{"id":35560,"date":"2026-06-03T22:13:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=35560"},"modified":"2026-06-03T22:13:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:13:04","slug":"after-the-playstation-showcase-important-progressions-and-observations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=35560","title":{"rendered":"After the PlayStation Showcase: Important Progressions and Observations"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

## Kotaku Checkpoint Roundup for June 3, 2026<\/p>\n

PlayerUnknown discloses financial issues. An unexpected partnership emerges in Japan. And the Sony State of Play aftermath lingers. I am still recuperating from my experience diving back into *Marathon*, which felt just as bewildering as this. Perhaps tonight I\u2019ll tend to my wounds and construct a Gundam in *Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* instead.<\/p>\n

### *God of War Laufey* Caught in the Reactionary Backlash<\/p>\n

The upcoming game in the *God of War* franchise does not feature Kratos. Instead, Faye, his late wife, takes the lead in the afterlife. This change has become the newest first-party PlayStation title to encounter backlash from a vocal minority online. Anti-woke critics are channeling their frustration at yet another notable game showcasing a female character, rendering the backlash as another aspect of the ongoing culture clash.<\/p>\n

Social media algorithms also complicate the challenge of managing this negativity. Despite high YouTube dislikes on the *Laufey* trailer, the comments section displays users engaging positively with humor and excitement regarding the Santa Monica Studios project. Previous titles like *Ghost of Yotei* and *Marathon* faced comparable criticisms but were unaffected in their launches.<\/p>\n

Brands are leveraging the outrage as well. Domino\u2019s UK jokingly tweeted, \u201c*God of War* game with no Kratos = Pepperoni Passion with no pepperoni,\u201d which Sony Santa Monica acknowledged in their response.<\/p>\n

### *Control* Dissonance<\/p>\n

Remedy Entertainment\u2019s next action title surfaced during the recent State of Play, unveiling a release date of September 24, though the YouTube trailer hinted at August 27\u2014a discrepancy implying a possible delay. The game will feature a 48-hour early access window for premium buyers on PlayStation 5, set at $60, below the typical $70 for premium titles.<\/p>\n

Communications director Thoma Puha highlighted the significance of launching a polished game rather than rushing to release. In response to player concerns about the absence of early access for PC and Xbox users, he remarked, \u201cWe are addressing a few communication matters on a few topics…\u201d<\/p>\n

### *Marvel\u2019s Wolverine* Will Not Receive a Collector\u2019s Edition<\/p>\n

In contrast to the much-talked-about collector\u2019s edition of *Spider-Man 2*, which drew attention for its 19-inch Venom figure, Insomniac Games has opted against a collector\u2019s edition for *Marvel\u2019s Wolverine*, choosing a Deluxe Edition instead. Fans voiced their disappointment, reminiscing about the lost chance for a similarly striking Wolverine figure and questioning the lack of a special DualSense announcement.<\/p>\n

### PlayerUnknown Productions is Experiencing Layoffs<\/p>\n

Brendan Greene, the original designer of *PUBG* and founder of PlayerUnknown Productions, has announced the need to downsize the studio due to recent challenges in the survival games sector. Greene expressed, \u201cRegrettably, I have reached the limits of how long I can continue to finance this endeavor in its current state. Consequently, I have made the difficult choice to restructure the studio.\u201d The company will continue developing its Melba technology but will halt further progress on *Go Wayback*, while focusing on supporting affected employees.<\/p>\n

### The Creator of *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron* Collaborates with *Vampire Survivors* Developer Poncle<\/p>\n

In an unexpected alliance, Sawaki Takeyasu, CEO of Crim and creator of *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron*, will lead a new team in Japan under Poncle, the studio responsible for *Vampire Survivors*. This partnership signifies mutual respect between Takeyasu and Poncle\u2019s creator, Luca Galante. Poncle aims to establish a presence in Japan while continuing to work with relatively small development teams.<\/p>\n

