Today we've seen the first official gameplay of the upcoming Total War: WARHAMMER III from Creative Assembly, SEGA and porting studio Feral Interactive.

Before it gets into the gameplay though, it also shows off the Trial By Fire trailer that was released by itself yesterday which gets you in the mood for some action. This is the final game in the Total War Warhammer trilogy, and it's pleasing to see that we will have all three officially on Linux.

Have a look below:

Watch video on YouTube.com

Some much bigger sites than us (Hi Eurogamer , IGN and so on) also got a hands-on preview. Sounds like all the previews were played across Parsec , which is pretty intriguing to see streaming tech used more like this.

"I think what I could say is that this is the final in a series of games, a trilogy, and this one is bigger, badder, better than the rest. We’ve had time to look over Warhammer 1, 2 and the DLCs. We've taken fan feedback and we’ve really improved on this game in terms of functionality and usability", says designer James Martin.

You can pre-purchase on Steam . The release will be sometime late this year.

Ready for your next keyboard? How about one that's properly open source and looks quite fantastic? System76 has today properly revealed and released the Launch Configurable Keyboard.

Sticking to their ethos, they've launched the Launch as a fully open source unit. This includes the hardware ( certified by the OSHWA ), firmware and configuration tooling all as open source and firmware updates can be done directly through LVFS but it's not forced - it's up to users if they want to update the firmware.

While System76 remains a Linux vendor selling their custom Thelio desktops, laptops and they continue with their Pop!_OS Linux distribution - this is their first to be fully compatible with Windows and macOS too. System76 created the System76 Keyboard Configurator app to allow fully customization of the keyboard layout - with changes saved to they keyboard so you can take it anywhere.

“Launch with macOS and Windows 10 is a phenomenal, high-end keyboard with a comfortable feel and unique high-speed USB hub,” said Carl Richell, CEO of System76. “Combined with Pop!_OS and, in particular, auto-tiling, the hardware and OS blend into a holistic desktop experience that's faster and easier to navigate.”

Just like their Thelio computers, the Launch is custom-built in their own facility in Denver, CO. Featuring a chassis
milled out of a solid block of aluminium, as well as a custom PCB (printed circuit board). Created for customization, it comes with a set of red, blue, or brown keycaps to get it how you want it. It also has runner feet to keep it still, along with a magnetic foot for an optional 15% incline.

"With a wide swath of customization options, the Launch is flexible to a variety of needs and use cases. The keyboard’s thoughtful design keeps everything within reach, vastly reducing awkward hand contortions. Launch comes with additional keycaps and a convenient keycap puller, meaning one can swap keys based on personal workflow preferences to maximize efficiency. Launch also features a novel split Space Bar, which allows the user to swap out oneSpace Bar keycap for Shift, Backspace, or Function to reduce hand fatigue while typing. Launch uses only three keycap sizes to vastly expand configuration options." — System76.

Check out our gallery of pictures below, click the image to view more along with some close-ups of the switches:

Ever feel like "I don't need it but I need it"? I've got that right now. Although, I'm not sure how I would cope without the trust numpad. Would be interested to know in the comments how many of you never use the numpad though, does it bother you it doesn't have one?

System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard Specifications:

Watch video on YouTube.com

Available to pre-order from May 13, 2021 with shipping starting in June - with a price of $285. We're hoping to see a review unit at some point to give our thoughts.

Check it out on the official site .

After some time of being an Epic exclusive, HUNTDOWN has now released on GOG and Steam making it available for Linux from developer Easy Trigger Games. Note: personal purchase.

Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. It's insane - in the best way possible. It reminds me of Broforce for the over the topic action, which remains as my all time favourite action platformer. However, HUNTDOWN is already looking like it might end up taking the number 2 slot - it's just that good.

"In the mayhem-filled streets of the future where criminal gangs rule and cops fear to tread, only the bounty hunters can free the city from the corrupt fist of felony. Lay waste to the criminal underworld and make a killing in this hard boiled action comedy arcade shooter."

Featuring hand-painted gorgeous 16-bit styled pixel-art, it's an absolute feast for the eyes combined with the incredible fluid action back up by the pumping soundtrack. The voice acting is absolutely spot on too, fits in perfectly with each character. It's weapons and boss battles that make it ridiculously enjoyable though with such a fantastic mix available. Small guns, shotguns, machine guns, huge mounted weapons, a guitar, a bat and the list goes on - blowing things up just feels seriously epic here.

