Terraria's "Bigger & Boulder" Update Finally Arrives After Three Years

Terraria's massive 1.4.5 "Bigger & Boulder" update is now live across all platforms after three years of development.

What's New in 1.4.5:

The update delivers substantial free content to a game that's been in active development for 15 years. Re-Logic has already confirmed Terraria 1.6 is coming down the line, making the "final update" label something of a running joke at this point. Every update is provided at no cost, with no paid add-ons or expansions. This stands out in a gaming industry that frequently charges for additional content and season passes.

See the full list of changes here

A UK tribunal has approved a £656 million ($897 million) class-action lawsuit against Valve to proceed to trial on January 26, 2026, representing up to 14 million Steam users who purchased games or DLC since June 2018.

The lawsuit alleges Valve abuses its market dominance through several practices: the company's 30% commission is unfairly passed to consumers through higher prices, "price parity" clauses prevent developers from selling games cheaper on other platforms, and players must purchase all DLC through Steam once they buy a base game there. If successful, individual users could see compensation between £22-£44 ($28-$61) depending on purchase history.

Valve argued the case lacks clear methodology for calculating consumer harm, but the tribunal found sufficient merit to proceed. This isn't Valve's only legal battle—similar US lawsuits from Wolfire and Dark Catt Studios were granted class-action status in late 2024. The outcome could significantly reshape how digital storefronts operate in the UK and potentially influence similar cases globally.

ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) shared a substantial development update on Haunted Chocolatier with new screenshots, gameplay details, and confirmation that development continues steadily without a release window.

The update includes new screenshots showing off the game's vibrant art style—visually distinct from Stardew Valley while maintaining that cosy, hand-crafted feel. Chocolate-making mechanics form the core gameplay loop, with ingredient gathering through exploration, recipe experimentation, and light dungeon-crawling for rare components. Barone's building the game solo using the same methodology that made Stardew Valley successful: no rushed deadlines, no arbitrary release dates, just focus on getting the mechanics right before launch.

Barone acknowledged the extended timeline but emphasized he'd rather take necessary time than release something unfinished. Given Stardew Valley's nine-year track record of free updates and status as one of the most beloved indie games, the fanbase appears willing to wait for Haunted Chocolatier's completion.

Pearl Abyss released a 15-minute gameplay video showcasing Crimson Desert's open world in the most comprehensive look yet at the ambitious action-RPG.

The footage showcases sprawling environments, detailed combat with fluid animations, and the kind of high visual fidelity Pearl Abyss has become known for. The developer promises a more narrative-focused single-player experience alongside multiplayer elements, apparently applying lessons learned from Black Desert Online—which showed strength in world-building and visual design but struggled with accessibility and grind mechanics.

The showcase demonstrates significant technical ambition in creating a massive open world with detailed systems. Questions remain about whether Pearl Abyss can fill that world with meaningful content and maintain engaging progression without the grind issues that affected their previous game. Whether Crimson Desert becomes the next big open-world RPG or another gorgeous game that struggles to engage players long-term will depend on execution details we won't know until closer to launch.

A survey conducted at GDC reveals one-third of US games industry workers experienced layoffs in the past two years, highlighting an ongoing employment crisis in game development.

The figure—33% of respondents laid off between 2023-2025—includes waves that hit major publishers, indie studios, and platform holders alike following pandemic-era growth. The survey paints a picture of an industry caught between ballooning development costs, risk-averse publisher strategies, and economic pressures that led to aggressive downsizing. Cuts occurred at both successful studios and struggling companies, disrupting careers, displacing families, and erasing institutional knowledge.

The one-in-three statistic raises fundamental questions about industry sustainability: how can studios build the stable, experienced teams needed for complex modern game development if the workforce regularly experiences this level of turnover? The layoffs have sparked increased unionization efforts and discussions about labour protections, as workers recognize that even successful projects don't guarantee job security. The survey captures not just job losses but the anxiety and survivor's guilt pervading studios where colleagues were let go despite strong performance.

A dedicated modder resurrects over 1,000 lines of cut Baldur's Gate 3 dialogue that was professionally voiced but removed after early access. The mod restores more than 100 complete conversations and entire encounters that Larian Studios originally created but ultimately cut for design reasons. If you've exhausted the base game's content, this offers a compelling reason for another playthrough.

A UK court rules stolen RuneScape gold qualifies as property under theft laws and sentences a hacker to 18 months in prison for stealing billions of gold pieces worth thousands in real-world dollars. The landmark ruling establishes legal precedent that virtual items have real value and protections under UK law.

The "Stop Killing Games" EU petition reaches 1.29 million verified signatures forcing the European Commission to formally respond to concerns about publishers shutting down online games. The petition argues games sold as products shouldn't become unplayable when companies decide to shut down servers, potentially leading to game preservation legislation.

Valve releases a Steam Deck update making game modding significantly easier with improved support for mod managers and clearer file system access. The update includes better integration with popular modding tools and enhanced community features, reinforcing Valve's support for the modding community central to PC gaming culture.

Jagex reveals its 2026 roadmap for Old School RuneScape promising new raids, skills, and quality-of-life improvements driven by community polls. The roadmap emphasizes player-driven development where polls determine which features make it into the game, continuing OSRS's success as one of the best examples of game preservation done right.