Epic Games Store and Steam are handing out three distinct free titles this week, ranging from the enhanced 90s JRPG Echo Generation and tightly wound psychological horror Luto to chaotic four-player platformer Catch Me!. Make sure to claim the Epic games before the July 23 deadline and lock in Steam’s party title before it drops on July 17 to keep them permanently.

Epic Games' FAB marketplace is giving away three new free assets for developers, including a 1km stylized island, an AI-powered difficulty scaling plugin, and a pack of animated tree ents. You can download these game-ready resources for Unreal Engine and other platforms until the giveaway ends on July 28.

Together After Dark is currently free on the Epic Games Store this week, offering a 4-player co-op psychological horror experience with modest system requirements. While its mixed Steam reception hints at some rough edges, the limited-time free status makes it worth claiming. 

 Epic Games dropped two surprise freebies this week: NoRush! - Tower Edition and KeepUp Survival. Claim both titles before the July 19 and 20 deadlines to permanently keep them in your library.

ID Software confirmed it will cut roughly 136 developers, effectively halving its workforce, as part of Microsoft's largest-ever Xbox restructuring dubbed the "reset." The studio remains open with its core team and id Tech engine preserved, though the loss of expertise casts uncertainty on ungreenlit projects as Microsoft focuses exclusively on staple franchises like DOOM and Quake.

VUPlayer version 4.24 has been released, showcasing its capabilities as a lightweight Open Source audio player. This application offers a variety of playlist options and customizable appearance settings, making it a versatile choice for users. The user interface features a clean design with a white background, black fonts, and blue icons for easy navigation.

Epic Games Store is handing out the 2D automation sandbox Nova Lands and the 3D shop-management sim Tattoo Tycoon until July 16, 2025. You can claim both titles directly from the Epic client before the Tuesday deadline passes.

Sony confirmed it will stop producing physical discs for PlayStation games by January 2028, shifting entirely to digital releases. The move has triggered a massive backlash, with a petition hitting nearly 250,000 signatures and PS Plus cancellation offers drawing sharp criticism.

Silence, Daedalic Entertainment's 2016 hand-painted point-and-click adventure, is currently free on GOG.com as part of a limited-time giveaway. The game follows siblings Noah and Renie in a mystical realm between life and death, featuring three playable characters, a cinematic Telltale-style narrative, and stunning 2D painterly visuals rendered over 3D scenes.

GOG is currently giving away Nexus: The Jupiter Incident for free, and you have just over two days to claim the 2004 space tactics cult classic before the promotion expires. Built on the Black Sun engine and known for its deliberate capital ship combat, the game finally gives a new generation a chance to command massive fleets at no cost.

The Epic Games Store is currently offering a starkly contrasting pair of free titles, featuring the psychological horror classic I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream alongside the 2022 modern brawler River City Girls 2. Both games, spanning nearly three decades of gaming history, are available at no cost this weekend before they disappear from the store next Thursday.

Sony has officially confirmed that physical PlayStation game discs are on their way out. The company says production for all new games will cease in January 2028, replacing discs with "digital formats" accessible via the PlayStation Store or download codes inside boxes.

Ubisoft Connect, previously known as Uplay, has recently released version 171.0.0.13174. This platform is designed to enhance the gaming experience for users by offering features similar to those found in other gaming networks, such as achievements and rewards. Available across various platforms including PC, Mac, consoles like PS3 and Xbox 360, as well as mobile devices and cloud gaming services like OnLive, Ubisoft Connect allows players to engage in a variety of actions within their games to earn Uplay points. These points can then be redeemed for exclusive game-related rewards, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

VUPlayer 4.23 has been released, showcasing a lightweight and open-source audio player designed for efficiency and user-friendliness. The player features a visually appealing interface characterized by a white background, black text, and blue icons that enhance navigation. Users can easily manage their audio experience through four primary tabs: File, View, Control, and Help, with frequently used actions accessible via icons at the top of the application.

ExtraMAME has officially released version 26.4, enhancing the experience of playing classic arcade games on your computer. This software acts as a graphical user interface (GUI) for M.A.M.E. (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator), enabling users to access a vast library of retro games.

ExtraMAME 26.3 has been released, enhancing the experience of retro gaming enthusiasts. This software acts as a graphical user interface (GUI) wrapper for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator (M.A.M.E.), enabling users to enjoy a vast library of classic arcade games directly on their computers.

MuMuPlayer is a powerful Android OS emulator that allows users to seamlessly run Android applications on their PCs. This latest version, 5.22.2, showcases its capabilities as a specialized emulator designed for optimal performance, precision, and reliability. It provides an excellent platform for running complex Android applications, including 3D video games that demand intricate controls and facilitate online multiplayer interactions.

MuMuPlayer 5.0.11 has been released, providing users with a comprehensive Android OS emulator that enables seamless operation of Android applications on PC. Designed for optimal performance, MuMuPlayer allows users to engage with demanding applications, including fully 3D video games, by effectively managing system resources for smooth gameplay and quick response times.

ExtraMAME, a graphical user interface (GUI) wrapper for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator (M.A.M.E.), has just launched its 26.2 version, allowing gamers to relive the nostalgia of thousands of classic arcade games on their computers.

Ubisoft Connect, formerly known as Uplay, has recently released version 169.6.0.13045. This platform, developed by Ubisoft, offers users a gaming experience akin to that of other major gaming companies, with a focus on achievements and rewards. Available across a wide range of devices, including PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and mobile devices, Ubisoft Connect allows players to earn Uplay points by completing specific actions in various games. These points can then be redeemed for exclusive rewards linked to the games.