Gait Games

### The Rise and Reception of *Crimson Desert*

*Crimson Desert*, an ambitious fantasy sandbox adventure from Pearl Abyss, the studio famed for its MMORPG *Black Desert*, has surfaced as one of the most awaited games of spring 2023. Scheduled to launch on March 19 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game transports players to the vast fantasy continent of Pywel, inhabited by warring clans and mythical beings.

#### Remarkable Graphics and Contentious Marketing

The game has attracted considerable attention owing to its breathtaking graphics and the promise of a vast open world. Viral clips demonstrating unique gameplay features like horse drifting and intricate visuals helped elevate it to the upper echelons of Steam’s wishlist charts. However, concerns emerged when Pearl Abyss opted to withhold basic console footage until shortly before release, providing only PC codes for preliminary reviews.

#### Initial Reviews: A Mixed Bag

As critics began to share their impressions, the overall sentiment seemed divided. While some lauded the game’s ambitious architecture and combat systems, others lambasted its lack of an engaging narrative and an excess of mechanics that appeared excessive.

– **Polygon** conveyed a grim outlook, stating, “After 10 hours, *Crimson Desert*‘s massive open world hasn’t revealed a single intriguing aspect.”
– **Bloomberg**’s Jason Schreier mirrored this view, implying that the game felt tailored for those who simply wish to “Consume Content.”
– Conversely, **Forbes**’s Paul Tassi rated the game highly, maintaining that it fulfilled its lofty aspirations and awarded it a 9.5/10.

Metacritic scores illustrate this schism, resting at 78, while Open Critic reflects a 79.

#### Highlights from Reviews

– **Gameplay Experience**: Some players felt immersed in the world, discovering odd and captivating elements that significantly eclipsed the main quest. Joel Franey recounted his encounters with whimsical characters and locales, highlighting the beauty of the game’s universe.

– **Combat Mechanics and Inventory Management**: Although many reviewers found the combat gratifying, they pointed out substantial issues with inventory management. Richard Wakeling criticized the restricted inventory slots, emphasizing the cumbersome task of managing numerous items needed for crafting, quests, and exploration.

– **Narrative Concerns**: Critics such as Lewis Gordon expressed disappointment regarding the narrative depth, unfavorably comparing it to titles with richer storytelling, like *The Witcher* series. He characterized the game’s story as “fatally undercooked,” suggesting it lacked the unique quality of immersive storytelling.

#### Potential and Future Improvements

Notwithstanding its shortcomings, several reviewers voiced optimism for the game’s future. Hayes Madsen highlighted the foundational components within *Crimson Desert* that could be developed further, indicating potential for enhancement as Pearl Abyss strives to improve its storytelling and gameplay systems.

Others recognized that while the expansive open world encourages meaningful exploration, the game sometimes overwhelms with unfocused systems. The multitude of mechanics was perceived as both a strength and a drawback, posing a challenge to maintain a cohesive narrative experience.

### Conclusion

*Crimson Desert* represents a testament to Pearl Abyss’s ambition to craft an immersive and expansive open world. While early reception has been mixed, showcasing a mix of admiration and critique, the game encapsulates a complex experience that encourages players to traverse its vast terrain while contending with its narrative and gameplay deficiencies. As the community begins to engage more thoroughly with the game, it will be intriguing to see how perceptions shift and what updates can enhance the overall experience.

Reviews of Crimson Desert, the new open world fantasy RPG from Black Desert Online studio Pearl Abyss, are surfacing across the internet as you read these words. Out on 19th March, it’s the story of Kliff McDuff of the Greymanes, who is trying to rally his scattered comrades following a vicious attack by their rivals, the Black Bears. It’s one of those Much-Anticipated games, possibly because it appears to have inhaled the entire third-person action genre, with mechanics that range from sorcerous air-hopping through momentum-based damage to Dynasty Warriors-style crowd control. Predictably, this glut of ideas can feel a smidge… inelegant and unwieldy.

