Category: Gaming

  • Retroid Pocket 6 12GB RAM: New Version, Less Storage

    Retroid Pocket 6 12GB RAM: New Version, Less Storage

    Key Takeaway

    – 12GB RAM version returns but with reduced 128GB storage (previously 256GB) at the same $279 price.
    – Only available in Stick Top layout; D-pad Top layout only on 8GB RAM version.
    – Limited to three colors: Silver, 16Bit, Black (no Orange or Light Purple).
    – In stock and ready to ship, with no pre-order wait.

    Pocket 6 12GB RAM Model Returns

    A few months ago, Retroid announced that it was discontinuing the 12GB RAM version of the Pocket 6. It cited the high cost of components, specifically RAM and storage, as the reason for the discontinuation. Now, Retroid has announced the return of the 12GB RAM version, albeit with a modification. The announcement was made on the official Retroid Discord channel, and according to the post, the Pocket 6 is once again available in a 12GB RAM configuration.

    Storage and Configuration Changes

    However, unlike the discontinued version which has 256GB of storage, this has 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. In addition, the Android handheld is also available in a single control layout which is with asymmetrical thumbsticks a.k.a. Stick Top. So if you want the version with symmetrical thumbsticks a.k.a. D-pad Top, you will have to settle for the 8GB RAM version.

    Color Options and Pricing Details

    Another important detail is that the 12GB RAM + 128GB version is only available in three colors — Silver, 16Bit, and Black. Unfortunately, no Orange and Light Purple variants this time around. The price for the new 12GB RAM + 128GB version is $279, the same price as the discontinued 12GB RAM + 256GB version. On the bright side, Retroid says that the handheld is in stock and ready to ship, so you shouldn’t have to wait for a pre-order batch as is the case with the AYN Thor and Odin 3.

    • Retroid Pocket 6 12GB RAM + 128GB UFS 3.1 storage
    • Only Stick Top control layout (asymmetrical thumbsticks)
    • Available colors: Silver, 16Bit, Black
    • Pricing: $279 USD
    • In stock and ready to ship on Retroid website

    Availability Limitations

    Availability is still limited to the official Retroid website. So you will need to go their directly to purchase the device, no other retailers are known to stock this unit at this exact moment. The handheld should ship quickly though, as it is stock rather then pre-order like some other companies do.

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  • Deal: Free WWII Grand Strategy Game from Paradox on Steam

    Key Takeaway

    – Hearts of Iron IV offers deep strategic gameplay with over 100 playable nations and a focus on grand-scale war management.
    – The game has a notoriously steep learning curve, requiring significant time and dedication compared to traditional RTS games.
    – It holds strong community approval: 88% positive Steam reviews, a Metacritic score of 83, and a User Score of 7.8.
    – A free trial is available until June 15, with the game on sale for $9.99 (80% off) until June 25.
    – The game supports Steam Deck but is optimized for mouse-and-keyboard controls.

    A Deep Dive into World War II Grand Strategy

    Few games recreate World War II in as much detail as Hearts of Iron IV. Players can take control of major powers such as Germany, the United States or the Soviet Union, but they can also guide smaller nations through the turmoil of the 1930s and 1940s. Rather than focusing on individual battles, the game emphasizes the bigger picture: armies are trained, factories are converted to wartime production, technologies are researched, alliances are forged and entire fronts are managed through battle plans. The war can either follow its historical course or be completely reshaped through alternative decisions. A more detailed overview is available in our earlier article on the game.

    Strategic Depth and Learning Hurdles

    Hearts of Iron IV delivers many of the qualities fans expect from a Paradox grand strategy title: more than 100 playable nations, a convincing historical simulation and an exceptional degree of strategic freedom. In its review, German gaming magazine PC Games also praised the AI-assisted battle planning system, which makes managing large fronts far more practical, as well as the streamlined research tree. The trade-off is a notoriously steep learning curve. Hearts of Iron IV demands considerably more time and dedication than most traditional real-time strategy games. Anyone looking for a quick start, constant guidance and straightforward mechanics is unlikely to find what they are looking for here. Players willing to invest the effort, however, can easily spend hundreds of hours mastering its intricate systems. PC Games ultimately awarded the title a solid 8 out of 10.

