Here we go again, a mad dash to play as many demos as possible with the Steam Next Fest - February 2026 event now live.

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For many years now, we (or one of our writers, if we’re being honest) have noted that Final Fantasy XI has been mostly treating its annual holidays by turning on familiar events and letting players enjoy them. This is true, as the game is mature and has plenty of events as it is. But the Doll […]

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can actually earn Linden Dollars for free in Second Life, I decided to test it out during a x2 multiplier Virtual Fishing event at Stress Free.

Virtual Fishing is one of those hidden gem games inside Second Life that anyone can start. It costs nothing to begin. You just grab the free fishing rod and HUD from the Marketplace, attach them, find a buoy, and start fishing. That’s it.

I headed to the third buoy at Stress Free during their x2 event, which means every catch had double payout potential. What surprised me most wasn’t just the fishing, it was the region itself.

• There were no shops.
• No vendors.
• No visible businesses.

Yet Linden Dollars were being paid out.

My honest guess? The region owner simply enjoys giving back to the community. That kind of generosity is rare and refreshing. While fishing, I even spotted Celestial Butterfly and Alienum around the area, which added to the fun atmosphere.

Now let’s be real for a second.

The absolute easiest way to get Linden Dollars is still buying them directly from Linden Lab. That’s instant and guaranteed. But if you’d rather earn them inside the world, there are options.

Creating content is one of the most powerful ways to make L$. If you can design hair, clothes, skins, bodies, or accessories, you can build a real income stream. Performing live music or DJ sets is another great way creators earn tips.

I personally use Virtual Fishing on my own small parcel to bring in visitors and boost traffic. I also run 7Seas and Pikoversum to give people more interactive reasons to stop by.

So is fishing going to make you rich overnight? Probably not.

But during a x2 event? It’s definitely a fun (and surprisingly rewarding) way to stack some extra L$ while hanging out.

And honestly... getting paid to relax in Second Life isn’t a bad deal at all. 💰

If you’ve ever logged into Second Life, you know it’s a wild mix of creativity, commerce, and quirky community moments. Yesterday, I gave myself a simple mission: spend an hour earning Linden Dollars. My original plan? Tame unicorns with Pikoversum. Spoiler alert: the 24‑hour cooldown was still ticking, so I had to improvise.

Enter the Virtual Fishing event at The Notorious Kingdom Tiny Empires Fishing POF Club Gaming. They were running a 2× multiplier that day, which meant every catch could double my earnings. I grabbed a virtual rod, cast my line, and started reeling in those pixelated fish. By the end of the hour, I’d netted 22 Linden Dollars. Not a fortune, but enough to remind me why many avatars rely on these mini‑games to keep their virtual wallets happy.

While I was busy fishing, my mind drifted to a topic that’s been buzzing in the SL community: child avatars. Yes, you heard that right. Second Life allows users to create avatars that look like children. Personally, I find them a bit unsettling. They don’t fit the adult‑focused vibe many of us enjoy, and they can give newcomers the wrong impression about what the platform is really about. It’s a nuanced issue—some argue it adds diversity, while others feel it detracts from the overall experience. I’m firmly on the side that prefers a more mature aesthetic, but I respect that the community is diverse and opinions vary.

Back to the fishing—what makes it so addictive? The simple mechanics, the chance of landing a rare catch, and that sweet x2 multiplier that feels like a cheat code. For newcomers, it’s a low‑barrier way to dip a toe into the SL economy without committing to massive projects or pricey assets. For veterans, it’s a quick hustle between larger endeavors.

So, what’s the takeaway? Virtual Fishing is a legit, fun way to earn a modest amount of Lindens, especially during special events. And while I’m not a fan of child avatars, the conversation around them highlights how Second Life continues to evolve and grapple with community standards.

If you’re curious about trying it yourself, hop into the The Notorious Kingdom Tiny Empires Fishing POF Club Gaming during their next multiplier event. Bring a sense of humor, a willingness to chat, and maybe a fresh perspective on avatar choices. Who knows—you might end up with a bigger haul than I did, or at least a good story to share on your next livestream.

Happy fishing, and see you in the virtual waters!

Humble is Celebrating its 15th Anniversary. Get Ready for a Year of Fantastic Bundles! Hi Humble Community, From the very beginning, we believed in a simple idea: to bring you fantastic content, help amazing charities, support game developers, and prove that great value and great causes can go hand-in-hand. And from that simple idea, we’ve watched our community grow into the incredible force for good …

The post Humble 15th Anniversary Bundles appeared first on Humble Bundle Blog.

• Category: Developer_Direct

January 8, 2026

Developer_Direct Returns January 22: Watch Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation Gameplay, Direct from the Studios

• Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.

Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25^th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.

The show includes not one but two titles from Playground Games, with the UK studio bringing us a first extended look at Fable, as well as the debut of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6. We’ll also be taking a trip to Tokyo to visit the legendary Game Freak, offering a first in-depth look at Beast of Reincarnation, which we revealed at Xbox Games Showcase last year.

You can tune in at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK on January 22 to see all the latest on:

Fable – Playground Games welcomes players back to the fairytale land of Albion, with the first in-depth look at Fable – one of 2026’s most anticipated titles. Devs from the Playground team will unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay. Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike.

Forza Horizon 6 – The Forza team from Playground Games will share a deep-dive on the much-anticipated Forza Horizon 6 as the open world racer takes players to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. The segment will deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features – and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new installment.

Beast of Reincarnation – Join us as we delve into Game Freak’s intense one-person, one-dog action RPG. For the first time, Game Freak will reveal details of our protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. In Beast of Reincarnation, a profound and dangerous world unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan. Discover the development secrets behind its creation in Developer_Direct.

Stay tuned to our official social channels for more from Developer_Direct, airing on Thursday, January 22 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.

The post Developer_Direct Returns January 22: Watch Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation Gameplay, Direct from the Studios appeared first on Xbox Wire.

If you’d enjoyed running around on Ellan Vannin in a peaceful celebration, you’d better get ready for what Dark Age of Camelot has done to the region. That peace has been shattered and players are now faced with an open PvP zone flagging anyone not in your group as an enemy, complete with ruined towers for […]

Ladies, gentlemen, and those who fit neither category, we pose an important question to you regarding EverQuest II: Why are the elves who help with Frostfell called “Frostfell elves” and not “Frostfelves?” It’s sitting right there? Now you can ponder it to as you help with the plethora of holiday tasks needed to earn new craftables, […]

Once again, Warframe has begin its annual Tennobaum event, which is still unlike most holiday events. No, really. There are in-game rewards, yes, and it is celebrating this time of the year. But unlike most similar events, this one doesn’t involve your grabbing items in-game and delivering them to gift piles. No, this is about players […]

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