Gait Games

Saturday’s are for having your mind read. Or, at least, this Saturday is because I’m seeing Derren Brown’s new show. I’m a little self-conscious about it, not because I’m worried the mentalist will hypnotise me and make me profess a false love for consoles over PC games but because my partner and her family have never seen me at a magic (or magic adjacent show).

Reader, I am an awful audience member for conjurors, illusionists, and psychics.

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**Liquid Swords Faces Insolvency Following Launch of ‘Samson’**

Liquid Swords, the Swedish video game creator and publisher, has declared insolvency as verified by a decree from the Stockholm District Court. Established in 2020 by Christofer Sundberg, a prior co-founder of Avalanche Studios recognized for his contributions to the famous *Just Cause* series, Liquid Swords has encountered significant difficulties since launching its sole title, *Samson*.

Unveiled on April 8, 2026, *Samson* has been likened to other open-world games but faced backlash from both gamers and reviewers. As reported, the title currently holds a score of 51% on Metacritic, largely due to the many glitches and performance challenges that affected its initial release. Sundberg publicly admitted these flaws in an apology letter on Steam, where he expressed remorse about the game’s state at launch and committed to addressing the “game-breaking glitches and performance challenges” in forthcoming updates. Following its release, *Samson* has undergone multiple updates designed to enhance the gaming experience.

On October 12, 2026, the Stockholm District Court granted the bankruptcy decree against Liquid Swords, influencing the approximately 30 developers on its staff, many of whom have allegedly remained unpaid since August 2026. In spite of these adversities, the team persisted in their work on *Samson*, delivering a notable update on October 8, and the game became available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles on September 21.

The administrator managing Liquid Swords, Cirio Law, has listed the company and its assets, including *Samson*, for sale, with a bidding period ending on October 21. Until this process concludes, the prospects for *Samson* and its ongoing updates remain unclear. Sundberg and Liquid Swords have not provided any public statements regarding the bankruptcy scenario via their social media platforms.

As the gaming community anticipates news on the results of the bankruptcy proceedings, the saga of Liquid Swords stands as a poignant reminder of the hurdles encountered by independent game developers in a challenging market.

Earlier this year, Swedish developer Liquid Swords released Samson, a GTA-ish, open world beat ’em up about dealing with debt, driving sturdy but battered cars, and saving your sister. It wasn’t received all that well, including by us, notably because it was quite broken. While subsequent patches did seek to address those issues, it doesn’t seem like it was quite enough, as the developer has gone bankrupt.

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**Mew2King Excluded from Xtreme Fighters Showdown Due to Health Issues**

Jason Zimmerman, popularly known in the esports arena as “Mew2King,” was scheduled to participate in Austin’s Xtreme Fighters Showdown (XFS) this upcoming weekend. However, event organizers unexpectedly prohibited his attendance following health issues that arose from a viral post he shared regarding sores on his body. This move stirred considerable discussion within the Super Smash Bros. community and brought attention to public health and safety concerns at gaming events.

The debate ignited when Zimmerman, looking for guidance from his followers, posted images of inflamed red spots on his arms and legs, voicing his worry that he might have been bitten by fleas from a housemate’s cat. Nonetheless, some participants speculated that the bites could signify a bed bug infestation, leading to heightened anxiety among those intending to attend the event. In light of this escalating concern, XFS staff released a statement asserting that Zimmerman was barred from participating or attending the competition for health and safety reasons.

“For the security of our event, XFS 2026, we have courteously notified Mew2King that he will not [be] able to engage in or attend our event this weekend due to a self-reported health issue,” the staff disclosed, emphasizing their dedication to the safety and well-being of all participants and guests.

In a now-removed post, Zimmerman reported the distress surrounding his situation, acknowledging the backlash he faced and declaring that he would take a break from streaming. He noted that he had previously dealt with a considerable number of similar skin conditions, linking the most recent episode to ongoing issues he had encountered in his living environment.

The ban sparked support for Zimmerman from various figures in the competitive scene, who showed concern for his mental well-being amid the criticism. Team Liquid co-owner Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma tweeted a call for the community to abstain from harassment and to extend understanding, stressing that Zimmerman often lived in less-than-ideal circumstances that necessitated managing various health matters.

In the aftermath of the incident, Mew2King dealt with the repercussions by expressing regret over his original post and the misunderstanding it caused. He mentioned that while cohabiting with multiple pets, he was more inclined to think that his skin issues originated from external factors linked to the animals rather than bed bugs. He also reassured his followers that his health was on the mend and clarified that he never intended to jeopardize others’ safety.

“I feel like I could have just said nothing ever and been fine,” Zimmerman reflected, suggesting that his choice to publicly discuss his health may have exacerbated unwarranted fears. He highlighted the significance of mental health within the community, proposing that numerous individuals might endure silently instead of facing public judgment.

At present, Mew2King has opted to withdraw from competing and streaming to concentrate on his health and well-being, a priority that he acknowledges as he continues to work on improving his living conditions. This incident not only emphasizes the complexities of health in competitive gaming settings but also spotlights the vital role of community support in tackling personal challenges.

