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I am shocked to discover that this is the first time we’ve written about Amberspire, the new sci-fi city builder from Nic Tringali, developer of starfaring monastic strategy game The Banished Vault. Shocked, I tell you!

It’s set on a gas giant moon, looks a bit like isometric Sable, features dice with arcane symbols, and challenges you to “cohabit” with an ecology of ooze, silica and rust, rather than turning everything into a mall. It’s the kind of speculative fiction racket an eco-vibing hipster like myself goes crackers over, and here I am announcing Amberspire to you with the release barely a month away on 6th May. I can only hang my head in shame, and offer you this trailer.

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**The Debate Around DLSS 5: Daniel Vávra’s Support for AI Advancements in Gaming**

Amid the gaming sector’s collective disapproval of Nvidia’s DLSS 5 technology, referred to as an “AI-slopificator,” one individual rises to champion the innovation. Daniel Vávra, co-founder of Warhorse Studio and recognized for his contributions to *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, stands firm in his belief that this technology can transform game design. His hopeful perspective sharply contrasts with the industry’s doubts, sparking conversations about the potential of AI in the realm of gaming.

Vávra posits that DLSS 5 could serve as an economical substitute for ray tracing, assuming it can navigate its initial hurdles. He speculates that developers might eventually leverage this technology to mimic distinct artistic styles or even personalize character visuals, thereby replacing the traditionally costly rendering methods tied to ray tracing. His conviction relies on a future where technological progress ultimately enriches the creative endeavors in game development.

In remarks that embody the often lofty claims associated with new technologies, Vávra expressed, “I can envision a time when devs can train this tech to capture particular art styles or specific human faces.” This viewpoint resonates with a recurring theme in conversations about generative AI technologies: the excitement for future potentials frequently overshadows current challenges. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has also highlighted that DLSS 5 could help developers maintain artistic intention, a statement that remains debated within the gaming community.

Detractors of the technology voice worries that it might oversimplify or distort visual elements, comparing its effect to a social media filter that degrades the quality of the original art. Vávra rebuts this concern by arguing that DLSS 5 is merely in its experimental stage, similar to the early phases of generative AI writing and video productions. He remarks, “This is just a little uncanny beginning,” reflecting his belief that the technology is on the verge of meaningful enhancement.

Despite the doubt, Vávra stands resolute against critics, declaring, “No way haters will stop this. It’s way more than a soap opera effect another TV has when you turn motion smoothing on.” This language encapsulates the friction between supporters and opponents of AI-driven technologies in gaming, where the anxiety over reduced creative integrity clashes with dreams of broader access and affordability.

The discussion surrounding DLSS 5 underscores a more extensive dialogue about the presence of AI in gaming. While advocates like Vávra envision a future teeming with artistic opportunities and decreased expenses, the current pushback centers on the negative ramifications of AI content generation—especially concerns regarding quality, originality, and the risk of a homogenized gaming look.

As the gaming industry navigates the influence of DLSS 5 and comparable technologies, Vávra’s insights emerge as a beacon of hope amidst skepticism. Nevertheless, as history illustrates, technological progress frequently presents unforeseen obstacles. The eventual success of AI in gaming will hinge not only on the technology itself but also on how developers and players maneuver through the shifting terrain of creativity, innovation, and artistic expression.

House House were kind enough to keep a video of my hands-on session with Big Walk, filmed by one of the participating PRs. Generally, a full video of a preview event including player audio is a lifesaver for a journalist, struggling to keep notes while pushing buttons. But in this case, I don’t want to watch the Big Walk video, because then I would hear what the other players were saying when I wasn’t there.

You see, I fell down a cliff midway through Big Walk, and spent the night floundering about in the ocean. Eventually, a developer armed with a big, ball-shaped lamp tracked me down and ushered me back up, hoisting me onto his shoulders so that I could leap to a rock. Nights in Big Walk last moments. I was gone for the length of a luxurious toilet break. But still, those were moments in which the others were gathered, waiting for me. Perhaps they were making fun of me. I don’t want to know.

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### Concealed Aspects in *Crimson Desert*: Enriching the Open-World Adventure

The recently launched open-world fantasy RPG *Crimson Desert* has received a blend of reviews, with certain players reveling in its intricate details that enrich the expansive world. Although some features may appear minor or disregarded, they substantially improve the gameplay experience, especially for those prepared to devote significant time to navigating the game’s settings. Below are some remarkable details that players might overlook.

#### NPCs Retrieve Items They Drop
In contrast to many traditional open-world games, *Crimson Desert* provides a distinctive element with its non-playable characters (NPCs). When players collide with NPCs and dislodge items from their grasp, they frequently return to collect them. This meticulous attention to detail cultivates a more dynamic atmosphere, as NPCs can be observed exhibiting realistic behavior, enhancing the game’s authenticity.

