E3 is still dead. See you at Gamescom!

Brolo

Guerrilla Collective Showcase
Wednesday 7th June
9AM PT / 12pm ET

Summer Game Fest 2023 Opening Showcase
Thursday 8th June, 2023
12pm PT, 3pm ET

Day of the Devs
Thursday 8th June, 2023
2pm PT, 5pm ET

Devolver Digital Presentation
Thursday 8th June, 2023
3pm PT / 6 pm ET

Tribeca Games Spotlight
Friday 9th June
12pm PT/ 3pm ET

Wholesome Direct 2023
Saturday 10th June, 2023
9am PT / 12pm ET

Future Games Show
Saturday 10th June, 2023
10am PT / 1pm ET

Xbox Games Showcase & Starfield Direct
Sunday 11th June, 2023
10am PT / 1pm ET

PC Gaming Show
Sunday 11th June
1pm PT / 4pm ET

Ubisoft Forward
Monday 12th June, 2023
10am PT / 1pm ET

Capcom Presents
Monday 12th June, 2023
12pm PT / 3pm ET

but somehow, we remain here.

DJ Eebs

I don't know what "wholesome direct" is but it sounds terrible

ChicoBlue

It's where all the cute and calm games like farming sims, hot pot sims and fishing dating sims are shown.

Grey Ghost

It's just the show for... cute stuff, basically. Farming games, quirky shit, calming or thoughtful games... it's a bit too broad of a descriptor for me, and I think oversimplifies or infantilizes the games it purports to promote

Brolo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvrhcaHavqA

yeah it's mainly just games that aren't particularly violent or scary

DJ Eebs

I'm just deeply wary of the word "wholesome" at this point

Brolo

yeah people have started using the Cozy Games label instead to avoid the connotations with "Wholesome"

Zxerol

wait did the chuds claim yet another innocuous thing that I'm not aware of

Brolo

Zxerol wrote: »

wait did the chuds claim yet another innocuous thing that I'm not aware of

George W. Bush-era wholesomeness was anything but aspirational
Wholesomeness was not always trendy. When I was a teen in Philadelphia in the mid-’00s, I would never have dreamed of describing myself as “wholesome.” It wasn’t that I didn’t consider myself a good kid (I didn’t even drink!); it was that “wholesome” as a label didn’t feel particularly flattering or relevant. It had the dutiful smell of unsweetened oatmeal.

On the occasion that wholesomeness did manage to become mainstream aspirational, it did so in a tone of deep nostalgia. In 1998, Jancee Dunn approvingly declared a young Katie Holmes to be “wholesome” in Rolling Stone, by which she meant, essentially, that Holmes was the opposite of modern.

Holmes, Dunn wrote, “is so sweetly wholesome and genuine that she seems to be a throwback to another era, one in which Mom stayed at home and Dad gently taught you right from wrong, families helped each other out and people went to church on Sundays.”

Wholesome circa 1998 was the ’50s. Wholesome was father knows best. Wholesome was a mother vacuuming in pearls and high heels.

And for most of the ’90s and the ’00s, “wholesome” and “pure” were nearly synonymous with sexual chastity, with wholesome family values and evangelical Christian purity. Girls would put on purity rings at purity balls, which were a “wholesome event” for fathers “bringing up daughters to live in purity and in truth.” Daughters would pledge to remain virgins until marriage, and fathers would pledge to protect their daughters’ purity.

https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/4/4/18282247/wholesome-memes-culture-aesthetics-aspirational-explained

a particular concept of "wholesome", as code for sexual "purity", goes back to a lot of trad stuff, which usually has a generational resurgence

DJ Eebs

There has been an upswing of people in fandom spaces that have been loudly asking for more "wholesome" content, which is fine, but a lot of these same people get very angry when content isn't wholesome, or when someone criticizes something that is perceived as wholesome. There's a strain of Ted Lasso fans that will swarm in if you don't respect that it's a "comfort" show, for instance. They don't always use the word wholesome to describe it, by any means, and it's a perfectly cromulent word, it's just...there are a lot of cases where someone gets slapped with the "wholesome" label and the second they have a normal human reaction to something or aren't like, a perfect representative of what a good human is, the backlash they experience is way worse than is necessary.

It's also sort of the whole "softboy" branding thing that got blown up because of the people who would actively use it to make themselves seem safe and then be weirdo fucking creeps. When I see a whole thing built on "look at our wholesome video games!!!" I'm a bit more wary than I should be, given the games that were shown off in the trailer, because it's so easy for people to weaponize. I think it's really good that there's a showcase built around games that aren't about blowing shit up or whatever. The second someone goes, "yeah, but these are the wholesome games," is where I take a step back, I guess.

