Gait Games

### God of War Laufey: A Fresh Chapter in the Series

Earlier this week, Sony revealed *God of War Laufey*, the forthcoming entry in the cherished action series. In this installment, players take on the role of Faye, the late wife of main character Kratos, as she explores an afterlife realm filled with deities and magical entities. The announcement has sparked varied responses online, with some fans expressing frustration over the game’s female protagonist, while others are concerned about Kratos’ future in the series.

#### A Different Viewpoint

In a conversation with *GameSpot*, game director Ariel Lawrence addressed the apprehensions of fans who are doubtful about this new trajectory. She recognized the skepticism but conveyed optimism that players would embrace the game. Lawrence highlighted her intention to explore Faye’s character and present her as the formidable warrior that Kratos loved—someone who had a profound effect on his life.

“I aim to be as authentic as possible to Faye’s journey and to genuinely depict her as the warrior that Kratos fell for,” stated Lawrence. She plans to delve into the mythological elements of the universe, alluding to the thrilling narratives that await players.

#### Preserving the Element of Surprise

Lawrence also talked about the difficulties of maintaining surprise in new game narratives amid a climate where leaks and spoilers are prevalent. “It’s quite challenging to experience surprise today,” she remarked. Her team strives to create an adventure that feels innovative and distinctive, igniting enthusiasm among players.

#### The Path Ahead for Kratos

One of the key worries among fans is Kratos’ future in the series. Numerous individuals have speculated that he would be permanently sidelined with the arrival of *Laufey*. However, Lawrence reassured fans that Kratos remains a vital component of the franchise. “I don’t think people should fear that Kratos won’t be there for them,” she emphasized. The studio has plans for remakes and additional narratives incorporating Kratos, facilitating ongoing character development and evolution.

#### Anticipated Launch

*God of War Laufey* is scheduled to be released on the PlayStation 5, although a particular release date has not yet been disclosed. As the franchise embarks on a new path, both the developers and fans are eager to witness how Faye’s narrative develops within the rich landscape of Norse mythology.

All in all, *God of War Laufey* aims to provide a novel perspective while respecting the legacy of its main character, ensuring that the franchise continues to engage audiences.

**Union Election Controversy at Wizards of the Coast Relating to Deadnaming**

In recent times, Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), the entity behind the beloved game *Magic: The Gathering Arena*, has encountered significant criticism regarding its treatment of transgender staff members during a union election. Claims suggest that the company deadnamed several transgender employees during a pivotal moment in their efforts to unionize, inciting anger and worry among the workforce.

The scenario developed as employees prepared to cast their votes in a union election. WOTC initially aligned with the employees pushing for unionization on a voting process that would feature both in-person and mail-in voting avenues. A roster of qualifying employees was given to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which typically permits the use of chosen names for voting purposes. However, the roster provided by WOTC contained the legal names of employees, including the deadnames of transgender individuals, which became publicly visible on an internal website related to the election.

Xib Vaine, one of the employees impacted by this decision, shared their experience of finding their deadname on the list when a colleague brought it to their attention. Vaine likened the breach to having their personal images shared among coworkers, emphasizing the emotional toll of their identity being overlooked. In response to the backlash from this incident, WOTC took down the list and switched to sending individual emails to inform eligible voters, but did not revise the list with the NLRB.

Throughout the in-person voting phase, many transgender employees had to disclose their legal names to an NLRB official in front of their colleagues, leading to a highly uncomfortable situation. Although a subsequent voting session attempted to honor privacy, the core issue persisted with the list provided by WOTC.

In reply to questions from the media, WOTC issued an apology, citing a miscommunication concerning the use of legal names instead of preferred names. They reaffirmed their dedication to supporting their employees but did not specify the “legal process” that required the use of legal names, especially considering the NLRB had previously accepted preferred names in other scenarios.

The actions taken by WOTC were met with pain and disappointment from numerous transgender employees, who observed a notable difference between the encouraging culture within their team and the choices made during this election. Employees communicated concerns that these errors illustrate a rift between the company’s higher-ups and the everyday realities of its staff.

In an all-hands meeting, studio leadership offered apologies for the incident, which some staff members viewed positively. Nonetheless, the situation underscored persistent issues in communication and the recognition of transgender employees’ identities, which could jeopardize the supportive setting fostered within *Arena*.

As WOTC employees continue their unionization journey, which originally started with a formal declaration for unionization, the response from management and the subsequent steps taken will be crucial in shaping the incorporation of inclusive practices within their workplace atmosphere. The union vote results are expected to be revealed on June 23, following the conclusion of mail-in ballots.

Did you have any of these consoles?

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Which Elements are worth rolling for?

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Just under 1000 days ago, or about two and a half years ago if you measure time like a normal person, Microsoft completed their acquisition of Activision Blizzard following a lengthy legal process. It cost $68.7 billion and meant Xbox’s parent company now lorded over the likes of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. Not a small thing for the corporate behemoth to have done, then. Looking back in 2026, was it a shrewd move? Well, amid some bigging up of the series I just mentioned, current Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has said it’s “hard to say how to think about those decisions”.

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### Progress Report on Last Year’s Summer Game Fest Announcements

As Summer Game Fest approaches, it is beneficial to look back at last year’s exhibition, evaluating the outcomes of various game announcements made during the occasion. Below is an overview of some of the major titles unveiled last year and their present states.

