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Mortal Kombat 2 Film Producer Denounces Unfavorable Critiques for Lacking Recognition of the Genre

**Mortal Kombat II: An Unexpected Response and Producer Frustration**

As excitement escalates for the debut of *Mortal Kombat II* on May 8, the film has received surprising favorable reviews, currently boasting a 73 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. This reaction arises despite initial worries that the movie, marked by its recent “Let’s Fuckin’ Go” trailer, might drift into the territory of excessively campy fare, generally resulting in a cult following rather than critical praise.

Notably, Todd Garner, the film’s producer, has turned to the social media platform X to voice his displeasure with critics. He contends that many reviewers do not possess a true comprehension of the *Mortal Kombat* franchise, asserting, “It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/canon of *Mortal Kombat*.” This outburst is especially significant given that reviews thus far suggest the sequel effectively provides entertainment for its target audience.

Garner’s remarks were prompted by particular critiques, including one where a reviewer showed disdain for a character having a “laser eye.” In a series of tweets, Garner questioned how individuals disconnected from the genre could possibly judge the film, implying that such critiques are detached from what fans value in *Mortal Kombat*.

In the midst of the controversy, *Mortal Kombat II* has received a variety of reviews that highlight its appeal. IGN scored it an 8/10, while the *San Francisco Chronicle* awarded it a 75. Critics from *Total Film* characterized it as a “bloody fun second round,” and *RogerEbert.com* provided a respectable 2.5/4 rating, recognizing the film’s distinct emphasis on fan service while also noting several critiques.

On the flip side, there are harsher perspectives in the discourse. *Vulture* criticized the film for its lack of depth, yet recognized that character Kano brings some standout moments. Nevertheless, Garner’s response to specific critiques raises questions about the function of critics in the assessment of genre films. While he aims to uplift the voices of genuine fans, the reality illustrates that diverse viewpoints can foster meaningful discussions, ultimately benefiting the industry.

Intriguingly, Garner’s background in film production, including projects like *Jack and Jill* and *Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2*, which received poor ratings, presents a somewhat ironic scenario as he navigates the world of film criticism. His frustration highlights a broader tension within the industry: the distinction between commercial success aimed at fan bases and critical recognition that considers wider audience expectations.

In summary, *Mortal Kombat II* finds itself in a delicate situation—applauded by some and critiqued by others, illustrating the differing expectations between devoted fans and new viewers. As it gears up for its theatrical release, Garner’s fervent defense emphasizes the ongoing dialogue regarding the relationship between creators and critics in the entertainment sector.

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“Will: Follow the Light Review – An Engaging Arctic Adventure Hampered by Tedious Puzzles”

Will: Follow the Light is a cracking videogame name. Especially when it fades in after a few trailer shots of first-person striding across frozen wastelands and carving a wave-battered yacht through stormy seas. The mystery and peril of some unknown journey, pierced by a beam of hope and determination, all conveyed in four words and a colon.

Then you play the thing, and it’s mainly about a Norwegian bloke doing DIY in sheds. Will is just his name. Øh nø.

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Take-Two Executive Shares Insights on BioShock 4 Development Obstacles and Present Hopefulness

**BioShock 4: The Extended Journey to Its Launch**

Since the debut of *BioShock Infinite* more than ten years ago, enthusiasts of the franchise have been impatiently anticipating the forthcoming sequel. Following the dissolution of Irrational Games, the studio responsible for the original trilogy, the fate of *BioShock* appeared unclear. In 2019, however, 2K Games revealed the establishment of Cloud Chamber, a new studio focused on creating *BioShock 4*. Fast forward six years, and the game is still unreleased, prompting inquiries about what has occurred throughout this extensive development timeline.

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently commented on the prolonged schedule for *BioShock 4*, shedding light on the creative obstacles encountered by the development team. He remarked, “I think finding the right creative avenue was difficult, as it turns out,” implying that traversing the creative landscape has turned out to be more arduous than expected. Zelnick admitted that the company spent “a lot of time and money pursuing some creative paths that ended up being unproductive.” Although he did not elaborate on these unproductive paths, it suggests considerable challenges in shaping the game’s story and overall vision.

