Forget Tears of the Kingdom, This 2006 Zelda Game Made Exploration Feel Earned

A big reason people love Tears of the Kingdom is that it lets you explore almost anywhere from the start, driven purely by your own curiosity. While the previous game, Breath of the Wild, already had a huge map, Tears of the Kingdom expanded it even more with the addition of Sky Islands and the Depths. However, older Zelda games did a great job of making exploration feel like a key part of getting better at the game, instead of just offering endless side paths. For example, Twilight Princess from 2006 made you work to unlock areas of Hyrule, making the world itself feel like a reward that gradually revealed itself over time, unlike the vast, immediately accessible space in the newer game.

Marathon Art Director Has Left Bungie

Earlier this year, the first trailer for Marathon generated a lot of excitement, with many gamers praising its distinctive visual style. However, Bungie, the game’s developer, faced some challenges. Initial playtests received mixed reactions, and there were even claims of artwork being copied. This led to controversy and ultimately, a delay in the game’s release. This week, Bungie announced that Marathon is now scheduled to launch in March 2026. While the release date is exciting news, Bungie recently announced the departure of the game’s art director.

Micron Comments on How Long the RAM Shortage Could Last

The RAM shortage started in Fall 2025, mainly because OpenAI made a deal with Samsung and SK Hynix, two major RAM producers. These companies decided to focus more on supplying parts for artificial intelligence instead of typical consumer products, which caused DDR5 RAM prices to jump, sometimes tripling. Since then, other chipmakers like Micron have also prioritized AI, making the RAM supply even tighter and driving up the cost of PC components.

Ghost of Yotei’s Erika Ishii Reveals Their Top 3 Games of All Time

Erika Ishii is widely recognized for their role as Atsu, but they’ve built a diverse acting career beyond that. They’ve been a frequent performer on Dropout shows like Game Changer and Dimension 20, and many fans will remember them from their appearance on Critical Role as the character Dusk. Interestingly, Ishii’s acting goes way back – they even had a small role on the classic sitcom Full House as a child. Ultimately, Erika Ishii is a passionate storyteller with a particular fondness for games and the immersive experiences they provide.

Kojima Says OD Trailer Should Be Watched ‘100 Times’ for Hints

I’m so hyped for OD, the new game Hideo Kojima is making with Xbox Game Studios! Right now, all we really know is it’s going to be a horror game, and there was that really creepy ‘Knock’ teaser a while back. But it looks like that teaser actually had a lot more hidden in it than we first thought!

Ellie Makes a “6-7” Joke in the Last of Us Part 2, and No I’m Not Kidding

If you haven’t heard of it, “6-7” was a huge meme among younger internet users in 2025. It doesn’t really mean anything specific – it’s more of an inside joke. Basically, if you see those numbers together, a group of teens might react excitedly. It’s something you either get or you don’t! Interestingly, a joke from the character Ellie in the game The Last of Us Part 2 sounds a lot like the “6-7” meme. While the game came out years before the meme became popular, the similarity is pretty noticeable, especially considering the scene it appears in.

Ghost of Yotei’s Erika Ishii Describes Their Ideal Game Studio

Erika Ishii isn’t just known for her voice work in video games – she’s also a regular performer on Dropout, a comedy streaming service created by the team behind CollegeHumor. Dropout has become a popular online destination for consistently fresh and funny content. Shows like Dimension 20 and Game Changer are particularly successful, often featuring hilarious, unscripted moments as performers react to unexpected challenges. Game Changer, for example, is based on game show formats, but with a twist – the rules are different every episode, keeping everyone on their toes. Beyond the entertainment itself, Dropout also stands out for its commitment to its creators, sharing profits with them to help improve their livelihoods.

Introducing Pause for Thought

We’re excited to offer more in-depth content that explores the world behind video games – the industry we all enjoy. To do this, we’re launching a new YouTube channel called Pause for Thought. We’ll be interviewing the people who make games happen – including voice actors, developers, streamers, and content creators – anyone who helps shape the gaming experience.