Posted by: xSicKxBot - 05-24-2026, 05:15 AM - Forum: Lounge
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News - Another Steam Game Gets Removed Over Malware
Another title on Steam has been exposed for unleashing malware on unsuspecting buyers and removed by Valve. But the twist this time is that a popular YouTube account helped expose the game in question.
YouTuber Eric Parker shared a video (via Insider Gaming) that illustrated how the free-to-play survival-horror game Beyond the Dark was set up to steal data from players. As laid out by Parker, the malware was hidden in a file called UnityPlayer.dll. Steam subsequently removed Beyond the Dark and the game is no longer on the platform.
In a further twist, PCGamesN notes that Beyond the Dark was originally uploaded to Steam in December 2024 under the name Rodent Race, which appears to have been an entirely different game. Earlier this month, Rodent Race was apparently replaced by Beyond the Dark, which PCGamesN theorizes was done in order to bypass any security checks from Valve.
Earlier this year, the FBI announced a criminal probe into games on Steam that were infected by malware. The bureau invited members of the public to come forward with any information they had about the crimes, and the announcement appeared to suggest that the infected games came from the same suspect or suspects.
Although Valve previously announced security measures on Steam that were designed to prevent malware from being spread, there were some notable instances of it happening in the last year. A streamer alleged that one of those infected titles stole money from the funds he was using for his cancer treatment.
The FBI's investigation is ongoing, and any player who downloaded infected games from Steam between May 2024 and January 2026 has been asked to fill out a form on the FBI's site.
Ever find yourself humming along to a song on the radio, knowing you recognize it but can’t quite place the name? If so, you're the perfect candidate for Heardle! This simple but addictive online game takes the concept of "name that tune" and boils it down to a daily brain teaser. It’s a fun way to start your day, test your music knowledge, and maybe even rediscover some forgotten favorites.
Heardle is a wordle-inspired game with a musical twist. Forget guessing letters; you're guessing songs! It challenges you to identify a song from just a few seconds of its intro. Sounds easy? Think again!
Gameplay: How It Works
Each day, Heardle presents you with a new song. You start with a snippet that's often just a single second long. After listening, you have six tries to guess the correct song. If you don’t recognize it, you can skip a try, which unlocks a slightly longer clip. With each skip, the intro gets a little longer, giving you more clues but also using up one of your precious attempts.
After each guess (correct or incorrect), or after skipping, you're presented with a searchable database of songs. As you type, suggestions appear, making it relatively easy to find the artist and title. However, choosing the wrong song locks in that guess, bringing you one step closer to failure.
The goal is to guess the song in as few tries as possible. Once you correctly identify the track (or exhaust all six tries), you can see how other players fared and share your results on social media. To dive in and test your music knowledge, you can find the game at Heardle.
Tips for Better Heardle Performance
While the game is largely based on chance and your personal music library, there are a few strategies that can improve your odds:
Listen carefully: Pay attention to the instrumentation, the melody, and any distinctive vocal quirks. Even a single note can sometimes trigger a memory.
Consider the Genre: Think about the style of music. Is it pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic, or something else? This can significantly narrow down the possibilities.
Utilize the Suggestions: The auto-suggest feature is your friend! Don't just blindly type – pay attention to the suggestions that pop up as you type in the search bar. They might jog your memory.
Don’t Rush: You have six tries! Take your time, listen carefully, and think before you guess. A little patience can go a long way. You can discover the game in all its glory right here: Heardle
Don’t Be Afraid to Skip: Sometimes, the initial snippet is simply too obscure. Don't waste a guess on a wild shot in the dark. Skip to hear more and gain a better understanding of the song.
Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you'll become at recognizing subtle musical cues.
Conclusion: A Musical Micro-Challenge
Heardle is more than just a game; it’s a daily dose of musical nostalgia and a surprisingly challenging brain exercise. It's simple enough for anyone to pick up but engaging enough to keep you coming back day after day. Whether you're a seasoned music aficionado or just a casual listener, Heardle offers a fun and rewarding way to test your knowledge and rediscover the joy of music. So, crank up the volume, put on your thinking cap, and get ready to name that tune!
News - A Mythic Diablo 4 Discovery Just Upended Every Top Build
There is now proof that Diablo 4's most powerful and rare items, Mythic Uniques, can appear in Charm form, and it's sending the game's community into a theory-crafting frenzy.
Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion released last month and completely retooled how building a character works in Blizzard's ARPG with the introduction of the Talisman and Charms. Charms are essentially passive bonuses players can equip separate from armor and weapons, allowing for even more build customization through additional effects and even set bonuses.
