Press Start to Gaze: Sony’s Official PlayStation Art Book Revealed

Fun Fact: Animal Crossing runs on real-world time—even if you don’t play, the village keeps evolving.

In today’s email:

• Nightdive Bites Back: Blood: Refreshed Supply Brings the Carnage to and Consoles in December

• Press Start to Gaze: Sony’s Official PlayStation Art Book Revealed

• Dig Deep & Dream Big — Switch Online Adds Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams to Its GBA Roster

Nightdive Bites Back: Blood: Refreshed Supply Brings the Carnage to and Consoles in December

Why Blood: Refreshed Supply Has Us Hypnotized

If you thought Blood: Fresh Supply was the final word on bringing Caleb’s crimson crusade into the modern era, think again. Nightdive Studios just pulled back the veil on Blood: Refreshed Supply — a remaster-of-a-remaster that doesn’t just polish what came before, but builds fresh flesh atop the bone. With two integrated community mod campaigns, expanded platform support, and crossplay multiplayer, this is shaping up to be the definitive version of one of 1997’s wildest shooters.

A Deeper Cut Into Blood’s Revival

From Cult Classic to Remaster Legend

Back in 1997, Blood stood apart from its peers by drenching its corridors in Gothic horror, dark humor, and a wrenching sense of fatalism. You played as Caleb, a betrayed “Chosen” resurrected from beyond the grave to exact vengeance against the dark god Tchernobog. You wield your shotgun, voodoo doll, flare gun, and more through twisted catacombs, insane cultists, and demonic monstrosities.

In 2019, Nightdive revived that corpse with Blood: Fresh Supply — running on their in-house KEX engine, with Vulkan, DirectX 11, higher resolutions, reworked netcode, and built-in support for custom mods. That remaster earned praise for balancing preservation and modernization.

Still, as fans clamored for console versions and new content, Nightdive listened.

What Refreshed Supply Adds (and Changes)

New Platform Reach & Regional Notes

• Refreshed Supply launches December 4, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

• It will be the first time Blood graces consoles.

• On consoles, it supports up to 4K / 120 FPS performance modes.

• Cross-platform online multiplayer is confirmed, as well as local split-screen up to 8 players (in co-op, “Bloodbath,” and classic CTF modes) across platforms.

• The existing expansions Plasma Pak and Cryptic Passage will be bundled.

• Two new mission scenarios: Marrow will arrive at launch; Death Wish will follow as a free post-launch update.

• Blood: Fresh Supply will be delisted on December 4; current owners are promised a ~66.6 % loyalty discount to upgrade.

• Owners of Fresh Supply will retain access to it after launch — it’s not forcibly replaced on your machine.

Gameplay & Mod Integration Highlights

One of the boldest moves here is embedding two high-profile community mods— Marrow and Death Wish — directly into the package. These won’t just be downloadable add-ons: they’ll be integrated, polished, and expanded (with new episodes) as part of the official experience.

That’s respect to the modding community, and also smart—Blood has always thrived on fan-made maps and scenarios. Marrow, in particular, is a well-regarded ten-map campaign that picks up just after the base game’s climax.

Under the hood, Refreshed Supply inherits many of Fresh Supply’s core upgrades: unlocked frame rates, modern graphics APIs (Vulkan, DirectX 11), configurable controls, and enhanced netcode. But Nightdive says they’ve refined further — improved performance, more QoL tweaks, and deeper mod integration across platforms.

So expect crisp visuals, smooth networked chaos, and — thanks to split-screen and crossplay — couch parties that span PC and consoles alike.

Why This Matters (Again)

It’s rare for a remaster to get remastered, but in the realm of retro FPS, it makes sense. Fresh Supply did the heavy lifting to get Blood up and running on modern hardware; now Refreshed Supply leverages that foundation, expands it, and finally brings the game to a wider audience. For console-only players who missed Blood, this is their shot. For veterans, it’s a respectful re-immersion backed by new content.

Nightdive, now a subsidiary of Atari, has built a reputation as the go-to “history preservation meets modern tech” studio. Their ethos is to revive, not rewrite — and with Refreshed Supply, they’re walking that tightrope again.

🔍 Trivia Bits

• Developer Origin: Nightdive Studios was founded in 2012 by Stephen and Alix Kick (originally in Portland, now based in Vancouver, WA).

• KEX Engine: Many of their remasters (including Blood, Turok, Quake, etc.) use KEX — an engine tailored for reverse-engineering classic games.

• Original Release: Blood launched in 1997, developed by Monolith Productions.

• Fresh Supply’s Debut: The first remaster was released May 9, 2019 on Steam, GOG, and Humble, incorporating smoother netcode, modern graphics, native mod support, and more.

