Director Casey Hudson Specifies That Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic Will Not Necessitate 200 Hours to Finish and Will Not Employ Generative AI

As you may be aware if you read myself and Julian’s Samson verdict the other day, the launch version of the gritty minor crim simulator included plenty of bugs – ranging from the harmlessly jany to the debilitatingly playthrough-breaking. The good news is that developers Liquid Swords are on the case, with studio creative director and long-time Just Cause lead Christofer Sundberg having announced that a big patch is due before the week is out.

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If you were to enter Costco and stumbled upon an incredible gaming PC priced at only $1,100, would you take advantage of that? Would you be tempted to invest just five dollars to try out Warren Spector’s newest game, Thick as Thieves? And for enthusiasts of the Injustice franchise, which features would you wish to see in a possible third edition? Welcome to Kotaku‘s Checkpoint for April 29, 2026. This is Carolyn, filling in for Ethan, who had to rush off to a meeting. I apologize for his absence. As for my entertainment budget, I’m still undecided about Thick as Thieves, but I certainly plan to indulge in Saros tonight, eager to experience its cycle of death and rebirth.

A Costco shopper hits the RAM jackpot

Shopping at Costco can bring about unexpected delights. One shopper recently found an iBuyPower gaming PC boasting an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM for approximately $1,100. This bargain has ignited discussions on the PC Master Race subreddit, where one user joyfully shared their experience of buying the PC as a gift for a friend at the same price, even though they confessed they did not need an upgrade themselves. This gesture reflects the spirit of generosity within the PC gaming community.

This specific setup is a fantastic deal, particularly given that the RAM alone would generally sell for over $500. The addition of a 2TB NVMe SSD makes this offer even more appealing. Speculation among internet users suggests that the markdown may be due to the PC being phased out or sitting on shelves for too long. Regardless, this encounter showcases the serendipitous nature of bargain hunting at Costco—definitely more enjoyable than rummaging through dumpsters for RAM.

Classic Rugrats games are making a comeback

Millennials can celebrate as Tommy, Chucky, and their companions return to modern gaming systems. Limited Run Games has declared the impending launch of the Rugrats Retro Rewind Collection for PS5 and Switch, set to release on May 15. This compilation includes several cherished titles from the series, such as Rugrats: Search for Reptar and The Rugrats Movie, among others, available for $35. Each classic game will benefit from upgrades like enhanced resolutions and CRT filters, offering fans a nostalgic experience.

Resident Evil Requiem has an absent phantom chapter 2 just like RE7

In a recent discussion, Director Akifumi Nakanishi disclosed that a phantom ‘Chapter 2’ was omitted during the creation of Resident Evil Requiem, similar to what happened in Resident Evil 7. He noted that creative choices made during game development often result in cuts or adjustments intended to improve the narrative flow. These modifications can take place at various points in development, helping to maintain a seamless storyline.

Warren Spector’s Thick as Thieves seeks your interest

The eagerly awaited game has transitioned from a multiplayer-centric experience to one that accommodates solo and cooperative play. For those wanting to delve into Spector’s work, Thick as Thieves will present its introductory campaign at the low price of $5 at launch, with the option to purchase extra content later. This pricing strategy is designed to entice players into its distinctive gameplay.

Windrose has a roadmap, but the next major update is six months away

Kraken Express has adopted a deliberate approach to updates for their well-loved pirate-themed game, Windrose. While the developers have shared plans for future content, including a new biome addition, they expect that a significant post-launch update will require six months to implement. This schedule allows them to ensure a quality enhancement that aligns with their objectives.

Koei Tecmo is subtly excelling

The Japanese publisher Koei Tecmo has experienced a notable increase in profits—16 percent this fiscal year—thanks to recent hits like Nioh 3 and Pokémon Pokopia, co-created with Game Freak. Fans are particularly optimistic about the revival of the Ninja Gaiden series, which remains one of the studio’s most cherished franchises.

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You may not be remotely surprised to learn that while making Black & White, the god game in which you can care for a three-story tall cow, many of the developers at Lionhead were smoking marijuana. As Peter Molyneux tells it in a recent anniversary piece for Eurogamer: “If there’s any stimulant that aids creativity, it’s weed.”

The developers interviewed do point out that this wasn’t everyone on the team. “It would get to six o’clock, which was the official end of the day, and the ‘normal’ people with families would go home, and we’d just skin up,” says Mark Healey, who went on to found Media Molecule. “I’d just sit down in the office smoking a big fucking reefer.”

While you may not be shocked by this revelation, I have to tell you, it’s thrown me into something of an existential crisis. You see, in 2006, I spent a week doing work experience at Lionhead’s offices and I was never once offered a toke, let alone a bowl of the weed-laced chilli con carne that apparently came out at office parties.

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