Our 1st look at 'Blade Runner 2099' shows replicants ruling future Los Angeles: 'It's our time now'

space.com Jul 31, 2026

Our 1st look at ‘Blade Runner 2099’ shows replicants ruling future Los Angeles: ‘It’s our time now’

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 31, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Prime Video’s “Blade Runner 2099” launches on November 25, 2026, as an eight‑episode series set fifty years after “Blade Runner 2049.” The plot follows aging replicant Blade Runner Olwen, played by Michelle Yeoh, and fugitive human Cora, portrayed by Hunter Schafer, as they navigate a Los Angeles where replicants have seized power. The show, directed by Ridley Scott’s vision and produced by Silka Louisa, expands the franchise into outer space and explores the fragile alliance between humans and artificial beings.

💡 Why It Matters

· The series re‑energizes a cult classic, offering fresh narrative depth while honoring its noir roots.
· It signals a bold move by Prime Video to invest in high‑concept, long‑form sci‑fi storytelling.

Capsules Gaming

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The 4K-Ready iBuypower AMD Ryzen 9 9900X Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming…

Walmart’s Back to School Sale has slashed the price of the iBUYPOWER Y40 gaming PC to $1,799, offering free shipping after a $700 instant discount. The system features an AMD Ryzen 9 9900X CPU, a 16‑GB Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 32 GB DDR5‑5200 RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, all cooled by a 360‑mm liquid loop and powered by an 850‑W supply. IGN rated the RX 9070 XT a 10/10, noting it outperforms the RTX 5070 Ti in several titles while remaining $150 cheaper.

💡 The deal gives gamers a high‑end 4K setup at a fraction of the typical cost, potentially reshaping the mid‑tier market and encouraging competition between AMD and Nvidia.

ign.com · Jul 31

The $500 Console Is Dead

The article explains why the long‑standing $500 entry price for new gaming consoles has vanished. COVID‑19 supply disruptions, U.S. tariffs, and a global memory‑chip shortage have kept the PS5, Xbox Series X, and even Nintendo’s Switch 2 above MSRP for years. The author cites rising prices—$899 PS5 Pro, $749 Xbox Series X, $1,049 Steam Deck—and predicts the trend will continue into the next generation, with 2029 consoles likely priced near $1,000. The piece argues that consumer expectations will adjust to these higher costs, eroding the $500 benchmark.

💡 The shift to near‑$1,000 launch prices reshapes the gaming market, forcing developers and retailers to rethink pricing strategies and potentially widening the gap between high‑end and budget gamers.

playstationlifestyle.net · Jul 31

Gorgeous PS5 Action RPG Gets Divisive Reviews, Out Today on PlayStation Store

The PS5 action RPG The Relic: First Guardian launched today on the PlayStation Store, immediately receiving mixed critical reception. Developed by Project Cloud Games, the title invites players to explore Arsilthus, a semi-open world realm devastated by the destruction of a great relic. The game’s narrative draws heavily from Korean folklore and ancient mythology, tasking players with mending the shattered land. Despite its visually stunning presentation, the release has been met with divisive reviews. On OpenCritic, the game holds a score of 59, with only 7% of critics recommending it. IGN described the title as having squandered potential due to its shambolic state and broken mechanics. CGMagazine criticized the rough gameplay, while GamingBolt acknowledged the atmospheric exploration despite unpolished edges. The conflicting feedback highlights a stark contrast between the game’s aesthetic ambitions and its technical execution upon launch.

💡 The stark divide between visual fidelity and technical stability serves as a cautionary tale for mid-tier RPG developers. It proves that atmospheric storytelling and folklore-inspired design cannot compensate for fundamental gameplay flaws and poor optimization.

notebookcheck.net · Jul 31

A dream come true: Stardew Valley is now fully playable in 3D

Nearly a decade after its initial release, Stardew Valley is now fully playable in three dimensions thanks to the Stardew 3DVR mod. Developed by GingasVR and published on Nexus Mods, the update transforms the beloved farming simulator into a 3D experience without using handcrafted models. Instead, the mod automatically generates voxel-like depth from existing sprites, giving buildings and objects a distinct aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft. Trees and plants are constructed from intersecting flat planes. This approach ensures broad compatibility with large content expansions and existing mod collections, which is why custom 3D assets are not planned. An optional True 3D mode offers more convincing depth but demands higher GPU performance, potentially reducing frame rates. The mod also supports VR headsets, allowing players to interact with tools and weapons through natural hand movements and physical swinging actions.

💡 By prioritizing automated sprite conversion over manual modeling, the mod ensures seamless integration with the game’s vast existing modding ecosystem. This technical choice preserves community-created content while delivering a novel, immersive perspective for long-time fans.

ign.com · Jul 31

Grand Theft Auto – The Legacy Review

The article outlines a forthcoming series that will revisit each core Grand Theft Auto title, assessing their original impact and lasting appeal ahead of GTA 6’s release. Rather than conventional reviews, the series will examine what made each game groundbreaking at launch, how they shaped the open‑world genre, and which elements remain timeless. The author plans to rank the titles using the series’ historic six‑star wanted‑level system, offering readers a clear sense of each game’s place in the franchise’s legacy.

💡 By contextualizing early GTA titles, the series highlights the evolutionary steps that led to modern sandbox design, offering insight into how foundational mechanics endure and influence contemporary game development.

ign.com · Jul 31

Sony Says Discontinuation of PlayStation Discs Won’t Have Any Negative Impact on…

Sony confirmed that ending PlayStation disc production in 2028 will not affect its current or future business. CFO Lin Tao said digital sales already dominate, with an 82% download ratio across PS4 and PS5, and that margins are higher for digital releases. The decision has sparked online backlash, petitions, and calls for boycotts, but Sony remains firm, citing consumer trends and the profitability of all‑digital releases. The move follows a broader industry shift toward digital distribution.

💡 Sony’s pivot to digital eliminates physical manufacturing costs and boosts margins, reshaping the console’s revenue model. The backlash underscores growing tensions over game preservation and ownership, challenging Sony to balance profitability with community expectations.