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**Star Wars: The Old Republic: A Path from Aspiration to Disappointment**

*Star Wars: The Old Republic* (SWTOR) debuted in 2011, introducing the cherished *Star Wars* brand into the world of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs). Crafted by BioWare, a company celebrated for its story-centric role-playing games, SWTOR aimed to provide a vast online experience reminiscent of *Knights of the Old Republic* (KOTOR). Nonetheless, the end result appeared more like an altered iteration of *World of Warcraft* rather than the groundbreaking MMORPG that players had hoped for.

James Ohlen, a pivotal contributor to SWTOR’s creation, conveyed a wish to rejuvenate the game and its universe. Prior to his exit from BioWare in 2018, he voiced displeasure regarding the absence of clear direction and support, indicating he felt like a “highly paid, completely useless person.” His efforts to propose a reboot of SWTOR were hindered when Electronic Arts’ (EA) board opted not to pursue further investment, even while recognizing the game had accrued over $1 billion in revenue throughout its existence.

Ohlen’s concept for the reboot was much more ambitious. He aimed to steer the *Star Wars* story into a fresh direction, even consulting with then-LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy and director Dave Filoni. Filoni recommended examining occurrences set centuries prior to the collapse of the Republic, potentially establishing a narrative continuity that would resonate with both loyal fans and newcomers.

The principal obstacle to realizing this vision was EA’s then-Worldwide Studios VP, Patrick Söderlund, who expressed doubts about SWTOR owing to its historically elevated development expenses. Ohlen managed to persuade Söderlund to consider the reboot—a personal triumph for him—before ultimately encountering pushback from EA’s board, who were cautious about the financial implications.

The board’s recollections of SWTOR’s rocky launch, characterized by an astonishing development expenditure exceeding $300 million, contributed to their hesitance in endorsing extra funding. This choice eventually resulted in handing SWTOR over to Broadsword Online Games, permitting BioWare’s remaining assets to redirect attention towards other franchises such as *Dragon Age* and *Mass Effect*.

Regardless of the bleak prospects for SWTOR, optimism persisted among fans of the *Knights of the Old Republic* series. Former BioWare member Casey Hudson is currently at the helm of a new RPG initiative inspired by the *Old Republic*, aiming for a release before 2030. This progression suggests that while one ambitious vision may have stalled, the heritage of *Star Wars* RPGs continues to advance.

The saga of SWTOR serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dynamics of game development, where aspirations for expansive, innovative endeavors can occasionally falter due to corporate choices. As fans look forward to the future of *Star Wars* in gaming, the tale of SWTOR remains a significant episode in the franchise’s history.

Sci-fi 4X strategy game Stellaris is getting a Nomads expansion on June 15th that lets you jettison traditional ideas about territory and play as a wholly mobile civilisation – travelling around the galaxy in Arkships that serve as colonies, shipyards, and military or science vessels. You know the old Terran saying: home is wherever you park your trillion tonne hermetically sealed artificial habitat. Here’s another, related Terran saying: a trillion tonne hermetically sealed artificial habitat parks wherever the hell it pleases.

The expansion will launch alongside free Stellaris update 4.4, named Pegasus. Developers Paradox have put together a choice of nomadic lifestyles, with inspirations that appear to range from the Mongolian Empire through Eldar Craftworlds to the work of Douglas Adams.

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Trading for power.

The post How to Trade in Slime RNG appeared first on Gamezebo.

A Californian bill aimed at game preservation and backed by the Stop Killing Games campaign has been voted through by a state committee focused on the fiscal cost of proposed legislation – thereby taking a key step closer to becoming a proper law. The bill, as we’ve previously reported would require that studios either take action to keep games running after server shutterings, or provide full refunds if it passes in its current form, and faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association.

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Subnautica 2 splashed into Steam early access yesterday, sending tidal waves of money into the bank accounts of developers Unknown Worlds and publishers Krafton. You planning on paying that $250 million performance bonus, then, Krafton? Now that the game has been on sale for a whopping 17 hours – roundabouts how long it takes to clean out the current early access build – it’s time to start squawking like seagulls for patches, updates and expansions.

