Crimson Desert launch, Subnautica 2 ruling, Starfield Free Lanes update + more!

Duration: 09:20

Timestamps:

0:00 look dates are confusing

0:16 Crimson Desert launch

1:44 Subnautica studio CEO to return, early access

3:20 Starfield Free Lanes Update

5:15 QUICK BITS INTRO

5:26 Switch 2 Handheld Mode Boost

6:01 CS2 reloading update

6:56 Death Stranding 2 PC leak, launch

7:31 Piece by Piece Double Bundle

8:07 Sparkling Water helps Gamers!?

NEWS SOURCES:

MAINS

PEARL JAMMED

Pearl Abyss shares crashed 30% after Crimson Desert landed a 78 on Metacritic, investors priced in a score in the mid-to-high 80s. 78 while favourable was not good enough.

https://www.ign.com/articleqs/apparently-not-good-enough-for-investors-crimson-desert-publisher-stock-price-plunges-nearly-30-amid-78-metacritic-score

Pearl Abyss built its name on Black Desert Online, an MMO.

Dead or Alive Beach D&D pics

https://s1.pearlcdn.com/SEA/Upload/Community/ac21f54aad120211106082210538.png

https://s1.pearlcdn.com/NAEU/Upload/Community/5fc03527dac20231010194232281.jpg

https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Forum/ForumTopic/Detail?_topicNo=41562&_opinionNo=165709

https://store.steampowered.com/app/582660/Black_Desert/

Reviewers praised the visuals and combat but flagged a shallow story, clunky controls, and an overwhelming pile of systems: Souls-like combat, BotW-Style exploration, mining, crafting, base building, dragon riding, fishing, mecha piloting.

https://shorturl.at/PpkQJ

It’s got a jetpack https://youtu.be/VWIw_f8e9Pg?t=67

1:07 jetpack

Critics said the game tries to do everything but doesn't master anything. The “Jack of all trades” approach spooked investors who needed a clean hit.

https://shorturl.at/MQc3C

Today: It's launch day, reviews are early, the score could move, and the game is already topping sales charts, currently ranked first in steam global top sellers.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3321460/Crimson_Desert/

https://steamdb.info/stats/globaltopsellers/

Player reception is the real test, maybe it will be good!

https://www.metacritic.com/game/crimson-desert/

KRAFT-ING A FORTUNE

Mar 18th - Subnautica 2 publisher’s CEO used ChatGPT in failed bid to avoid paying US$250m bonus to own studio head, court hears

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/18/subnautica-2-publisher-krafton-ceo-reinstated-ai-chatgpt-failed-bid-avoid-paying-bonus

https://kotaku.com/subnautica-2-ted-gill-unknown-worlds-lawsuit-krafton-2000679131

Pushover quote: https://lmg.gg/vnw7t

https://fortune.com/2026/03/17/krafton-subnautica-chatgpt-delaware-court-ruling-ceo-reinstated/

https://www.404media.co/ceo-ignores-lawyers-asks-chatgpt-how-to-void-250-million-contract-loses-terribly-in-court/

PDF page 3 (document page 2) please highlight the second paragraph starting with “To remedy these breaches”

https://courts.delaware.gov/Opinions/Download.aspx?id=392880

Krafton doesn’t like it: https://lmg.gg/jmHsV

But they have agreed to allow the game to finally launch in Early Access in May

https://www.ign.com/articles/subnautica-2-will-finally-enter-early-access-in-may-following-year-of-delays-and-legal-drama

LANE OF THE FREE

Bethesda’s biggest free update for Starfield will release on April 7th and a new story DLC (Terran Armada, $10). The free update is called “Free Lanes” and it touches almost every system in the game.

https://www.polygon.com/starfield-free-lanes-update-preview-version-20/

After launching in Sept 2023 to mixed reception, many people thought Starfield was Gorgeous but hollow, space travel was basically a loading screen simulator. Fans have been waiting for a No Man’s Sky-style redemption arc.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1716740/Starfield/

What's New: https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield/article/7IxZSKYwYm1oDr57rXDx4C/starfield-free-lanes-terran-armada

Gameplay demo https://youtu.be/bwVXiPtJOaQ

00:35 - 00:40 - ‘Cruise mode’ lets you get up, walk around, talk to crew while flying between systems

01:05 - 01:13 - Space encounters, random events pop up while cruising (asteroid fields, wreckage etc) Steer towards or let autopilot take you.

