding to suitable depots throughout the base map, other map DLCs, and even a custom shipyard in Athens, Greece.

06.thumb.jpg.fe91c83da58cf2c81e788666249e7984.jpg

For the initial rollout, logging trailers will be the first to benefit from this feature. Players hauling Logs, Large Tubes, or Iron Pipes will see material handlers or crawler excavators dynamically loading and unloading their cargo. Simply position your trailer in the designated area, and the process will start automatically, adding a satisfying touch of realism to every delivery.

10.thumb.jpg.654d62076103842bda7d23a8304c4312.jpg

 

From sawmills and construction sites to steelworks and material stores, drivers will find plenty of opportunities to try out this new system. And this is just the beginning, our team plans to expand dynamic loading and unloading to more cargo types and locations in future updates.

Scania R/S SUPER, 770 V8 + Smart Dash

The Scania R & S series will receive a major overhaul in 1.57, introducing the newest SUPER engines (420–560 hp) and V8 powertrains (590, 660, 770 hp) alongside Opticruise G25, G33, G38 CM, and CMR transmissions.

02.thumb.jpg.5cc24e571835c05a6e3781d290a47197.jpg
 
03.thumb.jpg.597b783d8d161e98ceeb4d0ecdfcfd96.jpg
 
07_1.thumb.jpg.32f28b4f3f07e475bc445eedd4c187dd.jpg

 

Inside, drivers can enjoy Scania’s new Smart Dash and Smart Dash Advanced interiors, available in several variants. On the outside, there are fresh customization options such as SUPER badges, sensor-equipped fenders, and official Scania SUPER and 770 paint jobs for both trucks and trailers.

06(1).thumb.jpg.3a4cf911885549fc57385af149329604.jpg

Special Transport DLC Update

We have some thrilling new content for owners of the Special Transport DLC. This free update adds two massive new cargoes designed to push your driving precision and skill to the limit, perfect for those who love a real challenge on the road.

Wind Turbine Blade

First up is the Wind Turbine Blade, an impressive 30-metre load that demands full control and focus. Hauled on a 4-axle steerable trailer, this heavy cargo will test even the most experienced drivers. You’ll find this contract available from Rostock to Berlin in Germany and, for those exploring the upcoming Nordic Horizons DLC, from Jyväskylä to Vaasa.

05_2.thumb.jpg.5a367dd4b2043f4c098455e032691704.jpg

Underground Loader

The second addition, the Underground Loader, is a mining powerhouse that comes with serious weight and scale. Carried on a 6-axle low loader trailer, this job will challenge your ability to handle long and heavy loads, with routes available from Dortmund to Hannover and Narvik to Kiruna in Nordic Horizons.

01.thumb.jpg.410cff988129df2478010d5f93ed092e.jpg

 

 

Krone Trailer Pack DLC Update

The Krone Trailer Pack DLC is expanding with several new configurations! This update introduces city versions of existing Krone trailers, designed with steerable axles for improved manoeuvrability in tight urban environments.

The new additions include the following:

 

  • Profi Liner City
  • Cool Liner City
  • Dry Liner City
  • Profi Liner HCT
04.thumb.jpg.9e5d676aee561b7ef45ec66b2837ea42.jpg
 
05_3.thumb.jpg.ac34dfd930ab3c1cf3ea77244b3d7715.jpg
 
01_3.thumb.jpg.d5f1ac9b0dfd6250739cf33cfca4b252.jpg
 
02_3.thumb.jpg.304baf427a1f6cd8fce5d6945c216163.jpg
 
03_3.thumb.jpg.95761af100c3545703ea229888f347bd.jpg
 
 
Reworked Players' Company Logos & Paint Jobs

Last but not least, the update 1.57 refreshes your company identity with a new set of logos to choose from when creating or updating your profile. The classic designs were modernized to give every company a fresh but familiar look.

01_4.thumb.jpg.901cd2f5228485828e619ed171eb24d3.jpg

The update also adds new customisation options for paint jobs - you can now choose your own colours using the RGB picker or select from preset combinations to create a look that perfectly fits your company’s identity.

