The controversial new Severus Snape actor finds himself caught between activism and a franchise many activists say should be left behind.

Paapa Essiedu, HBO’s newly cast Severus Snape, is stirring more than just potions by signing an open letter supporting trans rights in the U.K.—a move many found admirable, but others are calling hypocritical given his new paycheck is coming from the Wizarding World, per IndieWire.

J.K. Rowling, still executive producer on the series, responded calmly, saying, “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” per Variety.

The drama is splitting the Potterverse once again. Some fans see Essiedu’s statement as principled; others think it’s empty PR while still cashing in on a franchise trans activists have long asked people to boycott—including 2023’s blockbuster Hogwarts Legacy, which became a lightning rod over Rowling’s involvement.

Essiedu’s Statement: A Public Pledge, A Paycheck Too

Essiedu joined Harris Dickinson, Nicola Coughlan, and over 400 filmmakers in signing a letter circulated by Motive Pictures supporting trans, non-binary, and intersex communities in the U.K., per IndieWire. The letter read: “We must now urgently work to ensure that our trans, non-binary and intersex colleagues, collaborators and audiences are protected from discrimination and harassment.”

That show of solidarity followed Rowling’s public praise for a U.K. Supreme Court ruling defining gender legally by biology. It also came as Essiedu’s casting as Snape sparked backlash among Potter fans for allegedly contradicting the character’s pale description in the books, per Vulture.

Rowling’s Response: Still Stirring the Cauldron

Rowling addressed the letter directly, saying, “I don’t have the power to sack an actor from the series and I wouldn’t exercise it if I did,” and added, “I don’t believe in taking away people’s jobs or livelihoods because they hold legally protected beliefs that differ from mine,” per Variety.

Rowling’s critics point to her 2020 tweet—“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction”—as the flashpoint that triggered years of backlash, per Glamour. She has denied being transphobic, but her continued involvement in the franchise has led to boycotts of everything from the new series to games, theme park attractions, and merchandise. Despite the uproar, Warner Bros. has stood firm behind her, stating, “The series will only benefit from her involvement,” per Bounding Into Comics.

Potter Cast Reacts: Splinters in the Sorting Hat

Several stars from the original films and the Fantastic Beasts spinoffs have spoken out in defense of trans rights:

• Emma Watson said, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned,” per Glamour.

• Rupert Grint stated, “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement,” per The Week.

• Eddie Redmayne added, “I disagree with Jo’s comments,” while affirming his support for trans communities.

Bonnie Wright recently encouraged the new cast to focus on the books and enjoy the process, but her recent podcast comments did not directly address the controversy.

John Lithgow’s Take: Dumbledore Is Minding His Own Business

John Lithgow, set to play Dumbledore in the HBO series, doesn’t seem interested in choosing sides. “I didn’t anticipate that,” he said of the backlash, adding, “Why should her personal views be my business?” per TVLine. A friend even sent him an open letter titled “Please Walk Away from Harry Potter.”

He read it. He didn’t walk.

What Now for the Reboot?

HBO’s reboot, marketed as a “faithful adaptation,” stars Paapa Essiedu as Snape, John Lithgow as Dumbledore, and Nick Frost as Hagrid. But the controversy around Essiedu’s dual role—as both public ally and private participant in a Rowling-led project—adds more drama to a franchise already under constant scrutiny. Some actors have even disabled Instagram comments to dodge the backlash.

Whether this reboot can conjure fresh magic or just more online firestorms remains to be seen. Essiedu may be standing for something—but he’s also standing on a platform built by someone many say they won’t support.

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Steven “Edgar” Bubbles / Published on May 7, 2025

Sources:

• IndieWire, “’Harry Potter’ Series’ Paapa Essiedu Signs Open Letter on Trans Rights,” April 30, 2025

• Variety, “J.K. Rowling Says ‘I Wouldn’t’ Fire Paapa Essiedu From HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ for Supporting Trans Rights,” May 5, 2025

• BBC, “Harry Potter: HBO reveals first cast members for Harry Potter TV series,” April 14, 2025

• Vulture, “The ‘Harry Potter’ TV Show’s Snape Casting Is Getting Messy,” April 23, 2025

• Bounding Into Comics, “Warner Bros. Defends J.K. Rowling’s Involvement With ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Series,” April 25, 2025

• GameRant, “HBO Harry Potter Series Actor Faces Fan Backlash Over Casting,” April 18, 2025

