Lauren Morton
Lauren started writing for PC Gamer as a freelancer in 2017 while chasing the Dark Souls fashion police and accepted her role as Associate Editor in 2021, now serving as the self-appointed chief cozy games enjoyer. She originally started her career in game development and is still fascinated by how games tick in the modding and speedrunning scenes. She likes long books, longer RPGs, has strong feelings about farmlife sims, and can't stop playing co-op crafting games.
Latest articles by Lauren Morton
![Dark and Darker - three teammates stand in a castle room by torchlight](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SgRP38MEX8o4QTW3792fAP-320-80.jpg)
Dark and Darker wiped player progress today due to an influx of cheaters
By Lauren Morton published
News The PvP dungeon crawl wiped progress today but also brought back voice chat.
![Stardew Valley](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FM9XipJdY57f3XaxnoXob4-320-80.jpg)
This Wordle-like game makes you catch and guess Stardew Valley's fish
By Lauren Morton published
News This is not the Wordle-like game I was expecting next.
![Spaceship flying](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/72Bvjb4eeTEWgRmJJbZuXb-320-80.jpg)
You can launch Starfield as early as August 31, its global release times confirm
By Lauren Morton published
News Bethesda has shared the global launch timing for Starfield beginning with the early access for Premium Edition buyers.
![Return to Moria LOTR survival game](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yu7sNnKy7WMCfBG7332H6k-320-80.jpg)
The Lord of the Rings game we're actually excited to play is coming in October
By Lauren Morton published
News The more I hear about Return to Moria, the more I'm digging it.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XJPhhTvh7WAts2dxgYAqbh-320-80.png)
Beware the corpse nuke that can end your Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough with a bang
By Lauren Morton published
News The party wipe is coming from inside the house.
![Crimson Desert - Kliff crosses blades with an enemy, looking strained, while wearing another sword and shield on his back](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k34HhmenqubFTC9UcMddjV-320-80.jpg)
Medieval skydiving is not even the weirdest thing Crimson Desert crammed into this exhaustive new trailer
By Lauren Morton published
News The weirdest thing was playing the pipes for that crowd of little blobs.
![Nightingale - A character in a white and gold mask with an elaborate collar .](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YJHB4vxAQHPVux9x3bRfFG-320-80.jpg)
Gamescom Opening Night Live roundup: every PC game trailer and announcement
By Lauren Morton published
Roundup Here's every game trailer and announcement for games and updates coming to PC.
![An assassin wearing a hood and wielding a dagger, leaping over a crowd.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HMcbpy3QjZ2VfKuZwbNvGB-320-80.jpg)
How to watch Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023
By Lauren Morton published
News Catch the next big livestream of gaming announcements and trailers this week.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - Lae'zel and a custom character kiss while covered with blood](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C5WohYVpzoj6E4krCLtqL6-320-80.png)
Baldur's Gate 3's lead writer on romances: 'sex is not the goal, it's just sex'
By Lauren Morton published
News "I know we made them too thirsty," he jokes. (But I disagree.)
![Baldur's Gate 3 — A half-elf paladin player character in conversation with a party member.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GPeH7SniSHoowF54ZKeyNM-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3: release date, classes, and everything else we know
By Jody Macgregor last updated
It's Back Baldur's Gate is back, in turn-based form.
![The Dark Urge being tempted to do evil.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kHZ22zCVsxbsaWPgmRZvQg-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3's chaotic Dark Urge origin is 'potentially the most heroic playthrough,' says lead writer
By Lauren Morton published
News I'm just going to have to trust him on this one.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - Jaheira with a glowing green sword looks ready for battle](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aBRq43syaDWpjSaac5WDif-320-80.jpeg)
'We owe them a huge debt': Baldur's Gate 3 lead writer hopes they did '90s BioWare proud
By Lauren Morton published
News Larian Studios' lead writer Adam Smith reflects on the long shadow of Baldur's Gate.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - True Soul Nere, a drow with white hair and red eyes, covered in dirt and looking pained](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NXqn7W2HeqBV3tVocmDh6-320-80.jpg)
How to free True Soul Nere from the cave-in in Baldur's Gate 3
By Lauren Morton published
Nearly There Find the explosives you need to get Nere out before he succumbs to poison.
![Hammerwatch 2 ey art -](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QH82fbtAQsr4GTmP3Ny6td-320-80.jpg)
Indie action RPG Hammerwatch 2 is more like A Link to the Past than Diablo 4, its developer says
By Lauren Morton published
News The next sequel to this hidden gem co-op romp is a much bigger action RPG than its predecessors.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - A goblin woman sneers at the player](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8CDguDbgBd3VM3VvstHSP-320-80.jpg)
I can't believe 35% of Baldur's Gate 3 players already took the evil route
By Lauren Morton published
News Is it just me, or is that a lot of evil players?
![Baldur's Gate 3 artwork of a character with white hair reaching for a weapon on their back while facing a dungeon wall](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eMMAJPoYnN4NK7jBZjk82B-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 classes and subclasses: how to pick your playstyle
By Lauren Morton last updated
Classy What we know about the D&D classes in Baldur's Gate 3.
![Palia key art - a grassy plain with a mountain in the background where a character stands with a backpack in front of a windmill](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XqknSUZdN3YY7NeM7bkMeX-320-80.jpg)
After battling server issues, cozy MMO Palia enters open beta today
By Lauren Morton published
News This free-to-play life sim MMO had a less-than-cozy closed beta week but is going public today nevertheless.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - a half drow character holds up their hand which is covered by a glowing mark of the Absolute](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zAS8F3gArzrmFeuNgqnKKP-320-80.jpg)
Fellow Dragon Age fans, I need you to play Baldur's Gate 3 with me
By Lauren Morton published
Found Family We still have a long wait for Dreadwolf, so don't miss out on playing a true evolution on Origins.
![Baldur's Gate 3 - an oathbreaker knight looms over the player in an all-red vision](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/orBRkkUpB6NQRnE2oJY4Ua-320-80.jpg)
Being a dirty Oathbreaker is actually cool in Baldur's Gate 3
By Lauren Morton published
Forsworn This specific Baldur's Gate 3 subclass is for the roleplayers, and I'm digging it.
![Baldur's Gate 3 owlbear cub](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hh3Q8brdQNjRiMi7aixpgT-320-80.jpg)
How to get the owlbear cub in Baldur's Gate 3
By Sarah James published
Owlbear necessities You'll need to rescue it from the Goblin Camp.
![Baldur's Gate 3 characters - Kagha with her hand over where her heart would be](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RAMv57ja7gzTckP6Z67tqK-320-80.jpg)
5 things you really shouldn't miss in the first 5 hours of Baldur's Gate 3
By Christopher Livingston published
Perception Check With so much to do when you're just starting out, here are a few highlights you should hit when you start playing.
![Protagonists from the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3 pose dramatically in front of stormclouds, with a flying ship crashing to the earth behind them.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rZ3SW6MG2hCrEKUNgSFUJ7-320-80.jpg)
Baldur's Gate 3 companions: gather your party before venturing forth
By Lauren Morton last updated
the fellowship Trust me, keep your wits about you when Astarion's around.
![Palia - a player standing and waving above the Kilimia Village center area](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gd5CVTYMNGK64fsuxtSN9e-320-80.jpg)
Combat-free MMO Palia is giving me high hopes for the future of 'cozy' MMOs
By Lauren Morton published
Collectively Cozy Palia is headed into an open beta next week for all life sim lovers to try.