Fire up the Landy! Over the Hill, Funselektor and Strelka Games’ off-roader which takes the hardcore trail-running you get in a sim like SnowRunner and sands off the edges a bit to make for more chill countryside-roaming, finally has a release date. It’s set to motor onto the scene in October, following a Steam Next Fest demo which I dug.
As the PlayStation 2 approaches the conclusion of its second year, Sony has pledged to invest in fresh and original ideas, positioning the PlayStation as a hub for creative, distinct, and daring games, setting it apart from Nintendo’s offerings. The continuous backing for varied gameplay experiences guarantees that gamers will keep enjoying a range of new and inventive titles. A standout illustration of Sony’s commitment to fostering such original concepts is Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus, crafted by Sucker Punch Productions, recognized for Rocket: Robot on Wheels. This game is set to rank alongside notable 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Jak and Daxter for years ahead.
The storyline revolves around Sly Cooper, a delightful raccoon thief echoing Disney’s Robin Hood; nevertheless, Sly’s escapades are more centered on well-planned heists rather than humorous antics. He is depicted as sophisticated, adept, and captivating, frequently flirting with his police rival and romantic interest. Sly’s unique persona distinguishes him from other platforming heroes, establishing him as a potential all-ages icon for Sony. The game’s playful, anthropomorphic characters and classic noir style pay tribute to legendary 1960s animations like The Pink Panther and Secret Squirrel, further enhanced by a catchy jazz-inspired soundtrack that contributes to its lively ambiance.
While the visual and audio elements honor classic animation, Sly Cooper also brings innovation to gameplay by effortlessly merging conventional run-and-jump platforming with user-friendly stealth features. Players exploit Sly’s cane for direct confrontations but can also utilize stealth approaches, such as sneaking out of sight, concealing themselves along walls, and taking advantage of higher ground for strategic benefits. Although not as intricate as Metal Gear, Sly Cooper offers an accessible introduction to stealth gameplay. The design guarantees that interactions with the environment can be easily navigated using the DualShock 2 controller’s circle button, a vital component for players considering Sly’s susceptibility to enemy strikes.
Despite some frustrations (including tough racing sequences), it stands out as evidence of PlayStation’s ability to produce multiple innovative mascot platformers during the early phase of the PS2. In 2002, it is clear that while Sony may have been shortsighted in relinquishing legacy titles like Crash and Spyro, the future for 3D platformers looks bright, with high hopes for the new franchise. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus has established a high standard with its inaugural entry, showcasing a dedication to quality that fans hope will be maintained in its subsequent releases.
This article is a segment of the 2002 edition of Warp Week, a Kotaku series that revisits gaming history through a blend of retro reviews, retrospectives, and firsthand accounts.
**Starbreeze Entertainment Unveils TV Series Inspired by the Hit Heist Game ‘Payday’**
Starbreeze Entertainment is making its foray into television by announcing that a series inspired by its cooperative bank-robbing game, *Payday*, is underway. Though specific release timelines and streaming services remain undisclosed, the participation of renowned executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has sparked significant enthusiasm in both the entertainment and gaming spheres.
In a statement about the collaboration, Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson noted, “*Payday* has always centered on the thrill of getting away with it. Curtis and G-Unit are not known for subtlety, and neither are we.” This partnership suggests a daring narrative approach, remaining faithful to the game’s focus on heists and high stakes.
The series will be created in conjunction with Jackson’s G-Unit Film & TV and Vice Productions. This aligns well with Jackson’s previous successes in producing crime dramas, notably the *Power* series on Starz, which has drawn in viewers with its gritty storylines and intricate characters. Given this background, expectations are elevated for how the *Payday* adaptation will convey the frenetic, adrenaline-charged action of the game in an episodic format.
It is yet unclear how the show will manage the game’s inherent chaos alongside the prospect of serious storytelling. Fans are intrigued to see if the adaptation will highlight the comedic elements found in certain game scenarios or adopt a more dramatic approach.
In light of the mixed feedback surrounding *Payday 3*, which faced a tough launch in 2023, this series signifies a crucial shift for Starbreeze as the company seeks to revitalize the franchise. Complementing the television project, the launch of the VR game *Payday Aces High* later this year showcases a focused effort to expand the *Payday* universe beyond conventional gaming, taking advantage of the brand’s lasting appeal.
