Gait Games

How dare you condemn me without knowing the facts! SHUT UP – I’m having a rhetorical conversation with myself. True, there was no new PC game round-up post yesterday, which might be offered as evidence that somebody forgot to write one, but you have no proof, no proof whatsoever that this wholly speculative ‘forgetful RPS editor’ was me. Also true: I’ve written 99% of the previous round-ups, but this guarantees nothing, for as David Hume reminds us in A Treatise of Human Nature, our minds are ill-equipped to identify relationships between past and future experience; all we have is the appearance of events following each other.

As such, the list of PC games below is but a sputtering of alienated atoms across the endless instant of ineffability. My memory informs me that PC games were released last week, and there appear to be more being released this week, but to argue for some kind of causal ‘trend’ would be buffoonish – and you, my dear friend, are no buffoon, or you wouldn’t be even now writing a comment about why my reading of Humean skepticism is pretentious and incorrect. Onward!

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**Exploring the Soundtrack of Adolescence in *Mixtape***

A particularly captivating element of coming-of-age narratives is their capacity to resonate with the shared experience of youth, especially the anxious navigation of intense emotions and significant life transitions. This storytelling genre frequently depicts adults reminiscing about their own adolescent awkwardness and the myriad ways they managed the chaos of growing up. The forthcoming game *Mixtape* encapsulates this theme with its distinctive premise: a teenage girl connects pivotal moments in her life to specific songs, underscoring music’s deep-seated influence as a backdrop to personal experiences.

*Mixtape* focuses on three high school friends—Stacy, Slater, and Cassandra—who share an essential night before setting off on their individual journeys after graduation. Each character harbors ambitious aspirations that are both optimistic and infused with the innocence typical of youth. Stacy acts as the narrator, choosing not to accompany her friends on a planned road trip to their college, instead opting to chase her dream of becoming a music supervisor in New York City. This choice lays the groundwork for a narrative interwoven with themes of friendship, transition, and the moments that shape one’s identity.

As Stacy gets ready for her last day with friends, she starts a quest to create a mixtape that narratively expresses their shared memories. Each selected song functions not just as a personal soundtrack but also as a symbolic link to collective experiences. This method introduces an engaging mechanic where players relive nostalgic events alongside the characters, appealing to anyone who has relied on music to commemorate life’s important milestones.

Stacy’s introduction of each track is infused with youthful enthusiasm and a hint of frustration that encapsulates the essence of teenage self-awareness. Her character, with a profound love for music, mirrors feelings voiced by many who seek comfort and clarity through melodies. For example, the writer draws on personal experiences with iconic musicians like Florence + The Machine, suggesting that music often intertwines with memories—highlighting both peaks and valleys in life.

The various episodes within *Mixtape* not only depict the trio’s escapades but also reveal the broader motif of self-mythologizing that adolescents frequently engage in as they handle the intensity of their feelings. Ordinary activities are transformed into meaningful life events, illustrating the exaggerated manner in which youthful experiences are often viewed. The backdrop of a small hometown further enhances this sensation, making every fleeting moment feel significant.

While the setting of *Mixtape* might seem limited against the expansive future awaiting the characters, this intimacy is vital. The game captures the essence of youth—everything appears monumental and significant at that stage. Music, in particular, serves as a lifeline connecting the characters to a realm beyond their upbringing, establishing ties to every memory that holds importance.

The gameplay of *Mixtape* mirrors the diverse nature of music itself, incorporating a broad range of mechanics. As players move through the characters’ homes gathering party supplies, they engage with flashbacks associated with different songs—each memory showcased through distinct mechanics that rejuvenate the experience. The game’s rhythm aligns with the music, leading players through various scenarios that amplify the emotional impact of the narrative.

