Uncrowned Guard

Between the scenic landscapes, calming sound design, and gradual pace of progress, Medieval Dynasty feels less like a grind and more like a digital retreat. Sure, there are challenges—but even those seem to flow with a quiet rhythm that sets this game apart from others in the genre. So I’m curious: Do you think Medieval Dynasty stands as one of the most relaxing games out there? Or are there other titles that rival its tranquil gameplay? Whether it's the meditative resource gathering, the immersive seasons, or the joy of slowly building up your village, I'd love to hear what gives you that sense of peace while playing.

I recently came across the Artemis VR Game Bow, and it definitely caught my attention. The concept is super cool — tactile archery in VR with an actual bow-style controller sounds like a ton of fun. But then reality hit: It's only compatible with one game. The 10lb draw weight seems... underwhelming. And for the $250 price? Let’s just say it’s not impulse-buy friendly. Still, the idea of bringing realistic archery mechanics into VR is awesome and really makes me wonder about the future of these kinds of peripherals. So I’m curious: Have any of you tried VR bow peripherals like Artemis or others? Does the realism or immersion actually enhance gameplay? What titles do you think could benefit from this kind of gear? And is it worth the investment — or just a cool gimmick? Would love to hear your thoughts, setup pics, or maybe even some alternatives that get that archery itch scratched without breaking the bank!

Lately I’ve been leaning into VR for fitness and it’s surprisingly effective (and fun). My go-to games are Pistol Whip and Ragnarock — they get the heart rate up and make breaking a sweat actually enjoyable. But it got me wondering… Do others here use VR for working out or staying active? What games or apps do you recommend for fitness? And real talk — how do you keep your setup clean after a sweaty session? 😅 I’ve been wiping down the headset and straps after each use, but I’m curious if folks use disposable covers, special gear, or something else. Whether it’s full-body workouts or just sneaky cardio through gameplay, I’d love to hear how VR fits into your fitness routine (or doesn’t). Let’s share tips, tricks, and favorite games that get us moving!

Curious what kind of VR gear everyone’s using these days! Whether you're into immersive story-driven titles, competitive multiplayer, or just breaking a sweat in virtual fitness, there’s a headset and a play style for every type of gamer. Personally, I’m rocking the Meta Quest 3, and I’ve been leaning into fitness-focused experiences. Pistol Whip and Ragnarock are my go-to titles right now — there's something satisfying about combining music, movement, and gameplay in such a fluid way. So what headset do you use? And what kind of VR content gets the most playtime for you — fitness, social, story-driven, simulation, something else entirely? Let’s compare setups, favorite titles, and maybe find some new experiences to check out.

