This Week With Bellular
A quick catch up of some of our great content from this week - 8th - 12th July - and some free samples to peak your interest!
Video: Blizzard Made It Official! Delves, M+, Progression & More
Ad Free Video! It's time for this week's WoW news recap! Blizzard are iterating on War Within features, a store mount has our lore brains going wild, and a lovely confirmation: more character screen unlocks are coming!
Loading Screen: Once Human's Data Harvesting Accusations, MultiVersus Killed A Game and Palworld Copies Pokemon
Are the accusations that Once Human is stealing people's personal data true? We don't think so. But it does look like Multiversus might have killed an entire other game by existing - and the Palworld team are getting into the media empire game, so they're copying Pokemon in that respect at least.
Video: What Was The Point Of Dragonflight?
Ad Free Video! A lot happened in Dragonflight, but not all of it was important to the story going forward. This video covers the point - the important events and themes that'll help you understand The War Within.
"Not Every Game Should Be... Some Live Service Boom or Bust"
“Not every game should be aimed at becoming some live-service boom or bust. And a release should not begin an ever-accelerating treadmill on which devs are forced to run until their mental or physical health breaks down.”
Loading Screen: Embracer's Latest Dead Studio, Total War: Pharoah's Final Update and More!
Today we've got confirmation that Embracer are still racking up dead studios, the final efforts of Creative Assembly to improve Total War Pharoah and much more!
Rockstar Cancelled Single Player DLC Because MTX Was More Profitable
Sometimes we’re given a stark reminder that the people in charge often don’t care about video games. Like when an ex Rockstar developer finally confirms Single Player DLC for Grand Theft Auto V was abandoned because how could it compete with the money printing machine that is GTA Online?
EA Just Broke Apex Players' Trust
In one announcement, EA and Reswpawn managed to undo years of goodwill for Apex Legends, a game that had managed to avoid lasting criticism despite still using lootboxes, exorbitant F2P cosmetic costs and more. Let's go through how they broke player's trust.
Take Two Are Selling A Game With No Developer for $39.99
Right now, Kerbal Space Program 2 is on sale for 20% off as part of the Steam Summer Sale. Take Two are selling the game despite having closed the developer making the game, have no clear plan for further development and are putting up a wall of silence around even acknowledging that closure.
Lorewalking Class Special: Paladin
The noble Paladin. Part military police, part true hero, and one of WoW's most fantasy-rich classes, with some of the greatest champions Azeroth has ever seen.
Upcoming Games: A Jam Packed July
July brings a surge of games releasing to get out ahead of the autumn crush. From heavy hitters like Dawntrail and Zenless Zone Zero, esoteric new entries like Once Human and Anger Foot - and a surprisingly large amount of strategy titles including Cataclismo, Norland and of course Stormgate.
This Week With Bellular!
A quick catch up of some of our great content from this week - 24th - 28st June - and some free samples to peak your interest!
Loading Screen: Frostpunk Won't Compromise, Elden Ring's Massive Success and Yet More Assassin's Creed
Today, Frostpunk are taking a two month delay before launch - not because the game isn't good - but because it isn't good enough... yet, elsewhere, From Software have revealed how successful they've been and Ubisoft are threatening us with yet more Assassin's Creed, this time in remake form.
Loading Screen: Licensed Games Means Limited Lifespans and No One Wants These AAA Mobile Ports
A pair of stories today as we lament the loss of Forza Horizon 4 to licensing hell and delisting - while we can study the curious case of the AAA Games being ported to Apple devices, only for no one to buy them.
Video: Blizzard Proved Us Wrong
Ad Free Video! We were proven wrong on delves. Blizzard’s iteration has turned them all the way from threadbare borefests to a solid vision for a new pillar of WoW endgame - and one you can do solo. Unless you’re a healer.
WTF Happened To Diablo 4?
One Year From Launch, what has actually happened to Diablo 4? It’s not been a great time for Blizzard as they’ve bounced from controversy to controversy in design, selling absurdly expensive cosmetics all the while. And yet audiences are excited by what's next.
Is Elden Ring: Shadows of the Erdtree really too hard?
The big question from the weekend, how can one of the most highly anticipated games, from the most trusted developers, have a 65% user review rating on Steam after it's launch?
Lorewalking Class Special: Hunter
Hunters are way more interesting in lore than you might have imagined.
Lorewalking Class Special: Evoker
Evokers are way more interesting in lore than you might have imagined.
Video: Big UI Upgrades Are Coming In TWW
Ad Free Video! WoWs interface is getting some big upgrades in The War Within. The Spellbook has been rebuilt, the Character Selection Screen has got a load more cosy, Oh, and those annoying camera collisions that have existed since forever are mostly gone. Let’s dive in!
Loading Screen: Missing Xbox Ports and The Story Inside Paradox
Today, Capcom are doing great work with their library collections of classic titles - but one platform will be missing out, seemingly due to technical issues. Meanwhile we're getting to hear from Paradox Tectonic staff on the confusing circumstances that led to Life By You's cancellation.