The artistic design, inspired by a blend of nostalgia and modern aesthetics, resembles a playable animated film. While *Mixtape* indulges in some jovial humor characteristic of youth culture, its sincere investigation of the relationship between music and memory transcends these aspects, tapping into broader sentiments. As Stacy and her friends face the conclusion of their time together, their journey resonates with anyone aware that although high school may feel all-encompassing, life beyond those corridors is rich with promise and memories—each intricately linked to the songs that have accompanied those traversing through adolescence.

*Mixtape* holds the promise to not only encapsulate the dramatic volatility of youth but also to celebrate the lasting influence of music as it intertwines with the tapestry of memory—a testament that while life moves forward after high school, the enchanting tunes of our formative years will forever remain ingrained in our hearts.

Come on, you know you want to. This is what those who’re keen to play GTA 6 on PC around the same time it releases on console have been saying to Rockstar and Take-Two for years. It’s also now what the Bank of America are saying to the publisher’s boss Strauss Zelnick, as they try to convince him that putting the game’s price up to $80 would be good not only for the GTA makers, but the industry as a whole. As of right now, Zelnick seems totally unfussed by the former and might be considering the latter.

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**Sony’s Purchase of Bungie: Metrics, Obstacles, and Future Consequences**

In the early part of 2022, Sony captured attention with its purchase of Bungie for $3.6 billion, a decision seen by many as a strategic enhancement for the PlayStation ecosystem, particularly with the upcoming launch of *Destiny 2*’s celebrated expansion. Fast forward to the conclusion of the 2025 fiscal year, and the repercussions of this acquisition are becoming clearer. Sony has recently disclosed a notable impairment expense of $560 million linked to Bungie’s intangible assets, indicating a challenging phase for the once-praised partnership.

The financial impact of the acquisition is stark; Sony revealed an accumulated deficit of nearly $765 million tied to Bungie for the fiscal year. Specific figures from the company highlighted impairment losses of 31.5 billion yen in Q2 and 88.6 billion yen in Q4, culminating in a total of 120.1 billion yen for the fiscal year, raising alarms regarding long-term viability and value creation from the investment.

A critical moment arrived with the launch of *Marathon* on March 5, 2025—Bungie’s inaugural new IP in over a decade. However, despite initial excitement, Sony has not disclosed specific sales data or player statistics for the extraction shooter, leaving analysts and fans wondering about its commercial success. Presently, it averages between 10,000 to 15,000 concurrent players on Steam, failing to make it into the top-10 most-played games across significant platforms. This marks a distinct contrast to the robust player engagement experienced with *Destiny 2*, which is also facing challenges, currently at its lowest point on Steam.

Adding to the instability, Bungie has undergone several rounds of layoffs since the acquisition, including the dismissal of its previous CEO, Pete Parsons. The ongoing nature of such layoffs raises concerns regarding the studio’s operational stability and its capability to keep up with market demands in the live service gaming sector. Fans and industry observers are closely watching for indications of further staff reductions amidst reports of Bungie’s high overhead costs and the dwindling prospects for its current major titles.

As Bungie seeks to revitalize *Marathon*, there are signs that the company is contemplating more casual-friendly game modes to broaden its player base. Nevertheless, without assertive marketing tactics from Sony, including possibly reducing the game’s $40 price or introducing promotional free trial weekends, achieving a notable improvement in player engagement may be difficult.

In summary, while Sony’s acquisition of Bungie intended to leverage the studio’s expertise and enhance its portfolio, the current scenario presents a series of obstacles that could impede the expected synergy. The forthcoming fiscal year will be pivotal for both Bungie and Sony as they address these challenges and aim to redefine their gaming strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Wizards of the Coast have missed a deadline for voluntarily recognising the new Magic: The Gathering Arena developer union, according to the latter’s organisers. WOTC bosses have so far replied only to press enquiries, the union workers claim, but they’re confident nonetheless that recognition is “inevitable”.

