Gait Games

Players and developers should boycott Nvidia’s AI-stuffed DLSS 5 tech, with hopes that it’ll force the compny to “think about going back to giving us what we want”. That’s the appeal being made by Dave Oshry, CEO of indie studio New Blood Interactive, who’s been asked for his take on the neural rendering gubbins Nvidia exec Jensen Huang’s recently been adopting a multitude of tones as he’s tried to convince critis that they’ve just got it all wrong.

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### Stephen Colbert to Create New Film Adaptation of “Fogs on the Barrow-downs”

Following Peter Jackson’s celebrated adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpieces, enthusiasts of the Middle-earth narrative might have presumed that there would be no additional cinematic ventures into the cherished realm. Yet, a fresh venture is emerging as Stephen Colbert, upon finishing his stint as host of *The Late Show*, is poised to adapt a film focused on “Fogs on the Barrow-downs,” the eighth segment of *The Fellowship of the Ring*.

This segment has received notable attention from fans who were disheartened when characters like Tom Bombadil were excluded from Jackson’s initial film series. Colbert’s plan to incorporate these aspects highlights a commitment to honoring Tolkien’s rich mythology while delivering a new cinematic journey. In conversations with Peter Jackson regarding the adaptation, Colbert articulated his commitment to accurately representing the chapters that were left out of the films, showcasing his deep involvement with the original material.

The film, presently referred to as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past*, seeks to reintroduce the narrative depth that fans felt was absent in previous adaptations. Colbert is partnering with veteran *Lord of the Rings* writer Philippa Boyens and screenwriter Peter McGee, forming a team steeped in both enthusiasm and knowledge of Tolkien’s universe.

This announcement surfaces during a shift in Colbert’s career path, following his recent exit from *The Late Show*. Some have speculated that this change is connected to broader corporate strategies within Paramount, suggesting a wider backdrop for his departure. Regardless, this new pursuit signifies an important personal achievement for Colbert, who has been a lifelong Tolkien fan.

Fans can expect to wait several years before seeing any results from this initiative, with initial hopes for a release by 2029. The excitement surrounding this fresh adaptation signals an enduring interest in Tolkien’s works and their potential for cinematic exploration, ensuring that Middle-earth continues to be a vibrant source for storytelling.

### The Pokémon TCG Price Bubble: An Examination of Contemporary Market Dynamics

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has been facing noteworthy price variations, inciting dialogue and worries within the collector community. Over the previous year, a variety of reports have underscored the tumultuous nature of the marketplace, marked by excessive scalping, exaggerated resale values, and even reports of violence related to card collecting. As the scenario evolves, prominent retailers like GameStop have begun to leverage the demand, resulting in additional price increases that have left buyers feeling discontented.

#### Comprehending MSRP and Retail Costs

Generally, Pokémon TCG items are launched with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), which aids in standardizing costs across different sellers. For example, the present MSRP for a standard pack of Pokémon cards is $4.49, up from $3.99 in the past couple of years. However, the experience for many collectors is that locating these items at MSRP has become a challenging endeavor since late 2024, with shelves frequently emptied by scalpers who resell the cards at marked-up rates.

#### GameStop’s Influence in the Market

GameStop, recognized for its background in video gaming, has pivoted to take advantage of the Pokémon TCG phenomenon. With fewer choices available for shoppers, the retailer has been emboldened to significantly increase prices. Reports reveal that GameStop has trialed various pricing tactics, occasionally bumping the price of collection boxes by more than $10.

In November 2025, the retailer listed a single sleeved pack at $7, which would typically be priced around $5. A booster box, conventionally valued at $143.64, was extraordinarily priced at $239.99. Insights from GameStop employees indicate that this upward pricing tendency is likely to persist, raising issues about ethical business practices.

#### The Influence of Upcoming Releases

With new sets such as “Perfect Order” slated for release, speculation surrounds the anticipated price ranges for Elite Trainer Boxes, which have previously been priced between $50 and $60. Current whispers indicate a potential tag closer to $100, which many perceive as blatant price gouging.

