Gait Games

I do not trust the ocean. It’s too big! There’s too much going on in that thing and oh how I pray and pray for the day that James Cameron stops messing around down there. Makes for a good horror setting though, as evidenced by the likes of BioShock, SOMA, and Iron Lung, and now KEROGEN is entering the fray for the title of “I’m not sure I can keep my eyes open while I play this” that SOMA currently holds in my heart.

Read more

**The Unsettling Realism of *Better Than Dead***

In a time when video game narratives frequently explore complex stories and vast universes, *Better Than Dead* disrupts this norm with its stark straightforwardness and disturbing themes. This recently launched first-person shooter (FPS) on Steam captivates players through its depiction of vengeance and survival against a backdrop of severe human trafficking and brutality. Tapping into the chilling truths faced by many, the game crafts a visceral journey meant to stir a complicated mix of feelings, from exhilaration to unease.

**Story and Gameplay Elements**

At its essence, *Better Than Dead* centers on a young woman escaping the dangers of coerced sex work, subsequently embarking on a quest for revenge against those who exploit and harm victims. Equipped with a pistol, she navigates through various abandoned sites in pursuit of her daunting foes, who embody the sinister world of organized crime.

The gameplay design adopts a minimalist style, avoiding conventional RPG components like skill trees or inventory systems. Instead, players are immersed in straightforward combat situations devoid of HUDs, objective indicators, or crosshairs. This design choice envelops players in a disturbingly immersive experience. Each confrontation feels raw and unpredictable, enhancing the game’s disquieting ambiance. Combat mechanics showcase frantic action, with gunplay reflecting the chaotic essence of real-life conflicts. Gunfire resonates powerfully, while precision becomes elusive amidst the frantic movements of both the player and AI-driven adversaries.

**Cinematic Quality and Bodycam Viewpoint**

One of the notable aspects of *Better Than Dead* is its distinctive bodycam viewpoint, which has been innovatively adapted to deepen the game’s thematic essence. The employment of blurring and pixelation to conceal faces and certain graphic elements evokes the sensation of unsettling footage circulated in more dubious areas of the internet. This aesthetic choice not only reinforces the narrative framework but also compels players to confront the harsh realities of violence and exploitation through a perspective that is both troubling and engaging.

By employing this technique, *Better Than Dead* immerses players in a scenario often sensationalized yet seldom approached with such raw intensity in gaming. The simulated bodycam footage amplifies the discomfort, drawing players closer to the action while blurring the distinctions between entertainment and unease.

**An Intense Journey with Gritty Authenticity**

Contrary to the refined and heroic depictions of combat seen in typical shooters, *Better Than Dead* strives to replicate the chaos of real-world confrontations. Combat encounters transpire in a frenzied manner, where a single mistake can lead to the player’s downfall, mirroring the unpredictability and anxiety of genuine gunfights. This unrelenting whirlwind of peril intensifies the tension with every turn and every potential threat met, compelling players to continuously assess their environment and remain aware of their surroundings.

Nonetheless, the game is not without its flaws. Players have reported bugs and inconsistencies in AI behavior, which can detract from the immersion. Performance issues and control difficulties have also been mentioned, serving as a reminder that while the experience seeks to mirror a gritty reality, it remains bound by the constraints of digital gameplay.

**Final Thoughts: A Lasting Impression**

In summary, *Better Than Dead* is a title that navigates the boundary between entertainment and psychological unease. Its daring decision to address themes of violence, exploitation, and revenge crafts a uniquely haunting narrative that resonates long after the credits roll. While it may lack the features or duration of other FPS titles released this year, its emotional impact and bold storytelling ensure that it leaves a significant impression. Players seeking a game that challenges genre conventions and prompts them to face the darker facets of society will find themselves compelled by this intense shooting experience. The enduring influence of *Better Than Dead* is unmistakable, mirroring the grim realities its story conveys and the disturbing nature of the violence it depicts.

SiN Episodes: Emergence was supposed to be the first instalment in a series that ran for nine episodes. Instead, it’s the opening chapter in a story that has remained unfinished for 20 years. But all that could change.

“I do see a world, yes,” Nightdive CEO Stephen Kick told me. The studio known for its remaster work now owns the rights to the SiN series and is currently working on SiN Reloaded, a re-release of the 1998 shooter that started the series. Kick says they could even go further than remaking SiN Episodes: Emergence. “Finishing eight more episodes might be a little ambitious, but it’s certainly a possibility. If the reception to SiN Reloaded is overwhelmingly positive and it reignites a good amount of interest – that’s all it would take, really.”

Read more

**Katsuhiro Harada’s New Journey with VS Studio: A Mixed Blessing for Fighting Game Enthusiasts**

In December, the realm of fighting games underwent a monumental change when Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary director of the *Tekken* series, declared his exit from Bandai Namco after many years steering one of the most revered franchises in the gaming world. His goodbye was sincere, eliciting an outpouring of support and well-wishes from fans. Now, the gaming community is reckoning with his new position as CEO and director of VS Studio, a fresh initiative under the SNK banner. This news has ignited both enthusiasm and apprehension among aficionados.

