Gait Games

**The Development of Competitive Play in Super Smash Bros. 64: RMG-K and Rollback Netcode**

The realm of competitive gaming has undergone considerable growth over the years, especially within the fighting game genre. Among these, *Super Smash Bros.*, first launched on the Nintendo 64, occupies a unique spot in the nostalgia of numerous gamers who fondly remember classic gameplay. Yet, until recently, competitive players encountered restricted methods for enjoying this legendary title without the pitfalls of traditional options like local play or lag-prone emulators.

### The Issue of Delay-Based Netcode

For an extended period, competitive gaming, particularly in fighting games, has been affected by the constraints of delay-based netcode. This kind of network structure adds latency, creating a desynchronization of actions between players contingent on their connection speeds. In fighting games, where split-second decisions can determine match outcomes, even slight lag can drastically impact gameplay. Players frequently experience performing an action only to encounter a delayed reaction, resulting in a frustrating experience filled with missed chances and imbalanced advantages.

### Introducing RMG-K: A Revolutionary Update for N64 Multiplayer

Fortunately, a fresh alternative has surfaced in the shape of [RMG-K](https://github.com/Jay-Day/RMG-K), a branch of the original RMG Nintendo 64 emulator. With its recent update on May 14, 2023, RMG-K incorporates rollback netcode support not only for *Super Smash Bros.*, but for all multiplayer Nintendo 64 titles. This development promises to transform how players engage in competitive smash matches.

Rollback netcode represents a significant enhancement over its delay-based predecessor by enabling the game to anticipate player inputs. If the prediction fails, the game reverts to the prior frame, guaranteeing smoother gameplay. This results in an experience where players can interact free from the oppressive weight of latency, even when utilizing wireless connections.

### Principal Contributors to RMG-K

The creation of the rollback feature was a team effort spearheaded by Jay-Day, the original creator of the RMG fork, with significant contributions from NyxTheShield, who has also gained recognition as a skilled composer for notable fan series inspired by *Undertale*. NyxTheShield’s participation emphasizes the blend of gaming culture, programming, and artistry, illustrating how varied interests can lead to technological breakthroughs in the gaming field.

### Community Feedback and Upcoming Testing

As the distribution of RMG-K commences, the community’s attention appears mainly directed towards *Super Smash Bros.* fans, complicating the evaluation of rollback netcode effectiveness across the full spectrum of Nintendo 64 games. However, initial feedback from users indicates favorable experiences with titles like *Mario Tennis*, hinting that the framework is robust and may eventually cater to a wider array of classic multiplayer experiences.

### Conclusion

The launch of RMG-K signifies a crucial moment for gamers who value the original *Super Smash Bros.* and its associated competitive scenes. By harnessing rollback netcode, players gain a more fluid and enjoyable experience that respects the fast-paced essence of fighting games. As the community continues to investigate the potential of this groundbreaking emulator, it is poised to influence the future of multiplayer gaming on classic platforms, possibly rekindling interest in a variety of cherished titles beyond merely *Super Smash Bros.*. As technology progresses, the nostalgia of the past can effortlessly merge with the demands of modern competitive gaming, ensuring that classics stay relevant in today’s gaming environment.

There’s something about prying open the door of your majestic Ferrari 250 California or Reliant Supervan as waves gently lap against the shore off to your right and a blazing sun beats down on you from above that you don’t truly appreciate until it’s gone. Or, at least, that’s what I’ve found playing Forza Horizon 6.

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Sundays are for rooting out clothes moths. The wool-devouring bastards have started cropping up all over my flat. I’ve put traps down but that’s only dealing with the ones which have already hatched and taken flight. I need to work out where they’re coming from.

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Back in late 2024, Palestinian developer Rasheed Abueideh announced Dreams on a Pillow, a “pseudo-stealth adventure game.” It’s set during the Nakba, the 1948 ethnic cleansing that saw Israel violently displacing Palestinians and dispossessing their land and homes, serving as Abueideh’s emotional response to the attacks on Gaza that began in 2023. And now, as a second round of funding continues, a first look at gameplay has been offered up.

