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Nightdive Studios Crew Saves System Shock Remake Following Financial Difficulties During Development

Nightdive Studios’ “System Shock” remake, launched in 2023, signifies a rejuvenation of the iconic game after a challenging eight-year development odyssey. Originally conceived as a remaster, the project encountered a variety of hurdles, such as financial difficulties and changes in creative vision. By 2018, the game’s destiny was up in the air, leading a resolute group within Nightdive, referred to as “La Résistance,” to continue fighting against the difficulties. Equipped with self-taught proficiency in Unreal Engine 4, producer Daniel Grayshon and his team ultimately provided a version that stays true to the original while updating the design for modern gameplay experiences. This commitment secured the endurance and triumph of the “System Shock” legacy.

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Bloodborne Reaches 120 FPS on PS5 via Modding Solution

**Bloodborne: The Pursuit of Enhanced Frame Rates on PlayStation Systems**

*Bloodborne*, created by FromSoftware, continues to be a remarkable entry in the soulslike category, adored by numerous gamers since its debut as a PlayStation 4 exclusive. Despite its widespread praise and loyal following, the title has been largely ignored by publisher Sony concerning performance enhancements, especially regarding frame rates. Recently, however, fans have unearthed a method to run *Bloodborne* at 120 FPS on PlayStation hardware—albeit with specific alterations.

### A Brief Overview of *Bloodborne* Frame Rates

Initially launched in 2015, *Bloodborne* was capped at 30 FPS on PlayStation 4, which was deemed an acceptable benchmark at that time. Nevertheless, as gaming technology has progressed, many players have voiced a wish to enjoy the game at elevated frame rates, particularly due to the enhanced gameplay smoothness and better responsiveness that such rates can provide.

For PC gamers, the situation has been more advantageous. By utilizing the PlayStation 4 emulator ShadPS4, players with powerful PC configurations have been able to run *Bloodborne* at 120 FPS for quite a while. However, this workaround is not available for console players, making a native PlayStation experience incredibly sought after.

### Modding Prospects: The Impact of Jailbroken PlayStation 5

Officially, pushing *Bloodborne* beyond its 30 FPS limit on PlayStation consoles is unfeasible. However, over the years, gamers have succeeded in running the title at 60 FPS using jailbroken PlayStation 4 systems. Unfortunately, reaching 120 FPS has proven to be difficult for the aging hardware.

The launch of the PlayStation 5 reignited hope due to its backward compatibility capabilities. A noteworthy advancement reported by *Digital Foundry* suggests that a mod developed by a modder named Christina will enable *Bloodborne* to reliably run at 120 FPS on jailbroken PlayStation 5 consoles. This mod employs a frame-rate unlock patch and exploits the PS5’s 120Hz functionality at a resolution of 1080p.

Moreover, there is potential to render *Bloodborne* at full 4K resolution, though this would require sacrificing frame rate and reverting to the original 30 FPS performance.

### The Anticipated Mod Launch

*Digital Foundry* has shared details regarding Christina’s forthcoming mod, indicating that its release is on the horizon. However, it’s critical to highlight that these improvements will only be available to players with a modded PlayStation 5 or an unpatched PS5 operating firmware from prior to 2022. This restriction raises further inquiries about Sony’s dedication to updating *Bloodborne* for its current hardware lineup, especially as numerous players are keen for an official 60 FPS or 120 FPS option.

### Conclusion

The prospect of playing *Bloodborne* at 120 FPS on a modded PlayStation 5 offers an exhilarating opportunity for the game’s enthusiasts. While unofficial methods provide a chance to experience this treasured title in a fresh perspective, the community remains curious as to why Sony has not yet delivered any official enhancements. As modding emerges as a more viable pathway, *Bloodborne* supporters are left with both optimism and a craving for superior performance—a testament to the game’s enduring influence within the gaming realm.

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“SteamOS Update Introduces New Display Features and Enhanced Patch Speeds for Steam Machine”

Following the customary beta tests, Valve have released a new SteamOS update that adds “initial” support for the forthcoming Steam Machine, that unconscionable hybrid of desktop computer and videogame console, feared by man and god alike. It’s one, small step along the road to the new hardware’s (delayed) release this summer, at which point we will probably discover that it costs eleventy thousand pounds per unit.

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Marathon Players Gather 77 Days of Loot in Just One Week: Worries Intensify Regarding Season Equilibrium

### The Difficulties of Marathon Season 2: An In-Depth Look at Loot Economy Challenges

As gamers dive into Season 2 of Bungie’s sci-fi extraction shooter, *Marathon*, the enthusiasm has swiftly been eclipsed by multiple issues impacting gameplay. Just a little over two weeks into the new season, a significant problem has surfaced: an oversized loot economy that is generating worries among both players and developers.

#### Overview of the Loot Economy

Bungie has recently disclosed that players acquired the same amount of loot by the conclusion of week one of Season 2 as they did by week eleven in the prior season. This swift escalation in loot collection significantly disrupts the intended balance of gameplay, raising concerns regarding the entire progression framework. Streamers and gamers have acknowledged the effect this has on the game’s lifespan and enjoyment, with some stating that the season feels “cooked.”

#### Developer Updates and Initial Modifications

In light of increasing player feedback, a new update was implemented on June 16, which aimed to tackle some of the current balance challenges. The patch brought forth weekly rewards while marginally reducing the frequency of Prestige drops and the quality of loot obtained. Moreover, certain gear drops from enemies underwent nerfing, alongside a decrease in XP gained from specific equipment located in the Cradle—a newly introduced map area in Season 2.

Despite these changes, Bungie recognized that more fundamental issues persisted that impacted the loot economy.