A report from *Bloomberg* last summer pointed out internal dissatisfaction with the quality of the game’s narrative. This unease led to a substantial restructuring within Cloud Chamber, resulting in 80 job cuts and changes in management. Rod Fergusson, known for his close collaboration on *BioShock Infinite*, was enlisted to help realign the project in response to these difficulties.

In spite of the obstacles, Zelnick conveyed his disappointment regarding the game’s postponement, stating that such challenges are inherent to the entertainment industry, particularly in a hit-driven domain like video games. He stressed that the company’s priority is to produce the finest entertainment possible rather than the most, asserting, “Good is the new bad, great is the new great. And our goal here is to make everything exceptional.”

Currently, Zelnick has provided a slightly more hopeful perspective on the progress of *BioShock 4*, yet a release timeframe is still unclear. With the development team striving diligently to surmount previous challenges, fans maintain their hopes for an announcement that will eventually reveal the next installment in the legendary series.

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Zagreus’ Journey Mod Enhances Hades 2 with Complete Hades 1 Integration, New Boons, and Additional Story Elements

When Mark wrote about Zagreus’ Journey back in December, the mod was already well on its way to completing its main goal: putting all of the original Hades into Hades 2. In the months since, modder Nikkel Mollenhauer has gone way beyond that target. The mod has officially hit 1.0 and it’s added new story beats, boons, and a tonne of new cosmetics to pretty up your lair.

In a very official looking new trailer, you can see the scope of what Mollenhauer’s achieved.

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GameStop CEO Reportedly Disposes of Historical Artifacts from Game Informer Vault Amid eBay Acquisition Attempt

**GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen’s Provocative eBay Auction Provokes Backlash**

In an unexpected revelation yesterday, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen disclosed intentions to auction off a selection of items on eBay to generate funds for the company’s envisioned $56 billion takeover of the online resale platform. This contentious choice follows increasing scrutiny over Cohen’s financial acumen to manage such a major corporate strategy. Significantly, some of the auctioned pieces are purported to be artifacts from the renowned *Game Informer* Vault, which preserved decades of video game heritage before GameStop closed the magazine in 2024.

Frank Cifaldi, the founder of the Video Game History Foundation, openly accused Cohen of peddling items that were once stored in the *Game Informer* Vault. Although this publication has been resurrected in print after being acquired by Gunzilla Games, the Vault’s contents still belong to GameStop. Confidential sources disclosed to *Kotaku* that while certain items, such as baseball cards, come from different sources, others—especially rare vintage games—likely originate from the Vault’s collection. Several eBay listings, including a sealed edition of *Dracula* for the NES along with other classic games, have raised eyebrows as their descriptions align with those documented in the Vault.

Commenting on the importance of these items, a former employee of *Game Informer* stated, “The Vault was seen as a library, not as a collection to be sold off.” This sentiment raises alarms about the conservation of gaming heritage, especially as numerous voices contend that such items deserve a place in a museum instead of on eBay.

Included among the items for auction is a *Fallout 4* Vault Boy statue. Nevertheless, sources could not verify its origins, as similar figures were frequently showcased in GameStop stores. A statue like this one was highlighted in various gaming publications during the game’s release and may not be specifically associated with the Vault.

Comments from industry figures, including MinnMax founder Ben Hanson, emphasize the frustration surrounding GameStop’s actions. “*Game Informer*’s legacy should be preserved in a museum, not in some collector’s eBay listings,” Hanson stated, calling for support of the current *Game Informer* team instead of participating in Cohen’s controversial activities.

In a surprising turn, Cohen announced on social media that he had been suspended from eBay, with the platform citing “activity that we believe was putting the eBay community at risk.” GameStop has not yet issued a comment on this matter or the ongoing auction.

As events unfold, many within the gaming community are left pondering the future of gaming history and the ethical concerns surrounding the commercialization of artifacts that symbolize the rich heritage of video game journalism.

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“R.U.S.E. Returns: Definitive Edition Launches After 11 Years, Featuring Full DLC and Steam Deck Support”

Ancient World War 2 real-time strategy game R.U.S.E. has returned to Steam after over a decade’s absence. Original developers Eugen Systems have acquired the rights from Ubisoft and put forth a Definitive Edition with Steam Deck support, which includes all the updates and DLC. If you already own it, you’ll get all that at no additional charge in the form of a 2.4GB update.

