Both games and layoffs are off to a running start in 2024 | Kaser Focus

Now that we’re officially done with 2023, you’d think this would be the moment to look forward to a new, fresh start to the year? Well, apparently there’s one trend from 2023 that’s sticking around like a cough after a bad cold (yes, I am speaking from experience) and that’s layoffs. We’re only a dozen or so days into 2024, and there have already been several major companies announcing layoffs — including Twitch, Discord, Unity and a handful of others.

Another similarity to 2023, at least so far, is that the slate of upcoming games seems pretty good so far, at least for the first quarter of the year. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first major release of 2024, and according to my colleague Mike Minotti, it’s great fun. We’ve also got Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Tekken 8, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, Helldivers II, Princess Peach: Showtime!, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Rise of the Ronin and Alone in the Dark. We’ve also got Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Skull & Bones, but I’m not generous enough to say I’m excited for either one.

The other news this week seems to be coming mostly from CES, with Sony revealing new details about its upcoming adaptations. Several gaming PC handhelds have also debuted this week, including the MSI Claw and Ayaneo Next Lite. We’re also anticipating at several gaming awards shows honoring the games of last year, including the New York Game Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards.

In personal news, I’ve finished my first game of 2024: Dead Drop, the latest game in the Carol Reed series. Sure, it’s a short adventure game, but I’m making a start on my resolutions, at least. Next on my list is the aforementioned Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. I want to see what all the fuss is about, and I’ve needed a new Prince of Persia game for a while. Next on my list is probably the Apollo Justice Trilogy, followed by the Infinite Wealth.

What to play this week

What’s new:

• War Hospital
• Momodora: Moonlit Farewell
• Crystal Story: Dawn of Dusk

New on subscription services:

• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (Xbox Game Pass)
• Figment (Xbox Game Pass)
• Super Mega Baseball 4 (Xbox Game Pass)
• We Happy Few (Xbox Game Pass)
• Apico (Prime Gaming)
• Jected – Rivals (GeForce Now)
• RAILGRADE (GeForce Now)
• Survivalist: Invisible Strain (GeForce Now)
• The Talos Principle 2 (GeForce Now)
• Turbo Golf Racing (GeForce Now)
• TUNIC (GeForce Now)
• Witch It (GeForce Now)
• Zombie Army 4: Dead War (GeForce Now)