Gait Games

Today marks yet another day in reporting on layoffs that have occurred in the games industry over the past several years, with this occasion unfortunately being GNOG and Goodbye Volcano High developer KO_OP. The studio shared word that 13 staffers were being laid off less than two weeks after the launch of the studio’s latest game, Young Suns, explaining the process by which this took place in a statement that provides an example of what should really be just the bare minimum in these situations.

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### First Glance at PlayStation’s Live-Service Shooter *Fairgames*

The highly awaited multiplayer heist shooter *Fairgames* from PlayStation has recently emerged online, giving fans their initial genuine gameplay insight since its reveal over three years ago. The video appeared on a playtest site, sparking enthusiasm within the gaming community.

On September 10, a member of the Gaming Leaks And Rumors subreddit asserted they were invited to a playtest for a game similar to *Fairgames*. They provided a link to a playtest linked to a project with the codename “Project Espresso,” and included a video that seemed to display gameplay footage of *Fairgames*. The description accompanying the playtest site aligns closely with the previously announced concept of the game, which centers on collaborative heists and looting.

#### Gameplay Insights

The description indicates that “Project Espresso” is crafted as a third-person PVPVE competitive action game where teams strive to breach high-security sites, seize precious cargo, and flee before their rivals. This strengthens the idea that the playtest footage is indeed consistent with *Fairgames*.

Although the video has been taken down from the playtest page, it was reportedly viewed by *Kotaku*, who verified its resemblance to a clip posted by a user named Radec on Twitter, further confirming the authenticity of the gameplay.

#### Development Hurdles and Future Prospects

In spite of the enthusiasm generated by the playtest, *Fairgames* has encountered obstacles in its development. Reports from 2025 revealed that the game’s internal launch was postponed due to unfavorable feedback from prior playtests. This timeframe coincided with the exit of Jade Raymond, founder and CEO of Haven Studios, the team initially developing *Fairgames*.

Current ambiguity surrounds the game’s future, particularly given Sony’s previously cautious stance on live-service titles. Nevertheless, the presence of the recent playtest indicates that Sony still has faith in *Fairgames*, pointing to a commitment to its development despite prior hurdles and the company’s mixed history with live-service games.

At this moment, *Kotaku* has contacted Sony to verify details regarding the playtest and the newly emerged footage, leaving many fans eager for more concrete updates on *Fairgames*. The gaming community will be attentively monitoring the situation as developments occur, hoping for a promising launch after years of expectation.

In this IP-obsessed world, it is quite easy to wonder if anything will ever actually come to an end. Theoretically, the Final Fantasy 7 trilogy of remakes will be coming to an end next year with Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. Except that might not even be true because a couple of pieces of DLC, about Sephiroth and Vincent Valentine respectively, are also in the works, so who knows when the actual end date is. Whether this is actually the end of Final Fantasy 7 or not, however, doesn’t matter, as its director is treating it that way.

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### The Much-Awaited Comeback of Team Cherry: Hollow Knight: Silksong and Sea of Sorrows DLC

Team Cherry, an independent game studio celebrated for its highly praised game *Hollow Knight*, has built a loyal community of fans eagerly anticipating new additions to its world. Although there have been assurances of updates and new content, communication from the studio has been limited, resulting in rising anticipation and speculation among the fanbase.

#### The Basis of Anticipation

*Hollow Knight: Silksong*, initially conceived as downloadable content (DLC) for the original game, evolved into a standalone sequel that created significant excitement upon its reveal. Released a year ago, the game was well-received by both players and critics, enabling Team Cherry to function with a degree of independence. This success, however, has also led to impatience, with numerous fans now looking ahead with excitement for further content.

In December, Team Cherry announced they were developing an expansion called *Sea of Sorrows*, which will be available for free to all players. This expansion is set to introduce new locations, bosses, and tools, continuing Hornet’s quest in a distinctive maritime environment. Regrettably, since this announcement, the studio has been mostly silent.

#### A Limited Update Timeline

In the nine months following the reveal of the *Sea of Sorrows* DLC, Team Cherry has provided only two significant updates. The first update in February commemorated *Hollow Knight*’s release on the Nintendo Switch 2, and the second in March offered information about a recent patch. Notably, Team Cherry opted not to acknowledge the first anniversary of *Silksong*, a missed chance that could have given fans the insights they were craving.

