Gait Games

**The Legal Dispute Involving Intrepid Studios and “Ashes of Creation”**

The creation of “Ashes of Creation,” a MMORPG from Intrepid Studios, has attracted considerable attention not just for its ambitious ideas but also for its rocky path following the launch. After collecting $3.2 million via Kickstarter, the game faced several challenges leading to its removal from Steam in February, initiating a complex and public legal conflict involving the studio’s investors and its former CEO, Steven Sharif.

Recent updates in this narrative have been underscored by an in-depth report from the YouTube channel NefasQS, which asserts that it has obtained and examined the complete general ledger of Intrepid Studios from 2015 to 2026. The results indicated serious financial inconsistencies, implying that the studio was alarmingly close to financial collapse on various occasions.

The report, released on April 11, depicts a concerning scenario of financial mismanagement, especially implicating Sharif and his associate, John Moore, in lavish spending reportedly financed by “Ashes of Creation.” Among the dubious expenses were payments for a private chef, large sums disbursed at auction houses for historical items, a high-end cigar purchase, and assorted transactions related to trading card games and miniature models.

One of the most concerning disclosures from NefasQS pointed to a hefty payment of $81,166 to Gore Oil Company, which was linked to the joint ownership of Sharif and Moore’s San Diego residence, acquired in April 2020 for $4.9 million. This relationship raises additional inquiries about the utilization of corporate funds for personal investments and real estate dealings.

In reply to the video’s publication and its disconcerting allegations, attempts have been made to stifle the information. NefasQS revealed that their video encountered a privacy complaint, and their Reddit account was flagged, indicating possible efforts to mute the discussion and examination surrounding these claims.

Sharif last communicated publicly on March 6, issuing a statement that lauded a recent legal triumph in his ongoing disputes with Intrepid’s Board of Directors. He reiterated his dedication to resolving the issues through court, asserting that this was the most suitable venue for presenting factual data. This statement corresponds with his later silence, emphasizing his prioritization of legal actions over public dialogue.

As the legal dispute progresses, the ramifications for “Ashes of Creation” and Intrepid Studios remain ambiguous. Stakeholders and fans are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for clarity in a scenario that highlights the complex and often tumultuous nature of video game development and corporate management. The narrative serves as a warning about the need for financial responsibility and transparency in the changing environment of the gaming sector.

Sundays are for remembering the glorious sunshine you enjoyed but half a week ago, while looking out at eleven degrees Celsius’ worth of grey skies and drizzle. Did you know some people actually like rain? Imagine. The weather taste equivalent of forgoing a beautifully soft, Emperor-size memory foam mattress to sleep on a beach towel with some used needles poking out of it because “It’s more refreshing.” The ruin of humanity.

What was I.. yes, the Sunday Papers. Good words to read. There are some, of those.

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On the remote island of Barra in Scotland

The post New PC Horror Point-and-Click Cult Vacui Is a Race Against the Clock appeared first on Gamezebo.

I truly wonder when enough will be enough for Roblox Corporation. We all know how much money Roblox is raking in, and yet yesterday it was announced that a shiny new subscription service called Roblox Plus is on the way. This new subscription is effectively replacing Roblox Premium, which for varying monthly fees you’d get varying amounts of the in-game currency Robux. Except Roblox Plus sounds like a worse deal.

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Therapy is not the cure all that many like to make it out to be, but that doesn’t mean your favourite gruff fictional detective couldn’t still do it. This is, sort of, what The Pines is about, a game that if you squint real hard could probably pass for Alan Wake. The vibes are certainly similar, especially with Alan Wake 2, given that The Pines sees its protagonist finding himself in a strange, wooded (sort of) town, but it’s got enough of its own thing going on to pique my interest.

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### Karl Urban’s Ambitions: Taking on the Character of John Marston

Karl Urban, the actor from New Zealand known for his varied performances in iconic franchises such as *Lord of the Rings*, *Star Trek*, and *The Boys*, has shown a strong desire to take on one of the most cherished figures in video game history: John Marston from *Red Dead Redemption*. Urban’s career path, marked by its geek-chic charm, uniquely situates him for a possible role in an adaptation of Rockstar’s acclaimed title.

