Gait Games

A recently refreshed *Star Wars* reference book indicates that Luke Skywalker, sometime after the original trilogy’s events, became aware of *Star Wars Jedi: Survivor* protagonist Cal Kestis and his mentor. This disclosure may suggest a prospective encounter between the two Jedi in upcoming *Star Wars* content, including series, animated shows, or video games.

On May 12, Lucasfilm and Disney unveiled the reference book *Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi: The Chronicles of Luke Skywalker*. This revised edition of a previously published Jedi reference book from 2019 features new insights and ties to recent *Star Wars* series and games. A significant addition includes an expanded journal entry from Luke Skywalker dated 34 ABY (around the time of *The Last Jedi*), which mentions Kestis’s evasion of Order 66.

In the journal entry, Luke notes, “A small handful of Jedi managed to escape execution, such as Master Jaro Tapal’s Padawan Cal Kestis…” This suggests that Luke was informed of Kestis’s continued existence, implying he might have investigated the Jedi Order during his tenure with the Rebellion and subsequently with the Resistance.

Considering the ramifications of this information unlocks intriguing prospects. It implies that after the events of *Return of the Jedi*, when Yoda named him the last of the Jedi, Luke could have met Kestis, who would have been roughly a decade younger and possibly a more seasoned Force user by that time. Kestis might have even contributed to helping Luke form the small Jedi academy shown in the Sequel Trilogy. However, this scenario complicates Yoda’s claim about Luke being the last Jedi, especially with other figures like Ahsoka and Ezra existing in that same timeframe.

The possibility of an earlier encounter between Luke and Kestis, before 4 ABY during the Original Trilogy, seems less credible considering Luke’s character growth and aspirations. Moreover, humorous theories propose that Luke might have stumbled upon a holotape featuring Kestis displaying his lightsaber and experienced envy, although such notions veer more into speculation than credible story development.

In conclusion, the updated *Star Wars* reference book not only offers comprehensive perspectives on Luke Skywalker’s path but also paves the way for potential narratives involving Cal Kestis, further enriching the expansive *Star Wars* universe.

**Netflix Officially Unveils Live Concert Tour for KPop Demon Hunters**

In a pivotal development that underscores the cultural influence of its animated musical sensation *KPop Demon Hunters*, Netflix has officially unveiled plans for a live concert tour. The announcement occurred during the Netflix Upfront event, following initial rumors in March about the endeavor. The concert will be produced in partnership with AEG Presents, a prominent live entertainment entity.

Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s president of ad sales, expressed her excitement regarding the initiative, emphasizing the remarkable phenomenon that *KPop Demon Hunters* has transformed into since its debut. “Clearly, nothing has garnered the world’s attention quite like *KPop Demon Hunters*,” Reinhard noted, referring to the film’s impact, which includes impromptu sing-alongs, themed Halloween attire, and even a notable rise in travel bookings to Korea. Currently, *KPop Demon Hunters* stands as Netflix’s most favored film, generating anticipation around the forthcoming concert series.

While precise details about the concert are still limited, it has been suggested that aspects from the film will be incorporated into the live show. This could manifest in various formats, ranging from a classic stage performance akin to productions like Disney on Ice, to a digital concert featuring cherished characters, reminiscent of shows by virtual idols such as Hatsune Miku. As for the inclusion of the film’s vocal talents—Ejae, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna—there has been no confirmation, although fans are optimistic for a setlist that extends beyond the hit track “Golden.”

At this moment, possible dates and locations for the tour have yet to be disclosed, but Netflix has created a dedicated website where fans can register for updates. This concert tour announcement comes shortly after Netflix established a multi-year collaboration with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans for a sequel to the original film, reinforcing its ongoing dedication to expanding the *KPop Demon Hunters* franchise.

Fans are eagerly anticipating more details, which are expected to be revealed later this year, as Netflix seeks to introduce a new dimension of engagement with its audience through this concert tour.

