Morning Checkpoint: Gaming News Summary

This installment of Kotaku‘s daily summary of gaming news and culture examines forthcoming releases and the latest shifts in the gaming sector.

Is Cyberpunk 2 Meant for PlayStation 7?

Rumors circulate regarding the timeline and platform for Cyberpunk 2, with forecasts from Polish analytics firm Noble Securities indicating a potential launch as soon as 2030. They project the development budget to be roughly $420 million. Nevertheless, many consider this overly ambitious, with more plausible expectations suggesting its release around 2032, possibly exceeding half a billion dollars in expenditure prior to marketing.

Will Monster Hunter Wilds Release on Switch 2?

Data mining from the latest Title 4 Update hints at the probable development of a Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds. With Capcom already announcing support for the new console with titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, this aligns with their strategy. Yet, worries regarding the game’s previous performance on other systems provoke doubts about its feasibility on a less powerful console.

Logan Paul and the Pokémon Card Market

Logan Paul has appeared on Fox Business to promote the auction of his PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu card, appraised at $5.3 million. His assertion that Pokémon cards have outperformed the stock market by 3,000 percent aims to make the auction appealing. Paul previously showcased this card during wrestling matches and is recognized for his past controversies related to NFTs.

Zack Snyder’s Compliment for Fortnite

Director Zack Snyder openly conveyed his admiration for the Kim Kardashian skin in Fortnite, acknowledging her role in his success within the game. This skin is reported to be among the most favored in recent seasons.

Front Missions 3: Remake Launch and Demo

The remake of the tactical mech RPG classic Front Mission 3 is set for release on January 30, accompanied by a free demo. Early feedback from the demo indicates that while the game maintains its central charm, it may be hindered by budget limitations, prompting concerns about the quality of the remakes within the series.

Final Thoughts

This week’s summary has highlighted key advancements in gaming, including upcoming releases and market dynamics, showcasing the evolving nature of the industry.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted Command & Conquer to come back. Some things are just gone, a product of their time, your fondness for them tied to some ephemeral capacity or limitation long since stretched out or hammered in by time and, in the case of games, a wealth of fresher and more convenient alternatives.

But Tempest Rising is not C&C again. Even though I’ve summarised it as such in a few emails, given the clear similarity of its design and setting. It feels more like an original work made with modern tools by a second team with roughly the same remit, and while I don’t love it, I enjoy and respect it so much more than a flat remake.

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I will begrudgingly accept that Black Friday, bleak as it is to anyone who didn’t grow up with framed spreadsheets above their beds, is at least a good opportunity to pick up dirt-cheap PC storage. Case in point, today’s sales include some nice, sharp slashings on some of the best Steam Deck microSD cards.

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