Gait Games

Last June, modding site Nexus Mods announced an ownership change. Site founder Robin ‘Dark0ne’ Scott stepped back, and in came a number of new leaders from Danish firm Chosen – principally Chosen CEO Victor Folmann. A year and a bit on from taking the reigns, Folmann’s put up a post reflecting on the new regime’s first year running the modding site and outlining hopes to turn it into “an operating system for user-generated content in gaming” in the long term.

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**Ludwig Ahgren Assumes a New Position as an NPC in *Road to Empress II***

In an unexpected twist, renowned Twitch streamer Ludwig Ahgren has stepped back from his celebrated role as a top content creator to embark on a completely different adventure: taking on the role of a non-playable character (NPC) in the Chinese video game *Road to Empress II*. Earlier this week, the game developers revealed Ludwig’s participation, displaying images of him sporting a striking blonde wig as a representative from the imaginary Kingdom of Fuling. Following this announcement, social media buzzed with playful jest and fondness from admirers.

The game shared an update on Twitter indicating that Ludwig’s character has entered the fictional court of Sheng’an, inviting gamers to engage with him. This revelation created excitement, emphasizing the unique chance for players to interact with Ludwig as a part of the main narrative.

To encounter Ludwig in *Road to Empress II*, players must finish the primary storyline and access the “Attend Court” feature on the main screen. This integration not only injects a new dynamic into the game but also links Ludwig’s followers to the gaming realm in a fun, engaging manner.

Fans have taken to Twitter to express their responses, with memes and funny commentary surfacing about Ludwig’s new persona. One tweet comically depicted a waitress at a Chinese buffet recognizing Ludwig, further highlighting the humorous aspect of this role reversal. Another tweet conveyed excitement after three Duolingo lessons in Chinese, indirectly relating to Ludwig’s portrayal and animated pronunciation in the game, which has been noted as less than fluent.

Ludwig’s participation in the project can be traced back to his prior streaming of the series’ first installment, *Road to Empress*. After interacting with the developers during his gameplay, Ludwig voiced his interest in being featured in future content. This has resulted in the current memes and social media frenzy surrounding his character.

Adding Ludwig as an NPC has not only garnered attention for the game but also showcased his capability to embrace new and unanticipated opportunities with humor. He has engaged with social media, sharing behind-the-scenes pictures and updates from his time on set, and lightheartedly requested that one of his images be utilized as his official Wikipedia portrait. The response within and beyond the gaming community has been chiefly positive, reflecting a mix of admiration and playful teasing.

This unexpected partnership fosters intriguing discussions about the convergence of gaming culture and streaming figures. Ludwig’s shift from streamer to game character illustrates the ongoing evolution of the gaming community, blending diverse entertainment forms. His comedic style sets the atmosphere for how players may engage with him in *Road to Empress II*, as they progress through the game infused with this added layer of enjoyment.

For those who, like the author, have a keen enthusiasm for Chinese historical dramas, *Road to Empress II* offers an alluring premise—this new addition of Ludwig guarantees an engaging and entertaining experience, although its creators acknowledge certain aspects of AI integration that might detract from the overall experience. Nevertheless, fans and players are excited to delve into this new angle of the game while relishing Ludwig’s jovial involvement as he embraces his distinctive role within the gaming realm.

As Ludwig embarks on this journey, his presence in *Road to Empress II* acts as a reminder of the fun and unforeseen paths that can arise from crossovers between live streaming and gaming, underscoring the significance of creativity and community in the digital landscape.

On its surface, aesthetically Mistfall Hunter certainly looks like a game where if you were doomscrolling and briefly saw a gif of it in action, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s from Elden Ring. The game certainly apes FromSoftware’s dark fantasy, selectively colourful vibe, but it is offering up something different under the hood at least, as rather than your dime a dozen soulslike, it’s opted for the slightly trendier extraction approach.

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## The Present Condition of GPU Pricing and Its Consequences for Gamers

As the gaming community seeks to upgrade or assemble new gaming PCs, the existing scenario of graphics card pricing poses significant obstacles. In recent years, GPU prices have escalated beyond the means of many enthusiasts and gamers, and the situation seems ready to deteriorate further due to a combination of industry pressures, especially in light of the heightened demand driven by AI innovations.

