Gait Games

**Title: Amazon’s Departure from Gaming: Effects on Tomb Raider and Future Outlook for Embracer IPs**

Last year, Amazon notably reduced its video game development goals, resulting in the layoff of thousands of staff and the cancellation of several projects, including a much-anticipated *Lord of the Rings* MMO. Despite these challenges, the retail giant is still dedicated to publishing two new *Tomb Raider* games. However, Amazon’s retreat from the gaming space has influenced both titles.

In a recent discussion with *The Game Business*, Embracer CEO Phil Rogers confirmed that Amazon’s exit, scheduled for 2025, has directly affected *Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis* and *Tomb Raider: Catalyst*. Embracer, the entity that possesses the *Tomb Raider* intellectual property, had earlier partnered with Amazon to create a TV series and various games, utilizing the know-how of longtime developer Crystal Dynamics. Although the partnership remains solid, there have been changes behind the scenes, which Rogers pointed out have not all been detrimental.

Rogers mentioned that the alterations have shifted the company’s relationships within the industry. “It’s had a massive change in terms of who we’re connecting with,” he stated, noting that the shift has also led to shorter development cycles. The merger of Amazon’s game streaming service, Luna, with Amazon Games Studios has fostered closer collaboration, which has been advantageous.

Rogers suggested that while dedicated gaming hardware will always hold a position, the gaming sector could experience notable expansion through streaming. He imagines a future where players can seamlessly transition from viewing a game-related TV series to immersing themselves in the corresponding game, crafting a cohesive entertainment experience. This indicates that forthcoming titles might be tailored for streaming platforms.

In addition to focusing on the *Tomb Raider* series, Rogers showed a willingness to revive other Embracer-owned intellectual properties such as *Deus Ex*, *Red Faction*, and *TimeSplitters* through licensing agreements. “We can’t work on everything ourselves,” he remarked, promoting collaboration with other studios and Hollywood to explore possible remakes, remasters, or entirely new adaptations.

Rogers anticipates that the next decade could unveil new prospects in licensing, empowering creators with innovative ideas or treatments to realize their visions. This readiness to collaborate paves the way for fans and developers alike to present their ideas, potentially revitalizing cherished franchises.

To summarize, while Amazon’s strategic withdrawal from gaming has posed challenges for the *Tomb Raider* franchise, it has also ushered in new dynamics within the industry. Embracer’s willingness to engage in licensing indicates that other classic IPs may discover new vitality and innovative expressions in the years ahead.

Valve boss Gabe Newell reportedly once yelled “What the f*** do I pay you for if that’s your opinion?” at the company’s general counsel Karl Quackenbush during a debate over allowing pornographic media on Steam. Quackenbush is claimed to have been arguing in favour of more stringent content moderation on the platform.

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Here we go once more. The inventories are being cleared, the ranks are reset, and a plethora of new modifications are transforming Tau Ceti IV and the way players interact with it. Marathon season 2 launches today, ushering in a new nighttime survival horror map, introducing a new character, and commencing the PvP extraction shooter’s path toward a PvE-only mode. Here’s what players need to be aware of regarding Bungie’s inaugural seasonal update, what remains unchanged, and perhaps most significantly, what will drastically differ.

When does Marathon season 2 become available?

June 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Will Marathon be free-to-play?

No, at least not yet. It still typically costs $40, but for the first week of season 2, it will be free. This period runs from June 2 to June 9. Players on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC can jump in and enjoy the complete game at no charge, with all progress carrying over for anyone who later opts to purchase it. However, to play Marathon, even when free, console players will need a paid subscription (PS Plus or Game Pass Core) as it is an online multiplayer title.

I’m sorry, what is this game about again?

Marathon is a sci-fi extraction shooter developed by Bungie, the creators of Halo and Destiny (RIP), set in the universe of its original 1990s IP revolving around a mysteriously deserted colony ship, a rogue AI, and corporate nihilism. Indentured servants known as Runners have their minds repeatedly downloaded into synthetic bodies crafted from alien silkworms to scavenge the forsaken ruins of Tau Ceti IV. In practical terms, this involves spawning on a map with two teammates, navigating the landscape to battle security drones and loot items, all while attempting to exfiltrate, as rival teams aim to do the same.

Will I be at a disadvantage compared to those who have been playing since the beginning?

Yes and no. Individuals who have logged dozens or even hundreds of hours will possess far greater experience regarding map layouts, what to observe and listen for while moving, and the tactics and strategies that yield optimal matchups against rival teams. However, all gear and upgrades will reset at the onset of season 2. Every player will begin on equal footing gameplay-wise, at least initially, and the free week likely means that many other newcomers will also be joining the fray.

So, I put in hundreds of hours into Marathon season 1 and now have nothing to show for it?