The developers have previously mentioned that the extended development timeline of *Silksong* was unforeseen. The transition from a simple DLC to a full-fledged sequel was not anticipated, revealing the complexities involved in game development and the likelihood of scope creep—a prevalent issue in the industry where projects expand beyond their original plans.

#### Community Responses

The absence of updates from Team Cherry has created a familiar unease within the fan community. Discussions on forums and social media have surged, with fans humorously fabricating fake release dates and sharing memes to cope with the uncertainty. This behavior showcases the deep emotional investment in the game and the studio.

In the midst of the anxiety, many fans of Team Cherry encourage patience, acknowledging their past successes and grasping the challenges of game development. The studio has cultivated a reputation for delivering quality over speed, and fans are optimistic that *Sea of Sorrows* will uphold this standard.

#### Conclusion

As hopes for *Hollow Knight: Silksong* and its expansion *Sea of Sorrows* rise, the community remains actively engaged while Team Cherry continues to create content at their own pace. The delicate balance between providing a high-quality gaming experience and addressing the expectations of a devoted fanbase is a challenge the studio appears to manage thoughtfully. With a track record of delivering engaging and immersive gameplay, fans are prepared to wait for Team Cherry to ensure that their next release meets the high expectations established by its predecessors.

The nasal greenhorn strategy gamer understands “strategy” to be about mastery of space by means of clanging offensives, shining shieldwalls, and brute attrition, but the true Napoleon of Drag-Select knows that strategy is always, primarily, the mastery of time. I don’t think Napoleon would have approved of Ex Sanguis. He would not have liked all the willowy clone women made out of congealed blood and pincers. He would have suspected them of being divorcees and Babouvists. But perhaps he would have appreciated the game’s fixation with seizing the initiative.

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### Grand Theft Auto 6: A Landmark Streaming Occasion with Netflix

The debut of the inaugural official gameplay footage of *Grand Theft Auto 6* (GTA 6) signified a pivotal event in the gaming sphere, especially due to its exclusive launch on Netflix. This calculated alliance between Rockstar Games and the streaming powerhouse sought to forge a symbiotic marketing chance, drawing gamers to subscribe and experience this eagerly awaited title.

The Netflix special illuminated not just the cinematic aspects of GTA 6 but also introduced the new characters Jason and Lucia as they navigate the intricacies of a criminal underbelly. During the six hours of exclusivity, the preview successfully enticed around 100,000 new subscribers, according to Ampere Analysis. Soon after the limited accessibility, the gameplay footage was released for free on YouTube, further heightening interest in the game.

### Engagement and Popularity Metrics

The extended gameplay preview received significant attention, amassing over 31.1 million views on Netflix. It accomplished the extraordinary milestone of ranking as the top title in 87 out of 93 countries, being hailed as the most-watched content on the platform in the week of its release. This spike in viewership illustrates the tremendous allure of the *Grand Theft Auto* franchise and its capability to engage audiences.

Even with these remarkable figures, the performance of the GTA 6 preview was less impressive compared to other prominent Netflix events of the year, such as the concluding season of *Stranger Things* and a high-stakes MMA bout featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Nonetheless, over five percent of viewers who had not accessed Netflix in more than 30 days opted to reactivate their accounts for this event, indicating a notable re-engagement with the service.

### Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

The marketing approach of unveiling the first gameplay trailer behind a paywall could raise questions, particularly given the content’s later availability for free. While some fans might have chosen to wait for the public release rather than pay to watch the trailer, the streaming event certainly gained momentum thanks to the iconic status of the *Grand Theft Auto* franchise.

With the emergence of new gameplay insights and continuous leaks regarding the game, many fans are keen for the official launch. *Grand Theft Auto 6* is scheduled to debut on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and as the release date draws nearer, enthusiasm remains high within the gaming community.

In conclusion, this event not only underscores the effectiveness of strategic partnerships between gaming and streaming services but also illustrates the persistent impact and significance of the *Grand Theft Auto* franchise in popular culture. The successful combination of limited exclusivity and wide accessibility could provide a model for future marketing strategies in the gaming sector.

I didn’t think, when I saw the other day that Swedish furniture sellers IKEA had commissioned a group of modders to stick an advert for their wares in Skyrim as an official Bethesda-approved Creation, that I’d now be sitting here noting that I dug said creation’s dungeon designs.

