GOG Announces GOG Galaxy 2.0, An App Designed To Fix Gaming’s Platform Problem

GOG is the PC game platform you might know and love for its anti-DRM stance. It’s a consumer-friendly policy that’s the exception to the rule, and while it may also eat into GOG’s marketability as a distribution platform in the eyes of AAA publishers, it sends a clear and positive message to consumers.

GOG’s goodwill towards its customers got its foot in the door, but the pressures of competition from the likes of the Epic Store and Steam are no doubt hurdles to overcome. The trick to getting over these obstacles and ensuring growth for GOG may lie in the upcoming launch of GOG Galaxy 2.0, which doesn’t merely overhaul the look of the platform’s desktop client but expands its functionality in a bid to offer even more services and conveniences to users.

In a recent meeting with GOG’s managing director Piotr Karwowski, and SVP of business development Oleg Klapovskiy, I got the first taste of their vision for GOG Galaxy 2.0: “All your friends and games in one place.” What this means is a few things, including collating all of your digital PC games, across all platforms and services, and making them easy to launch and install directly from Galaxy.

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Though you obviously can’t launch PS4 or Xbox One games from the app, you can add your PS4 and Xbox One games to your index to use Galaxy as a general purpose library management tool–which includes the auto-population of cover art and basic meta info for each game you add.

These are handy additions with arguably modest benefits that have been offered by other apps in the past, but what really makes the pitch for GOG Galaxy 2.0 attractive is that it aims to connect you and all of your friends, across all consoles and PC platforms, to create an all-encompassing gaming portal. Their ambitious approach goes beyond collections, accounting for gameplay data, achievements, and direct messaging. GOG Galaxy 2.0 can even find friends on one service, and if they are also a Galaxy user, help you connect on services where the friendship hasn’t yet been established.

Throughout my demo, GOG Galaxy 2.0 looked both orderly and attractive. The inviting user interface made looking at arrays of data and comparison points a relatively painless process, and it was surprising how many useful modules could fit on a single screen. Users will also be able to get into the weeds and alter the look and feel of their interface by configuring existing pages and menus, as well as create new menus with custom logic and layouts to suit their organizational and analytic needs.

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Piotr and Oleg aren’t shying away from the challenges in front of them. It’s one thing to create an elaborate tool for PC games, and it’s an entirely different beast to bring the traditional walled gardens of consoles into the mix. GOG has access to Microsoft’s API already and is aiming to support all platforms including PlayStation 4 and Switch. That being said, part of my live demo included a look at Piotr’s entry for the PS4 exclusive God of War. This included a detailed record of trophies, both locked and unlocked, and their logos and descriptions. These unofficial integrations and plugins are possible due to Galaxy 2.0’s open-ended nature, which allows for user-made extensions.

All of the data that goes into your GOG Galaxy 2.0 library and profile will live on GOG’s servers, which means that you get the convenience of portability, but also that GOG will potentially know a lot about you and your gaming habits. Piotr was very adamant that GOG is not in the business of selling data. He also stressed that users can both deactivate their profiles and strip their info from servers whenever they so choose. Where there would normally be ground for heavy skepticism against other companies, GOG’s promise feels genuine in light of its consumer-friendly reputation.

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When asked to explain how GOG Galaxy 2.0 makes business sense for GOG, Oleg and Piotr simply stated that their hope is that users who use the app will also take advantage of the built-in store. Though I’m sure there’s more thought put into the design and integration of features in order to drive sales of games on GOG, you can’t argue with the fact that much of what GOG Galaxy 2.0 offers to consumers bears no connection to sales nor advertising. It’s not a work of charity, to be certain, but as GOG has proven in the past, showing customers that your platform is built to make their hobby a markedly better experience can be reason enough for loyalty to set in, and sales to follow.

