Come on in, get yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and pull up a chair.
Slow time is over; gaming news is coming in abundance again. And Steam Next Fest will take place from February 5th – 12th, 2024 @ 10:00 AM Pacific. Hundreds of demos are coming, as well as hours of developer live streams. But first, it’s time to look at the gaming news!
The Legend of Zelda Concert on YouTube
Nintendo has confirmed a special presentation of The Legend of Zelda orchestra concert. Scheduled for the 9th of February, 2024, this pre-recorded performance will be streamed at 5 am PT / 8 am ET / 1 pm GMT on Nintendo of America’s official YouTube channel.
This musical event will showcase a collection of tracks from the expansive Zelda series, with a particular focus on popular games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Details about the concert’s length and its availability on Nintendo’s YouTube channel after the broadcast are still under wraps.
This orchestral concert, available for free on Nintendo’s YouTube channel, represents a unique opportunity for Zelda fans to delve into the magical melodies that have defined the enchanting world of Hyrule. Be sure to mark the date in your calendar!
Discontinuation of Online Services for 3DS and Wii U
Nintendo has announced it before, but now we have a date: starting April 8th, 2024, at 4 PM PDT, you won’t be able to play online games or use other internet features on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U anymore. This means no more teaming up with friends online, checking out the leaderboards, or downloading new stuff for these consoles.
For those who like decorating their 3DS HOME Menu with badges from Nintendo Badge Arcade, this service is wrapping up, too. And just a heads up, Nintendo might shut down these online features even sooner if they run into any big problems.
Want to know more? Check out Nintendo’s website
The Thinky Awards – LadiesGamers Join the Jury
Thinky Games has launched the first-ever Thinky Awards, a special event dedicated to honouring the most engaging and challenging thinky games from the past year. This initiative is all about spotlighting games that make us think, plan, and strategize.
What makes the Thinky Awards even more interesting is the way they’re bringing the community into the spotlight. Thinky Games has put together a diverse jury of 30-50 members, representing a broad spectrum of the gaming world. This isn’t just a panel of experts; it’s a group that reflects the vast and varied community of strategic game enthusiasts. And we are happy to announce that LadiesGamers is part of that jury!
The nominated categories include Game of the Year, Most Approachable Game, Most Challenging Game, Best “Aha” Moment, Most Innovative Game, Best Presentation, Best Free Game, Best DLC, Most Anticipated Game, Best Strategy Game, Best Pen and Paper Puzzle, and Best Journalist/Content Creator and the Community Award, for which the public have been able to vote. Stay tuned for the winners!
Demo for Train Valley World
Train Valley World, developed by Flazm and published by tinyBuild, is an upcoming railway simulation game set for release in 2024 on Windows PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. A first-ever demo is now available during the Steam Next Fest, inviting you in to experience a game inspired by classics like Sid Meier’s Railroads!, OpenTTD (Transport Tycoon Deluxe), and Railroad Tycoon 2.
The game, set in the 1900s Industrial Revolution, features maps based on cities like London and Las Vegas, where players face unique challenges, such as delivering medicine during pandemics and aiding historical figures. Train Valley World introduces an online multiplayer mode and a level editor mode, allowing players to design and share their own levels, enhancing the creative and collaborative aspects of the game.
Paula has already put her thoughts about the demo ‘to paper’.
Dragon Quest Builders on Steam
SQUARE ENIX® has revealed that Dragon Quest Builders, the first game in a popular building and role-playing game series, will be available on Steam starting February 13th. This game, which was first launched on PS4 and later on the Switch, will come to PC with better crafting features and a free “Terra Incognita” DLC.
There’s also a special offer for a bundle that includes both Dragon Quest Builders and Dragon Quest Builders 2. Players who have already bought Dragon Quest Builders 2 on Steam can get Dragon Quest Builders at a lower price. Pre-orders for the standalone game and the bundle are now open.
Spilled! on Kickstarter
A few weeks ago, Kalina tried out the demo for Spilled! and liked what she saw. In Spilled! you clean up ocean waste, recycle, earn coins, upgrade your boat, and repeat. Explore and clean up new areas with more waste and new challenges. It’s going to be a cozy and relaxing game that has garnered some attention lately.
Now, Kickstarter is open to help Lente, the Dutch solo developer, focus entirely on the development of the game.
Now with me having a solid vision of what I want Spilled! to become, and the ever increasing attention the game is getting; The next logical step in scaling this game is Kickstarter
I want to make this game the best it can be, giving it the attention I feel it deserves. This will allow me to hire people to help continue with development and marketing.
My money ran out a little while ago, and I’m working a job at a supermarket to sustain myself. The Kickstarter will allow me to focus 100% on Spilled! and make it the best it can be.
You can find the Kickstarter, which runs till March 2nd, 2024, here. Lente is trying to raise € 10.000,-.
DLC Eastward: Octopia
Chucklefish and Pixpil have released Eastward: Octopia, a DLC expansion to Eastward. This standalone story introduces players to a cosy life-simulation experience set in a beautifully crafted pixel world. Now available on PC and Nintendo Switch, Eastward: Octopia promises a peaceful escape from the chaos of the original game.
You can once again join the beloved characters, Sam and John, taking a break from their adventures to explore the serene world of Octopia. You can immerse yourself in the tranquillity of countryside living. The DLC offers a chance to live off the land, create culinary masterpieces, and engage with a community of friendly characters, all while revitalizing the charming town of Octopia.
Eastward: Octopia is priced at $5.99 / £4.99 / €5.89 and is accessible directly from the main menu of Eastward. To dive into Sam and John’s latest story, you will need a copy of the base game. The base game and DLC is now available on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Fabledom Set to Launch this April
Exciting news for Fabledom fans: the full 1.0 PC version of this fairytale adventure is set to launch in Spring 2024, promising a complete and polished gaming experience that will captivate players with its whimsical charm.
But before that, there’s a final major update to Fabledom, which is now live on Steam Early Access. This latest addition, A Wedding in a Chateau, brought to you in partnership with Dear Villagers, introduces thrilling new features like Marriage and Castles.
Experience the grandeur of constructing your own Castle, a significant late-game addition offering sanctuary for Nobles and unlocking new buildings like the Ministries. These Ministries are key to enhancing your city with various passive bonuses. The centrepiece of this update is the Feasting Hall, where you can witness the romantic culmination of your journey with a leader through a beautifully animated wedding ceremony.
Little Learning Machines Leaves Early Access
Little Learning Machines, a no-code, real-time simulation game full of adorable robots, launches on Steam on March 6th, 2024!
In Little Learning Machines, you’ll dive into a unique AI training adventure, guiding companions across beautifully themed islands. This game breaks the norm with an easy-to-use ‘no-code’ system, allowing you to teach AI companions without any technical hurdles.
Your role is pivotal; as your AI companions evolve, so do the challenges. You’ll need to build upon your previous teachings, making your companions smarter and more adept at handling complex tasks. Watch in real-time as your companions’ personalities and skills develop based on your training style and the decisions you make.
The journey in Little Learning Machines is not just about teaching; it’s about discovery. Your companions will learn to play sports, garden, care for pets, and much more. Each mistake they make, and the item they uncover is a step towards mastering new skills.
A Little to the Left Coming to Xbox and PlayStation
Over at LadiesGamers, we love A Little to the Left, as you can see in our reviews of the base game and the DLC that came out. Good news then that it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5 (PS5™), and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) on 15th February 2024. As a post-Valentine’s treat, A Little to the Left will also be available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.
That’s it for this week. Have fun gaming!