Lauren has been writing for PC Gamer since she went hunting for the cryptid Dark Souls fashion police in 2017. She joined the PCG staff in 2021, now serving as self-appointed chief cozy games and farmlife sim enjoyer. Her career originally began in game development and she remains fascinated by how games tick in the modding and speedrunning scenes. She likes long fantasy books, longer RPGs, can't stop playing co-op survival crafting games, and has spent a number of hours she refuses to count building houses in The Sims games for over 20 years.
Latest articles by Lauren Morton

What's free on the Epic Games Store right now?
By Lauren Morton last updated
FREE STUFF Stay up to date on what games Epic is giving away each week this year.

Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule and all the other summer showcases full of gaming announcements you won't want to miss
By Lauren Morton published
Showcase Season Keep up with when to watch this summer's lineup of major gaming announcements.

Witchbrook: Everything we know so far about the witchy life sim
By Russell Adderson last updated
Spelled out Chucklefish's cozy magical college sim is coming next year.

A human overview of Paralives: what you need to know about the upcoming indie life sim
By Lauren Morton last updated
Life Plan The next life sim to watch is hyper-stylized with an impressive build mode and lots of plans for Live Mode in early access.

This vampire farm sim has Real Housewives of Stardew energy
By Lauren Morton published
Farm Sins Moonlight Peaks is brave enough to ask: What if Stardew Valley were more toxic?

The Sims 3 review: 'a joyful simulation, and celebration, of life and all its dramas'
By Graham Smith published
Life affirming Love, work and kleptomania return in The Sims 3, Electronic Arts' enormous life-controlling sequel to the bestselling PC game of all time.

Discussion time: Are classic tab-target MMOs with loads of keybinds going out of style?
By Harvey Randall published
CLOSE THE TAB I can feel my inner old man weeping, but the times, they are a-changing.

GTA 6: What we know about Rockstar's return to Vice City
By Lauren Morton last updated
Crime Time Grand Theft Auto 6's delay gives more time to pick apart trailers, characters, and locations.

Borderlands 3 Shift codes: Every active Shift code and how to redeem them
By Lauren Morton, Wes Fenlon last updated
Free keys An updated list of the latest Borderlands 3 shift codes for Golden Keys, and how to unlock special loot.

Everything you need to know about Stranger Than Heaven, the half-century-spanning Yakuza series prequel
By Lauren Morton published
Old School Cool RGG's new historical drama is an origin story for the Tojo Clan's founder Makoto and his rise to power.

Cozy games in May: Our release calendar and staff picks
By Lauren Morton published
Cozy calendar From Paralives to Thrifty Business, this month is going to be all about life sims and shop sims in the cozy game corner.

Full list of The Sims 4 Life & Death cheats for becoming a Reaper or maxing out your Ghost Mastery
By Lauren Morton published
Cheating Death Here's your full reference list for cheats in the afterlife expansion with skill cheats, career cheats, and tons of unlockable ghost abilities.

Full list of The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies cheats with skills, perks, and hidden reward traits
By Lauren Morton published
Business Hacks Here's your full reference list for cheats in the small businesses expansion to change your renown, alignment, and skill levels.

The best possible fantasy author is writing a dark, tragic prequel novel for our beloved Baldur's Gate 3 boy Astarion
By Lauren Morton published
News Wildly prolific fantasy and horror author T. Kingfisher just got announced as the writer of an Astarion backstory novel coming this year.

The best co-op games to drag your pals into
By Harvey Randall last updated
Updated! The best co-op games around whether you want a co-op campaign or a hang space for your group chat.

The 20 best cozy games on PC that aren't farm sims
By Lauren Morton last updated
Cozy Games If you need more chill in your game library, these are the best cozy games you can play on PC.

Everything you need to know about the Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake
By Lauren Morton published
Back in Black Ubisoft has rebuilt Black Flag "from the ground up" with a combat overhaul and stealth improvements but the same classic story.

The Sims 4 cheats: Every cheat code and life hack you need
By Lauren Morton last updated
Life hacks All of the Sims 4 cheats for each expansion, all in one convenient place.

Steam sale dates: When is the next Steam sale?
By Fraser Brown last updated
Bargain Dates, biggest discounts, tips, annual Steam sale dates, and more.

Horse game klaxon: Palia is adding breedable, rideable horses and they look way more realistic than most MMO mounts
By Lauren Morton published
News Life sim MMO Palia's next free expansion is just three weeks away and it's giving me the ranching update that Red Dead Online refused to.

The best browser games
By Jupiter Hadley last updated
Browse the best A collection of great games you can play right in your browser.

Our cozy games of April list is looking so chilled out that there isn't even a single farm sim on it
By Lauren Morton last updated
Cozy calendar Don't get a spring in your step just yet because this month's cozy game launches are all so cozy you might want to stay bundled up.

Minecraft guide: Your compendium for crafting
By Lauren Morton published
Keep up with the latest guides to playing the new game drops and getting started in Minecraft.
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