### The Increasing Prices

Recent news suggests that Nvidia, a leading entity in the graphics card sector, is executing a considerable price increase, upping costs to manufacturers such as MSI and Asus by as much as 30%. This rise could represent one of the most notable spikes in GPU prices this year, causing consumers to be concerned about their budgets. While the extent to which this price rise will impact end users remains uncertain, the consequences are significant.

Moreover, AMD, recognized for providing competitive options to Nvidia, is also speculated to follow this trend with a more modest price increment of approximately 10%. Industry experts believe that AMD has been strategically holding off to see Nvidia’s price adjustments before making its own announcements, indicating a more reactive than proactive stance on pricing.

### Market Evolution

The pricing patterns reflect broader market dynamics at work. The Radeon RX 9070 XT, originally launched at an MSRP of $600, is now reported to be listed for $700 to $750 on sites like Newegg. This pricing still proves to be somewhat relieving compared to Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which, while initially set at $750, has swelled to around $1,000. This scenario creates a stark contrast, highlighting that while AMD continues to be the more budget-friendly option, its pricing structures are beginning to approach Nvidia’s, essentially driving consumers toward higher spending.

The rise in GPU prices is further intensified by “RAMageddon,” a term that underscores the acute shortage and escalating costs related to RAM. Consequently, gamers opting for AMD products may find themselves facing Nvidia-like prices, whereas those considering Nvidia cards encounter costs nearly double that of AMD’s entry-level offerings from a year ago.

### The Comeback of Budget Options

Curiously, this economic strain has led to a comeback of low-end GPUs, with AMD recently releasing the RX 9050, which includes a version with only 4GB of VRAM, marketed at just $280. This shift towards lower memory solutions raises alarms among gamers, as contemporary games frequently struggle with performance on systems equipped with lower VRAM, particularly at 1080p resolutions.

Digital Foundry has noted that this situation is concerning, especially since consumers are now being presented with budget-class cards containing substantially less memory than those previously available, questioning the practicality of such a product in today’s gaming landscape.

### Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?

At this juncture, potential purchasers may be mulling over their forthcoming actions in light of the rising prices and unpredictable market climate. The recommendation appears to be to exercise patience—waiting out the upheaval in the GPU market might be the wisest strategy, potentially postponing purchases for up to two years. This timeframe could allow the market to settle and bring prices back to a more acceptable range.

Ultimately, the GPU landscape continues to be fraught with difficulties as companies maneuver through the pressing demands of AI and an increasingly competitive arena. For the time being, gamers may need to hold steady, hoping for a recovery in the industry that brings prices down to more manageable figures.

Wizards of the Coast president John Hight is stepping down from the role. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing from July 27th revealed that Hight will be moving on from the role come September 1st. This doesn’t mean he’s leaving the company completely, as he’ll be shifting into an advisor role. The change in role comes roughly two years after Hight took it in August 2024, and after WOTC owner Hasbro took a $56 million impairment charge last week.

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**Slay the Spire 2 Beta Patch v0.110.0 Summary**

The newest advancements in the realm of *Slay the Spire 2* have arrived with the launch of beta patch v0.110.0. Differing from its predecessor v0.109.0, which was rife with peculiarities, this update is focused on honing the game by implementing balance modifications and altering multiple relics.

### Aesthetic Upgrades

A significant visual enhancement includes updated effects for the “Form” cards. Characters such as Ironclad and Silent will now activate lasting visual effects when using their Form cards, like Demon Form and Serpent Form. Though not as striking as some community concept art, this upgrade contributes a new dimension to the gameplay.

### Relic Adjustments and Enhancements

The patch brings forward numerous relic modifications, mostly enhancements alongside a few major exceptions. For example, Nonupeipe’s Fur Coat has lowered the enemy combat threshold causing 1 HP from 8 to 7, while Tezcatara’s Seal of Gold now diminishes gold depletion per turn from 5 to 3.

A noteworthy rework concerns Tezcatara’s Toasty Mittens. Once thought to be among the less favorable Ancient relics, it now offers players the option to select a card from their hand to exhaust each turn, creating tactical advantages against cards such as Aeonglass, which introduces undesirable cards to a player’s deck. This change improves overall gameplay tactics, particularly for Ironclad players.