• TVLine, “’Harry Potter’ Star John Lithgow Surprised by J.K. Rowling Controversy,” April 28, 2025

• Glamour, “A Complete Breakdown of the J.K. Rowling Transgender-Comments Controversy,” June 11, 2020

• The Week, “How the ‘Harry Potter’ author built her anti-trans reputation,” September 17, 2024

• News18, “Bonnie Wright AKA Ginny Weasley Has THIS Advice For New Harry Potter Child Stars,” May 6, 2025

EA and BioWare’s goes on a curious hiring spree after cutting key talent from Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Is this growth or just a soft reboot with fewer familiar faces?

In a move raising questions across the gaming community, EA and BioWare are hiring again—just months after laying off hundreds, including key writers and producers from Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

According to 80.lv, the restructuring began in January 2025, with longtime contributors like narrative designer Trick Weekes and editors Karin West-Weekes and Ryan Cormier among those laid off. Now, The Gamer reports that BioWare is back on the hunt for new talent for Mass Effect 5, including narrative directors and level designers.

Meanwhile, EA’s May earnings call touted “accelerated growth,” even after eliminating more than 300 positions—including 100 at Respawn—per Game Developer.

The Layoff Bloodbath: Who Got the Axe?

BioWare’s cuts were significant. Though EA didn’t release specific numbers, the layoffs included some of the studio’s most experienced Dragon Age developers. While a few were reassigned within EA, many were not. These layoffs came on the heels of BioWare’s 2023 downsizing, which affected 50 employees. EA’s broader workforce reduction in May 2025 hit several divisions, suggesting a consistent trend.

It’s a familiar cycle: scale back, restructure, rebuild.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s High-Profile Flop

Released on October 31, 2024, The Veilguard was expected to reignite the Dragon Age brand. It didn’t.

Though it earned an 80 on OpenCritic, the game underperformed commercially, selling 1.5 million fewer copies than EA anticipated, per 80.lv. Reactions were mixed. Some players enjoyed the fresh party dynamics, while others criticized the game for drifting too far from classic RPG mechanics. Director Corinne Busche exited soon after launch, moving to a different studio.

During earnings discussions, EA referred to The Veilguard—along with EA Sports FC 2024—as an “underperformer,” per The Gamer.

Hiring Again: A Fresh Start or a Strategic Reset?

Now, BioWare is staffing up for Mass Effect 5. EA says it’s about becoming a “more agile, focused studio” and aligning teams with “strategic priorities.”

But the optics raise questions. The layoffs disproportionately impacted the Veilguard team, and the new hires suggest EA may be clearing the board to start fresh with new developers. It’s a move that looks like a reboot, framed as growth.

This approach isn’t new for EA. Veterans of Anthem likely remember similar shifts.

What’s Next for EA and BioWare?

BioWare’s new “core team” is leading the charge on Mass Effect 5, and longtime fans are cautiously optimistic. Still, the studio’s recent track record—from Anthem to The Veilguard—has many watching with a mix of hope and skepticism.

Beyond the games, there’s a human cost. Game Developer reports that 77% of laid-off game developers struggle to land new roles within six months. Restructuring may be part of business, but for those impacted, it’s far from just numbers on a quarterly report.

Whether this hiring wave marks the beginning of a new golden age for BioWare—or just another corporate reshuffle—remains to be seen.

Sources:

• 80.lv, “Confirmed: Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Writers, Producers Laid Off As Part Of BioWare’s Restructuring,” January 29, 2025

• The Gamer, “Mass Effect 5: BioWare Is Hiring Again After Layoffs,” April 30, 2025

• Game Developer, “EA Says Business Primed For Accelerated Growth Following Layoffs,” May 6, 2025

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Steven “Edgar” Bubbles / Published on May 7, 2025

What happens when keyboard warriors go ape over the ultimate hypothetical brawl? Let’s find out.

Imagine 100 unarmed guys stepping into a ring with a single silverback gorilla. Sounds like the setup for a post-apocalyptic anime or a fever dream from Joe Rogan, right? Nope—it’s the internet’s latest thought experiment, and it absolutely exploded across social media in late April 2025. According to The Washington Post, the debate clocked over 4 billion potential impressions on X. The stakes? Bragging rights, memes, and a heavy dose of delusion.

Where Did This Banana-Sized Idea Come From?

The madness kicked off on April 25, 2025, when an X user floated the question: Could 100 men take down a gorilla in a fight? From there, it mutated into a full-blown internet frenzy. It’s not the first time the web has entertained absurd battle scenarios (see: duck-sized horses vs. horse-sized duck), but this one hit a primal nerve. As Forbes noted, the “no weapons” rule and “natural environment” setting added just enough realism to let imaginations run wild—and run they did.

The user @DreamChasnMike wrote in a X post on April 25: “i think 100 n***** could beat 1 gorilla everybody just gotta be dedicated to the s***.”

Within days, TikTok creators were making elaborate animations, livestreamers were crunching probabilities, and thread warriors on X were debating tactics like they were planning D-Day.

The Stats: Gorilla Strength vs. Human Hubris

Let’s talk numbers. A silverback gorilla weighs between 300 and 500 pounds and is anywhere from 4 to 9 times stronger than a trained human, per Newsweek. It can bend iron bars, uproot small trees, and has a bite force of 1,300 PSI—double that of a lion.

Now consider 100 average dudes. Not UFC fighters. Not Spartan warriors. Just regular guys from Reddit. Theoretically, the numbers seem overwhelming—until you remember that organizing 100 dudes to do anything in sync is like herding caffeinated cats. Even Wikipedia notes that most simulations show the men would descend into chaos long before mounting a coordinated offense. Unless they came armed with strategy (and maybe some bananas), the gorilla walks out the champ.

Why the Internet Cares: A Gorilla-Sized Flex on Masculinity

So why did this bizarre question go so viral? It’s not just the meme potential. The Washington Post points out that the debate found a particular home among male conservative influencers and streamers, highlighting a broader trend in online masculinity content.

Some cultural critics argue the whole thing is symbolic—not of combat, but of a generational obsession with dominance, survival, and proving one’s worth in a world where physical challenges are rare. Others say: chill, it’s just a meme.

Meanwhile, Blizzard Entertainment got in on the action with an Overwatch 2 livestream pitting 100 soldier characters against the gorilla tank hero, Winston. Unsurprisingly, Winston came out on top.

What the Experts Say: Don’t Bet Against the Beast

While the internet debates battle logistics, primatologists and martial artists alike are leaning toward Team Gorilla. Research shows that even with overwhelming numbers, the lack of coordination and sheer terror would render most of the 100 men useless.

Sure, some simulations suggest that if 50 guys could pin the gorilla at once, they might stand a chance. But real life isn’t a strategy sim, and you only get one shot at not getting your face rearranged by a 500-pound primate.

As Forbes noted, it’s less a scientific debate and more of an online fever dream—the spiritual successor to Reddit’s horse-duck debate. A chaotic playground of “what ifs” where logic takes a backseat to the absurd.

What’s Next for This Viral Throwdown?

The debate isn’t going away any time soon. It’s already spawned spin-off questions: What if the men were trained Navy SEALs? What if the gorilla had emotional support? What if it was 1,000 toddlers?

For now, the internet has crowned the gorilla the likely champ, but the true winner is the meme economy. Whether it’s a reflection of masculinity, chaos theory, or just good old-fashioned online nonsense, the “100 men vs. 1 gorilla” debate proves one thing:

The internet is undefeated.

Sources:

• The Washington Post, “Could 100 men beat a gorilla? Here’s what this viral debate says about us,” May 3, 2025

• Newsweek, “Could 100 Men Really Take on One Gorilla and Win? We Asked ChatGPT,” April 28, 2025

• Forbes, “‘100 Men Vs. One Gorilla’—The Viral Question, Explained,” April 30, 2025

• Wikipedia, “100 men versus a gorilla,” May 7, 2025

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Steven “Edgar” Bubbles / Published on May 7, 2025

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Mattel is hiking toy prices due to massive tariffs, and fans of Barbie and He-Man are about to feel it in the wallet.

Mattel dropped a bomb on May 5, announcing price hikes across its U.S. products in response to tariff-related cost increases—reportedly as high as $270 million, though this figure hasn’t been officially confirmed. With 145% tariffs slapped on Chinese imports—and roughly 80% of U.S. toys historically manufactured there—Barbie and He-Man collectors might want to check their budgets before hitting the toy aisle.