An unusually busy May for game releases is turning into an unusually bounteous month for the Steam Deck, with Valve granting their seal of handheld PC approval – Steam Deck Verified status – to a wave of new and upcoming games. Among these are the early access version of Subnautica 2 , which finally launches this week after what feels like eons of legal sniping, as well as open-world racer Forza Horizon 6 and caped minifig crusade Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

Read more

**Capcom’s Transition to a Digital-First Future: Key Takeaways from the Latest Earnings Report**

Capcom, the esteemed Japanese video game publisher, has recently disclosed its earnings report for the fiscal year spanning from March 2025 to March 2026, indicating a notable shift towards digital sales. With an astonishing 93 percent of its total game sales being digital, the company is set for a future that increasingly emphasizes digital distribution.

### Record-Setting Performance

The financial report, published on May 13, highlights that Capcom has established new records in all profit categories for the ninth straight year, primarily driven by successful new launches such as *Resident Evil Requiem* and ongoing sales from popular franchises like *Monster Hunter Wilds*. The robust performance is closely associated with the continuous rise in its digital game sales, particularly through platforms such as Steam.

### Rise in Digital Sales

As per the digital contents section of the FY2026 report, digital sales have experienced a notable growth in recent years. In 2022, digital sales accounted for 75 percent of Capcom’s total sales. This percentage escalated to 90 percent in 2024 and 2025, culminating in an impressive 93 percent in the latest fiscal year. Moving forward, Capcom projects that this ratio will climb to 95.5 percent over the next twelve months.

This swift transition mirrors a broader industry trend as consumer inclinations shift toward digital acquisitions, aided by the convenience and immediacy of downloadable content.

### Focus on PC Gaming

A significant factor contributing to Capcom’s surge in digital sales is its considerable investment in the PC gaming market. In 2022, only 33 percent of Capcom’s sales came from PC gamers, but by fiscal 2026, that figure has increased to 54.5 percent. Capcom acknowledges the potential of PC gaming as a gateway into emerging markets and new demographics, particularly as conventional console sales start to stabilize.

This strategic shift towards PC gaming aligns with Capcom’s goal of broadening its outreach beyond the traditional console markets, recognizing the changing landscape of gaming.

### Future of Physical Sales

Although digital sales are predominant, physical copies of games still constitute a viable segment for Capcom. Despite accounting for only 7 percent of total sales, this represents over 4 million physical units sold worldwide. However, the trend suggests a gradual decrease in physical sales as more titles opt out of physical releases altogether. Capcom will likely continue assessing the feasibility of physical distribution as market dynamics change.

### Conclusion

Capcom’s latest earnings report outlines a company transitioning to a largely digital future, propelled by significant growth in digital sales and an emphasis on PC gaming. As the publishing landscape evolves, it remains uncertain how Capcom will balance its physical and digital offerings, but the trajectory clearly points towards an increasingly digital marketplace. The forthcoming years will be pivotal in determining how Capcom and the wider gaming industry respond to these shifting consumer preferences.

Earlier today I discovered an ant in my bathroom. The thing about discovering an ant is that there is always another ant. And another ant. Ant another ant. Antnother ant. Antnothant. I believe I’ve found the hive’s point of ingress, a pin-sized hole in a skirting board. I’ve taped it up. We will see what happens next. Incidentally, if you are my landlord, please do not leap to any wild conclusions about how often I’m cleaning the floor.

Anyway! Dusk and Iron Lung developer David Szymanski is making a new isometric shooter called B.U.G.B.I.T.E. He hasn’t formally announced the game yet, but he’s been quietly blogging about the thing for several months, and the new game appears to involve ants. Giant ants who live in spoiling industrial labyrinths the colour of finely aged urine. How very unlike my bathroom floor, a realm of blinding purity with the occasional rogue inverterbate, just for charm.

Read more

# The Talos Principle III: The Pinnacle of a Philosophical Puzzle Odyssey

**Introduction**

*The Talos Principle* is acclaimed as a highly cerebral game, blending intricate puzzles with significant philosophical explorations regarding existence, humanity, and our desire for an afterlife. Crafted by Croteam, famed for their more action-centered series *Serious Sam*, this game, alongside its sequel, is notable for its intellectual substance. Recently, it was revealed that *The Talos Principle III* is under development and will act as the concluding chapter of the series.