    Community Scores and Platform Info

    The Steam community is even more enthusiastic: 88% of more than 380,000 user reviews are positive. On Metacritic, Hearts of Iron IV holds a Metascore of 83 and a User Score of 7.8. The game is rated “Playable” on Steam Deck, although its interface and controls are clearly designed with mouse-and-keyboard users in mind.

    Free Trial and Massive Discounts

    Interested players can try the game completely free of charge until June 15. Those who decide to stick with it afterward can purchase the grand strategy title for $9.99 instead of $49.99, thanks to an 80% discount available until June 25. According to SteamDB, discounts for Hearts of Iron IV have typically topped out at 70% in recent years. The game has not been this inexpensive since April 2024. There are also plenty of DLCs available, most of which are currently discounted as well. The Ultimate Bundle is priced at $81.84 with a 52% discount. Alternatively, Paradox offers a subscription model that grants access to the DLC catalog for $7.99 per month.


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  • Fastest MicroSD Cards Cost Double Express Prices

    Fastest MicroSD Cards Cost Double Express Prices

    Key Takeaway

    – UHS-II microSD cards for gaming handhelds cost over 120 euros for 256 GB, roughly double the price of faster microSD Express cards.
    – MicroSD Express cards (256 GB) are widely available for 50–60 euros, supported by Switch 2 production and stable pricing.
    – SD Express readers remain rare and sold out; new readers supporting both SD Express and UHS-II are expected later this year.
    – Fast UHS-I microSD cards now cost nearly the same as microSD Express, offering significantly less performance.
    – Rising adoption of SD Express by laptops and handhelds (e.g., Asus) may drive future price increases, though current inventories are ample.

    Leading the Pack at Computex

    Acer realy led the way at Computex with there new Predator Atlas 8 gaming handheld which relies on microSD cards with UHS-II. These types of cards have become somewhat exotic in the current market by now. But what does this actualy mean for gamers who want to buy these fast cards? To find out we looked at the current market prices of UHS-II cards on the European price comparison service Geizhals, while also checking out a local MediaMarkt retail store for a real world perspective.

    Price Trends and Comparisons

    A clear trend is emerging, especialy for the popular 256 GB size. Not only have prices for UHS-II cards skyrocketed over the past year, but they are now also roughly twice as expensive as microSD Express cards which are significantly faster overall but also much slower in legacy scenarios. Established in the market thanks to Nintendo’s Switch 2, 256 GB microSD Express cards typicaly cost between 50 and 60 euros so thats a major gap.

    There are only a few outliers here which can easily be ignored due to the large selection of Express cards. We also saw this same price point at MediaMarkt, both for Nintendo-branded cards by SanDisk and standalone SanDisk cards displayed individually in the store’s Nintendo section. However, anyone interested in an Acer Predator Atlas 8 or another handheld with microSD-format UHS-II support will have to dig real deep into there pockets.

    Expensive UHS-II Options

    Nexstorage’s UHS-II card currently costs a hefty 120 euros for just 256 GB of capacity. Lexar’s Professional Gold model costs only marginally less at 115 euros while Sabrent’s Rocket sits slightly above 120 euros. According to the price comparison service Geizhals that is already where the selection of cards ends. For that same price you generaly already get 512 GB of capacity in the SD Express camp wich is a huge difference.

    • The market offers about five cards in this segment up to roughly 130 euros.
    • However latecomers who started production later are significantly more expensive.
    • Prices for those later cards are peaking at 200 to 300 euros.

    Harbinger of Higher Prices?

    Whether this is a harbinger of even higher prices is difficult to say right now. Retailer inventories are likely well stocked and we have also heard isolated reports from memory manufacturers that the production batch for the Switch 2 was sufficent for demand. The comparatively stable prices for SD Express cards support these statements we have seen.

