This has likely been true for some time, but it made me notice that ‘slop’ had evolved from a common adjective into the realm of de facto terminology. If you dislike GenAI, you refer to its output as ‘slop’. It’s become lexi-canonical.
I think we can do better. “Slop” evokes a tepid cylinder of condensed cream of mushroom soup, glumly wibbling in a chipped bowl. When I think of GenAI, I picture something closer to tropical insects laying eggs beneath soft flesh of victims. There’s something parasitical and sinister about flaying the skin of artists who’ve explicitly spoken out against GenAI and then gleefully parading around in that stolen flesh. Slop sounds like Soft sounds like Plop sounds like Globule. It slides down too easy; gets off too lightly.
Switch 2 is tantalisingly close – at least, more details about Switch 2 are tantalisingly close, with the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct coming on 2nd April. We’re hoping for a date, a price, a huge slate of games, the works!
But even with all the info and excitement, there’s a good chance the console itself won’t be launching for a few months yet. Fortunately, Switch has still got some gas in the tank, with some genuinely brilliant-looking games scheduled to launch over the next couple of months.
Every year, the fruit flies and mosquitoes return to my kitchen, drawn to the illicit aroma of unlidded pasta sauce and the rank embroidery of carbonised toast around my cooker. Every year, I attempt to remove them non-violently by building intricate traps out of vinegar bottles, or performing slow-motion kung fu punches with a jug.
My inability to keep the winged hoodlums at bay has alienated me from my so-called friends, but on the plus side, it has also equipped me to play The Mosquito Gang, an asymmetrical multiplayer affair in which one, regular-sized human player attempts to carry out various domestic tasks while four, tiny mosquito players attempt to suck their blood.
New life-sim game inZOI has some of the most robust and realistic character creation tools we’re yet to see in a game. So, naturally, the first thing players decide to do when getting their hands on such technology is recreate their favourite pop stars and frankly terrifying childhood nightmare hauntees.
We’ve collected over 30 of our favourites (some legitimately impressive) for you to take a peek at here. From an almost lifelike Billie Eilish and an advanced look at GTA 6’s Lucia to the sexiest (?) of all Squidwards we’ve got you covered. Below is a slideshow if you want to take a look for yourself, or at the top of the page is a video if you want to spend over 40 minutes watching us react and rank them. I recommend it!
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editorial Producer who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.
Dungeons & Dragons company Wizards Of The Coast have apologised for “mistakenly” sending a legal takedown to the creator of a free Stardew Valley mod that adds a village inspired by and featuring characters from Baldur’s Gate 3. The mod has attracted praise from Larian CEO Swen Vincke, who was naturally a bit piqued when it was taken offline.
Schedule I continues to receive post-launch updates following its overnight viral success on Steam. The latest is Patch 5, which brings the drug dealer sim up to version 0.3.3f14.
While Patch 5 makes a number of important improvements to the game, of most interest to its many players is the developer’s note that Schedule I’s first content update is set to launch this weekend.
Schedule I is currently the top-selling game on Steam, with more players than big hitters such as Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals after going viral across social media, Twitch, and YouTube. In the game you go from being a small-time dope pusher to kingpin, manufacturing and distributing a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. You can expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees, and more.
It’s developed and published by TVGS, aka Australian indie developer Tyler, who has called Schedule I’s explosive launch “amazing but pretty overwhelming.”
“I never expected this kind of response!” Tyler said in a post on reddit. “At the moment I’m just trying to stay focussed and get patches out ASAP. Also looking forward to getting started on content updates as soon as all major bugs are patched.”
To that end, Patch 5 fixes a number of employee bugs, multiplayer bugs, and casino bugs. Tyler has also implemented a number of pathfinding validity checks to hopefully prevent crashes.
Schedule I Update 5 version 0.3.3f14 patch notes:
Tweaks/Improvements
Added an active display setting to choose which monitor the game displays on.
Botanists will now automatically move product from their supplies to drying racks.
Owned vehicles are now visible on the map app.
Implemented a few validity checks/failsafes for NPC pathfinding and warping. I think this was one of the primary causes of crashing on certain chipsets (thanks to Chi Chi on Discord for bringing this to my attention).
Refactored employee item movement behaviour to be a bit smarter.
