Gait Games

### Recent Updates in Marathon: Movement Exploits and Outpost Modifications

Bungie’s newest update for *Marathon* has introduced notable alterations aimed at correcting movement exploits while also enhancing the well-liked Outpost region. Committed players had been leveraging a method known as slide-canceling, which enabled them to navigate swiftly through stages without incurring overheating penalties. This strategy required executing a slide and then canceling it by drawing a weapon or utilizing specific skills like the Thief’s grapple, providing players with improved speed and positional advantages.

In light of community feedback, Bungie has officially rectified this exploit. The development team pointed out that the fundamental principle of *Marathon* is to guarantee that rapid and assertive movements come with a real cost, such as ability charges or heat accumulation. They stressed that unrestricted movement undermines the intended rhythm of gameplay, making the recent modifications essential for maintaining fairness and competitive integrity.

Alongside addressing movement exploits, Bungie has revamped the Outpost area, a current focal point for loot and player interactions. Adjustments include reopening the Destroyed Wing entrance, updating the security credentials necessary for accessing locked areas in the Hub, and installing bullet-proof glass in the Hub. In conjunction with these alterations, the quality of loot accessible in the Outpost has been notably enhanced, signaling that this region is set to become even more intense and engaging for players.

Despite these significant updates, the recent patch is relatively minimal as *Marathon* nears its one-month milestone. Bungie has indicated that a more extensive mid-season balance patch is anticipated in April, with additional content and systems scheduled for rollout in the forthcoming season, which begins in June. Players can anticipate new elements such as a revamped loadout system and an updated iteration of Dire Marsh, in addition to their ongoing contracts and challenges.

As devoted players tackle the outstanding contracts and continue to pursue high-level challenges like Cryo, anticipation builds for future updates that may further hone gameplay mechanics and introduce new content to keep the experience vibrant and captivating.

There is a tiny wild sun trapped inside my crystal tower. I hear its garbled voice and catch the yellow of its fire through the blinding white blocks of the summit. The tower itself is so bright on the outside you can barely identify objects placed on it, but I have smashed the crust and dug a network of passages, and it’s shadier within. A realm of shining fog, slick as tooth enamel, with fissured, fugitive reflections that call to mind the beautiful quartz spacecraft in Noctis.

The relative gloom inside the tower implies that the structure’s external radiance is also a reflection. It appears to be caught in the glare of some celestial body, but if such a body exists, it emits radiation invisible to the naked eye, discernable only from its impact on other bodies. The skies of Lucid Blocks are dark and cloudy even by day, inasmuch as ‘day’ means anything in the game. There is one major astral feature, a hazy torus that neither rises nor sets, luminous enough to orient by when exploring the game’s procedurally generated landscapes, but not enough to actually light your steps after dark. The only real sun here is the one below. The one I crafted. It slurs and shouts, nosing the walls of its prison.

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### Lego Ideas Pokémon Trading Card Game Challenge: A Fresh Horizon for Fans

Lego has recently sparked enthusiasm among aficionados by unveiling a new competition designed to fuse the realms of Lego and Pokémon. This venture calls for devotees to present their own concepts for Lego sets influenced by Pokémon trading cards, representing a notable convergence between the renowned brick-making brand and the cherished trading card game (TCG).

On March 31, the specifics of the competition were disclosed through various gaming and Lego enthusiast platforms, including Jay’s Brick Blog. Officially named the “Pokémon Trading Card Game Challenge,” the contest invites participants to craft Lego constructions that embody the vibrant spirit of chosen Pokémon TCG cards. Designs can consist of 400 to 2500 pieces, and every model must include a frame that showcases a selected Pokémon in an imaginative way.

