Gait Games

I’d put my six-pounder anti-tank guns in the perfect position to halt the Tigers’ advance. The German tanks would have to cross the bridge, keeping them packed together, and the derailed train on their flank would keep them from spreading out too much before they came into range of my British gunners’ heavy ordnance.

Being the twelfth and last wave of this game of Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand, if I could put down the tanks’ advance I’d win the match and take home a healthy bushel of perk points to upgrade my faction for future matches.

But then the blasted Luftwaffe arrived.

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## Big Hops Grows with Thrilling Multiplayer Enhancement

### Introduction
Launched at the start of 2026, *Big Hops* has captured attention as one of the most engaging 3D platformers in recent memory. Initially created without multiplayer options, the game is on the verge of a major update: a collaborative online mode for up to eight players, allowing friends to tackle the game together. This exciting feature will be accessible to players beginning August 9, representing a significant leap in the game’s reach and enjoyment.

### The Multiplayer Update
Chris Wade, the director of *Big Hops*, shared the news of the upcoming multiplayer feature on social media. In a post on Steam, he revealed that the free update will rebrand *Big Hops* as *Big Hops Together*, permitting up to eight players to join in the full journey online. This mode will retain all existing gameplay mechanics and features from the original game, preserving the beloved experience for fans.

Key aspects of the multiplayer mode include:
– The opportunity to complete the game with friends.
– Unique interactions, such as picking up and throwing fellow players.
– Utilizing the “tongue swing” feature to collaboratively navigate levels.
– The ability to pilfer items from each other’s backpacks, introducing an element of rivalry.
– Sharing narrative progression and collectibles among players.

### Development Challenges
Creating an eight-player multiplayer mode presented significant hurdles for the development team. Wade noted that since *Big Hops* was initially intended as a single-player game, extensive code modifications were necessary to support multiplayer features. Essential components like player movement, user interface, tracking progress, cutscenes, level loading, and various game elements needed adjustment.

Wade provided a glimpse into the development journey: “Our team had never developed a multiplayer game, so we had to learn everything from scratch like novice game developers.” He pointed out the uncertainty faced during the first two months of development as they encountered unforeseen design obstacles without any assurances of achieving success.

### Early Access and Future Plans
Players eager to experience the multiplayer feature ahead of its official release can try it on Steam by choosing the “Together” beta branch. Wade clarified the choice to release the update exclusively on Steam, highlighting the benefits of focusing on one platform for more efficient playtesting and bug fixing.

### Conclusion
As *Big Hops* gears up for its multiplayer enhancement, excitement within the gaming community is on the rise. The game already distinguishes itself with its colorful graphics and innovative gameplay, and the introduction of a cooperative multiplayer feature is poised to elevate its attraction even more. Players can look forward to teaming up with friends in an engaging and interactive setting starting August 9, transforming solo quests into shared adventures in the enchanting realm of *Big Hops*.

BeamNG.drive‘s long been one of the easiest games to reccomend to a car lover cruising the streets of Steam. As Graham wrote in 2017, it’s a moddable sandbox dedicated to vehicular destruction physics, in which every bump, crumple, and slam results in a glorious bending of metal and smashing of glass. BeamNG’s been growing via updates for ages, and its devs say the latest is the biggest yet.

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**A New Era for Xbox: Asha Sharma’s Vision for Growth and Engagement**

A recent communication from Asha Sharma, the newly appointed CEO of Xbox, presents an ambitious strategy to revitalize Microsoft’s gaming sector and foster substantial growth and profitability. This initiative follows a tough period for the company, which experienced the layoff of 1,600 employees earlier this month. With current user engagement at 100 million, Sharma sets an astonishing target for Xbox to achieve 1 billion daily users.

Insights provided by *The Verge* reveal that the memo details four essential priorities aimed at reversing Xbox’s fortunes in light of a significant revenue drop, as stated in Microsoft’s recent earnings report. The gaming division saw double-digit revenue reductions in both hardware and services, resulting in a total annual revenue decline of $1.7 billion.

**Core Priorities: A Framework for Growth**

Sharma’s strategic plan focuses on four main objectives, all commencing with the letter “C”:

1. **CORE**: Reinforcing the Xbox platform, with the console as a pivotal element for engagement.
2. **CONTENT**: Cultivating and scaling popular games into international franchises.
3. **CREATION**: Establishing Minecraft as the premier platform for creators globally.
4. **CONNECTION**: Amplifying the ties around cherished game worlds, nurturing community and engagement.

Though these priorities are clearly articulated, the specific measures to achieve them are less obvious. Looking ahead to 2028 and 2029, Sharma highlights a transition towards delivering substantial player value and revenue growth, setting a bold target of maintaining double-digit growth in players and engagement by 2030.

