Jagex confirms RuneScape 4, Valve enhances Steam Deck support, and hardware prices rise amid RAM shortages.
In a significant announcement for MMO enthusiasts, Jagex has revealed “RuneScape 4” during this year’s RuneFest. As reported by RockPaperShotgun, the upcoming title is being developed using Unreal Engine, a major upgrade from its predecessors, and evolved from a planned expansion called Dragonwilds. While details are scarce and its release is reportedly not imminent, this development marks a major step forward for a franchise that has maintained a steady following since its early 2000s inception.
Meanwhile, Valve is making life a bit easier for developers working on Steam Deck titles. According to GamingOnLinux, Valve has expanded the performance feedback available for games that are verified as Steam Deck compatible. This could help developers fine-tune their games for optimal performance on the handheld device, potentially improving the user experience and encouraging more developers to support the platform.
On the hardware front, the market is feeling the crunch from increased RAM demand, primarily driven by substantial purchases from data centers. GamingOnLinux notes that both the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 2GB models are facing price hikes. This mirrors a broader trend affecting various hardware sectors, indicating that consumers might need to brace for continuing price volatility.
In the realm of game releases, this week sees a diverse array of titles lined up, including “Star Wars: Galactic Racer” and “Hellraiser: Revival”. RockPaperShotgun humorously laments the odd distribution of these releases across the week, with a noticeable cluster towards the end. This seems to be a recurring pattern possibly due to marketing strategies aiming to capitalize on late-week gamer attention.
Lastly, ongoing industry narratives include a RockPaperShotgun piece on “No Law”, an indie RPG reminiscent of “Cyberpunk 2077”. Despite its ambitious scope, the small team at Neon Giant reveals a keen awareness of their resource limitations, strategically opting out of certain features to focus on delivering a visually striking experience. Plus, Peter Molyneux shares his excitement about approaching the “Fable” series as a player rather than a developer, reflecting on the evolution of the franchise over the years.
