Gait Games

The Steam Controller was released on May 4, 2023, and sold out almost immediately, causing frustration among many players and resulting in a spike of resellers on sites like eBay, where prices soared beyond $300. In light of the hefty demand and subsequent letdown, Valve unveiled a revamped inventory strategy and rules to guarantee that genuine buyers have an equal opportunity to secure the controller.

Beginning May 8, Valve will launch a reservation queue system, enabling customers to book their place for upcoming stock. This approach guarantees that those who reserve a controller will be notified in the sequence their reservation was made when new stock arrives.

To tackle reseller behavior, Valve introduced a fresh set of regulations for the reservation procedure. Significantly, each individual can reserve just one Steam Controller, with limitations barring anyone who has already bought one from making another reservation. Furthermore, users are required to possess a Steam account deemed to be in “good standing,” meaning they must have made a purchase on Steam before April 27, 2026.

Valve recognized the mismanagement of the initial launch and reiterated their dedication to enhancing the purchasing experience for gamers: “Steam Controller ran out faster than we anticipated, and we hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it.” Fulfillment of reservations is projected to commence the following week for customers in the US and Canada, with intentions to extend to the UK, EU, and Australia shortly thereafter.

This comprehensive plan seeks to balance the demand for the Steam Controller while curbing exploitative reselling tactics, thereby making it more attainable for devoted gamers.

The key thing to know about Amberspire is that it isn’t a city-builder in the SimCity sense, but a turn-based boardgame puzzler in which you don’t so much ‘build’ a city as you do manage a tumult of unpredictable, city-flavoured agencies. Created by Lunar Division, developers of The Banished Vault, it takes place on the surface of a moon-sized mausoleum – a vast Venetian graveworld whose fractured isometric crust reveals level after level of archways and catacombs, sinking beyond sight.

The all-pervading presence of the crypt reminds me of London’s old church cemeteries, crushed like dandelions between mishappen skyscrapers, refusing to be written out of the tale. It also immediately undercuts your primary objective of building a city populous and advanced enough to win recognition from other planets. However high your towers rise, your city is just another layer of debris and pollution applied to a strangely fruitful necropolis. This isn’t a lesson in humility. It’s an invitation to enjoy city-building as the act of dancing with a deathly ecology.

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### Blindfire: Lights Out – An Exceptional FPS Adventure Goes Free

In October 2024, **Blindfire** made its debut in the gaming landscape, presenting a groundbreaking concept: an online first-person shooter (FPS) played in total darkness, compelling players to depend on sound and intuition to discover their foes or avoid being detected. However, despite its intriguing premise, the game faced challenges in drawing a significant player following, prompting developer **Double Eleven** to reconsider its future.

Fast forward to May 7, 2025, when an unexpected revelation appeared on **Blindfire’s** official Steam page. The game was rebranded as **Blindfire: Lights Out** and converted to a completely free-to-play model on both PC and consoles. This strategic pivot took the remaining fans of the game by surprise, especially considering that Double Eleven had not actively engaged with **Blindfire** for close to a year.

#### The Philosophy Behind the Decision

Double Eleven articulated their rationale for reviving the game despite its initial challenges: “We believe games are art and they deserve to be preserved. We refuse to bury what we built just because things didn’t go perfectly.” This strong dedication to sustaining the game underscores the studio’s pride in their creation and their wish to share it with a broader audience, free from the constraints of conventional marketing approaches.

The newest update, available across all platforms, brings thrilling new content, such as two fresh weapons, new achievements, and extra skins for players to earn. A notable feature is the **Audio Aim Assist**, specifically developed for blind and visually impaired players. Feedback from this community noted **Blindfire** as one of the pioneering shooters where they felt they could genuinely compete. This feature leverages audio cues to assist players in navigating their surroundings and locating adversaries, enhancing inclusiveness in gameplay.

#### Preservation of Gaming Culture

While the possibility of this final update propelling **Blindfire** to the forefront of the FPS genre seems unlikely, the decision to keep the servers active reflects a dedication to safeguarding gaming experiences. In an industry frequently criticized for swiftly abandoning titles that fall short of commercial success, Double Eleven’s commitment to sustaining **Blindfire** stands out as a refreshing departure from the conventional approach. Games, even those that do not succeed, are creative projects crafted by enthusiastic teams, and their removal from the gaming sphere often creates a gap.

As the developers remarked, “Watching playtesters get to grips with our twist on the FPS was a massive highlight for us.” Their personal involvement in the project is evident in their resolve to ensure the game remains available for both current and future gamers. “**Blindfire** was a flash in the dark. It was strange, loud, and ours. It is staying online for anyone who wants to play it today, tomorrow, or years from now.”

#### Conclusion

The tale of **Blindfire: Lights Out** serves as a reminder that not every game will resonate with the general public, but each game has significance in the experiences it provides. For gamers, the chance to explore distinctive titles like this one enhances our appreciation of creativity within the gaming industry. Double Eleven’s choice to keep **Blindfire** thriving is an admirable move towards valuing the artistic efforts behind video games, ensuring they are not simply discarded when they fall short of commercial benchmarks.

