Steam Next Fest is live, offering gamers demos of upcoming indie games like 'Baby Steps' and 'Gecko Gods', amid the Nintendo Switch 2 launch and Summer Game Fest. Notably, 'MindsEye' has stumbled with bugs, prompting Sony refunds, while anticipation builds for 'Dune: Awakening' and other unique titles.

Steam Next Fest highlights emerging indie games, including demos for titles like 'Gecko Gods' and 'The Alters,' available until mid-June. Despite technical issues, 'MindsEye' struggles, while 'Instants' launches successfully amidst industry buzz.

Matthew Griffin from Team Cherry confirmed that Hollow Knight Silksong will not feature microtransactions, despite erroneous Xbox listings suggesting otherwise. The incorrect ESRB rating on Xbox led to the confusion, but Griffin is working to rectify the misinformation.

Myrkur Games plans to release "Echoes of the End" at a lower price than typical AAA games, focusing on value for consumers, says CEO Halldór Snær Kristjánsson. The game, launching this summer, aims to offer a high-quality experience on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, inspired by similar successful pricing strategies.

Backpack Battles has officially launched its version 1.0 today, adding two new classes: mage and adventurer. The update enhances gameplay with new characters, outfits, and quality-of-life improvements.

Starward Industries rebrands its upcoming game to "Into the Fire," emphasizing survival and rescue on a volatile volcanic island. The 2025 Steam release will leverage community feedback to refine its innovative gameplay.

Neon Inferno, a standout at Steam Next Fest, captivates players with its blend of classic run-and-gun gameplay and Cyberpunk-style visuals. Developed by Zenovia Interactive, it offers thrilling boss battles, multiple characters, and replayability.

Nintendo bolsters its reputation as a developer-friendly company with the upcoming Switch 2, promising enhanced graphics and backward compatibility. Indie and major publishers alike benefit from its supportive ecosystem, making it a hub for diverse gaming experiences.

Vaibhav Chavan, CEO of underDOGS Studio, highlights the game "Mukti," part of the PlayStation India Hero Project, as a significant step for Indian gaming. This initiative supports local developers with funding and mentorship, aiming to elevate India's presence in the global gaming industry.

Game Pill is set to unveil its RPG, HANGRY, at Toronto's Power Pixel Play event on June 14, offering a unique blend of frenetic combat and culinary gaming. Part of Toronto Games Week, this showcase highlights Game Pill's innovative approach to storytelling and interactive media.

Slay the Spire 2 is eagerly anticipated, with Mega Crit enhancing gameplay by removing the 'do nothing' option and introducing over 50 challenging new events. The sequel will feature full-screen illustrations, more strategic choices, and contributions from art director Marlowe Dobbe, though a release date remains unannounced.

Exabyte Games has released Final Outpost: Definitive Edition on mobile, available for $4.99 on App Store and Google Play. The game enhances the original with new features, ranking among the top strategy games globally.

This week's gaming highlights include the upcoming release of 'Is This Seat Taken?' and 'Cygram', both slated for August 2025. In mobile, 'Suikoden Star Leap' expands to Steam, while 'Royal Lands – Save the King' soft launches in select regions.

11 Bit Studios' The Alters, launching June 13, 2025, blends survival and RPG elements in a rich narrative exploring identity and fate. Its unique gameplay features clone management and moral dilemmas, though some repetitive mechanics and interface quirks are noted.

The Chinese Room is set to release "Siren's Rest," a new DLC for their award-winning horror game "Still Wakes the Deep," on June 18, 2025. Priced at $12.99, this expansion promises an eerie, immersive experience with an all-Scottish voice cast and around two hours of gripping gameplay.

Xsolla and Defold have launched a new SDK to simplify in-game monetization for web developers using the Defold engine. This move aims to enhance revenue opportunities during the CrazyGames x Defold Game Jam.

Steam Next Fest June 2025 offers PC gamers over 2,400 free demos of upcoming indie and AAA games until June 16. Highlights include 'Ratatan', 'Monument Valley 3', and 'Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound', with a focus on diverse themes.

Xsolla introduces the Buy Button for Mobile Games, enabling iOS game developers to integrate external payment links and leverage browser-based checkouts via Xsolla Web Shop. This solution follows a pivotal U.S. court decision allowing such external payment integrations, promising developers zero platform commissions and simplified tax management.

Kohachi Studio, formed by ex-Metal Slug developers, announces the 2026 release of 'Navinosuke: The Yo-Kai Buster' for Nintendo Switch, reviving a 20-year-old shelved project. Originally for Game Boy Advance, this 2D action RPG features an innovative geolocation-based concept, now adapted for modern platforms.