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**Civilization 7: Test of Time Update Summary**

Firaxis has unveiled an intriguing update for their 4X strategy title, *Civilization 7*, named “Test of Time,” scheduled for release on May 19, 2025. The developers are dubbing this patch as the “most fundamentally game-altering” since the game debuted in February 2025. One of the most important alterations is the reinstatement of players’ ability to remain with a single civilization for the entirety of a match, responding to a divisive issue among the player base concerning the obligatory civilization transition at each new age.

**Fresh Features and Mechanisms**

As stated by Firaxis, this update is the most eagerly anticipated feature by players. Participants will have the choice to uphold one civilization for their entire campaign while still having the option to advance their empire into various civilizations during Age Transitions. The newly introduced Syncretism mechanism will enable players to adopt Unique Units or Infrastructure from a civilization currently in its Apex Age, providing unique configurations or enhancing the distinctive qualities of their selected civ through the Affirmation option.

**Responding to Community Input**

Despite continuing difficulties with *Civilization 7*’s Steam review scores, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains hopeful about the game’s enduring success and profitability. He noted that the development team encountered challenges in striking a balance between innovation and the classic elements that fans cherish. Zelnick took responsibility for the game’s reception and confirmed the company’s dedication to making essential enhancements and adjustments.

**Gameplay and Content Improvements**

Alongside the civilization modifications, the Test of Time update will also revamp the Victory conditions, offering rewards for a wider range of activities and promoting prolonged supremacy throughout matches. A new Triumph system will take the place of the former Legacy Paths, presenting more diverse and engaging optional goals for players to chase during gameplay. The update will additionally feature a new map, narrative events, and extra content, all included as part of the complimentary update.

With these adjustments, *Civilization 7* aims to repair its relationship with the community and improve the overall gaming experience, reinforcing its position in the prestigious franchise.

There’s a severe drought of sharp looking parkour games at the moment. The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake got canned, and I don’t expect we’ll be seeing anything new of Mirror’s Edge for a while, if ever. Today is a good day for changing that, I think, as Motorslice arrives on the scene bringing the aforementioned running around and doing sick tricks games into conversation with the likes of Shadow of the Colossus and Nier Automata.

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### The Dispute Involving LittleBigPlanet 3 and the LBPOnline Initiative

In April 2024, the gaming community was met with the upsetting news that the servers for the PlayStation 4 iteration of *LittleBigPlanet 3* would be permanently shut down. This announcement followed closely after a temporary suspension due to a series of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks that had earlier affected the PlayStation 3 version of the same game. This represents a significant downturn for the *LittleBigPlanet* series, which has been renowned for its emphasis on user-generated content.

### The Final Server Remaining

The PlayStation 4 variant of *LittleBigPlanet 3* was the last in the series to provide online support after the Vita’s servers were disabled in 2021. The core of *LittleBigPlanet* is centered around its dynamic community that crafts personalized levels and stages, resulting in a rich array of user-generated experiences. The abrupt cessation of server support triggered conversations within the community about potential solutions to enable private servers for ongoing gameplay.

### Rise of LBPOnline

On March 3, 2024, notable content creator Ayee stirred the waters by unveiling a project known as LBPOnline. This venture was presented as a chance for players to access privately hosted servers by uploading a specific file onto a USB drive. Remarkably, this approach was said to be functional on both PlayStation 4 and 5 without the necessity of jailbreaking the consoles—providing a glimmer of hope to a community eager to sustain the *LittleBigPlanet* experience.

The official launch for LBPOnline was slated for May 4, 2024. However, as that date drew nearer, tensions within the community began to mount.

### Controversies Brewing

As excitement mounted for the upcoming release, accusations started to arise against Ayee. Some community members alleged that he and another individual, known as Epic, were involved in orchestrating the DDoS attacks that had troubled both the PS3 and PS4 versions of *LittleBigPlanet 3*. While initial claims were somewhat ambiguous, a Google Drive holding 72 files seemingly linking Ayee to the purported actions appeared on social media, inciting further outrage.