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**Crystal Dynamics Faces Workforce Cuts Amid Ongoing Projects**

Crystal Dynamics, the studio recognized for the legendary video game figure Lara Croft, has announced another round of layoffs as part of its fourth restructuring in a year. This latest action, revealed on March 18, will result in 20 employees being let go from development and operational positions. These reductions complement earlier layoffs, which included 30 people in November, an unspecified amount in August, and 17 in March.

The layoffs occur during a challenging period for the gaming sector, marked by difficulties within the AAA segment. Nevertheless, Crystal Dynamics unveiled new titles, *Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis* and *Tomb Raider: Catalyst*, at The Game Awards 2025, asserting that these upcoming games will remain unaffected by the workforce cuts.

In a statement shared on LinkedIn, the company remarked, “As our ongoing projects transition into new development phases, we consistently evaluate our team structures to ensure they align with our long-term studio objectives.” The studio conveyed sorrow but underscored the importance of these departures for future coherence.

Crystal Dynamics had previously reported a workforce of 273 in 2022. Since then, it has experienced significant downsizing in light of challenges from parent company Embracer and notable project cancellations, including Microsoft’s suspension of *Perfect Dark*, which was being co-developed with The Initiative.

Currently, Crystal Dynamics is concentrating on the delivery of *Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis*, a remake using Unreal Engine 5 of the original 1996 game, and *Tomb Raider: Catalyst*, which aims to broaden the franchise into an open-world format. While the remake is anticipated to launch later this year, *Catalyst* has encountered an extended development period with no confirmed release date beyond 2027.

In recognizing community concerns about the layoffs, Crystal Dynamics assured fans of its dedication to its announced *Tomb Raider* projects, stating, “Today, however, our priority is supporting our colleagues who are moving on.”

Both forthcoming titles are scheduled to be published by Amazon Game Studios, which is shifting away from its former goals in AAA gaming to concentrate on lower-cost party games. However, Amazon has reaffirmed its commitment to publishing the *Tomb Raider* titles, despite uncertainties about their integration within the broader scope of its gaming initiatives. Additionally, the tech giant is also developing a *Tomb Raider* television series for Amazon Prime.

### The Possible Worldwide Concert Tour for “KPop Demon Hunters”

Following the tremendous success of Netflix’s animated musical, **KPop Demon Hunters**, which highlights an energetic trio of K-pop superstars, the natural progression appeared to be a concert tour. The electrifying performances of the principal artists, especially their hit track “Golden,” have won over audiences on a global scale. Recent updates suggest that Netflix is actively considering the initiation of an international concert series.

#### Present Developments

As per sources from **Bloomberg**, Netflix is presently engaged in talks with concert promoters to arrange a tour in venues capable of hosting between 10,000 and 20,000 attendees. While discussions are underway, there are no finalized arrangements, and Netflix might pull back the idea if cost-cutting measures are deemed necessary or if creative visions do not come to fruition as anticipated. Promoters have allegedly reached out to Netflix with significant guarantees to motivate the venture, yet, at this time, no agreements have been executed.

#### Concert Structure Considerations

An essential factor still being evaluated is the format of the concert itself. Fans are enthusiastic to witness vocalists Ejae, Audrey Nana, and Rei Ami delivering the film’s tracks live. Nevertheless, information from **Bloomberg** indicates that Netflix is also pondering a more avant-garde concept that could involve holographic representations of the characters. It appears “unlikely” that the actual performers will be present at every concert, although talent agency WME is advocating for a tour featuring all three singers, which may not officially align with the KPop Demon Hunters branding.

#### Timeline and Future Anticipations

Netflix is aiming to kick off this concert venture by 2027. Consequently, thorough planning and decision-making are expected in the months ahead. While fans yearn for the live performances they desire, there is also curiosity about how a virtual show could incorporate a narrative aspect alongside hologram displays, offering a rich viewing experience.