Watch video on YouTube.com

Characters available:

• Anna Conda: Ex-commando, firearms expert, and full-time loose-cannon, Anna will assassinate without question or mercy, as long as you don’t mind the collateral damage.
• John Sawyer: Once a Special Forces cop who left the law behind. This scarred veteran has lost so many limbs in combat he’s practically half robot.
• Mow Man: Modified recon droid, stolen and empowered with banned software. Trades bodies for cold hard cash. Don’t expect to be taken alive if Mow Man’s on your six.

Gangs to take on:

• Hoodlum Dolls: Violent feral punks winning the gang war with the toothless authorities
• Misconducts: Organised hockey hooligans, experts in robbery and extortion with a penchant for explosives
• The Heatseekers: Murderous motorcycle club. These rockabilly villains style themselves on the centurions of Ancient Rome
• NO.1 Suspects: Masters of discipline and organised crime. Martial arts experts, these slick psychopaths control the night through their casinos and nightclubs

It's an easy recommendation to go get it. Honestly it was love at first sight with HUNTDOWN. Not just because I grew up with similarly styled games but HUNTDOWN is close to perfection. As for the Linux version? Absolutely great! You just can't help but small and maniacally laugh as you blast your way through it. If you loved games like Metal Slug, and other similar explosive experience do check it out. In a word — fantastic.

You can buy it on GOG and Steam .

Coldwild Games, developer of Merchant of the Skies and Luna’s Fishing Garden, have announced Lazy Galaxy 2 an idle strategy game with basebuilding and combat elements.

Lazy Galaxy 2 is an idle/clicker game with base-building and RTS elements. Lead an evil (albeit lazy) alien race to conquer the universe! Expand your base, fight vicious foes, and conquer the galaxies. Acquire combat experience and convert into candy, the most precious alien resource!

"I know I’ve said that we only make peaceful games now, but this was a long con from the start. Guess you should have seen this one coming" - Vladimir Slav, Director of Coldwild Games

Watch video on YouTube.com

Much like the previous game, it's supposed to be one you can have on another monitor or minimized while you do other things - to come back to it whenever you want and progress further in your own time. You get to build up your base, send your fleets across the universe and start a conquest.

Features:

• Conquer the galaxy! Build your base, build your fleet, fight the enemies
• Campaigns / hand-crafted scenarios with planned map editor support
• Achievements matter! Unlocking in-game achievements adds permanent researches that improve the gameplay
• Control units directly or idle it out! Micro-control is rewarded, but not necessary. You can idle out the battles or seek more active participation
• Multiple development paths will add variety to incremental/base-building gameplay

The release is planned for Q3 2021 to be supported on Linux, macOS and Windows.

You can follow Lazy Galaxy 2 on Steam .

Realpolitiks II from Jujubee S.A. and publisher 1C Entertainment has left Early Access, and they've also released a Linux build along with it.

A modern twist on the classic grand-strategy genre, as you take control of any contemporary nation in an attempt to assert dominance among the global superpowers so it's obviously a highly political game. Develop your country’s economy, technology and army; use your diplomatic skills, build an impressive spy network and get ready to fight major global threats such as terrorism, pandemics or famine. Build powerful alliances, wage wars on your enemies and achieve greatness! It expands in the first game in a lot of ways, enhancing all the features of the previous game and adding in many more options to expand.

Watch video on YouTube.com

Features:

• Dominate the Globe - Choose from 216 contemporary nations (including Sealand & Kiribati) and conquer your opponents. Adapt your strategy accordingly whether you start as a superpower or a small independent nation.
• New Modern Warfare - A brand-new combat system enables full control of your units on the battlefield while taking into account strategic advantages such as the weather, terrain, equipment, and a whole lot more.
• Expanded Management System - Create a communist utopia, a completely free market nation, or become a tyrant overseeing your citizens’ every step. With over 1000 projects and technologies to choose from, you decide the path to greatness.
• Improved Diplomacy - Engage in advanced negotiations to establish new trade routes or military access to neighboring regions. With a completely reworked AI, and new Favor and Investment systems that allow you to influence other countries - diplomacy becomes a crucial tool once again, especially as other leaders will prove hard negotiators.
• Advanced Espionage - Conduct clandestine actions with your spies, steal breakthrough technologies to further increase your military power, and invent new ways of mass destruction. Dominate your foes from the shadows.
• New and Unpredictable Events - Over 1000 new events ranging from minor provincial issues to a world-threatening meteor strike. Be wary of the ever-changing world as each playthrough will be completely different.
• Growth By Infrastructure - Buildings are a major part of your campaign as they enable you to recruit more units, train your spies and generals faster, defend against rocket attacks, or increase the supply range to your armies.
• Modding Tool - Use a plethora of in-game tools to create your very own campaigns, scenarios, units, and nations.