I’ve taken a habit, recently, to proclaim my desire to explode in lieu of anything more realistically violent I could wish upon myself when I feel stressed. And, in what would likely be more concerning if I were a sentient bomb talking to a bomb diffusal squad, I’ve been saying that a lot lately, primarily because of the copious amounts of AI nonsense I’ve been seeing… everywhere. Epic Games, the ever-boycottable company called Microsoft, the decompiling community, the poison has found its way into everyone’s veins and it’s making me want to, say it with me now, explode! So you can imagine my relief to hear a developer say they don’t think AI will make a massive impact. The developer? Perhaps surprisingly, Konami.

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### The Future of Home Consoles: Rising Costs and Shifting Paradigms

The home console industry finds itself at a crucial juncture in its development, characterized by notable changes in technical expenses and consumer inclinations. As the gaming world approaches a new generation, the forthcoming introduction of devices such as the PlayStation 6 and the latest Xbox version raises worries regarding financial accessibility for gamers.

#### Escalating Costs of Development

Recent reports indicate that the financial implications of the next console generation will be substantial. An AMD insider named “KeplerL2” indicated that the memory costs for the PlayStation 6 might surpass $700, potentially elevating the overall price to more than $1,000. This rising expenditure reflects a wider trend in consumer tech, where increasing costs are becoming more prevalent. Specifically, the demand for high-end components propelled by the AI industry has resulted in soaring prices for vital hardware such as RAM and SSDs, which consumers have experienced directly in recent years.

#### The AI Boom’s Impact on Hardware

The swift expansion of the AI sector significantly influences the rising expenses in gaming technology. Enterprises within this field have strengthened their positions by securing access to crucial suppliers, like NVIDIA, further straining the already limited supply chain for gaming components. As businesses continue to invest heavily in AI-focused solutions, the complete effect on prices for gaming consoles and related hardware is expected to be fully understood in time.

#### Consumer Sentiment and the All-Digital Future

Despite the industry’s momentum toward a fully digital future, numerous gamers remain reluctant. This doubt is intensified by the growing expenses linked to home consoles and the perceived importance of physical media in an increasingly digital environment. Sony’s shift away from physical discs has ignited conversations, with players worried about the consequences of a completely digital marketplace, including possible restrictions on game sharing and ownership.

#### Shifts in Business Strategies

The console market has seen a considerable evolution regarding financial tactics. Historically, firms like Sony and Microsoft would subsidize hardware expenses, banking on profitable game sales and licensing to recover initial losses. Nonetheless, trends indicate a pivot towards focusing on game designs that promote extended playtimes over numerous titles, challenging the former subsidization model. This evolution has led Sony and others to investigate different revenue avenues, such as cross-media initiatives and live service games.

#### The Current Generation’s Price Hike

Currently, the existing generation of consoles—comprising the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2—has experienced an unusual trend of rising prices over time, contrasting with the historical pattern of price decreases following launch. This phenomenon raises urgent inquiries about how much further costs will rise and which segments of the gaming audience will adjust to these financial shifts.

#### Conclusion

As the gaming industry finds itself at this significant point, the future of home consoles seems poised for heightened costs and a transforming landscape. The impending release of the PlayStation 6 and the upcoming Xbox could herald a new era for gaming, yet with escalating prices, it remains uncertain how consumers will react and what strategies companies will adopt to face these challenges. The interaction between rising costs, consumer choices, and technological advancements will shape the next chapter in console gaming—a story still in the making.

With the devs behind RimWorld gearing up for their next game with a recent engine switch, it’d be entirely fair if you were hankering for something new (if still familiar enough) yourself. Trailblazers: Into The March is one such game, having introduced itself to us earlier this year, a mishmash of the aforementioned colony sim, Nausicaa, Moebius, Andrei Tarkovski, Jeff Vandermeer, and FTL: Faster Than Light by Edwin’s measure. And now you don’t just have to look at its trailers, because there’s a demo for you to have a go at.

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### The Debate Over Clones of “Needle In A Haystack”

The gaming world is currently caught up in a captivating debate concerning cloning and code replication among independent developers. The crux of the matter centers on various versions of a game named *Needle In A Haystack*, which is derived from the originally popular *Needle In A Haystack Simulator*. Noteworthy is the fact that the creators of one clone, NoGlyph, have recently claimed that another clone, *A Game About Needle In A Haystack* by Little Field Studios, has directly lifted their code, raising concerns about authenticity and creativity within the gaming community.

#### Overview of the Clones

The gaming environment has witnessed an influx of clones following the explosive popularity of *Needle In A Haystack Simulator*. After the game gained substantial buzz across social platforms in August, Steam users observed the swift emergence of similar titles such as *A Needle In a Haystack* and *Story of The Needle In a Haystack*. Currently, there are no fewer than fourteen clones of the original game available on Steam, with NoGlyph’s iteration making its debut on September 29.