#### Future Projects

In tandem with the concert discussions, Netflix has recently revealed plans for a sequel to **KPop Demon Hunters**. Although fans are eager about the story’s continuation, the release of the sequel seems to be some time away.

The current excitement surrounding a potential concert tour highlights the cultural influence of **KPop Demon Hunters** and showcases Netflix’s dedication to expanding the franchise beyond traditional media. The upcoming months will be crucial in shaping how this ambitious project progresses.

### The Progression of Quick Resume on Xbox Series X/S

As the gaming industry continues to develop, one feature of the Xbox Series X/S has especially caught attention: Quick Resume. Although the console may not have taken the lead in this generation, Quick Resume has built a loyal user base due to its practicality and efficiency in handling gameplay sessions. Nonetheless, this functionality does have its shortcomings, especially regarding online and multiplayer gaming. Recently, Microsoft revealed that they are working on resolving these concerns by testing a new update that will improve Quick Resume functionality.

#### Grasping Quick Resume

Quick Resume enables players to effortlessly switch between several games, keeping them paused in the background. This allows gamers to jump into a game without enduring lengthy loading times. Over time, the Xbox Series X/S has increased its support for this feature, enabling multiple games to stay in a suspended state.

However, while this feature excels with single-player games, it frequently encounters problems with always-online and multiplayer titles. Users have reported issues with login failures and erratic behavior when trying to return to these games after being inactive for a while. For instance, games like *Minecraft* require players to save and exit rather than depending on Quick Resume, resulting in an inconsistent experience for users.

#### Upcoming Modifications to Quick Resume

In reaction to player feedback, Microsoft has shared plans for an update that will permit users to deactivate Quick Resume on a game-by-game basis. This change aims to ensure that players enjoy a consistent launch experience with specific games that may be negatively impacted by the feature. An Xbox representative mentioned, “Quick Resume is one of the most appreciated features on Xbox, but we’ve heard that for certain titles it doesn’t always provide the experience you anticipate, especially after long spans of inactivity.”

This update is currently under testing by Xbox Insiders, allowing a select group of players to experience the enhanced functionalities before they are made available to a broader audience. In addition to the Quick Resume updates, the new release includes various other enhancements, such as an increased number of Groups for arranging games in the home menu, customizable background hues, and improved visibility of achievement badges.

#### The Future of Xbox User Experience

Even as Microsoft shifts away from solely depending on hardware exclusives, they have continued to innovate the Xbox dashboard experience. The Quick Resume update exemplifies the company’s dedication to improving user experience throughout its gaming environment. Looking ahead, the repercussions of these improvements will likely influence Microsoft’s next-generation PC gaming project, known as Project Helix, anticipated to debut around 2027.

In conclusion, while Quick Resume has certainly been a standout feature of the Xbox Series X/S, it has encountered difficulties primarily with online and multiplayer games. The forthcoming update promises to address these problems, enabling gamers to relish a more polished and dependable gaming experience across a variety of titles.

**Marathon’s Upcoming Cryo Archive Map: Unlocking the Challenge**

The buzz around the forthcoming “Cryo Archive” map in *Marathon* is tangible within the gaming community. Although the specific release date is still unclear, developers have teased an end-game task that is expected to be significantly tougher than any prior encounters on Tau Ceti IV. Players won’t gain entry to this new area just by selecting it from a menu; they must first conquer a demanding Alternate Reality Game (ARG) that necessitates the community’s collective effort to eliminate an astounding 500 million UESC security forces.

Currently, progress toward this target is being monitored on a specialized website, reflecting a present kill tally of 315,093,135 UESC forces. This means players are left with nearly 185 million more to defeat to unlock the Cryo Archive. Since the game debuted on March 5, the current kill tally suggests that achieving this goal could prolong the wait into several more days, surpassing the expected weekend timeframe.

