August means Tiny Teams! During the week of 7-14/August, Tiny Teams is an event showcasing games made by small teams. Demos, full releases, and even early insights to celebrate the games made by tiny teams. Last year, I fit eight games into the week. This time, I might be a bit more relaxed on that. We’ll see once the festival begins. But I’m already seeing a few games I know I’ll be covering, such as Cattle Country and the dinosaur-themed RPG Clever Girls.

Before Tiny Teams begins, the fifth sees another Switch 2 article. This one is about the future of the console. Both with things already announced and those wishes I have. Since launch, there’s been a few new games announced that weren’t present in the Switch 2 Direct, so those will be the focus. I’m also not going to be wild with the wishes. Or at least I’ll attempt to, since I know exactly the sort of games I’m likely to put in such a wishlist.

August is also a time of Gamescom, with the Opening Night Live event set to reveal many new games. Along with new information on already known ones. There’s been so much speculation on what TT Games have been working on since The Skywalker Saga, with the latest being that it will appear at this event. Along with the possible appearance of LEGO games, I’m sure Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will make an appearance. Whatever gets me invested, I’ll talk about in the article talking of the event.

For games I’ll be playing not related to Tiny Teams, there’s only one I know for sure. Coming at the end of the month is Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. A remake of one of the old DS Harvest Moon’s, I’m sure I’ll be invested in the farming fun of this one. My experiences should be ready before September starts. And if any other games I find attract my attention, I’ll likely share experiences of them, too.

In terms of stories, The Alternate Extras of Halesowen draws one step closer to completion with a new one for Alicia. Offering a different viewpoint of Elizabeth’s birthday meal seen in The Alternate Adventures of Halesowen, it will be familiar yet new as it reveals how Alicia – and the others who were there, saw the events that transpired as they discuss things.

Also coming this month is Trials of Gore Fest: Elan Valley. This new story starts a new universe, one in which the dark web forum of Gore Fest exists. A competition of murder sport that so far had not made it to the UK. Elan Valley is the entry point for a UK-based team, where they make themselves known with plenty of murder across the village. Told through the eyes of Helen of Dark Web Intelligence, does she and her team have the ability to find and expose the Gore Fest team before Elan Valley becomes a ghost town?

And lastly, August is the month in which 100 days remain to Jingle Jam. Another great event of charity and fun, I’ll be doing the same as previous years on that 100th day. Running through the charities that the Jingle Jam is supporting this year, along with some highlights from the event last year to say why you should give a look at what will come.