GOG’s promises seem to come from the right place, and more importantly, most of them are proven to be achievable today. Anyone who wants to give the GOG Galaxy 2.0 a shot can volunteer for the upcoming closed beta launching soon, over at http://www.gogalaxy.com/.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gog-announces-gog-galaxy-20-an-app-designed-to-fix/1100-6467097/

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 introduces the Ventrue Clan

 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 introduces the Ventrue Clan

The second-to-last clan revealed are the enterprising Clan of Kings.

source /news/8499-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-2-introduces-the-ventrue-clan

Oninaki showcases different weapons and combat styles in Daemon trailer

Oninaki showcases different weapons and combat styles in Daemon trailer

See how different Daemons give Kagachi various forms of combat.

source /news/8497-oninaki-showcases-different-weapons-and-combat-styles-in-daemon-trailer

April’s Best-Selling Consoles And Games Revealed (US)

The NPD has released its report for April 2019, revealing the best-selling consoles and games of the month in the US , and providing an overall snapshot of the industry’s health during the month.

Starting with game sales, Mortal Kombat 11 was April’s best-selling game of the month, and immediately became the No. 2 best-selling game of 2019 so far, only behind Kingdom Hearts III. Also of note is that Mortal Kombat 11 is the first time a third-party game was the Switch’s top-seller for a month since Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle was No. 1 back in September 2017.

Days Gone was No. 2 in April, and it achieved sales that amounted to the seventh biggest ever for a Sony-published game during its launch month. It is also developer Sony Bend Studio’s best-selling game ever after just one month on sale in the US. MLB The Show 19 finished No. 3 in April, and it continues to be the best-selling sports game of 2019 so far (a lot of the big ones are still to come such as FIFA 20, Madden 20, NBA 2K20, and more).

Overall, video game sales across console, PC, and portable reached $427 million in April 2019, which is up 15 percent year-over-year. On a year-to-date basis, game sales have now reached $1.9 billion, which is up 4 percent.

Moving to hardware, the Nintendo Switch was April 2019’s best-selling console in terms of units sold and dollars driven, outperforming the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The 32GB neon red/blue system is 2019’s best-selling individual piece of hardware.

The strong performance of the Nintendo Switch was not matched by all platforms, as total hardware spending dropped 29 percent to $160 million in April 2019. All other platforms posted declines during the month. For 2019 year-to-date, hardware spending is down 16 percent to $918 million.

The Accessories category, which includes game cards, jumped 5 percent to $256 million. The Amiibo Super Smash Bros Series 1 packs sold the best in April, while the black DualShock 4 controller is 2019’s best-selling accessory so far. Game card and controller spending led the way. Year-to-date, Accessories spending is up 3 percent to $1.2 billion.

With hardware, software, and accessories combined, total video game spending in the US in April reached $842 million, which is up 1 percent. For 2019 so far, total spending dropped 2 percent to $4 billion.

April 2019 Best-Selling Games In The US All Platforms

  1. Mortal Kombat 11
  2. Days Gone
  3. MLB 19 The Show
  4. The Division 2^
  5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
  6. Grand Theft Auto V
  7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice^
  8. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4^
  9. NBA 2K19
  10. Yoshi’s Crafted World*
  11. Red Dead Redemption II
  12. Mario Kart 8*
  13. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
  14. Minecraft#
  15. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe*
  16. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
  17. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
  18. Jump Force
  19. Battlefield V*
  20. Borderlands

* Digital sales not included

^ PC digital sales not included

# Minecraft digital sales on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One included

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/aprils-best-selling-consoles-and-games-revealed-us/1100-6467084/

The Best Memorial Day Game Deals For Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC

Somehow, Memorial Day (May 27) is nearly here, marking a day of remembrance for those who died serving in the US military, as well as the unofficial beginning of summer. Hopefully, you have a three-day weekend ahead of you and some extra time to relax, but even if this weekend is the same as any other, you can still get in on all the Memorial Day deals retailers are offering this week. We’re rounding up the best Memorial Day gaming deals, including PS4, Switch, and Xbox One games, so you can save yourself some cash and secure some great games for your collection this holiday weekend.

We’ll continue to update this story as we find more notable deals, but you can check out the best games, consoles, and accessories currently on sale below.

