Creative Assembly have just detailed Total War: Warhammer 3‘s first character pack, these being “smaller, focused content drops built around a single character with their own unique feature, supported by a handful of exciting new units”, priced (in this case) at £3.99, $4.99 or €4.99 apiece.
Saturday mornings are hopefully for not feeling hungover or beaten-up or assassinated. You see, it’s Friday as I write these words, and I’ve just been invited out for drinks in the park with one Graham Smith, former RPS EIC and nowadays, co-founder of disgraceful champagne socialist operation Jank.cool, an indie joint the rabble-rousers among you are already calling “RPS when it was good”. What’s the matter, aren’t we feeding you enough Deals posts?
While a lot of the Witchery chatter so far this year has been about an extra Witcher 3 DLC rumoured to be in the works, one of the projects we know for sure CD Projekt have on the go is a remake of the first Witcher game. Ahead of the remake’s arrival, a key dev on the 2007 RPG has just finished a developer commentary run through it, which makes for a great way to pass some time between Witchery things.
Well, this is cool. You can now download Unreal Tournament 2004 for free and with a patch that ensures it’ll run smoothly on modern hardware. This is all thanks to a fan community called OldUnreal, who’ve made it their mission to keep Epic’s classic shooters alive, even going as far as getting the Fortnite publishers’ permission to do so.
I wake up at 3AM. Do 50 pull-ups on a halberd wedged in the door frame. Do 50 push-ups on the cold stone floor. A servant hands me my protein mead and a wine frappamachiato. I violently double fist the two beverages. I don’t eat breakfast, because food that isn’t flavourless cup gruel is the enemy of productivity. Then, I’m dressed in my robes for the commute to the throne room. The magic starts. It’s 5AM in Crusader Kings 3 and I’m on my medieval monarch grindset.
I pull out Paradox’s latest dev diary. Oh, look at that, they’re working with a mystery modder on bringing exactly the sort of big number tables to the strategy game that I need to tell at a glance whether I’m out-grinding my inbred wealth-creating cousins who rule other nations across the world.
**Closure of Bluepoint Games and Prospects for Bloodborne Enthusiasts**
In a surprising turn of events for the gaming world, Bluepoint Games, the renowned PlayStation studio celebrated for its successful remakes of landmark games such as *Shadow of the Colossus* and *Demon’s Souls*, has been dissolved. A representative from Sony disclosed that the closure came after a “recent business review,” marking a grim moment for fans and the industry at large. Particularly upsetting is the effect this has on *Bloodborne* fans, as many had anticipated that Bluepoint would spearhead the effort to remake FromSoftware’s cherished 2015 title for PlayStation 4.
As news of Bluepoint’s shutdown spread, it was further exacerbated by an unfortunate announcement from independent developer Maxime Foulquier, who had been engaged in a fan project titled *Bloodborne Top Down Arena*. In a twist, Foulquier revealed that he received a cease and desist notice from Sony in March 2025, demanding he cease work on the project over copyright issues. He publicly shared this information following the troubling news about Bluepoint, articulating his deep disappointment. Foulquier expressed frustration with Sony’s choices, questioning the logic behind the closure of Bluepoint, especially considering the studio’s capabilities to reimagine *Bloodborne* for contemporary audiences.
Despite ongoing legal obstacles, Foulquier is redirecting his efforts by transforming all assets from *Bloodborne Top Down Arena* into a new, unnamed project. He describes this upcoming venture as a homage to *Bloodborne*, set in a “medical gothic world influenced by Paris.” While the possibility of a *Bloodborne* remake may appear bleaker following Bluepoint’s closure and the hurdles confronting fans and developers alike, Foulquier’s resolve to develop something inspired by the original game provides a flicker of hope.
The shutdown of Bluepoint Games and the halt of Foulquier’s project signify a wider dialogue within the gaming industry concerning copyright, fan initiatives, and corporate choices. For the moment, *Bloodborne* aficionados will need to stay tuned for updates while aspiring for a future that respects the legacy of the game in innovative and new ways.
Last June, Jagex – the developers of medieval MMO Runescape – found themselves at odds with players after deciding not to create any new content for Pride Month. Disputed internally at the studio before the discussion then leaked online, the decision appeared to be a retreat in the face of a world turning on minority groups.
Following up in September, Games Industry asked Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy if he stood by the call to simply re-run existing Pride-themed quests and events. “Ultimately, my job is governance and protection as much as anything else, and so sometimes those kinds of harsh decisions have to be made to protect the imminent future of the game,” he told them. “If there are tough decisions to be made next year, we’ll make them. If the world has changed a bit and the environment is different, we will react accordingly.”
Five months on and with this year’s Pride Month on the horizon, we’ve asked if the environment is different.
**Finji’s Confrontation with TikTok Regarding AI-Created Advertisements: A Case Analysis of Copyright and Ethical Issues**
Finji, an independent game publisher famed for titles such as *Night in the Woods* and *Tunic*, is presently entangled in a conflict with TikTok over the unauthorized appropriation of its characters in AI-created ads. This predicament brings to light pressing concerns pertaining to copyright, the incorporation of AI in advertising, and the risk of harmful stereotypes within digital media.
### Context of the Conflict
The issue arose when Finji CEO Rebekah Saltsman alerted the gaming community about advertisements that were misaligned with the company’s branding and characters. On the social media site Bluesky, she encouraged anyone who spotted ads that diverged from Finji’s style to submit screenshots. These ads, reportedly generated by TikTok’s AI system, seemed to misrepresent characters from Finji’s games, particularly the forthcoming paranormal adventure *Usual June*.