As development moves forward, additional information regarding cast, plot, and release details will come to light. The collaboration between Starbreeze, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and G-Unit Film & TV holds the promise of transforming how gaming franchises transition to television, and fans are keenly anticipating what should be an exhilarating new chapter for *Payday*.
### Resident Evil: A Film Diverging from Its Origins
**Introduction**
The movie “Resident Evil,” helmed by Paul W.S. Anderson, has elicited mixed responses from enthusiasts of the famed video game franchise. Although it shares the title and some aesthetic aspects, it significantly veers from the original content, prompting some to suggest it might have thrived under an alternative name like “Biohazard.”
**Plot Overview**
Featuring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez, the film narrates the tale of a team dispatched to explore The Hive, a clandestine bioweapon facility sealed off by a rogue AI. Their assignment rapidly spirals into disorder as they confront the undead, resulting in a harrowing struggle for survival. The cast presents various personas who fail to capture much focus, primarily serving as fodder for the film’s horror themes.
**Departure from Source Material**
Critics point out that the film does not capture the spirit of the “Resident Evil” series. The initial potential for delving into a spooky mansion is forsaken in favor of a sterile medical research center, removing the atmospheric tension that characterized the games. Furthermore, cherished characters from the franchise are replaced by original figures, which could alienate dedicated fans. The film contains brief nods to the series, like the iconic Umbrella logo and familiar mutant beings, yet these do little to tether it to its gaming roots.
**Standalone Zombie Horror**
Even with its flaws as a video game adaptation, “Resident Evil” succeeds as an independent zombie flick. The movie features engaging action sequences and inventive killing methods that keep viewers captivated, reminiscent of cult favorites like “Cube.” It centers on survival horror elements that resonate well within the genre, despite straying from the franchise’s central storyline.
**Strong Female Leads**
A positive facet of the film is its robust female protagonists, including Jovovich’s character, an amnesiac unraveling her connections to the Umbrella Corporation, and Rodriguez’s resolute survivor. Their relationship adds depth and avoids dependence on male roles, aligning with modern discussions about female representation in media. The film notably passes the Bechdel Test, showcasing substantial interactions between women that do not center around men, a rarity in action cinema.
**Conclusion**
Although “Resident Evil” diverges considerably from the cherished video game series, it establishes itself as a capable zombie horror film. It introduces strong female characters and captivating action, offering a fresh viewpoint within a genre frequently led by male figures. If the ongoing adaptations can achieve a balance that integrates beloved aspects of the games with innovative storytelling, future installments in the “Resident Evil” film series may thrive.
Big savings to be had!
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Hitherto, Turkish devs PiqFocus Interactive have specialised in cosy, laidback games like Lepidarium, in which you watch caterpillars bloom into gorgeous butterflies, and Easy Bubbles, in which you chillax with an aquarium of cute little fishies. Now they are making The Carcass, a text-based roguelike in which you carve out a colony inside the corpse of a spacegod.
I am… curious to know what happened. The obvious explanation is that PiqFocus employ or commission a variety of people with different tastes and interests – some are passionate about recreating the charming orange-black livery of the Gulf Fritillary, while others really get a kick out of things like *checks notes* “bile fermentation” and the concept of a floating “clot bazaar” where people gather to trade dried blood.
**Revealing a Concealed Easter Egg in Star Wars: Battlefront 2**
In 2005, Pandemic Studios and Electronic Arts (EA) launched *Star Wars: Battlefront 2*, a third-person shooter that rapidly gained recognition for its immersive gameplay set within the beloved *Star Wars* universe. Lauded by both fans and critics, many consider it one of the standout titles in the *Star Wars* franchise. Fast forward two decades, and a remarkable hidden feature involving Wampas and Ewoks has come to light, intriguing the community.
On August 9, modder Iamashaymin, who also serves as the lead fan developer for *Battlefront III Legacy*, shared an exhilarating discovery on YouTube. This finding, an unlisted easter egg in the game, was uncovered during the decompilation of the PC version of *Battlefront 2*. Players can activate a new playable unit simply by creating a fresh in-game profile named “Wampa” and opting for the “Hunt” game mode on the Endor map. In this mode, players usually take on the roles of small Ewok warriors or Imperial Stormtrooper snipers. However, leveraging the Wampa profile grants players the opportunity to engage with the powerful Wampa, the Yeti-like creature famously featured in *The Empire Strikes Back*.
