Gaming
Long War 2 Mod Available Now for XCOM 2
2K and Firaxis Games have announced that Long War 2, the mod for XCOM 2 on PC from Pavonis Interactive, is now available from Steam Workshop. Pavonis Interactive, the creators of the Long War mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within have been hard at work on its successor for XCOM 2.
The Long War 2 mod presents a series of changes to the game’s campaign including the introduction of new tactical mission scenarios like Jailbreak, the Technical class for your XCOM soldiers, and more varied counter-operations from ADVENT forces.
Here’s a tête-à-tête with John Lumpkin, the design lead and managing partner at Pavonis Interactive:
Can you tell us what your exact position at Pavonis Interactive is?
We got to make up our own titles. I’m the design lead. Also a managing partner. And public relations coordinator. And rookie-killing sadist.
How did Pavonis Interactive form?
Its informal beginning was when my partner Rachel “Amineri” Norman contacted me in early 2013 with some suggestions on how to dig into XCOM: Enemy Unknown’s code to make grenades a little less reliable. We started modding EU and then EW together with the help of several other talented programmers. We formed Long War Studios as a company as we got to work on our own title and shortly before signing a contract to develop the release-day mods for XCOM 2. With the release of Long War 2, we are rechristening our company Pavonis Interactive to capture that our future work will range beyond modding XCOM and toward developing our own independent titles. “Long War” will be indelibly linked with XCOM.
What are you and your team most proud of in Long War 2?
We think we’ve recreated a lot of the “Long War” feel in the XCOM 2 engine, although we tried to peg full campaigns at around 100 to 120 missions, which isn’t quite as many as the original.
Can you briefly describe how you’ve changed the Strategy Layer?
We’ve made a lot of changes. ADVENT now has a certain strength in each region on Earth, and it will move troops around in response to XCOM activity. This strength will determine how hard missions will be. This encourages XCOM to build a global Resistance and strike where ADVENT is weakest, just as a proper insurgency should.
In addition, in each region you’ve made contact with, you assign Resistance members to various jobs in a Haven: scavenging supplies, recruiting more rebels and soldiers, or gathering intelligence to generate missions. Many missions have set durations, and you must send a squad to infiltrate the target site over several days. The longer you infiltrate, the fewer enemies you will face, but larger squads need more time to sneak into the mission area.
Finally, it is now possible to liberate regions entirely from ADVENT control. Doing so will grant bonuses in resource gathering and more importantly trigger the AVATAR plot missions, but ADVENT will try to take them back.
How did you conceptualize and execute on these changes? Did you always have a vision in mind or is it something you guys stumbled upon by testing out different mechanics?
The general ideas of a hit-and-run insurgency and having mission difficulty scale both with strategic conditions as well as squad size are things we’ve had from the start. The general idea behind the infiltration mechanic was to replace our fatigue mechanic from the original Long War – we want to tie up your soldiers and force you to develop a deeper roster, and frankly the infiltration mechanic works better narratively than fatigue to fulfill this purpose, especially in a guerrilla war narrative. We also wanted to make squad size something organically determined rather than a straight set of upgrades you acquire over a campaign. Now, the extra flexibility provided by bringing 10 soldiers on a mission has costs, so it’s ultimately up to the player to decide how they want to take on a mission.
In your own words, can you briefly describe how you’ve changed the Tactical Mission gameplay?
We’ve implemented, and in many cases improved on, most of the content from our prior mods. We’ve also added an additional soldier class, the Technical, who can specialize in either the rocket launcher or flamethrower wrist weapons, which are available from the start. Each of our new classes has its own secondary weapon: The Sharpshooter has a holo-targeter, the Ranger a sawed-off shotgun, the Assault an arc thrower, and the Gunner a combat knife for self-defense. (We’re allowing all classes to equip pistols.) In addition, we’ve reworked the AWC bonus perk system to give each soldier a randomized mini-tree of offensive, defensive and pistol perks they can train, but they have to spend several days in the training tube to acquire the additional abilities.
We’ve added several mission types – ambushing a troop column, attacking an ADVENT military base, and rescuing multiple rebels from a jail, to name a few. We did try to add more pitched battles alongside the timed missions.
We’ve also made officers more integral to tactical play. They have the Command ability from Long War; they also provide bonuses to soldiers whom they have been on several missions with, and they have the ability to spend the intel resource to extend the timers on timed missions.
What else? All of Alien Pack is in there, plus some new ADVENT bad guys, sometimes in pods of up to eight enemies. Uncontacted enemy pods will now behave differently, sometimes trying to flank your squad or moving to defend the objective. The Skyranger now takes several turns to arrive when you throw the flare.
Which of the new mission types is your favorite and why?
Probably a toss-up between our alternate Haven defense mission, in which you have to defend an extraction zone in the center of the map while holding off increasingly strong Alien reinforcements and rescuing your rebels, and the invasion, when ADVENT tries to re-take a region. It functions something like a retaliation mission, but in a city.