Cello

I suppose I hadn't put a lot of thought, comparably, into the wordage here

My reaction whenever hearing it was "wholesome, like whole milk? Well, milk is good. Soft games? Good??"

Cozy Games does sound like a better descriptor I suppose. Like a warm glass of milk is cozy.

Fig-D

I like Cozy Direct, let's go with that. Fuzzy Animals in Sweaters Drinking Hot Cocoa Direct is also acceptable.

Capcom is going to have a Capcom Showcase on June 12, 3pm Pacific. I'm personally interested in what they might have to show. Feels too early to start showing Street Fighter 6 characters, but they might reveal what the Battle Pass actually is. Monster Hunter is winding down but this doesn't feel like the time to announce a new one. Resident Evil 4 Separate Ways DLC is a strong possibility. More Dragon's Dogma II footage seems like a safe bet. Maybe Exoprimal? That comes next month and basically no one is excited for it. Curious if we'll see a new game announcement. Or if Pragmata might resurface. People are already calling it this console generation's Deep Down.

bloodyroarxx

DJ Eebs wrote: »

There has been an upswing of people in fandom spaces that have been loudly asking for more "wholesome" content, which is fine, but a lot of these same people get very angry when content isn't wholesome, or when someone criticizes something that is perceived as wholesome. There's a strain of Ted Lasso fans that will swarm in if you don't respect that it's a "comfort" show, for instance. They don't always use the word wholesome to describe it, by any means, and it's a perfectly cromulent word, it's just...there are a lot of cases where someone gets slapped with the "wholesome" label and the second they have a normal human reaction to something or aren't like, a perfect representative of what a good human is, the backlash they experience is way worse than is necessary.

It's also sort of the whole "softboy" branding thing that got blown up because of the people who would actively use it to make themselves seem safe and then be weirdo fucking creeps. When I see a whole thing built on "look at our wholesome video games!!!" I'm a bit more wary than I should be, given the games that were shown off in the trailer, because it's so easy for people to weaponize. I think it's really good that there's a showcase built around games that aren't about blowing shit up or whatever. The second someone goes, "yeah, but these are the wholesome games," is where I take a step back, I guess.

Jesus I need to shake your hand cause I’ve been trying to put this exact thought to words for ages

DJ Eebs

It's probably fine and I'm just too online, but yeah, I think cozy is honestly a better vibe for the games that trailer is showing off, anyways.

Uriel

Cozy games to me would be like Tetris or bejeweled. Would those actually fit though?

Cello

DJ Eebs wrote: »

It's probably fine and I'm just too online, but yeah, I think cozy is honestly a better vibe for the games that trailer is showing off, anyways.

It's fine, I just really like steamed milk. My coffee shop barista just puts one on as I walk in now. (Hazelnut syrup, naturally.)

DJ Eebs

bloodyroarxx wrote: »

DJ Eebs wrote: »

There has been an upswing of people in fandom spaces that have been loudly asking for more "wholesome" content, which is fine, but a lot of these same people get very angry when content isn't wholesome, or when someone criticizes something that is perceived as wholesome. There's a strain of Ted Lasso fans that will swarm in if you don't respect that it's a "comfort" show, for instance. They don't always use the word wholesome to describe it, by any means, and it's a perfectly cromulent word, it's just...there are a lot of cases where someone gets slapped with the "wholesome" label and the second they have a normal human reaction to something or aren't like, a perfect representative of what a good human is, the backlash they experience is way worse than is necessary.

It's also sort of the whole "softboy" branding thing that got blown up because of the people who would actively use it to make themselves seem safe and then be weirdo fucking creeps. When I see a whole thing built on "look at our wholesome video games!!!" I'm a bit more wary than I should be, given the games that were shown off in the trailer, because it's so easy for people to weaponize. I think it's really good that there's a showcase built around games that aren't about blowing shit up or whatever. The second someone goes, "yeah, but these are the wholesome games," is where I take a step back, I guess.

Jesus I need to shake your hand cause I’ve been trying to put this exact thought to words for ages

It's tough to talk about, because a lot of it has grown out of certain media playing really fast and loose with which characters it hurts (I think a lot of this backlash came out of that brief window a few years ago when like, a couple dozen lesbian or bisexual women characters all died on TV within like, a month of each other), and how the pandemic fucked up a lot of people who...wanted to just watch people be friendly to each other for a bit. A lot of the louder people there are also like...relatively young, and are probably going to change their minds on some of this when they stop being...you know, teenagers.