#### Chosen Pokémon for Creations

Contestants are provided with a curated selection of Pokémon to select from for their creations. The full list includes:

– Alolan Exeggutor
– Arceus (Normal-type)
– Ceruledge
– Chandelure
– Darkrai
– Dragonite
– Garchomp
– Gardevoir
– Gengar
– Giratina
– Greninja
– Gyarados
– Hawlucha
– Jigglypuff
– Joltik
– Lucario
– Luxray
– Machamp
– Meowth
– Metagross
– Mew
– Mewtwo
– Ninetales
– Rowlet
– Tinkaton
– Torterra
– Toxtricity
– Tyranitar
– Wailord
– Zoroark

Enthusiasts have until May 6 to submit their designs to the official contest website. After this submission window, the Lego Ideas Review Board will evaluate the entries and select up to five models to proceed to a “Fan Vote” phase, which starts on May 28. From this date, Lego Ideas members can cast their votes for their preferred creations until June 11. Ultimately, the winning design will be turned into a tangible Lego set available for purchase.

#### A New Era for Lego and Pokémon

This competition is particularly thrilling as it marks the inaugural instance where Lego is explicitly integrating aspects from the Pokémon TCG into its designs. Previously, Lego held the Pokémon license for roughly a year, concentrating on sets derived from the video games and anime series. However, the idea of Lego models inspired by TCG cards opens up a new creative pathway, and many enthusiasts are hopeful that this will lead to a series of card-themed Lego sets showcasing a range of Pokémon.

Moreover, there are speculations about whether the constructions might feature the actual Pokémon cards from the TCG set. If this comes to fruition, these cards could become extremely coveted, generating an additional layer of excitement and intrigue for collectors and fans alike.

In conclusion, the “Pokémon Trading Card Game Challenge” is not merely a competition; it stands as a prospective launching pad for a deeper partnership between the realms of Lego and Pokémon, inviting fans to envision and create in ways that harmonize nostalgia with innovation.

There is always a risk with a live service game, or any game with only competitive elements, that it enters the Cool For Some Zone. This is a space that exists within a given game and also around it, a place where you can pull off Sick Tricks as a result of movement tech not purposefully included in the game, but born as an incidental result of mashing buttons in just the right way. And until today, Marathon found itself in said zone, but Bungie have made the call to patch out the offending issue.

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**Unprecedented Price Hikes: The PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Launches at $650**

Later this week, the disc version of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) will hit the market at a staggering price of $650. Although this may not be the highest price Sony has ever set for a new console, it indicates a notable shift from their previous pricing tactics, particularly since this equipment was first introduced over five years ago.

The recent price increases are without precedent, challenging expectations. Some gaming fans have attempted to rationalize these hikes by drawing comparisons to the launch costs of former console generations. For instance, after adjusting for inflation, the initial PlayStation debuted at a cost comparable to $642 today, and the launch price of the first PlayStation 3 model soared to an astonishing $966 in current dollars. However, while these comparisons provide context, they do not fully capture the intricate dynamics of the console market.

Traditionally, buying a new gaming console at launch has been regarded as a luxury; however, competitive pressure from firms like Nintendo, Sega, and Microsoft has usually led to swift price reductions shortly after a console’s release. By the halfway mark of each console cycle, Sony’s pricing tactics had frequently reduced the original price by several hundred dollars, making gaming hardware much more accessible.

The PS5 pricing framework starkly contrasts with previous trends. A chart depicting historical price patterns of PlayStation consoles would display a steady decline. Yet, the current pricing trend for the PS5 mirrors a horseshoe, diverging from the established pattern. During the PlayStation 4 cycle, price cuts were restricted to two significant $50 decreases that took place in rapid succession. This period represented a move away from bold price reductions, likely due to diminished manufacturing cost savings and increased market control that permitted Sony to sustain higher prices for an extended duration.

The PS5’s launch coincided with a global pandemic and major supply chain obstacles, exacerbated by soaring inflation and tariffs impacting one of Sony’s primary gaming markets. Despite these challenges, if Sony had kept the initial PS5 price at $500 throughout its lifespan, inflation alone could have provided a form of savings for consumers who opted to delay their purchase. Instead, following a $50 hike last year, the price for the disc version is expected to increase by another $100 this week. As a result, this holiday season, consumers will effectively pay more for the PS5 than what was charged for the original PlayStation at its launch.

