CD Projekt pulls Witcher and Cyberpunk from Russia

CD Projekt halt games sales in Russia as FIFA 22 removes national team and clubs

The CD Projekt Group, which includes the developer CD Projekt RED and digital store GOG, has announced a halt to all game sales in both Russia and Belarus in response to the Ukraine invasion.

This means the GOG platform too is switching off purchases by Russian and Belarusian users, however, it doesn’t appear to prevent access to any games that have already been purchased.

• Corporate backlash growing against Russian war
• More studios announce charity drives and donations
• The Pokémon Company gives $200k to GlobalGiving
• Bloober Team also pulled its catalogue from Russia

Teams pulled: EA Sports has also announced they are removing the Russian national football team “and all Russian clubs” from FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online and “evaluating” other changes.

Global backlash: This move is “in line with our partners at FIFA and UEFA,” said the statement. Ukraine itself requested Xbox and PlayStation limit access to services in Russia to protest the war.

What system was the Serial Experiments Lain game for?

a) 3DO
b) PS1
c) Sega Saturn
d) Dreamcast

The answer will be revealed at the bottom of today's issue. Join up with our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss what the answer could be.

Triangle Strategy review round-up

Square Enix’s tactical RPG Triangle Strategy is out today for the Nintendo Switch and it’s part of its ‘HD-2D’ aesthetics style also found in the well-received Octopath Traveler.

Triangle Strategy has hit around an 83 rating on Metacritic as of writing so most reviewers are coming away pleased with their time in the fictional continent of Norzelia as we follow Serenoa Wolffort trying to navigate the war.

• Press Start Australia (Score 9/10) – ”…the path I took and the outcome of the story felt truly mine. An excellent strategy RPG all around.”
• Twinfinite (Score 4.5/5) – ”…for genre newcomers or those less familiar with it like myself, this is a fantastic entry point with an engaging story to keep you hooked.”
• Nintendo Life (Score 9/10) – ”…an absolute triumph for Artdink and Square Enix, a fantastic mix of satisfyingly strategic battles, …”
• Nintendo Insider (Score 8/10) – ”…within reach of strategic perfection, even if some of the efforts that have been made to set it apart falter.”
• VGC (Score 4/5) – ”…anyone willing to take on an extremely detailed story will have a wealth to do here.”
• GamesRadar+ (Score 3.5/5) – ”…devilish politicking and weighty decisions. It’s just a shame the cast of characters never gets a chance to shine just as bright.”

Steam Deck users’ Nintendo emulation videos hit with takedowns on YouTube

Comparisons of Valve’s freshly launched Steam Deck with the Nintendo Switch are inevitable because of the console’s handheld mode, but console emulators take it to a whole new level.

Videos of people using Switch emulators (Yuzu) and ones for the GameCube and Wii (Dolphin) on the Steam Deck are being targeted for removal on YouTube, with Nintendo the likely culprit.

How-to guides: One takedown was issued against a YouTuber who created an instructional guide on how to get the Yuze emulator running, and his Dolphin guides didn’t fare much better.

’Desperation’: Nintendo has long been accused of having a poor attitude toward preserving its past game libraries, with many feeling no choice but to use emulators to keep playing classic games.

Triangle Strategy & Nintendo eShop bucks

If you’re enjoying your futuristic digital game purchases then consider a $50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card over on Amazon.com, and the best part is it’s going for only $45 right now!

Let’s not forgot physical as the Triangle Strategy: Special Edition for Nintendo Switch comes with a stylish box made to look like a tome for £89.99 on Amazon.co.uk.

Gameplay trailer for Cosmonious High

Owlchemy Labs has released a gameplay trailer for its “out-of-this-world” VR title Cosmonious High blending an interactive world with “outrageous alien powers” and a colourful cast. It’s out March 31 for Meta Quest 2 and SteamVR.

République VR dev Camoflaj expands

The Seattle-based studio Camoflaj is adding a Japanese office to its development teams helmed by its founder Ryan Payton and Devil May Cry 5 producer Matt Walker. This comes as they prepare République: Anniversary Edition for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.

Half-Life: Alyx’s BioShock VR mod Part 2

An expansion to the BioShock mod for Half-Life: Alyx is nearing launch as Return to Rapture gets its second half this March 11. It will be available through Steam Workshop and it’s a big update with 24 levels.

• GSC Game World video about Ukraine invasion released in response to so many fans being concerned by asking “are you guys okay?”
• Warren Spector’s new game project confirmed as “immersive simulation” by his studio OtherSide Entertainment
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land overview trailer shared by Nintendo with playable demo out now ahead of March 25
• John Romero designs DOOM II level for Ukraine with “100% of the proceeds” for Red Cross and UN response funds
• The Settlers delayed after closed beta feedback with series reboot now missing its intended March 17 launch on PC

What system was the Serial Experiments Lain game for?

ANSWER: PS1!

Serial Experiments Lain might not have the same brand recognition as Evangelion, but its impact as trippy cyberpunk is definitely felt. Around the same time as the series, a PS1 game was made for it that’s unreasonably expensive to find now (500 dollars on eBay at least). It’s less of a proper 'game' and more of an interactive CD, having you explore Lain’s mental health through computer files and audio logs.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a copy or don’t speak Japanese. Some dedicated fans translated and made the game playable in web browsers. If you want to explore mental illness, alienation from emerging tech, and dissociation, you’ll get that here if you’re fine with something very slow-paced.  

Nintendo is currently running a Kirby Mouthful Box for its Switch OLED in Japan, and we'd love to see it be available worldwide. Would you agree? 

Today's issue of DailyBits was written by Gavin Herman, Erlend Grefsrud, Simon Priest, and Jamie Davey. If you have any feedback or news tips for the team, please email us!