Implemented NPC effects culling at a certain distance to improve performance.
Bug fixes
Fixed non-host clients sometimes not being able to hit/stand in blackjack.
Fixed a quest UI bug that was sometimes causing infinite loading screens in multiplayer.
Fixed clipboard selections not reassigning without first manually clearing the existing selection (employee beds, botanist supplies, etc).
Fixed the dealer sometimes preemptively revealing its hand to non-host players in blackjack.
Fixed first-person jacket looking janky.
Fixed ‘Master Chef’ achievement being rewarded prematurely.
Fixed some property null references that were causing multiplayer loading/desync issues.
The drying rack ‘dry’ button is now non-interactable if the input slot is reserved by an employee.
Fixed NPC ‘stay in building’ behaviour sometimes causing errors for non-host players.
Fixed NPC voiceover emitters sometimes throwing a null reference.
Tyler added that sneak peeks at the first content update will be posted soon.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
75 people have been let go by Eidos-Montreal, the studio announced yesterday. The Deus Ex and Tomb Raider developers laid off the workers because they didn’t have the “capacity to entirely reallocate them”, according to a statement. It’s a further blow to the workforce at the Embracer-owned company, following hefty cuts last year.
Gaming is wonderful, isn’t it? It’s an escape, it’s a relaxation method, it’s a chance to bravely step out in someone else’s shoes. It’s also a massive waste of time.
This hobby has kept us all thoroughly entertained for the past 50 years, but the world is changing; life isn’t what it used to be and 100+ hour RPGs, ever-updating live service games and three Atelier releases a month mean it’s difficult to keep up. That’s where PLAYi comes in.
The new Pokémon TCG: Surging Sparks bundle is out, it’s in stock, and it’s actually under $50. That alone would be enough to carry today’s lineup, but the rest of the deals aren’t slacking either. TVs from LG and Insignia are seeing big discounts, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra Titanium is finally priced like it wants to be on someone’s wrist instead of a museum pedestal.
Surging Sparks Booster Bundle Is In Stock Now
There’s also a stacked Humble Bundle full of family-friendly games (yes, Bluey made the cut), and the IGN Store has a highly detailed Death Stranding 2 model kit up for pre-order if your shelf is looking a little too normal. If you’ve got the itch to treat yourself, today’s not a bad day to scratch it.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Surging Sparks Booster Bundle
I don’t need six booster packs, but these are usually in and out of stock. This Surging Sparks Booster Bundle has some fantastic chase cards, we’re talking $400+ chase cards that could be in this Booster Bundle. It’s under $50, which in Pokémon terms is basically a clearance sticker. I’m not saying it’ll change your life, but it might improve your afternoon.
Insignia – 55″ Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
This is the TV I’d buy if I wanted something that works without having to pretend I care about specs. It turns on, the picture’s 4K, it has Alexa so I don’t have to get off the couch, and it costs less than my last grocery run. Honestly, that’s more than enough.
Outright Games Game On! Bundle
I don’t usually gravitate toward games based on cartoons, but this bundle is stacked if you’ve got kids or just want a break from games that scream at you. Bluey, PAW Patrol, My Little Pony — the whole crew’s here, and honestly, they’re better made than half the AAA titles I’ve rage-quit. Pay $20 or more, get a pile of games, and support charity. Seems like a win for everyone except your free time.
Insignia – 65″ Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
I like this one because it feels unnecessarily large in the best way. You get Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and it still costs less than a concert ticket and a hoodie. If you want to make movie night feel intentional without spending your life savings, this does the job.
Death Stranding 2 – DHV Magellan – Model Kit
I want this on my shelf mostly so people ask what it is and I can pretend I understand Death Stranding 2. It’s a 1/350 scale model of a massive mobile base from a game that hasn’t even released yet, and I respect the level of commitment required to care this much. It’s $69.99, which is fair for something this weirdly specific and detailed — and yes, the railgun is included.
LG – 65” Class UT70 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2024)
This is the kind of TV I’d get if I wanted it to last longer than my attention span. It’s a 2024 model, has LG’s updated processor, and handles all the streaming stuff without having to download three extra apps just to log in. Feels like someone at LG actually thought it through.