This pricing approach, similar to that utilized by scalpers, exploits the market’s enthusiasm and scarcity, ultimately leaving collectors anxious. The difficulty in accessing reasonably priced Pokémon TCG items prompts ethical considerations regarding consumer rights and corporate accountability amidst a collectible surge.

#### Final Thoughts

As the Pokémon TCG price bubble continues to grow with seemingly no signs of retraction, the shared sentiment among buyers is one of frustration and dismay. While halting purchases is one proposed solution to mitigate prices, it remains uncertain if collectors will band together in this initiative. For those eager to preserve their collecting passion without incurring inflated expenses, numerous strategies and alternative approaches can be explored that do not involve acquiring new products.

In this swiftly evolving environment, all parties involved—manufacturers, retailers, and collectors—will need to navigate the prevailing hurdles to cultivate a more sustainable market going forward.

### The Prospects of Xbox with Asha Sharma: Approaches for Renewal

Asha Sharma, who has recently assumed leadership of Xbox, takes charge of a platform that faces hurdles necessitating creative approaches for renewal. In the last month, Sharma has launched several audacious initiatives designed to counteract the recent downturn in Xbox’s market visibility, centering on fresh marketing strategies and possible bundling collaborations.

A major transformation is the termination of the “This Is An Xbox” marketing effort. Following her ascension, Sharma quickly eliminated all mentions of this campaign from Microsoft’s public platforms, indicating a commitment to reimagining the brand identity. This action reflects a larger plan to redefine Xbox’s persona and address any impressions of inertia.

An essential component of Sharma’s approach includes negotiations for partnerships with Netflix. Reports suggest that Sharma has been in discussions with Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters, contemplating ways to merge Game Pass with Netflix offerings. This bundling could offer users a more cost-effective gaming solution, which is vital given the recent price rises for services such as Game Pass Ultimate. The prospective collaboration seeks to draw a wider audience by tapping into Netflix’s vast subscriber network.

As Microsoft has previously elevated the price for Game Pass Ultimate to $30, there is increasing anxiety among users concerning the perceived drop in value. To tackle this, Sharma is supposedly considering the rollout of an ad-supported tier for Game Pass, akin to Netflix’s recent movement towards advertisement-supported subscriptions. This tactic promises not only a reduced entry cost for consumers but also creates new revenue opportunities for Microsoft.

While these initiatives indicate an openness to advancement, they have yet to embody the daring new trajectory some Xbox fans have been hoping for. There persists a yearning for a revitalization of Xbox’s fundamental gaming experience, a sentiment that Sharma alluded to during the restructuring. Nonetheless, current developments seem more in line with incremental enhancements rather than revolutionary transformations.

Furthermore, Project Helix, aiming to establish a gaming PC interface for Xbox titles, implies continuity instead of innovation in Microsoft’s hardware strategy. Although it serves to enhance accessibility for Xbox games, it doesn’t signify a major alteration in the gaming environment.

In conclusion, Asha Sharma’s leadership at Xbox is characterized by tactical choices aimed at improving Game Pass and overhauling marketing strategies. While her proposals may hold potential advantages, the gaming community still looks forward to a definitive bold initiative that would herald a new chapter for the platform. For the moment, the priority remains on maximizing current partnerships and fine-tuning service provisions to reclaim Xbox’s competitive standing in the gaming industry.

**The Fury Regarding AI-Created Plagiarism in Japan’s Indie Game Sector**

In a notable event within Japan’s indie gaming landscape, an AI-created imitation of an unfinished game has triggered a surge of anger among developers, igniting conversations about the dangers linked to sharing development work online. The original game, named *Typing Room*, is being crafted by a content creator known as Kamaboko. After revealing an initial glimpse of the game’s progress on February 26, it was plagiarized, and another iteration, also titled *Typing Room*, was uploaded to Unityroom—just days later on March 4—by someone using the alias “Kamaboko Kōsatsu Kōsatsu.”

