From Pandas to Pixels: What’s hot in Gaming – Early June | DogHouse 24
Welcome back to the DogHouse!
Summer might be heating up, but so is the world of gaming and tech. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia trip, the cutting-edge updates, or just looking for your next obsession, we’ve packed this episode of the DogHouse Podcast full of news, reviews, and honest takes. Prefer to read? Here’s your TL;DR of episode #24.
Return to Pandaria (Yes, the Classic Version!)
Let’s kick things off with some good ol’ MMO nostalgia. Blizzard has officially announced that Mists of Pandaria (Classic) will be hitting servers on July 21, 2025.
This expansion had a mixed reception back in the day (remember the “cartoony panda” memes?). Still, over time, it has become a fan favorite thanks to its stunning visuals, serene zones inspired by Chinese culture, and a soundtrack that still gives us goose bumps. Players will be rolling monks, rediscovering Jade Forest, and enjoying the refined class design that made MoP one of WoW’s most balanced expansions.
And no, there won’t be any frog farming this time. Blizzard patched that exploit into the history books.
AI ethics are in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, across the pond, the UK House of Lords is throwing punches in a good way. The upper chamber of Parliament just blocked a controversial bill for the fourth time that would’ve allowed tech companies to use any copyrighted material for training their AI models.
Artists, musicians, and creators have been pushing back hard, and for good reason. This ruling is a significant victory for those who want a say in how their work is utilized in the era of generative AI.
It’s not over yet—the bill heads back to the House of Commons—but for now, the creative world is breathing a sigh of relief.
Volvo’s high-tech seatbelts
Yes, we’re talking seatbelts—and no, it’s not boring. Volvo just announced that their upcoming 2026 EX60 SUV will feature adaptive seatbelts that adjust in real-time based on your body type and live traffic data.
Why does that matter? Because this tech could significantly reduce injuries during collisions. Volvo’s crash simulations helped them develop belts that tighten or loosen based on factors such as weight, height, and even posture. It’s a futuristic safety net we didn’t know we needed—but now kind of want.
Uber’s brand-new senior accounts
If you’ve ever tried to explain Uber to your grandparents, you’ll love this.
Uber is rolling out Senior Accounts, complete with a new Simple Mode: think large buttons, pre-set destinations, and even the ability to use Medicare cards for medical rides. Family members can link their accounts to help manage appointments, track trips, and ensure Grandma arrives at her doctor’s appointment.
It’s a thoughtful update with real-life impact—and a great example of tech meeting people where they are.
Elden Ring: Nightreign Review
In our spotlight review, John sat down with Spencer—our in-house masochist-slash-roguelike pro—to talk about Elden Ring: Nightreign, the new standalone co-op title from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco.
Spencer has already cleared all eight bosses in six out of the eight classes, and he’s loving every punishing second.
Nightreign blends Soulsborne difficulty with fast-paced roguelike mechanics. It’s intense, fast, and brutal in all the best ways. The co-op system is still a little clunky (voice chat and traditional 2-player modes are currently missing, but fixes are reportedly in the works). Still, if you like your games punishing and deeply rewarding, Nightreign is worth the grind.
Gaming Spotlight
- Disney Dreamlight Valley: Think Animal Crossing meets The Sims, with Disney characters. Build, decorate, and hang out with Wally and friends. No subscription required.
- RIFT: a fantasy MMORPG where players harness dynamic class systems and battle world-changing rifts that tear open the fabric of reality.
- Deathloop (Free on Epic): A stylish FPS with time-loop mechanics and assassins.
- Ogu and the Secret Forest (Free on Epic): A charming hand-drawn 2D adventure that’s caught our eye for its cozy vibes and clever puzzles.
Corgis. In. Rift.
Yes, really. The classic MMO Rift is celebrating Corgi Month, where players can take on the form of adorable corgis and herd sheep across Telara.
It’s delightfully absurd—and we’re here for it. Rift may be from 2011, but its community is still going strong, and events like this show why it’s still worth revisiting.
Tech Tips: Avoiding Common PC Build Mistakes
This week’s Pack Talk dove into a common issue we see all the time: overspending on CPUs while skimping on your GPU.
Here’s the truth—if you’re building a system for gaming, the GPU is king. It doesn’t matter if you’re rocking an old i7-3770K; slapping a 5090 into it won’t magically give you ultra settings at 240 FPS.
Sometimes, upgrading the entire platform (including the motherboard, CPU, and RAM) is the smarter long-term play.
Bonus tip: If you’re cleaning your system, ditch the canned air and invest in a rechargeable blower. More power, less waste.
Product & Inventory Updates
Big news: RTX 5090s are finally in stock!
We’re rolling them out in our Armor TL desktops, Mobius laptops, and even our Flight Sim Rigs built in partnership with Flying Magazine. Quantities are limited, and these beasts don’t sit on the shelf for long, so if you’ve been waiting, now’s your shot.
Need something a little more budget-friendly? Our Mobius ES 15″ laptops with 5000-series GPUs are restocked!
On the business side, recent tariff hikes on components have eased somewhat, dropping from 145% to approximately 55%. It’s not perfect, but it’s helping stabilize availability and pricing.
Whether you’re rolling a Pandaren monk, test-driving Volvo’s future-tech seatbelts, or finally picking up Deathloop for free, there’s no shortage of things to get excited about in tech and gaming right now.
Need help picking the right rig? Got a question for the podcast? Or want to geek out with us?
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Until next time,
Stay cool, stay curious, and game on.
Tags: gaming news, Elden Ring: Nightreign, WoW Classic: Mists of Pandaria, PC building tips, tech updates, ASUS router botnet, Switch 2 packaging issue, Disney Dreamlight Valley, RIFT game, Epic Games free, Deathloop, Ogu and the Secret Forest, right to repair, Volvo seatbelt tech, Uber senior accounts, AI copyright UK, DogHouse podcast, DogHouse24
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