Elements such as the persistent RAM shortage, trade conflicts, and Sony’s assessment that dedicated gamers will invest in the console for highly anticipated titles like *Grand Theft Auto 6* this fall are all factors driving these price adjustments. With the competition diminishing—Microsoft has markedly withdrawn from the hardware scene, while the highly anticipated Switch 2 is prioritizing computational power without immediate consumer availability—Sony encounters reduced market pressure to offer a more budget-friendly version of the PS5.

While a luxury gaming device might be a lucrative endeavor for Sony, it raises questions about the overall vitality of the console gaming market, which is presently facing stagnation. This alteration in pricing strategy could risk alienating a considerable segment of its consumer base, making it crucial for Sony to reevaluate its pricing strategy for the next generation of gaming consoles.

A major French consumers group is taking Ubisoft to court over the publisher’s ending of online support for The Crew in March 2024, rendering the notionally singleplayer-friendly open world racer unplayable. They’re acting with the backing of the Stop Killing Games movement, who want publishers at large to stop yanking servers and taking games offline.

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### The Development of Gaming Collectibles: Spotlight on SNES Donkey Kong Country Cartridge

In a realm where vintage video games have gradually surged in worth and significance, the recent showcase of a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) cartridge for *Donkey Kong Country* on PBS’s enduring program *Antiques Roadshow* marks a significant event in the collectibles landscape. The episode, which aired on March 30, 2023, kicked off the series’ 30th season, engaging viewers with a surprising turn: a gaming relic instead of conventional antiques such as furniture or decorative objects.

#### The Featured Item

In this episode, a female participant showcased a slightly worn *Donkey Kong Country* cartridge, adorned with a Hollywood Video sticker. Differing from standard editions, this specific cartridge was recognized as a competition variant created for the Blockbuster Championship in 1995. This rare cartridge permits players to experience the game’s initial level for roughly five minutes before halting, positioning it as a remarkable artifact in gaming history. The participant had possessed this cartridge for over 15 years and noted that a game collector had previously proposed to purchase it for $1,000 in 2012, underscoring its perceived worth even at that time.

#### Scarcity and Worth

Appraiser Jordan Weiss, who shared his nostalgic ties to the game, noted that approximately 2,500 competition cartridges of *Donkey Kong Country* are believed to exist. Most reside in private collections, enhancing the distinctiveness and rarity of this specific discovery on *Antiques Roadshow*. The interplay of its specialized characteristics and the limited availability might set the stage for this cartridge to achieve a valuation ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 at auction.

#### Contextual History

The significance of video game collectibles has proliferated in recent years, paralleling the retro revival in appeal among newer generations of gamers and collectors. The blending of gaming memorabilia with traditional antiques continues to transform, reshaping perceptions of worth grounded in cultural relevance rather than mere age. The segment humorously depicted how the presence of a Hollywood Video sticker could spark discussions surrounding the competitive landscape—Blockbuster being the key rival to Hollywood Video.

#### Final Thoughts

As the lines between antiques and collectibles become increasingly ambiguous, the *Antiques Roadshow* episode highlights the evolution of gaming. Items once viewed simply as childhood treasures are now regarded as artifacts from a past era, deserving of expert evaluation and respect. The *Donkey Kong Country* cartridge not only signifies an exhilarating journey in platform gaming; it represents a crucial chapter in entertainment history and illustrates a transformation in our valuation and appreciation of digital relics. Welcome to the innovative age of collectibles—where nostalgia intersects with investment potential.