Among the most startling pieces of evidence was a YouTube video allegedly showing Ayee and his associates conducting DDoS attacks on the *LittleBigPlanet PS Vita* servers. Importantly, the veracity of this information remains unconfirmed, arising primarily from an anonymous user identifying as “John.” John asserts to have interacted directly with the supposed culprits and even shared screenshots allegedly from those discussions.

### The Reasons Behind the Attacks

The reasons behind the attacks have been particularly contentious. John has indicated that the group responsible harbored disdain towards certain inclusivity symbols within the game, specifically accusing LGBTQ+ representation as harmful to the essence of *LittleBigPlanet*. Such allegations have sparked widespread condemnation and shed light on profound issues relating to inclusion and community interactions in gaming environments.

### The Outcome of LBPOnline

As the situation intensified, the LBPOnline initiative appeared to disintegrate before it could officially launch. The project’s Discord server was entirely erased, and Ayee has remained silent following the uproar surrounding the allegations. While speculation suggests that the LBPOnline files might still be in circulation among determined players, caution is warranted given the gravity of the accusations facing Ayee.

### Conclusion

The culmination of events involving *LittleBigPlanet 3* and the LBPOnline initiative illustrates the complexities that can surface within gaming communities. From server shutdowns to sabotage allegations, the saga reflects broader themes of community, inclusivity, and the obligations of content creators. As fans strive to discover ways to preserve their cherished game, they also confront the sobering realities of behaviors that risk breaking the delicate ties of their shared pursuits. The future of *LittleBigPlanet* may now depend not only on technological aspects but also on the readiness of its community to cultivate a more supportive and inviting atmosphere.

In The Black is a new space combat sim that is “laser focused on the pilot experience” – this being the one, entirely justifiable and indeed, pleasantly grisly usage of “laser focused” I have ever encountered, while quoting a press release. It’s the work of Impeller Studios, a company led by Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance gameplay and story lead David Wessman and MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries director Jack Mamais. Those are certainly the right CVs for the job. I imagine they called the studio “Impeller” because some actual military aviation company already owns the trademark on “Overheating Flying Coffins R Us”.

You play as a probably short-lived mercenary pilot, scrapping for credits in the shadow of Saturn and Mars, sometime in the 23rd century. There are orbital stations to defend, debris fields to scour, and asteroids to hopefully not crash into. On which note, the Steam page makes a big deal of the game having realistic physics. There’s a demo as of writing if you’d like to try it out. Or you can watch the developer’s intro to that demo.

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On paper, increased interaction with Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy should be precisely what *Star Fox* enthusiasts desire. Although Nintendo has traditionally overlooked the space combat franchise, fans still harbor fondness for its characters and rejoiced at Fox’s appearance in *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*. Thus, a remake of *Star Fox 64* featuring fresh visuals and added narrative elements ought to be just what the doctor prescribed…right? Nevertheless, the new photo-realistic designs of these cherished characters are not resonating well with fans, and one reason is that, without the stylized aesthetic of prior *Star Fox* titles, these characters lack a certain charisma that originally endeared them to players.

Some comparisons for characters like Falco, typically viewed as the coolest among these cool characters, are especially unflattering since *Star Fox*’s realistic art style has equipped the anthropomorphic bird with authentic bird legs, resulting in a look that undermines his character.

While the character designs represent one aspect, many argue that *Star Fox*’s realistic art style does not permit the expressiveness evident in Fox’s recent portrayals. Clips that have emerged from the Switch 2 game depict a stiff demeanor, sharply contrasting with the animated version of Fox just a month earlier.

Fans are already striving to enhance the designs with slight modifications, but even these attempts to bring back some animated traits emphasize how Nintendo changed something that was perfectly fine. This unforeseen stylistic shift evokes memories of an “edgy” mid-2000s transition aimed at appealing to trendier teens, ultimately sapping the essence from Fox and his companions.

Perhaps the full effect of these new designs will become more apparent when *Star Fox* debuts on Switch 2 on June 25.