Fortunately, creative media producer Scott MacDonald told RPS and other journalists a little about Subnautica 2’s first patches in a roundtable interview last week. The short version is that the initial update will mostly add stuff to the progression and base-building systems, alongside tweaks to the voice logs, some extra lore, and an on-foot sprint mechanic. After that, there’s a co-op-focussed update with proximity voice chat, emotes, and player revives. And after that, we enter the realm of proper expansions with new vehicles, biomes, leviathans, tools, resources, and the continuation of the story.

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Forza Horizon 6 is already Steam Deck Verified, which I’m forced to concede makes much of this article surplus to requirements. Yes alright, big green checkmark, you can convey the meaning of “it works” without publishing an entire performance and settings guide, or indeed needing to spell out the words “it” or “works”. But then we’ve known that since March anyway, so I guess we’re both stating the obvious.

Or are we? FH6 may follow Forza Horizon 5 down the smoothly tarmacked road of full Deck compatibility, but it still requires some extensive quality-lowering to escape sluggishness – its brisk pace on desktop PCs being much harder to match on handheld hardware. At the same time, sticking the Very Low preset on and being done with it robs the game of most of its Forza-standard lustre, at least traces of which can be kept without sending framerates off a cliff like a confused satnav.

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### The Super Mario Galaxy Film: Digital Release and Exclusive Features

The eagerly awaited *The Super Mario Galaxy Film* has swiftly transitioned from cinemas to digital services, set for release on May 19. This sequel from Illumination and Nintendo premiered in theaters in April and has won the admiration of audiences globally with its energetic pacing and cherished characters.

#### Exclusive Bonus Features

Digital editions of the film will come with more than an hour of exclusive behind-the-scenes footage that showcases the artistry and creativity involved in the film’s making. Notable featurettes will examine various facets of the movie, offering fans a deeper understanding of its production:

1. **NEXT LEVEL: CRAFTING THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY FILM**
Explore how the film was created through interviews with the minds behind it at Nintendo and Illumination, along with the actors who brought the iconic characters to life.

2. **CHARACTER CAST**
Learn how the cast brought the legendary Mario Bros. characters to life, merging nostalgia with contemporary storytelling that appeals to both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

– Mario & Luigi
– Peach & Rosalina
– Bowser & Bowser Jr.
– Toad & Yoshi

3. **NAVIGATING THE GALAXY**
Accompany the filmmakers and cast on a journey through the film’s settings, enriched by layers of nostalgia that enhance the viewing experience.

4. **GALACTIC THEMES**
This segment investigates the relationships among characters, shedding light on the dynamics of friendships and rivalries that shape the story.

5. **COSMIC MELODIES**
Composer Brian Tyler discusses his approach to reinterpreting the iconic Super Mario Bros. music into an exhilarating cinematic score that elevates the adventure.

6. **POWER-UPS**
Explore the power-ups featured in the film, the creative decisions regarding their inclusion, and hear favorites from the cast.

7. **GALAXY SECRETS**
Uncover cleverly concealed Easter eggs that reward multiple viewings, with insider insights from the filmmakers on what to observe.

#### Physical Release and Box Office Success

For enthusiasts, the film will also be available on Blu-ray beginning June 16. Though slightly trailing behind its predecessor, which garnered over a billion dollars, *The Super Mario Galaxy Film* has nonetheless achieved significant success, pulling in over $942 million globally, making it the highest grosser of 2026 to date.

Illumination and Nintendo are actively broadening their animated universe, with plans for more films, including a new release planned for 2028.

With its mixture of nostalgia, innovation, and beloved characters, *The Super Mario Galaxy Film* continues to enchant and entertain, securing its position in the hearts of fans.

Forza Horizon 6‘s bootful of PC-specific tech features was apparently stuffed enough to warrant a big, colourful blog post about them. Ultrawide support? Yes. DLSS 4 and FSR 4? Both. Ray tracing? A resounding hai, those souped-up lighting and reflection effects escaping FH6’s car-ogling mode and adorning its open world for the first time in the series.

Actually playing the thing, however – and/or spending enough time in its benchmarking tool – reveals that its PC performance highlights mainly concern the absolute basics. On standard settings this is most definitely a smooth-running game, one that’s capable of scooting along on budget builds and handheld PCs while zooming through frames on powerful graphics cards. But, that’s not necessarily with the help of bleeding-edge tech. Upscalers like DLSS disappoint more than they impress, and the performance tax levied by those RT effects will drag you down from supercar luxury to framerate poverty.

