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Paradox Reveals Teaser for Upcoming 2026 Expansions of Crusader Kings 3
Paradox Reveals Teaser for Upcoming 2026 Expansions of Crusader Kings 3
5:13 pm

I can’t believe it either, your majesty. While outlining their plans for Crusader Kings 3 in the new year, Paradox have teased a major expansion by turning around and revealing a work-in-progress donkey. They’ve also spilled the beans on some of the tweaks coming with yet another “realm maintenance” update as part of this year-end dev diary.

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Supporters Seek Unexposed Dispatch Mystery
Supporters Seek Unexposed Dispatch Mystery
5:03 pm

### Unveiling the Enigma of Dispatch’s Elusive Tactician Personality Card

AdHoc’s episodic adventure title, **Dispatch**, has attracted gamers’ attention with its distinctive gameplay features and interactive narratives. After finishing the game, players receive a recap of their character, Robert Robertson III, akin to Spotify Wrapped, highlighting their journey within the game. These personality recaps offer players insights into their playing styles and choices made throughout the gameplay.

#### The Personality Recaps

In a recent discussion, AdHoc co-founder Nick Herman revealed that although numerous players have successfully unlocked three of the possible personality summaries, a fourth one remains elusive. This “incredibly difficult to achieve” summary has become a focal point of intrigue and concern for both players and developers, given that no player has managed to unlock it even a month after the game’s final release.

Herman clarified that these summaries are determined by gameplay performance. Specifically, obtaining the fourth summary necessitates players to perform at an exceptional level throughout the game, essentially “perfecting” it. This requires flawlessly executing all of the game’s dispatching mechanics and succeeding in every task without any uncompleted jobs. Players may also need to excel in action sequences by successfully hitting each quick-time event (QTE).

#### The Possible Bug

Despite the difficulty, Herman concedes that the game’s mechanics ought to permit this fourth summary to be attainable. He remarked, “It might just be a bug,” indicating concerns that something could be hindering players from unlocking this elusive personality descriptor. With players often seeking assistance from online guides, it is expected that someone would have unlocked it by this time.

#### The Tactician Card

Within the game’s data, players have uncovered mentions of a potential “Tactician” personality card, but the conditions for unlocking it remain ambiguous. Some players theorize that it could involve achieving a perfect run by adeptly handling the game’s dispatching tasks and efficiently employing the combat mechanics. However, no confirmation or detailed information regarding this personality card has emerged, fueling theories that it might be a remnant of a discarded ending.

#### Moving Forward

As AdHoc continues to assess player engagement and feedback, they may need to delve deeper into the conditions surrounding the Tactician personality card. The anticipation and enigma linked to this summary have ignited fascinating discussions within the community, as gamers share their experiences and strategies in an effort to uncover its secrets.

For players eager to delve deeper into **Dispatch**, reviews and insights are available on platforms like **Kotaku**, where thorough analyses of gameplay and character dynamics shine a light on the overall experience.

As players persist in exploring the intricacies of **Dispatch**, the hope lingers that the Tactician awaits its champion among the adventures of Robert Robertson III.

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Larian Studios Aims to Complete Divinity Series in Three to Four Years, Utilizing Limited Generative AI Technology
Larian Studios Aims to Complete Divinity Series in Three to Four Years, Utilizing Limited Generative AI Technology
4:13 pm

Larian’s new Divinity RPG should spend a lot less time in development than their previous Baldur’s Gate 3 – or at least, that’s the dream. CEO Swen Vincke wants to release the game in “three to four years”, which seemingly includes an early access period.

For context, we first heard that Larian were officially working on a new game (two, actually) back in April 2024. Here, let me run those numbers through Rock Paper Shotgun’s in-house Mirror of Fate. Gosh. Assuming I have performed the rituals correctly, that means Divinity will launch out of early access in 2027 or 2028. In less positive news, Larian are reportedly making limited internal use of generative AI for tasks such as concept art development and internal presentations.

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Extra Dialogue Material Uncovered for Metroid Prime 4
Extra Dialogue Material Uncovered for Metroid Prime 4
3:53 pm

**Title: The Ascend and Misstep of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond**

The launch of *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* was eagerly awaited, heralding the comeback of Samus Aran to the realm of 3D adventure after an 18-year break. Regrettably, just a few weeks after its debut, the game has started to disappear from charts and player conversations, leaving numerous fans with a sense of sadness about the future of this cherished franchise.

In an unexpected turn, reports have surfaced indicating that the game contains a surplus of dialogue from non-playable characters (NPCs), which many players find distracting, if not annoying. These characters seem to contribute little beyond engaging in small talk with Samus, complicating her central duties of exploration and combat. This addition has faced criticism for being a decision that sharply contrasts with the franchise’s well-established tone, which usually highlights solitude and immersive storytelling.