A rough calculation of the ongoing kill rate indicates that it may take about another week to reach the necessary threshold for unlocking the new content. This raises doubts about whether Bungie had foreseen a greater player surge at launch or if there are additional factors at play. It’s conceivable that the developers might implement new mechanics or challenges leading up to the weekend to further involve the community in this joint effort.

Speculation arises concerning possible modifications to the UESC forces within the game. Increased enemy presence across maps could drive players to engage in more combat, thereby contributing to the kill count. Alternatively, new contracts may be introduced, providing incentives to escalate the ongoing “bot bloodbath.” Players in *Marathon* are often perceived as the toughest opponents, resulting in brief encounters with UESC forces to steer clear of unwanted attention.

The situation is reminiscent of the shifting challenges in *Helldivers 2*, where players are consistently assigned the task of vanquishing large numbers of enemies during extensive community events. Both games utilize a comparable engagement strategy, where collective effort is rewarded and recognized by the developers. While *Helldivers* employs a semi-structured approach to manage player involvement, it remains uncertain whether *Marathon* will embrace a similar philosophy.

As the community unites to confront the daunting task ahead, players await eagerly what Bungie has planned, fully aware that the journey to the Cryo Archive may prove more challenging than first expected. Whether through heightened challenges or joint initiatives, one fact is clear: the anticipation for *Marathon* continues to escalate, keeping players involved and excited for the upcoming adventure.

Hollow Knight: Silksong devs Team Cherry have put out what they’re aiming to be the “last significant update” prior to the Metroidvania’s first major expansion, Sea of Sorrow, arriving at some point this year. As with a fair few of Skong’s post-launch patches, it’s largely focused on translations.

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**The AI Revival of Val Kilmer in *As Deep as the Grave***

In a revolutionary move within the film sector, it has been revealed that Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor famed for his performances in *Top Gun* and *Batman Forever*, will be digitally rejuvenated for an upcoming film entitled *As Deep as the Grave*. Although he passed away in April 2025, the movie’s director, Coerte Voorhees, has chosen to employ generative AI technology to recreate Kilmer’s image and voice for the character of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritual healer.

### The Concept Behind the Film

Director Coerte Voorhees conveyed his commitment to retaining Kilmer in the principal role, asserting that the character was deliberately crafted with the actor’s essence in mind. “He was the actor I envisioned for this part,” Voorhees remarked, underscoring Kilmer’s Native American roots and attachment to the Southwest as crucial to the character’s representation. Despite Kilmer’s health issues which hindered his ability to film, Voorhees was resolute in honoring Kilmer’s legacy by ensuring his involvement in the project.

### Adoption of AI Technology

Voorhees’s choice to harness “cutting-edge” generative AI technology intends to explore new storytelling possibilities in a production that does not possess the backing of a major studio film. The director recognized the potential debate surrounding the posthumous revival of an actor via AI but insisted that Kilmer’s family felt he would have wished to be engaged in the project. “His family continually expressed how significant they believed the film to be and that Val truly wanted to take part in this,” Voorhees mentioned.

### Family Endorsement and Ethical Issues

Kilmer’s estate has shown support for the project’s creative approach. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, and son, Jack, have endorsed the AI usage, signifying that it aligns with their father’s vision to leverage technology for broadening storytelling horizons. The production is reported to have complied with SAG guidelines concerning the application of AI technology, ensuring that Kilmer’s estate received fair compensation for his digital resurrection.

### Technological Execution

The AI-generated iteration of Kilmer will play a vital part in *As Deep as the Grave*, representing the character through various life phases. The production team utilized images of a younger Kilmer, alongside footage from his later years, to construct a holistic representation of Father Fintan. Additionally, the digital Kilmer’s voice will be generated using recordings from his final years, including contributions from Sonantic to create an AI-driven speaking voice for Kilmer, which he had previously utilized in *Top Gun: Maverick*.