    This could change however if more and more laptops adopt SD Express technology. On top of that Asus’s new gaming handheld also features microSD Express support wich is interesting. Asus has been supporting SD Express largely unnoticed for a while now. Especially in the wake of the RTX Spark launch at Computex, indications have mounted that even more manufacturers are banking on SD Express, including the full-size format where ADATA is currently the only supplier delivering cards.

    SD Express Advantages and Limitations

    The massive speeds of the SD Express standard offer clear advantages even if there are occasional thermal issues as seen in our previous microSD Express review. However users with UHS-II readers cannot utilize the speed of SD Express at all because SD Express readers remain very rare and are partly sold out. In compatibility mode they drop back to UHS-I speeds which is quite slow. At least SD Express card readers that can also handle UHS-II are expected to arrive later this year wich is something that was previously not technically possible to do.

    Fast UHS-I Cards Also Getting Pricey

    By the way fast UHS-I cards in the microSD format from well-known manufacturers have now also reached the price range of microSD Express cards as we observed with 256 GB models. At the MediaMarkt retail store SanDisk’s gamer cards in the Nintendo design were almost equally expensive to the Express ones. Prices have also drawn close at other retailers wich is surprising considering how little performance they actualy deliver compared to Express. At least the prices of these slower cards have dropped slightly in recent weeks. But the AI-driven memory crisis does not stop at simple microSD cards you see.

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    • GTA 6 Viral Question: Fans Want Release, Not 60 FPS

      Key Takeaway

      – Fans overwhelmingly prioritize an early release over performance, with many accepting even 30 FPS or lower.
      – A 30 FPS cap is the community’s biggest concern, fueled by current-gen console limitations and Red Dead Redemption 2’s lack of a 60 FPS patch.
      – The question of 30 FPS vs. a six-month delay for 60 FPS went viral, accumulating over 1,400 comments in a day.
      – Long-term satisfaction with 30 FPS is questionable, especially once next-gen consoles arrive.
      – Rockstar should include at least a performance mode in the eventual PC version to meet modern standards.

      Fans Would Accept Almost Anything for GTA 6

      The well-known GTA 6 news channel GTA Unlimited regulary asks fans on X about their hopes for the sequel to GTA 5. Recently, the channel asked what fans would prefer: an on-schedule release with a 30 FPS cap, or full 60 FPS at the cost of a six-month delay. The question already attracted unusual attention on X. After it was picked up on Reddit, it went fully viral. Within a day, more than 1,400 comments had accumulated – an exceptionally strong response even for the GTA 6 subreddit.

      Community Concerns About 30 FPS Cap

      The question does not come out of nowhere. According to earlier discussions, a 30 FPS cap is one of the community’s biggest concerns. That concern is mainly based on the comparatively limited performance of current-generation consoles and the fact that Red Dead Redemption 2 still has not received a 60 FPS patch, raising fears that GTA 6 could suffer a similar fate. If another delay were the alternative, however, many fans do not seem to care much. The mood in the thread is largely unanimous and is summed up neatly by the top comment: “Release today, 15 FPS.” Fans would apparently accept even major performance compromises if that meant GTA 6 would finally launch.

      Performance Standards and Future Expectations

      As the current discussion shows, 30 FPS in a large open-world game still seems acceptable to many players, especially on consoles. For many PC gamers, however, 60 FPS is now considered standard, which is why Rockstar would be wise to include at least a performance mode in the PC version, which is expected to launch later. It is also questionable whether players would be satisfied with a 30 FPS cap in the long run. By the time PlayStation 6 and Xbox Helix arrive at the latest, console players are likely to want better performance as well. Anyone who would like to share their thoughts on the topic is welcome to do so in the comments section below.

      • GTA 5 is currently available for $26 on Amazon.
      • Red Dead Redemption 2 still lacks a 60 FPS patch.
      • Fans overwhelmingly prefer an early release over higher framerates.

      Final Thoughts on the GTA 6 Debate

      GTA Unlimited via X (formerly Twitter) sparked this viral conversation. The community’s willingness to accept 30 FPS or even lower framerates shows how desperate fans are for the next installment. While PC gamers often expect 60 FPS, console players seem more flexible—at least for now. Future hardware like the PlayStation 6 might change these expectations, but for the moment, the majority just wants the game released as soon as possible.