Kamaboko has been working on *Typing Room* for roughly a month, and the swift emergence of the plagiarized version has raised significant worries about the implications of AI in the creative realm. The imitation version, though free to play, holds the potential to earn ad revenue, causing concern from Kamaboko and other indie developers regarding the safety of their creations in the digital space.

In a bewildering defense of their conduct, Kamaboko Kōsatsu Kōsatsu uploaded a YouTube video where they confessed to creating the plagiarized game with AI, using Kamaboko’s videos and user guides as references. They asserted that the whole procedure took merely two days, belittling Kamaboko’s commitment as “lazy” for taking longer to develop their game. Additionally, the uploader defended their actions by citing Kamaboko’s previous usage of official *Palworld* and *Pokémon* assets for a fan project, portraying their plagiarism as a sort of “revenge.”

The incident has incited substantial backlash within the indie development community. A discussion thread on the social media platform X underscored the community’s grievances, especially about the lenient regulations concerning AI-generated content on sites like Unityroom. Developers voiced their concerns that such overt imitation could go unpunished and worried about the consequences of publicly sharing their ongoing work. Significantly, indie developer Strawberry Sakura expressed a feeling of hopelessness, stating that sharing early-stage projects can result in theft, emphasizing the emotional burden it imposes on creators.

As the debate unfolds, this incident prompts critical inquiries about intellectual property, the ethics of AI-generated material, and the potential effects on the creative ecosystem. The simplicity with which derivative pieces can be created through AI tools presents a challenge for original creators, as the distinction between inspiration and plagiarism becomes ever more obscured. As the indie game community confronts these dilemmas, it remains to be determined how they will adjust to safeguard their work and cultivate a more secure atmosphere for creativity.

**Tim Sweeney’s Contentious Remarks Following Epic Games Layoffs Ignite Backlash**

Tim Sweeney, co-founder and CEO of Epic Games, has become the focal point of a storm of criticism in light of his recent statements on X (previously Twitter) regarding the company’s choice to lay off over 1,000 employees. His comments were seen as “disconnected” and lacking compassion for those impacted by the job cuts.

In a post, Sweeney indicated that gaming industry employers would soon be inundated with “a stream of resumes” from “once-in-a-lifetime” talent due to the layoffs. He claimed that Epic Games had always upheld its hiring standards and stressed that the layoffs were not due to performance issues. “It’s a safe bet that anyone with Epic Games on their resume is among the top few percent in their field,” he stated, despite the backdrop of significant job losses within the firm.

The tone of Sweeney’s communication starkly contrasted with the official message delivered to impacted employees. In that communication, he expressed remorse about the decisions and reassured staff that the layoffs were unrelated to artificial intelligence. However, many believed his public remarks failed to resonate and overlooked the emotional and professional distress experienced by the laid-off workers.

Responses on social media were prompt and critical. One user wryly noted the irony in Sweeney’s claim that the laid-off individuals were “once-in-a-lifetime employees” who had been dismissed. Detractors underscored the absence of empathy in Sweeney’s statements, highlighting the challenges that those affected might encounter in finding new jobs, despite their links to a respected company like Epic Games.

Numerous influential figures within the gaming sector expressed their solidarity with the widespread condemnation, labeling Sweeney’s remarks as reflective of a disconnect from workforce realities. Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian Studios, referred to the comment as “brilliant word salad” and representative of “complete LinkedIn brainrot.” Furthermore, Mathieu Ropert, a union representative and former technical lead at Paradox Interactive, noted that characterizing layoffs as non-performance-related could demoralize remaining employees, implying that their performance holds little significance.

The aftermath of Sweeney’s comments brings forth concerns about leadership within the gaming industry, particularly regarding how executives relay information during difficult situations. The reaction emphasizes a growing expectation for corporate leaders to display understanding and empathy when facing workforce reductions, especially when such decisions significantly affect employees’ lives.