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### s&box: Tackling the Obstacles of User-Generated Content in the AI Era

When Facepunch Studios introduced s&box, a game creation platform promoted as a spiritual successor to Garry’s Mod, on Steam at the close of April 2023, it swiftly achieved a “Mixed” rating. Around 45% of its reviews were favorable, indicating initial doubt from the gaming community. Numerous reviewers highlighted an abundance of user-generated content (UGC) filled with low-quality, AI-generated works that congested the game’s discovery section. This input led Facepunch Studios to take steps aimed at resolving these issues.

The occurrence of UGC games emerging during a time saturated with AI-generated content poses distinct challenges. The developers have indicated they were taken aback by the surge of inferior AI submissions overwhelming the platform. In a recent update known as 26.05.13, Garry Newman, a prominent member of Facepunch Studios, revealed new tools crafted to assist in identifying and reducing the influence of “AI Slop,” a term referring to the nondescript, low-quality content generated via AI tools.

In a tweet showcasing the newest updates, the studio remarked, “We’re penalizing AI thumbnails – if your game resembles generic slop, it’ll rank lower.” They are also rolling out various improvements, including FSR3 upscaling and major physics enhancements. One key feature allows moderators to now classify packages as using AI thumbnails, which will consequently lower their visibility in listings and searches. Newman discussed the dual aspect of utilizing AI, highlighting its function as a valuable learning and productivity resource, while also acknowledging the issues linked to quality degradation.

Despite these proactive initiatives, some community members have urged for an outright prohibition on AI tools within s&box, perceiving it as the sole effective means to enhance the caliber of UGC. Nevertheless, Facepunch Studios seems dedicated to a balanced strategy that embraces the use of AI while concurrently striving to uplift the standards of submissions.

While these updates represent a constructive advancement, the lingering question is how s&box will manage to establish its identity in a realm dominated by its predecessor, Garry’s Mod. With a shaky beginning and persistent challenges related to content quality, the future of s&box remains ambiguous. Still, the studio’s attentiveness to community input and its ongoing development endeavors imply a commitment to nurturing a more dynamic and high-quality creative atmosphere for its users.

### Kylie Jenner Discusses “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” on Therapuss Podcast

In a recent installment of the Therapuss podcast, socialite and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner conveyed her insights on the cherished video game, **The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild**. Her appearance on the podcast served to remind audiences that, despite her vast wealth and prominence, she shares similar interests with numerous fans, particularly in gaming.

Jenner, the youngest member of the Kardashian clan, has established a thriving career thanks to her beauty and fashion lines, as well as her current acting role in Charli XCX’s mockumentary film *The Moment*. This versatile journey frequently appears on the reality show *The Kardashians*, available on Hulu. However, amid her hectic lifestyle, she manages to find time to delve into gaming, particularly within the expansive realm of Hyrule.

While on the podcast, she succinctly recounted the game’s plot to host Jake Shane, conveying her excitement for its complex narrative. Despite some initial reservations, she provided a summary of the game’s backdrop, character drives, and emotional richness, stressing how players interact with the tale. Jenner clarified that the adventure starts in a post-apocalyptic realm devastated by conflict and disorder, where players assume the role of Link, whose goal is to rescue Princess Zelda and restore tranquility. She explained, “So, 100 years before you begin your journey in the game, there was this massive war. The world is like, you know…in ruins. Everything is messed up.”

Her enthusiasm shone through as she recounted her gameplay experience. Jenner disclosed that she had already defeated one of the Divine Beasts and was gearing up to face the next challenge. “You could be lost in that game; I’ve played for days and hours,” she remarked, emphasizing the captivating essence of the game and her significant investment in the adventure.

Despite a few minor hiccups, such as misremembering the names of specific game components and receiving light-hearted corrections from off-screen voices, Jenner’s commentary revealed a sincere passion for gaming. Her depiction of gaming culture offers an intriguing viewpoint, illustrating that even individuals at the height of success can relate to video game stories.

Jenner’s insights on *Breath of the Wild* resonate with a vast audience, merging her high-profile existence with shared experiences, ultimately reminding fans that mutual interests go beyond economic status. As more celebrities embrace gaming publicly, it continues to cement its role in popular culture, dismantling barriers and nurturing a united community among varied groups of individuals.