According to Toy News International, even Barbie pins are facing steep price increases, and a basic swimsuit Barbie was already up 42.9% in April, now sitting at $14.99. He-Man figures? Already $20 a pop. If they go any higher, you’ll need Castle Grayskull-sized cash to keep up.

Why It Matters: A $40 Billion Industry Feels the Burn

The toy industry is worth about $40 billion in the U.S. and leans hard on Chinese manufacturing. With 145% tariffs in place, Mattel has said the duties could impact half of its U.S. sales. The company still makes 40% of its toys in China, and it’s not the only one sweating. Hasbro, McFarlane Toys, and Super7 are also expected to raise prices.

The Toy Association is already warning of a possible Christmas crisis due to delayed production and disrupted supply chains. If you thought 2021’s holiday shortages were bad, buckle up—Santa might need to outsource to India this year.

Innovation at Risk: The Ripple Effect

Tariffs aren’t just about price tags—they’re stifling creativity. Over at China’s Canton Fair, toy exporters say interest from U.S. buyers has cooled off. Some exhibitors noted that order suspensions have put a serious dent in R&D, which means fewer new toys coming down the pipeline.

Even President Trump brushed off concerns, suggesting kids could “make do with fewer dolls—maybe two instead of 30.”

Easier said than done when Barbie needs an outfit for every occasion.

Mattel’s Countermove: Shifting to India (Sort Of)

Mattel is now pumping out more UNO decks and other card games from India to escape the tariff squeeze. CEO Ynon Kreiz was cautious about long-term impacts, noting, “It’s hard to tell where things will land,” as the company tries to stabilize.

They’ve claimed a significant percentage of their toys will remain under $20, though exact figures vary across sources. That promise might be flimsier than a plastic Dreamhouse. The Toy Association’s Greg Ahearn warned of a “frozen supply chain” that could derail the holidays.

Good luck finding that Dream Camper by December.

Skeletor’s Advocate: Is This Overblown?

Let’s be fair. Mattel brought in $5.4 billion in 2024, so even if the $270 million tariff figure holds, it’s just 5% of revenue. Sure, a 42.9% price jump sounds brutal, but $14.99 for a Barbie is still cheaper than most movie tickets. And if Mattel can maintain affordability across much of their lineup, it may not be a total disaster.

Still, toy prices creeping higher and product rollouts slowing down? That’s a recipe for frustrated kids and parents alike. Panic may be premature, but your wallet will still notice.

What Now?

Toy tariffs are shaping up to be the Grinch of 2025. If you’re planning on expanding your collection or buying gifts, now might be the time. Barbie and He-Man aren’t going anywhere—but their price tags sure are.

Sources:

• Toy News International, “Mattel Announces Price Increases Due To Tariffs,” May 5, 2025

• CNN Business, “Your Barbie could cost more, Mattel warns,” May 5, 2025

• Reuters, “Barbie-maker Mattel pulls forecasts, to hike US prices as tariffs raise costs,” May 5, 2025

• Newsweek, “10 Everyday Items About to Get Pricier Due to Tariffs,” May 2, 2025

• South China Morning Post, “Trump tariffs portend bleak prospects for China’s toy exporters at Canton Fair,” May 4, 2025

News compiled, edited and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.

Prime Minister Carney claps back at Trump’s annexation talk, and Canada claps back harder with memes and maple syrup.

Prime Minister Mark Carney stepped into the Oval Office on May 6, 2025, and told U.S. President Donald Trump, “Canada will never be for sale,” politely but firmly rejecting Trump’s idea of turning the Great White North into the 51st state, per CBC. The two leaders met for the first time to discuss trade and security in the middle of a growing tariff war. While Carney emphasized what “we can build together,” Canadians online were quick to respond with a chorus of national pride and humor, making it clear they’re not interested in a real estate deal.

The Backstory: Trump’s Annexation Obsession

Trump started floating annexation talk in January 2025, then downplayed it in an NBC interview, saying military action was “highly unlikely,” per CBC. Still, he reignited the controversy with an election-day post suggesting Canadians “elect him” as their leader, per CBC News. Carney, who revitalized the Liberal Party amid backlash to Trump’s remarks, wasn’t buying it. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian exports to the U.S. are down 12% in 2025—another reason Ottawa isn’t rolling out the welcome mat.

“If I may, as you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale,” Carney said, in front of a room full of politicians, top staffers and reporters.

“We’re sitting in one right now… And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign the last several months, it’s not for sale.”