Rimworld

Odyssey Expansion Introduces Over 40 New Animals to the RimWorld UniverseThe anticipated “Odyssey” expansion for RimWorld promises to transform the game’s ecosystem with the introduction of more than 40 new animal species. This diverse roster will provide players with fresh opportunities for taming, training, trade, and resource gathering, adding depth to both daily colony life and dramatic encounters. The expansion debuts a spectrum of avian wildlife, from the vibrant macaws of tropical canopies to flocks of ominous crows that may descend in formidable “murders.” Pink flamingos and chubby quails bring their own flair to the environment, while the close attention to animation—every flier drawn with 24 meticulous frames—demonstrates the studio’s focus on immersion. Other notable additions include prickly porcupines, amphibious colossus toads and bullfrogs, coastal otters and sea lions, and prehistoric megafauna such as mastodons and greatwolves. Each presents unique encounters: bog hounds travel in threatening packs, lava snails thrive in molten landscapes, and massive hippos patrol rivers with dangerous force. Quests will occasionally reveal even rarer beasts, like the legendary alpha thrumbo—a larger, swifter, and more powerful variant beside its already formidable kin. Deep underground, players may confront the hive queen, a matriarchal insect capable of spawning dangerous larvae and defended by a swarm of loyal minions. Whether these legendary creatures are claimed as allies or challenged as adversaries depends on the colony’s daring and strategy. Expanding Animal Utility: Training and SpecializationOdyssey enriches colony management by expanding animal training systems. Many new and existing creatures can now be coached to perform a wider variety of tasks, offering novel ways to integrate animals into daily routines and defense. Domestic animals such as cats and pandas may be trained to deliver morale boosts through frequent nuzzling, providing tangible mood benefits for colonists. Pigs and raccoons gain the ability to forage, uncovering extra food sources, while digging specialists like megasloths can assist with mining, slowly excavating player-marked terrain. Predatory and large animals receive specialized training options; wolves, bears, and big cats can be directed to target specific threats, reinforcing colonies against raids. Massive creatures—including mastodons and elephants—can unleash a “war trumpet” roar, disorienting enemies, while the alpha thrumbo’s “terror roar” may induce panic in hostile forces. Tech-driven enhancements further broaden the animal workforce. The sentience catalyst, a futuristic tool, injects animals with mechanites, increasing intelligence and allowing even creatures with simple minds—like alligators—to become trainable companions. For those successful in taming the hive queen, her acidic egg-spewing ability can be weaponized in defense or attack. Fishing: Sustenance, Commerce, and LeisureComplementing these land-based additions is Odyssey’s new fishing system, offering both functional and atmospheric changes to colony life. Colonists can now cast lines in rivers, oceans, and icy waters, making fresh fish a dependable year-round food source. However, sustainability plays a role; overfishing will deplete local stocks, and the emergence of “gill rot”—a parasitic fungus—can threaten entire aquatic food supplies. Fishing yields a variety of species—marlin, tuna, salmon, bass, and even piranhas—tailored to different habitats. The mechanic also introduces an element of unpredictability: anglers may reel in valuable treasures, rare artifacts, or even unusual items, further encouraging exploration. Beyond nutrition, fishing enables new lifestyle opportunities. Colonists can relax by swimming in lakes, springs, and marshes, while animals such as otters and penguins forage the waters for food themselves. Colonies can develop lakeside villages with docks, supporting trade and culinary diversity. Observant players will notice distinctive behaviors and animations as animals paddle or hunt, enriching the simulation’s realism. A Dynamic and Immersive FrontierWith its wealth of new creatures, expanded training options, and the addition of aquatic activities, the Odyssey expansion broadens the scope of RimWorld’s storytelling and strategic possibilities. Whether nurturing a loyal animal retinue, braving the hunt for legendary beasts, or building a thriving waterfront community, players can expect deeper interactions and unforeseen challenges in one of gaming’s most vibrant sandbox simulations. View full article

Mine was also a mobile game, Lord of the Rings: Rise to War.

I have been playing a lot of Crusader Kings 3 again. It comes and goes in phases for me, but just getting this one started.

Microsoft Integrates Steam and Battle.net Libraries into Xbox PC AppMicrosoft has begun rolling out a new aggregated gaming library feature in its Xbox PC app, aiming to position the platform as a central hub for PC gamers. The update will allow players to view and launch games from Steam, Battle.net, and other major PC storefronts, consolidating their collections in a single, unified interface. Early Access for Xbox InsidersThe feature is initially available to Xbox Insiders, a group of early-access users participating in the PC Gaming Preview program. These users will see their non-Xbox titles—spanning Steam and Battle.net—automatically appear within the Xbox app’s “My Library” and “Most Recent” sections. This development means that the Xbox PC app can now function as a comprehensive game launcher, reducing the friction of switching between platforms to access different games. Microsoft's plans for the aggregated library extend beyond the desktop. The company confirmed that the library will reach handheld devices such as the ROG Xbox Ally and the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X later this year, furthering its push for cross-device gaming continuity. Aiming to Become the PC Gaming HubThis change marks a clear effort by Microsoft to make Xbox on Windows the definitive home for PC gaming—a direct nod to the dominance of Steam and Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS. By bridging Xbox and Game Pass with leading PC storefronts and ensuring installed games from across platforms are visible and accessible, Microsoft is reinforcing the value proposition of the Xbox app. Players with existing collections in various storefronts, including titles from Game Pass, will benefit from faster access and less fragmented libraries. In addition, Microsoft has signaled that support for further PC storefronts will arrive over time, hinting at an even more integrated gaming landscape on Windows. User Controls and CustomizationTo accommodate user preferences, the Xbox PC app will provide tools for curating visible libraries. Players who prefer a more streamlined view can choose to hide games from specific storefronts via their profile settings, ensuring that their library reflects only the platforms they wish to engage with directly. Ongoing Development and Community FeedbackMicrosoft has emphasized the importance of Xbox Insider feedback in shaping these changes. The company encourages users to participate in discussions on the Xbox Insider subreddit and contribute suggestions for future improvements. Those interested in experiencing early features and influencing Xbox’s direction are invited to join the Xbox Insider Program by downloading the Xbox Insider Hub app. With these updates, Microsoft is taking tangible steps toward reducing platform silos and forging a more unified experience for PC gamers—an initiative that could reshape the convenience and accessibility of playing on Windows platforms. View full article

