This Week’s PC Releases: Explore Buddhist Star Trek, Vinyl Music Adventures, and Forest Fire Survival Games

Infamous Keepers, I think, might be a game about the games industry. It’s not about making games explicitly, not in the slightest. It is a tower defence roguelite, one where you run a dungeon, with this as the narrative setup, however: “Your employer, the Dungeon Company, has recently gone through massive layoffs, putting their dungeons to the test by closing the portals that connect them… if a team of heroes makes it all the way through, you can kiss your career goodbye.” You do have to replace a few words to get back to our reality, but there’s certainly a resemblance to the one we live in.

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### Crimson Desert: Anticipation and Console Performance Insights

With the launch date of *Crimson Desert* set for March 19, the excitement surrounding this eagerly awaited open-world action RPG is on the rise. Despite the considerable pre-release buzz, players have yet to witness the game in action on consoles, resulting in some anxiety among fans. Recently released footage from *Digital Foundry*, highlighting the PS5 Pro version, has offered insights into the console experience, addressing worries and providing a preview of what gamers can look forward to.

Developed by Pearl Abyss, *Crimson Desert* aspires to offer an extensive gameplay experience paired with stunning visuals. The intricate details and expansive world have positioned it as a leading contender in the 2026 gaming scene. Nevertheless, doubts about console performance lingered, especially after it was revealed that reviews would focus solely on the PC version, with console gameplay access coming just before launch.

### PS5 Pro Performance Overview

On March 12, *Digital Foundry* conducted a thorough analysis of the PS5 Pro’s performance, a pivotal moment for fans eager for console gameplay. The game’s graphics are striking across three distinct modes: optimal, balanced, and quality, each catering to different gameplay styles. Although there are occasional visual artifacts, the technical performance is promising, thanks to an upgraded version of PSSR algorithms, akin to those found in *Resident Evil Requiem*.

Regarding framerate, *Digital Foundry* notes that all three modes efficiently maintain their targeted framerates, with the “optimal” setting striving for a smooth 60FPS. However, it’s crucial to mention that framerates might lower during intense combat scenes—this does not reflect the overall gameplay.

#### Recommendations for PS5 Pro Players

*Digital Foundry* suggests players stick with either the 60FPS or 40FPS (balanced) modes, as the slower 30FPS quality mode may negatively affect responsiveness. This recommendation is vital for gamers aiming for the best experience in high-stakes situations.

Richard Leadbetter, head of *Digital Foundry*, provided a measured perspective, pointing out concerns primarily related to CPU demands. While he recognized the game’s potential performance requirements, he found the console experience impressive, particularly considering the vast scale and design of the game’s world. The transition from a premium PC experience to the PS5 Pro seems seamless, heightening expectations for other upcoming console versions.

### Looking Ahead

As the countdown to *Crimson Desert* unfolds, early feedback on its PS5 Pro performance indicates it won’t be an unoptimized title, alleviating worries for fans. With expectations for console performance settling, excitement is likely to intensify further leading up to its release. However, players will still be keen to see how the game performs on standard PS5 and Xbox consoles. For now, the anticipated launch is poised to be one of the year’s most notable gaming events.

## Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies: New Initiatives in AI for MindsEye

Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies, co-CEOs of Build a Rocket Boy, seem to be pursuing a new path within their organization, which has been entangled in controversy and backlash over its management approaches. Taking a hiatus from their routine activities, which reportedly include displacing employees via social media announcements and allegations of using spyware, they have recently teamed up on a project that intends to launch a new “in-game voice assistant” for their game, MindsEye.

### The Development of Arcadia Voice

The primary feature under development is referred to as Arcadia, a user-generated content project that incorporates AI-generated improvements into the gaming landscape. The creation process for Arcadia utilized technology from ElevenLabs, resulting in a voice control feature named “Arcadia Voice.” This capability enables players to engage with the game using voice commands, generating items and objects directly within the gameplay.

Critics have noted that this technological feature was present in previous devices, such as the Xbox Kinect, raising concerns about the necessity and originality of this new capability. The developers managing this integration have been responsive to community feedback, which has mostly been unfavorable.

### Community Feedback and Backlash

Notably, the reaction from the MindsEye community has been predominantly negative. Even within a loyal user group that typically enjoys the game, the response to the unveiled features of Arcadia Voice has been dismissive, branding the project as “cringe.” This sentiment represents a notable shift, as the small player community has voiced their dissatisfaction towards a feature they feel does not enhance their gaming experience.

This backlash led to a defense from Build a Rocket Boy’s newly appointed Head of AI, Will Jones, who sought to reassure the community with a statement on social media. He underscored that AI tools would never substitute the human touch essential to game development and recognized the existing skills of developers and artists who contribute to creating engaging game experiences.

### The New Leadership’s Background

Will Jones, who is new to the gaming sector, has sparked curiosity with his strategy for integrating AI into game development. His comments reflect a conviction that AI can enhance traditional development methodologies, although they also reveal a gap in understanding the intricacies of game design.

Jones’s claim that AI can foster creativity raises concerns: Are stakeholders confusing automated procedures with true artistic collaboration? The skepticism surrounding this approach indicates that harnessing AI may not be the cure-all that some developers foresee.

### Conclusion

The initiative by Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies to implement AI-driven features into MindsEye exemplifies both the promise of innovation and the hurdles that accompany the application of such technologies in the gaming industry. As they maneuver through feedback from a doubtful community, the reaction to this project will likely influence how AI is regarded in the sphere of interactive entertainment. Whether Build a Rocket Boy can transform criticism into meaningful conversation remains to be determined, but the experience highlights the intricate relationship between technology, creativity, and audience expectations in contemporary game development.