For those interested, *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron* was a cult hit during the latter PS3 period.<\/p>\n

### ICYMI:<\/p>\n

*Watch this:* [Link to desired content]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/div>\n

## Kotaku Checkpoint Roundup for June 3, 2026<\/p>\n

PlayerUnknown discloses financial issues. An unexpected partnership emerges in Japan. And the Sony State of Play aftermath lingers. I am still recuperating from my experience diving back into *Marathon*, which felt just as bewildering as this. Perhaps tonight I\u2019ll tend to my wounds and construct a Gundam in *Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* instead.<\/p>\n

### *God of War Laufey* Caught in the Reactionary Backlash<\/p>\n

The upcoming game in the *God of War* franchise does not feature Kratos. Instead, Faye, his late wife, takes the lead in the afterlife. This change has become the newest first-party PlayStation title to encounter backlash from a vocal minority online. Anti-woke critics are channeling their frustration at yet another notable game showcasing a female character, rendering the backlash as another aspect of the ongoing culture clash.<\/p>\n

Social media algorithms also complicate the challenge of managing this negativity. Despite high YouTube dislikes on the *Laufey* trailer, the comments section displays users engaging positively with humor and excitement regarding the Santa Monica Studios project. Previous titles like *Ghost of Yotei* and *Marathon* faced comparable criticisms but were unaffected in their launches.<\/p>\n

Brands are leveraging the outrage as well. Domino\u2019s UK jokingly tweeted, \u201c*God of War* game with no Kratos = Pepperoni Passion with no pepperoni,\u201d which Sony Santa Monica acknowledged in their response.<\/p>\n

### *Control* Dissonance<\/p>\n

Remedy Entertainment\u2019s next action title surfaced during the recent State of Play, unveiling a release date of September 24, though the YouTube trailer hinted at August 27\u2014a discrepancy implying a possible delay. The game will feature a 48-hour early access window for premium buyers on PlayStation 5, set at $60, below the typical $70 for premium titles.<\/p>\n

Communications director Thoma Puha highlighted the significance of launching a polished game rather than rushing to release. In response to player concerns about the absence of early access for PC and Xbox users, he remarked, \u201cWe are addressing a few communication matters on a few topics…\u201d<\/p>\n

### *Marvel\u2019s Wolverine* Will Not Receive a Collector\u2019s Edition<\/p>\n

In contrast to the much-talked-about collector\u2019s edition of *Spider-Man 2*, which drew attention for its 19-inch Venom figure, Insomniac Games has opted against a collector\u2019s edition for *Marvel\u2019s Wolverine*, choosing a Deluxe Edition instead. Fans voiced their disappointment, reminiscing about the lost chance for a similarly striking Wolverine figure and questioning the lack of a special DualSense announcement.<\/p>\n

### PlayerUnknown Productions is Experiencing Layoffs<\/p>\n

Brendan Greene, the original designer of *PUBG* and founder of PlayerUnknown Productions, has announced the need to downsize the studio due to recent challenges in the survival games sector. Greene expressed, \u201cRegrettably, I have reached the limits of how long I can continue to finance this endeavor in its current state. Consequently, I have made the difficult choice to restructure the studio.\u201d The company will continue developing its Melba technology but will halt further progress on *Go Wayback*, while focusing on supporting affected employees.<\/p>\n

### The Creator of *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron* Collaborates with *Vampire Survivors* Developer Poncle<\/p>\n

In an unexpected alliance, Sawaki Takeyasu, CEO of Crim and creator of *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron*, will lead a new team in Japan under Poncle, the studio responsible for *Vampire Survivors*. This partnership signifies mutual respect between Takeyasu and Poncle\u2019s creator, Luca Galante. Poncle aims to establish a presence in Japan while continuing to work with relatively small development teams.<\/p>\n

For those interested, *El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron* was a cult hit during the latter PS3 period.<\/p>\n

### ICYMI:<\/p>\n

*Watch this:* [Link to desired content]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35561,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=35560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}