More than 40 Games Offered for $10 or Under in the Steam Summer Sale

**Takeshi Natsuno Endures Shareholder Opposition at Kadokawa Corporation**

Takeshi Natsuno, the Chief Executive Officer of Kadokawa Corporation, which holds a majority stake in FromSoftware, has effectively managed a major challenge to his leadership posed by the activist shareholder group Oasis Management. Although Oasis is Kadokawa’s largest shareholder with a 15.25% share, their attempt to remove Natsuno during the latest shareholder meeting did not succeed.

On June 1, Oasis Management submitted a motion to dismiss Natsuno, claiming he was “considerably unfit to serve as a Director of the Company.” The group highlighted a significant drop in Kadokawa’s earnings per share, which they asserted had decreased to less than half of the amount recorded five years prior to Natsuno’s tenure. Additionally, Oasis Management faulted Kadokawa’s emphasis on “quantity over quality,” contending that the multitude of manga, anime, and video game releases over the preceding five years had diluted the company’s intellectual properties.

Oasis also specifically referenced FromSoftware, indicating that despite Kadokawa owning the global asset, there had been unsuccessful attempts to pursue independent global publishing. They pointed out that this absence of self-publishing, especially given the potential of blockbuster titles like *Elden Ring*, has led to considerable economic value being funneled to external publishing partners instead of Kadokawa’s shareholders.

In a comprehensive presentation, Oasis suggested that if FromSoftware were to achieve similar success as *Elden Ring*, which sold over 30 million units, the lack of self-publishing would again leave significant profits with outside partners.

After the shareholder vote on June 24, Kadokawa disclosed that a majority of its shareholders had backed Natsuno, thus dismissing Oasis Management’s proposal. Following this outcome, Natsuno’s initiative to enhance the board was announced, with Koji Okura, a former Director of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, being appointed.

Oasis Management’s attempts to bolster their stake in Kadokawa have been remarkable, increasing their ownership from 11.85% to 15.25% in just a few months. This escalating influence indicates that forthcoming disputes could become more pronounced as they persist in promoting their vision for Kadokawa’s strategic direction.

With the next general shareholders’ meeting set for 2027, the recent events signify a crucial moment in Kadokawa’s leadership dynamics and corporate governance.

Self-cloning sci-fi strategy game The Alters is getting a DLC expansion in which you terraform the world of the original game, using cryosleep to fast-forward the years, even as your hard-working alternate selves age and wither. Out on 13th July, it’s a 20 hour epilogue starring Jan Scientist, one of Jan Dolski’s vat-grown doubles, who creates his own workforce of clones while investigating a phenomenon called “the Oasis”.

Over the course of the expansion, you’ll build up a new underground base, populate the volcanic soils with flora and fauna, and contend with the planet’s increasing hostility to your efforts. It’s not quite clear from the release, but I imagine there’s also a moderate risk of being dragged from your cryopod and crucified by a bunch of septuagenarian doppelgangers. Anyway, with useful irony I can’t think of any more synonyms for “clone”. Here’s a trailer.

Read more

**The Reimagination of the Classic God of War Trilogy: What We Currently Know**

Sony and Santa Monica Studio have ignited excitement among fans by unveiling a reimagining of the classic God of War trilogy during their latest State of Play show. While details regarding the project are still surfacing, Christopher Judge, the voice of Kratos from the franchise’s more recent Norse-inspired games, has shared some insights.

In a now-removed video from Fan Expo Vancouver 2026, Judge confirmed that he will not be returning to voice Kratos in the reimagination. Instead, T.C. Carson, the original voice behind Kratos, will come back to provide his voice for the character. This announcement emphasizes the dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original games while also modernizing the experience for new players.

Significantly, Judge mentioned a new “combat system” for the remakes. This raises inquiries regarding the potential evolution of the gameplay. Fans have speculated that this could imply a transition towards the more intricate combat mechanics observed in recent God of War entries, departing from the traditional hack-and-slash approach that defined the original trilogy. However, without explicit details from Judge, fans and analysts can only theorize about the specifics of these gameplay modifications.

Moreover, Judge hinted at revealing more about his association with Santa Monica Studio later in the summer, though he did not specify if this would relate to a new God of War title or another project. His remarks, made during the Fan Expo dialogue, have since circulated across social media, capturing the attention of both fans and the gaming community.

Amidst the enthusiasm, worries emerge regarding the secrecy of the project. In a cautionary note, comparisons were made to situations where actors encountered legal threats for disclosing information about forthcoming endeavors. Judge’s latest Twitter update has further stoked speculation, as he remarked he has “zero involvement with the original games,” indicating his future projects may explore paths outside the God of War realm.

As news continues to unfold, fans eagerly await more definitive information regarding the remake’s attributes and the trajectory it will take for the cherished series. The fusion of nostalgia and innovation suggests a thrilling future for Kratos and his dynamic adventure across mythology.