### The Heritage of Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer’s experiences with health adversities, notably his struggle with throat cancer, have emphasized the significance of communication and self-expression. Reflecting on the technological progress that enables him to tell his story genuinely, Kilmer had once stated, “The opportunity to narrate my own story, in a voice that feels genuine and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.” This essence is anticipated to be honored in *As Deep as the Grave*, allowing viewers to engage with Kilmer’s lasting legacy through the innovative application of AI technology.

The film’s debut is set to ignite discussions regarding the ethical considerations of utilizing AI in filmmaking, especially in relation to the representation of deceased actors. Nevertheless, for the Kilmer family and the creators of the film, this project symbolizes a homage to a cherished actor and the chance to convey a profound narrative that aligns with his spirit and artistic expression.

Exodus was announced as a fulsome narrative experiment with time dilation, aided and abetted by extremely non-AI-generated Matthew McConaughey – a story told over millennia-long time jumps, featuring super-evolved versions of human beings. But let’s face it, some of you are just here for the Mass Effect parallels raised by the presence of former BioWare devs on the ticket. The new sci-fi RPG‘s latest footage, below, certainly leans into them.

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# Nvidia’s DLSS 5: The Debate Over Generative AI in Gaming

Nvidia has sparked a vigorous discussion within the gaming community after revealing its newest innovation, DLSS 5. The demonstration highlighted generative AI’s role in improving photorealistic lighting within games, but it also raised concerns regarding its impact on character designs, igniting criticism that the technology is effectively “yassifying” the faces of gaming avatars.

## The Response to DLSS 5

Digital Foundry, a well-regarded source recognized for its thorough technology evaluations, had an early look at DLSS 5 and shared a video analysis that recognized the technology’s potential. However, this favorable viewpoint faced significant criticism from the larger online community, which decried the seemingly extreme modifications in character aesthetics.

In a recent YouTube Q&A, Digital Foundry’s founder Richard Leadbetter responded to some of the criticism, acknowledging that the reception of the video was anticipated and that the team could have presented it more effectively. He remarked on the hurried nature of their initial evaluation, saying, “I think we should have taken more time with the material… and I think it would have been prudent to wait to see the reaction from the audience.”

## The Technical Elements of DLSS 5

The heart of the controversy centers around the before-and-after comparisons showcased during the presentation. Viewers were surprised by how generative AI seemingly altered game visuals, especially character designs. A notable example involved a comparison of Grace from *Resident Evil Requiem*, demonstrating a striking difference in her character model after the application of DLSS 5. Leadbetter remarked on the intriguing visual change, stating, “When you first see that shot, it’s quite difficult to argue… which one would you rather play?”

This significant change in appearance not only prompted discussions about artistic intent but also raised ethical questions about the overlap between AI-generated art and human creativity. Team members at Digital Foundry, including Leadbetter and fellow member Oliver Mackenzie, faced adverse reactions, including personal threats.

## Analyzing Gaming Aesthetics and Ethics

The effects of generative AI on character design have spurred calls for more in-depth conversations. Another Digital Foundry member, Alexander Battaglia, provided a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the potential loss of individuality in character models. He voiced his worry that AI technology might excessively normalize appearances, effectively diminishing the uniqueness of individual characters, which poses ethical challenges concerning likeness rights and artistic integrity. Battaglia expressed his unease by stating, “Ethically, I find that very problematic because the actress probably signed off on her likeness to a certain degree.”

The debate illustrates ongoing conflicts between technological advancements and the preservation of artistic expression in gaming. As AI technologies like DLSS 5 grow more common, developers and stakeholders must navigate how to uphold the original visions of creators while leveraging AI to improve visuals.

## Conclusion

Nvidia’s DLSS 5 has certainly demonstrated the potential of generative AI in enhancing gaming graphics but has also unleashed a range of discussions concerning the crucial balance of technology, artistic integrity, and ethical issues in the gaming sector. As with any technological progression, this debate serves as a reminder of the responsibility that accompanies innovation, especially in a domain where creativity and authenticity are highly valued.