#### Cooking Meat Using Sunlight
One peculiar feature that intrigued players is the capacity to cook meat through sunlight. By employing a shiny, reflective sword to direct sunlight onto food items, players can cook them on the ground. Though this technique may not be the most effective for food preparation, it showcases the game’s inventive mechanics. Furthermore, the sun’s reflected rays can set various objects ablaze, providing players with multiple interaction options.

#### Sitting on Stones and Leaning Against Walls
*Crimson Desert* enables players to partake in leisurely interactions that numerous games disregard. Players can sit on small stones or lean against walls spread across the game world. By merely approaching these objects and pressing the respective button, they can take a breather and savor the environment, enhancing the world’s immersion.

#### Drowning Small Creatures
For those players who adopt a more sinister approach, *Crimson Desert* allows a disquieting action: drowning small creatures. By carrying animals like raccoons into the water and crouching, players can submerge these beings—an action that may stir varied emotions regarding player decisions in the game world. This feature permits players to interact with the environment in morally ambiguous manners, adding depth to the gameplay experience.

#### Forming Ice Blocks with Ice Arrows
Another intriguing detail is that when players fire ice arrows into water bodies, they create ice blocks. While this mechanic is not revolutionary, it further contributes to the game’s logical coherence. It encourages players to think inventively about their actions and their interactions with the environment, enriching the game’s fantastical elements.

#### Raising and Lowering Helmet Visors
A delightful feature incorporated into the immersive experience is the ability to raise and lower helmet visors. Players can control their visibility by accessing the quick-item wheel, allowing them to either mask their identity or reveal their face while exploring. This customization option caters to varied roleplaying scenarios, appealing to players who wish to embody different hero archetypes.

### Conclusion
*Crimson Desert* may not resonate with all players, but its meticulous details enhance the experience for those eager to uncover them. From realistic NPC interactions to distinctive cooking techniques and immersive environmental mechanics, these elements reward players who delve into the rich, elaborate world. By embracing both the whimsical and darker facets of gameplay, *Crimson Desert* offers a nuanced and captivating fantasy experience for adventurous players.

One of my most useful tech purchases in recent times hasn’t been anythng big or flashy, but a humble Ugreen SSD enclosure. It essentially takes any spare M.2 drive you might have laying around and turns it into a fast external SSD, with minimul fuss and for a lot less cash than just buying a whole new portable drive. I’ve done this with a 2TB Crucial P310 I had left over, and it’s worked a treat for the last year. At Amazon, it’s down to £16 in the UK and $16 in the USA. The latter is for Amazon’s Spring Sale in the States, while the one in the UK is more of a cyclical discount, judging by the price history.

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### 2025 Metacritic Game Publisher Rankings: A Year of Surprises

The yearly Metacritic Game Publisher Rankings have been disclosed, highlighting a competitive environment in the gaming sector, along with some unexpected results for 2025. This year’s rankings illustrate the critical acclaim of various publishers based on the number and quality of the games they launched in the previous year.

#### Overview of the Rankings

Metacritic, the prominent review aggregation platform, offers insights into the performance of non-mobile game publishers annually. Their approach evaluates the quality of game releases, classifying them as good, great, or bad, and compiles this information to create a ranked list. This year’s rankings featured 28 publishers, with the top 12 being:

1. **Square Enix** – 9 releases, 100% good or great
2. **Gamirror Games** – 5 releases, 100% good or great
3. **Capcom** – 7 releases, 93% good or great
4. **Thunderful** – 6 releases, 90% good or great
5. **Xbox** – 21 releases, 81% good or great
6. **Take-Two Interactive** – 7 releases, 80% good or great
7. **Sega** – 17 releases, 84% good or great
8. **EA** – 12 releases, 79% good or great
9. **Dotemu** – 8 releases, 76% good or great
10. **Raw Fury** – 9 releases, 77% good or great
11. **Ubisoft** – 8 releases, 81% good or great
12. **Nintendo** – 18 releases, 68% good or great

This list presents some surprising rankings, particularly with Square Enix achieving the top spot for the first time in Metacritic’s 16 years of publisher evaluations.

#### Key Highlights

**Square Enix’s Surprising Rise**
One of the most remarkable features of the rankings is Square Enix’s unforeseen ascent to the top. Despite not being a major focus for industry observers throughout the year, the publisher successfully released a lineup of games that resonated positively with critics. This accomplishment underscores a year marked by consistent quality output that often went unnoticed.

**Capcom Continues Its Strong Streak**
Capcom’s position within the top three comes as no shock, given its established reputation for releasing high-quality games, including hits like *Resident Evil Requiem*. The publisher has displayed impressive consistency in producing titles that garner both player and critical praise.