Not exactly. You still retain all of your codex entries, all of your factions, and all of your cosmetics you’ve unlocked. You will also receive some initial care packages filled with starting resources based on your rank at the conclusion of season 1:

• Reach Runner Level 10: Unlock Enhanced CyberAcme Sponsored Kit
• Reach Runner Level 25: Unlock Enhanced CyberAcme Sponsored Kit plus all previous rewards
• Reach Runner Level 50: Deluxe CyberAcme Sponsored Kit plus all previous rewards
• Reach Runner Level 75: Superior CyberAcme Sponsored Kit plus all previous rewards

What has changed in Marathon season 2?

A considerable amount, in fact. The major content additions include: an updated Dire Marsh (Night) area, a new Sentinel Runner shell, a new progression system called the Cradle, new weaponry, revised contracts, faction progression enhancements, and sandbox balance adjustments. Let’s delve into the details.

**The Current Status of PlayStation 5: Examining First-Party Game Sales and Development Hurdles**

The PlayStation 5 (PS5) phase has encountered considerable obstacles for Sony, presenting a sharp divergence from the abundant production that defined the PlayStation 4 (PS4) period. As players and industry experts contemplate this shift, it becomes evident that Sony’s approach to first-party releases and development schedules has evolved, leading to a conspicuous drop in first-party game sales.

A recent evaluation by Stephen Totilo from *Game File* highlights the downturn in first-party game sales, particularly when analyzing figures from the fiscal year 2020 compared to later years. First-party sales reached a remarkable 58.4 million copies in fiscal year 2020, propelled by PS4 hits like *Ghost of Tsushima* and *The Last of Us Part II*, along with early PS5 successes such as *Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales* and the *Demon’s Souls* remake. However, this positive trend began to wane as the PS5 entered a stagnation phase characterized by a scarcity of significant first-party launches.

In fiscal year 2025, first-party sales saw a minor rebound, credited to a revival in open-world games like *Death Stranding 2* and *Ghost of Yotei*. This resurgence provided a brief respite, halting a four-year decrease and indicating that new content can still draw player interest. Remarkably, the total game sales from last year experienced a substantial uplift, with nearly 320 million copies sold, approaching the pandemic-driven pinnacle of 338 million sales.

Nonetheless, the overall mood among PS5 users remains mixed. While Microsoft and Nintendo have enhanced their game offerings, including notable third-party games, Sony’s first-party releases lack the distinctive character that the PS4 era presented. Even though studios like Team Asobi and Sucker Punch have published commendable titles, none have become as essential to the PS5 experience as the renowned games of its predecessor.

The prolonged development cycles are among the primary factors contributing to this dilemma. Development timelines have significantly increased; processes that previously took three to four years are now extending to five or more. This shift is particularly apparent in sequels that draw from established franchises. The rise of live-service gaming as a central strategy has added further complexity. Sony’s move to adapt to this model has resulted in several high-profile setbacks, draining resources and postponing expected projects.

As we peer into the future, uncertainties linger regarding Sony’s ability to sustain progress into the next console generation, the PS6. Whether the company can harness the pent-up desire for solid first-party titles is yet to be determined. Success may hinge not only on reviving the PlayStation brand’s identity but also on optimizing development workflows to produce quality games more effectively.

In summary, while the PS5 generation has achieved overall success in hardware sales and third-party game market performance, the challenge of establishing consistency and originality in first-party offerings poses a significant hurdle for Sony. As we navigate this changing landscape, gamers will closely observe how Sony adapts and innovates in response to these challenges.

They even unlock cool cosmetics.

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Intel have had a bit of a wild ride as of late. In many ways, the past two years have been some of the roughest in the company’s history: a massive, multi-billion dollar quarterly loss back in 2024 was enough to cost then-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger his job, and their flagship Core Ultra 200S desktop chips have fallen flat in games, ceding even more ground to archrival AMD.

There are still some bright spots, however. After the relative success of Intel’s Lunar Lake laptop processors in 2024, their successor family of Panther Lake CPUs – or to use the official name, Core Ultra Series 3 – is being heaped with praise from nearly all quarters. Not least thanks to the integrated Arc B390 GPU, which on paper, promises the same gaming power as a discrete Nvidia RTX 4050. Having a few of these laptops on hand, I decided to test Panther Lake’s chops for myself by spending a full week with them as my everyday games machines.

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Doesn’t factor how annoying the VFX for each one is.

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Crimson Desert developers Pearl Abyss have outlined the tweaks they plan to make to their very wide open world game between June and September, as part of continued and relentless efforts to morph it into a shape which can please everybody. Notably, they say they’ll be acting on feedback about Red Pudding’s rather forgettable story with some changes designed to “strengthen the narrative flow” and stop people falling asleep mid-cutscene. They’ve also teased some more substantial DLC coming further down the line.

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Maverick Games, the studio helmed by Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, have revealed the story-led open-world driving game they’ve had in the works for a few years now and that’s no longer being published by Amazon. It’s called Clutch, and blends traditional Horizon-style road and street racing with a story that works in some action movie-esque chases with the police.

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Where are the free rewards?

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