Nier: Automata – Game of the Yorha Edition – available for $28

Amazon

While Amazon hasn’t posted a Memorial Day-specific sale, the digital store is currently offering some of the best game discounts available online. You’ll be able to find many recent titles, first-party Nintendo games, and more marked down right now. Both Pokemon: Let’s Go games are discounted at $45; Monster Hunter World is only $18; Devil May Cry 5 is selling for $40; and Kingdom Hearts 3 is on sale for $30, to name just a few available deals.

See more of the best game deals at Amazon below.

Nintendo Switch

PS4

Xbox One

Nintendo Switch – available for $243.95

Google Express

Google Express is a delivery service from Google that lets you order from a variety of online stores–no premium membership required. All you have to do is add items to your Google Express cart and choose your delivery day. Your order will arrive within a few days, and shipping is free if you hit the purchase minimum (usually between $25 and $35).

One of the best deals is the Nintendo Switch, which you can get on sale for just $243.95. The console rarely strays from its $300 price point, but it’s already discounted to $287, and by using promo code MEMORIAL15, you’ll drop the price by an additional 15%, a full $55 savings. All you have to do is add it to your cart and enter the code during checkout to see the full discount.

Another can’t-miss deal is this Xbox One S bundle with Minecraft (plus the Starter and Creator packs and 1,000 Minecoins) for only $180. Add it to your cart and choose the Memorial Day promo code; you’ll see $120 slashed off the price. And if you’re into drones (or have always wanted to try one out), we have to point out this pocket-sized rechargeable drone, which normally sells for $150 but is on sale for $99 with the same Memorial Day promo code applied at checkout. Please note estimated taxes based on your location may affect the total price.

There are plenty of other non-gaming-related Memorial Day deals–you can check them out at Google Express. The below three deals expire Sunday, May 23, but we wouldn’t advise waiting, as some offers are already beginning to sell out.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 – available for $37

Ebay

Ebay is going hard for Memorial Day this year, with discounts across not only gaming but smart home devices, outdoor essentials, kitchen accessories, and more. There are some great game and console deals here, and everything we’ve linked below is brand new–or in the case of the New Nintendo 2DS XL, refurbished by Nintendo. Plus, check out the full offering of gaming deals at Ebay.

Games

Consoles & accessories

Nintendo 64 console bundle with Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 64 – available for $150

GameStop

GameStop’s big Memorial Day sale just kicked off on May 19 and runs through Monday, May 27. There’s a small selection of Switch deals available, including Disgaea 1 Complete for $38.97 and Mega Man 11 for $25. Select pre-owned games are up to 50% off, and you can also get refurbished console bundles on sale, including this Xbox One bundle with Wolfenstein: The New Order, Fallout 4, Just Cause 4, and Forza Horizon 3 for $180. Select toys are 20% off, specifically Bendy and the Ink Machine, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Roblox toys. You can also save on some Nintendo Switch accessories.

See more of the best Memorial Day deals at GameStop below.

Games

Consoles

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 – available for $25 (Walmart exclusive: includes 2 hours of 2XP)

Walmart

As part of Walmart’s Memorial Day sale, the store is offering Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 at one of the lowest prices we’ve seen it: $25. That includes a Walmart-exclusive offer of two hours of double XP gameplay. The standard edition for Rage 2, which just released May 14, is selling for $10 off on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. And if there’s any random gaming accessory you’ve been needing, Walmart’s a good place to look, as the store has an assortment of useful accessories, like this portable charger for the Nintendo Switch (on sale for $25).

See more of the best Memorial Day gaming deals at Walmart below.

Games

Gaming accessories

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-memorial-day-game-deals-for-switch-ps4-xb/1100-6467035/

God Of War Sales Exceed 10 Million

Sony has provided a new sales update for God of War PS4–and it’s huge. The title has now sold more than 10 million copies, according to a slide from Sony’s recent investor day briefing.