Despite Finji’s adherence to TikTok’s supposedly optional AI configurations, the company uncovered AI-generated ads displaying modified versions of its characters. One of the most alarming instances featured a distorted image of June—illustrated in an inappropriate and sexualized fashion that perpetuated harmful racial stereotypes, underscoring ongoing issues of representation in media.
### TikTok’s Reaction and Corporate Exchanges
Finji’s efforts to address the situation with TikTok were met with what the company characterized as evasive responses from customer support. TikTok initially refuted the presence of AI-generated elements in the objectionable ads and claimed that Finji must have uploaded the altered images independently. This reply triggered frustration within Finji, as it not only questioned the authenticity of their work but also the employment of AI technologies in advertising.
After escalating their concerns, TikTok eventually admitted that unauthorized modifications had been made to Finji’s ads. However, the social media platform neglected to confront the larger ramifications of the racist and sexualized depictions crafted by the AI. Instead, TikTok referred to a catalog ads format utilized in the campaign intended to enhance ad performance, asserting that opting out of such features was not guaranteed.
### Ethical Concerns of AI in Advertising
Saltsman’s response to the situation was one of ire and disappointment, indicating that her team’s work integrity and Finji’s reputation had been undermined. She conveyed a longing for a formal apology and for TikTok to reconsider the ethical standards governing AI technology, specifically underscoring its tendency to reinforce discriminatory stereotypes.
This incident prompts crucial inquiries about the ethical ramifications of employing AI-generated content in advertising. As companies increasingly delve into AI technology, the risks of inadvertent harm, particularly concerning representation and respect for copyrights, are considerable. The Finji case exemplifies the necessity for clearer guidelines and accountability in the interaction of AI with creative works.
### Conclusion
The current situation between Finji and TikTok acts as a warning for the gaming industry and beyond, highlighting the need for ethical benchmarks in AI utilization. As technology progresses, the significance of safeguarding creators’ rights and ensuring respectful representation in digital media will be crucial. Whether this issue leads to broader systemic changes within TikTok and the advertising sector is yet to be determined, but for companies like Finji, the battle for their work and dignity against corporate oversight is far from concluded.
Video game updates are an incredibly funny thing, mostly because I come from a time where they weren’t a thing at all, apart from the odd second printing that patched some things here and there. Which is why my humerus has been particularly tickled by the news that a new Assassin’s Creed Shadows has arrived today that, amongst a couple of other things, add in the ability to simply let you jump.
**Will The Pokémon Company Ever Manage the Unquenchable Demand for New Cards?**
The Pokémon trading card game has experienced an unparalleled rise in popularity in recent years, resulting in intense demand for new cards. Enthusiasts eagerly await new expansions, while collectors are actively seeking rare cards, leading to rapid depletion of shelves whenever new inventory is available. In the midst of this frenzy, the Pokémon Company has taken a step that may assist in easing some of the challenges confronting both retailers and fans.
In a notable announcement, the Pokémon Company disclosed its intention to acquire Excell Brands, a leading U.S. card distributor recognized for its strong reputation and profound insight into the Pokémon community. Company president Kenji Okubo highlighted that this acquisition signifies Pokémon’s enduring commitment to supporting its fanbase and the larger trading card ecosystem. This development raises optimism that it will become easier for fans to locate booster packs and access the new cards they desire, thus reducing the inconvenience of restock days.
**Ubisoft Studio Evacuated Due to Potential Bomb Scare**
In a concerning incident, Ubisoft’s Montpellier office had to evacuate approximately 500 employees on February 19, following a bomb threat received via email. The message claimed that an explosive device was present at the studio, which is currently working on significant titles like *Beyond Good and Evil 2* and a new *Rayman* game. Despite the grave nature of this threat, authorities found no credible risk after a comprehensive search.
Ubisoft has recently been grappling with turmoil, facing employee frustrations stemming from company-wide reductions and a contentious return-to-office policy. This incident only intensifies the scrutiny the company faces from its community and workforce.
**Updates on the BioShock Franchise**
Director Francis Lawrence is poised to helm the film adaptation of the cherished video game series *BioShock*. However, advancement has been hindered due to Lawrence’s obligations to other endeavors. Producer Roy Lee noted that Lawrence’s participation in projects such as the *Hunger Games* prequel is impeding the film’s progress. This delay has left both Netflix and Take-Two eager for a release that could align with new installments of the *BioShock* games, which remain highly anticipated by fans globally.
**Nioh 3’s Outstanding Success**
Koei Tecmo announced that *Nioh 3* has achieved extraordinary success, swiftly becoming the fastest-selling entry in the franchise, with over 1 million copies sold in its first month. This accomplishment brings the total sales for the *Nioh* series to a remarkable 10 million copies, reflecting the franchise’s appeal to players who appreciate the challenging masocore RPG experience.
**Evo Tournament’s Ownership Transition to Saudi Arabia**
In a surprising development, NODWIN Gaming has ceded its co-ownership of the Evo tournament, which is now entirely owned by Qiddiya, a Saudi Arabian subsidiary. This change in ownership may significantly affect the tournament’s future, which has historically honored the fighting game community. The upcoming Evo, set to occur this summer, is expected to showcase new games, including *Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves*, produced by the Saudi-owned SNK.
**Conclusion**
The gaming landscape continues to evolve, with significant ramifications for companies addressing supply issues and shifting ownership dynamics. As the Pokémon Company prepares to tackle the demand for cards and Ubisoft navigates employee challenges, gamers remain keenly observant of developments in their favorite franchises.