 

02_4.thumb.jpg.9c882e128fddc97bb9bcd190c083bb3b.jpg
 
03_4.thumb.jpg.5f585b6490cee96d528207afc29f9e44.jpg
 
04_4.thumb.jpg.48435fe2af0d5446834e624f1eeaeffb.jpg

 

Changelog

Vehicles

  • Dynamic Cargo Loading and Unloading
  • Scania R/S SUPER, 770 V8 + Smart Dash
  • Special Transport DLC Update
  • Krone Trailer Pack DLC Update

Map

  • Scandinavia Refresh
Visual
  • HDR Support
  • Reworked Players' Company Logos & Paint Jobs

UX

  • Cursor Navigation Enhancements

If you wish to participate in this Open Beta, you can find this version in the Experimental Beta branch on Steam. The way to access it is as follows: Steam client → LIBRARY → right-click on Euro Truck Simulator 2 → Properties → Betas tab → Beta Participation drop-down menu → public_beta. No password is required. Sometimes you will have to restart your Steam client to see the correct branch name there.

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]]>6Wed, 19 Nov 2025 20:07:40 +00007 Types Of Hackers You Should Know Abouthttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/5-7-types-of-hackers-you-should-know-about/ hats.png.7460572dff65f01327a46242f5fa9f82.png

In our last blog post, we talked about some of our security services and how thoroughly we can test your business for Cyber weaknesses. One of the terms we used in that was ‘White Hat Hacker’, to describe ourselves. Now it might seem odd to refer to a high level Cyber security company as ‘hackers’ but in reality, that’s exactly what we do in order to provide you with the best service possible. You see, ‘White Hat hackers’ are just one type of hacker out there and they are the only ones who aren’t dangerous to your business. To illustrate, here’s what each type of hacker ‘Hat’ does:

Script Kiddie

Script Kiddies don’t really care about hacking into systems and stealing things. They simply copy code and use it for a virus, SQLi or something else. Script Kiddies will never hack for themselves, they will just download some overused software (such as LOIC or Metasploit) and watch a YouTube video on how to use it. A very common Script Kiddie attack would be a DOS (Denial of Service) or DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service), where they flood an IP with so much useless information that it collapses, preventing other people from using it.

White Hat

White Hat hackers are also known as ethical hackers, and they’re the good guys of the hacker world. They help you remove viruses, perform pen tests and generally help people understand where their vulnerabilities are and fix them. Most White Hat hackers will hold some form of computer or security related qualification, and often pursue careers in hacking and Cyber security. They love the challenge of finding the holes but have no interest in doing anything with them. There are even a number of qualifications specifically for them – Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), CREST Certified Infrastructure Tester and CREST Certified Application Security Tester.

Black Hat

Black Hat hackers, or ‘crackers’ are the types of people you often hear about on the news and from businesses trying to sell cyber services. They find banks and big companies with weak security systems and steal credit card information, confidential data or money. Their methods are varied but actually fairly basic most of the time.

Grey Hat

As with everything in this world, nothing is just black and white. Grey Hat hackers don’t steal information or money like Black Hat hackers (though they may sometimes deface a website for fun), nor do they help people out like white hack hackers. Instead, they spend most of their time just playing around with systems, without doing anything harmful. This type of hacker actually makes up most of the hacking community, even though Black hat hackers garner most of the media’s attention.

Green Hat

Green Hat hackers are the babies of the hacker world. They are new to the game and mainly use script, like Script Kiddies, but they have aspirations of becoming full blown hackers. They are often found asking questions of fellow hackers and listening with childlike curiosity.

Red Hat

Red Hat hackers are the vigilantes of the hacker world. They’re like white hats in the sense that they put a stop to Black hat attacks, but they are downright scary in how they do it. Instead of reporting the malicious hacker they find lurking inside a business, they shut them down by uploading viruses, DoSing and accessing their computer to destroy it form the inside out. Red hats use many different aggressive methods to force the cracker out and potentially even kill their computer. The good news is, businesses don’t need to worry about these.

Blue Hat

And finally, we have the Blue Hat hackers. If a Script Kiddie ever took revenge, he would become a Blue Hat Hacker. Blue Hat hackers will seek vengeance on anyone who has made them angry. Most Blue Hat hackers are fairly new to the hacking world, but unlike green hats they have no desire to learn.

