Gait Games

Yummy… I think I’ll just take this.

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The Stop Killing Games campaign‘s organisers are currently awaiting a chat with European Union politicians about server shutdowns rendering online-only games impossible to play. Said chat’s been set up by a petition which racked up just under 1.3 million verified signatures at its final count, with that being one of the alleys the group have gone down in pursuit of action against publishers being able to abandon games without leaving a way for them to be kept running.

Rather than simply adjusting their ties and googling nice places to visit on a trip to Brussels while they wait for their meeting, the group have announced some more action they’ll be taking to get their message out in the ling term. Two Stop Killing Games non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are going to be set up to cover Europe and the US.

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**Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Arriving on Switch: A Mixed Response from Fans**

The recent revelation that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the cherished Game Boy Advance revamps of the original Pokémon titles, are set to debut on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on February 27, 2026, has generated a blend of enthusiasm and dissatisfaction among fans. Predictions surrounding this development were validated by notable Pokémon informant Khu, and the games will be up for download shortly after a special Pokémon Direct planned for the same day.

This announcement aligns with the 30th anniversary festivities of the Pokémon franchise, prompting many to think that more than mere ports of classic games would be unveiled. The Direct is highly awaited as it promises the initial sneak peek of new Generation X Pokémon and the mainline game featuring them.

Nevertheless, the choice to sell these two 22-year-old remakes as independent downloads, rather than incorporating them into the Nintendo Online subscription service, has attracted criticism. Fans anticipated that, due to the significance of the franchise’s milestone anniversary, Nintendo might provide these titles for free or as part of a celebratory package. Instead, each game will be available for $20, a move perceived by some as a cash grab that disregards the nostalgic essence the anniversary should honor.

As a reference point, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen achieved combined sales of 11.82 million copies within their first four years, raking in over $400 million in revenue. Considering this established popularity, numerous fans argue that offering these remakes for free would not only pay homage to the franchise’s heritage but also foster goodwill among the player base ahead of the new game’s release in the winter.

Adding to fan discontent is the fact that the updated ports will not feature enhanced online capabilities, which many were hopeful would elevate the experience further. The sentiment among diverse audiences is a blend of what appears to be both a squandered chance for celebration and an acknowledgment of the financial factors at play in such decisions at Nintendo.

As Pokémon Day draws near, anticipation remains elevated for the prospective content of the Direct, yet a lingering discontent persists regarding the pricing approach for these classic titles. Time will clarify the wider ramifications of this choice, particularly as players gear up to embark on the latest Pokémon journey alongside a nostalgic trek through Kanto with FireRed and LeafGreen.

It’s always a pleasure to write about Frostpunk, but I’m glum that Frostpunk has boarded the Great Videogame Remaking Train. I don’t think the original Frostpunk is beyond improvement, but I do find it very complete. Chilly finitude, obsessive symmetry are its narrative ethos and aesthetic. It’s a three-act story in a genre that tends to be exhaustingly open-ended. Its dramatic stakes are stark and inescapable – who and what will you sacrifice so that everybody else can survive? In place of the hopelessly indulgent, always-extendable gridiron of SimCity it gives you an Omelasian foxhole, with construction rigorously defined by distance from the coal burner at the heart. The Last City’s inner configuration may vary, but it must describe a perfect circle, because it has to dissipate heat evenly against the apocalyptic winter. It can’t afford to sprawl.

But sprawl Frostpunk has – firstly in the form of DLC expansions, and then in the shape of Frostpunk 2: a looser, fragmented game of expansionism, bickering council members, tangled ideologies, and petrol politics. And now here’s Frostpunk: 1886, an Unreal Engine “remake plus plus”, as game director Maciej Sułecki puts it, in a sector saturated with boutique revivals, some of them landing a handful of years after the original game – a forcing of embryonic nostalgia, huffing on embers, that suggests an industry running out of fuel, giving itself over to cycles of regeneration.

Still, perhaps I’m being too gloomy. I’m definitely being melodramatic. As you’d expect, Sułecki has a more hopeful analysis.

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You don’t have to wait too much longer to murder the steeple for a second time, with Slay The Spire 2‘s early access release now set in stone. Following the delay which pushed it back to this previously secret Thursday, it’ll arrive on March 5th, 2026.

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Another intriguing Baldur’s Gate 3 custom campaign mod has emerged to confront your party of quirky RPG adventurers. This one’s a short story which lets you take a break from BG3’s main story to attend a dinner party at the house of a not-at-all creepy rich bloke, who happens to be very good at jamming out on the organ via illusions.

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**Highguard’s Newest Content Release: Innovative Features and Future Commitments**

As enthusiasts of Wildlight Entertainment’s hero shooter, *Highguard*, anxiously awaited updates following last week’s studio layoffs, the developers have unveiled an invigorating update. Despite worries stemming from the studio’s quietness post-layoffs, a fresh content release is now available, introducing thrilling features and items to the game. This update includes a new map, the Cloudbreach, a raiding tool named the Lockpick, and new mounts drawing inspiration from *Dungeons & Dragons*’ Owlbears.