At first blush, Harada’s shift to SNK—the firm behind iconic games such as *King of Fighters* and *Fatal Fury*—appears to be an ideal scenario for fans yearning for innovation and revitalization in the fighting game landscape. The prospect of establishing a formidable studio that could unite the legacies of both franchises fuels optimism for noteworthy advancements in gameplay and design.

Nevertheless, a closer examination of SNK’s present circumstances dims this optimism. The company was acquired in 2022 by Electronic Gaming Development Company, associated with Mohammed bin Salman, the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. This acquisition is part of a larger strategy by the Saudi government aimed at improving its global image through investments in the gaming industry—a move often referred to as “sportswashing.” The Saudi regime, facing criticism over its human rights policies, has been actively acquiring stakes in various gaming firms, including prominent names like Electronic Arts and Capcom, and taking control of major cultural events such as the EVO fighting tournament.

While the formation of VS Studio under Harada may signal a beacon of hope for creativity, it now bears the burden of its parent company’s contentious actions. The pressing question is: will this new studio leverage Harada’s expertise and vision, or will it be hindered by the limitations and directives of its corporate overlords?

Additionally, the *Fatal Fury* franchise has displayed some concerning trends since the acquisition, including the incorporation of AI-generated components in its development and the surprising addition of high-profile personalities, such as soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, as characters in the game—choices that have baffled fans.

As Harada embarks on this new chapter, the industry observes with expectant yet wary anticipation. The upcoming months will determine whether VS Studio can establish a unique identity, skillfully navigating the turbulent seas of corporate governance while providing the quality and innovation that fighting game enthusiasts desire.

We all love a little city builder around here, right? Course we do! But I’m sure not all of our friends do, they’d rather be off hacking and slashing and other such brutish things. KingFish, then, might present a pleasant opportunity to bring you and said friend together, for it is both a city builder and an action game, where one of you gets to do the building, while the other gets to do the fighting.

Read more

The excitement surrounding *Grand Theft Auto 6* (GTA 6) has escalated, particularly as supporters eagerly look forward to the debut of its third trailer. The last teaser for the highly awaited open-world game was shown over a year ago, and various speculations have arisen about when more information might be released. Many enthusiasts surmised that the newest trailer might be revealed on May 12, coinciding with an uptick in visitors at a nearby tea café to Rockstar North’s studio, which a devoted fan tracked using Google Maps.

With the release of the third trailer approaching, some fans are becoming increasingly inventive in their theories and insights. This includes monitoring unusual happenings near Rockstar North. This idea comes from the belief that, as developers may pause to mark a notable achievement, watching the traffic patterns in local cafés could somehow indicate forthcoming announcements. This specific theory is inspired by concepts like the Pentagon Pizza Theory, which argues that keeping an eye on food deliveries close to government locations can forecast major news events.

On May 12, a Reddit user posted a screenshot indicating that the café near Rockstar North was seeing a rush of customers. Their post humorously implied a link between the café’s activity and the possible release of the new trailer. The user speculated, jokingly recognizing that the Scottish developers might favor tea over pizza. As the word circulated, the post attracted notable attention, amassing over 1,500 upvotes, with reactions varying from humor to further conjectures about the lengths devoted fans will pursue in their search for information.

One commenter even compared the observations to the Pentagon Pizza Theory, demonstrating how fans strive to uncover patterns in seemingly unrelated information to validate their hopes for the trailer’s debut. The enthusiasm observed within the fan community typically intensifies as expectations rise without fresh disclosures from Rockstar. If the third trailer does become available, it is likely that fans will continue to monitor local venues until the game’s official release in November.

Looking forward, the timing of new announcements might coincide with Take-Two Interactive’s next earnings call on May 21, as historical trends indicate that news related to Rockstar titles frequently emerges in the days preceding such corporate meetings. For the time being, fans persist in a mix of speculation and anticipation as they await more updates concerning one of the most highly awaited titles in gaming history.

Oh now! Say it ain’t so! Sega’s mysterious and vague “Super Game” is… dead? I’m afraid so, kiddo, so bust out the shovel. This Super Game has been a part of Sega’s long-term strategy for a while now, in fact it was even meant to be out by the end of the last fiscal year. That didn’t happen! Sega even said their goal was to “create a game so revolutionary that it attracts far more active users than any of the Group’s games to date.” Except as of the studio’s latest financial results, this is all coming to a head, as the game has been cancelled.

Read more

**One Does Not Simply Walk into a Boss Fight: The Turmoil of Cryo Archive in *Marathon***

In *Marathon*, the final raid dubbed Cryo Archive presents a formidable challenge where players must carry out a sequence of tasks aimed at reaching the ultimate boss, The Compiler. This intricate procedure includes gathering batteries, obtaining key cards, and hacking vaults, all amidst fierce PvP combat against rival human teams. Successfully finishing the raid marks a significant milestone; however, recent occurrences in the game have underscored how swiftly this achievement can be undermined by exploits and glitches.

