Blizzard adds The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 to Battle.net, while maintaining it's not challenging Steam or Epic.
In a surprising yet strategic move, Blizzard has added high-profile CD Projekt Red titles like “The Witcher 3” and “Cyberpunk 2077” to its Battle.net platform. Despite these additions, Blizzard claims they aren’t positioning Battle.net as a major competitor to storefront giants like Steam or Epic Games Store. This claim seems curious given Blizzard’s considerable clout with titles like “Diablo” and “World of Warcraft” already under its belt. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, Blizzard insists that their approach is more about offering a “handpicked basket” of games rather than vast selections, which might appeal to users who appreciate a more curated experience.
Nvidia RTX 5090 Prices Continue to Surge
The GPU market continues to experience turbulence with Nvidia’s RTX 5090. According to PCGamesN, the flagship card is now listed at around $6,000 in some spots, reflecting a 40% price increase since July. Official retailers remain out of stock, raising concerns about continued price hikes and availability issues. Gamers looking to upgrade might face tough decisions if these trends persist, as restocks remain sparse.
Gaming Updates and Developer Announcements
A couple of intriguing updates have emerged in the indie scene. “Robot Roller-Derby Disco Dodgeball,” a well-regarded multiplayer game, has received a major update that’s available for free, bringing renewed interest to this quirky title, as noted by GamingOnLinux.
Meanwhile, GamingOnLinux also reports that “The King is Watching” has added new features including Steam Deck and gamepad support, indicating its developers’ commitment to expanding player accessibility and improving the gaming experience.
Further spike in interest comes from the developers of “The King Is Watching,” who have announced a new title, “The Crab Is Walking.” As described by Rock Paper Shotgun, the upcoming game is a unique roguelite city-builder where players build cities on a giant crab. This intriguing premise is likely to catch the attention of genre enthusiasts.
Controversies and Fan Reactions
The creators of “Wardogs” are clamping down on in-game exploits that allow for quick farming of XP and currency. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, while the developers are taking a strict stance against exploitation, this contrasts with the game’s promotion of aggressive in-game grinding, which may send mixed messages to players.
In summary, a key theme this week is the balancing act between expansion and control within both marketplaces and game ecosystems. Whether it’s Blizzard’s pick-and-choose approach amid beefing up its library or Nvidia’s high prices curbing accessibility, these stories underline the ongoing struggles and strategic decisions shaping the PC gaming world.
