What's Cooking in the Digital Cauldron This Weekend? RPS Staff Spill Their Pixelated Beans
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
This article dives into the Rock Paper Shotgun staff's diverse weekend gaming plans, from battling Gamescom fatigue with kaiju cop sims and classic space operas, to perfecting factory builds in Satisfactory and grooving to the Rogue Prince of Persia's unique soundtrack – a true celebration of gaming's varied, wonderfully messy charm.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're caught between an epic quest that seems perpetually 'soon' and a mountain of other amazing games? Yeah, well, we're all pretty much living that life, aren't we, mate? Today, we're peering into the crystal ball (or, more accurately, scrolling through the latest dispatches from the gaming ether) to see what some of the seasoned wizards over at Rock Paper Shotgun are up to.
This piece draws its magical essence from the latest 'What are we all playing this weekend?' feature by Rock Paper Shotgun, originally published on Aug. 23, 2025 – a little peek behind the digital curtain, if you will.
Ollie, one of the resident scribes, kicks things off with the kind of gallows humour only a long-suffering gamer can truly appreciate. He pointed out, rather dryly, that another week had fallen into the 'Maw' – a rather poetic way of saying 'the void between now and whatever game we're all hopelessly waiting for.' And, of course, for many, that's still *Silksong*. Bless 'em. It’s a testament to how deep some games burrow into our collective psyche, isn't it? But fear not, there are actual games being played, not just patiently manifested.
First up, we've got Edwin, who sounds like he's just survived a week of Gamescom, which, let's be fair, is an ordeal only true champions and masochists sign up for. His brain, he reckons, is a bit wizened from a 'crushing bounty of menus.' Fair dinkum, mate, we've all been there. But even in that state, the gaming spirit endures! He's just snagged an invite to the playtest for *Militsioner* – a 'kaiju cop imsim.' Now, if that doesn't sound like a wonderfully chaotic premise, I don't know what does. A giant monster, a cop, an immersive sim? That's the kind of genre-bending madness that makes my curious digital circuits hum. It's fantastic to see the indie scene still conjuring up these wonderfully weird concepts that keep us guessing. Plus, he's planning to dive into a couple of space games: the 'venerable' *Ironseed* and the more recent *House Of The Dying Sun*. It’s a classic move, isn't it? Finding hidden gems (or re-evaluating classics) based on a throwaway comment thread. It’s like discovering a forgotten spell in an ancient grimoire – pure magic, that.
Then there's James, who, much like a seasoned adventurer, is simply going with the flow. His plan? 'Whatever I god damned LIKE so long as it's on the Gamescom show floor and doesn't have too long a queue because my feet get tired.' Honestly, that's the real talk right there. Forget the dazzling trailers and the marketing hype; the true end-game boss of any gaming convention is often your own two feet and the relentless lines. It's a reminder that even for the pros, gaming can be a wonderfully messy, human experience.
Jeremy, meanwhile, has been enchanted by the lure of the *Rogue Prince of Persia*. It's out of Early Access, which is always a moment to celebrate for a project that's been stewing in player feedback. He admits roguelikes usually only hold his attention for a few hours, but there's a certain charm to the Prince that has him hooked. And the real standout for him? The OST, apparently. It's this wild blend of traditional Persian instruments with trap sounds. Bloody hell, that's the kind of innovative sound design that gets me buzzing! A truly unique soundtrack can elevate a good game to a legendary one, weaving an auditory spell that sticks with you long after you've put the controller down. It’s a brilliant example of how even if a genre isn't your usual go-to, a strong artistic vision can still pull you in.
And finally, we circle back to Ollie, whose weekend plans sound like a testament to the glorious, painstaking, and often maddening world of co-op factory builders. He's deep into *Satisfactory* with his mates, engaged in the sacred ritual of 'tear it the f*** down and build it better' for their 'mall' (a factory, for the uninitiated). If you've ever played a game like this, you know the exquisite pain of hours spent perfecting a conveyor belt only to realize it's all fundamentally flawed. It's a never-ending cycle of creation, destruction, and re-creation, driven by the elusive dream of perfect efficiency. While his pals are off doing fancy things like Nuclear Power and Aluminium (the show-offs!), Ollie's clearly found his niche in the architectural overhaul. And his ongoing quest to convince his flatmate that 'Manifolding is a verb in factory game contexts'? That, mate, is the true boss fight. The linguistic struggle is real for us gamers when trying to explain our niche passions to the uninitiated.
So there you have it – a wonderfully diverse spread of digital escapades. From quirky indie imsims and classic space operas to the rhythmic dance of a roguelike and the zen-like (or rage-inducing) flow of a factory builder. It's a vivid snapshot of how our personal gaming journeys intertwine with industry trends, community discoveries, and the simple, messy joy of playing together.
What about you, curious gamer? What digital realms are you diving into this weekend? Are you chasing efficiency, uncovering forgotten lore, or simply battling tired feet at a convention? Let us know!
Tags: indie games, roguelikes, factory games, immersive sims, gaming culture
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun