Gait Games

The recent re-launch of the three foundational *Resident Evil* games on Steam has sparked considerable controversy, primarily due to the incorporation of Enigma DRM (Digital Rights Management) in all three games. Capcom, the publisher, has encountered backlash from fans and gamers who are dissatisfied with this choice, particularly in light of the company’s recent elimination of comparable DRM from *Resident Evil 4* just weeks ago.

On April 2, Capcom released the initial three *Resident Evil* games on Steam, providing updated editions that are compatible with contemporary systems. Many had anticipated that this relaunch would serve as an opportunity to honor the franchise’s legacy. Nonetheless, the inclusion of Enigma DRM has tainted the experience, resulting in performance issues and compatibility complications, including reports of the games failing to operate on the Steam Deck.

The adoption of Enigma DRM has faced severe criticism for degrading game performance and imposing obstacles for legitimate users. Gamers have vocalized their displeasure on platforms such as Steam, indicating that the performance issues have made the games less enjoyable, and in certain instances, unplayable on specific devices. This scenario mirrors what players encountered with other Capcom titles, including *Dino Crisis 1* and *2*, which also endured the negative consequences of Enigma DRM.

What further raises eyebrows is Capcom’s apparent indifference towards the unfavorable feedback from players. Despite being aware of the drawbacks of Enigma DRM—including performance decline and incompatibility with Linux systems—the company has persisted in utilizing this contentious system. This is particularly perplexing, given that the publisher had just faced criticism over *Resident Evil 4* due to similar problems, which led to them reversing their decision. The situation prompts the question of why Capcom would opt to reintroduce such a problematic DRM for these classic games.

The critique of DRM itself is not a new phenomenon. Numerous gamers contend that DRM merely complicates life for paying customers while being easily bypassed by pirates. In the context of these *Resident Evil* games, this argument gains even more traction, as the same versions have been accessible without DRM on GOG for years. GOG has pledged to keep these games DRM-free indefinitely, allowing customers the liberty to share their purchases without limitations. The contrast between the Steam and GOG versions raises concerns regarding the rationale behind instituting such restrictive measures on a product that, fundamentally, lacks a perceived piracy threat due to its age.

As part of a marketing strategy, Capcom is currently providing the *Resident Evil* trilogy at a reduced price on Steam, which has garnered some attention. However, the overall consensus remains that this tactic has backfired. By releasing a version with DRM that performs inferiorly compared to its DRM-free counterpart, Capcom risks alienating its dedicated fanbase and damaging its reputation.

In summary, the choice to implement Enigma DRM on the re-released *Resident Evil* games seems ill-conceived and disconnected from the gaming community’s expectations. The ongoing application of such technology on titles that are decades old raises questions about the viability and suitability of DRM in today’s gaming environment. As gamers call for higher standards for their purchases, Capcom’s commitment to employing Enigma DRM could ultimately undermine its longstanding relationship with its audience.

How to fish in Bridger Western.

The post Bridger Western Fishing and Cooking Guide appeared first on Gamezebo.

Following the murder of a speedy movement exploit, Marathon developers Bungie have a bunch of other weapons in the arsenal of the uber-powerful runner in their sights. Snipers, knives, and bubble shields are all on the tone down list for the extraction shooter‘s upcoming patches.

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[Distant Screams]

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Valve have taken the wrenches to the homepage of the Steam store, with a design refresh now out in beta form. It’s certainly an improvement if you’re a fan of wider screenshots, infinitely scrolling pages, and/or having more details fired at your face when you hover over a game.

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Feeling a little out of control?

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Legends of the Round Table isn’t just a turn-based RPG, it’s an extravagant 13th century puppetshow with live medieval lute music and a boisterous, singing narrator you can all but visualise prancing around the stage, splashing mead over the less important courtiers. It’s also a jousting experience in which you can juice up your charge with Love, one of the principle chivalric virtues, in order to clang a dude right off his horse.

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Wake up, the Residents are Evil again. Well, what I mean to say is that the oldest Evil Residents, the most classic of Resident Evils, have now hit Steam in the nicely revamped form they took on when GOG brought them back to PC a couple of years ago. Yep, the versions of Resis 1, 2, and 3 that’ve just hit Valve’s storefront include GOG’s handy tweaks to help them run in all singing and all dancing fashion on modern hardware.

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S&box is an upcoming open source game development platform, built using a modified Source 2 engine. Out on 28th April, it’s the work of the very same Garry Newman behind the legendary Garry’s Mod, who’s been working on a spiritual successor at his company Facepunch Studios (also the developers of Rust, and originally known as Team Garry) since 2015.