Moreover, a bug fix that was previously ignored boosts the likelihood of uncommon cards appearing, addressing player frustrations concerning perceived bad luck in battles.

### Card Adjustments

Regarding card revisions, the patch includes significant nerfs and buffs. The Eidolon card, which was once prone to exploitation, has been altered to stop its generation during combat, reducing abuse likelihood.

Silent has received considerable focus in this patch, with Mega Crit cautiously adjusting her abilities in response to previous community criticism. While modifications were made to certain cards, such as changing Haze into a non-Sly card with new effects, these alterations surprisingly increase her overall strength instead of weakening it.

For instance, the Outbreak card has shifted dramatically from a Power card to a Skill card. The new version inflicts 9 poison immediately upon use, with ongoing damage, enhancing its effectiveness. As a result, it appears that Silent’s capabilities remain robust, now incorporating multiple powerful strategies instead of a single overstrong archetype.

### Final Thoughts

Patch v0.110.0 showcases Mega Crit’s commitment to thoughtfully balancing *Slay the Spire 2*. While the updates seem to favor enhancing existing elements, the changes encourage deeper strategy and exploration. However, fans of Silent may perceive that the character has received too much focus, leading to calls for more even balance among all characters. As the beta advances, players anticipate future patches that will ideally reinvigorate the Defect and other characters.

As someone that partially grew up by the seaside, I always kind of forget that there are plenty of city folk out there who just haven’t experienced the beach. It’s a tragedy! Or a blessing, depending on your tolerance for sunburns, and children covered in ice cream, and finding sand in places you didn’t even know existed for days on end. So, how about a game that allows you to have a bit of fun in the sun where all you do is build sandcastles in a physics-accurate literal sandbox called (predictably) Sandcastle?

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**The Destiny of *Last Sentinel*: From Hype to Neglect**

*Last Sentinel*, an eagerly awaited sci-fi open-world action game, was introduced to fans with a cinematic teaser at the 2023 Game Awards. Crafted by ex-Rockstar Games staff at Lightspeed LA, the game sought to rival titles like *Grand Theft Auto*. Yet, three years after its announcement and with no gameplay footage released, the project seems to have been largely forsaken.

Recent reports from Bloomberg indicate that the game’s sponsor, the Chinese conglomerate Tencent, opted to terminate the project after a recent development assessment. Initially, *Last Sentinel* was poised to be a significant player in the open-world genre, but it now teeters on the edge of being labeled vaporware.

The stakes were considerable for *Last Sentinel*, which had been in development for six years and had already expended hundreds of millions in investment. Following a disappointing playtest earlier this year, Lightspeed LA received a final opportunity to address the game’s deficiencies. However, the results of the most recent review prompted Tencent to decide against moving forward with the game, leading to substantial layoffs of 80 developers from the studio.

Multiple elements contributed to the downfall of *Last Sentinel*. Bloomberg’s report highlighted that the project faced issues such as a lack of clear direction, vague vision, and poor management—problems linked to project lead Steve Martin, who had an extensive background at Rockstar Games. Considering the team was relatively small, consisting of a few hundred developers, the aspirations for a *GTA*-like cyberpunk universe may have been overly ambitious. The project dealt with budget overruns and missed timelines, ultimately causing Tencent to shift focus away from AAA gaming ventures.

In spite of this setback, a representative for Lightspeed LA suggested the possibility of the studio continuing to develop some form of the project. This follows Tencent’s broader strategic changes, illustrated by the shutdown of its TiMi Montreal studio, which also encountered difficulties in releasing completed games.

In recent years, many gaming projects conceived during the pandemic period have stumbled or collapsed. Titles such as *MindsEye*, which once aimed to compete with *GTA*, gained notoriety for their lackluster reception and controversies over management practices. The industry presents a cautionary narrative regarding the intricacies and hurdles of game development, especially for ambitious projects lacking essential resources and guidance.

In summary, while *Last Sentinel* generated initial enthusiasm, its present course highlights the unpredictable nature of game development and the delicate balance between ambition and feasibility within the sector.