 

So hopefully that clears a few things up, and gives you a bit of an insight into the world of hacking in all of its color.

]]>5Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:42:11 +0000A hacking lexiconhttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/4-a-hacking-lexicon/

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Crackers, hackers, phrackers, phreakers, sneakers: Is there a difference? Here's a primer on hacking nomenclatures to help you keep the bad guys and the good guys straight.

 

Recently, a debate broke out on TechRepublic over the use of the word “hacker” in an article describing DDoS attacks (see "TechRepublic members say the law needs to punish cyber criminals, not the victims"). Member Lee McGrevin, a systems administrator, took exception to that article’s usage of the term “hacker,” stating that the correct term for someone who launches a DDoS attack would be “cracker.”

“I am surprised that such a technical-based Web forum would stoop low enough to jump on the bandwagon of the hacker witch hunt,” McGrevin wrote. “Let’s get the record straight for those of us who wear the white hat. A hacker is someone with deep knowledge of how systems work, how to optimize them through noncommercial ways, and [how to] improve the overall quality of programs and [deal with] security-related issues.”

McGrevin basically felt that calling those who engage in DDoS attacks “hackers” was demeaning to the hacking community and a hallmark of bad reporting.

We certainly regret mislabeling anyone, although in our defense, we’d like it noted that hacking is used generically both in the media and in the IT security field to refer to illegal tampering with systems.

So to make sure no other members out there fall into the same trap we did, let’s all take a closer look at this issue.

Depends on whom you ask
In some ways, the definition of these terms depends upon whom you ask. Take, for example, the following various interpretations of hacking.

The National Security Agency (NSA) defines hacking simply as the “unauthorized use, or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network.”

By comparison, Hackers.com, an underground domain whose stated purpose is to “provide a place for hackers, phone phreaks, and other underground-related people to interact and expand their minds,” offers a somewhat more poetic and gracious definition of hacking:

“Hacking is the act of penetrating a closed computer system for the knowledge and information that is contained within. Through the study of technology and computers, a hacker can open his mind and expand his knowledge. Hacking is intended to free information and expand minds, not to be destructive nor for material gain. There is always some debate because of how the term ‘hacker’ has been both glorified and undermined by common media, but most will say that those who destroy data, hack for money, or hack with illegal intent should be referred to as ‘crackers,’ not hackers.”

On the other hand, TechRepublic member Edward Clint, a systems administrator for HealthCenter Internet Services, made this important distinction:

“No one with a real IT job calls themselves either a hacker or a cracker. …In the real world, we are Security Experts, System Engineers, Network Admins and Architects, and so forth.”

A list of terms
To help set the record straight, we’ve provided a breakdown of terms and their definitions from the "NSA Glossary of Terms Used in Security and Intrusion Detection." You might also want to visit Information Security Magazine’s online descriptions of "Perpetrator Subtypes."

   

Hacking

Unauthorized use, or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network.

Hacker

A person who enjoys exploring the details of computers and how to stretch their capabilities. A malicious or inquisitive meddler who tries to discover information by poking around. A person who enjoys learning the details of programming systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.

Crack

A popular hacking tool used to decode encrypted passwords. System administrators also use crack to assess weak passwords by novice users in order to enhance the security of the Automated Information System (AIS).

Cracker

One who breaks security on an AIS. Automated Information System - any equipment of an interconnected system or subsystems of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, control, display, transmission, or reception of data and includes software, firmware, and hardware.

Samurai

A hacker who hires out for legal cracking jobs, snooping for factions in corporate political fights, lawyers pursuing privacy-rights and First Amendment cases, and other parties with legitimate reasons to need an electronic locksmith.

Sneaker

An individual hired to break in to places in order to test their security; analogous to tiger team.

Tiger Team

Government and industry-sponsored teams of computer experts who attempt to break down the defenses of computer systems in an effort to uncover, and eventually patch, security holes.

Ankle-Biter or Script Kiddies

A person who aspires to be a hacker/cracker but has very limited knowledge or skills related to AIS's. Usually associated with young teens who collect and use simple malicious programs obtained from the Internet.

Phreaking

The art and science of cracking the phone network.