Todd Howard Responds To Starfield's Paid Mod Complaints
“We definitely see the feedback, right? And that's … not what we want at all” - An interview this week with Todd Howard has seen him respond to the Paid Quests complaints from fans - and thank them for the feedback on where they got it wrong.
Paradox Cancels Game, Closes Studio, Writes off $20m
20 Million Dollars and five years work for 24 people has just been thrown out by Paradox Interactive. Their Life Sim - Life By You - is now completely cancelled, despite plans to launch in Early Access two weeks ago.
Video: Dark And Darker - One Week After Launch
Ad Free Video! This weekend our Dark & Darker video was published and didn't have quite all the necessary facts. Here's our updated take on everything the game has to offer.
Loading Screen: Todd Howard on Starfield Success, Paid Mods and more!
A surprise interview with Todd Howard has given us a look inside Bethesda's plans and principles - as well as a chance for him to respond to the recent Paid Mod controversy within Starfield.
Bellular News Correction Process
This weekend, a News Channel Video was published that didn't align with our principles on coverage, due to a time lag between creation/publishing. It is being reworked. As a result, we're publishing our internal corrections process so how we handle these problems is clear going forwards.
Loading Screen: $1000 Bananas, Xbox Dominates The PS Store and Steam Next Fest Winners!
The third most popular game on Steam is a Banana clicking game - why? Well because some people are selling those bananas for thousands of dollars. Which is less than what Xbox is making after topping the Playstation download charts, two months in a row. Exclusivity is on the way out.
Video: Double Bronze, WoW Leader GONE & Massive SoD Lore Teases
Ad Free Video! Another week, another round of news. John Hight’s leaving the team after 12 years, Blizzard decided to double rewards in Remix, Season of Discovery has huge lore teases and a whole heck of a lot more. Let’s have a look and see what’s went down.
Starfield's Seven Dollar Quest Mod
The Internet is mad about Starfield, and Bethesda’s decision to charge $7 for a single quest. This is just the latest in Bethesda managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Dragon Age's Reveal Dilemma
One of the greatest traditions of liking Dragon Age is the reveal of a New Dragon Age, which will then be roundly criticised. So lets talk about it. The history, the reveal, the backlash and the recovery. Including how this isn’t even the first time a trailer failed the series it was selling.
Video: WoW's Cinematic Breakdown, What Does This All Mean?
Ad Free Video! The kick off of the next 3 massive expansions are here and it's resting on a load of built up background. So lets break it down and get you all caught up on what it means.
Bungie Nailed The Landing for Destiny 2
Somehow Bungie managed to create a whole expansion that audiences love, that has managed to effectively end their 10 year storyline in a satisfying way and which hasn’t alienated mass amounts of their audience. Now they need to do it again.
Loading Screen: The Summer Games Showcase Summary
A weekend of games marketing means a newsletter full of new games!
Xbox Finally Delivered
Expectations going into this year’s set of summer showcases were low. But even with that context, what Xbox showed this weekend has stunned audiences. All of that is incredibly positive - but as we look at the next few years of Xbox, there’s one nagging issue - no one trusts them right now.
Editor's Note #10: Tackling The Backlog
Our News Editor Conall poses the question: What's The Best Way To 'Clear' Your Video Game Backlog? Or does he? Read on to find out!
Loading Screen: Helldivers Leads the Way On Live Service, GOG *Will* Let You Pass Account On and the Summer Showcase Primer
Updates for Helldivers show the limits of the Live Service model that game wanted to work with, even as Concord follows behind. Meanwhile GOG do what Valve don't and are willing to transfer accounts in the wake of user death, while we run through the key things to remember over the Summer Showcases.
Summer Showcases Streaming Soon!
This weekend the Not-E3 Geoff Keighly Power Hour is coming. So keep an eye on when the streams your most interested in are showing.
Loading Screen: 20,000 Negative Team Fortress 2 Reviews in Three Days
The SaveTF2 campaign is over - the FixTF2 campaign has begun! The community are sick of the sheer volume of Bots that they're now dealing with - and the people who host those bots. And now they're hitting Steam where it hurts - right in the user reviews.
Destiny's Final Chance
The Final Shape is the final roll of the dice for the Destiny team that’s been battered over the last 12 months. What Bungie didn’t need is for the expansion to launch to applause for the actual game they made - but players being unable to experience it due to crashes, bugs and technical issues.
Video: Azeroth Is NOT A Titan!
Ad Free Video! Azeroth has always very much been a Titan in waiting. But now? No. She’s so much more than that, and in understanding that story, we see why by the end of the of the Worldsoul Saga, Aman’thul will be our headline antagonist.
Upcoming Games - A Jaw Dropping June
June is a great month for games, yet a comparatively quiet one for mainstream releases! You know why? In between the behemoths of Destiny 2 and Elden Ring, we've got some very brave indies and AA titles - Lets make sure they don't get lost in the crush.
Loading Screen: Riot "Won't Miss" Toxic Players and Redfall's Death Has Changed Zenimax
A pair of stories today - Riot's uncompromising stance on harassment in the wake of players being forced out of games of Valorant and then the final death of Redfall - and the good news that's brought for the rest of Zenimax. Plus the weekend recommend - Selaco!