Notably, the dialogue from NPCs in the released edition of *Metroid Prime 4* amounts to roughly seven-and-a-half minutes. However, fans have discovered an extra 30 minutes of removed dialogue that, while not vital to the game’s narrative, has also been considered unnecessary. This dialogue showcases a variety of mundane conversations labeled as “banter,” which some players may find enjoyable, but many believe detracts from the immersive nature that *Metroid* games are celebrated for.

YouTuber Bearborg has presented this extra content, illustrating how the NPC dialogues were recorded. Although the performances are adequate, the presentation highlights a lack of refinement and suggests that they were meant solely as background chatter rather than essential to the game’s storyline. The inclusion of such dialogue in a game that thrives on its tranquil, solitary exploration appears bewildering.

As the initial enthusiasm for *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* diminishes shortly after its launch, the disappointment linked to its execution becomes hard to overlook. The aspirations for a momentous return of Samus Aran have been subdued, and the excessive NPC dialogue might represent a misunderstanding of what players genuinely seek from their gaming experiences. Ultimately, this chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile balance between innovation and maintaining the core elements that made the series legendary in the first place.

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Larian Studios Discusses Upcoming RPG Following Baldur's Gate 3: "It Feels Like the First in the Series"
Larian Studios Discusses Upcoming RPG Following Baldur’s Gate 3: “It Feels Like the First in the Series”
3:03 pm

Larian’s new Divinity game is a turn-based CRPG that both builds on their achievements from Baldur’s Gate 3, and follows on from the events of Divinity: Original Sin 2. So sayeth Swen Vincke, studio CEO, in an interview with RPS following the project’s bloody and bawdy announcement trailer at the Game Awards last week.

Concrete specifics remain few as of writing, but I can tell you that this is perhaps more reboot than sequel. It’s an attempt to firm up and clarify Divinity’s narrative universe, both for returning Braccus Rex devotees and for Baldur’s Gate 3 players who’ve yet to try Larian’s non-D&D games. It’s also going to allow for more “freedom” than any Larian game before, thanks partly to running on a new version of Larian’s in-house engine tech. Ah, the eternal videogame promise of more freedom. I’m mostly just here for the piggies.

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Larian Studios Welcomes Generative AI Despite Internal Worries: Leadership Reports Wide Endorsement for Existing Uses
Larian Studios Welcomes Generative AI Despite Internal Worries: Leadership Reports Wide Endorsement for Existing Uses
2:53 pm

**Larian Studios Welcomes Generative AI in Game Development**

Larian Studios, known for the highly praised *Baldur’s Gate 3*, is adopting a progressive method in game development by welcoming generative AI. Despite facing some pushback from fans and worries among certain developers at the studio, CEO Swen Vincke has presented an optimistic view on the technology, emphasizing its value in idea exploration and new content prototyping.

Bloomberg reports that Larian has been incorporating generative AI into multiple aspects of their development workflow. This encompasses creating PowerPoint presentations, drafting placeholder text, and even generating concept art. The studio remains committed to these tools, despite some hesitations voiced by employees. Vincke, however, is confident that the majority of the team backs the current implementation approach.

As Vincke mentioned, “But I think at this point everyone at the company is more or less OK with the way we’re using it.” This showcases a careful balance between innovation and upholding creative integrity.

Crucially, Vincke has assured fans that no generative AI content will be included in the final releases of their games, such as the eagerly awaited turn-based RPG *Divinity*. He clarified that all content is crafted by human actors and creators: “Everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves.”

This viewpoint aligns with Vincke’s earlier comments regarding AI in game development. He has stressed that while generative tools can improve certain workflows, human inventiveness is the foundation of creating outstanding games. “I don’t think you would have a competitive advantage if you do [utilize AI], because it’s going to be what’s available to everybody,” he explained. Vincke believes the emphasis should stay on crafting something distinctive that sets a team apart from others using similar technologies.

Moreover, he voiced doubts about the idea that AI could substitute human craftsmanship in game development. His observations underscore a cautious optimism about AI tools, which could help identify plot inconsistencies and enhance complex narrative structures while still relying on human talent for the actual content creation.

This thoughtful perspective arises following recent industry controversies, such as the backlash against AI-generated components in other titles like *The Alters*. Instances of AI-generated content have sparked discussions regarding creativity and authorship, complicating the ongoing debate about the ethics of AI in creative industries.

As Larian Studios continues to advance in the gaming world, their approach to generative AI could lead to a new era in game development that appreciates both technology and the irreplaceable nature of human creativity.

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Dead Island 3 Set for Release in 2028 as Production Progresses Steadily
Dead Island 3 Set for Release in 2028 as Production Progresses Steadily
1:53 pm

Dambuster Studios are planning to keep their next truckload of undead penned in for a few more years, before opening the big zombie door in early 2028. That’s according to some financial docs from the Dead Island developers, in which their plans for Dead Island 3 as of the end of March this year are laid bare.

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