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    • Deal: Balatro with Dice Roguelike Drops to $5.60 on Steam

      Key Takeaway

      – Combines dice mechanics with roguelike progression and risk-reward decisions
      – 60% off on Steam ($5.59), lowest price to date
      – High praise: 8.5/10 from Softpedia, 92% positive Steam user reviews
      – Four playable characters offer varied strategies and replay value
      – Luck factor can cause frustration, and gameplay may become repetitive

      A Winning Formula Reimagined

      The success of Balatro has shown how well classic card and gambling mechanics can work when combined with roguelike progression, build variety and clever risk-based decisions. Dice With Death follows a similar formula, but replaces poker cards with dice. The game comes from Sea Glass Games, the indie studio founded by YouTuber and developer Connagh Hawkins, also known as Merchant. Dice With Death is currently 60% off on Steam and costs $5.59 instead of $13.99. According to SteamDB, this is its lowest price to date; previous discounts topped out at 50%.

      Gambling With Your Afterlife

      In Dice With Death, players are already dead but receive one final chance to escape the afterlife. To do so, they must face Death himself in a seemingly friendly but dangerous dice game. Those who defeat him across several duels collect new dice, relics and special abilities, build increasingly powerful combinations and, ideally, cheat Death. Useful dice results are kept, the remaining dice are rerolled and risk-based decisions have to be made again and again: bank the points safely as damage or keep rolling for a stronger combination? A bad roll can ruin the entire turn, while successful combos stack damage, generate armor, enable healing or build up poison. This is where the core tension comes from: Is the safe damage enough, or is the next roll worth the risk?

      Critical And Community Acclaim

      The gaming website Softpedia awarded Dice With Death 8.5 out of 10 in its review, praising its exciting risk-reward mechanics, wide variety of relics and dice as well as its different character strategies. The four playable characters each have their own playstyle, which adds to the replay value. Criticism was aimed at the gameplay, which can become repetitive over time, and the thin story. There is also a strong luck factor, which can quickly lead to frustration, as bad rolls can undermine even the best strategy. The Steam community is impressed as well: 92% of more than 700 user reviews are positive. Dice With Death is also Steam Deck Verified and should therefore run without issues.

      Pricing and Availability Details

      Dic With Death is currently 60% off on Steam and costs $5.59 instead of $13.99. According to SteamDB, this is its lowest price to date; previous discounts topped out at 50%. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.


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    • Best Gaming Pillow for Handheld Comfort in Bed

      Key Takeaway

      – Reduces hand strain and numbness by transferring device weight from hands to the pillow.
      – Supports multiple handhelds (Steam Deck, Switch, ROG Ally, etc.) with a multi-adjustable arm.
      – Has drawbacks: slight wobble from the mount and pillow losing shape over time.
      – Limits freedom of movement compared to playing without support.
      – Priced at $66.80–$74.99, with cheaper alternatives like U-shaped or nursing pillows available.

      Gaming Discomfort Solution

      Anyone who plays on handheld devices for longer sessions knows the problem: after a while, you start shaking out your hands. The reason is usually the fixed posture. Holding a handheld in the same position for extended periods can strain the joints and muscles, potentially compressing nerves and blood vessels. The result can be tingling, numbness or hands that feel like they are falling asleep. Mechanism’s Gaming Pillow is designed to address exactly that.

      Compatibility and Design

      The pillow is available with mounts for the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go S, Nintendo Switch, ROG Ally, ROG Ally X and PlayStation Portal. The handheld attaches to a multi-adjustable support arm, allowing users to position it for sitting or lying down. A second mount on top of the pillow can hold a power bank or smartphone.

      User Testing Results

      A Reddit user tested the accessory with the Steam Deck for around two weeks and came away cautiously positive, giving it 7.5 out of 10 points. According to the user, the pillow noticeably reduces strain when gaming in bed or on the sofa because the handheld’s weight no longer rests entirely on the hands, arms and elbows. This should also help reduce tingling and numbness. However, the mounting mechanism reportedly wobbles slightly, and the pillow is said to lose its shape rather quickly.