What are you and the team most proud of in your changes to the Tactical gameplay?
I polled our playtesters, led by the illustrious Tim “Bilfdoffle” Evans, and they offered the following:
- The AWC/officer perks creating unique soldiers
- Corpse reanimation by unactivated sectoids
- Yellow alert and pod job mechanics
- The coil cannon
- All the new missions
- Changes to evac timer and meta around stealthier missions/
- Controlling Rebels and Civs
- Defending the Evac
- The new Arc Thrower

Gaming
PlayStation Demo for Psychological Horror Title Luto Available Now

Global video game publisher SelectaPlay and developer Broken Bird Games have unveiled a demo for their upcoming psychological horror game, Luto, available on PlayStation through the PlayStation Store. The full game is set to release in 2024 on PC via Steam, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Named ‘The Choice,’ this standalone demo for the PlayStation version of Luto provides players with a taste of the game’s atmosphere and narrative gameplay, avoiding any spoilers from the full story.
In Luto, a first-person psychological horror experience crafted by Broken Bird Games, players take on the role of an individual trapped in despair within their own home. Escaping requires navigating through challenging paths that test their senses, revealing untold fears and phobias.
Delve into the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one, confronting the horror of darkness concealed by anxiety and depression. Explore a mysterious environment laden with secrets and formidable challenges, requiring careful deciphering. Can you distinguish between reality and fiction?
Luto promises a launch in 2024 across digital platforms, including PC via Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, delivering an immersive horror experience that explores various phobias.
Accessories
GameSir Intros G8 Galileo Mobile Gaming Controller

GameSir has announced the official release of its latest innovation, the GameSir G8 Galileo, a next-generation Type-C wired mobile gaming controller destined to redefine excellence and provide out-of-this-world gaming experiences. Compatible with all controller-supported games across Android and iPhone 15 series devices, the GameSir G8 Galileo boasts an incredible combination of world-class connectivity, seamless software customization, and unstoppable gameplay; empowering users, enhancing their capabilities, and elevating mobile gaming to never-before-seen levels with host of cutting-edge features.
“We’re thrilled that the GameSir G8 Galileo is now available for gaming enthusiasts to purchase,” said Betta Core, CEO, GameSir. “Mobile gaming is a true phenomenon of our time and as popularity soars, demands increase and technological advancements open up new possibilities, nothing gives us more satisfaction than introducing innovations that enable gamers to explore unchartered potential and revel in gaming experiences that go above and beyond. The GameSir G8 Galileo is the gateway to precisely that – and we’re looking forward to seeing the reaction and reception from gamers far and wide in the weeks ahead. The fact that the time has finally come for the gaming community to share the power this controller provides is very exciting.”
Those purchasing the GamerSir G8 Galileo can expect a console-controller-grade mobile controller with console-sized sticks and buttons for exceptional comfort and unparalleled control during extended gameplay. Whether navigating treacherous terrain or taking precise shots, the G8 Galileo guarantees performance with expert precision and maximum comfort, while a movable Type-C port is installed for a dependable, constant connection to gaming devices, delivering unmatched smoothness and reliability.
Another standout feature is GameSir Hall Tech for elevated gameplay. GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analogue triggers offer unparalleled smoothness and responsiveness, giving a competitive advantage in any game, backed up by GameSir Hall Effect sensing sticks that deliver 360° seamless pinpoint control, providing the precision and durability that mobile gamers demand alongside super-smooth stick control for reduced stick grinding and extended usage time.
Amongst its many prominent features for redefined excellence, the GameSir G8 Galileo comes with two additional back buttons designed for pro-level mobile gaming. With these, users can map their in-game actions on the go, loading up their favourite button mappings with or without software during gameplay – with mappings instantly programmable and synced in real-time. Thanks to pass-through charging, the GameSir G8 Galileo also ensures gameplay remains uninterrupted, thereby ensuring opponents are conquerable without missing a single moment of the action as the controller charges during play.
What’s more, the GameSir G8 Galileo is purposefully designed for universal compatibility, featuring an extendable bridge and sufficient rear space to be compatible with a wide range of phone models. It’s the perfect choice for mobile gamers seeking adaptability, ensuring a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, interchangeable magnetic detachable faceplates elevate the GameSir G8 Galileo to match the unique style of its user; laser-engraved texture grips and high-saturation fluorescent ink buttons offer a blend of style and substance; and the GameSir App takes the customization and fun of the GameSir G8 Galileo to the next level.
Through the app, users can create personalized controller profiles by mapping buttons, fine-tuning the D-pad diagonals, and adjusting sticks and trigger zones. The GameSir G8 Galileo is available at gamesir.hk and GameSir AliExpress now for $79.99.
Accessories
Review: GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro Midnight Wireless Controller

The gaming peripherals market is inundated with a plethora of controllers, each vying for attention with unique features and design elements. The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro Midnight Wireless Controller is one such controller that promises to deliver a superior gaming experience. In this review, we’ll dive into its design, performance, features, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right addition to your gaming arsenal.