“(It) won’t be for sale ever,” he added.

While Trump smiled and nodded as Carney spoke, he also referred to the border as an “artificial line,” and insisted “never say never.”

“I’ve had many, many things that were not doable, and they ended up being doable, and only doable in a very friendly way,” Trump said. “But if it’s to everybody’s benefit, you know, Canada loves us, and we love Canada, that’s, I think, the number one thing that’s important.”

Carney’s Stance: Partnership, Not Possession

Carney’s message was clear: cooperation, not conquest. He highlighted the $1 trillion annual trade between the two countries, which benefits both economies and is largely powered by businesses. Trump, who reportedly told The Atlantic he swung Canada’s election—claiming “the Conservative was leading by 25 points” until he spoke up—was unfazed. But Carney underscored Canadian values like multiculturalism and constitutional autonomy, per Canada.ca, drawing a firm line in diplomatic snow.

Canadian Pop Culture Weighs In: Smoky Summer Jokes

Online, Canadians turned to humor—eh, naturally. X users revived the 2023 wildfire meme era, joking about Trump taking on Canada’s “putrid air quality,” per Complex. The tone was sarcastic but proud: “We’ll keep the smoky summers, the poutine, and the passports, thanks.” It’s a reminder of the country’s cultural resilience and distinct identity.

Canadian Celebrities Push Back

Several Canadian celebrities have spoken out or made gestures in protest of Trump’s annexation chatter. Entertainment news and social media coverage have highlighted reactions from stars like Ryan Reynolds, Drake, Celine Dion, and Mike Myers—who reportedly wore a protest tee during an SNL sketch. While direct quotes are sparse, their presence in the conversation signals that Canada’s cultural icons aren’t amused.

American Celebrities in Canada: Fleeing Trump, Only to Face Him Again?

The irony isn’t lost on Americans who once looked north for refuge. Back in 2016, celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Lena Dunham said they’d move to Canada if Trump won, though few actually did, per The Guardian. Rosie O’Donnell made good on the promise more recently, buying a house in Ireland and telling CBC she didn’t want to live in the U.S. under Trump. In 2017, U.S. applications to Canadian universities spiked by 29%. If annexation somehow happened, those who made the leap might need a Plan C.

What’s Next for Canada-U.S. Relations?

The Carney-Trump meeting sets a cautious tone going forward. With tariffs disrupting a trillion-dollar trade relationship and Trump’s rhetoric inflaming Canadian politics, the neighbors might need more than polite diplomacy to patch things up. For now, Canada’s holding the line—with firm words, strong values, and yes, some very pointed memes.

Sources:

• CBC, “Carney tells Trump Canada will ‘never’ be for sale as leaders meet at White House,” May 6, 2025

• CBC News, “ANALYSIS | Trump knows exactly what he just triggered in Canada,” April 29, 2025

• Canada.ca, “Canadian identity and society,” accessed May 6, 2025

• Complex, “The Top 5 Most Memorable Canadian Memes Of 2023,” December 21, 2023

• The Guardian, “I really will: the stars who didn’t move to Canada when Trump won,” January 9, 2024

• CBC, “Rosie O’Donnell says she’s leaving U.S., bought a house in Ireland because of Trump,” February 18, 2025

News compiled by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B.
Published on May 6, 2025
Pixels, Pop Culture and the Paranormal! D/REZZED strives to be an apolitical, balanced and based entertainment news outlet covering Video Games, Anime, Movies, Comics, Tech and the Mysterious.

Skype taught the world how to video chat before “Zooming” was even a thing. Now, 22 years after its launch, the OG of online calling has officially gone silent.

Skype officially shut down on May 5, 2025, marking the end of one of the most iconic names in internet communication. Microsoft, which acquired Skype back in 2011 for a cool $8.5 billion, has folded the app into Teams as part of a strategic shift. The company cited declining usage and stiff competition from Zoom and Google Meet as key reasons for pulling the plug.

Once a staple for long-distance calls and awkward webcam angles, Skype just couldn’t keep up with the times. Clunky redesigns, buggy updates, and the rise of sleeker platforms chipped away at its user base—which plummeted from a reported 600 million users in 2010 to near obscurity by 2025. Let’s face it: even your grandparents probably jumped ship for FaceTime.