Ludeon Studios Unveils 'RimWorld: Odyssey' and Update 1.6 – A New Frontier for ExplorationLudeon Studios has officially announced RimWorld: Odyssey, an ambitious expansion set to launch alongside the free Update 1.6 in just a month. With a focus on exploration, dynamic map features, and new biomes, Odyssey looks poised to dramatically reshape the colony sim landscape for veteran players and newcomers alike. Expanding the World: Dynamic Map Features and LandmarksOdyssey brings a major overhaul to RimWorld's map generation system, introducing more than 85 dynamic features that promise to make every playthrough distinct. Players can encounter everything from lava caves, obsidian deposits, and hippo habitats to randomly generated drug stockpiles. These features aren't just decorative—they influence gameplay, resource opportunities, and risk-reward scenarios. River systems, for example, have become far more varied, with intricate confluences, deltas, and headwaters, while biomes can now blend within a single map, mixing the flora and fauna of, say, forests and deserts. The combination possibilities allow scenarios like settling on a tropical swamp peninsula filled with rare plants and introducing risks from overlapping biomes. Landmarks represent the most transformative map additions. With over 45 unique landmarks marked on the world map, sites such as abandoned colonies, industrial ruins, and oases provide both narrative intrigue and gameplay variety. These locations offer resources, unique threats, and potential bases for those looking to hit the ground running—or tell the story of a colony built on the bones of the old world. Unveiling New Biomes and Survival ChallengesOdyssey adds five new biomes, each introducing its environment, hazards, and opportunities for player colonies. The glowforests glow with bioluminescent fungal light, creating an ever-night landscape where only specialized crops can grow. Lava fields, while rich in minerals, threaten colonists with sudden eruptions and challenging survival dynamics. Players seeking classic survival can brace for the scarlands—a toxic wasteland filled with the ruins of lost civilizations, dangerous weather, and dormant threats. Conversely, grasslands offer fertile opportunities for farming, punctuated by the risk of wildfire and drought. At the coldest extremes are the glacial plains, which demand careful resource management and promise the lure of ancient remnants frozen in the ice. Each biome brings new ways to play, from careful planning in hazardous environments to uncovering the secrets of long-lost worlds. Dynamic Weather and Terrain SystemsOdyssey amplifies environmental realism with a responsive terrain and weather system. Water bodies freeze and thaw with the seasons, enabling winter fishing through ice holes and demanding defensive ingenuity against spring floods. Terrain now can become temporarily hazardous: floods from torrential rains submerge crops and disrupt movement, while sandstorms, blizzards, and blind fogs can obscure sight and stall progress. These new weather events are not merely cosmetic; they actively affect colonists, their health, and their access to resources, requiring adaptive strategies and new approaches to base design. Early Access and Ongoing DevelopmentPlayers eager to experience Odyssey’s new mechanics can preview Update 1.6 now via the unstable Steam beta branch. This update also introduces significant performance improvements, enhanced base-building tools, more varied maps—even flying chickens—ensuring that both expansion buyers and base game owners benefit from the RimWorld team’s ongoing support. Weekly development blogs are scheduled in the run-up to Odyssey’s release, promising detailed looks at gravship construction, orbital gameplay, and other upcoming features. With the reveal of Odyssey and its supporting update, Ludeon Studios signals a bold new era for RimWorld, promising to keep its colony simulation fresh through both mechanical innovation and creative world-building. For more updates, readers can wishlist Odyssey on Steam and stay tuned to Uncrowned Gaming for further coverage as the release date approaches. View full article