Phreak(er)

An individual fascinated by the telephone system. Commonly, an individual who uses his knowledge of the telephone system to make calls at the expense of another.

Phracker

An individual who combines phone phreaking with computer hacking.

 

Hacking

Unauthorized use, or attempts to circumvent or bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network.

Hacker

A person who enjoys exploring the details of computers and how to stretch their capabilities. A malicious or inquisitive meddler who tries to discover information by poking around. A person who enjoys learning the details of programming systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary.

Crack

A popular hacking tool used to decode encrypted passwords. System administrators also use crack to assess weak passwords by novice users in order to enhance the security of the Automated Information System (AIS).

Cracker

One who breaks security on an AIS. Automated Information System - any equipment of an interconnected system or subsystems of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, control, display, transmission, or reception of data and includes software, firmware, and hardware.

Samurai

A hacker who hires out for legal cracking jobs, snooping for factions in corporate political fights, lawyers pursuing privacy-rights and First Amendment cases, and other parties with legitimate reasons to need an electronic locksmith.

Sneaker

An individual hired to break in to places in order to test their security; analogous to tiger team.

Tiger Team

Government and industry-sponsored teams of computer experts who attempt to break down the defenses of computer systems in an effort to uncover, and eventually patch, security holes.

Ankle-Biter or Script Kiddies

A person who aspires to be a hacker/cracker but has very limited knowledge or skills related to AIS's. Usually associated with young teens who collect and use simple malicious programs obtained from the Internet.

Phreaking

The art and science of cracking the phone network.

Phreak(er)

An individual fascinated by the telephone system. Commonly, an individual who uses his knowledge of the telephone system to make calls at the expense of another.

Phracker

An individual who combines phone phreaking with computer hacking.

We’d like to know: What’s your take on this whole hacker/cracker debate? Is there an important distinction between all of these terms, or is it mere semantics? Post your comments below.

]]>4Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:39:50 +0000Nordic Horizons: Release Date + Video Trailer Revealhttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/3-nordic-horizons-release-date-video-trailer-reveal/ We hope that you are eager to drive your truck in the captivating landscapes of northern Scandinavia! Because today, we have some really exciting news for our #BestCommunityEver. Make sure to mark your calendars - we are excited to reveal that the...

Nordic Horizons DLC will be released on November 27, 2025

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Believe us, we're just as excited as you are! It won't be long until you are driving through breathtaking fjords and towering mountains that stretch all the way to the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by stunning landscapes brimming with nature. Along the way, you'll pass vibrant cities, iconic bridges, underwater tunnels, narrow roads, charming coastal villages, and smaller towns with classic Nordic architecture.

This is the incredible adventure awaiting you in our largest Euro Truck Simulator 2 map expansion yet. Want to see what's in store for you with your own eyes? Watch our official video trailer for the very first time below!

And if you haven't done it already, make sure to add the Nordic Horizons DLC to your Steam wishlist to be notified when it releases!

 

We can't wait for you to put your truck to work in the breathtaking lands of northern Scandinavia! Dozens of beautifully recreated cities and towns across Norway, Sweden, and Finland are ready to welcome you, with hundreds of depots prepared to receive your deliveries and load your trailer - setting you off on your next unforgettable journey.

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There is plenty to discover in this map expansion - behind every corner is something new to explore, as you can see in these screenshots.

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If you'd like to watch more in-game action from this DLC, we've also previously released two gameplay video previews. In the first one, we take you from a rest stop near Tromsø through the Swedish town of Karesuando, and further northeast - you can watch it here. The second follows a drive from the town of Andenes all the way to picturesque Svolvær - watch that one here.

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Can't wait to be trucking in Nordic Horizons? Then make sure to add this DLC to your Steam Wishlist! Until next time, we will see you on the road!

]]>3Wed, 19 Nov 2025 19:04:47 +0000Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 Reviewhttps://enigmaprojects.org/blogs/entry/2-pioneer-ddj-flx4-review/ Who’s it for?

It’s safe to say that the beginner market is locked-on to here. A serious play for curious and casual DJs is made, too! Anyone wanting to try DJing can now find something to suit their needs from Pioneer DJ’s lineup.

