Vishal Kamal has been covering video games for 7 years, writing about everything from hardware deals and new releases to esports and the business
side of the industry. He runs TheBadGamer, focused on gaming news worth your time.
Dead Space fans hoping for a fourth installment face disappointment as series writer and producer Chuck Beaver states "the numbers just aren't there" to support its development, citing the franchise's inability to meet the increasingly high sales thresholds required by EA. Despite selling over 2 million copies, the 2023 Dead Space remake did not perform well enough to justify a sequel. The news underscores the challenges horror games face in achieving the broad commercial success needed to sustain long-running series.
Education technology company Instructure, behind the popular learning management system Canvas, has reached an agreement with hacker group ShinyHunters to recover stolen data of approximately 280 million users. Despite FBI guidance advising against paying ransoms, Instructure secured the return of hundreds of gigabytes of data, including names, email addresses, and private messages. The terms of the agreement remain undisclosed.
David Vondehaar, former Black Ops designer, is crafting a shooter inspired by David Lynch's surreal style with BulletFarm and GreaterThan Group. This upcoming title promises a unique blend of combat, pitting players against both each other and the environment, all within a Lynchian thematic framework. Unlike typical military simulations or attempts to dethrone Call of Duty, Vondehaar's project focuses on people over budget, aiming for quality with a modest team of around 50 and a 3-year development timeline.
Ken Levine, founder of Irrational Games, discusses the diminishing returns of pursuing cutting-edge graphics technology, citing BioShock's enduring visual appeal as proof of the importance of strong art direction over ultra-realism. Levine's comments come amidst the release of moderately upgraded platforms like the Steam Machine and Switch 2. This shift in focus could significantly impact the gaming industry, emphasizing style over specs.
Nintendo has announced that games developed for the upcoming Switch 2 will not be exclusive to the new console, ensuring Switch 1 remains relevant. This strategy aims to maintain a unified gaming ecosystem across both platforms. The move is seen as a consumer-friendly approach, allowing gamers to enjoy new titles regardless of which Switch version they own.
BioShock's director, Jonathan Chey, expresses skepticism about the game's Plasmid System, stating he rarely uses more than one favorite plasmid throughout the 15-20 hour gameplay. This reflection influences his new project, Godzone 6, which incorporates roguelike and deckbuilder elements to encourage diverse gameplay. By randomizing abilities and offering constrained choices, Godzone 6 aims to solve the issue of players sticking to familiar powers.
Immersive sim enthusiasts have reason to rejoice with Godzone 6, the latest from Blue Manchu, promising more choice-driven gameplay than any of its predecessors. Developer Jonathan Chey highlights the game's deep complexity, inspired by classics like System Shock 2 and Slay the Spire. Players will craft unique mutant characters and navigate procedurally generated levels with varied playstyles.
Discover the whimsical side of Valve's Steam Controller, where dropping it unleashes the infamous Wilhelm Scream Easter Egg. This customizable, haptic-enabled controller, priced at $100, has captivated players with its hidden surprises, including a telephone ringing sound to aid in locating it. With initial stocks sold out and scalper protections in place, the community is abuzz with curiosity about the ease of tinkering with these Easter Eggs.
Valve's latest Steam Controller boasts a unique Easter Egg - dropping it from a significant height triggers the iconic Wilhelm Scream. This quirky feature, while entertaining, accompanies a device that's a substantial improvement over its predecessor, albeit with some niche use cases due to its design. The initial stock sold out quickly, with Valve working to replenish.
Despite Darth Vader's awe-inspiring feats in Maul: Shadow Lord and beyond, a deep dive into the Star Wars universe reveals his vulnerability. From near-death experiences to the constant pain of his existence, Vader's mortality is often overlooked by fans. This misconception stems from his impressive abilities, yet his limitations underscore the tragic figure he embodies.