The 10 million sales was shown to demonstrate the strength of Sony’s owned franchises across platforms. As you can see, God of War franchise sales have grown across their entries on PS2, PS3, and PS4. The same is true for the Uncharted and Last of Us franchises.

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It’s not clear if the God of War (or other games mentioned in the graphic) count copies sold in console bundles, but that seems likely. God of War launched in April 2018 and became the PS4’s fastest-selling exclusive game ever.

For more on God of War, you can check out the GameSpot Audio Logs episode where game director Cory Barlog breaks down one of the most impactful scenes that almost didn’t happen. Check it out in the video embed above.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-sales-exceed-10-million/1100-6467083/

E3 2019: Apex Legends — What We Know And What We Want

After blasting onto the battle royale shooter scene back in February, Apex Legends became a relative powerhouse among major players like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. The free-to-play game brought a level of polish and shooter design skill to the genre that was lacking in some of its biggest competitors, and that made it a refreshing new entry into the popular subgenre.

That popularity has waned some for Apex Legends since its launch, partially because the early honeymoon period in which the game attracted tons of attention (and streamers) is over. Another culprit: The game’s first three-month season was lackluster in terms of content. Apex introduced a new character and a new weapon with Season 1, but little else that makes the game dynamic as a live-service title. Earning its first season’s rewards also came through as a lot of grind for little payoff among some players.

The first content season of Apex is set to wrap up in June, though–right around E3. We’re expecting to learn a lot more during the event.

What We Know So Far

A big push for Apex Legends so far has been in cleaning up issues in the game. The latest Apex patch focuses on reducing the number of crashes suffered by PC players and addresses audio problems. We’ve also seen developer Respawn Entertainment put a lot of focus on stopping cheaters in the game, while also attempting to make effective balance changes by doing things like reworking character hitboxes to make them more viable on the battlefield. As the developer has worked in dealing with those issues, it hasn’t released much in the way of new content for Apex in Season 1–but given player complaints, that’s likely to change in Season 2.

As for exactly what content is coming in Season 2, the specifics are anybody’s guess. At least one new character, known as Wattson, is expected to join the game based on past leaks. Trailers have also suggested a new weapon coming to the game to go with Wattson, as well. But nobody knows for sure at this point what Season 2 will entail, or how broad its changes to Apex Legends will be.

What’s Confirmed For E3?

During its latest quarterly earnings call, Apex Legends publisher Electronic Arts said it would announce new details about Apex Season 2 during E3–specifically, during EA Play, the public event EA throws in Los Angeles every year during E3. There are few specifics as to what that announcement will entail, but we know a few of the broad strokes. A new character is coming, as are changes to the game’s single map, Kings Canyon.

“For Season 2 you can expect a Battle Pass with more meaningful content, the introduction of a new Legend, the debut of a new weapon… and you didn’t expect Kings Canyon to stay the same forever, did you?” Respawn wrote in a post on the EA blog.

What We Hope To See At E3

It’s a little bit tough to speculate about what Apex Legends needs when players complain about a lack of “content.” For sure, we want more characters in the game–each one’s abilities and characteristics are a big part of what sets Apex apart from other battle royale games. Each one’s strengths and weaknesses add to the overarching strategy needed to win the game. But Respawn has previously said it means to take a lot of care in introducing new elements to Apex Legends, which is why balance changes and updates are somewhat infrequent. We want Respawn to continue to thoroughly test everything it does to Apex to avoid adding new issues to the game and having to roll back changes. So while it’d be nice to have more characters in Apex sooner, one per season is probably a good pace; the same is true with the introduction of new weapons.

Respawn has also suggested that Apex would see its game map evolving and changing over time, and if we can’t get lots of new weapons and characters in Season 2, we’d love to see the terrain become altered and more dynamic. The alien worlds of the Titanfall universe allow for a lot of possibilities, and speculation based on leaks has already suggested that the huge, deadly creatures who inhabit the world of Kings Canyon could get in on the action in Apex. New dangers and obstacles, as well as new places to fight and develop strategies, would be welcome additions to the base Apex Legends formula.