Video: 22 Levels In 30 Minutes - The Ultimate MoP Remix 10-70 Levelling Methods
Ad Free Video! This video covers the best overall way to power level a lot of characters in MoP Remix, as well as a VERY broken method that exploits trial account character level limits to make scaling go mad.
Loading Screen: Riot's $450 Skin, XDefiant's Quiet Success and Sony Apologies To Neil Druckmann
Ubisoft continue their trends of quietly successful launches that hardcore audiences don't talk about with XDefiant, Sony would like everyone to stop talking about the Druckmann interview that they pulled from the internet and yes, we have to talk about League of Legends $500 skin pack.
Loading Screen: Sony Put Words In Neil Druckmann's Mouth, Bungie Took Down More Cheaters in Court
Turns out that Sony went further than smoothing out talking points in the recent Neil Druckmann interview - they added whole new words. Meanwhile Bungie have managed to secure yet another legal win against industrial cheat providers, and we bring you the most interesting writing of the week!
Valve Just Made Lootboxes Worse and Other Steam Problems
Valve have new Lootbox tech, Steam accounts aren't even transferrable on death, Some gamers are being unfairly penalised by Steam because of their country and Valve really don't want to acknowledge Deadlock.
A Beginners Guide to QA
We talk a lot about the games industry as a whole in our newsletter. But Adam, our in-house QA and Ghost editor, thought it might be nice to give his take on QA from an Indie Studio perspective.
Showcase Showdown - Your Guide to Summer 2024's Games Events
We thought it was good idea to gather up all the times and stream locations for ease of access - so you don't miss anything you'd like to watch.
Games Media is Being Failed By Its Owners
You, the audience are not being served by the Games Media being consolidated and gutted to produce content rather than journalism. So today we’re going to take you through this story, and a wider look at the ecosystem. And how you’re being failed by the interests of very few people.
MoP Remix Cosmetics Tracker
Feel free to use this custom built Cosmetics Tracker for yourself, so you also don't get that FOMO feeling!
Microsoft F'd Around & Found Out
Ad Free Video! Microsoft is having one hell of a week with this triple whammy. One: Mass unionization. Bethesda and World of Warcraft devs are banding together. Two: The FTC is breathing down their necks, accusing them of 'product degradation.' And three: The Halo TV show? Cancelled after season 2.
The War Within's Busted Prepatch
Ad Free Video! The War Within's prepatch finally hit live servers - and unfortunately so did a whole slew of strange bugs and anomalies.
Valve Really Are That Successful
Ad Free Video! Sometimes a simple mistake can mean we as the audience get to look behind the curtain of some of the biggest players in the industry. Today, it’s Valve, and it’s down to messy redactions in a legal case.
Loading Screen Revisited - Space Marine Leak, Kingdom Come Free & Once Human EULA
Ad Free Video! Three stories this week for you! First: Space Marine 2 has suffered the devastating leak of a full game build. Second: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is coming soon and for free to some. Finally, Fans of a brand new game are simply not trusting the devs. EULA drama has hurt Once Human.
Loading Screen: Video Game Voice Actors Are On Strike
Voice Actors in the Video Game Industry are on strike! What does this mean for you? Do you need to stop playing your favourite titles? Today we go through all that and more.
EA Better Watch Out
Ad Free Video! EA just got schooled by its own players. Apex Legends' Battle Pass? Still earnable with in-game currency. EA's grand plan to squeeze more cash? Crushed. Watch this for the real story.
EA Defeated By Fans Over Apex MTX
Apex Legends will not move ahead with a controversial plan to force players to pay for their battle passes with real currency - thanks to fan backlash. But it paints a picture of EA's problems going forwards - they need fans onside.
Loading Screen: 500 Warcraft Devs Unionise While Paradox Posts A 90% Profit Loss
The future seems safer for nearly 500 World of Warcraft Developers today as they secure a union vote win - while for Paradox, they've not fully lost - but 90% of their profits were wiped out by cancelling Life By You.
Loading Screen: Activision Accused Of Selling AI Skins and Another Indie Publisher Gutted
Activision have been alleged to sell Generative AI Based Skins in Call of Duty, while Huimble Bundle's parent company just shut down their publishing arm to save money. It's just another day in the games industry.
Loading Screen: Helldivers New Plan, Capcom Stick With Physical Games and Voice Actor Strike Threats
Helldivers 2's newest plan is to just tell the Audience what's coming - we'll see if it pays off. Elsewhere Capcom are sticking with Physical Games even as they represent only 10% of sales and the Video Game Voice Actors union is getting ready to strike against the biggest companies in gaming.
Loading Screen: A Truly Bizarre Take on Live Service, Xbox Rebuke The FTC and Bethesda's Developers Unionise
We're curious about why Warframe developer Digital Extremes have seemingly forgotten their history of live service development, our take on Xbox's rebuke of the FTC and we check out what's next now Bethesda Game Studios is a full union shop.
Did Valve *Actually* Fix TF2?
“Will Team Fortress 2 Stay Fixed?” After a year of chaos, bots and miserable play experiences - Valve have listened to the TF2 community. But the question above is on everyone's lips - is this permanent?