As previously explainderised, not only do we want to do a better job of rewarding RPS Supporters with exclusive articles and other fineries, we want to a better job of highlighting what your patronage gets you, including the chance to catch up on exclusives you may have missed. Here, then, is the first in a series of roundups in which we bring together all of the past month’s Supporter articles, plus recaps of any news and developments around the program itself.

And, if you’re reading this but haven’t subscribed: like what you see? Becoming an RPS Supporter is the best way to help sustain the work that we do, and on top of everything here – plus all other Supporter-exclusive articles, past and future – you’ll also get fully ad-free browsing across the site. Bargain.

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# Action-Adventure Games to Discover Following 007 First Light

**007 First Light** stands out as an exceptional action-adventure game that seamlessly combines stealth, gadgetry, and combat into an incredible cinematic journey. It ranks among the top James Bond games ever produced, and many fans are hopeful that developer IOI will create a sequel. In the meantime, if you’ve completed **First Light** and are still seeking engaging sim-like action and stealth, here are several game recommendations that could fulfill that desire.

## Hitman: World of Assassination

Let’s address this one right away. IOI’s earlier **Hitman** titles, particularly the **World of Assassination** trilogy, share numerous similarities with **007 First Light**. However, Agent 47 is more ruthless and eccentric than Bond, within much larger sandbox settings. If you relished the combination of social stealth, action, and exploration in **First Light**, you will likely enjoy the contemporary **Hitman** titles as well.

## Alpha Protocol

There are few modern spy games that steer clear of James Bond, but **Alpha Protocol** stands out as a flawed yet captivating endeavor to create a Spy RPG. Created by Obsidian, it encountered issues at its launch, making it somewhat unbalanced and buggy. Nevertheless, modders on PC have improved the game, allowing it to offer some of the spy fantasy you encountered in **First Light**.

## Splinter Cell: Conviction

Among the many **Splinter Cell** titles, **Conviction** isn’t necessarily the fan favorite, but its fast-paced, action-driven gameplay makes it enjoyable. Unlike earlier installments in the franchise, **Conviction** provides a more action-focused experience with optional stealth features, mirroring the gameplay style found in **First Light**. Sam Fisher might not be as debonair as James Bond, but he’s adept at getting the job accomplished.

## James Bond 007: Blood Stone

The inclusion of **Blood Stone**, which is a third-person action-adventure game, justifies the comparison to **First Light**. While it includes plenty of gunplay, its cinematic action and overall atmosphere align more closely with what players might anticipate from **First Light** than from more shooter-centric entries in the Bond series.

## Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

**Phantom Pain** isn’t featured on this list solely because it incorporates stealth gameplay; it is included for the myriad of ways it allows players to interact with enemies and the environment. Kojima’s concluding **MGS** game contains many mechanics similar to **First Light**, ensuring a familiar experience for those who enjoyed exploring after finishing the latter.

## Watch Dogs 2

For enthusiasts of hacking elements in **First Light**, **Watch Dogs 2** is essential. This open-world action game presents extensive stealth and hacking functionalities. Set in the lively backdrop of San Francisco, it enables inventive interactions with technology and the environment. Its overall design makes it an excellent follow-up for those yearning for a seamless action and stealth experience.

## James Bond 007: Everything Or Nothing

The final Bond game on this list is **Everything Or Nothing**, distinguished for being one of the uncommon third-person James Bond titles. The game showcases Pierce Brosnan in an original story that captures the thrill of modern Bond films. Though not intricate, it delivers an enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of the classic PS2-era action.

## Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Even though this title diverges from the third-person format, **Indiana Jones and the Great Circle** merits inclusion. Both games emphasize accessible immersive simulations with a focus on action. **The Great Circle** arguably provides more avenues for dealing with situations, making it an exciting option for players seeking to extend their adventure after **First Light**.

## Batman: Arkham City

Lastly, consider **Arkham City**, a compelling suggestion that brings a different superhero angle. At first glance, Batman may appear vastly different from Bond, but both heroes exhibit traits of cunning and gadget expertise. The stealth mechanics and action-packed gameplay in **Arkham City** should resonate well with anyone who has just finished **First Light**.

These games offer a diverse range of experiences that strike a balance between stealth, action, and narrative depth, ensuring that the thrill found in **007 First Light** continues in a fresh setting.