The Game Developers Conference, an annual gathering that brings thousands of game developers to San Francisco, has just wrapped up. While most of the event is about networking and interesting talks about game design and technology, there were also a bunch of unreleased indie games that we got to check out. Yes, much of video games in 2025 will probably be defined by the Nintendo Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI. But based on the games we played, there might be some really fun smaller titles that could be huge hits this year, too.
Technology
Bigscreen’s super light Beyond 2 headset adds optional eye-tracking
Bigscreen has just revealed the Beyond 2, a custom-fit virtual-reality headset with a 116-degree field of view it claims is wider than the Meta Quest 3 and Valve Index. The wired headset weighs just 107 grams (~3.8 ounces) and starts at $1,019, but you’ll have to pay extra if you want eye-tracking capabilities.
The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is compatible with SteamVR base stations and comes with the same micro-OLED displays as its predecessor, offering a 5120 x 2560 resolution and up to 90Hz refresh rate. However, Bigscreen says the Beyond 2 has upgraded pancake optics offering “edge-to-edge clarity,” improved brightness, and less glare. It also lets you adjust the position of each lens separately, allowing it to match the distance between your pupils.
There’s also a Beyond 2e, which starts at $1,219 and tracks the movement of your eyes with “incredibly tiny camera sensors the size of a grain of sand.” This can come in handy if you want your virtual avatar in apps like VRChat to reflect your eye movement.
You can still use an iPhone XR or newer to create a 3D scan of your face, allowing Bigscreen to make a custom-fit face cushion. Alternatively, if you don’t have an iPhone, the Bigscreen Beyond 2 now offers a universal-fit Halo mount and cushion.
The Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e are available to order now with black, orange, and clear cover shells. Shipments are expected to arrive in June 2025.
An update to the Philips Hue app this week appears to have leaked a new Hue Secure video doorbell, reports Hueblog. The unannounced product shows up in a section offering instructions for adding devices that you have no QR code for.
From the screenshots below, taken in the iOS Hue app by my colleague Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, the Hue Secure doorbell is a straightforward video doorbell — tall, rectangular, and with what looks like a large button inside of an LED circle. As of this writing, the app still shows it on my phone.
I could only get so far in the instructions before hitting a wall, but there are details to glean. That includes that it might be a wired device, thanks to mentions of low-voltage errors and a need to “physically install” the camera before setup. It also uses both Bluetooth — for setup, at least — and Wi-Fi.
Hueblog writes that the camera isn’t expected to launch until this fall, so it could be a while before pricing or camera specs are available. The best way to set your expectations is probably to look at Hue’s other Secure cameras, such as the floodlight and indoor / outdoor options launched in 2023. They each offer 1080p video, two-way talk, and end-to-end encryption of recordings, as well as smart alerts for people, pets, and vehicles. They also don’t support HomeKit Secure Video, and I wouldn’t expect that to change with this device.
It happens without warning. Suddenly, access to your personal data gets interrupted by a simple hardware failure, a nasty virus, a cyberattack, a software glitch, accidental deletion or a human mistake. It’s clearer than ever that our personal data is vulnerable.
As an advocate for privacy and security and the editor behind the popular CyberGuy Report, which you can subscribe to for free at CyberGuy.com/newsletter, I have always emphasized the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to data security.
My top recommendation for protecting your precious memories, critical documents and the mountains of personal data we accumulate is straightforward: utilize a personal drive for backups.
STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS — SIGN UP FOR KURT’S THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW
A woman working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Choosing the right backup tools
Spring is traditionally a time for cleaning, and this should extend to digital hygiene as well. Each year, I undertake a thorough cleaning of my personal data, making sure to back up documents, family photos and other irreplaceable items. There’s nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes from having a physical backup, which places control firmly in your hands, irrespective of whether you use a Mac, PC or even a Chromebook.
A man working on his laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST LAPTOPS FOR 2025
Recommended backup solutions
One of my favorite tools for this task is a WD portable drive, which offers 2 terabytes of storage. It easily connects to your device via SuperSpeed USB 3.0, ensuring quick and efficient data transfer, and is fully compatible with Chromebook. A reliable drive like this is a must-have; I use another similar WD model for my MacBook and PC.
Image of a portable drive. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
BEST DESKTOP COMPUTERS FOR 2025
Backup, unplug then store your portable drive in a secure place
In addition to regular ongoing backups either on the cloud or another drive, I use this WD drive that plugs into your Mac, PC or Chromebook as an extra copy of my important data that can be disconnected and kept in a safe place away from hackers and other threats.
