Gait Games

Horizon Hunters Gathering continues to be a game with a name that has quite odd mouthfeel (I want to say it like Horizon Hunters: Gathering when it should be like Horizon: Hunters Gathering (Guerilla Games this is my request to start using colons in the Horizon series, please and thank you)). It also continues to be a game that isn’t out yet, but you will have another opportunity to try it out later this month.

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**Title: The Dispute Concerning Slay the Spire 2 and Anita Sarkeesian’s Role**

*Introduction*

For the third month in a row, Slay the Spire 2 has faced considerable criticism through review-bombing on Steam. This situation has ignited conversations about the convergence of gaming culture, social concerns, and the influence of individual figures in the sector. The most recent wave of unfavorable reviews, totaling more than 2,500, stems from a backlash against Anita Sarkeesian’s acknowledgment as a “Consultant” for the game.

*Background on Anita Sarkeesian*

Anita Sarkeesian is a media analyst and the creator of Feminist Frequency, an organization focused on examining and critiquing the representation of women in media, especially within video games. In 2012, she initiated a Kickstarter project that successfully garnered about $160,000 for her video series, Tropes vs. Women in Video Games, which premiered in 2014. The series showcased feminist critiques of gaming and aimed to highlight issues frequently overlooked in a largely male-dominated industry. Sarkeesian’s endeavors have prompted widespread discourse and, unfortunately, significant backlash, contributing to the emergence of the Gamergate controversy.

*Recent Events and Review-Bombing*

The current influx of review-bombing began when Sarkeesian’s name was mentioned again in conversations within gaming circles, particularly after the disclosure of her consulting role in Slay the Spire 2. The backlash initiated around May 5, when her name became visible in the credits, resulting in a swift drop in the game’s Steam rating, which sank to 61% positive. In contrast to past review-bombing incidents that were primarily associated with regions in China, this backlash is strikingly global, with grievances mainly articulated in English.

Curiously, many of the recent negative reviews seem to originate from players who purchased the game solely to submit adverse feedback, only to seek refunds shortly afterward. This raises concerns about their genuine engagement with the game and the reasons behind their focus on Sarkeesian’s role.

*Unpacking the Impact of Sarkeesian’s Consultation*

Critics have questioned whether Sarkeesian’s consulting had any discernible impact on the game’s design or content. However, no substantial evidence has been provided by these critics to support claims of how her input might have influenced gameplay or themes in Slay the Spire 2. Simultaneously, the identities and contributions of other consultants, like David Von Derau and Tony Moore, have not faced comparable examination, indicating a potential gender bias in the reactions from certain segments of the gaming community.

*Conclusion*

The persistent review-bombing of Slay the Spire 2 reflects deeper challenges within the gaming community and culture as a whole. The backlash against Anita Sarkeesian, rooted in both personal grievances and broader societal discussions about gender portrayal, highlights the difficulties that advocates for change encounter in a space often resistant to critique. This event serves as a reminder of how individual contributions can spark larger cultural conflicts and the necessity for a more thoughtful dialogue regarding inclusivity in gaming.

Update: Responding to RPS’ request for comment to the IWGB union on the layoff report, IWGB member and ex-Build A Rocket Boy employee Kirby Lipardo provided the following statement:

“Rumours, chaos and job losses might be synonymous with Build A Rocket Boy, but we have no reason to believe fresh redundancies are taking place at the company. Through our strong network of BARB employees, both past and present, we understand this departure of staff to be the continuation of the cuts announced in March. Many, like myself, were locked out of their work accounts on the day they were laid off. However, several of my colleagues remained working there for a period of time, which we believe is now coming to a close.

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**Artist Takaya Imamura Shares Thoughts on Fox McCloud’s Updated Look in Star Fox 64 Remake**

Takaya Imamura, the acclaimed artist responsible for Fox McCloud’s design, has articulated his views on the character’s recent appearance in the remake of *Star Fox 64* for the Switch 2. With more than 30 years at Nintendo, Imamura played a crucial role in bringing the original *Star Fox* game to life, which launched on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1993.

In a recent update on X, Imamura conveyed his astonishment at the revived enthusiasm for *Star Fox*. “I wake up in the morning. A flood of messages has arrived. Oh! Star Fox is really coming back… I have to share this… wait, this isn’t just a dream, is it?” This enthusiasm highlights the importance of the franchise, which has built a loyal fanbase over the years.

Imamura has a deep connection with the characters, having crafted Fox McCloud’s design inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto, the game’s producer. He elaborated on how Miyamoto’s persona shaped Fox: “Fox is derived from Miyamoto-san, and the rabbit, Peppy, is modeled after the game’s director [Katsuya] Eguchi-san,” he revealed in an interview with *Edge* magazine. This creative journey involved careful reflections on the traits of the team members, leading to unique personalities for each character, including Falco and Slippy, which took cues from other colleagues.

The updated designs for *Star Fox 64* have generated debate among fans, especially regarding a more realistic depiction of the characters. Many have observed that Fox McCloud seems to have lost the charm fans adored in previous iterations, labeling him as “aura-less.” Imamura remarked on the shift from his original creations, stating, “I suppose this is how it ends up when I’m not overseeing it… or something along those lines.” Despite the mixed feelings regarding the redesign, he acknowledged the underlying concept as solid, confessing a fondness for the more animated film version while still appreciating the value in the new interpretation: “I thought this one was appealing in its own manner, with a distinct direction!”

While Imamura’s perspectives reveal a certain respect for the new design, the wider fan community has shared a spectrum of responses, with many questioning the artistic choices made in the remaster. As *Star Fox* remains an important title in the gaming world, the conversations surrounding its characters’ visuals emphasize the ongoing development of video game artistry and character portrayal.

Been a bit of a week for the Steam Controller, ‘ey? It launched earlier this week sans console, only for Valve and everyone else to find that it pretty much immediately sold out. Tech scarcity? Who could have seen that one coming, even for something as simple as a controller! That then resulted in some naughty people flogging them on eBay for at least double the price, but worry not intrepid purchaser, for Valve have shared details on how they plan to dole out the controller going forward.

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**Xbox and Sega Reveal Information on ‘Stranger than Heaven’ Amid Debate Over Bunta Sugawara’s Image**

On Wednesday, Xbox and Sega conducted a broadcast to announce new information regarding their forthcoming game, *Stranger than Heaven*, a prequel in the cherished Yakuza series. The presentation featured thrilling insights about the game, yet it has also ignited considerable debate due to RGG Studio’s choice to utilize the image of the late actor Bunta Sugawara, who died in 2014.

In a news release pertaining to the game, Sega affirmed that Bunta Sugawara would be part of *Stranger than Heaven*. The company declared, “In STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, the late and iconic actor Bunta Sugawara has a role. SEGA secured official permission from his family, and, with resources provided by Toei Company, Ltd.—which produced a number of Mr. Sugawara’s films, including the *Battles Without Honor and Humanity* series—RGG Studio designed his CG character using archival footage and photographs from that era.” This was accompanied by the announcement that actor Takashi Ukaji would lend his voice to Sugawara’s character, expressing a strong connection to the legendary actor.

Bunta Sugawara is celebrated for his performance in the five-part film saga *Battle Without Honor and Humanity*, which played a key role in shaping the modern yakuza film genre in the 1970s and has greatly impacted the *Like a Dragon* video games. Takashi Ukaji, recognized for his roles in franchises like *Ultraman*, *Kamen Rider*, and *Fist of the North Star*, will be making his video game debut with this character.

Nevertheless, the choice to use the likeness of a deceased person for a video game has sparked ethical concerns. Critics claim this is the first occasion in which RGG Studio has incorporated the likeness of a deceased individual in their titles, igniting discussions about the ramifications of such a decision. Although RGG Studio clarified that generative AI was not employed in crafting Sugawara’s likeness, many express discomfort regarding the potential commercialization of his legacy. Some believe that if the aim is to pay tribute to Sugawara’s remarkable career, it would be more fitting to highlight his extensive body of work rather than to depict him posthumously in a commercial venture.

As the launch date for *Stranger than Heaven* draws near, the reaction to Sega and RGG Studio’s contentious choice remains under examination, emphasizing the fragile balance between honoring a legacy and commodifying it in today’s entertainment climate.

Lucky you! You’ve got a look at two World of Darkness games in one today (that’s the Vampire: The Masquerade universe, for those asking). First is one we already knew about, Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish (is it also a World of Darkness requirement for the secondary subtitle to always be followed by a hyphen?), which received less of a gameplay deep dive and more of a light splash. The second is the reveal of Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Rageborn (see what I mean?), a metroidvania where, as the name suggests, you’re a werewolf!

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# Kotaku’s Checkpoint News Roundup – May 7, 2026

## New Additions for Halo Infinite
*Halo Infinite* keeps evolving with the launch of a demanding new PvE mode called Firefight: Gauntlet. This mode includes upgradeable features, elimination challenges, and auto-adjusted difficulty, designed for even the most adept players. While post-launch enhancements are decreasing, the game has received accolades for its previous offerings.