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EA Hits Historic $8 Billion in Revenue After Reductions in Battlefield 6 Development Team

Electronic Arts has just concluded its final year as a public company with record-breaking sales. *Control 2* is making progress and remains within budget. The latest update on Microsoft’s “return to Xbox” initiative features a new startup logo. Welcome to your *Kotaku* Checkpoint summary for May 6, 2026, where we introduce a new member of the Xbox team who presents an intriguing *Guitar Hero* analogy regarding AI.

GameStop’s innovative CEO Ryan Cohen recently appeared on the OpenAI-owned TBPN network to mitigate issues surrounding his eBay acquisition attempt after an appearance on CNBC left him sounding as though he had just been concussed. The stock has yet to bounce back from its post-cable-news downturn. GameStop staff are not impressed.

### EA experienced an outstanding year, largely due to *Battlefield 6*

The top-selling game of 2025 catapulted the soon-to-be Saudi Arabia-owned publisher to an impressive annual sales figure of $8.026 billion. Despite quarterly earnings reflecting a year-over-year drop in live-service revenue, investors can still expect a generous dividend ahead of their private equity buyout slated for this summer.

“Thanks to our talented teams and disciplined execution, we achieved a record FY26, underscored by the remarkably successful launch of our renowned *Battlefield* franchise,” CEO Andrew Wilson stated in a press release. “With the recent completion of a debt process that saw strong investor interest and our ongoing positive interaction with regulators, we are eager to close the transaction and the opportunities it presents.”

This earnings report follows just two months after an unspecified number of *Battlefield 6* developers were let go across the company, despite the title’s significant success. “We’ve made specific adjustments within our *Battlefield* organization to better align our teams around what is most important to our community,” EA declared in a statement at that time. “*Battlefield* continues to be among our top priorities, and we are committed to investing in the franchise, driven by player feedback and insights from Battlefield Labs.”

### We might see *Final Fantasy 7 Remake* part 3 DLC

Part 1 received *Intergrade*, part 2 received nothing. What about part 3? That is contingent on “how strongly fans continue to support *Final Fantasy 7* as both a game and a franchise,” Naoki Hamaguchi stated in a recent interview with ntower (via Gamesradar). He remains “open to exploring those possibilities proactively.”

### *Control 2* was developed for an estimated $50 million and Remedy aims to maintain this approach

“The team and the studio have performed excellently to stay on course. They have done remarkable work to create a triple-A game on a relatively modest budget. This is something we have seen from Remedy before and will see again,” new CEO Jean-Charles Gaudechon noted during a recent earnings call (via Game Developer).

He added, “Honestly, there is something quite extraordinary about the way games are developed and managed at Remedy. It hasn’t always been that way, I recognize. There have been challenges in the past. However, the team has done outstanding work on *Control Resonant*.”

### Xbox is introducing a new boot-up logo

A new boot-up experience is on its way next Wednesday. Turn the sound up!

### Full-priced game purchases have become a rare luxury

According to a recent survey of gaming audiences by IGN Entertainment, 62 percent of players no longer purchase full-price games. “[Gen X] comes from a perspective of midnight openings for full-price games, console bases… [they] want to extract as much value as possible from each purchase,” stated company SVP of marketing Karl Stewart (via GamesIndustry.biz).

He further explained, “In contrast, Gen Z lives in a world of platforms… games are everlasting, and community and social interaction are essential to their identity. They desire to be part of a community where they can assert, ‘I’m the most knowledgeable. I know the most about this game.’”

### Investors may be pushing Nintendo to increase the Switch 2’s price

The company’s stock price has declined for five consecutive months as it keeps the price steady on a $450 console, even though Sony and Microsoft have raised prices on their devices. Bloomberg reports that investors are looking for Nintendo to implement a similar price adjustment to “safeguard” profit margins on the Switch 2. Naturally, Nintendo must ensure robust sales of the new console, and so far, there have been numerous reasons for players to hold onto the previous generation version.

### *Dying Light* franchise director departs after 13 years

Tymon Smektala joined Techland in 2013.