Medieval life sim game Bellwright will get its Early Access release in December 2023 for PC and will be launched on consoles in 2024. Developed by Donkey Crew and published by Snail, this open-world game, which can be played solo or in co-op multiplayer, combines elements of titles like Mount & Blade and Medieval Dynasty into something new.
You can catch a slice of gameplay in this newly released trailer:
Falsely blamed and exiled for murdering your king, you’re starting all alone in the wilderness and must found a settlement to ensure your own survival – and start on planning your revenge: a full rebellion against the royal family. Grow your village and protect it from the attacks of bandits and other forces out there. When you’ve got a big enough army yourself, you can go on the offensive and take down fortresses, expanding the reach of your revolt. As you forge alliances with others and discover secrets that advance your technology, a final showdown with the sovereign looms.
I actually got to see Bellwright in action at gamescom 2023 earlier this year and was impressed by what the developers have shown off there: Each villager’s life is fully simulated, so you could just sit there and accompany them as they go about their daily business, which depends on the job they’ve got in your town. You can fully customize your own and your troops’ equipment, fully controlling their formation and tactics during combat. Naturally, you can jump into the action by yourself as well, hacking, slashing, and shooting arrows at foes from a third-person perspective.
If you like the vibes of Medieval Dynasty, but need a little more violence and intrigue in your game, then Bellwright definitely looks like something to keep your eyes on.
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The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
The Miami Dolphins lost another cornerback when Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL on the first day of training camp, and they may have found a potential replacement. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Dolphins have agreed to a deal with former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. The Dolphins were already thin at the cornerback position before Burns was lost for the year. They released Kendall Fuller after the 2024 season and traded former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. Jones is a talented player, but character concerns have followed him throughout his career. He played in all 17 games for the Raiders last season, making 16 starts. Jones had 69 total tackles and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Despite his solid play, Jones was cut by Las Vegas in April. The Raiders had claimed Jones off waivers midway through the 2023 season after he was cut by the New England Patriots, likely because of his off-field issues. Then-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick suspended Jones at the end of the 2022 season for a violation of team rules. Several months later, Jones was arrested at Logan Airport in Boston on gun-related charges. Jones, 27, was also criticized over his perceived lack of effort during some games with Las Vegas. But the Dolphins are desperate, and Jones has plenty of upside. The former fourth-round pick out of Arizona State has shown he is worthy of being a starter when his focus is solely on football. Miami is hoping to get that version of Jones.
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