You can buy it from GOG , Humble Store and Steam .

MAZEMAN is a slightly difficult game to pin down to a genre or explain it properly. You run through mazes, collecting gems and to find the key to unlock the exit. It seems like it's going to be pretty fun. Pretty darn frantic too, as you dodge all sorts of weird creatures in each crazy maze level.

Developer Beautiful Glitch recently put up a demo on Steam, which has a Linux build that works great and the full game will be supporting Linux too. There's no release date other than "soon". If you've not heard of the developer before, they're the studio behind the Monster Prom series.

Watch video on YouTube.com

Features:

• BEAUTIFUL PIXEL ART - This game is packed with stunning pixel visuales. A true treat for the eyes!
• LOTS OF PLAYSTYLES TO CHOOSE - There are 24 available characters, each with its own unique ability. Bombs, guns, swords, shields, mind control, sprints, portals… choose your style and enter The Maze!
• LOTS OF DANGERS TO FIGHT - An abundance of monsters and bosses make this a true challenge.
• SET YOUR OWN GOALS - The game is fairly difficult, but you can go from challenging to nerve-wrecking by setting your own goals, from just finding the key to collecting the 3 gems of each maze. You can also choose a character whose ability makes the level easier... or go for the most challenging ones!
• A FRANTIC PACE - Our most basic inspiration here is clearly Pac-Man: we look for an experience that is fast-paced so it tests your ability and nerves! Your character NEVER STOPS GOING FORWARD (unless it hits a wall, I guess).
• A CRYPTIC NARRATIVE -Unfold a mysterious narrative by unlocking very small narrative bits that will serve as bread crumbs… you’ll never get to know THE MAZE’s whole story, but with enough bits you might start to figure out some things while building some theories!

Check out the demo and wishlist on Steam .

Free Game Thursday! Now this is great, a shoot 'em up that tries to do away with the traditional twitchy gameplay in favour of something a little more interesting with co-op.

The idea in Fingeance is that four players work together, as it places an "emphasis on teamwork and strategy". The focus was on making it a truly fun co-op experience, where even a novice player can make a difference to the team. The developers say to imagine "Faster Than Light meets Jamestown meets Team Fortress 2" and then "add four tiny fish, a comic book style, and a veneer of seething vindictive rage".

Watch video on YouTube.com

Sounds like an absolute blast, and completely free to play too. The developer doesn't even take donations on their itch page. Perhaps something to blast through over the coming weekend?

Available free on itch.io .

Hidden Variable, Future Club, and Autumn Games have confirmed that the next fighter entering Skullgirls 2nd Encore is Umbrella, who carries a huge hungry brolly around.

Sounds like a really fun character to try out too, and the second DLC character to appear as part of the Skullgirls: Season 1 Pass following on from Annie. They're not sharing exactly when we can expect to play Umbrella but it is being developed for 2nd Encore and Mobile at the same time so we get this new character earlier than usual. They're estimating an Alpha test in about a month, with the full release in Q4 this year.

"Umbrella is a small character with BIG swings thanks to her living weapon, Hungern. While she is slow with limited movement options, she can use special moves to approach with some risk.

Most of her attacks will involve Hungern in some way. Hungern will get hungrier as the match goes on or after performing certain actions, and his hunger level will influence his move properties."

Watch video on YouTube.com

Two more characters will eventually be revealed as part of the pass but the next two are scheduled for 2022.

You can buy a copy of Skullgirls from Humble Store and Steam .

Valve and CodeWeavers have once again updated Proton Experimental, bringing with it a needed fix for Resident Evil Village running on Linux.

It was only a few days ago Proton Experimental was updated to get RE Village working but it came with one big drawback. Previously you couldn't change any graphics settings in-game but as of the latest May 12 build, this has now been solved with Proton Experimental. So that marks another AAA Windows-supported game working nicely on Linux thanks to the Proton compatibility layer - such fast paced improvements!

The latest build of Proton Experimental also fixed up the latest 2K Games launcher, to give even more titles a better experience when played on Linux.

If you're not clear on what Proton and Steam Play are, be sure to check out our constantly updated dedicated page . It's a special compatibility layer for running Windows games and apps from Steam on Linux.

Need to know how to actually use Proton Experimental? Make sure it's installed by searching for it in your Steam Library, then select it from the Compatibility menu in the Properties section of a game. See our quick video below:

You can buy Resident Evil Village from Humble Store and Steam .