Gait Games

Back in September, studio game director Rich Lambert told GamesIndustry.biz that the Elder Scrolls Online team were exploring a move from big expansions to smaller, more frequent updates. Jump ahead four months and, well, that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Wait, stop running away from me, I’m not bringing you old news reheated like the last of the (now decidedly whiffy) Christmas turkey leftovers, I come bearing fresh details like… a freshly cooked turkey that is seasoned with patch notes and battlepass infographics.

Yum.

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**The Much-Expected Mega Evolution: An Odyssey Through Pokémon Legends: Z-A**

For countless Pokémon fans, the eagerness for fresh features and evolutions can seem everlasting. After more than ten years, the sought-after Mega Evolution for Raichu finally became available with the launch of *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*. This development ignited a surge of enthusiasm as players immersed themselves in the vibrant realm, especially delving into Lumiose City, a location inspired by Paris, overflowing with its distinctive charm and culture.

Engaging thoroughly with the game, players frequently found themselves wrapped up in its complex side quests and multitude of Pokémon to capture. As one player reminisced about their journey, the initial excitement began to wane as they concluded the content, leading to a more leisurely pace while they savored the stunning design of Mega Raichu, all the while awaiting the grand finale of their adventure.

Interestingly, the emotional ties to gaming moments extend well beyond gameplay mechanics; they capture personal feelings and reminiscences. A striking connection was made to a friend’s response to *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*. Even with favorable reviews, they hesitated to finish the game, linked to a sense of closure surrounding the realm of *Dragon Age* and its uncertain fate after recent difficulties faced by BioWare. This emotional complexity highlights a shared sentiment among gamers: the longing to extend the enjoyment of a cherished game, even if it means postponing the credits.

In the domain of *Pokémon*, the scenery feels particularly nostalgic and perpetually changing. As the gaming community eagerly awaits news regarding forthcoming generations, the debut of *Legends: Z-A* offered a new twist, permitting players to engage in real-time battles and a singular city environment. The hope shared among fans is for continued exploration and possibly further expansions that can prolong these treasured narratives rather than concluding the tale definitively.

The 120 hours devoted to *Legends: Z-A* and its content, especially in conjunction with Mega Raichu, signifies more than mere gameplay; it embodies an emotional commitment. The expedition through Lumiose City, interspersed with its quirky residents and distinctive ambiance, creates a sense of belonging that players often find hard to leave behind.

Ultimately, prolonging the life of a game can arise from various methods—less frequent gameplay sessions, revisiting familiar locations, and purposefully leaving tasks unfinished. The idea that the adventure isn’t over can offer a reassuring respite amidst the rush to transition to new titles emerging in the market.

As players ponder their rich experiences within the Pokémon realm, *Legends: Z-A* stands not just as a game but also as a collection of treasured memories and feelings, highlighting the crucial role that gaming plays in both entertainment and our personal lives. The blend of nostalgia and anticipation keeps the spark of excitement alive, ensuring that as we edge closer to new adventures, the delights of past experiences remain vivid.

A few years ago, it would have been pretty easy to imagine Helldivers 2 releasing as a free-to-play game. It is a live service game after all, most of those are free-to-play because studios want to reduce the barrier to entry. Instead, it launched as a paid-for, $40 game, a far cry from free, but not the $80-$100 releases we’re seeing more and more of. And it’s because Arrowhead made the decision to do so that Arc Raiders developer Embark did the exact same thing for their own shooter.

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### South Park x Fortnite Crossover Event Teased

Yesterday, the official [Fortnite Twitter](https://x.com/Fortnite/status/2008554318484709800?s=20) account teased an exhilarating partnership with the beloved animated series *South Park*. The tweet, which stated, “Chaos, loading…” along with a visual of Butters donning a gaming headset, sparked considerable excitement among fans. Within 24 hours, a complete trailer for the forthcoming crossover event surfaced online, exposing a plethora of new content.

Originally leaked on Twitter by user [@ShiinaBR](https://x.com/ShiinaBR/status/2008944351200903427?s=20) (with shares from the initial uploader [@imscouterr](https://x.com/imscouterr)), the trailer highlights the eagerly awaited character skins featuring Cartman, Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Butters. Each character is portrayed in cardboard mech suits, likely crafted to fit the game’s visual standards.

Beyond character skins, the leak unveils *Cartmanland*, a revamped locale on Fortnite’s Season 7 map, inspired by Eric Cartman’s theme park from the classic *South Park* episode titled “Cartmanland.” This setting aims to immerse players in the whimsical yet disorderly universe of *South Park*.


Fans of *South Park* will pinpoint the tease as a reference to Butters’ alter-ego, Professor Chaos. This character has made appearances in various episodes of the series and in both of Ubisoft’s *South Park* video games, *The Stick of Truth* and *The Fractured But Whole*.

The trailer also showcases Towelie, *South Park’s* genetically engineered talking towel, hinting that he may be included as a cosmetic pet companion through the Battle Pass. Furthermore, the notorious Stick of Truth, a twig that the characters believed offered universal control, is emphasized in the trailer, although its use is not illustrated.

While exact details regarding the release date for the crossover event and skin prices remain undisclosed, additional information is anticipated to be shared on January 9th, along with a high-definition trailer version.

### Update

As of January 7, 2026, Epic Games has officially launched the full three-minute trailer for the *South Park* x *Fortnite* collaboration, which can be viewed [here](https://x.com/SouthPark/status/2008972095297130652). Fans are eagerly waiting for further announcements as the excitement surrounding this exceptional crossover continues to escalate.

