Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
Dive into our exclusive interview with Pirateaba, author of the hit LitRPG series The Wandering Inn, as they discuss the journey from web serial to various formats, inspirations from gaming and literature, and future aspirations, including potential adaptations. Pirateaba shares insights into character development and confirms a planned definitive ending for the series. The Wandering Inn's rise to success is a testament to the growing appeal of the LitRPG genre.
Pirateaba, author of the popular LitRPG series The Wandering Inn, expresses strong reservations against a live-action adaptation of their work, citing the complexity of characters like Antinium and Drakes as insurmountable challenges for CGI or live-action. Instead, Pirateaba prefers an animated TV series, drawing inspiration from successful anime adaptations. Unlike the upcoming live-action Dungeon Crawler Carl series, Pirateaba believes animation is the only viable path for faithfully bringing The Wandering Inn to the screen.
Discover the best Legend of Zelda-like games for PS5 and PC, offering a mix of action RPG elements, open-world exploration, and puzzle-solving to satisfy your Hyrule cravings until the next Zelda title. From the mature take of Darksiders to the innovative Breath of the Wild-inspired Immortals Fenyx Rising, these games embody the spirit of Zelda.
A Steam reviewer, ArkaneArdvark78, who spent an astonishing 10,098.5 hours playing Destiny 2, left a negative review expressing deep dissatisfaction with the game's direction, particularly after the Edge of Fate expansion. Despite declaring, "I am done with this game," they proceeded to play an additional 157.8 hours. This review highlights the broader community's frustrations with Bungie's decisions, echoing sentiments of disconnection from the player base.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, now priced at $22.99/month after a reduction from $29.99, has seen an increase in acquisitions and improved retention, according to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. This shift comes after a 50% price hike in October 2025 led to slowed growth and subscriber loss. The move underscores the platform's effort to offer a better value equation, especially for casual gamers.
Discover the latest on The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, an upcoming expansion pack for CDPR's iconic title, set to release in 2027 with a new sizable region, unique locations, and potentially new mechanics. Building on the legacy of Blood and Wine, this expansion promises around 30-40 hours of gameplay. Explore the anticipated setting, gameplay additions, and significance of this surprise return to the Witcher 3 universe.
The Steam Deck has seen a drastic price increase, with the 512GB OLED model jumping from $549 to $789 and the 1TB model rising by $300 to $949. This hike, attributed to a global RAM crisis fueled by AI data center demands, affects not just new buyers but also existing owners facing potential future upgrade challenges. The move exacerbates the gaming industry's accessibility crisis, amidst a year of widespread console price increases.
Balatro, the 2024 PCG Game of the Year, was discovered by Playstack's head of discovery, Patrick Johnson, through daily manual scouting on Steam, despite having only 2-3 Twitter followers at the time. This chance find led to a pivotal partnership, culminating in a $151 million deal for Playstack's majority stake. Playstack's early intervention proved crucial in Balatro's success.
The upcoming Xbox Showcase has been highly anticipated for reveals on the next-generation title "Helix", but according to recent announcements, fans will have to wait longer for substantial updates on the game. The event will instead focus on near-term releases and updates for existing franchises. This shift in focus raises questions about the current development stage of "Helix".
Rockstar Games has rearranged the GTA 6 channel on its official Discord, sparking notice among eager fans. This minor update, the first official GTA 6-related action since the delay confirmation, hints at potential marketing preparations. The community response, however, has been largely indifferent.