A man working on his laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
10 TIPS TO SPEED UP YOUR PC’S PERFORMANCE
What to backup: A digital checklist
When deciding what to back up from your computer, it’s crucial to prioritize documents, files, and memories that are important and irreplaceable. Here’s a comprehensive list to consider:
1. Personal documents: Include items like birth certificates, passports, social security cards, marriage certificates, wills and other legal documents that could be difficult or time-consuming to replace.
2. Financial records: This category should cover bank statements, tax returns, investment records and other financial documents that are essential for personal record-keeping and legal compliance.
3. Photos and videos: Family photos, vacation videos, special events like weddings or graduations and other personal memories that cannot be recreated.
4. Work and educational documents: If you use your computer for work or school, ensure you back up important projects, research papers, presentations and related correspondence.
5. Emails: Some emails might contain important information, agreements or attachments that you may need to refer back to. Consider backing up important emails or archiving them.
6. Contacts: A backup of your digital address book can save you a lot of trouble in case you lose access to your devices.
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
7. Music and media collections: For those who collect music, movies and books digitally, backing up these files ensures you don’t lose your collection.
8. Software and app data: Back up settings and data for apps that you use frequently, especially if they help manage your schedule, finances or health.
9. Website bookmarks: If you rely on bookmarks to navigate the internet efficiently, backing them up can save time if you need to restore or switch to a new device.
10. Game saves and profiles: If you’re a gamer, backing up your game saves and profiles can prevent loss of progress in case of system failure.
11. Creative works: Include writings, artwork, design files, coding projects or any other personal or professional creative work.
A woman looking at her phone while working on her laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Some additional steps to consider to keep your data safe
Adopt the 3-2-1 backup strategy: Ensure you maintain three copies of your data: the original, a backup on a different device and a third copy stored offsite or in the cloud. This approach offers robust protection against data loss.
Implement two-factor authentication (2FA): Enhance account security by enabling 2FA, requiring additional verification steps beyond just passwords, thereby reducing unauthorized access risks.
Regularly update and patch systems: Keep your operating systems and software up to date to address vulnerabilities that cyber threats might exploit.
Use strong antivirus software: Install a trusted antivirus software solution to guard against ransomware, viruses, and malicious attacks that can compromise your files. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
Update your passwords for better security: One of the most important steps in protecting your data is regularly updating your passwords to prevent unauthorized access. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Use a password manager — Instead of relying on memory, use a trusted password manager like to generate and store complex passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) — Add an extra layer of protection by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a one-time code via SMS or an authenticator app.
- Create unique passwords — Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Each password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Check for compromised passwords — Use services with password breach detection. Some services include a data breach scanner that checks if your stored passwords have been leaked and suggests updates.
- Change default router and device passwords — If you’re still using the default login credentials for your Wi-Fi router, smart home devices or online accounts, update them immediately to prevent security risks.
Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
By updating passwords along with other spring-cleaning security measures, you significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats and unauthorized access to your sensitive data.
SECURITY KEYS: WHAT ARE THEY AND SHOULD YOU USE ONE?
Kurt’s key takeaways
Taking a few minutes to protect your data and devices today can save you hours of frustration, heartache and financial loss tomorrow. Regular backups and trusted antivirus software work hand in hand to shield your digital life. Unplug your backup drive when finished and store it in a safe place — it’s a small step that makes a big difference.
What’s your ‘data disaster’ story, and what lessons did you learn about digital backups from it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Alert: Malware steals bank cards and passwords from millions of devices.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Here are a few of our favorites that we’re looking forward to.