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### Marvel’s Wolverine: A Varied Reception for Insomniac Games’ Latest

The newest entry in the superhero gaming realm, Marvel’s Wolverine, crafted by Insomniac Games, has garnered a tepid response from gamers and critics alike. With a Metascore of 77, this game marks the lowest-rated release from PlayStation Studios since the PS5 debuted in 2020. It has not been denounced as an outright failure nor celebrated as a significant triumph, resulting in a generally moderate reaction that has led to a collective indifference from major gaming platforms.

Critiques have emerged regarding the game’s design, with many reviewers pointing out its old-fashioned mechanics. Numerous critics have observed that Marvel’s Wolverine resembles a throwback to the early 2000s linear third-person action titles. Despite having a solid basis, the gameplay is perceived as lacking in innovation, rendering it somewhat uninspiring against contemporary gaming benchmarks. Coupled with the game’s $70 price point, these reviews urge potential buyers to rethink their purchasing choices—underscoring the risks associated with pre-orders in the current gaming landscape.

Interestingly, while several prominent gaming platforms have issued more restrained ratings, a number of smaller international websites have given Wolverine scores of 9s and 10s. This has led to a notable disparity in evaluations, with well-known outlets such as Eurogamer, VGC, IGN, and GameSpot primarily providing ratings around 6, and Giant Bomb assigning the lowest score so far at 5. Metacritic’s scoring approach, which adjusts averages according to the reputation of the sites, means that these lower ratings significantly influence the overall score more than the glowing reviews from less recognized platforms.

In spite of these criticisms, Wolverine has witnessed a broad spectrum of opinions, with 106 reviews recorded at the time of writing, illustrating the game’s diverse reception among different players. Nevertheless, it remains a point of pride that even with this release, Insomniac Games’ overall output for Sony has largely upheld a high caliber. Prior titles such as God of War: Ragnarok, which boasts an impressive score of 94, highlight the exceptional quality from Sony’s internal teams, with Marvel’s Wolverine simply serving as a temporary misstep rather than a trend.

In conclusion, while Marvel’s Wolverine might not receive the adulation of its contemporaries, the context in which it exists showcases a strong lineup of in-house PlayStation titles, implying that even a solid yet unremarkable game can find success amidst a formidable roster. As gamers deliberate on their purchasing choices, Wolverine’s varied critiques remind us of both the hurdles and triumphs present in modern game development.

Nintendo has recently unveiled a special version of the Switch 2 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of *The Legend of Zelda*, marking a significant shift from its earlier absence of special editions during the console’s inaugural year. Slated for launch on October 29, this edition boasts an eye-catching design featuring a black-and-gold dock, black-and-gold triangle patterns on the console itself, and two green-and-gold Joy-Cons. Also included is a coordinating case embellished with the renowned gold Triforce emblem, along with a special edition Pro controller that mirrors the same color scheme.

Though this elegantly crafted collection is guaranteed to appeal to passionate *Zelda* enthusiasts and potential Switch 2 purchasers this winter, it has regrettably become a target for scalpers. Almost immediately after the announcement, listings started to emerge online with prices significantly marked up—some even nearing twice the original retail cost.

Prominent retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target initially set the *Zelda* Switch 2 price at $520, $20 above the usual price of the standard model. However, pre-orders swiftly sold out, leading scalpers to offer the console on sites such as eBay at prices ranging from $700 to an astounding $985. This tactic has exasperated many prospective buyers, particularly since the special edition was not packaged with the eagerly awaited *Ocarina of Time* remake, which is set for release just a week later on November 6.

The limited availability of the special edition has sparked concerns, especially given that Nintendo has a track record of striving to ensure customers can purchase their consoles directly during initial launches. The shortage and the ensuing price inflation have left many wondering if Nintendo will take measures to rectify this issue and cater to the needs of its customer base.

Despite the attractiveness of the distinctive Joy-Cons and design features, potential buyers are warned that the enhanced console will operate exactly the same as the standard model, making the inflated prices unjustifiable. As the release date draws near, the gaming community is keenly observing how Nintendo will tackle the difficulties posed by scalpers and the increased demand for this exclusive edition console.

The 2026 IGG World Championship has now concluded, and it was undoubtedly the biggest and best version of the event yet held.  Hosted by IGG from September 4th to 6th at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, it saw highly skilled …

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