You know what I might have most about games? There’s no universal way to play them. You buy a DVD, you buy a DVD player, and aside from maybe a region lock issue you’re as good as gold. If I buy Snowboard Kids for the N64, and I don’t have one of those, well, I’m up a particular creek. That has meant that many a game over the years has been stuck to particular platforms, one of the most surprising being Jet Set Radio Future, to this day a game that’s still only available on the original Xbox, and the Xbox 360 through backwards compatibility. But! Thanks to some techy wizards, that might change in the near future.

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### The Dispute Between Rockstar and Dismissed Grand Theft Auto 6 Developers Who Attempted to Unionize Becomes More Complicated

The persistent disagreement between Rockstar Games and the Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) developers involved in unionization efforts has evolved further. As noted by IGN, both parties presented their cases in a recent labor tribunal. Rockstar has now shared further details regarding the union-focused Discord server that multiple developers accessed prior to their dismissal. The company emphasizes that the channel was not exclusively for union matters, pointing out the involvement of non-Rockstar personnel, including individuals from competing firms and anonymous users.

Rockstar claims the terminated employees were charged with leaking confidential game details, which the company believes threatens its business interests and player experience. Although the International Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) asserts that only union-related topics were discussed, Rockstar insists that the release of unauthorized information is a zero-tolerance issue—a principle it has consistently upheld.

### Discord is Approaching an IPO

In other significant news, Discord has made major strides toward an initial public offering (IPO). Bloomberg indicates that the leading gaming communication platform has confidentially submitted an IPO filing, suggesting a potential entrance into the stock market. With over 200 million monthly users and a focus on enhancing user experience over immediate profits, the industry will be keenly observing how this develops.

### Updates on Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined

The demo for Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined has launched, granting players in-game rewards and the ability to transfer progress to the full game, scheduled for release on February 5. However, Square Enix has warned that sharing any spoilers from the demo may result in bans, maintaining a trend of strict oversight regarding content related to the game’s narrative.

### Fallout Season 3 Commences Filming Soon

On the adaptation side, Amazon is progressing with its celebrated Fallout series. Production is anticipated to restart in May, promising to deliver more of the beloved RPG’s storyline on screen.

### Balatro and Silksong: Unexpected Successes

In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, NYU professor Joost van Dreunen highlights fascinating patterns in game development, citing the accomplishments of titles like Balatro and Silksong, which challenge traditional financial expectations. These games have not only engaged players but also flourished financially, highlighting the shifting dynamics of the gaming industry.

### Conclusion

This edition of Morning Checkpoint underscores the vibrant characteristics of the gaming sector, from labor conflicts and corporate shifts to the launch of highly-anticipated games and adaptations. The news surrounding Rockstar, Discord’s IPO advancements, and Square Enix’s strict spoiler regulations reflect the complexities inherent in gaming culture and business strategy in 2023.

Ribbit Ribbit

The post The Forge Frogite – How to Obtain, Multiplier, and Traits appeared first on Gamezebo.

We’ve all been there. You’re at the end of a game, you’ve done all of the side quests, you’re strong as hell, finally read to take on the final boss, confident you can finish this quest you started 30-100 hours ago. Only to find that the fight is a piece of piss because, whoops! You overlevelled yourself by too much. This was seemingly the case for a number of people in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and now the game’s lead designer Michel Nohra has expressed some regret for those who had that experience.

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### Wolfenstein 3: The Comeback of the Legendary Series

Recent insights reveal that Bethesda’s MachineGames is commencing the early phases of development on *Wolfenstein 3*. This thrilling information was emphasized by *Windows Central* and confirmed by *Kotaku*, suggesting that the renowned Swedish studio is poised to reengage with the franchise for the first time since *Wolfenstein: Youngblood* debuted in 2019.

As Bethesda Softworks nears its 40th anniversary—a significant landmark rooted in a history beginning with *Gridiron!* in 1986—it seems to be the perfect time to bring back the cherished *Wolfenstein* series. With a *Wolfenstein* television series also underway for Amazon Prime, the timing could not be more opportune for reintroducing this classic game. Considering MachineGames’ past accomplishments with the series, it appears they are the perfect choice to spearhead this revival.

### The Heritage of Wolfenstein

The *Wolfenstein* series boasts a rich background that predates Bethesda’s engagement. Beginning with *Castle Wolfenstein* on the Apple II in 1981, the series has undergone significant evolution throughout the years. Following a groundbreaking reinvention in 1992 with *Wolfenstein 3D*, recognized as one of the pioneering true first-person shooters, the franchise experienced numerous iterations and revivals, ultimately leading to MachineGames’ praised reboot that started with *Wolfenstein: The New Order* in 2014.

While *Wolfenstein: Youngblood*, a cooperative offshoot featuring the children of protagonist B.J. Blazkowicz, garnered mixed feedback for its brevity and lack of focus, earlier titles developed by MachineGames—including *The New Order*, *The Old Blood*, and *The New Colossus*—were applauded for their narrative richness and exciting gameplay. *The New Order* is frequently regarded as one of the finest shooters of its era, and *The New Colossus* offered an unforgettable experience infused with dark humor and sharp satire against fascism.

### Anticipating: What to Expect from Wolfenstein 3

Although an official announcement from Bethesda regarding the details of *Wolfenstein 3* is still pending, the excitement is undeniably strong. With MachineGames coming off the successful launch of *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*, expectations for a daring and expansive project are elevated. Fans are enthusiastic for a return to the Nazi-fighting action that has defined the series, especially during a time when themes of oppression and rebellion resonate profoundly.

### Conclusion

As the *Wolfenstein* series prepares for its next installment, both longtime followers and newcomers can anticipate what MachineGames has in store. With a legacy rich in innovative gameplay and meaningful narratives, *Wolfenstein 3* has the capacity to reshape the series for a new audience while honoring its celebrated history. The gaming community eagerly looks forward to updates from Bethesda as they develop this iconic conflict against tyranny.

Free Moonlight Crystals!

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