Apex could also stand to improve in adding more for players to do while they’re playing. Taking a page from Fortnite in this respect is probably a good idea. With each new season, developer Epic Games adds a mess of challenges to the game that help players earn experience and rewards faster. Some are simple, requiring little more than getting into fights with specific weapons, but others require exploring the map and finding strange Easter eggs that give players hints at the overall shifting nature of the game. There’s always something weird to discover in Fortnite, it seems.

Challenges would grow the replayability factor for Apex, especially if they helped give players more to strive for in earning cosmetic and customization rewards. But apart from just new skins for guns and characters, Apex could use challenges and Easter eggs to expand on the lore and story that surrounds the game, giving players cool secrets to discover that enhance their understanding of Apex’s characters and world. Respawn has hinted at the more in-depth story surrounding Apex–we know it’s part of the Titanfall universe, after all, which has quite a bit of lore of its own. At E3, we’d love to see Respawn start to push the boundaries of Apex Legends in a way that’s similar to what Blizzard does with Overwatch, telling more stories about its characters and giving players a broader look at its world.

And of course, it’d be great to see Respawn enhance the battle pass of Apex Legends to give players more cool stuff to hunt. Fun as the game is itself, solid battle passes (as well as things like challenges and other content) help hold interest in games like Apex, which keeps players returning. In fact, it’d be nice to see Respawn experiment with the battle pass formula the way it has the battle royale formula, to further set the game apart from contenders like Fornite. We’re not sure what form those experiments might take, but we’re willing to give them a shot based on how much we’ve enjoyed what Respawn has created so far.

Oh, and while it’s known that Respawn is actively trying to stamp out cheating in the game, a longer-term solution to the problem of hacks that ruin the game would make an excellent E3 bonus. Dealing with all cheaters might be wishful thinking, but if one thing would enhance the fun of Apex immediately, it’s that.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-apex-legends-what-we-know-and-what-we-want/1100-6467075/

Hearthstone’s Next Big Update Buffs Cards For The First Time Ever

Blizzard has announced a big update coming to Hearthstone in June, which suggests a noticeable change to its approach to game balance going forward. In addition to introducing a new card in the middle of an expansion, it’s also the first time in the game’s history that existing cards will be see a buff.

Though Hearthstone has often made card changes, the vast majority of these have been nerfs–usually lowering stats, raising the Mana cost, or changing a condition slightly. Some others have been lateral changes, with phrasing to clarify or add consistency. The closest the game has ever gotten to buffing cards is when it has added tribal synergy, such as making Molten Giant an Elemental card.

With the announcement on the Hearthstone Blog, the game appears to be changing that approach. According to the blog, the update will take two cards from each class introduced in last year’s Boomsday Project expansion and boost their existing power. These are cards that have often gone underused, so it seems aimed at increasing the power level of some decks that the community has rejected. According to Blizzard, these changes aim to inspire “metagame outliers” for new decks.

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These changes are part of the “Rise of the Mech” update, which also marks a significant change for Hearthstone. The game traditionally releases three expansions per year, and the time in-between those expansions lasts 3-4 months without significant changes. This time, in addition to these card buffs, the game is introducing an entirely new card. The Legendary SN1P-SN4P is a magnetic Mech card with Echo, letting you attach it multiple times in a given turn. Anyone who logs in during the Rise of the Mech event between June 3 and July 1 will get a Golden copy for free.

(Blizzard notes that SN1P-SN4P will be officially counted as a Boomsday Project card, and will rotate out when the rest of those cards do. However, it won’t be available randomly in Boomsday packs. You must either claim it during the event period, or craft it using Arcane Dust.)

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Finally, the Rise of the Mech event will rotate the current Arena sets. With the game growing so large, Blizzard has begun implementing Arena rotations that limit the sets for more cohesion. Starting on June 3, Arena will be limited to Classic, Basic, Goblins vs Gnomes, Grand Tournament, Karazhan, Boomsday Project, and Rise of Shadows cards.