The Cloudbreach map takes players to the launchpad of a gigantic airship, offering a backdrop rich in tactical opportunities. The Lockpick item brings a unique mechanic wherein players can shoot a dart at doors and windows to seize control from enemies during raids. A superior purple variant of the Lockpick delivers an electric shock that can incapacitate nearby opponents, increasing its strategic importance in gameplay.

Possibly the most captivating feature of this update is the reveal of a new game mode centered on raids, which is set to launch next week. According to the patch notes, this new mode seeks to build upon *Highguard*’s robust raid mechanics, where one team attempts to infiltrate enemy bases to plant explosives on objectives. This gameplay mechanic resembles *Rainbow Six Siege*, featuring destructible environments and gadgets like zip-lines to enhance movement and strategy.

While specifics regarding the revisions to the existing content roadmap are not clear, the developers stress their dedication to enhancing and growing the raid experience. This forthcoming mode is anticipated to unify and enhance the engaging raiding aspects that *Highguard* has demonstrated up to this point.

Furthermore, the patch notes indicate that players can also look forward to balance tweaks for weapons in future updates. As the gaming community responds to this content release, it may take some time for players to rebuild their confidence, particularly in view of recent layoffs. Nevertheless, the new features and upcoming game mode could play a key role in rekindling interest in *Highguard*.

In summary, this content update ushers in a surge of positivity for the *Highguard* community. With new gameplay dynamics and the promise of a concentrated raid experience on the horizon, players have solid reasons to remain optimistic about the game’s future.

“Huh.” This, as admiringly as I can make this sound, was the first thought I thunked when I put down the demo for Titanium Court. Here is a game that is many things. The first thing it is is a play, in perhaps a literal sense, perhaps as a tool to immediately allow one to suspend their sense of disbelief at everything that is about to follow. We’re watching a play, a narrative vehicle where anything can happen as long as what’s on stage is convincing enough to make us believe it’s happening. And truthfully, I’m still trying to wrap my head around what did happen.

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**Discovering the New Interactive Adventure: Greetings, Mario**

Nintendo has once again taken center stage with the recent launch of **Greetings, Mario**, a fresh interactive app aimed primarily at younger audiences. Released on February 19, the app can be accessed on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and the newly unveiled Switch 2. While enthusiasts of the legendary Mario franchise may have anticipated another exhilarating platformer, this version emphasizes engagement and interaction rather than traditional gameplay.

**What is Greetings, Mario?**

In contrast to the classic 2D or 3D platformers that have established Mario as a beloved character, Greetings, Mario functions as an interactive digital toy instead of a typical game. This app empowers children to adjust Mario’s facial features, allowing for a whimsical array of interactions. Users can stretch, pinch, and manipulate various elements of Mario’s face to trigger different reactions, ranging from playful sounds to amusing animations. The experience echoes some of the fun interactions seen in **Super Mario 64**, but is specifically designed for younger users.

Kids can partake in a plethora of activities within the app. They can adorn Mario with sunglasses, partake in games like peek-a-boo, or even style his famous moustache. The main objective appears to be entertainment rather than challenge, offering a light-hearted way for young fans to interact with one of gaming’s most adored characters.

**Moderating Screen Time**

A standout feature of Greetings, Mario is its integrated mechanism to promote moderation in screen time. After a session of interaction, Mario humorously concludes he’s had enough and dozes off, encouraging children to take a pause. While this aims to foster healthier digital habits, some users have pointed out that simply restarting the app will revive Mario for more fun. This creates an ironic scenario where the app intended to regulate screen time could inadvertently result in longer play sessions.

**The My Mario Initiative**

Greetings, Mario is part of a larger initiative from Nintendo known as the “My Mario” brand. This collection has been developed to bring joy and creativity into playtime for young children, along with their parents and caregivers. It highlights imaginative play, and a selection of items has been crafted in partnership with brands like Fisher-Price and TOMY, aiming to connect with younger demographics from an early age.

**The Business Angle**

While Greetings, Mario may seem harmless, there are those who regard this strategic marketing approach with skepticism. By presenting young children with Mario in appealing and interactive formats, Nintendo can foster brand loyalty from the very start of a child’s journey. This approach mirrors tactics used by other major media companies, similar to how Disney has woven its characters into baby products and merchandise. Though it serves as an effective business strategy, it raises ethical concerns regarding commercialization and the consequences of targeting such a young audience.

**Final Thoughts**

Greetings, Mario signifies a distinctive and playful addition to the Mario franchise, specifically crafted for the youngest players. Providing simple interactions and amusing responses, it delivers entertainment while also promoting moderated screen time. However, as a component of the broader My Mario initiative, it reflects the ongoing trend of corporations intentionally nurturing brand loyalty in young children, sparking conversations about the implications of such marketing strategies. Whether perceived as innovative or commercialized, Greetings, Mario is a captivating entry in the progressing landscape of digital play for children.

Highguard is in a bit of a Schrödinger’s cat situation. That’s because at the time of writing, the official site only shows the shooter’s logo, and text that reads “This site is currently unavailable. Please contact [email protected] for assistance,” alongside links to its official Discord server and Dwitter page. This, of course, could just be a blip, but even as I’m writing this it’s been the case for several hours, and there’s not a single word from developer Wildlight about why it’s down. So, it is both dead and not dead until someone opens the box.

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