The promo’s bubble graffiti, colourful graphics and comic-esque imagery all illustrate that this kit makes DJing both fun and accessible. 

The DDJ-FLX4 is a good choice for DJs who are looking for a controller that is easy to learn and use, but also offers enough features to allow them to be creative. It is also a good choice for DJs who are on a budget, as it is one of the more affordable controllers on the market.

The DDJ-FLX4 is a good choice for a variety of DJs, including:

  • Beginner DJs who are just starting out and need a controller that is easy to learn and use.
  • Intermediate DJs who are looking for a controller that offers more features than a beginner controller, but is still affordable.
  • Mobile DJs who need a controller that is portable and easy to set up.
  • DJs who want a backup controller for their main setup.

Its power teamed with its ease of use means every type of entry-level DJ is catered for.

 

Original Features

With a streamlined and lightweight design heavily resembling its predecessor, the new controller has struck a fine balance between retaining features which make the current best seller so popular and introducing modern conveniences which are sure to satisfy beginners starting their DJ journey in late 2022. 

The below are inherited directly from its predecessor the DDJ-400:

  • Club standard layout which emulates 2 flagship CDJ multi-players sandwiched between a DJM mixer.
  • High-quality beat effects.
  • Access to Performance Mode in rekordbox for plenty of creative mixing tools.
  • An affordable RRP of £279 / $299
 

These features made the DDJ-400 a success! It is now regarded as a trusty controller which offers far more than is needed for a newcomer. Its winning streamlined design is the reason it has found its way into many DJ equipment riders as a practice session or backup device.

 

The new stuff!

The DDJ FLX4 takes the DDJ-400’s proven formula and enhances it! Users of this next-generation controller get the following upgrades:

  • Smart Fader function – automatically takes care of making a seamless blend between any 2 tracks with the simple slide of an upfader or crossfader! Perfect for mixing between large BPM gaps and genres.
  • Smart CFX function – automatically adds dynamic combinations of complimentary complex effects to your tracks or mixes with the twist of a single knob!
  • USB connection carries microphone audio – voice is now recorded with your set so there’s no need for an external sound card or additional laptop for live streams. 
  • A major update to the rekordbox mobile app – allows the controller to perform with a smartphone or tablet. (Coming Early 2023)
  • Bluetooth connectivity – perfect for users who want to connect wirelessly to their smart devices!
  • Alongside the all-new rekordbox app, the controller is also compatible with Serato DJ – lots of options to try wether it’s stems technology in Serato or cloud sycing in Rekordbox!
  • The unit is powered by modern USB-C and includes a power throughput. This takes the convenience factor up a few notches as most smartphones and tablets can now charge when physically connected to the controller.

 

A simple way to mix

Absolute beginners who may have reservations about starting their DJ journey have had a friendly nudge forward. With this device, they won’t need to worry about the technicalities of mixing to get a decent-sounding set to play through their speakers. All thanks to the world debut of it’s automatic mixing features: 

Smart Fader  

The DDJ-FLX4’s Smart Fader and Smart CFX features are two of its most innovative and useful features. The Smart Fader allows you to mix two tracks with different BPMs seamlessly, even if they are drastically different. It does this by automatically adjusting the tempo and pitch of the two tracks as you move the fader. This makes it easy to create smooth and professional-sounding mixes.

Newbies can have fun combining the music they love straight out of the box! Simply activate the feature, then slide either the crossfader or an upfader as slowly or quickly as desired to allow rekordbox’s A.I to take care of making a blend.

The incoming track will start with perfect, on-beat precision and both tracks’ volumes and bass levels will blend to make a smooth transition, every time. Even if the DJ is hopping from one genre to another!

In the Crossfader studio, we’ve found that moving between very different BPMs works incredibly well when done in rekordbox. The BPM slowly shifts from the first track to that of the incoming track with every nudge of the fader and has a little echo-out once the fader has fully opened or reached the opposite side.

With Serato DJ, on the other hand, the BPMs did not sync well, the Smart Fader feature simply applied an effect to make the transition. This is hopefully something that will change with a little development time. 

When using Smart Fader, users are still free to play around with and learn how to manipulate the EQ and filter settings manually without fear of sounding unskilled.