Inasmuch as I am qualified to judge, S&box sounds like a robust tool – it’s got features and systems for visual scripting, open world terrain, and creating shaders. The developers are also supporting VR, but hey, nobody’s perfect. The latest, bestest news is that Facepunch have just struck a deal with Valve to let people export their S&box creations as standalone Steam games, without paying Facepunch a fee.

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**When Life Is Strange: Reunion Was Initially Revealed: A Fan’s Viewpoint**

When *Life Is Strange: Reunion* was initially revealed, it was championed by developer Deck Nine as “crafted by and for enthusiasts” of Dontnod’s original supernatural teenage tale. Nevertheless, this stance has ignited discussion among those who feel sidelined from the target demographic.

Among the most significant experiences in the *Life Is Strange* saga is the conclusion I never opted for—the “save Arcadia Bay” conclusion from the initial game. This ending has left a persistent mark on me, more than the decision I took, which was to forfeit the town to save Chloe, Max’s closest companion. The conclusion has always prompted division among players, as it seems to undermine the journey accomplished throughout the game. The conflict between player autonomy and predestined destiny cultivates an emotional journey, placing Max in a heartrending battle to avert Chloe’s fate at a considerable cosmic expense.

The “save Arcadia Bay” ending exhibits a contradictory relief, where the soul-stirring decision brings closure to the chaos. Accepting a tough sacrifice leads to a bittersweet resolution, permitting players to finally alleviate the built-up tension. Regardless, it seems that the “fans” Deck Nine alluded to were not content with this intricacy, instead longing for a version that would maintain their newly beloved characters without the cost.

*Reunion* emits the essence of a “Fix Fic,” a narrative solution crafted by dissatisfied fans seeking resolution after being deprived of a third option a decade earlier. This is particularly evident in its endeavor to reconcile the conclusions of the original game and its sequel, *Double Exposure*. The latter provided a rather controversial take on Max and Chloe’s bond, disappointing many fans, significantly making *Reunion*’s cautious approach appear as an overreaction to these perceived issues.

In *Double Exposure*, Max traverses two timelines: one where her friend Safi is deceased, and another where she is alive. The outcome is a tangled mess of memories where Chloe endures nightmares that muddle the outcomes of the original game. *Reunion* seeks to “resolve” this by blending timelines, allowing Max and Chloe to come together regardless of the decisions made, ultimately lessening the significance of the original game’s conclusion.

I had wished that *Reunion* would explore Max and Chloe’s viewpoints concerning that impactful ending. Earlier entries in the *Life Is Strange* series adeptly acknowledged player decisions, with *Life Is Strange 2* examining the repercussions of choices made in a different narrative setting. Unlike its predecessors, *Reunion* neglects the weight of previous choices, undermining the importance of the original game’s peak and leaving players feeling that their consequential decisions were merely disregarded.

Chloe’s portrayal in *Reunion* draws little from former player decisions, resulting in a characterization that feels conventional. Her fragmented recollections obscure the distinct choices that shaped her journey in the earlier installments, instead portraying a socially angst-ridden archetype rather than a true reflection of personal experiences.

The game also dismisses the narrative arcs set up in *Double Exposure*, such as Max’s unresolved dilemmas and other potential contentions. Rather than advancing a captivating storyline, *Reunion* actively rewrites it to enable a reunion, fundamentally altering the stakes that once defined the relationship between the characters.

Had *Reunion* succeeded in progressing beyond merely playing house with Max and Chloe, it could have provided a more profound experience. Players now govern both characters, shaping their relationship dynamic in ways that can feel more like fanfiction than a genuine continuation of their narrative. This dependence on nostalgia and prior mechanics undermines the development achieved in previous games, where new viewpoints and challenges expanded the narrative horizon.

In the end, *Reunion* diminishes the distinct personalities that were once intrinsic to each installment of the *Life Is Strange* series. The franchise, which once delved into unique narratives and experiences through various protagonists, risks losing its richness by reverting to familiar characters and conflicts. This conservative artistic choice compromises the potential for innovative storytelling, leaning instead on the characters fans have already come to know.

As Max and Chloe return to recognizable situations with unchanged powers and minimal lessons to absorb, one is left pondering the objective of *Reunion*. Was it to offer a narrative where no one must confront loss? For many, the embrace of decisions made and losses endured is a crucial dimension of the *Life Is Strange* experience. By rendering that choice insignificant, *Reunion* seems to imply that perhaps we have indeed lost something after all.