#### The Claims of Code Theft

On October 17, NoGlyph highlighted serious issues regarding *A Game About Needle In A Haystack*, which had just been released a day earlier. According to NoGlyph, upon reviewing the game’s files, they found 13 classes within the game that had the same names as theirs, with a majority of the functions in that section aligning with their own code. Disturbing factors included certain error messages that were identical to NoGlyph’s work, indicating a concerning degree of code duplication.

Lead developer Jahvin from Little Field Studios acknowledged that their game featured 39 methods named exactly like those in NoGlyph’s code, asserting that they were “byte-for-byte identical.” This fueled further speculation about the potential application of sophisticated decompilation techniques, often supported by AI tools like Claude, which might enable developers to extract and reuse code from pre-existing games.

#### Community Responses

Interestingly, reactions from the gaming community have been varied. Some commentators noted the irony and “karma” in NoGlyph’s predicament, interpreting it as a result of their own dependency on Studio Bitdot’s original game for inspiration. Moreover, the idea of “vibe-coded” games—projects rapidly developed using existing works as templates—has ignited larger dialogues about originality and plagiarism in game design.

Beyond individual circumstances, this trend raises critical inquiries about the trajectory of indie gaming. As emphasized in multiple articles, the simplicity with which games can be cloned using AI has caused some developers to hold back on project announcements due to concerns over immediate imitation. For instance, Alliance Arts, the developers behind *Drunken Goddess Reflux*, chose not to unveil a demo, fearing it could result in quick clones that exploit their intellectual property.

#### The New Reality for Indie Games

The rise of clones and the ensuing legal and ethical dilemmas seem to be a new norm for indie game creators. Unlike large studios that possess the means to legally challenge infringement, indie developers frequently lack the capacity to safeguard their creations adequately. Consequently, many are anticipated to avoid offering demos or trailers—essential tools for marketing and community interaction—due to worries that such visibility might result in unauthorized copies.

In summary, the events surrounding *Needle In A Haystack* and its clones not only reveal vulnerabilities in the indie gaming landscape but also underscore the wider implications of AI-aided development and code sharing. As this narrative continues to evolve, it serves as a cautionary example of the delicate balance between inspiration, innovation, and integrity in the gaming realm.

Peter Molyneux feels like a man who can never die. He’s just sort of always been there, and seems like he always will be, making some kind of game where you can hypothetically do what you want, never quite living up to expectations. But hey, he’s Peter Molyneux, what else would you expect? The complicated icon is still ticking away at his latest, Masters of Albion, but in a recent interview, he spoke of one of his old classics, Black & White, and the idea of a third entry in the series (and the fact that there might be something newish on the way).

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### The Career of Debra Wilson in Video Game Voice Acting

Debra Wilson is a name that has made waves in the gaming community, not solely for her vast portfolio but also for her distinct presence in numerous notable video games. Throughout her career, Wilson has provided her voice to a variety of characters in acclaimed titles such as *Wolfenstein*, *Wolverine*, *Suicide Squad*, *Star Wars Jedi*, and *Death Stranding*. However, Wilson’s likeness is frequently featured in these games, a phenomenon she finds intriguing.

In an open conversation on the podcast *Hyperfixated*, Wilson expressed her views on her likeness being utilized in video game character designs. Contrary to popular belief, she disclosed that the choice often lies with the developers. “Honestly, I love games where they don’t look like me at all,” she noted. The voice actress conveyed her wish for a fully immersive experience into character roles, where she can morph and embrace diverse identities, rather than portraying herself.

This discussion received renewed attention after the launch of *Marvel’s Wolverine*, where Wilson took on the role of the one-eyed Morlock leader Callisto. Insomniac Games, recognized for their dedication to casting that reflects the original actors, opted to incorporate Wilson’s likeness—an approach also evident in other prominent franchises like *Call of Duty* and *Death Stranding*. Notably, while Wilson shares her appearance with characters in titles like *Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League* and *Wolfenstein*, she remains distinctive among her contemporaries in this aspect.

The responses to Wilson’s casting have ignited various conversations within gaming communities. Some fans have humorously speculated about conspiracies regarding her casting choices, while others credit it to her remarkable acting talent. Del Walker, a peer who has collaborated with her, remarked on the exceptional level of skill Wilson brings to her performances, comparing her audition videos to “1996 Michael Jordan showing up at a high school basketball game.” This emphasizes the competitive advantage and expertise that Wilson holds, making her an ideal candidate for prominent roles.

The incorporation of seasoned actors like Wilson into the gaming world mirrors a larger trend where the distinctions between film, television, and video games are increasingly merging. As the traditional studio landscape evolves, many well-known actors are broadening their careers, participating in video games more often than in the industry’s early days. The emphasis on star power in video games has resulted in iconic characters being represented by high-caliber talents, enriching the storytelling experience.

As we recognize the contributions of actors like Debra Wilson, it is crucial to appreciate the progression of voice acting in video games—a field that has transformed from niche to mainstream. Her journey illustrates the thrilling intersection of talent and technology, consistently pushing the limits of what character actors can accomplish in the digital landscape. With each role, Wilson not only enchants audiences but also creates pathways for future voice actors in a medium that continues to prosper and innovate.