If a popular multiplayer game exists, it has a cheating problem. This is almost always a guarantee, it’s just about the ways in which a studio chooses to handle this problem. So far, Embark Studios don’t seem to have done a perfect job in doing so with Arc Raiders, but they’ve now at least outlined their plans for how they’re going to approach cheating.

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**Mortal Kombat II: A Delicate Dance of Violence and Absurdity**

*Mortal Kombat*, the legendary fighting game series, has consistently been recognized for its savage gameplay and exaggerated fatalities where players can remove heads from bodies in gory yet cartoon-like ways. The shift from video game to live-action film has perpetually been riddled with hurdles, needing to treat its premise with gravity while also embracing its intrinsic absurdity. The newest entry, *Mortal Kombat II*, helmed by Simon McQuoid, endeavors to find this careful balance, eliciting a mixed reception from reviewers.

Released on May 8, 2023, *Mortal Kombat II* carries on the narrative established in its 2021 predecessor, which was noted for its fidelity to the original material yet critiqued for excessive exposition. The original film invested significant time exploring character backgrounds and the stakes of the titular tournament between Outworld and Earthrealm, often at the cost of pure entertainment. With Karl Urban portraying Johnny Cage, hopes were elevated for this sequel to provide a more captivating viewing experience.

The film boasts a respectable 73 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, setting itself apart as one of the top-rated video game adaptations of the year. Nevertheless, while some critiques applaud it as an enjoyable display of combat, others have dismissed it as a sequel that merges “direct-to-video mediocrity with blockbuster tedium.” So, does *Mortal Kombat II* effectively enhance the franchise, or does it stumble like numerous adaptations before it?

Critics have offered diverse views on the execution of the film. On one side, some commend its dedication to the franchise’s reputation for brutality and fatalities, showcasing a notable body count that reflects just how “mortal” the fights are. Conversely, there are criticisms regarding the film’s pacing and narrative clarity. As Kristy Puchko observed, the film often struggles to maintain tension during battle scenes, frequently interrupting the action with exposition dumps that siphon excitement from the overall narrative.

The choreography of the fight scenes has also faced criticism, accepted by some as a lack of clarity that hinders audience engagement during pivotal moments. Critics like Benjamin Lee emphasize the disjointed presentation of these sequences, making it challenging to grasp the stakes involved in the fights. While the gore stays true to what the *Mortal Kombat* franchise is recognized for, the emotional weight of death is diluted by the film’s incorporation of necromancy, complicating viewers’ emotional connections to character fates.

Despite the criticisms surrounding pacing and coherence, elements of genuine storytelling shine through. Reviewers such as Bill Bria highlighted the film’s sincere approach to its plot. In a landscape often flooded with cynical franchises, *Mortal Kombat II* distinguishes itself by showing a genuine concern for its characters’ struggles. This authentic connection contrasts with the ridiculousness of the franchise, igniting discussions among fans and critics alike.

Character development and humor delivered by Josh Lawson’s reprise as Kano have garnered notable appreciation. His knack for providing comic relief while delivering sharp commentary brings a welcome levity to the otherwise high-stakes, violent plot. Critics suggest that this self-awareness is crucial, particularly in a genre that could easily take itself too earnestly.

In the end, *Mortal Kombat II* captures the challenges encountered by video game adaptations—striving to reconcile nostalgia, fan service, and meaningful storytelling. While some believe the film falls short, others contend that it successfully evokes both laughter and intensity amid the chaos. It represents an endeavor to connect with audiences, showcasing the franchise’s growth while remaining loyal to its origins.

As discussions continue around the film’s execution, one fact remains evident: *Mortal Kombat II* adds to the ongoing dialogue about the portrayal of video games in cinema, balancing the delicate line between absurdity and seriousness in a narrative centered on mortal combat.

It’s been four years since Yacht Club Games last put out a game, and 12 years since Shovel Knight first launched. In those years, their entire output has been completely Shovel Knight focused, in the form of either expansions or spin-offs. Back in 2022, they announced something new: Mina the Hollower. And after an indefinite delay, the Zelda-ish action adventure game has a release date.

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**Investigating Awkwardness in Gaming: The Distinct Gross-Out Moment of *Mixtape***

In the realm of video games, instances that provoke revulsion often arise from explicit violence or disturbing visuals. Yet, *Mixtape*, created by Beethoven & Dinosaur, redefines this understanding by offering a distinct gross-out experience based on awkward adolescent romance instead of bloodshed. The game’s cringe-inducing scene centers on a first kiss, skillfully designed to invoke a visceral response tied to the uncomfortable and tender aspects of youthful exploration.

*Mixtape* centers on Stacey Rockford, a music curator reminiscing about her high school days. Her journey shifts direction when she finds a mixtape from her former crush, Colin, triggering a comical and awkward flashback to their initial kiss. The gameplay shifts from its characteristic stuttery, *Spider-Verse*-inspired artistic style to a more vivid representation of the intimate encounter. Players steer the teenagers’ tongues as they traverse the intricacies of their developing relationship, offering an interactive experience that is both humorous and unsettling.