## Atari Secures Wizardry Rights
Atari has successfully secured the rights to the initial five *Wizardry* titles. In the meantime, the Japanese company Drecom has confirmed that it still holds ownership of the subsequent titles in the series, guaranteeing that enthusiasts of *Wizardry VI*, *VII*, and *VIII* can anticipate future content.

## Ruse Makes a Comeback on Steam
Fans of World War II strategy can celebrate as *Ruse*, a game from 2010 that was taken down due to licensing problems, returns to Steam. The original developers, Eugen Systems, were instrumental in this re-release, aiming to provide players with an enhanced experience enriched with additional content.

## Pragmata Surprises with 2 Million Units Sold
Capcom has announced that *Pragmata* has surpassed 2 million units sold since its debut. The game’s distinct gameplay and emotionally engaging narrative have earned it critical praise and significant ongoing sales momentum.

## Confusion Surrounds Wizardry Ownership
There is persistent ambiguity regarding the ownership of the *Wizardry* franchise, with Atari acquiring certain titles while Drecom asserts it still holds rights to other entries in the series, creating a competitive atmosphere for forthcoming developments.

## PC Gamer Criticized for Ignoring Recycling Bin
A Reddit user drew criticism for allowing their recycling bin to pile up with an astonishing 300GB of data. Responses ranged from shock to humor, highlighting the importance of digital maintenance among PC gamers.

## AI Integration in Dragon Quest
Yuji Horii, the mastermind behind *Dragon Quest*, shared his excitement about the inclusion of AI characters in gaming. The forthcoming AI chatbot, Slimey, is designed to serve as a supportive ally in *Dragon Quest X*, enhancing player interaction on a personal level.

## Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Unveiled
The eagerly awaited sequel to 2021’s *Aliens: Fireteam Elite* is scheduled for launch this September. The game will introduce a new fourth player character and a specialized horde mode, enriching the cooperative gameplay experience.

## Paranormal Activity: Threshold Canceled
Director Brian Clarke revealed the cancellation of *Paranormal Activity: Threshold* following Paramount’s refusal to allow additional development time, resulting in an incomplete product.

## Video Game Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees
This year’s inductees into the Video Game Hall of Fame encompass *Angry Birds*, *Dragon Quest*, *FIFA International Soccer*, and *Silent Hill*. They triumphed over noteworthy contestants like *League of Legends* and *Skyrim* to achieve this distinguished honor at The Strong National Museum of Play.

In conclusion, the gaming sector is alive with thrilling new launches, unexpected acquisitions, and ongoing discussions about game ownership. Stay tuned for the latest updates!

A couple of years ago, The Artful Escape devs Beethoven & Dinosaur announced their next game, Mixtape. It caught my eye at the time in no small part to having an art style that actually looks like Something as opposed to the vast sea of realism simulators out there. In particular, I was fond of its choppy, post-Into-the-Spiderverse animation, and the licensed music soundtrack, despite being very dad-core (maybe even grandad-core for some of you, at this point), did it some favours for me too. Now, it’s out! And brings up a pertinent point about genre.

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The Steam Controller was released on May 4, 2023, and sold out almost immediately, causing frustration among many players and resulting in a spike of resellers on sites like eBay, where prices soared beyond $300. In light of the hefty demand and subsequent letdown, Valve unveiled a revamped inventory strategy and rules to guarantee that genuine buyers have an equal opportunity to secure the controller.

Beginning May 8, Valve will launch a reservation queue system, enabling customers to book their place for upcoming stock. This approach guarantees that those who reserve a controller will be notified in the sequence their reservation was made when new stock arrives.

To tackle reseller behavior, Valve introduced a fresh set of regulations for the reservation procedure. Significantly, each individual can reserve just one Steam Controller, with limitations barring anyone who has already bought one from making another reservation. Furthermore, users are required to possess a Steam account deemed to be in “good standing,” meaning they must have made a purchase on Steam before April 27, 2026.

Valve recognized the mismanagement of the initial launch and reiterated their dedication to enhancing the purchasing experience for gamers: “Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it.” Fulfillment of reservations is projected to commence the following week for customers in the US and Canada, with intentions to extend to the UK, EU, and Australia shortly thereafter.

This comprehensive plan seeks to balance the demand for the Steam Controller while curbing exploitative reselling tactics, thereby making it more attainable for devoted gamers.