"War Sails" Expansion for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Delayed to Early Fall 2025TaleWorlds Entertainment has officially announced a delay for "War Sails," the much-anticipated naval expansion for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Originally scheduled for June 2025, the expansion is now expected to launch in early fall of the same year. The development team cited a commitment to quality and ongoing improvements as key factors in the decision. Developer Insights: Prioritizing Quality and Player ExperienceIn a recent press statement, TaleWorlds addressed their community, emphasizing the necessity of the postponement to meet player expectations for a polished and enjoyable experience. The team indicated that additional time was required not only to refine the expansion itself but also to continue enhancing core elements of the base game. With a revised timeline currently in the works, fans can expect a definitive launch date to be revealed in the coming weeks. To maintain transparency and engagement, TaleWorlds is set to provide regular development blogs, behind-the-scenes updates, and new gameplay footage leading up to release. The developers acknowledged community patience and promised a steady stream of information as work progresses. Addressing Community Questions: Features, Platforms, and Trailer AuthenticityResponding to widespread community interest, TaleWorlds clarified several points about War Sails and related content. The developers confirmed that the expansion's announcement trailer was created entirely within the Bannerlord engine, without reliance on third-party tools such as Nvidia Omniverse. Scenes were artistically polished using in-engine settings, although the visual results may differ from what players experience in live gameplay. A Mac port for Bannerlord and its expansions is not currently planned. Furthermore, War Sails will not introduce DLC-specific achievements across platforms like PlayStation. While significant updates and improvements are coming for the base game, including to the PS4 version, last-generation consoles will not receive the War Sails expansion. Expanding Bannerlord's Horizons: Features Coming with War SailsThe War Sails expansion aims to dramatically broaden the gameplay universe of Bannerlord. Players will be able to: Command and customize ships, including the ability to rename them. Engage in naval combat, with mechanics for swimming, diving, and even drowning. Utilize new naval-oriented skills: "Mariner," "Boatswain," and "Shipmaster," each tied to existing character attributes. Operate merchant convoys akin to land caravans, necessitating protection against piracy. Sail through both oceanic and riverine environments, supporting combat on rivers with unique, terrain-driven scenes. Narrative content is also set for expansion with the introduction of the Nordic-inspired faction “Nords,” new character voice options, and additional customization like hairstyles and tattoos at character creation. The team also noted upcoming tweaks to differentiate existing factions, including Sturgia, to ensure cultural and visual distinction from the Nords. Modding, Mechanics, and System ImprovementsWar Sails comes with updates to the modding toolkit and in-game systems. Modders can look forward to support for the new stealth mechanics, continued (but broadened) XML editing capabilities, and compatibility with existing mods, although some may require version updates after launch. Notably, the developers do not currently plan to introduce certain much-requested features such as sea shanties, burning death animations (due to age rating concerns), or a Mac/Linux port. Features like naval custom battles, fire arrows in the base game, or granting vassals more complex AI commands were also confirmed as not in development at this stage. Looking Ahead: Community Engagement and Future PlansTaleWorlds remains committed to open communication with its player base. With expanded random events granting greater access to personality traits, support for both Campaign and Sandbox modes, and evolving naval gameplay systems, War Sails stands to be a significant addition to Bannerlord’s world. As development continues, the team invites the community to stay tuned for upcoming updates and to participate in ongoing discussions via official channels. For players eager to experience Bannerlord’s naval frontier, a mix of patience and anticipation will be rewarded when War Sails sets sail in early fall 2025. View full article