In a recent discussion with *Square Mile* magazine, Urban expressed his enthusiasm for the character and the game. “I’d love to portray that character,” he remarked, identifying *Red Dead* as an engaging experience in his otherwise limited involvement with gaming culture. His nostalgia and appreciation for the game’s narrative richness resonate profoundly, making Marston a character he feels a bond with.

Nevertheless, Urban’s excitement does not suggest that a *Red Dead Redemption* film adaptation is on the horizon. Rockstar Games, the titan behind the franchise, has not aggressively pursued the adaptation of its games into films or series, unlike other developers. With the company reportedly concentrating on new launches, like *Grand Theft Auto VI*, the chances of a cinematic endeavor for *Red Dead Redemption* remain unclear.

Remarkably, the realm of film adaptations has seen surprising developments, exemplified by the recent casting of Kirsten Dunst in the forthcoming *Minecraft 2*, following her previous indication of interest. This showcases how an actor’s passion for a role can occasionally trigger opportunities that may initially appear improbable.

As Urban continues to extend his reach in his career, he is also preparing for the concluding season of *The Boys* and will soon revisit his role as Johnny Cage in *Mortal Kombat II*. Urban recognizes this version of Cage as a more relatable interpretation of the character, one who confronts challenges resulting from an ego diminished by time. “He is a man that the world has forgotten about,” Urban remarked, highlighting the narrative possibilities of delving into vulnerability within an action-packed character journey.

As fans eagerly look forward to Urban’s forthcoming projects, the possibility of witnessing him bring John Marston to life could spark long-held aspirations within the gaming community, bridging cinematic storytelling with interactive roots. Whether opportunities to pursue such roles materialize remains to be seen, but Urban’s passion undeniably keeps the dialogue vibrant.

I do not like the combination of the words “Epic Games,” “Disney,” and “extraction shooter,” yet write them I must. That’s because of a new report from Bloomberg (paywalled), which digs into some of the issues the Fortnite developer has been facing in recent years with the popular battle royale, and the hopes the company is pinning on its Disney deal.

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It appears that GTA 6 developer Rockstar have been subjected to yet another hack. Earlier today, The Cybersec Guru shared a report that a hacker group by the name of ShinyHunters had added Rockstar Games to its dark web leak site. The hack apparently wasn’t directly targeted at Rockstar or their Snowflake data warehouse, but at Anodot, a SaaS cloud-cost monitoring tool Rockstar uses.

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### The Closure of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s PS3 Servers: A Contemplation on Durability in Gaming

In a gaming environment where online multiplayer elements frequently vanish in mere weeks, the impending shutdown of the PS3 servers for *Dragon Age: Inquisition* signifies a touching juncture. EA has announced that the servers will officially go offline on April 28th, 2024, marking the conclusion of multiplayer functionalities for a game that has experienced more than a decade of service since its launch in 2014.

*Dragon Age: Inquisition* represents the third installment in the cherished *Dragon Age* franchise and is recognized for integrating multiplayer capabilities into a series traditionally centered on single-player narratives. This advancement empowered players to participate in cooperative adventures, enhancing the game’s charm and fostering a collective experience among companions. The game garnered widespread acclaim and achieved commercial success, cementing its position as one of BioWare’s exceptional offerings.

In sharp contrast, BioWare’s endeavors in live-service gaming have not been as favorable. The studio’s bold initiative *Anthem*, released in 2019, sought to emulate the achievements of titles such as *Destiny* and *No Man’s Sky* but ultimately did not succeed. Within two years, player engagement waned, which led to the discontinuation of support and the closure of its servers earlier this year. The forthcoming *Dragon Age* installment, *Veilguard*, might have followed a parallel path had *Anthem* thrived, but it too has struggled to align with EA’s expectations, resulting in workforce reductions at BioWare and raising doubts about the studio’s prospects.

The upcoming server closure for *Inquisition* stands as a bittersweet reminder of the evolving nature of gaming. While many contemporary games emphasize live-service structures and immediate player involvement, *Inquisition* has managed to flourish for over a decade. This extended duration signifies not only its quality but also a nostalgic yearning for unforgettable single-player adventures during a time when the industry often pursues ephemeral trends.