**A Voyage Through Virtual Reality**

The initial *Talos Principle*, launched in 2014, engaged players within a virtual reality landscape. Participants take on the role of an android overseen by a cryptic disembodied voice called Elohim. The game presented a variety of intricate first-person puzzles that compelled players to redirect beams of light among nodes within vast, Greco-Roman inspired environments. Along with solving puzzles, players discovered writings and notes left by previous “participants,” embodying philosophical discourses and existential dilemmas stemming from a presumed apocalypse—crafted by authors Tom Jubert and Jonas Kyratzes.

**Growth in the Sequel**

With *The Talos Principle 2*, the story progressed, moving to New Jerusalem, the tangible world beyond the virtual landscape. In this realm, the protagonist from the original game has ascended to a godlike status, having birthed twelve androids to forge a new civilization. Players, as the thousandth android, set off on a mission to unravel the enigmatic emergence of a holographic Prometheus, encountering new puzzles reminiscent of those posed by Elohim.

**Highlighting Philosophy**

Both games offer captivating sci-fi tales that enable deep engagement with ontological philosophy and discussions surrounding consciousness and humanity. While they can be appreciated simply as puzzle challenges, they encourage players to delve into profound themes that resonate beyond the superficial. The announcement of a third installment has generated excitement, promising further investigation of these ideas.

**What Lies Ahead for The Talos Principle III?**

In the forthcoming *The Talos Principle III*, players will awaken within the Anomaly, referred to as “the only place in the universe where the laws of physics defy expectations.” This fresh backdrop suggests a move beyond the constrained areas of prior games, as players will be required to solve puzzles while unraveling the enigmas of the Anomaly. The game is reported to take players on a cosmic expedition across over a dozen distinct worlds, hinting at an extensive experience unlike its predecessors.

Though it remains unclear if Jubert and Kyratzes will return as writers for this entry, their participation would likely augment the story’s depth. Currently, no release date has been announced, but the teaser reveals that *The Talos Principle III* is anticipated to be available “soon.”

**Conclusion**

As the series finale nears, fans are anxious to witness how Croteam will intertwine complex puzzles with existential themes in *The Talos Principle III*. Its philosophical foundations, paired with innovative gameplay, ensure that this title will continue to challenge and inspire thought, cementing its legacy in gaming history.

One of the grievous burdens the Heroic Videogames Journalist must shoulder is seeing a couple dozen Cool New Games each week, and only having the time to write about two or three. Sometimes, however, the Heroic Videogames Journalist takes a Valiant Stand against Inconstant Fashion, and decides to write about a videogame that came out in the Dark Ages of Last Week. On which note: have you played action-RPG Alabaster Dawn? It launched in early access on 7th May and still has a demo. Based on 30 minutes or so, it’s very good.

Read more

Step aside *50 Cent: Blood on the Sand*, as *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced* emerges with the latest promotional effort featuring an oddly costly and flashy skull. This time, however, you have the chance to possess this skull yourself, but only if you opt to pre-order a $40 treasure hunt and embark on a search in the Caribbean Sea.

Ubisoft has collaborated with the leading treasure hunt organization Unsolved Hunts to create Gold & Crystal – The Lost Treasure of Edward Kenway; a scavenger expedition that demands you to unravel fifteen riddles and then journey to an undisclosed Caribbean location to unearth a genuine treasure chest filled with “pure gold coins” and a rock crystal skull decorated with an opal, valued at approximately $500,000.

To participate, you’ll need to invest a minimum of $40, with an option to pay up to $230 for additional items like a notebook and a board game. The oddest aspect of the campaign is that none of the available tiers, including the $230 “Pirate Lord” tier, actually offers a copy of *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced*. You can obtain a flag and a gold treasure coin marked with the *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag* insignia, but that’s about all.

Even more peculiar, this is a pre-order for a treasure hunt, as “all other components of the game will be delivered to you by November 9,” at which time the “full hunt” will be accessible. The Gold & Crystal FAQ mentions that the treasure hunt “is projected to last between 2 and 5 years,” leaving me uncertain how the week-long advantage granted by pre-ordering will serve as a “decisive advantage.”