**Ambitious Growth Targets**

In her previous “reset” memo, in which she announced major layoffs throughout the company, Sharma envisioned Xbox as a platform capable of entertaining more than a billion daily users. Reaching this goal from the existing 100 million user base would require almost 50% annual growth, a daunting challenge in a competitive environment.

Sharma metaphorically described Xbox as “one of the largest stadiums in the world,” emphasizing its ability to attract and engage a vast audience. While the Xbox console is expected to continue playing a vital role in the experience, the company will also aim to expand its reach via PCs, cloud gaming, and other platforms.

**Future Development and Franchise Monetization**

As she looks to the future, the CEO intends to monetize Xbox’s prominent franchises, such as Fallout, through various channels, including film, television, consumer products, and live events. Furthermore, Sharma expressed a dedication to exploring new partnerships worldwide, especially in markets like China, while simultaneously ramping up investment in established franchises like *Candy Crush* and *Minecraft*.

At this juncture, Sharma emphasizes the significance of not only concentrating on currently successful franchises but also investigating innovative ideas that could enhance Xbox’s growth narrative. The forthcoming roadmap holds promise, yet details regarding new initiatives are highly anticipated.

In summary, Asha Sharma’s memo marks a crucial turning point for Xbox, emphasizing a determined focus on growth and transformation. As the gaming industry continues to progress, attention will be drawn to Xbox to determine if these strategies can effectively guide the company toward its ambitious aspirations.

Efforts by those now running Xbox to convince onlookers that the gaming division of Microsoft is now in a better place to start hauling in the ever-growing money numbers those overseeing it crave have continued alongside Microsoft first financial report since this month’s mass layoffs. Both Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and her boss Satya Nadella have declared they’re looking for the division to be growing financially again by about this time next year.

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### The Surge of AI-Created Content on LinkedIn: Tackling the “AI Slop” Issue

LinkedIn, a platform that has traditionally been regarded as a simple social networking venue for professionals, has undergone significant changes in recent years, turning into an area filled with content generated by artificial intelligence. Once considered somewhat dull, LinkedIn is increasingly viewed as a battleground for what many are calling “AI slop”—poor-quality, AI-generated posts intended to attract attention without delivering real value.

#### The Rise of AI Slop

AI slop denotes the surge of generic or formulaic content produced by algorithms instead of genuine human experience. A report from Pangram, an AI detection firm, revealed that more than 40% of extended posts on LinkedIn are classified as AI-generated, prompting concerns among users who appreciate genuine interactions. This trend has led Microsoft, which purchased LinkedIn in 2016, to address the rising discontent among its user community.

To tackle this problem, Microsoft has launched a new feature enabling users to mark questionable posts as “seems like AI slop.” This initiative aims to empower users to better identify and refine their feeds, fostering a more genuine exchange of ideas.

#### Microsoft’s Reaction to User Opinions

Hari Srinivasan, LinkedIn’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the need to confront AI slop in a post announcing the new feature. He remarked, “AI slop is a top priority for all of us,” underscoring the platform’s dedication to improving content quality. Users are invited to give feedback on posts or comments they suspect to be AI-generated, assisting the platform in enhancing its content curation algorithms.

Notably, LinkedIn has shifted away from its earlier feature designed to elevate posts, which some believe led to the oversupply of low-quality content. This functionality has been replaced with a tool that concentrates on proofreading, enabling users to preserve their authentic voice without depending on AI for content generation.

#### The Wider Consequences of AI Application

The move to address AI slop takes place against the backdrop of Microsoft’s impressive financial performance, revealing $35.8 billion in profits for a recent quarter following substantial investment in AI infrastructure. While the potential of AI technology is promoted as a means for cognitive enhancement and increased productivity, the reality of its application—especially on platforms like LinkedIn—has sparked significant questions regarding content integrity and user experience.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, previously expressed the necessity for a balanced approach to integrating AI into professional interactions. He stressed the importance of developing a refined understanding of how these cognitive tools influence communication and relationships in a digital age.

#### Conclusion

As LinkedIn faces the difficulties brought on by the spread of AI-generated content, its recent initiatives signify a considerable shift towards emphasizing authenticity and user involvement. The launch of features to flag AI slop demonstrates the platform’s attentiveness to user issues and its dedication to nurturing a more meaningful professional community. Whether these modifications will successfully restore LinkedIn’s credibility as a professional networking platform is yet to be determined, but as AI continues to influence our digital exchanges, the conversation around quality content is increasingly relevant.

I’m finding the relatively recent trend of supposedly calming diorama builders in games to be an interesting one in that there’s a clear desire amongst creatively inclined folks to be crafting something in virtual environments, just not necessarily at scale. Just this week I wrote about Sandcastle, a literal sandbox game where you build sandcastles, and of course there’s Tiny Glade too which good ole Christian Donlan loved. And now there’s Midnight Moments, a cyberpunk diorama builder that has me thinking about the function of these games.

