If a dead game resists fading away, what fate awaits it? Why did *Hotel Barcelona* initially incorporate genAI? Meanwhile, *MindsEye* is poised for a comeback soon. This is the most recent installment of Morning Checkpoint, a daily compilation by *Kotaku* featuring gaming news, rumors, and cultural updates. I stayed up past my bedtime playing *Marathon* again and made a risky decision during my final run. The impromptu squad I was part of swiftly looted and was all set to leave when we defeated an opposing team. I then made the choice to venture out of the safe zone for some last-minute looting. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse.
Despite receiving one final update, *FBC: Firebreak* has largely been forgotten. Remedy Entertainment’s multiplayer offshoot from the *Control* series is not yet being shut down but is receiving its last bit of fresh content. The ultimate content update introduces new arenas, gameplay adjustments, and a friend pass allowing three individuals to play together if one owns the game.
According to a recent announcement from the developers, “Open House will mark the final major update for *FBC: Firebreak*. Following this update, no new playable content will be added. However, *FBC: Firebreak* will remain accessible online for years to come. We have implemented technical enhancements to ensure that we can sustain server maintenance even during periods of decreased player activity.”
Although the game currently has minimal player engagement, it is encouraging to see efforts being made to sustain it in some form should servers eventually go offline. Additionally, the $40 shooter will undergo a 50% price reduction.
The creator of *Hitman* has officially severed ties with *MindsEye*. Previous reports regarding IO Interactive parting ways with Build a Rocket Boy have been confirmed. In a recent press release, the publisher announced their separation and clarified that the promised *Hitman* DLC for the unsuccessful 2025 project will not be released.
In their press statement, IO Interactive mentioned, “However, BARB intends to collaborate with partners on future projects.” Both IOI Partners and Build A Rocket Boy acknowledge the community’s excitement surrounding this collaboration and express gratitude for the players’ support.
The forgotten *Hitman* TV series, produced by the creator of *John Wick*, has also been scrapped. Speaking at SXSW this month, Derek Kolstad expressed disappointment about its cancellation: “It’s disheartening news; who knows what the future holds, but as of now, it’s been halted. Nonetheless, I hold great affection for that project because I admire both the game and its protagonist.”
A fresh update for *Hotel Barcelona* eliminates AI-generated content entirely. Hidetaka “Swery/Swery65” Suehiro announced that generative AI has been completely removed from *Hotel Barcelona*. He reassured potential players who may have hesitated due to rumors of AI usage to refer to this announcement.
The hack-and-slash roguelike was met with mixed reviews upon its release last autumn. The recent update titled *Under New Management* introduced numerous accessibility options, quality-of-life enhancements, and balancing adjustments.
Improvements have been made to the PS Portal experience as well. Sony’s handheld streaming device will receive a new 1080p High Quality mode on March 18th. This feature enables players to stream games at a higher bitrate for improved video quality while maintaining a resolution of 1080p; provided users have sufficient bandwidth.
In the latest crossover event in *Fortnite*, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson faces off against Bugs Bunny. This event teases an upcoming showdown in Chapter 7 season 2 of this battle royale game. Additionally, new battle pass rewards have been unveiled as players voice concerns over increased V-Bucks prices.
An unintentional ban on players with disabilities occurred in *Arc Raiders*. Anti-cheat measures mistakenly targeted players utilizing accessibility peripherals. Embark has issued an apology for this error and stated that they are actively working on resolving it: “We are dedicated to addressing this issue promptly; our support team is reviewing all appeals – please reach out if you have been affected.”
The publisher of *Subnautica 2* has entered into a partnership with an AI defense contractor. Krafton has collaborated with Hanwha Aerospace to develop and commercialize technology involving “physical AI” for military applications such as autonomous robots. The publisher’s investment in AI technology was emphasized last year through a $70 million allocation towards hardware supporting autonomous workflows.
The company’s CEO recently faced legal repercussions due to following advice from ChatGPT.
For those unaware: reports indicate that Pokémon are mysteriously disappearing in *Pokopia*. A major PC gaming hardware manufacturer warns consumers about impending 30% price increases. In other news, Geoff Keighley’s father was not acknowledged during live coverage of the Oscars and subsequently blocked after expressing discontent over this matter.