It’s undeniably a fascinating concept, don’t get me wrong, but I’m just not fully convinced about the target audience for this initiative. Frankly, if I wished to LARP as a pirate and venture to the Caribbean in search of hidden treasure, I’d simply pre-order *Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced*—ooh, very clever, Ubisoft. You got me.

Lenovo’s highest-spec variant of its Legion Tower 7i Gen 10, gaming PC packs in some real top-tier components to the point it reads more like a veritable wishlist for most folks – an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processsor and an RTX 5090, plus 64GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, which probably make up more of the cost of this machine than you might expect in the current climate.

Usually, this powerful PC carries a hefty $6899.99 retail price, although with coupon code GAMEON10, it knocks over $2000 off the list price, making it $4657.49 from Lenovo directly. It is still a hefty cost in any case, but if you want to configure a PC yourself using similar components, than you’re looking at nearly $6000 – the 5090 and the RAM make up around two-thirds of the price of the configured spec here, and cost nearly as much as the entire pre-built PC. In the UK, this PC is still nearly £5000, and not on any form of discount, unfortunately.

The important thing to note also is that you shouldn’t click the 5% off clickable coupon on the product page, as it removes the auto-applied coupon we want, meaning you’d end up paying more for the same prebuilt.

Read more

### The Future of Nintendo: Transitioning to Switch 2

Nintendo has established itself as a dominant force in the gaming sector, and the buzz around the forthcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is tangible. As gamers look forward to its launch, uncertainties persist regarding the future of game development and whether Nintendo will uphold its esteemed reputation for producing high-quality titles. In the midst of these uncertainties, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa detailed the company’s approach for the transition to the new hardware during a recent investor Q&A.

#### Balancing Software Development and Releases

During his earnings call, Furukawa spoke about the hurdles associated with software development timelines, which have lengthened compared to earlier years. “Although it would be preferable to roll out numerous new titles at consistent intervals, it’s evident that software development time has grown,” he remarked, suggesting that this new reality compels Nintendo to be tactical regarding its release calendar. Nevertheless, he assured fans that the company is proactively modifying its development procedures to guarantee a robust lineup for the Switch 2.

Furukawa expanded on the fact that Nintendo is developing a mix of new titles—not just the flagship releases—but also additional projects slated for the latter part of the year. While details remain under wraps, fans eagerly anticipate announcements that may surface during customary summer showcases or through more informal updates on venues like X and YouTube.

#### Anticipated Titles for Switch 2

Anticipation is mounting around possible game releases for the Switch 2, with speculation hinting at a remake of the iconic classic, *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*. Leaks from reliable sources suggest that this endeavor could intertwine aspects from contemporary titles such as *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom*, potentially positioning it as a major sales contender for the year.

Alongside Ocarina of Time, Nintendo usually populates its fall calendar with at least one major first-party launch each month. With *Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave* poised for 2026, there’s hope for further new games to invigorate the roster, and the gaming community is optimistic for distinctive franchises exclusive to the Switch 2.

#### The Continued Relevance of Switch 1

In spite of the looming debut of Switch 2, the original Switch continues to be an essential element of Nintendo’s plan. The current market conditions, characterized by a RAM shortage and escalated hardware costs, indicate that the transition between consoles may not unfold as swiftly as expected. This scenario emphasizes the significance of the original Switch, which remains one of the most successful consoles ever.

Furukawa underscored the need to grow the entire software business, which encompasses support for both the Switch and Switch 2. This recognition implies that gamers may still receive major releases for the original hardware, facilitating a smoother transition during this period.

Recent successful launches, such as *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* and *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*, demonstrate that there remains considerable consumer demand for last-generation titles. With *Rhythm Heaven Groove* confirmed for July 2, 2026, it is likely that fans can expect further announcements regarding original Switch games moving forward.

#### Conclusion

As Nintendo steers through the transition from the Switch to the Switch 2, it is evident that the company is working assiduously to reconcile game development challenges with consumer expectations. With thrilling titles on the horizon and ongoing support for the original platform, Nintendo seeks to preserve its legacy of delivering outstanding gaming experiences to its audience. The forthcoming months are set to be pivotal in defining the future of Nintendo, and fans are keen to discover what the company has in store.