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**Electronic Arts Poised for Significant Acquisition by Saudi Arabia and Private Equity Firms**

Electronic Arts (EA) has taken substantial steps towards a significant acquisition, confirming that all necessary regulatory approvals for its anticipated sale to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and various private equity partners have been obtained. A recent filing indicates that the merger is projected to be completed by August 4, 2026.

In an official statement, EA mentioned, “As of July 30, 2026, all regulatory approvals required to finalize the Merger have been acquired. Electronic Arts currently anticipates the Merger will conclude on or around the close of trading on August 4, 2026.” Though the merger’s completion is ultimately contingent on the satisfaction of customary closing conditions outlined in the Merger Agreement, the probability of the sale advancing as intended appears robust.

If the merger successfully concludes, EA will transition to a private entity in a deal valued at roughly $55 billion. This acquisition will represent one of the largest deals in the video game arena, following only Microsoft’s $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. The investment consortium spearheading the acquisition includes the Saudi Arabia PIF, noted for its bold investments in the gaming industry, alongside Silver Lake Partners and Affinity Partners, a private equity firm associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former President Donald Trump.

The Saudi Arabia PIF has cultivated a significant foothold in the gaming sector, acquiring shares in major firms such as Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive, and completely purchasing companies like Scopely and Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go.

With the forthcoming acquisition, EA’s operational framework is likely to undergo modifications, though Andrew Wilson is anticipated to remain as CEO and the company’s headquarters will stay in California. However, the merger also raises concerns regarding the future of EA’s workforce, which has endured a challenging few years characterized by layoffs across numerous projects, including notable titles within the EA portfolio. The company has faced criticism, especially regarding its management choices, including a reported $8 million bonus granted to Wilson during these layoffs.

The acquisition represents a crucial juncture for EA as it adapts to new ownership and the consequences of becoming private, where much of its financial information will cease to be public. As stakeholders await the completion of this transaction, the effects on EA’s employees and the company’s future trajectory remain uncertain.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 developer Saber Interactive clearly like to keep themselves busy, as today they’ve announced the next game that they’re publishing. It’s called Rideshare “Stimulator” (I should note those quotation marks are a part of the title), and it is essentially a game all about being an Uber driver for a city full of oddballs.

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**Poké-preservationists Uncover Possibly Unique Game: An Insight into PokéPark Fishing Tournament DS**

In an unexpected development, Poké-preservationists could have discovered an extraordinarily rare Pokémon game: the *PokéPark Fishing Tournament DS*. Recently featured on eBay for around $9,100, this game symbolizes a distinctive fragment of Pokémon history, as it was never available outside Japan and was solely offered at select Pokémon Centers and special events.

### Background of the Game

The *PokéPark Fishing Tournament DS* was exclusively obtainable at Pokémon-oriented events, including the now-closed *Pokémon The Park*, which briefly operated in 2005. Within this game, players participated in a fishing competition involving various Poké-fish, accumulating points based on the weight, level, and rarity of the creatures they captured. Moreover, players could view their scores on leaderboards at Pokémon Centers, promoting a competitive atmosphere.

### The Game’s Uniqueness

As the game is deemed “lost media,” its preservation presents considerable obstacles. The game was released digitally and would erase itself from the user’s Nintendo DS upon turning off the device. This trait complicates the preservationists’ ambition of keeping an authentic version of the game, as it raises questions about the actual content housed on the cartridge currently being sold.

### The eBay Listing and Community Responses

The description of the eBay listing indicates a “high-score ranking communication program” appears in Japanese when the cartridge is inserted into a DS. This has sparked speculation that the cartridge may not be the actual game but rather a technical sub-cartridge utilized for managing wireless leaderboards. This ambiguity has ignited discussions within the Pokémon community regarding the true identity of the cart, with many yearning for access to a genuine version of the game instead of a simple technical aspect.

Community members, aware of the potential risk of losing this rare media item to a private collector, are promoting a collective purchase. Professor Rex, a prominent Pokémon aficionado, suggested the notion of organizing a group buy in hopes of acquiring the cartridge for preservation purposes.

### The Outlook for PokéPark Fishing Tournament DS

Although the $9,104 price tag poses a substantial hurdle for many, enthusiasm within the Pokémon community remains vigorous. Fans are keen to uncover the secrets the cartridge might hold and whether it could enhance the overall understanding of Pokémon gaming.

As the auction unfolds, preservationists persist in exploring methods to safeguard this possible piece of gaming history. Whether it contains the elusive *PokéPark Fishing Tournament DS* game remains uncertain, but the excitement surrounding the listing underlines the lasting interest in preserving Pokémon history for future generations.