I think this is what happens when Samsung realizes not everyone wants to spend $650 to track their steps. The titanium build is overkill in a good way, and the battery life means I don’t have to charge it every time I blink. It finally dropped to a price where it makes sense to buy one without feeling like I’m auditioning for a tech influencer role.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together Elite Trainer Box
i’ve been watching the Journey Together Elite Trainer Box like a hawk, and somehow it’s actually in stock at Amazon for $70.31. That’s 30% off apparantly, but it’s not at all. It includes nine booster packs, a full-art N’s Zorua promo, sleeves, and the usual accessories, Most people just want the packs and the promo. If it’s gone when you check, keep trying. I’ve seen stock randomly reappear in the mornings and lunch time, just like Target’s Journey Together stock.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Paldean Fates Booster Bundle
Then there’s the Paldean Fates Booster Bundle at $69.77. Six packs inside, and the draw here is the return of shiny Pokémon. I like that it cuts straight to the good stuff — no sleeves, no dice, no cardboard fluff, just a clean bundle of packs ready to be cracked open. If you’re chasing shinies, this is where the hunt begins.
Best of Boomer Shooters 4: Badda Bing Badda Boom
Humble Bundle’s “Best of Boomer Shooters 4” is live right now, and I love how chaotic it is. For $16, you get $174 worth of retro-inspired FPS games like Turbo Overkill and Forgive Me Father 2. I think of it as therapy, just with more blood and less talking about my feelings. You also support some good causes, so now your nostalgia trip is technically altruism. You’re welcome.
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Shrouded Fable Elite Trainer Box
Shrouded Fable ETB is holding steady at $54.96, and I think it’s slept on. It has nine packs, a Pecharunt foil, some sharp sleeves, and a player’s guide that you’ll absolutely ignore until you pull something weird and have to look it up. This set’s all about the Legendary trio—Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti—and if you’re into building themed decks or hoarding off-meta cards, this one hits.
Street Fighter TCG Alpha Warriors Dreams Preorder
Finally, if your card obsession extends beyond Pikachu, the Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams trading cards are now up for pre-order on the IGN Store, starting at $20. I already pre-ordered a box because the idea of serial-numbered Chun-Li cards is somehow more exciting to me than it should be. Rare pulls, killer art, and a chance to relive the 90s one Hadouken at a time — I’m in.
Pokémon TCG: Paradox Clash tin: Iron Leaves ex or Walking Wake ex
I picked up one of the Paradox Clash tins just for fun and honestly, no regrets. For $39.96, you get five booster packs and either a Walking Wake EX or Iron Leaves EX promo, chosen completely at random. It’s a bit of a gamble, but opening tins is half the fun anyway. The promos are clean, the packaging is slick, and I think it makes a solid gift for anyone getting into the game
Pokémon TCG: 3 Booster Packs & 1 Random Foil
For a cheaper fix, I’d go for the $12.25 blister pack with three random boosters and a foil promo. It’s 39% off, which is honestly kind of wild, and it’s one of those no-risk purchases you can talk yourself into without too much guilt. The listing shows Silver Tempest Boosters, so there’s a good chance of pulling some Sword and Shield chase cards here.
This one’s for the people who want it all: QLED, anti-reflection, studio-calibrated modes, and picture quality so good I paused a show just to stare at a lamp. I think my eyes are spoiled now.
Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
Dwarf Fortress co-creator and programmer Tarn Adams has made fleeting, whimsical allusion to the possibility of an Elf Fortress game in a new interview – a fleeting, whimsical allusion I will now pounce on and make an enormous deal of, because my goodness, man, you can’t just say “Elf Fortress” and walk off whistling into the sunset.
The topic arose during a discussion of why fantasy dwarves are a “fortuitous” archetype for a maddeningly system-driven game like Dwarf Fortress, in which half the fun is enjoying the tunnel vision of characters who will cheerfully neglect their duties and doom their brethren because, for example, they’re obsessed with crafting a mug that menaces with spikes of bituminous coal and alpaca wool. According to Adams, this is relatably “human”, though he muddies things intriguingly by dropping a reference to androids, and allows to weave stories around technical eccentricities and outright bugs, which can be read as instances of “dwarfy” fixation and excess. Elves? They don’t work the same way.