      Community Feedback

      The Reddit thread is not unanimously positive. Some users argue that while the pillow may relieve strain on the arms and hands, it can also limit freedom of movement. Others point to cheaper alternatives such as U-shaped pillows or nursing pillows. On Mechanism’s website, the accessory starts at $66.80, depending on the configuration. On Amazon, the pillow is currently listed for $74.99, though only for the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go S and PlayStation Portal.

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    • Xbox’s next 100 days: Sharma and Booty outline major ‘reset’

      Xbox’s next 100 days: Sharma and Booty outline major ‘reset’

      Key Takeaway

      – Xbox plans layoffs after admitting over-hiring, with a “reset” focused on the next 100 days.
      – The division projects only a 3% profitability margin, despite $20B+ spent on content and acquisitions.
      – Annual revenue has dropped by nearly half a billion dollars, prompting a strategic re-evaluation.
      – Leadership acknowledges overextending studio resources and failing to adequately fund key franchises.
      – Deeper cuts are expected in marketing and other areas as the company makes “hard choices” about investments.

      Microsoft’s Gaming Division Braces for More Job Cuts

      It appears that Microsofts video game branch is getting ready for yet another wave of layoffs, as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma conceded that the division has overextended its employees. This news originates from Bloomberg, which indicates that the business is planning to make a significant announcement about job reductions shortly after Microsofts fiscal year concludes on June 30th. Sharma and Matt Booty are refering to this initiative as the “Next 100 Days: Xbox Reset.”

      Deeper Reductions Expected in Marketing and Other Areas

      Even more substantial cutbacks are forcasted in marketing and various additional departments. The fresh approach comes as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty sent a candid internal note to workers, detailing what they term an “Xbox reset” to be implemented over the next three months. According to the memo which was also made publically available on Xbox Wire, both executives laid out a clear financial picture for the company.

      Financial Performance and Content Spending

      Sharma and Booty observed that Xbox is expected to conclude the year with an estimated profit margin of just 3%. When you exclude the costly acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the corporation has invested more than $20 billion on content, platforms, and hardware businesses in a mere five-year span. Despite this heavy investment, yearly revenue for Xbox has fallen by nearly half a billion dollars, a trend that has raised concerns among company leaders.

      In their communication, they wrote, “We have made mistakes and will continue to make them, but what matters is that we listen, learn, and adjust course where needed. Remember, our fans are rooting for us. Now, we start the next 100 days. It is important to have both optimism and realism as we work to reset the business.”

      Understanding the Overextension

      The duo elaborated further in a blog entry on the official Xbox site. They explained that they had expanded their network of studios when there was a need for a steady flow of content to support various strategies related to subscription services, streaming, and multiple devices. In this process, they have discovered themselves overextended as they tried to implement shifting strategies within a market that now offers more readily accessible content than before. They also acknowledged being stewards of major franchises which have huge potential and strong player interest.

      • Despite holding these valuable intellectual properties, they have not provided sufficient funding to compete and achieve victory.
      • These statements already hint at difficult choices for the organization in the upcoming month of May.
      • They concluded by stating that they are building a stronger Xbox, which requires making tough decisions about development priorities, investment areas, and the future structure of the company.
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    • Deal: 96% Positive Review Feudal Japan Tactical Game 90% Off Steam

      Deal: 96% Positive Review Feudal Japan Tactical Game 90% Off Steam

      Key Takeaway

      – Tactical stealth gameplay set in feudal Japan with a team of five unique specialists
      – Highly praised on Steam: 96% positive reviews from over 38,000 ratings
      – Strong emphasis on planning and multiple strategies to complete missions
      – Currently 90% off at $3.99 on Steam until June 16, 2026, with a demo available
      – Minor flaws include occasional movement bugs and high difficulty

      Stealth Tactics in Feudal Japan

      Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a tactical stealth game published by Daedalic Entertainment on December 6, 2016. Developed by Mimimi Games, its story plunges you into feudal Japan during the Edo period, when a new shogun came to power and brought peace.