Creative director Johnny Galvatron highlighted that the unsettling quality of the scene was a collaborative effort. Although he originated the concept, it was the team’s collective imagination that heightened the awkwardness. Producer Woody Woodward remarked that they aimed to elicit a “gross-out, *Ren and Stimpy* kind of vibe,” drawing players closer to experiences typically observed from afar, particularly in gaming. The choice to display the specifics of this first kiss, including the depiction of saliva, is unprecedented in numerous video games, where intimate moments often avoid such realities.

The team sought to represent the authentic teenage experience, recognizing that the first kiss can be clumsy and, at times, uncomfortable. They invested significant time in refining details like saliva physics within the game, aiming to truly reflect the sensations linked to such a pivotal moment. The resultant scene successfully captures the embarrassment and awkwardness frequently associated with that rite of passage.

Interestingly, the developers themselves encountered discomfort during the creation of this scene. Some team members opted to swap the jarring sound effects with nature sounds to ease their unease, underscoring the impact of audio in amplifying the gross-out effect. The fusion of audio-visual components results in a moment that is both unforgettable and unappealing, allowing players to connect with feelings seldom explored in gaming.

While the makeout minigame stands out as *Mixtape*’s most grotesque moment, the game also incorporates the kind of crude humor common in coming-of-age narratives. Players worried about the awkward gameplay mechanics can be reassured; the game is organized around a variety of songs, each offering distinct set pieces and mechanics. Therefore, participants will experience the notorious makeout session only once, ensuring the experience remains fresh and diverse.

*Mixtape* signifies a bold venture into portraying teenage awkwardness and romance in a way that is both funny and gross. As gaming continues to progress, the exploration of nuanced emotional experiences, particularly those rooted in first-time encounters, provides a fresh viewpoint on storytelling within the medium.

In the original Brigador, you played a mercenary mech pilot dropped onto the corporate autocratic colony world of Novo Solo. In the cockpit of a multi-story death machine, you could carve an easy path through the space colony’s buildings and defenders. If they were to put up any fight against you, it was by amassing in great numbers.

The tables are turned in Brigador Killers; you’re part of the hit team seeking revenge for the massacre on Novo Solo. But, instead of being armed with a two-story mech, I had to make do with a tuk-tuk.

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**Mortal Kombat II: An Unexpected Response and Producer Frustration**

As excitement escalates for the debut of *Mortal Kombat II* on May 8, the film has received surprising favorable reviews, currently boasting a 73 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. This reaction arises despite initial worries that the movie, marked by its recent “Let’s Fuckin’ Go” trailer, might drift into the territory of excessively campy fare, generally resulting in a cult following rather than critical praise.

Notably, Todd Garner, the film’s producer, has turned to the social media platform X to voice his displeasure with critics. He contends that many reviewers do not possess a true comprehension of the *Mortal Kombat* franchise, asserting, “It’s clear they have never played the game and have no idea what the fans want or ANY of the rules/canon of *Mortal Kombat*.” This outburst is especially significant given that reviews thus far suggest the sequel effectively provides entertainment for its target audience.

Garner’s remarks were prompted by particular critiques, including one where a reviewer showed disdain for a character having a “laser eye.” In a series of tweets, Garner questioned how individuals disconnected from the genre could possibly judge the film, implying that such critiques are detached from what fans value in *Mortal Kombat*.

In the midst of the controversy, *Mortal Kombat II* has received a variety of reviews that highlight its appeal. IGN scored it an 8/10, while the *San Francisco Chronicle* awarded it a 75. Critics from *Total Film* characterized it as a “bloody fun second round,” and *RogerEbert.com* provided a respectable 2.5/4 rating, recognizing the film’s distinct emphasis on fan service while also noting several critiques.

On the flip side, there are harsher perspectives in the discourse. *Vulture* criticized the film for its lack of depth, yet recognized that character Kano brings some standout moments. Nevertheless, Garner’s response to specific critiques raises questions about the function of critics in the assessment of genre films. While he aims to uplift the voices of genuine fans, the reality illustrates that diverse viewpoints can foster meaningful discussions, ultimately benefiting the industry.

Intriguingly, Garner’s background in film production, including projects like *Jack and Jill* and *Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2*, which received poor ratings, presents a somewhat ironic scenario as he navigates the world of film criticism. His frustration highlights a broader tension within the industry: the distinction between commercial success aimed at fan bases and critical recognition that considers wider audience expectations.

In summary, *Mortal Kombat II* finds itself in a delicate situation—applauded by some and critiqued by others, illustrating the differing expectations between devoted fans and new viewers. As it gears up for its theatrical release, Garner’s fervent defense emphasizes the ongoing dialogue regarding the relationship between creators and critics in the entertainment sector.

The better the net, the better the catches.

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