As the gaming industry continues to adapt to rapid advancements in technology and market changes, this incident serves as a reminder of the need for compassionate leadership and the possible consequences of tone-deaf communication.

The internet has a fresh favorite gaming elder. *Crimson Desert* must improve its mounts. And Sony bids farewell to an EV concept vehicle with Honda that could stream PlayStation titles. Welcome to Morning Checkpoint for March 25, 2026. I am now engrossed in an exceptionally valuable yet somber 4,000-word essay on how every aspect of contemporary existence increasingly resembles gambling. Sounds concerning!

## You’re Never Too Mature to Dive into Video Game Streaming
China’s Yang Binglin was recently named the oldest video game streamer globally for his playthrough of *Resident Evil Requiem*. The 91-year-old grandfather played it from the comfort of a small chair and a large TV, streaming the entire adventure and completing it without any guides. I hope he moves on to playing *Marathon* next.

> “A 91-year-old streamer became a social media sensation after conquering a horror game without any guides. Chinese gamer Yang Binglin, referred to as Game Grandpa, finished Resident Evil Requiem without utilizing a single walkthrough.”
> — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 24, 2026

## Sony is Abandoning PlayStation Vehicles
The Afeela electric car was the outcome of a collaboration between Sony and Honda to release a PlayStation-themed vehicle. It was unveiled in 2023 and expected to launch in 2025 but remained absent. It was designed to be operable with a DualSense and permit remote play from the dashboard, but now it’s cancelled. The two firms have reportedly agreed to “cease the development and launch of its initial model, AFEELA1, and its subsequent model,” according to Nikkei.

## *Crimson Desert* Players Disapprove of the Game’s Mount Handling
They desire permanent mounts, yet the open-world adventure currently doesn’t allow for auto-summoning. Some players have initiated an unofficial campaign to urge Pearl Abyss to modify that. Given hints of possible DLC and multiplayer if players request it, no future adjustments seem off the table for the popular title.

## A New FIFA Game Allows You to Play as Thor and Diego Maradona
Soccer’s international governing body is enjoying handing out the license to anyone who asks. *FIFA Heroes* is the first game to debut ahead of the World Cup this summer with a mobile launch on April 26. Developed by Enver, whoever that is, it will use magnetic tackles and other gameplay shortcuts to simplify the beautiful game into an easy touch control format.

## The *Resident Evil 4* Merchant is Swamped in Debt
> “It’s the 3rd anniversary of the Resident Evil 4 remake! The Merchant’s debt has skyrocketed beyond 3 trillion by now… Total Losses -3,337,279,919,290 ptas (That’s a hefty amount of rocket launchers!)”
> — 【公式】バイオハザード / RESIDENT EVIL PORTAL Official (@REBHPortal) March 24, 2026

Similar to the national deficit, it continues to swell as players offload their unwanted items to him. The official tracker has updated the tally on the remake’s third anniversary, and it’s not a pretty sight. Total losses incurred to date are 3,337,279,919,290 Pesetas.

## Nintendo Acknowledges Its GameCube Pokémon Game Faces Crashes
*Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness* was recently incorporated into the Switch Online library on Switch 2 but is experiencing difficulties. The company has stated it knows that fans are repeatedly encountering errors causing the game to abruptly close while playing and is looking into the issue.

## The Faces of *Roblox* Are Evolving
The platform’s “classic” faces began to fade away earlier this week and are now being replaced with “dynamic” faces as the social platform aims to progress. Players are not pleased. “Three public apologies and a 51,000-like devforum post pleading them not to do this, yet they proceeded regardless,” one wrote.

## ICYMI:
## Watch This:

Like many people at companies preoccupied with discovering the next “goose that lays the golden egg”, Half-Life 2 and Portal writer Erik Wolpaw has been “poking around” with generative AI. He and a small team at Valve have been testing out different applications, in what Wolpaw assures us isn’t a “concerted” effort at implementing the soul-regurgitating, workforce-abrading gadgetry in any particular new game.