      A Villainous Threat Emerges

      However, a mysterious warlord named Kage-sama is threatening the balance of the kingdom. Faced with this danger, you must lead a team of specialists and complete various missions, such as sabotage and espionage.

      The Squad and Thier Abilities

      There are five characters available, such as Hayato, an agile ninja and the team leader, Mugen, a samurai who can deliver powerful attacks, Aiko, a master of camouflage, Yuki, who can place various traps, and Takuma, a mysterious sniper.

      But be careful, because even though their abilities are powerful, you’ll need to analyze the situation and develop different strategies before each mission. As a result, there are many ways to achieve your objective, whether you’re in a castle, a monastery, or a forest.

      Player Feedback and Flaws

      Since its release in 2016, players have left more than 38,260 reviews on Steam, and 96% of them are positive. This game is highly praised for its gameplay, graphics, and story. However, despite its many strengths, it does have a few flaws. Some players have reported bugs related to character movement, and the difficulty is also high.

      Current Deal and Pricing Details

      Nevertheless, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is currently 90% off on Steam until June 16, 2026. As a result, it’s priced at $3.99 instead of $39.99, according to SteamDB. But if you want to try it first, a demo is also available.

      Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.


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    • Halo Evolved PC vs Xbox: Campaign Performance Review

      Halo Evolved PC vs Xbox: Campaign Performance Review

      Key Takeaway

      – Xbox Series X delivers smoother 60 fps performance than all but the most powerful PCs
      – Mid-range PCs (e.g., RTX 4060) struggle to maintain 60 fps at 1440p due to CPU throttling
      – UE5 drawbacks like temporal noise and flickering persist
      – Handhelds like ROG Ally X and Steam Deck likely face major performance issues
      – Console version keeps ray tracing enabled via DRS at ~1080p, with minimal stuttering

      Xbox Showcases Halo: Campaign Evolved

      The Xbox Games Showcase confirmed a Halo: Campaign Evolved release date on July 28th. Fans are now seeing early performance impressions of the anticipated Combat Evolved remake. In the Digital Foundry preview, the site surprisingly revealed how the Xbox version had an edge over modest PC configs.

      Visuals and Frame Rate Comparrisons

      On both platforms, Digital Foundry noted dramatic improvments over the 2011 Anniversary Edition. Unreal Engine 5 introduces updated lighting effects, like Lumen global illumination, that make outdoor environments feel more natural. Reflections are also convincing as Master Chief traverses a sun-drenched coastline.

      The Halo: Campaign Evolved preview includes two missions, The Silent Cartographer and Assault on the Control Room. Xbox Series X players can expect a 60 fps performance mode, which was the only option available in the demo. The final build should offer a 30 fps quality preset with improved image quality.

      Console Performance and PC Challenges

      Digital Foundry praised the shooter’s performance on the Series X console. Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS) settles at around 1080p, but Unreal Engine 5 perks like ray tracing remain enabled. Most importantly, frame rates met the 60 fps target with minimal or no stuttering.

      The Halo: Campaign Evolved demo currently lacks Series S optimization, so the site turned its attention to the PC version. At 4K and max settings, an RTX 5090 configuration kept GPU utilization near 50%. Frame rates easily held at 60 fps with a cap applied.

      Mid-Range Hardware Limitations

      Unfortunately, mid-range and lower-end gaming rigs may encounter some limitations. A machine with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an RTX 4060 produced mixed results at 1440p. DLSS balanced mode wasn’t enough to keep the fps counter at a consistent 60. CPU throttling is the likely culprit, particularly when many enemies are on the screen.

      Less capable hardware could raise even more concerns. The ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld struggled to stay at 30 fps using TSR upscaling. Digital Foundry suspects that the Combat Evolved remake will fare even worse on the Steam Deck.

      Common Unreal Engine 5 Drawbacks

      The Halo: Campaign Evolved performance preview also exposed common Unreal Engine 5 drawbacks. Temporal noise can manifest through flickering, detracting from overall image quality.

