Guide to Becoming a Vampire in Vampire Life: Abilities and Available Merchant Wares

What do Dark Souls, Super Monkey Ball, Shadow of the Colossus, and Minecraft have in common? They are all explicit inspirations for The Canon of Balls, a spooky and unforgiving new open world platformer in which you are a horrified statue’s face with a fleshy pink tongue, floating inside a rolling cage. You can use your tongue as a springboard.

Look, stay with me on this. I think The Canon of Balls could be good. Yes, I know that we’ve done “Dark Souls in a ball” already this month, but I think this game stands apart. It reminds me a little of Straftat in being a very specific, even obstinate throwback project that’s less about nostalgia – less about sheer recreation, and more the feeling that a deserted vein of weirdness has more to give, that there’s another future down here somewhere.

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Having recently parted ways with former owners Xbox as part of the console maker’s mass cuts, South of Midnight and We Happy Few developers Compulsion Games have announced they’re seeking opportunities to collaborate with other studios. Likely to help them keep the lights on until they’ve got a new game of their own well on its way, Compulsion look to have turned their focus towards landing a co-development or support gig on someone else’s project.

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Since it was revealed, Zach Cregger’s adaptation of *Resident Evil* has been closely scrutinized. In a time overflowing with video games adapted into films, fans have become increasingly protective of how their cherished source material is treated. Although the horror director has convincingly showcased his creative talent with both *Barbarians* and *Weapons*, he senses that the press tour has required him to perpetually assure fans that he understands video games.

“I feel as though I’ve been on a sort of apology tour,” he shared with *The Playlist* this week (via *IGN*). “I feel like I’m campaigning, trying to convince these people not to label me a LARPer.”

This largely relates to the reality that the previous Resident Evil films had essentially no connection to the franchise’s core characters and lore, while fans have been eager to witness Capcom icons like Leon receive big-screen portrayals. Cregger’s interpretation of the survival horror franchise being yet another standalone that’s detached from the intricacies of the video game narratives did not resonate well with some players.

He added, “I think I was overly optimistic. I assumed that fans of these games, like myself, would be excited that someone was adapting *Resident Evil* into a survival horror film. I thought, ‘That’s fantastic.’ I didn’t fully grasp the sentiment of, ‘We’ve been waiting ages for Leon’s story.’ I recognize that, and I apologize that this is not the narrative I’m providing. I understand it, I completely grasp the frustration. I get it so thoroughly because I haven’t viewed the earlier *Resident Evil* films, as they don’t resemble the *Resident Evil* that I cherish, so how could I not empathize with fans holding that same perspective?”

This sentiment emerges in an interview Cregger conducted with *IGN* at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where he was prompted to take part in playful quizzes regarding items he would offer to *Resident Evil 4*’s merchant. The director is fully equipped to provide responses that showcase his familiarity with the franchise, but things didn’t unfold as expected. The awkward change in atmosphere became a hot topic on X, and while entirely harmless, it highlighted the clash of realms that Cregger is alluding to. He is evidently weary of the whole situation.

“Now, I’m just like, ‘You know what? Watch the movie,’” he conveyed to *The Playlist*. “If you still feel the same way after viewing it, then whatever you decide is justified. You’ll determine if I’m a genuine *Resident Evil* fan or a phony. What can I say? I believe the movie will stand on its own.”

It doesn’t appear that Cregger is contemplating sequels, or any other franchise adaptations, for that matter. The *Dune*-like challenge of seeking to appease existing fans isn’t suitable for him, regardless of the potential financial reward.

“I have made it very clear that I’m not pursuing that,” he informed *Deadline*. “I’m focusing on this, and that’s the extent for me. So I’m not going to approach any other franchises — simply because I’m a writer, and I wish to create what I want to create. I don’t want to write something where I must ensure I’m meeting various criteria to satisfy X. I just want to fulfill my own desires.”

He continued, “And the sole reason I think *Resident Evil* is acceptable for me to adapt is because I’m passionate about the games and I enjoy the story I envisioned with the games, and I’m creating it for myself. I think this movie is exciting, and I hope it meets fan expectations because I’m a fan and I’m meeting my own expectations. I’m making the *Resident Evil* movie that I wish were out there, so I can do that with integrity and a clear conscience without feeling like I’m being taken advantage of by some peculiar industry situation.”