Occult Artifacts, Lost Dynasties, and Traveling Bookshops: 10 Cozy New Video Games This Autumn

IT is the season for all the warm and cozy entertainment options. This encompasses the longing to illuminate the night, gather around a roaring fire, and nestle into an armchair with something thrilling. Familiarity plays a crucial role in comfort, so I won’t stray from tradition. Here are 10 new games perfect for sinking into the sofa as evening falls and the warmth of heating prevails…

Strange Antiquities (PC)




Spooky stock… Strange antiquities. Photo: Iceberg Interactive

This sequel to the quirky gardening puzzle game has you temporarily working as a sales assistant in a shop bursting with odd artifacts, totems, and potions. Visitors present unique problems, requiring you to consult an encyclopedia, sift through eerie inventory, and locate the appropriate occult item. It’s fascinating enough, especially as you become absorbed in the broader mystery that keeps you captivated during many rainy evenings.

Two Point Museum (PC, PS5, Xbox)




Control… 2 Point Museum. Photo: 2 Point Studios/Sega

The Two Point series has previously managed hospitals and universities. Now, it tackles museums where you can discover artifacts and showcase them attractively to draw visitors. Filled with silly jokes and engaging mechanics, this game offers a rich, challenging experience perfect for cozy evenings by the fireplace.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (PC, Switch)

The beloved farming simulator makes its latest entry as Grand Bazaar, where you move to a quaint country town to establish farms, cultivate crops, raise animals, and sell goods at local markets. With its serene visuals, leisurely pace, and charming characters, it feels like living in your own cozy Sunday night television show.

Wonderstop (PC, PS5, Xbox)




It makes me feel better… Wonderstop. Photo: Annapurna Interactive

Crafted by the talented Davey Wreden (Stanley Parable, The Beginner’s Guide), Wonderstop follows a quirky warrior who abandons combat to operate a tea shop. Your tasks involve brewing drinks, cleaning up, tending to the garden, and gradually building a more positive outlook on life. A colorful and uplifting experience awaits.

Tiny Bookshop (PC, Switch)




Charming… a tiny bookshop. Photo: Neoludic Games

In a cozy and whimsical world, the notion of characters escaping their past to open a bookstore in a remote village has become a popular narrative. Now, you can join in on the fun. Navigate your mobile bookshop around Bookstonbury’s Seaside Hamlet, interact with locals, and discover which novels resonate with you. This delightful and engaging game is the perfect cuddle companion for avid readers.

Date Everything! (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox)

Bring your whimsical persona to life, turning mundane household objects into charming characters as you explore suburban homes seeking potential romantic connections. Engage in amusing dialogues with items like your phone, detergent, and even the staircase. It’s not as absurd as reality shows like Love Island, I promise.

The Roottrees Are Dead (PC)




Unraveling the mystery… The Roottree Are Dead. Photo: Evil Trout Inc

The Roottree Dynasty, owners of a sprawling candy empire, faced devastation with a tragic plane crash. Use your in-game computer to uncover evidence through photos, articles, and documents, piecing together relationships and constructing a comprehensive family tree. This intriguing effort released last January now features a remastered version that adds even more mystery to unravel.

Is This Seat Taken? (PC, Switch)

A charming and clever puzzle game where you must arrange groups of individuals based on their preferences and mutual dislikes. Whether on a crowded bus, at the cinema, or a wedding reception, your task is to seat the right person next to another or deliberately create a scene. This fun twist could also prove beneficial if you’re planning a festive dinner party.

Flowers and Favors (PC, Switch, Coming Soon)




Lovely bouquet… Flowers and Favors. Photo: Misk Games

Yes, it’s yet another delightful shopkeeping simulation, but this one takes place in a florist’s shop catering to an endearing clientele. I gave this a whirl because I read Sarah Maria Griffin’s intriguing novel, *Eat the Rich*, and found the exquisite floral designs uplifting the overall ambiance of this sweet and charming bouquet game.

Mina The Hollower (PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox)




A nostalgic adventure… Mina The Hollower. Photo: Yacht Club Game

This feels like a cheat since it’s set to release on October 31st, yet it deserves a spot as the latest retro endeavor from Yacht Club Games, known for the revered platformer *Shovel Knight*. It captures the essence of classic Game Boy color games, making it an ideal nostalgic getaway.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judges reject initial attempt to halt commercial shift without masks, but schedule autumn trials for AI.

A United States judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday to halt the transition to an open commercial model, but agreed to hear the case this autumn.

Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a US District Judge in Oakland, California, stated that the tech billionaire did not meet the “high burden necessary for a temporary injunction” to stop the conversion to openness.

Nevertheless, Rogers expressed the importance of quickly resolving the lawsuit, considering “the potential for crisis and harm if conversion takes place unlawfully.”

Elon Musk and Openai, co-founded as a nonprofit in 2015 but left before it gained momentum, have been embroiled in a year-long legal dispute. CEOs of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) have accused Openai of deviating from its original goal of developing artificial intelligence for the betterment of humanity, rather than corporate profits.

Openai and its CEO, Sam Altman, have denied these allegations. The lawsuit revolves around the shift to a for-profit model for chat developers, with Altman citing the need for more capital and competitiveness in the costly AI industry.

Openai welcomed the judge’s ruling, stating that Musk’s lawsuit, who launched rival startup Xai in 2023, was always about competition. Microsoft, the primary supporter of Openai, did not provide a comment.

Musk’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, commended the judge for promising a swift trial on the core claims of the case. Toberoff emphasized the importance of ensuring Altman utilizes Musk’s charitable contributions for the benefit of the masses, not personal gain.

The ruling comes after Altman rejected a $97.4 million acquisition offer from a consortium led by Musk, claiming Openai is not for sale and accusing Musk of attempting to hinder its competitors.

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Softbank Group is reportedly discussing leading a funding round of up to $400 million for Openai, valuing the company at $300 million. This surpasses the $75 billion valuation discussed by Xai in a recent fundraising round.

Source: www.theguardian.com