• Mod Love: In Fresh Supply, modders had wide freedom — scripting, custom levels, even enemy AI tweaks — and Refreshed Supply intends to support that every step of the way.

• Discount Upgrade: Players who own Fresh Supply will receive a ~66.6 % discount when upgrading to Refreshed Supply.

• Delist & Legacy: Fresh Supply will be delisted when Refreshed Supply launches — but it remains playable to existing owners.

Final Word & What You Should Do Next

If you were on the fence about revisiting Blood back in 2019, Refreshed Supply just made that decision a lot easier. This is not just facelift-level polish — it’s a full push toward modern audiences without throwing out the soul of the original. Keep an eye on preorders (especially for console) and wishlist alerts so you don’t miss launch discounts on December 4.

Press Start to Gaze: Sony’s Official PlayStation Art Book Revealed

Ever wanted to flip through the blueprints, sketches, and prototype scraps that never made it to your PS1–PS5? Well, gamers and art lovers alike, your dream just got greenlit. Sony has officially announced PlayStation: The First 30 Years, a massive, glossy art/photography tome that aims to be the definitive visual chronicle of the PlayStation legacy.

Why This Book Matters (And Feels Electric)

This isn’t just “another art-of game” compendium. It’s a hardware art archive. Spanning 400 large-format pages of prototypes, internal concept sketches, design tissues, early models, and commentary from key engineers, this is the kind of behind-the-scenes access that only Sony itself could pull off.

Whether you grew up with a grey PS1 or you’re watching the evolution toward PS5, this book offers a nostalgic lens on how design choices, materials, and quirky experiments shaped each generation.

The Deep Dive: History, Design, and Launch Details

From Grey Bricks to Beyond – A Walk Through PlayStation’s Evolution

• PS1 & the “gray era”
  The original PlayStation hit Japan in December 1994 and later reached North America and Europe in 1995. That iconic gray shell and chunky “PlayStation” logo weren’t inevitable—they were decisions made after multiple rejected mockups. The book reportedly includes sketches and console prototypes that never left the lab.

• Mid-gen leaps & controller experiments
  From the DualShock’s analog breakthrough to niche controller spin-offs and prototypes, the volume chronicles moments where hardware almost, but didn’t, branch off in weird directions.

• PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5 design trajectory
  The book doesn’t stop at the early years. It carries forward into modern hardware—with internal component layouts, design wireframes, and stylized photos of art direction for each generation.

• Design voices & art direction
  Inside you’ll find commentary from designers like Teiyu Goto and Yujin Morisawa, as well as images from and insights by Studio.Build and photographer Benedict Redgrove.

What You’ll Actually Get: Formats, Editions & Preorders

*Prices differ by region; USD and GBP are early announced reference points.

• Release timing: Ships in Spring 2026. Preorders are live now via the Read-Only Memory store.

• Distribution / Regional availability: The announcement frames it as “worldwide,” though the publisher’s UK base (Read-Only Memory) means UK and Europe customers may enjoy smoother shipping and fewer import fees.

• No digital edition (so far): It’s all about the physical, coffee-table spectacle.

• Signed components: The deluxe edition includes prints signed by Teiyu Goto and photographer Benedict Redgrove.

• Collector risk: With only 1,994 deluxe copies, expect scalpers and “sold out” flags early.

Why Retro Gamers Should Care About a “Hardware Book”

We tend to think of PlayStation history in terms of games—Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, Shadow of the Colossus, Uncharted, God of War. But to make those games possible, there was a constant dance between hardware constraints (polygon budgets, memory, disc speed) and artistic ambition. Seeing the internal sketches, component arrangements, and rejected ideas helps explain why certain aesthetics became hallmarks of PlayStation’s identity.

Plus, design fans will appreciate how small decisions (button shape, curvature, material textures) reverberate across user experience, ergonomics, and artistic style.

💡 Quick Notes

• 1994 Rules: There are only 1,994 deluxe copies to echo the original PlayStation’s 1994 debut year.

• Photographer cred: Benedict Redgrove, known for NASA imagery, is behind the book’s hardware photography.

• Design studio flair: The art direction comes from Nicole Motby and Studio.Build—the same studio behind the original WipEout cover concepts.

• Archive access: Sony permitted inclusion of internal R&D prototypes and concept artifacts not shown publicly before.

• Regional artbooks: Historically, PlayStation art books tended to be game-specific and region-tiered, whereas this is a hardware chronicle with official sanction—a first of its kind.

Final Boss Thoughts

If you’re a retro gamer who’s geeked out over texture maps, rotor vents inside your console, or revision history in console shells, PlayStation: The First 30 Years is one of those keepers. It’s not just a celebration of nostalgia, but a monument to how form, function, and visual identity interlock across decades.

