The End of Roblox Classic Faces: Documenting the Loss of a Self-Expression Era

After months of pleading for the sun to show its face, I’m actually feeling quite warm now. Potentially, I’d go so far as to say I’m too toasty. I’m not saying I’m looking forward to winter. But I’m not not saying it.

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The Outfoxies is now available on consoles after 30 years. Tencent puts money into its own version of Ready or Not. And might we finally see Kingdom Three Crowns? This is the newest installment of Morning Checkpoint, Kotaku‘s daily digest of gaming news and culture. All that’s on my mind at the moment is how there’s a flawless Simpsons screenshot for every significant game launched in 2025. And nobody had to employ AI to produce them.

Fallout is joining Black Ops 7 season 1

Activision hinted at the newest post-apocalyptic Call of Duty crossover featuring silhouettes of the main characters from the Amazon series, including Walton Goggins’ Ghoul and Aaron Moten’s Maximus clad in his Brotherhood Power Armor. The skins arrive right in time for the debut of Fallout season 2 and a disappointing launch for Black Ops 7. It remains uncertain whether players wishing to roam Nuketown in Power Armor will have to unlock it through the event pass or purchase it separately.

Two years later, viral police-cam-footage game secures a major investor

Unrecord surged in popularity due to a 2023 trailer that made the FPS appear nearly indistinguishable from a found-footage film. The game, which some doubted even really existed, is now backed by Tencent. Could it become the next Ready or Not?

“With Tencent, we’ve acquired not only a top-tier partner but also a team that is genuinely enthusiastic about our game and vision,” wrote Theo Hiribarne (via PCGamesN). “Though it’s a large company, Tencent has entered this collaboration with humility, respect, and a true appreciation for our creative essence. It had faith in Unrecord from the outset and has supported us through all phases of our development. We are confident this partnership will enable us to achieve our full potential.”

A beloved arcade classic lands on home consoles 30 years later

The Outfoxies, a Namco arena brawler directed by Soul Calibur producer Masuya Ohishi, is now available on contemporary systems. VGC states that this game might have been one of the inspirations for Nintendo’s own platform fighter Smash Bros. The new Arcade Classics version from Hamster Corporation offers single-player on Switch 1 and PS4 but features split-screen and additional modes on Switch 2 and PS5.

Nintendo prevails in a 15-year-old lawsuit regarding the Wii Remote

It took legal action against BigBen Interactive, now part of Nacon, for infringing on its

### Hollow Knight: Silksong Receives Steam’s Game of the Year Award for 2025

In a major achievement for the Metroidvania genre, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* has secured Steam’s Game of the Year (GOTY) accolade for 2025. This accomplishment is notable for the title, which has contended against significant challengers, particularly *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, which has excelled in recent awards events like the Game Awards. As we transition into 2026, *Silksong* is garnering the accolades it merits, coinciding with Valve’s Steam reaching a record high in concurrent players.

Facing off against prominent games like *Clair Obscur*, *Arc Raiders*, *Dispatch*, and *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, *Silksong*’s victory as the top game on Steam is a remarkable achievement. During the holiday period, it has emerged as the leading title on the platform, building a player base that peaked at over 450,000 concurrent players.

#### Steam Awards 2025: Complete Winners List

The yearly Steam Awards are decided solely by user votes, representing the preferences of the gaming community. Here’s the complete list of winners for 2025:

– **VR Game of the Year:** *The Midnight Walk*
– **Labor of Love:** *Baldur’s Gate 3*
– **Best Game on Steam Deck:** *Hades 2*
– **Better with Friends:** *Peak*
– **Outstanding Visual Style:** *Silent Hill f*
– **Most Innovative Gameplay:** *Arc Raiders*
– **Best Game You Suck At:** *Hollow Knight: Silksong*
– **Best Soundtrack:** *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*
– **Outstanding Story-Rich Game:** *Dispatch*
– **Sit Back and Relax:** *RV There Yet*

Although some might contend that the Steam Awards resemble a popularity contest, they offer a chance for worthy games to be recognized across various categories. It’s invigorating to witness a range of titles and distinctive genres highlighted.

#### A Change in Recognition

The differing outcomes between the Steam Awards and the Game Awards underline a transformation in audience opinion. While *Clair Obscur* frequently excelled at major ceremonies, *Silksong* found it challenging to gain traction, missing out on even the Player’s Voice award, which was given to the free-to-play gacha title *Wuthering Waves*.

The Steam Awards are recognized as the largest community-voted awards in the gaming industry. With a staggering total of over 41 million concurrent players recently reported, the platform’s vast user base plays a vital role in honoring gaming excellence. While it may not be on track to surpass platforms like *Roblox*, the success of the Steam Awards is encouraging news for developers seeking to engage with a broad audience on Valve’s platform.

In summary, *Hollow Knight: Silksong*’s victory not only signifies a success for the game itself but also for the community that backs it, celebrating a varied and flourishing gaming landscape.