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Arc Raiders Shifts from Free-to-Play Model Due to Influences from Helldivers 2

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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Leaked South Park Fortnite Teaser Unveils Cartmanland, Towelie, and Additional Features [Update]

### 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*.

![Twitter Embed](https://twitter.com/ShiinaBR/status/2008944351200903427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

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.

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Potential for Jet Set Radio Future on PC: New Project Could Pave the Way

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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Take Advantage of Discord While It’s Accessible

### 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.

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Sandfall Interactive Reflects on Their Approach to the Final Boss in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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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The progress on Wolfenstein 3 is in motion, led by MachineGames, the developers behind Indiana Jones and The New Colossus.

### 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.

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Ubisoft Shuts Down Studio Responsible for Assassin’s Creed Rebellion Following Developer Unionization Vote

Ubisoft are closing Ubisoft Halifax, the Canadian developers of mobile games Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Rebellion. This is strictly speaking outside our mandate as a PC gaming site, of course – I fear smartphones like Hell itself, and only ever communicate over long distances using homing pigeons – but it’s all part of Ubisoft’s wider transformation into a heavily Tencent-backed publisher, and the nasty twist is that Ubisoft Halifax had only just voted to unionise.

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More than 1000 Classic PC Games Offered at Affordable Prices on GOG Right Now

**GOG’s Winter Classics Promotion: A Bounty of Discounted PC Games**

As the holiday spirit of Christmas diminishes, the charm of winter-themed sales attracts gamers searching for fantastic bargains. GOG, a digital marketplace celebrated for its dedication to game preservation and DRM-free transactions, has launched its Winter Classics Promotion, showcasing an impressive selection of over 1,000 classic PC games at remarkable discounts.

**Promotion Details**

The Winter Classics Promotion started on January 6 and is set to run until January 20. Gamers can benefit from discounts of up to 95% on beloved classics, providing an excellent chance to revisit timeless titles. A distinct feature of GOG is that all purchased games are free of Digital Rights Management (DRM), enabling players to buy, download, install, and play without requiring a launcher or digital application.

**Featured Highlights from the Sale**

Here are some enticing deals available during the GOG Winter Classics Promotion:

– **Theme Hospital** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Fallout 3 GOTY Edition** – $7 (original price $20)
– **Fallout New Vegas** – $10 (original price $20)
– **Fallout 4: GOTY Edition** – $16 (original price $40)
– **Dungeon Keeper GOLD** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Dungeon Keeper 2** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Roller Coaster Tycoon** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Roller Coaster Tycoon 2** – $5 (original price $10)
– **Sim City 2000** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Sim City 3000** – $5 (original price $10)
– **Sim City 4** – $5 (original price $20)
– **Thief Gold** – $1.80 (original price $7)
– **Thief 2** – $1.80 (original price $7)
– **Thief 3** – $1.80 (original price $9)
– **Medal of Honor War Chest** – $5 (original price $10)
– **Ultima Underworld 1-2** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Jade Empire** – $4 (original price $15)
– **Syberia** – $1.30 (original price $13)
– **Ultima 1-3** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Ultima 4-6** – $3 (original price $6)
– **Far Cry** – $3 (original price $10)
– **Far Cry 2** – $3 (original price $10)
– **Spore Collection** – $30 (original price $15)
– **Torchlight 2** – $4 (original price $20)

**Conclusion**

With the winter season creating the perfect setting for cozy gaming evenings, the GOG Winter Classics Promotion offers a wonderful opportunity for both nostalgia and budget-friendly shopping. Whether you’re a devoted fan of these classics or a newcomer eager to delve into gaming history, this is the moment to explore the treasures GOG has available. Don’t overlook these remarkable offers before the promotion concludes!