During a recent gaming stream, streamer NAPainter took advantage of an out-of-bounds glitch to access The Compiler’s chamber. Instead of confronting The Compiler head-on, he and his team waited as another unsuspecting group finished the battle. When the winning team thought they were ready to extract and secure the lucrative loot, NAPainter’s squad launched a surprise attack, resulting in an unexpected and unfortunate fate for the other players.

In a Twitter update, NAPainter labeled the encounter as one of the most disgraceful moves he had executed in a video game, referring to it as the “Cryo Clip of the Week.” Though he later voiced regret and mentioned he should have permitted the defeated team to self-resurrect, the incident incited backlash from the gaming community. Some players have even advocated for NAPainter to face a permanent ban due to his actions, which many perceived as a significant violation of fair play.

This event has been dubbed *Marathon*’s “most contentious moment.” It illustrates the harsh nature of the game, as players must face not only challenging in-game obstacles but also the erratic behavior of other participants. Prior titles like *Destiny 2* faced similar challenges with exploits, but such problems are especially harmful in a PvP environment where player deaths can result in substantial losses, including the risk of forfeiting hard-earned loot.

In light of the outcry, Bungie, the developers of *Marathon*, publicly recognized the issue. They expressed their dedication to swiftly addressing the exploit and indicated they would review their policies regarding out-of-bounds gameplay. Bungie stressed their aim to strike a balance between not penalizing players who inadvertently encounter bugs and deterring actions that purposefully disrupt the gaming experience for others.

The developers have also moved to remedy the situation for players impacted by the ambush, awarding them significant compensation. Reports suggest that the rewards were so considerable that some players faced inventory complications while trying to claim them.

As *Marathon* progresses, Bungie is already hinting at new content, including the anticipated launch of “Ranked Cryo,” which is set to heighten the competitive spirit of the game even further. With the realm of *Marathon* shifting, players will need to navigate both daunting challenges and the unpredictability of player interactions in their pursuit of success in Cryo Archive and beyond.

While there has always been a portion of the games industry that’s pushed and pushed for the cutting edge of graphics, using only the prettiest polygons and most verdant vertices in their games, Bioshock director Ken Levine hasn’t got much time for graphical realism: “It’s expensive and it doesn’t age”.

That’s not to say Judas, his narratively-flexible immersive sim follow up to Bioshock, will look like a dog’s dinner, rather he’s making an argument for style over photorealism.

Read more

### High-Profile Game Leaks: An Overview of Subnautica 2 and Additional Recent Developments

As the gaming community approaches the early access debut of *Subnautica 2* on May 14, excitement has been dampened by recent leaks that have emerged online. This follows a pattern noted earlier this week, where other eagerly awaited titles, such as *Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight* and *Forza Horizon 6*, were similarly exposed publicly before their official launch dates.

#### The Leak of Subnautica 2

*Subnautica 2*, created by Unknown Worlds and published by Krafton, has become the newest victim of leaks. Reports suggest the game is circulating online merely two days prior to its planned early-access debut. Despite the legal challenges facing the developers, including a substantial court conflict with Krafton, the leaked information complicates the forthcoming release of the game.

Following last year’s legal dispute that led to a denied $250 million compensation due to delays, the atmosphere has been charged. Nevertheless, Unknown Worlds achieved a vital ruling in March, permitting them to communicate the early access release shortly afterward. The emergence of leaked files now raises worries regarding the possible effects on sales and player experience during launch.

#### Investigating the Source of the Leak

While specifics regarding the leak remain unclear, speculative conversations within piracy circles imply that it might have originated from the Denuvo and Hypervisor cracking collective known as DenuvOwO. Users on their Discord channel have noted a leaked version of *Subnautica 2*, along with unseen images purportedly from the pirated build of the game. This speculation emphasizes the persistent issues in the gaming realm tied to piracy and the illicit sharing of pre-release materials.

A pertinent community post on Twitter supports this information, with one individual claiming the game was compromised before its official release. The discussions surrounding this highlight the broader consequences of such leaks, not merely for the game’s creators but for the entire gaming ecosystem.

#### Unpacking the Reasons Behind These Leaks

It remains unclear how these leaks occurred, especially considering the exceptionally tight security typically associated with such prominent releases. For reference, Playground Games recently reassured fans that the leak of *Forza Horizon 6* was not related to pre-load problems, suggesting that these leaks might arise from distinct situational elements.

The discussion over the origins of these early leaks continues. Is this merely a matter of digital rights management (DRM) weaknesses, or are there internal security issues that require attention? These events not only jeopardize revenue streams but also lessen the excitement and anticipation related to game launches.

#### Conclusion

The leak of *Subnautica 2* serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing difficulties developers endure in preserving the integrity of their products ahead of release. As the gaming industry progresses, so does the environment of piracy and leaks. With the early access launch imminent, there is hope that the legal disputes and turmoil arising from these leaks do not overshadow the potential of *Subnautica 2* to provide a captivating experience for its audience. The community will be closely monitoring as the launch date nears, keen to observe how these circumstances play out.