Wolpaw’s current feeling is that generative AI isn’t very good at anything “creative”, like cracking jokes. But he does think Large Language Models could make for entertaining NPC voice reactions in games such as Grand Theft Auto and, indeed, Wolpaw’s own Left 4 Dead, because AI is marvellous at being a fawning little gopher. It is fantastic at “going along with whatever insane thing you say and kind of adjusting to the flow of that”.

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**Nintendo Switch 2 Game Pricing: A Novel Strategy and Its Consequences**

Nintendo’s latest revelation concerning game pricing for the Switch 2 signifies a major transformation in its pricing approach. With the imminent launch of *Yoshi and the Mysterious Book*, the company will introduce distinct prices for both digital and physical versions of its games. This alteration has prompted inquiries about the upcoming pricing framework and its potential impact on consumers.

### Summary of the Pricing Announcement

In accordance with Nintendo’s statement on March 25, the company remarked, “Nintendo games deliver the same experiences regardless of being in packaged or digital format, and this adjustment merely reflects the varying expenses related to producing and distributing each format while providing players with greater options in how they can purchase and enjoy Nintendo games.” Following the announcement, *Yoshi and the Mysterious Book* is set at $70 for the physical version and $60 for the digital edition. This distinction has ignited conversations among gamers and industry analysts.

### Price Variation Insights

Despite the apparent rise in the price of physical games, digital prices seem to remain lower. This indicates that Nintendo may be favoring a model where digital editions could become more competitively priced than their physical versions, although the precise details remain somewhat ambiguous. Traditionally, physical games have been priced around $60, so this increase in physical game prices might reflect wider changes in production and distribution expenses.

Notably, two weeks before the announcement, *Yoshi and the Mysterious Book* was listed at $60 on Nintendo’s site, leading to speculation regarding significant price increases for future physical releases rather than a decline in digital prices.

### Future Consequences for Game Launches

This fresh pricing strategy paves the way for varied pricing depending on specific titles. Nintendo has alluded to the possibility that upcoming games, such as *Pokémon Winds and Waves* and *Splatoon Raiders*, may also be subject to this new pricing framework. Enthusiasts are left to ponder whether major titles, including future entries in the *Mario* series, will follow suit with potential prices surpassing $70 for physical editions.

Doug Bowser, Nintendo’s former President, highlighted the company’s adaptable pricing on an individual basis, considering multiple factors such as development complexity, gameplay, and the longevity of the title. This methodology suggests that gamers can anticipate increasing price variation for Nintendo’s offerings.

### Nintendo’s Response

In a subsequent update, Nintendo elucidated that the pricing of physical games is not undergoing a blanket increase. Instead, the company clarified, “When Nintendo sells digital versions of Nintendo published games exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 to consumers in the U.S., those prices will carry an MSRP that is lower than their physical equivalents.” This detailed response suggests that while the pricing for individual games will differ, a universal hike for all physical titles is not necessarily imminent.

### Final Thoughts

As *Yoshi and the Mysterious Book* nears its May 21 launch, many within the gaming community remain observant of how Nintendo’s pricing strategy will adapt. With the company now adopting variable pricing, future titles may witness notable changes in their pricing frameworks, affecting purchasing decisions for consumers. As the industry continues to evolve in response to fluctuating production costs and consumer demands, only time will determine how these adjustments will ultimately manifest.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has been a long-time favourite mechanical keyboard of mine. That’s because of its highly functional, near-full-size layout, its smooth, lubricated switches, and just the sense that the entire package feels thoughtful and well-put-together. I tried looking for a deal for in in the UK, sadly to no avail, though our US pals will be happy to learn it’s currently $130 from Amazon US in their Spring Sale (that, for some strange reason, is happening over a week after the UK one ended).

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