#### The Bugs Behind the Overinflated Economy

In a recent statement, Bungie’s development team addressed the unexpected rise in high-rarity loot and other related bugs:

– **Prevalence of Higher Rarity Loot**: A problem was identified that led to high-rarity items appearing more often than intended, an issue that had not been noted in internal playtests.
– **Guaranteed Drops**: Recent fixes targeted various bugs, such as instances where players received guaranteed high-value drops in locations that typically would not provide them.
– **Impact of Sponsored Kits**: Although not the only factor, the surge of Sponsored Kits at the season’s onset was noted to have expedited player advancement.
– **Complex Control Chest Problems**: Difficulties with the Complex Control chest were also identified as contributors to inflated inventories for players.

#### Community Reaction and Future Considerations

As players adjusted to the heightened pace of loot collection, many expressed worries over resulting imbalances. Casual gamers feared being eclipsed by the more committed, hardcore players who had taken advantage of the existing loot structure. Some community members proposed a drastic measure, humorously suggesting that Bungie should consider an urgent wipe of loot to reset the system, fostering a more balanced competitive environment.

#### Current Player Engagement

The game continues to face challenges, including connectivity problems at launch and confusion regarding the Deluxe Edition’s promotional window, which inadvertently granted some players complimentary access to the game. Though a free week brought in new players, the player numbers on Steam have since reverted to their earlier lows. This decline prompts inquiries about overall player retention and engagement in the future, especially as many may be temporarily pulled back to Bungie’s other title, *Destiny 2*, which is approaching its own major content phase-out.

### Conclusion

As Season 2 of *Marathon* progresses, it is evident that Bungie confronts significant obstacles in addressing loot economy challenges and improving the overall player experience. With community voices pushing for balance and developers actively striving for solutions, the forthcoming weeks will be crucial in deciding how the game adapts to fulfill player expectations.

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Poncle, the studio behind Vampire Survivors, is currently evaluating their collaboration with Fortnite following Epic’s outline of a genAI-focused Unreal Engine 6.

If you heard the sound of a wet fart reverberating throughout the world yesterday, it’ll likely be thanks to the most recent State of Unreal, where Epic offered some more concrete details regarding its plans for Unreal Engine 6. Namely, that it wants to infuse it with generative AI, and there’s also some bollocks about using your Fortnite skins in other games and vice versa. But speaking of Fortnite, the same showcase announced a Vampire Survivors collab was on the cards, only for developer poncle to learn about the generative AI stuff the same time as the rest of us and express some concern over it.

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Worries Emerge Among Fans Regarding TikTok’s Impact on Disney’s Newest Film Trailer

**Disney’s *Hexed*: Examining the Trailer and Social Media Presentation**

Yesterday, Disney released a new trailer for its forthcoming animated feature, *Hexed*, which is set to debut in theaters on November 25. The film features Hailee Steinfeld as Billie, a teenage girl who uncovers her magical talents and finds a community among witches and wizards. Although early reactions to the film may differ, a significant element of the trailer has surfaced regarding its visual arrangement.

Viewers have noted that the actions in *Hexed* appear deliberately designed to keep attention focused at the center of the screen. This creative decision raises inquiries about the reasons behind such framing. Many theorize that the goal is to enable seamless sharing of clips on popular vertical-video platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

In today’s digital environment, cinematic marketing greatly depends on social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram not only spread official material but also feature countless fan-made edits showcasing beloved characters paired with trending music. To thrive in this realm, companies like Disney frequently issue vertical versions of their trailers, which may necessitate cropping segments of the original widescreen footage. However, in the instance of *Hexed*, the trailer’s visuals are designed in a manner that keeps most content intact, with a central emphasis that easily transitions to vertical formats.

A notable distinction arises when comparing the trailer for *Hexed* with Dreamworks’ forthcoming animated project, *Forgotten Island*. The latter presents a wider variety of shot compositions, employing more of the screen’s expanse while still offering centered shots appropriate for social media sharing. This variation has sparked discussions among fans regarding the artistic implications of such purposeful framing choices.

While this trend isn’t new for Disney, as seen in Pixar’s *Elio*—which also employed centralized action in its display—there’s an increasing theory that this technique is tailored to influencer culture, with hopes of creating organic viral marketing through user-generated content.

In the end, regardless of the framing decisions, *Hexed* could turn out to be an engaging film. Nonetheless, these stylistic choices reflect a wider trend in filmmaking, where the demand for social media interaction may undermine artistic authenticity in favor of potential virality. As short-form vertical video continues to rise, there are worries that this transition could weaken the essence of cinematic creation.

On a related point, the character designs in *Hexed* have been likened to generative AI outputs, raising issues about originality and uniqueness in upcoming projects. As audiences eagerly anticipate further news from Disney, especially regarding the forthcoming *Frozen 3*, there remains hope for a renewed focus on inventive storytelling and visual creativity beyond the limits of social media aesthetics.

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Signet City: An RPG Where Players Control a Brain Fungus Feeding on Host Emotions in a Mushroom-Themed Adventure

The broil of ideas that make up Signet City have been growing in Gareth Damian Martin’s head for years and they’re about fit to burst. The creator of In Other Waters and Citizen Sleeper describes their new game as a first-person fungalpunk RPG, a game that draws inspiration from the history and culture of the northern England, the whalepunk tech of Dishonored‘s world, and lifts systems from cyberpunk tabletop game The Veil. But it’s as much a manifestation of projects they’re reacting against, as those they’re reverently lifting from.

We’ll get into all that, but put the highbrow, high concept references to the side for a moment. It’s maybe easier to think of Signet City as a bit like Monsters, Inc, but with more mushrooms.

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