**Xbox’s Competitive Performance**
Xbox’s ranking is enhanced by the inclusion of titles from Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, marking a significant year for the platform. The launch of games like *Forza Horizon 5* across multiple platforms has positively influenced their overall score.

#### Notable Fallouts

**Nintendo and PlayStation’s Decrease in Rankings**
In a surprising development, Nintendo, celebrated for its reliable top-tier releases, found itself outside the top 10 after launching the eagerly awaited Switch 2. Likewise, PlayStation was positioned 21st out of 28, marking its lowest rank in several years. The highest-rated game from PlayStation was *The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered*, which notably debuted on PC.

Both companies faced scrutiny regarding their approaches in 2025, raising questions about whether their concentration on live-service games and established franchises has hindered the introduction of new, innovative titles.

#### Conclusion

The 2025 Metacritic Game Publisher Rankings unveil a transforming landscape where traditional giants encounter challenges from unforeseen rivals. As the gaming industry progresses, the triumph of publishers will increasingly hinge on their ability to adapt and offer high-quality experiences in a competitive environment. Historically, the rankings have been influenced by various publishers each year, reflecting the continuously shifting dynamics of the gaming sector, with Square Enix now at the forefront.

Atomic this, Atomic that.

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I’ve been through much with my Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Groal the Great. The bit in Dispatch where you have to choose a favourite doughnut and “Chocolate” isn’t an option. Then there’s the psychic shock of having a game controller than costs more than, say, 40 quid to begin with – it’s not something that immediately feels right.

The Wolverine V3 Pro itself, however, feels very right indeed. It’s a solid and endlessly comfortable wireless pad, whose buttons are enriched with the pleasant mechanical clickiness of a high-end mouse. Cost-wise, it’s also a lot less now than when I got mine: Amazon US has it at 35% off during their Spring sale, while in the UK, Scan has it down from £190 to £130. Still premium, but worth it, in my eyes. And hands.

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### Pokémon Champions: A Fresh Chapter in Competitive Play

Pokémon Champions, launching on April 8, is set to revolutionize the competitive Pokémon landscape. This battle simulator for Switch and mobile promises substantial alterations that will reshape player interactions with the franchise, especially in tournament settings. Recent comments from director Masaaki Hoshino emphasize key changes to traditional gameplay mechanics that will influence all competitive participants.

#### Transformations in Pokémon Training

A major shift is the removal of the Individual Value (IV) system for Pokémon obtained within Pokémon Champions. Traditionally, IVs resembled genetic traits in Pokémon, affecting their combat effectiveness based on innate stat distributions. Consequently, players could capture numerous Pokémon of the same kind yet discover disparities in speed or special attack primarily due to varying IVs. For competitive gamers, this inconsistency frequently influenced tactical decisions, rendering the IV system a core element of preparation and team construction.

Hoshino’s choice to eliminate IVs is intended to ease the competitive experience, rendering Pokémon training more approachable for newcomers. This decision follows extensive consultations with Shigeki Morimoto, a pivotal figure in Pokémon’s design legacy, indicating a conscious move toward inclusivity in competitive environments.

#### Streamlined Effort Value System

Along with the IV adjustments, Pokémon Champions will present a revamped Effort Value (EV) system. Previously, this system enabled players to boost specific stats through focused training. In the new structure, players can allocate an extra 66 points across different stats, simplifying the process and diminishing the complexity often linked to classic EV training. This overhaul is anticipated to facilitate character customization, encouraging strategic planning without diving deeply into the typically complex mechanics of Pokémon training.

#### Pokémon Options and Competitive Approaches

Even with the modifications to training systems, Pokémon Champions will launch with a restricted lineup. Initially, players will only have access to fully-evolved Pokémon, allowing fan favorites like Charizard and Blastoise to be viable, while their pre-evolved counterparts, such as Charmander and Squirtle, will not be available. Interestingly, Pikachu will remain accessible despite its incomplete evolution. This limitation could spark discussion among players, as pre-evolved Pokémon can often utilize certain items, like the Eviolite, which boosts the stats of non-evolved Pokémon, enabling distinct competitive strategies.

#### Community Feedback and Future Outlook

As Pokémon Champions prepares for its debut, the competitive community’s reaction to these extensive changes is yet to be determined. Traditionalists who have depended on established rules and mechanics may perceive this new structure as disruptive. In contrast, newcomers might embrace the more user-friendly aspects that Pokémon Champions offers.

The game aspires to serve both experienced players and foster a welcoming environment for those new to competitive gaming. As the launch date nears, excitement is tangible, along with conversations about how these innovations will shape the future of Pokémon encounters.

In conclusion, with Pokémon Champions set for release on April 8, it is poised to challenge the existing norms of competitive gaming, urging both new and seasoned players to adapt to its innovative systems and features as they gear up for an exhilarating era of Pokémon encounters.

RIP 2009-2026.

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