TheySlashThem

I am also wary of the overuse of the word wholesome, but wholesome direct is really just a showcase of family-friendly indie games, so it's worth following if you want to know about smaller titles

Uriel

God I really want to play some bejeweled now

Mortal Sky

Tallahasseeriel wrote: »

God I really want to play some bejeweled now

I spent a whole trans-Atlantic flight recently playing Bejeweled 2 on the in-flight entertainment system because I wanted to keep myself busy while listening to podcasts

It ruled tbh even if I'm not very good at Bejeweled

DJ Eebs

TheySlashThem wrote: »

I am also wary of the overuse of the word wholesome, but wholesome direct is really just a showcase of family-friendly indie games, so it's worth following if you want to know about smaller titles

fair enough!

Poorochondriac

One unfortunate things about cozy/wholesome showcases for me is that stuff tends to run together and get hard to differentiate REAL quick

All the pastels just start smearing together in my head

AvalonGuard

Poorochondriac wrote: »

One unfortunate things about cozy/wholesome showcases for me is that stuff tends to run together and get hard to differentiate REAL quick

All the pastels just start smearing together in my head

This, and those kinds of games tend to a thousand percent be Not My Thing, so I have an adverse reaction to "This is such a chillout game" or "This game makes me feel cozy". Glad they're around, because a lot of people like them, but, well, my games of choice right now are Tears of the Kingdom, Street Fighter 6, Mechwarrior Online (and tabletop Battletech), Binding of Isaac, and occasionally a spurt of grinding some time in Master mode Tetris Effect. I like crunchy, thinky action games with interlocking systems and mechanical choice, and "cozy" games just don't get there.

Undead Scottsman

Tribeca Games Spotlight
Friday 9th June
3pm PT/ 12pm ET

There's something off about this but I juuuuust can't quite put my finger on it.

Maddoc

This is probably a me problem where individually I think a lot of those games look neat but when you bundle them all together and go "Here are a bunch of wholesome games" I roll my eyes

I'm not sure what the problem even is, really! Infantilizing was brought up, and that feels like an appropriate word.

Mortal Sky

The ideal long-form cozy game for me is probably Slime Rancher, but then that game basically feels like a Tribes mod with some very silly farming mechanics attached, in a way that makes my brain tingle

A Short Hike is the coziest game I've ever played but unless you're really grinding out every side challenge it's also only about the length of a feature film

ChicoBlue

The most viceral sense of coziness and relief I've felt in a video game was in The Long Dark.

Stumbling through the forest, exhausted, hungry, dehydrated, night falling fast and to make matters worse, there is a storm rolling in.

Then I found the little hunter's cabin and I remember standing in its pitch black interior, listening to the wind howl and rattle the windows as the storm hit. The sweet tingle in my spine and the flutter in my gut as I felt around in the dark and managed to find and light a little wood stove.

And then I ate a bag of chips and fell asleep in the little bed.

That's the cozy high I've been chasing.

Prohass

I always enjoy a good hearth in an inn in a snow region in a game

Undead Scottsman

Here we gooooo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5FebBfhxB4

Brolo

https://twitter.com/gematsu/status/1666456448275038208

My Time at Sandrock launches September 26 for PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch, and PC; later in 2023 for PS4 https://gematsu.com/2023/06/my-time-at-sandrock-launches-september-26-for-ps5-xbox-series-xbox-one-switch-and-pc-later-in-2023-for-ps4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwgJU5OCHdE

Are you ready for a Summer of Greed?

The next standalone expansion to the acclaimed Kingdom series, the long-awaited Kingdom Eighties, will hit Steam on June 26th! A single-player, epic adventure of micro-strategy and base building, inspired by the neon lights of the eighties.

You play as The Leader, a young camp counselor who will have to defend their town and family from the relentless attack of the mysterious Greed. What are these monsters, and why are they trying to steal their family legacy, the Crown of Creation?

Recruit your army, expand your kingdom, and fortify it by raising walls and defensive turrets. Survive the nightly attacks of the Greed and protect your crown – if you lose it, the whole town is doomed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1eSInEumgo

ThroughLine Games, the creators from the critically acclaimed Forgotton Anne alongside publisher Hitcents, invite players to step into the Forgotten Lands as Fig, a gifted posing doll on a quest to unite different tribes of forgotlings against an enigmatic beast prophesied to engulf the world in darkness. Severed from their human owners and struggling for survival, the forgotlings’ only hope lies in him.

Take charge as the captain of The Volare, Fig’s ship and base of operations alongside his crew of forgotlings. Save settlements from pesky bandits and other critters through combat mechanics that blend hack-and-slash with strategy and stealth.