X-tech , new resource for customizing weapons, gear , and ships. https://youtu.be/F3wEnQI82XQ

00:27-00:30 - customizing weapons with X-tech

Moon Jumper, new land vehicle with so much jump boost it basically be flying

https://images.ctfassets.net/rporu91m20dc/3DwDh5LZdIw9Zw1BstBgih/4875e0ced5f495ee82d73e4237f3d742/Free-Lanes-Screenshot---Moon-Jumper-_1_.jpg

NG+ Improvements, you can bring items with you into NG+ via a Quantum entanglement device. Upgrade Starborn abilities without restarting.

https://shorturl.at/qPo8Q

Outposts pets (a milliewhale) , shared storage across outposts, collectible action figures that give buffs like Fallout bobbleheads, recruitable NPC Muria

https://images.ctfassets.net/rporu91m20dc/22nUKdvu8o4oop43iuNVfY/b45f6c4047ddd73e8f62d022f884fa56/Free-Lanes-Screenshot---Milliewhale-_2_.jpg

Long awaited PS5 port launches same day

https://blog.playstation.com/2026/03/17/starfield-is-coming-to-playstation-5-on-april-7/

QUICK BITS

DOCKED HUNT

Mar 17th - Switch 2’s new “Handheld Mode Boost” can run original Switch games at 1080p

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/03/nintendo-switch-2-update-adds-one-possible-fix-for-blurry-og-switch-games/

https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-2-software-update-adds-handheld-mode-boost-for-your-old-games-165451808.html

https://www.theverge.com/games/895919/nintendo-switch-2-handheld-boost-mode-update

It forces the game to run in TV mode with somewhat varying results, sometimes it thinks that the joycons are actually a pro controller and disables touch control.

https://lmg.gg/emJhY

CLICK…NO BULLETS

Valve dropped a “Guns, Guides, and Games” update for CS2 that completely overhauls how reloading works. When you reload now, you dump the entire magazine, any leftover bullets are gone. No more topping off after firing 2 rounds. Most weapons get 3 reserve mags.

https://steamcommunity.com/games/CSGO/announcements/detail/532126482488623354

Community Malding. People are mad because reloading has worked the same way for over 25+ years. This changes core muscle memory for millions of players overnight.

Players say nobody asked for this. CS isn't a military simulation, people don't play it for realistic ammo management.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/730/eventcomments/801216566149595260?snr=2_groupannouncements_detail_

Editor: Just show some of the top comments criticizing the decision

Some analysts and players think its smart, adds tactical depth and punishes mindless reload spam, raising skill ceiling.

https://shorturl.at/zBFpJ

Valve says they want it to be a real decision not a free habit.

https://shorturl.at/aJZsA

DELIVERY CAME EARLY

Mar 18th - Pre-Release Version of Death Stranding 2 on PC Leaks Online, Seemingly via Steam

It releases TODAY

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/steam-build-of-death-stranding-2-leaks-two-days-ahead-of-launch/

https://www.ign.com/articles/pre-release-version-of-death-stranding-2-on-pc-leaks-online-seemingly-via-steam

https://twistedvoxel.com/death-stranding-2-pc-port-leaked-pirated-ahead-of-release/

Death Stranding 2 PC launch trailer (Delivery Simulator joke at 1:00) https://youtu.be/tIkVRGVjG_Q?t=60

THE PIECES FIT

Mar 13th - Two games accidentally launched with the same name so the devs teamed up

https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/two-games-accidentally-launched-with-the-same-name-so-the-devs-teamed-up-3334792/

https://www.polygon.com/steam-games-piece-by-piece-bundle/

Fox Baking cookies(0:23): https://www.reddit.com/r/CozyGamers/comments/1rr1wze/we_just_released_piece_by_piece_can_a_fox_run_a/

Guy in Puzzle hell (0:05): https://youtu.be/QyJcnPlZxfI?t=5

Steam Pages (Editor please screenshot and draw the eye to the bundle with both games): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3179050/Piece_by_Piece/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3249380/Piece_by_Piece/

CARBONATED CLUTCH

Sparkling Water Is Better for Gaming Than Still Water, According to Science (Kind Of)

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-simple-drink-choice-helps-gamers-stay-focused-for-hours-study-finds

University of Tsukuba study: 14 gamers played virtual soccer for 3 hours, once with sparkling water, once with still.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958826000175

The Sparkling water group stayed sharper, reported less fatigue, enjoyed it more, and even committed fewer in-game fouls. Researchers say carbonation may stimulate throat receptors (TRP channels) that keep the prefrontal cortex engaged.

https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2451958826000175-ga1_lrg.jpg

"Compared to plain water, sparkling water significantly attenuated increases in subjective fatigue, enhanced enjoyment, and preserved executive function, along with preventing pupil constriction,"

https://shorturl.at/qvLML

https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/research-news/20260220140000.html#:~:text=This%20research%20was%20supported%20by%20a%20contract%20research%20grant%20by%20Asahi%20Soft%20Drinks%20Co%2E%2C%20Ltd%2E%2C

Funded by big seltzer