Design and Build Quality
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro boasts an ergonomic and well-thought-out design. Its form factor is reminiscent of popular controllers such as the Xbox One, with symmetrically placed thumbsticks and a comfortable grip that accommodates various hand sizes. The controller feels solid in hand, striking a balance between sturdiness and weight.
It doesn’t feel like it’ll easily come apart even after intense gaming sessions. The controller offers tactile satisfaction thanks to its “5-million-click micro switches”, which, when coupled with the soft pads, make for a comfortable spamming experience that feels crisp yet still pretty cushioned. The dotted grip around the handles is a nice touch for those whose palms get sweaty during more intense sessions. The size of the controller is also comfortable for extended use.
The face of the controller features a standard layout with a D-pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, and two Hall Effect thumbsticks symmetrically positioned. These Hall Effect analogue triggers can effectively get rid of the dreaded stick drift. This technology offers zero dead zones and anti-drift performance, ensuring that your in-game actions are precise.
The controller also comes with extra features like being able to adjust vibration sensitivity and button mapping, which you can customise with the GameSir app. The buttons are responsive, providing a satisfying click with each press. The inclusion of textured grips on the thumbsticks enhances precision during gameplay, reducing the chances of accidental slips.
One standout feature is the programmable buttons located on the back of the controller. These can be customised to replicate any other button on the controller, providing an added layer of flexibility for gamers who want to optimise their control scheme for specific genres or gaming styles. The inclusion of these customisable buttons is a thoughtful touch that elevates the controller’s versatility.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The controller supports multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C. This versatility allows users to connect the controller to a wide range of devices, from PCs and gaming consoles to smartphones and tablets. The seamless Bluetooth pairing process ensures a quick and hassle-free connection, while the 2.4GHz wireless mode minimises input lag for a responsive gaming experience.
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro is compatible with a variety of platforms, making it a versatile choice for gamers. Whether you’re a PC gamer, console enthusiast, or enjoy gaming on your mobile device, this controller aims to cater to your needs. The inclusion of a USB Type-C port for wired connectivity is a nice touch, offering a reliable alternative for situations where wireless connections might not be ideal.
Performance
The true test of any gaming controller lies in its performance, and the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro does not disappoint. The controller features high-precision 6-axis gyro sensors, providing responsive and accurate motion controls. This is particularly beneficial for games that utilise motion input, adding an extra layer of immersion to the gaming experience.
The responsiveness of the buttons and triggers is commendable, offering a tactile and satisfying feel with each press. The analogue thumbsticks provide precise control over in-game movements, essential for genres such as first-person shooters and racing games. The controller’s performance is consistent across various gaming genres, making it a well-rounded choice for gamers with diverse preferences.
Battery Life
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro features a built-in rechargeable battery that provides ample gaming time on a single charge. The controller’s battery life is impressive, offering hours of uninterrupted gameplay before needing a recharge. The USB Type-C port ensures a quick and convenient charging process, and the controller can even be used while charging, eliminating downtime during extended gaming sessions.
Software and Customisation
To unlock the full potential of the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro, users can leverage the GameSir app. This software provides a user-friendly interface for customising button mappings, adjusting sensitivity settings, and programming the back buttons. The app supports a wide range of games, ensuring compatibility with popular titles across different platforms.
The ability to save multiple profiles is a welcome feature for gamers who switch between various genres or gaming platforms. This flexibility allows users to create tailored profiles for specific games, optimizing the controller’s layout and performance for each gaming experience.
Verdict
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro stands out as a versatile and feature-rich gaming controller that caters to a broad audience. Its ergonomic design, responsive controls, and customizable features make it a strong contender in the competitive gaming peripherals market. The integration of motion controls, programmable buttons, and a built-in phone holder enhances its appeal, offering a comprehensive solution for gamers across different platforms.
Whether you’re a PC gamer, console enthusiast, or mobile gamer, the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro’s wide compatibility ensures that it can seamlessly integrate into your gaming setup. The thoughtful design, coupled with excellent performance and a reasonable price point, makes it a compelling choice for both casual and dedicated gamers looking to elevate their gaming experience. The inclusion of a robust software interface further adds to the controller’s appeal, allowing users to fine-tune their gaming experience to suit their preferences.
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro ascends the ranks with its exceptional responsiveness, customisation options, and device compatibility. While no controller is the epitome of perfection, this one comes very close, as it offers gamers a unique gaming experience. If you’re looking for a controller that offers a seamless gaming experience, the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro is definitely worth considering.
Price: AED 169
Photography by Ryan Chris
GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro Midnight Wireless Controller AED 169
Summary
The face of the controller features a standard layout with a D-pad on the left, four action buttons on the right, and two Hall Effect thumbsticks symmetrically positioned. These Hall Effect analogue triggers can effectively get rid of the dreaded stick drift. This technology offers zero dead zones and anti-drift performance, ensuring that your in-game actions are precise.