Choose the next destination in a 2.5D semi open-world Metroidvania, from uncovering ancient secrets that lie buried in the desert Dunes, to climbing the magnificent Agora Mountains and exploring the majestic Falls. Learn about forgotling psychology to better respond in interactive conversations and build relationships and allies that could determine the fate of a tribe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-agtJLtK8Tw

With a steady step and a light spirit, your adventure starts to… uh… wait a second.

Another crystal shortage?! My train was canceled? Just my luck! Between that and the robots that are attacking us…

Hey, since you’re here, why don’t you investigate all that? Yes, yes! You’re the perfect fit for that mission. Go ahead! We’re looking at you!

Terra Memoria welcomes you with open arms: six lovable characters, an investigation through all ages, a world with crazy inhabitants, and cozy music… a little RPG with exploration, fighting, construction, and puzzles.

Visit the past and present to discover who controls the crystals, why the ancient machines are attacking, and how everything is linked (nooo, really?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LziT8drAUds

In this heartwarming and empowering coming-of-age RPG, explore the young minds of a group of ragtag friends as they uncover magic, mayhem, monsters, and find themselves along the way. Join Erika, Viva, and Cap as they fall into the mystical book of Caldria and explore the dynamic and vibrant world around them.

Have a hand in how the character’s personalities change and evolve as the game progresses. Will Erika become a better leader by listening to her friends? Will Viva be able to transform from someone full of self-doubt to self-confidence? Will Cap be able to muster up the courage to stay in Caldria and help Erika find her missing brother? And will these three high school misfits become confident in who they are and be able to work together as a team?

How the characters defeat the vicious monsters, and the decisions you make about the personality flaws they possess, play a critical role as to who the characters become.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArHAPSX_ViU&t=15s

On the moon Europa, a lush terraformed paradise in Jupiter‘s shadow, an android named Zee sets out in search of answers. Run, glide, and fly across the landscape, solve mysteries in the ruins of a fallen utopia, and discover the story of the last human alive.

Europa is a peaceful game of adventure, exploration, and meditation. As you travel you’ll gradually upgrade the capabilities of your Zephyr jetpack, boosting yourself further through the air until you can flow freely into the sky.

“Come to the Island if you ever get lonely. Come here, and think of me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSd5hbRGYR4

Bye Sweet Carole is a horrific thriller game inspired by the greatest animation movies and created by Chris Darril. Be ready to jump into the world of Corolla and meet the rabbits that has infested it.

Young Lana Benton, urged by the terrifying Mr. Kyn, also known as “Old Hat,” finds herself catapulted into a mysterious enchanted garden to deal with menacing and disturbing creatures. After discovering a number of letters from a certain “French,” Lana decides to follow the last known trail of Carole Simmons, a girl of the same age who apparently escaped from Bunny Hall, an orphanage in the nineteenth century. The building is now infested by colony of wild rabbits able to open a dimensional portal to the realm of Corolla…

Brolo

Summer Games fest in about an hour and 20 minutes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QDXcGEo1TfU&pp=ygURU3VtbWVyIGdhbWVzIGZlc3I%3D

Chall

Brolo wrote: »

Summer Games fest in about an hour and 20 minutes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QDXcGEo1TfU&pp=ygURU3VtbWVyIGdhbWVzIGZlc3I%3D

Can't wait to see my best friend Geoff

Odin

Keighley3

Brolo

https://twitter.com/gematsu/status/1666832804007608322?t=DQbqmqM2pat96EAWKwbkmQ&s=19

There's a new trailer for Blasphemous II on PlayStation Store (viewable on console) with an August 24 release date. Announcement coming today I'm assuming.

early leaks

Crippl3

PSN also leaked screenshots and details on the next Yakuza game, so expect that to show up here or at the Xbox show next week

https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1666661442932596737

H0b0man

I'm of course going to play Gaiden, but I really want more information on 8. Gimme more Ichiban.

milski

Secret Agent Kiryu with combat gadgets is not where I expected the series to go but is an incredible idea.

Crippl3

damn you ubisoft, the new prince of persia looks sick

DJ Eebs

Geoff Keighly is a fucking dork

Poorochondriac

Hearing someone chipperly say "We're gonna see some fatalaties!" as a crowd cheers makes some lizard part of my brain recoil.

This is not me jumping to "School shootings are because of video games" or whatever, but it is just a Thing That Feels Weird.

akajaybay

The people clamor for more blood!

Edit: ok that's enough blood. stop now.
Edit: gross. (from the crowd: Hell Yeah!)