#### *Resident Evil Requiem*
[Resident Evil Requiem](https://kotaku.com/resident-evil-requiem-review-leon-grace-capcom-ps5-pc-2000673329) stood out as the highlight of Summer Game Fest 2025. Leveraging the popularity of the *Monster Hunter* series and other successful entries in the *Resident Evil* franchise, Capcom has seen remarkable commercial achievements, enabling them to explore new ventures like *Pragmata* and *Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess*. The game has consistently shown strong sales and received positive reviews.

#### *Last Flag*
In line with trends, another showcase introduced a live-service shooter that stumbled soon after its debut. [Last Flag](https://kotaku.com/even-the-lead-singer-of-imagine-dragons-can-barely-get-anyone-to-play-his-live-service-game-2000688643), a 5v5 hero shooter from Night Street Games established by Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, struggled to gain traction in the crowded market. Just weeks post-launch, the developers announced they would halt further support for the game, adding it to the list of casualties from live-service exhaustion.

#### *007 First Light*
[007 First Light](https://kotaku.com/007-first-light-the-kotaku-review-2000699233) emerged as a surprising triumph, hailed as the finest James Bond game in years since *GoldenEye*. It experienced outstanding sales shortly after its launch. Amid speculation regarding IO Interactive’s future with the *James Bond* franchise due to Amazon’s ownership of the IP, the studio confirmed a strong collaborative relationship, nurturing hope for more Bond titles ahead.

#### *Arc Raiders*
Despite general player fatigue towards live-service titles, *Arc Raiders* launched to considerable anticipation. The extraction shooter debuted in late 2025 and has sustained player enthusiasm, even in light of distracting controversies involving its publisher, Nexon, and comments regarding the use of generative AI.

#### *Mixtape*
The indie game [Mixtape](https://kotaku.com/mixtape-review-beethoven-dinosaur-annapurna-interactive-2000693680) has made a notable cultural impression, igniting extensive discussions beyond its gameplay. While some players appreciated its nostalgic, slice-of-life narrative, others found it overly conventional and restricting in its portrayal of youth. This divide has spurred ongoing dialogue in gaming discussions.

#### *Deadpool VR*
[Deadpool VR](https://kotaku.com/deadpool-vr-is-a-game-for-deadpool-fans-and-nobody-else-2000645514), exclusive to the Meta Quest 3, was a comical reveal, featuring Neil Patrick Harris as Deadpool. Nonetheless, the game’s success was overshadowed by the later closure of Twisted Pixel, the studio behind it, following Meta’s shift towards AI technologies.

#### *Mina the Hollower*
*Mina the Hollower*, produced by Yacht Club Games, has emerged as an indie success story, selling over 300,000 copies within just three days of its launch. Initially postponed from an October release to June, this choice proved advantageous, as it allowed the studio to stabilize and continue functioning without external financial pressures or layoffs, as highlighted in [this article](https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/02/mina-the-hollower-sold-300000-copies-in-three-days-helping-yacht-club-escape-make-or).

#### *MindsEye*
In contrast, *MindsEye* has been labeled a significant failure. Crafted under the guidance of former *GTA* producer Leslie Benzies, the game has faced criticism for failing to deliver on its commitments. Claims regarding a toxic workplace, including reports of employee monitoring and poor working conditions, marred the game’s reception, further worsened by the studio’s allegations of sabotage impacting development.

#### *Splitgate 2*
Lastly, [Splitgate 2](https://kotaku.com/splitgate-2-maga-refunds-reboot-beta-season-3-servers-1851786742) garnered attention not just for its launch but also for the controversies surrounding its presentation. After a tumultuous start characterized by critiques over gameplay and monetization tactics, the developers chose to revert to beta, eventually reintroducing it under the new name *Splitgate: Arena Reloaded*.

These evaluations of last year’s Summer Game Fest reflect the varied paths of newly revealed games, showcasing both celebrated triumphs and noteworthy failures in the continually evolving gaming landscape.

Our annual Summer Game Fest liveblog returns this evening, June 5th, for another up-to-the-minute updatening of all the news, trailers, and announcements unveiled during the Summer of Geoff’s main showcase. And, since it follows straight after, we’re sticking around for the indie-focused Day of the Devs. That’s – hang on – two liveblogs in one. Unprecedented, except for those times we did it before.

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Show off your achievements.

The post Broken Blade Titles – Requirements and Buffs appeared first on Gamezebo.

Hey you! You’re finally awake – oh, hang on, I’m thinking of the other fantasy yarn in which you start out as a shackled prisoner. Today is release day for Alkimia Interactive and THQ Nordic’s remake of Gothic, the 2001 first-person RPG from Piranha Bytes. It’ll be live on Steam in a matter of hours, with a demo still available as of writing.

While much plumped up with expanded questlines, more NPC routines, new traversal abilities and “modernized” combat, it’s still broadly the same tale of a bunch of convicts trapped beneath a magic dome, quarrying ore to sell to a king who is waging an endless war against the orcs. That’s the king in the intro cinematic, below, looking down at the orc’s head in his fist like he can’t quite remember how it got there. How long has he been carrying that head? Did he confuse it with his coffee mug at breakfast?

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To help you build your team in Genesis War.

The post Genesis War Tier List – Best Characters appeared first on Gamezebo.