If this suggests a change in philosophy, we may see more frequent updates coming from Blizzard, and more cards added midway through an expansion period to mix up the meta-game. That would be a welcome change for a community that often complains of the meta growing stale by the time a new expansion comes around.

Before these buffs, though, there’s one more set of nerfs coming. Blizzard recently announced changes to several cards, hitting the Rogue class particularly hard.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hearthstones-next-big-update-buffs-cards-for-the-f/1100-6467077/

E3 2019 Date, Press Conferences Schedule, Games, And More

E3 2019 is almost here. The Electronic Entertainment Expo is one of the biggest gaming events in the world, and always home to the biggest game announcements. Though the event itself is only three days long, the show has been slowly expanding to encompass the whole week around it. EA holds its annual EA Play event, big publishers take their turns holding press conferences, and this year, the event will be capped off with a Fortnite block party.

Here’s a complete rundown on everything you need to know. From the games and companies we know will be there to the press conference schedule and details on the event, you’ll find all of the key information about E3 2019 below. Be sure to stay tuned to GameSpot in the lead-up and through the event for full coverage.

When And Where Is E3?

E3 officially begins on Tuesday, June 11, and runs through Thursday, June 13. Those are the dates you can roam the show floor at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where publishers and developers will show their latest and upcoming games to press, investors, and the general public.

However, E3-adjacent events unofficially begin much sooner. Electronic Arts has branched off from E3 and now hosts its own event, EA Play, the weekend prior. That will begin on Friday, June 7 at the Hollywood Palladium. Starting Sunday, June 9, publishers like Microsoft, Bethesda, Nintendo, and Ubisoft, will host press conferences before the event starts, signaling what will be shown at their booths.

When Are The Press Conferences?

EA Play won’t be hosting an official press conference this year, but EA has signaled that its livestreams from the event will serve to make its announcements. Then on Saturday, June 8 Nintendo is hosting a series of invitational tournaments, including one for the unreleased Super Mario Maker 2. Press conferences will begin on Sunday, June 10 starting with Microsoft and Bethesda. On Monday, June 11, we’ll see the PC Gaming Show, and press conferences from Limited Run Games, Ubisoft, and Square Enix. Nintendo, as usual, has claimed the morning of Tuesday, June 11, just before the show floor opens.

You may notice one conspicuous absence from this lineup. Sony has opted out of E3 this year, which means it won’t be giving its usual press conference or occupying a booth on the show floor.

How Do I Watch The Press Conferences?

You can watch all of the press conference streams right here on GameSpot, naturally. We’ll be streaming the press conferences live, followed by reactions from our staff. We’ll have a livestream filled with developer interviews and game demos throughout the week. Meanwhile, Nintendo will follow its Direct-style press conference with a Treehouse stream that showcases games coming to its platforms. The PC Gaming Show will stream on platforms like Twitch.

What Companies Are At E3?

A huge number of developers and publishers, both big and small, will be in attendance at E3. Of course, just being there doesn’t mean they have something to announce or show, as the conference is often home to B2B meetings between developers, publishers, investors, and license-holders.

What Games Are At E3?

Even weeks away from the big event, we already know about quite a few of the games coming to the show. Some of them have been known for some time, while others were recently announced with teases of more to come soon. We even know that some already-released games, like Apex Legends, will use the event to debut substantial announcements of upcoming live events.

Is E3 Open To The Public?

Like the last few years, E3 is once again open to the public, but you can’t just show up and get in. Tickets for the Gamer Pass are up for sale for $249, though you should be prepared for long lines to get into see most things on the show floor. Hours for Gamer Pass holders are slightly shorter than those for Industry Pass holders on each day except for Thursday, June 13, so make sure to check when you’ll be allowed in the doors.

What Does E3 Stand For?

It’s a seemingly silly question, but given how often the term “E3” is used, it’s easy to never consider what it actually stands for. E3 is short for Electronic Entertainment Expo, although as the show has evolved, the name has changed slightly at times over the years.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-date-press-conferences-schedule-games-and-/1100-6467070/