Mark your calendar for Spring 2026, head over to Read-Only Memory if you want your order locked down early, and maybe start saving for that deluxe edition—because once 1,994 are gone, they’re gone forever.

Dig Deep & Dream Big — Switch Online Adds Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams to Its GBA Roster

Imagine firing up your Switch, scrolling through the growing GBA library, and seeing — not another Mario or Metroid — but two offbeat gems you maybe never thought would resurface. That’s what just landed. As of September 25, 2025, Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams are now part of the Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Classics collection for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers.

This isn’t just adding more entries — it’s reaching deeper into the catalog, spotlighting third-party gems with quirky gameplay concepts and cult appeal. For retro fans, it’s a welcome shakeup. Let’s dig in.

Why These Picks Matter

The GBA library on Switch has mostly leaned on Nintendo’s first-party strengths, with occasional third-party entries. With Mr. Driller 2 and Klonoa: Empire of Dreams, Nintendo is signaling a willingness to spotlight more niche, legacy titles from partners.

• Genre variety: Drillers and dreamers — puzzle/arcade vs. puzzle-platforming — make for a refreshing contrast.

• Underrated cult status: Neither title was a blockbuster in its day, which means plenty of fans never got to try them.

• Lore & lineage: Klonoa’s “Empire of Dreams” weaves itself between mainline entries; Mr. Driller 2 refines the series’ addictive digging formula.

Now, let’s dig deeper into each game’s history, mechanics, and how to play them today.

The Main Attractions

Mr. Driller 2 — Drill, Drop & Don’t Die

Origins & Release

Originally released in arcades in 2000, Mr. Driller 2 was later ported to the GBA in 2001, bringing the fast block-digging action to a handheld form. In 2025, it makes its Switch Online debut in the GBA Classics lineup.

The GBA version was even re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console earlier, foreshadowing its digital afterlife.

Gameplay Highlights

• You control Susumu (or Anna) and dig downward through colored blocks, trying to navigate collapsing passages while keeping your air supply in check.

• Blocks of the same color will coalesce mid-fall, possibly triggering chain dissolves.

• Crystal Blocks flash before breaking, introducing tension in your path planning.

• You’ll juggle three modes: Mission Driller, Endless Driller, and Time Attack Driller. (These are part of the updated GBA Classics port.)

• The original GBA version even supported link-cable multiplayer in certain modes (though that won’t directly translate to the Switch version).

Access & Region Notes

• You’ll need a Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription to access the GBA app and play this game.

• It appears globally in supported regions (Japan, NA, PAL) — there’s no known region lock preventing Western access.

Klonoa: Empire of Dreams — Where Dreams Go Banned

History & Place in Klonoa Lore

Developed by Now Production and published by Namco, Empire of Dreams first launched in 2001 on GBA. It sits narratively between the original Klonoa: Door to Phantomile and Klonoa 2, functioning as a portable "bridge" in the series’ timeline.

Later, it saw Virtual Console releases (e.g. 2014 in North America) before now appearing in the GBA Classics library.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Klonoa traverses 40 stages combining platforming, puzzles, and exploration.

• His signature tool: the Wind Bullet / Wind Ring — which can pull in enemies, let you toss them, or use them to reach platform edges.

• You’ll frequently double jump, hover, or use enemies midair to make tricky leaps.

• Dream motifs influence both level design and story: in the game’s narrative, the emperor has outlawed dreaming, so Klonoa is punished for dreaming of adventure.

Access & Region Notes

• Again, you must be a Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber to play.

• This entry also seems to roll out alongside Mr. Driller 2 in all supported regions.

🕹️ Quick Sidebar

• Familial roots: Susumu from Mr. Driller is canonically the son of Taizo Hori, the hero of Dig Dug.

• New faces: Mr. Driller 2 introduced Anna (your rival/helper) and Puchi (a dog) into the cast.

• Interquel move: Empire of Dreams is literally meant to sit between Klonoa and Klonoa 2 in the story arc.

• GBA library stats: As of this update, the total GBA Classics catalog is 30 in Japan — but only 27 in Western regions, since some titles remain Japan-only (like Mother 3 or Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade).

• Button tweaks & scaling: The GBA app on Switch was recently updated with button remapping and better resolution scaling (useful especially for Switch 2).

What This Means & What to Do Next

These additions underscore a stronger commitment to third-party and cult classics in Nintendo’s retro archival efforts. If you’re a retro buff, you now have two more reasons to keep your subscription active. If you missed these in their original window, now’s your shot.

Just remember: you’ll need the Expansion Pack tier of Nintendo Switch Online to access these GBA games — the base plan won’t cut it.

So fire up the GBA app, start drilling or drifting through dreamscapes, and here’s hoping this is just the beginning of deeper vault mining.

Until next time — happy retro adventuring and may your next session unearth another hidden gem.