It was known that every Unique item in the game could be found as a Charm (or even created using the Horadric Cube), granting access to the often build-defining affixes Uniques possess without having to sacrifice a gear slot. What wasn't known was that there are actually Charm versions of the best items in all of Diablo 4--Mythic Uniques like Heir of Perdition.
As highlighted in a video uploaded by user J. Rodrigues on YouTube and spotlighted by content creators like Rob2628, Mythic Unique Charms are indeed real. Rodrigues found one and uploaded proof, and later clarified in the comments it dropped as a reward from turning in a batch of War Plans. Others have chimed in on Reddit to state they, too, have found Mythic Unique Charms, like this user stating they found a Ring of Starless Skies Mythic Unique Charm.
Knowing that Mythic Uniques can be Charms opens the door to some truly wild character possibilities. Where normally a powerful Mythic Unique item like Heir of Perdition or Harlequin Crest takes up a head slot, having one of them as a Charm opens up the option to just use both--one as a helm and one as a Charm. The Grandfather, one of the best weapons in the game, is also a Mythic Unique. Being able to take its power and use it as a Charm, while still getting to keep a powerful, damage-boosting affix on an existing legendary or Unique weapon, is a huge potential damage spike.
It's not exactly clear if Mythic Unique Charms have been in the game since Lord of Hatred launched on April 28 or whether the game's most recent patch on May 13 secretly added them. So far, it's also unclear if players are able to craft them in the same way they can regular Unique Charms. What is apparent, however, is that every top build in Diablo 4 is about to change dramatically, as players start to hunt for these elusive items.
Mythic Unique Charms might not be the only surprise change to come out off Diablo 4's latest patch. One small bug fix is now enabling players to become basically immortal, though it seems like only a matter of time before Blizzard steps in to address the new Resolve-stacking meta.
Games Like Diablo To Loot Your Way Through In 2026
Ever feel the urge to test your reflexes and spatial awareness in a minimalist, yet intensely challenging environment? Look no further than the addictively simple, yet surprisingly deep, Slope Game. It's a browser game that’s easy to pick up, but fiendishly hard to master. This guide will walk you through the core gameplay, offer some helpful tips, and hopefully, inspire you to tackle the endless, descending slope.
Introduction: What is Slope Game?
Slope Game is, at its core, a survival game. You control a rolling ball hurtling down a procedurally generated slope filled with obstacles. The goal is simple: stay alive for as long as possible. There are no power-ups, no upgrades, and no second chances. Just pure, unadulterated skill-based gameplay. The further you get, the faster the ball travels, and the more complex the obstacles become. It's a true test of reaction time and focus.
Gameplay: A Simple Premise, Endless Challenge
The slope itself is made up of red blocks that are constantly appearing and disappearing. These blocks create ramps, gaps, and narrow pathways that you must skillfully negotiate. Colliding with a red block results in instant game over. The speed increases gradually, adding to the tension and demanding ever-faster reflexes.
The game's simplicity is its strength. The lack of complex mechanics allows you to focus entirely on your spatial awareness and timing. You quickly learn to anticipate the upcoming obstacles and adjust your trajectory accordingly.
Tips for Conquering the Slope
While Slope Game is straightforward, a few key tips can drastically improve your performance and help you achieve higher scores:
Small Adjustments are Key: Avoid drastic movements. Small, incremental adjustments are far more effective for navigating tight corners and narrow pathways. Over-steering is a common mistake that often leads to disaster.
Anticipate the Terrain: Try to look ahead and predict the upcoming obstacles. This allows you to prepare your movements and avoid last-minute panic.
Stay Centered (When Possible): Staying in the center of the path often provides the most room for error and allows you to react to unexpected obstacles more easily.
Practice Makes Perfect: There's no substitute for practice. The more you play, the better you'll become at reading the terrain and reacting to the increasing speed. Don't get discouraged by early defeats; every run is a learning opportunity.
Stay Calm: This might sound obvious, but it’s crucial. Panic leads to mistakes. Take deep breaths and focus on the present moment.
Conclusion: Embrace the Challenge Slope Game offers a unique and compelling gaming experience. Its simple mechanics, coupled with its relentless challenge, make it incredibly addictive. Whether you're looking for a quick five-minute distraction or a game to truly test your skills, the Slope Game delivers. So, fire up your browser, head to and prepare to embark on an endless descent.
Ever stumble across a game that seems simple on the surface, yet manages to keep you coming back for “just one more” round? That's how I feel about Block Blast. It's a puzzle game that's easy to pick up, but offers a surprising amount of strategic depth. In this article, I’ll share my experience and offer a few tips for anyone looking to get into it.
Introduction: What is Block Blast?
