Team Fortress 2, despite a release way back in 2007, remains a popular go-to online shooter that continues to impress with its concurrent player account. The game offers strategy, comedy, and just a good time, which is why this particular mod undertaking is one to note. 

A group of modders are utilizing the same engine Valve used for Half-Life: Alyx to essentially remake Team Fortress 2. Team Fortress S2 is the name, and the project consists of a team of passionate gamers coming together to further inspire love in the TF2 community. "We love it for its gameplay, story, its unique cast of characters and environments," boasts this group of modders, and they are showing that love by making this experience even better. 

"A few months ago, when s&box started to release access to the Source 2 tools and ways to create custom game modes, we started to ask ourselves: 'How would TF2 look like if it was ported to Source 2?' We know that Source 2 provides a lot of graphical improvements as well as a new physics engine," says the team when reflecting on how this project came to be. "It is a lot more up-to-date to modern game development standards, compared to the two-decades-old Source, yet similar in some ways. So seeing this game in a new modern engine really interests us."

Now is apparently the perfect time to explore this venture further because that's exactly what the TF: S2 crew is doing; they're making it happen even if the name for this mod is still a work in progress. The end goal is to completely recreate Team Fortress 2 with Source 2, offering enhancements to the sequel much like an official remake would. To make a "truly new unique Team Fortress experience," this group of dedicated fans is all-in when it comes to making this vision a reality, and we can't wait to see the final result. 

To learn more about this ambitious Team Fortress 2 remake project, check out the group's official website right here. You can also learn more about the joys of modding with a piece I wrote here that dives into how "breaking" games makes them more special and enjoyable. 

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ID@Xbox provided indie fans with an entire showcase dedicated to new gaming adventures that are on the way. The showcase gave us incredible first looks at new indie games, as well as new info on already revealed titles, but it also came bearing Xbox Game Pass news, as well. 

While not every game announcement slated to arrive on Xbox Game Pass later this year received a release date, we do at least have an idea of what else is on the way. Games like Stardew Valley are widely beloved in the gaming community, and its arrival to the subscription service library is one that has been requested a lot in the past. Other titles on the way include: 

• Aragami 2
• Pupperazzi 
• Library of Ruina
• Evil Genius 2 World Domination
• Stardew Valley

I'm particularly excited for Pupperazzi, mainly because it's basically Pokemon Snap but with puppers. I don't know about you, but that sounds like paradise to me. Aragami 2 is slated to arrive next month, though Evil Genius 2 is expected sometime in the latter half of this year. More titles will be revealed in the coming month, but for now? We have Pupperazzi. 

In case you missed last week's announcement about what other titles are on the way, here is everything coming (and leaving) Xbox Game Pass this month: 

• Curse of the Dead Gods, Cloud, Console, and PC - Available now
• Dodgeball Academia, Cloud, Console, and PC - Available now
• Katamari Damacy Reroll, Cloud, Console, and PC - Available now
• Lumines Remastered, Cloud, Console, and PC - Available now
• Skate, Console - Available now
• Skate 3, Cloud - Available now
• Starmancer, PC - Available now
• Art of Rally, Cloud, Console, and PC - August 12
• Hades, Cloud, Console, and PC - August 13
• Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Premium Edition, PC - August 17

DLC/Game Updates: 

• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - African Royales DLC - Available Now
• Gears 5: Operation 8 - Available Now
• Dead by Daylight Archives Tome VIII: Deliverance - Available Now
• Rainbow Six Siege: Containment Event - Now until August 24
• Sniper Elite 4 Series X/S Update - Available Now
• Zombie Army 4: Left 4 Dead 2 Character Pack - Available Now

What's Leaving: 

• Grand Theft Auto V, Cloud and Console - Gone
• Ape Out, PC - August 15
• Crossing Souls, PC - August 15
• Darksiders Genesis, Cloud, Console, and PC - August 15
• Don't Starve, Cloud, Console, and PC - August 15
• Final Fantasy VII, Console and PC - August 15
• Train Sim World 2020, Cloud, Console, and PC August 15

If you haven't already checked out what Xbox Game Pass has to offer, there are two options available. There is the standard service, which is $9.99 a month and then there is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is $14.99 a month. Ultimate also awards members with Xbox Live as an added bonus, which gives players free games each month to enjoy. With the price of some games now set for $70, and with the day one inclusion of Xbox-specific titles, it's a solid deal for those that game a lot but has been burned in the past games that just weren't to their liking. 

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Idris Elba has an impressive acting record, playing all sorts of characters that his talent brings to life. While he's kicking butt as Bloodsport currently with The Suicide Squad now in theaters, it looks like he's pivoting in a completely different direction for his next project: Sonic the Hedgehog 2. 

The sequel to the live-action take is expected to drop on April 8, 2022, and while we are still waiting to learn more about the upcoming film's premise, we do have one particular confirmation that basically lit the internet on fire in one fell sweep: Elba is playing Knuckles. The actor shared the confirmation of his new role via Twitter with our first look at the character's redesign and it took about 0.002 seconds before half of Twitter began having a sexuality crisis. 

Idris Elba via SEGA

Captioned simply, "Knock knock," the replies and quote tweets immediately began flooding in with reactions to the latest Sonic revelation. So far, the reception is overwhelmingly positive, albeit a little confused. The reply thread is filled with the thirstiest of fans coming to terms with their love of Elba in relation to his playing Knuckles, and honestly? If this is the biggest "discourse" we have today in the online world, it's a good day. 

The Hollywood Reporter also confirmed the casting news of the anticipated sequel with Jeff Fowler once more taking the helm as the movie's director. Ben Schwarts is also returning to voice our beloved blue protagonist, with James Marsden, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, and Adam Pally also coming back for more Sonic love. 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is slated to arrive in theaters on April 8, 2022. 

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