      Even with some shortcomings, the benchmarkers were largely impressed by the shooter. Still, ahead of its release date, the Xbox Series X console produces smoother visuals than all but the most powerful PCs.

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    • New 33-Player Co-op Action-RPG Launches on Steam at 33% Off

      New 33-Player Co-op Action-RPG Launches on Steam at 33% Off

      Key Takeaway

      – 33-player co-op raids are compressed into 25-minute sessions with instant matchmaking and no voice coordination required.
      – The three-world structure (Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso) naturally reduces player count from 33 to 22 to 11, increasing accountability without requiring fixed teams.
      – Launching on Steam only at 1.0—after building a reliable player base on Game Pass and other platforms—avoided the dead-lobby problem that kills many multiplayer indies.
      – The 1.0 release adds the final Paradiso realm and a hidden ultimate boss, alongside deep character customization and community-driven balance tweaks.
      – Full cross-play across Steam, Epic, Xbox, and Microsoft Store ensures a unified matchmaking pool.

      Unique Multiplayer Concept Finally Hits 1.0

      Thunder Lotus Games’ 33 Immortals is one of the more “actually” unusual multiplayer concepts to come out of indie development in years. The game has now officially launched into its full 1.0 version on Steam. The release dropped on June 10 across Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Store, capping a 15-month early access run and bringing the game’s complete three-world structure together for the first time. The price at launch is $9.97, which includes a 33% discount off the standard price.

      How the Game Actually Works

      The premise is quite straightforward on paper and equally bizarre in practice: up to 33 players simultaneously control damned souls rebelling against God’s final judgment. It draws inpsiration from the structure of Dante’s Divine Comedy as they fight through more and more punishing realms. What makes it work — or at least feel unlike anything adjacent to it — is the session design. Runs last roughly 25 minutes, use instant public matchmaking, and require no pre-formed groups, voice coordination, or scheduling. It’s basically raid-scale co-op gameplay compressed into a lunch break. The game uses a cross-play matchmaking pool across all platforms so everyone can play together.

      Smart Player Funnel Design

      The lobby funnel is the smartest structural decision in the game. 33 players enter Inferno together, that number narrows to 22 in Purgatorio, and the newly added Paradiso realm — the final world, held back from early access and shipping at 1.0 — takes just 11 players into the game’s most concentrated, demanding finale. Of course, each shrinking group increases individual accountability without turning the game into your runt-of-the-mill team-based experience. The new Paradiso world adds a complete 11-player endgame that was previously hidden during all of early access.

      1.0 Update and Content

      The 1.0 update also introduces a previously hidden ultimate boss encounter that Thunder Lotus kept under wraps throughout the entire early access period. It is accompanied by deep character customization, weapon and enemy balance tuning, and quality-of-life improvements shaped by over a year of community feedback. The update also includes new weapon options and a more refined progression system that better rewards continued play through each realm.

      Why Steam Was Delayed

      Steam’s absence during early access was a calculated bet, not exactly an oversight. A co-op game requiring 33 simultaneous players per session faces a very obvious structural risk: too small an installed base and sessions will simply never fill. Game Pass inclusion from day one — March 18, 2025 — got the title a reliable player-base while the other organic base grew on Epic and Xbox. Adding Steam only at 1.0, with a mature player pool already in place, likely helped the devs go around the dead-lobby problem that has killed several multiplayer indie launches in the past. The game is available on Game Pass at no additional cost for subscribers.

      Developer Background and Availability

      All platforms share a single cross-play matchmaking pool, so Steam players can directly join the same sessions as Epic and Xbox users. The game is also available through Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost. For context, Thunder Lotus is the Montreal-based studio behind Spiritfarer. It attracted over seven million players worldwide and built 33 Immortals as its first title designed completely around online multiplayer. You can read more about the game here – it’s purchasable for $9.97, thanks to a 33% launch discount. This pricing applies across all platforms and includes a permanent discount for the launch period on Steam and SteamDB.


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