At its core, Block Blast is a block-fitting puzzle game, reminiscent of Tetris but with a static grid. The goal is simple: drag and drop the provided shapes onto the grid to create complete horizontal or vertical lines. When you complete a line, it disappears, freeing up space for more blocks. The game ends when you run out of room to place the offered blocks. Simple, right? Yet, the addictive quality stems from the constant push to clear more lines and achieve a higher score.
Gameplay: How it Works
The game presents you with three different shapes at a time, displayed at the bottom of the screen. You have to strategically drag and drop these shapes onto the grid above. Think carefully before you place a block, as you can't rotate them, and once placed, they're there to stay unless you clear the entire line they're part of.
The challenge comes from managing the available space effectively. Leaving gaps or poorly placed blocks can quickly lead to a game over. The scoring system is based on the number of lines you clear, with combos (clearing multiple lines at once) awarding bonus points. Some variations of the game also include special blocks that can clear specific areas or trigger special events, adding another layer of complexity.
Tips for Mastering the Blocks
While Block Blast seems straightforward, here are a few tips I've found helpful to improve my score:
Plan Ahead: Don't just focus on the block you're currently placing. Consider the shapes you have coming up and how they might fit into the overall picture. Think several moves ahead.
Prioritize Complete Lines: It’s tempting to fill up areas sporadically, but always aim to create complete horizontal or vertical lines as quickly as possible. This maximizes your score and clears valuable space.
Leave Room to Breathe: Avoid completely filling areas, even if it seems tempting. Leaving a few empty spaces allows for greater flexibility when placing larger or oddly shaped blocks.
Consider Corner Placement: Corners can be tricky to fill, but they can also be strategically valuable. Use smaller blocks to fill them in when you have the opportunity.
Don't Be Afraid to Pass: If the offered blocks are particularly unhelpful or will clog up your grid, sometimes it's better to strategically wait for the next set, although there may be a penalty for doing so depending on the game variant.
Conclusion: Simple Fun, Enduring Appeal
Block Blast is a testament to the idea that a game doesn't need to be complex to be engaging. Its simple mechanics, combined with its strategic depth, make it a surprisingly addictive and enjoyable puzzle experience. Whether you're looking for a quick distraction or a game to challenge your spatial reasoning, Block Blast is definitely worth a try. Give it a shot and see if you can beat my high score!
News - Upcoming Open-World RPG Has “Potato” Graphics Setting Below Even Minimum
Indie-RPG Outward 2 is releasing on Steam early access on July 7, and developer Nine Dots Studio wants to make sure you know that even if your PC is an ancient-potato rig, the game will run just fine.
In a new video announcing the co-op survival RPG's release date and system requirements, Nine Dots revealed the game looks great on max settings with at least a GeForce RTX 40780 and 32GB of RAM. But what Nine Dots really wants people to know is how it runs on some of the worst settings imaginable, and it has delivered.
If you are somehow still rocking a GeForce GTX 750 TI with only 8 GB, you're in luck, as Outward 2 comes equipped with a "potato" settings preset that is even below the "very low" settings found in the game's minimum system requirements.
Potato Specs For Outward 2
Avg Performance - 1280 x 720 @ 30FPS
GPU - GeForce GTX 750 TI
CPU - FX 6300 x 6
RAM - 8GB
What does that look like in motion, exactly? Surprisingly decent. As detailed by Nine Dot's "new tech guy," Mister Potato, Outward 2 looks to run fairly well on even the lowest of low settings. The video even shares a look at the game running in "couch potato" co-op mode. You can check out the full spec breakdown below. The open-world RPG will be holding a closed beta from May 26 to June 8, one where players will get to check a new region not featured in previous playtests.
Unlike many other power-fantasy-focused RPGs, Outward 2 makes clear players are not superhumans or magically gifted chosen ones. Instead, players will pick an origin and starting location. From there they'll embark on an adventure to seek out trainers and learn new skills, having to carefully manage their inventory and supplies along the way.
Combat isn't about being more powerful, but about careful preparation, as players will need to use potions, traps, spells, and other gear to gain an upper hand. Defeat will mean having to live with the consequences, as the game's auto-saving will discourage save scumming, with Nine Dot promising players will need to "live with their failures" and the "scars of defeat." It all sounds like a punishing, but rewarding journey, albeit one that will perhaps be made a little more manageable by the fact that the entire game can be played in online or split-screen co-op.
Nine Dot hasn't yet detailed how the early-access version of Outward 2 will differ from the finished product, with many players on the game's subreddit seeming blindsided by the early-access announcement. If nothing else, players can at least take solace in the fact that even the lowliest of PCs will be able to handle the adventure.
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