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The first thought that probably arose for most people upon seeing Mixtape for the first time was probably something along the lines of, “that’s a lot of licensed music, wonder how long it takes before it’s delisted.” Music licensing is notoriously a pain in the ass, and considering how embedded into the story every song that’s in the game is, it certainly seemed like Mixtape was doomed. But according to its devs, there’s nothing to worry about.

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Next week, the garage doors will swing open for *Forza Horizon 6*. The highly anticipated new installment in the open-world motorsport series spans a vast map inspired by Japan’s natural scenery and the sprawling urban landscape of Tokyo. Like its predecessors, the new racing events and stunt modes draw from the culture of its setting, often resulting in outrageous outcomes. Japan’s rich history of robotics and mech culture brings *Forza* to one inevitable conclusion: giant robot racing.

In the “Mech My Day” competition, *Forza Horizon 6* puts you behind the wheel of a Honda Acura, going head-to-head with “Chaser Zero,” a massive robot that is part Gundam and part Patlabor. This racing spectacle echoes the time FOX had Shawn Crawford race 100 meters against a giraffe; players must tear up the asphalt to keep pace with a robot barreling through overpasses. While it may seem like the odds are against the player, the robot turns out to be quite the good sport during the final stretch of the race.

*Forza Horizon*’s showcase events are usually the most extravagant races in the game, pitting luxurious vehicles against severe weather elements or powerful machines. In *Forza Horizon 5*, set in Mexico, players raced against stunt aircraft and hot air balloons. While some players might not be up against the Shinkansen in *Forza Horizon 6*—leading to complaints about the scarcity of showcase events—it appears players will be honing their skills against an even more bizarre feat of futuristic engineering.

*Forza Horizon 6* is turning out to be a dependable addition to the franchise. The more accessible *Horizon* series has largely overshadowed the primary motorsport simulator, making way for elevated levels of eccentricity. Moving away from the traditional route, players can explore the vast Japanese landscape at their own pace or execute stunts akin to *Jackass*, featuring cars that only Jay Leno could dream of owning. Just be sure not to disturb the cherry blossom trees.

A concept that quite genuinely keeps me up at night is the idea of waking up one day and every other person on Earth disappearing. Couldn’t possibly tell you where this fear of mine stems from, all I can say is that I would imagine such a reality to be a cosmically nightmarish one. Enter Sleepover, a post-apocalyptic cosmic-horror visual novel that sees in that exact fear of mine, the key difference being that its protagonist isn’t alone after all.

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# Dodi Repacks: The Conclusion of a Chapter in Game Piracy

Dodi Repacks, the renowned figure in the world of game piracy, has recently stirred up the community with a momentous announcement: he is reducing his activities to start a new phase of life. In an unexpected “Roadmap” update, Dodi disclosed his intentions to marry and pursue a career in law, reminiscent of the fictional attorney Saul Goodman. This disclosure has left piracy fans in shock.

## An In-Depth Look at Dodi

Dodi has established a unique identity within the online piracy community, ranking as the second most well-known repacker of pirated games, just behind the notorious FitGirl. While both individuals maintain their real identities in secrecy, Dodi’s willingness to share certain aspects of his existence differentiates him. His website, operational since 2018, functions not only as a site for his repacks but also as a personal blog where he shares glimpses into his life.

In his open posts, Dodi has revealed information about his past, including his life in Egypt and an early fascination with compression technology that led him into the repacking arena. He has also courageously faced health issues, including a rare blood condition that almost claimed his life in May 2023.

## The Genuine Link with Followers

Dodi’s readiness to disclose personal details signifies a stronger bond with his followers, whom he endearingly refers to as his “family.” This connection is clear in the encouraging comments he garners, showcasing the reciprocal admiration between Dodi and his community. However, as he embarks on a new journey toward marriage and a legal profession, the nature of this relationship is poised to evolve.