Example:

To use the Smart Fader to mix two tracks with different BPMs, simply load the two tracks into the controller and press the Smart Fader button. Then, start moving the fader towards the track that you want to mix in. The Smart Fader will automatically adjust the tempo and pitch of the two tracks so that they match. As you move the fader further towards the incoming track, the first track will fade out and the incoming track will fade in.

Smart CFX  

This feature can be used to add flavour to a mix. Now the turn of a knob will introduce combinations of effects which can be used to build tension or layer the sound in interesting and unique ways- an exciting new way for DJs to put their own stamp on tunes!

In rekordbox, there are 8 combinations of effects to choose from with only 2 being available in Serato DJ at this time. 

Using combinations of effects seems to be what the FLX series of controllers are all about as the FLX6 also has an exclusive feature for combining effects. This is typically for aiding with transitioning from one genre to another with the FLX6, but on the FLX4 it is more of a standalone feature.

Use it with your smartphone or tablet

For those who don’t want the commitment of needing to fire up a computer to start DJing, this controller supports mobile use for instant easy access to DJing!

With a new update to the rekordbox app for iOS/ iPadOS and Android dropping in 2023, users will get full functionality of rekordbox via their smart device. This ability is absolutely essential for Pioneer DJ in their cornering of the casual market. No longer is Algoriddim Djay the only fully-featured smart device DJ platform! 

Pioneer DJ’s mobile platform, WeDJ, may close down following the introduction of this rekordbox update. If so, they will likely offer anyone using mobile controllers, such as the DDJ-200, a reasonable time frame to migrate over from the simplified platform and onto their fully-featured, all-new rekordbox mobile app.

A sound card that records it all!

This is the feature that has true mass appeal! The ability to record a microphone feed gives content creators a compact and capable device they can live stream from without needing additional gear like an external soundcard. 

This is a great selling point for those who have space constraints or want to travel light when on the road! 

Recording microphone audio is only possible if Bluetooth is not being used to connect the controller to a smart device as it is done through the USB-C connection.  

The Look

With a striking new orange-on-black finish, this colour scheme is in line with Pioneer DJ’s entry-level Serato DJ controller, the DDJ-REV1, which dropped earlier in the year. This cool new design seems to be what Pioneer DJ are now going for across their entry-level gear.

This now also comes with a slick new matte jog wheel plate design and the main faceplate has a revised matt finish. 

I/O

 

The device retains the same bare essentials for hookups as the DDJ-400 but replaces USB-B for USB-C. The change is monumental as controllers have been shipping with USB-B since their dawn! 

There is also an additional power throughput socket to allow the unit to deliver power to connected devices rather than draw from them. Essential for DJs using a tablet or smartphone which would not be enough to power the controller.

With a single RCA MASTER port, the FLX4 is clearly designed for non-professional use, but that’s not to say it can’t hook into a club mixer to feed through to professional speakers in a DJ booth if needs be!

Headphones are plugged in via 3.5-mm stereo mini jack, with no port for professional ¼ inch jacks.

The microphone port is an unbalanced TS jack with a dedicated attenuation dial next to it. The mixer retains the dedicated volume pot for the microphone feed.

There is also an Android MONO/STEREO switch which toggles the signal coming from an Android device into Mono if its stereo signal comes through distorted.

So, what do we think?…

This device definitely delivers as a follow-up to a hugely successful controller and executes impressive new features brilliantly in rekordbox.

However, Serato DJ implementation seems like an afterthought at present with issues affecting a range of functions like the use of Smart Fader, the lack of Smart CFX effect options and an inability to set certain loop lengths.  

It is safe to say the FLX4 will change the DJ landscape. Until now, Pioneer DJ have played a relatively minor role on the casual DJ scene with most people simply trying a DJ app like the free version of Algoriddim Djay and potentially progressing from there. 

With an RRP of £279, this is by no means in direct competition with these apps. However, it promises beginners that they will sound good. Straight away! And that proposition may have opened up it’s own new category of budding DJs.

Crossfader’s Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 Performance Mix

Do you want to see the DDJ-FLX4 in action, showcasing all it’s new features live in the mix. Well look no further, here is our performance, putting the controller through it’s paces and focusing heavily on the smart features.

 

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