Honor of Kings Mobile MOBA Releases Significant HOK Plus 2.0 Update

### The Shutdown of Arkane Austin: Insights from Harvey Smith

In May 2024, Arkane Austin, a studio famous for its critically celebrated games like *Prey* and *Dishonored*, was closed by Microsoft as part of a strategy to prioritize “high-impact” games. This shutdown represents a pivotal event in the gaming industry, particularly for those at the studio, overseen by Harvey Smith, a veteran noted for his contributions to the genre-defining *Deus Ex* and *Dishonored*. In a recent episode of the podcast *My Perfect Console*, Smith openly discussed the ramifications of this closure, reflecting on both his long career and the experiences of his team.

The podcast episode, which lasts two hours, opens with Smith reminiscing about the night before the studio’s closure. He received a call notifying him of the upcoming shutdown and spent the evening in distress, worried about the junior developers at Arkane Austin, many of whom had minimal industry experience and had only engaged in one or two projects prior to joining the studio to contribute to *Redfall*. This uncertainty highlighted the significant impact such closures can have on emerging talent in the gaming field.

Smith conveyed his surprise regarding the decision, considering that Arkane Austin had delivered highly esteemed titles. He remarked, “Every company makes the decisions they make for the reason they make them… This studio made *Dishonored*, alongside the Lyon studio, and then they produced *Prey*.” The context of the gaming industry’s shift towards games-as-a-service models significantly influenced the development of *Redfall* and ultimately its reception.

Recognizing his position as the studio director, Smith accepted responsibility for some of the difficulties that *Redfall* encountered, while also acknowledging his fortunate standing within the industry. Having experienced various highs and lows over his thirty-year career, Smith contrasts his resilience with the situations faced by Arkane Austin’s new developers. He commented on the scarcity of long careers in gaming today, implying that his journey equipped him with a unique viewpoint that newer developers might not yet have.

Smith remarked, “I’m that rare person who has no complaints, but that’s a little bit of survivorship bias because things have worked out for me.” This reflection emphasizes the significance of experience in grasping industry challenges and personal development. The narrative that layoffs are simply a “bump in the road” resonates differently in today’s gaming landscape, where mass layoffs have reached unprecedented levels, impacting even the most successful firms.

The closure of Arkane Austin serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability inherent in the creative industry. While *Redfall* did not meet the expected success as a live-service title, the shutting down of a studio celebrated for its creativity and innovation indicates a wider trend within the gaming sector. The pressure to adapt to swiftly changing market demands can result in the dissolution of studios with rich histories.

In summary, the insights shared by Harvey Smith shed light on the personal and professional impact that such industry decisions impose on creators and their teams. The gaming landscape is in constant flux, along with the challenges of sustaining stable careers amid economic instability. Smith’s reflections offer a glimpse into both the history of game development and the present state of the industry, underscoring the necessity for supportive structures for emerging talent while honoring the enduring influence of seasoned veterans.

When enthusiasts discovered that [Lego had successfully obtained the Pokémon license from a competing brick brand](https://kotaku.com/lego-pokemon-pikachu-date-price-mega-bloks-teaser-1851770713), there was considerable enthusiasm. However, some fans are now expressing dissatisfaction regarding the elevated prices and the construction differences between the Pikachu sets from each brand.

After hinting at it in 2025, [Lego has officially unveiled its first forthcoming Pokémon sets](https://kotaku.com/pokemon-lego-sets-release-date-price-pikachu-charizard-2000658895), featuring both an Eevee and a Pikachu. Nevertheless, these are not the inaugural officially licensed brick-based toy items tied to Game Freak’s renowned franchise to appear in stores. For several years, Mega Bloks, a rival to Lego, held the license and rolled out over 100 distinct Pokémon sets. Mega Bloks has created a wide array of Pokémon sets and themes in different sizes and packages. To maintain fairness in comparison, we will concentrate on the two most similar offerings from Mega Bloks: Jumbo Pikachu and Jumbo Eevee. These sets are approximately equal in size to Lego’s upcoming Pikachu and Eevee sets, making them the most equitable for comparison.

First, [from 2022, we have the Mega Bloks Jumbo Pikachu](https://www.amazon.com/building-poseable-character-Building-Exclusive/dp/B079KNH886?tag=kotaku01-20). Upon its release on store shelves a few years back, this 12-inch-tall Pikachu was priced at $50, although it was often found on sale if one searched diligently. It features 806 pieces with posable arms, legs, ears, and a movable head. Additionally, it is a sturdier Pikachu, resembling the original “fat Pikachu.” It’s honestly a solid, visually appealing set, although there were critiques at the time regarding the build having issues with pieces falling off. The set includes just the Pikachu figure and nothing more.

Now let’s juxtapose that set with Lego’s recently announced Pikachu set. [This one is set to retail for $200](https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/first-lego-pokemon-sets-officially-revealed-for-27-february-2026-launch/) upon its February launch, making it four times the price of the Mega Bloks version. Ouch. And when comparing them side by side, it’s hard to pinpoint why. Lego’s model is technically 13 inches tall, but that measurement only applies when it’s displayed on the included brick-built stand.

The actual Pikachu build appears to measure around 11 inches tall, making it nearly the same size as the older Mega Bloks set. Still, it comes with a whopping $150 premium. It boasts over 2,000 pieces. Lego’s Pikachu undoubtedly looks cleaner, with fewer exposed studs, but that might be a drawback for some fans. The most significant downgrade is that Lego’s Pikachu appears far less posable. Nonetheless, I favor Lego’s rendition of Pikachu’s paws, which look adorable compared to the blocky, less appealing human-like hands of the 2022 set. Furthermore, Lego’s set includes a brick-built Poké Ball, which is a neat addition but may be considered extraneous.

Conversely, the comparison between Mega Bloks’ Jumbo Eevee and Lego’s Eevee set is notably duller. Both appear to be roughly the same size and are similarly priced. Mega Bloks charged $50 for Eevee when it launched in 2020. Lego plans to sell its Eevee for $60. A $10 hike for more pieces and a better-looking build works for me.

On the other hand, the Lego Pikachu indeed appears to be an expensive set that might be viewed as a downgrade relative to Mega Bloks’ version of Pikachu. While I appreciate the sleeker aesthetic and the included stand, the Poké Ball seems like an inefficient use of pieces, and for that price, I wish Lego had incorporated more posable limbs and joints.

Ultimately, if you’re eager to acquire a brick-built Pikachu for your desk or bedroom shelf without dishing out $200, purchasing a new Mega Bloks Pikachu for $50 or less provides a robust alternative, allowing you to save enough to buy Lego’s less expensive Eevee set.

Around this time last year, Helldivers 2 was being filled with squishy squids. These squishy squids have since come close to squishing Super Earth.

Also being squished in late 2024 were some players’ positive perceptions of Arrowhead’s gear pricing, as a Killzone crossover arrived and was so throughly panned for being expensive that the studio ended up giving the last bit of it away for free as a make-good.

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