The shutdown of *Inquisition*’s multiplayer aspect feels especially significant in light of recent setbacks in the live-service domain. Games like *Highguard*, which existed for only two months, and *Concord*, which scarcely exceeded two weeks, underscore the instability and hazards tied to the present industry emphasis on short-lived achievements. In contrast, *Dragon Age: Inquisition*, with its extensive decade of captivating gameplay and community involvement, highlights an alternative narrative that prioritizes long-term player commitment and gratification.

Although they have opted to close the servers, EA has not provided details on whether this decision is directly associated with the recent workforce reductions at BioWare or its possible ramifications on the community hub, *Dragon Age Keep*. As console generations evolve and player communities shift, the destiny of classic games like *Inquisition* prompts crucial inquiries regarding the sustainability of gaming experiences and the obligations of developers and publishers to their audiences.

In summary, while *Dragon Age: Inquisition* may be drawing its multiplayer narrative to a close, its legacy within the gaming sector endures. It represents the artistic value of games that emphasize player experiences over immediate profit, serving as an essential reminder to the industry on the importance of fostering long-term connections with their player base.

### Rockstar Games Encounters Data Breach by Hacker Group ShinyHunters

In a notable security incident, Rockstar Games has acknowledged that it has undergone a data breach linked to the hacker group ShinyHunters. The group asserts that it has infiltrated a significant array of data from Rockstar’s protected cloud servers, specifically through weaknesses in an external cloud service provider.

#### Breach Details

On April 11, 2026, ShinyHunters declared via its dark web platform that it had breached Rockstar’s Snowflake servers, a cloud-hosting provider recognized for serving various major enterprises. The hackers issued a digital ransom demand, insisting on payment by April 14; otherwise, they warned of potential data leaks. Their communication expressed urgency, suggesting that failure to comply could result in further complications for the company.

A representative for Rockstar commented, “We can affirm that a limited quantity of non-sensitive company information was accessed due to a third-party data breach. This incident poses no risk to our organization or our players.” Despite this reassurance, the breach heightens concerns regarding potential ramifications for corporate confidentiality and the integrity of the company’s operations.

#### Breach Methodology

While it may appear that ShinyHunters directly compromised Snowflake’s security, reports suggest that the group retrieved the data via Anodot, a service offering cloud cost oversight and analytics. Anodot itself had faced a security breach, which reportedly facilitated unauthorized access to secure data stored on Snowflake. This approach caused the hackers to seem legitimate to Rockstar, thus increasing the likelihood of data exposure.

#### Possible Consequences of the Hack

Although ShinyHunters has not revealed specific details about the data in their possession, it is presumed that the information may not encompass sensitive personal player data or password credentials. Instead, the emphasis seems to be on corporate assets, potentially involving contracts, financial records, marketing plans, and other proprietary information that Rockstar would likely prefer to keep undisclosed. The threat of public dissemination of such documents could severely impact the company’s reputation and business activities.

#### ShinyHunters’ Background and Intentions

The hacker group ShinyHunters has been operational since 2020, focusing on large corporations as targets. They have a history of extracting data or selling it for financial gain. Previous victims such as Microsoft, Cisco, and AT&T underscore the group’s capability and the gravity of their claims. If they claim a breach and possession of data, they are likely to act upon their threats.

#### Context and History

This incident follows a notorious hack in 2022, when Rockstar Games was targeted, leading to early gameplay footage and assets from the upcoming game, Grand Theft Auto VI, being leaked online. That incident was executed by a teenager who accessed the company’s Slack services, resulting in serious legal consequences for the hacker.

#### Conclusion

As Rockstar Games navigates this concerning development, the gaming community and industry stakeholders will be observing closely. The ability of hackers to gain access to such information underscores the persistent threat faced by corporate entities, particularly in an era where digital privacy and data security are increasingly vital. With the deadline for ShinyHunters’ ransom approaching, the repercussions of this breach will undoubtedly extend beyond Rockstar, emphasizing the need for strengthened cybersecurity measures across the industry.