## Significant Milestones Ahead

In a blog entry dated May 16, Dodi identified 2026 as a crucial year. He detailed his future aspirations, including final exams from May 18 to June 11, a promising job opportunity in France, and his impending marriage on November 24. Dodi assured his followers that although he would stay connected, his engagement would not match previous levels.

The news has sparked a range of feelings within the community, especially on the subreddit r/PiratedGames, where members voiced their sadness yet supported Dodi’s personal choices. The irony that Dodi, who is now heading toward a legal career, might eventually find himself representing individuals from the very domain to which he belongs has not gone unnoticed.

## Conclusion

Dodi Repacks’ announcement signifies an important milestone in the world of game piracy. As he prepares to step away from his repacking endeavors for his new life as a spouse and aspiring lawyer, the community contemplates the departure of one of its dearest figures. His journey is a reflection of the personal paths within underground subcultures and the intricate connections that can emerge from these groups. While it is uncertain how his transition will affect the piracy landscape, one point remains clear: Dodi’s legacy will persist, and his followers will continue to support him as he starts this new chapter.

There is a horse in the middle of the field. It wants to escape, run free, to graze upon the grass where it thinks it is greener. The horse knows not of the dangers of the outside world, for it is simply a horse. So what must we do? We must put up enclosures to form a pasture for the horse, yet we only have so many walls to use, so we must be choosy. This, more or less, is enclose.horse, a daily puzzle game where you must stop a horse from running away to eat grass.

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**The Bizarre Tale of ‘Poop Slinger’: An Enigma in the Gaming Industry**

Lately, video game shops nationwide have encountered a strange circumstance—a literal shipment of *Poop Slinger* game copies appeared out of the blue in their mailboxes. SicCooper, the proprietor of Double Jump Video Games, expressed his astonishment in a recent video, highlighting the game’s peculiar history and its soaring value. First launched in 2018 for the PlayStation 4, *Poop Slinger* has gained infamy not only for its gameplay but also for its limited production run, with fewer than 100 copies ever made. Consequently, before this enigmatic delivery, individual copies had been fetching prices exceeding a thousand dollars.

The origin and rationale behind these surprise shipments have bewildered many retailers. SicCooper noted they had not placed orders for these copies and are uncertain about their next steps. The shipment’s source was identified as VS Games LLC in Virginia, which also reported receiving numerous calls from other stores facing similar deliveries, fostering an environment of speculation and anxiety within the gaming community.

Worries varied from suspicions of potential scams to theories involving deceptive practices. Nevertheless, it was confirmed that the games were genuine, prompting further inquiries regarding their sudden appearance. Reports indicate that a liquidation firm might have played a role, tasked with distributing a surplus of 2,000 copies at drastically reduced prices—an occurrence deemed “far below market value.”

These occurrences pose significant consequences for the game’s worth in the collector’s market. Initially, the rarity of *Poop Slinger* was a key factor behind its lofty resale price. However, with a considerable influx of copies now available, experts caution that the value may decline. Retailers like Cake Hoarder Games have opted to retain their copies until stability is restored, while Double Jump Video Games is contemplating giving away their excess.

Limited Rare Games, the organization that originally managed the physical production of *Poop Slinger*, is recognized for its unconventional and somewhat humorous approach to game releases. Their catalog also features other eccentric titles that poke fun at the business strategies of companies like Limited Run Games, which have garnered a reputation for fostering a hype-driven market. Limited Rare has been described by unpredictable behavior, including sporadic website updates and inconsistent social media activity, leaving fans both entertained and bewildered.

As the enigma progresses, Limited Rare’s response has been lighthearted. The company released a humorous Cameo video featuring the “Costco Guy,” further entrenching themselves in this bizarre narrative and raising questions about the future of the game and its position among collectors.

In conclusion, the arrival of *Poop Slinger* parcels has sparked a flurry of online curiosity, speculation, and discourse regarding market trends, value shifts, and the nature of collectibles within the gaming realm. Whether this tale culminates in a cautionary lesson or a comedic story remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the gaming community is attentively observing as the saga of this unexpected gem unfolds.