News
One Year Later and ‘The Forest’ is Still Evolving
Developer Endnight Games continues to do a better job than most in improving their open-world survival horror game The Forest since its arrival on Steam Early Access almost exactly a year ago. This is how indie developers should support their Early Access games, with consistent updates that squash bugs while also building on what was already there with fresh content.
The latest update should roll out today barring any unforeseen technical issues or extinction level events that might cause a delay. This one is too big for me to include the intimidating change list that comes with it. Don’t have time to read an epic poem? Don’t fret, for I’ve skimmed it and included the important bits for the abridged version you can start reading… now.
– Previously closed off areas of the world can now be explored.
– The cannibals have beach huts now. Still no beach BBQs.
– Bombs are more bomb-like.
– Skinning raccoons used to give you lizard skin. That’s not a thing anymore.
– Awkward PC gamers rejoice! Gamepad support has been improved.
– Explosives are super effective against rocks, because that’s awesome.
– Remember those rocks? The same goes for structures.
– Remember those structures? The cannibals can break them now.
– Remember those cannibals? They’re much smarter.
– Blackberry bushes. Yum.
– Watch out for the deadly new animal. Don’t sorry, I’m sure it’s not a T-Rex.
– Live with the bats in two new caves!
– The Forest is lousy with new sound effects, too.
– Piss off your friends with even more ways to cause them pain in co-op.
For the less entertaining — but exponentially more comprehensive — change list, head over here.
News
Legendary Grimdark ‘Warhammer 40,000’ Artist John Blanche Has Passed Away at 78
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war, but it was a cheerful illustrator from England who helped to define the terrifying war-torn imagery that inspired what we now know as Grimdark (a hybrid genre combining horror with sci-fi/fantasy).
Unfortunately for fans of Warhammer 40,000, Trench Crusade and countless other sources of Grimdark thrills, veteran artist John Blanche passed away this week after struggling with health issues for the past few years.
While the artist retired back in 2023, he leaves us with an enormous legacy of iconic artwork that continues to inspire gamers and storytellers around the world to this very day.
The news is especially gloomy as it was only last year that Daniel Lowman and Napoleon Dynamite himself Jon Heder released The Grim & the Dark: The Search for John Blanche, a documentary following Heder’s exploration of the Grimdark genre culminating in a heartwarming encounter with Blanche in his own home.
Below is one of my favorite pieces by Blanche, his highly influential depiction of Warhammer 40k’s God-Emperor of Mankind on his Golden Throne.
We send our deepest condolences to John Blanche’s family, friends, and fans.


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