The discovery of this Wampa secret is attributed to S1thK3nny, a modder engaged in developing an upcoming modification for *Star Wars: Battlefront 2* intended to remove several limitations of the original game while introducing new animations and varied content. During their examination of the game’s code, S1thK3nny found this hidden treasure. As per Iamashaymin, its obscurity in the game code clarifies why it remained undiscovered for such a long time; it was embedded deeper in the code than the areas where most modders usually concentrate their efforts.
It’s crucial to note that this Wampa feature is limited to the PC version of *Battlefront 2*, as console versions do not feature this easter egg. Furthermore, players cannot activate this feature during online gameplay; however, it is available in split-screen mode on PC, particularly in the *Classic Collection* edition of the game scheduled for release in 2024.
This recent revelation has rekindled enthusiasm for *Star Wars: Battlefront 2*, illustrating the game’s lasting allure and its intricate lore. As players continue to dive into this classic title, the legacy of the *Star Wars* franchise expands further, affirming that even years post-release, there are still secrets awaiting discovery.
All cooking recipes in The Portal.
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I don’t know whose dreams Memoirium warps into action-RPG soulslike levels – it may not even be the player character’s – but whoever they are, they need to lay off the post-10pm Babybels. Besides being filled with chair-wielding thugs and hornfaced monsters, this blocky sleeprealm is lousy with the kind of shattered fantasy geometry that could send an innocent dodgeroller tumbling fatally off a hundred-foot-high-ledge. Also, the ledge is a giant sword.
Such was just one of my deaths in Memoirium’s generously proportioned demo, which is available now on Steam ahead of the game’s launch this Thursday. Even in these introductory stages, it’s clear that the subconscious you’re stuck in probably doesn’t belong to a contented vicar, opening up with a void-ravaged cemetary before routing you across a crumbling statue into a cultish school. Mundane respite, however, is available through Memoirium’s unusual take on bonfire rest spots: a bedroom that, resources permitting, you can furnish and decorate to your liking.
**Ryan Cohen’s Quest for eBay: A Misguided Dream**
Ryan Cohen, the CEO of GameStop and co-founder of Chewy, has recently caused a stir with his ambitious and seemingly impractical intention to purchase eBay for $56 billion. This declaration comes on the heels of his prominent investment in GameStop in 2020, at a time when the company’s stock was experiencing notable gains due to meme-driven trading.
Regardless of Cohen’s fortune from the lucrative sale of Chewy, his ambition for eBay seems to stem more from fantasy than feasibility. The truth is sobering: eBay is not on the market, and even if it were, Cohen’s projected capability to fund such a purchase falls significantly short of the needed amount. His previous goal to obtain a $35 billion bonus by boosting GameStop’s valuation has been sidelined in favor of his eBay ambitions, a decision met with skepticism from several analysts and observers.
Current market signals indicate that GameStop’s worth has declined; recent assessments value the company at around $8.6 billion, a stark contrast to the $11 billion estimate when Cohen initially suggested acquiring eBay. While Cohen has arranged a theoretical $20 billion loan from an investor to aid in the purchase, his plans have ignited confusion and mockery, particularly after his controversial interview on CNBC where his motives were met with incredulity.
Cohen’s strategy has undergone a peculiar shift. Initially focused on a complete acquisition, he has now proposed a partnership or joint endeavor with eBay, even suggesting that GameStop’s brick-and-mortar stores could somehow bolster eBay’s online platform. This idea, however, contradicts eBay’s successful business model, which has flourished precisely because it operates primarily online without the necessity for physical locations.
In a recent development, Cohen has acquired nearly 10% of eBay shares, further complicating the narrative around his aspirations. Nevertheless, eBay’s board has thoroughly dismissed his previous proposal, leaving Cohen at a standstill. The absurdity of his endeavor raises questions about his strategic approach and grasp of eBay’s operational structure.
Cohen stands in stark contrast to other billionaire visionaries like Elon Musk, who adeptly utilize their wealth and influence. Cohen’s method, marked by optimistic proclamations and abrupt shifts in direction, lacks the seriousness required to engage with the serious financial sector or the board members of large corporations.
In the end, Cohen’s ambitions may represent a classic case of overreaching, reminiscent of extravagant corporate strategies likely to fail. His considerable wealth grants him a presence in the business realm, yet it seems inadequate to enable a genuine engagement with one of the internet’s most established firms. The irony remains that had Cohen concentrated on increasing GameStop’s value, he might have found himself in a stronger position to achieve his lofty eBay acquisition after all.