Dreams of Another is a shooter, but you use your gun to create the world around you instead of destroying it. The game’s graphics have a dreamy, deconstructed quality to them, and when you shoot things, the colorful, unfocused scenes you see will solidify into things like buildings and people. Unexpectedly, my brief demo ended with a more traditional shootout against a sentient manhole cover. (I even lobbed a couple grenades to try and destroy it.) But I’m intrigued by the overall concept, and I look forward to seeing what developer Q-Games does with it in the final version of the game.—JP
In Faraway, you play as a shooting star and try to make constellations. The game requires just pressing and holding one button to spin around other stars, create a trail, and essentially play a celestial game of connect the dots. It’s a simple concept, but I was impressed by it immediately. In just a 10-minute demo, I was really starting to get the hang of using my shooting star’s momentum to perfectly swing around a star to make elaborate and high-scoring constellations. That’s all the time it took to make Faraway far and away my favorite game of the show.—JP
Haste: Broken Worlds is kind of like a 3D version of the classic mobile game Tiny Wings. You play as Zoe, a girl who runs forward at blinding speed through procedurally generated levels. Like with Tiny Wings, there are rolling hills you can launch from for added height, and if you time your fall right into the curve of another hill, you’ll get a satisfying “perfect” message and a boost to a meter that lets you pull out a hoverboard. The game has a roguelike structure, so you’ll get to pick and choose different types of levels to tackle as you make your way through a run. On the show floor, I was awful, dying within the first few levels before I had to hand the controller to the next person in line. But as soon as I got back to my hotel room, I downloaded the game’s free demo on Steam.—JP
Herdling tasks you with herding mysterious, fluffy beasts. In my demo, the character starts in a dark city before quickly coming upon three adorable beasts that reminded me of a big goat mixed with Sesame Street’s Mr. Snuffleupagus. Your goal is to get them out of the city and out to wilder pastures. You coax the animals forward from behind with a magic stick, and while they generally follow your directions, they are sometimes difficult to direct. More than once, my herd of three walked right into a wall. By the end of the demo, however, I really started to care for my fluffy friends, especially since you can name them — though I can only imagine the cruel ways the developers will pull on my heartstrings over the course of the full adventure.—JP
This is sort of the video game equivalent of a supergroup. Goichi “Suda51” Suda (best known for off-kilter games like Killer 7 and No More Heroes) has teamed up with Hidetaka “Swery65” Suehiro (the writer and director behind Deadly Premonition and, more recently, The Good Life) on an extremely challenging and roguelike game set in a world inspired by slasher movies. In the short time I had with the game, I died multiple times, but the twitchy action felt very satisfying, especially once I got the hang of the controls. There’s a neat feature where you can fight alongside a ghost image of your previous run, which seems like it will come in handy. What I didn’t get to experience was the inevitable surreal twist the two creators have put on the horror setting, but the core is solid.—AW
Slapstick comedy games are really coming into their own of late. And if you loved Untitled Goose Game or Thank Goodness You’re Here, this is definitely one to keep an eye on. The name really says it all: you control an unseemly long and stretchy arm and attempt to… do things, most of which are illegal. The level I played took place on a moving train, and you were tasked with stealing items from passengers while remaining undetected (probably because of how terrifying the arm is). There’s a puzzle element to it; at one point, I needed to take a briefcase from a sleeping businessman, only to find it was chained to his wrist. It’s absurd, of course, but that’s exactly the appeal.—AW
To a T is a delightful game about a teenager permanently stuck in a T pose. The game is from Katamari series creator Keita Takahashi, so, of course, it’s wacky and silly. My demo featured an elaborate tooth-brushing sequence, musical numbers, and a talking giraffe. But the demo also hinted at the character’s fear of school and bullying over their T-pose condition. I was surprised how much that made me care for the character, and if the story sticks the landing, it could make a game that might have been pure silliness something more thoughtful. It’s out on May 28th.—JP
Culture2 minutes ago
NHL playoff tiers: Where each team sits and what’s at stake down the stretch this season
Lifestyle6 minutes ago
Kristin Shockley Talks Trending Wedding Décor, Her Maximalist Style and More
Education12 minutes ago
ICE Tells a Cornell Student Activist to Turn Himself In
Technology17 minutes ago
Hue accidentally leaks a new video doorbell
World21 minutes ago
Germany temporarily shuts embassy in South Sudan amid fears of civil war
-
Midwest1 week agoOhio college 'illegally forcing students' to share bathrooms with opposite sex: watchdog
-
News1 week agoJudges threatened with impeachment, bombs for ruling against Trump agenda
-
News1 week agoVideo: Researchers Find Shipwreck Lost Since 1892
-
Politics1 week agoBarely: House GOP passes government funding bill without help from Democrats
-
World1 week agoRussia, China call on US to drop Iran sanctions, restart nuclear talks
-
News1 week agoFor Canadians Visiting Myrtle Beach, Trump Policies Make the Vibe Chillier
-
Politics1 week agoAll illegal migrants held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba have been sent to Louisiana
-
News1 week agoArlington National Cemetery stops highlighting some historical figures on its website