As pretty (and ugly) as the Resident Evil games have become over the years, there is a quality to the original PS1 entries that lingers on in the hearts of many. That’ll likely be partially down to the permanently raised heart rates of kids playing them too young everywhere. But I think the thing that endures in the ever popular PS1 aesthetic in the indie horror scene is that nasty griminess that just feels so at home. And Vultures – Scavengers of Death, a turn-based, extractiony take on Resident Evil, looks like it’ll stay true to that vibe.

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# The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: A Mixed Reception

**Release Date**: April 1

The highly awaited *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* is scheduled to premiere tomorrow, following the successful run of *The Super Mario Bros. Movie*, which earned over $1 billion worldwide just three years prior. Featuring a broader ensemble that includes beloved characters like Yoshi and Rosalina, the sequel aims to elevate the audience experience, both figuratively and literally. Critics, however, have given a range of reactions, from applause to disheartenment.

## Plot Overview

In this fresh escapade, Mario and Luigi journey beyond the well-known Mushroom Kingdom, exploring remote galaxies where new allies and daunting adversaries await. There is buzz about the potential appearances of familiar characters like Star Fox and Wario, prompting inquiries into whether the film can rise above its role as a mere conduit for Nintendo nods.

## Critical Responses

The reception of *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* has been distinctly divided. Andy Robinson at VGC commends the film for encapsulating the spirit of the *Super Mario* games, stating, “The games have always emphasized boundless imagination and kinetic joy. On these fronts, *The Super Mario Galaxy* movie delivers.”

In stark contrast, William Bibbiani at *The Wrap* expresses a radically different perspective, asserting that the film is “terrified” and devoid of the inventive spirit one expects from such a cherished franchise. Bibbiani contends that the movie has dulled its creativity, rendering it formulaic.

Currently, the film holds a *Rotten Tomatoes* critics score of 43%. In comparison, the original film earned a 59% rating, sparking conjecture about whether this sequel truly falls short or is simply a reflection of rising weariness over excessive nostalgic callbacks. Germain Lussier describes it as “a relentless barrage of content with no significant connections or cohesion,” a concern echoed by numerous critics.

## Character Development and Storytelling

Various critics have pointed out that while the film is rich with vibrant characters and action-filled scenes, it falters in delivering significant character arcs. Clint Worthington from *RogerEbert.com* criticizes the film for neglecting key figures like Rosalina and diminishing potentially emotional moments to simple gags. “What limited character moments they may establish get dismissed in favor of throwaway humor,” he notes.

Alissa Wilkinson from *The New York Times* characterizes her experience as “a-meh,” reflecting a dominant sense of letdown among those yearning for a more cohesive story. Owen Gleiberman at *Variety*, who had previously lauded the first film, describes the sequel as frenetic and short on charm, implying that it comes off as impersonal.

Even game-focused publications have shown skepticism. *GamesRadar* rated the film a moderate three out of five stars, with Bradley Russell observing that the cameo of Fox McCloud sparked a desire to view a *Star Fox* film instead. Clint Gage from *IGN* echoed this feeling, sharing that his reaction was “OK”—neither revitalized nor fully disheartened.

## Conclusion

In spite of the mixed evaluations, it appears unlikely that the *Super Mario Galaxy Movie* will underperform at the box office. Many parents, including this writer, are eager to bring their children for the experience on opening day, potentially beginning a series of viewings in the future. However, it is evident that there exists a considerable opportunity for Nintendo to create a film that could connect its extensive array of characters with a more robust narrative framework. Viewers remain hopeful that the plumber brothers’ latest adventure is merely the start of a more thoughtfully designed cinematic universe.

Traditionally, the words ‘ergonomic’ and ‘gaming mouse’ haven’t really gone together, although Keychron sought to bring them together with its M5 mouse. It’s a vertical mouse that brings your hand into a more natural position, while retaining the beefy internals to make this a suitable mouse for gaming workloads. Currently, it’s down to just $60 from Amazon USA on the final day of the Spring Sale, marking out a new low price, which is always nice.

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