Why Skype Hung Up

Microsoft first announced the shutdown plans in early 2025, giving users a few months to migrate to Teams. But this wasn’t a sudden death—it was a slow fade. Zoom dominated the pandemic era. Google Meet became a no-brainer for Gmail users. Skype tried to evolve but kept tripping over its own updates. By the end, it was less “connecting the world” and more “clogging your taskbar.”

A Brief History of an Internet Icon

Born in 2003 from the same minds behind file-sharing platform Kazaa, Skype was ahead of its time. It let users make free video and voice calls over the internet—a game changer when international calls still meant dialing codes and minute-based billing. It was also one of the first VoIP apps to support landline calls, group chats, and video conferencing, all in one place.

By 2005, it had 50 million registered users. By 2010? 600 million. It was the go-to app for long-distance couples, digital nomads, and teenagers figuring out webcam angles. It even found a niche in gaming communities before Discord stole that crown.

Skype’s Legacy

Before FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Discord, Skype was the way to stay in touch. Sure, the video quality was pixelated, and the UI occasionally resembled a Windows XP science project, but it worked. For a while, Skype was the internet’s face.

It made global conversations accessible, brought families closer, and turned “Can you hear me?” into a universal experience. It wasn’t perfect—emergency calling was limited in places like the UK and Australia—but it paved the way for every video app that came after.

What’s Next for Former Users?

Microsoft says Skype credits and subscriptions will transfer to Teams (for now). But if you’re not into yet another corporate tool in your life, there are alternatives. Google Meet, Signal, and Viber Out offer streamlined options for international communication.

Still, none of them quite capture the odd charm of a Skype ringtone or the mild panic of realizing your camera was on the whole time.

Sources:

• Slashdot – Microsoft Shuts Down Skype, May 5, 2025

• Fast Company – Skype is shutting down: Useful VoIP alternatives, May 5, 2025

• Newsweek – Why Microsoft is Shutting Down Skype, March 1, 2025

• Wikipedia – Skype, accessed May 5, 2025

News compiled, edited, and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.

Vampire Survivors’ PlayStation port continues to stumble, but that hasn’t stopped the indie bullet-hell darling from becoming one of the most impactful games of the decade.

Persistent PlayStation Woes Deepen With Patch Delay

Poncle’s May 1, 2025, X thread confirmed that a long-awaited patch for Vampire Survivors on PS4 and PS5 is being delayed. The reason? A memory leak in the engine version and the discontinuation of support for older versions.

“A patch to fix PS4 crashes due to low memory is in the works… unfortunately this isn’t a quick fix,” the developer stated.

The problem is especially bad for PS5 users running the PS4 version via backward compatibility. According to ComicBook.com (April 25, 2025), players have experienced save data corruption and frequent crashes. The issue mirrors past struggles seen in other indie titles like Hollow Knight, which also suffered performance problems on aging PlayStation hardware (IGN, June 12, 2019).

A Technical Challenge Rooted in Design

The core design of Vampire Survivors—hundreds of enemies swarming the player—puts pressure on system memory. Prior to a 2023 engine update, the game could drop to 5 FPS on Steam Deck in late-game scenarios. After beta testing, that number rose to a smooth 60 FPS (Reddit, March 3, 2023).

The need to upgrade the engine is part of a broader 2025 trend. Unity ended support for older versions in 2024, forcing indie developers to update or risk performance issues (Unity Blog, March 5, 2024). This transition, while necessary, is hitting smaller studios especially hard.

The History of Vampire Survivors

Created by former gambling industry dev Luca Galante, aka Poncle, Vampire Survivors launched in early access in December 2021. The game took inspiration from classic Castlevania aesthetics—whip-wielding characters, gothic enemies, and retro horror vibes are baked into its DNA. Its pixel-art style and monster roster drew comparisons to Konami’s iconic series almost immediately.

Set in rural Italy, Vampire Survivors began as a low-budget project on itch.io before exploding on Steam. Galante used his background designing slot machine interfaces to make the game’s chest animations feel especially addictive—a detail that didn’t go unnoticed by fans or critics.

By the time it hit Xbox, mobile, and PC with a full release in late 2022, Vampire Survivors had become a bonafide phenomenon.

Reception: A Critical Darling

Metacritic rated the game 86/100 on PC, and reviewers praised its deep replay value, simple controls, and compelling progression system. Some critics called it polarizing—you either “get it or you don’t”—but few denied its low price-to-content ratio was a steal.

Valve even considered pre-installing it on Steam Decks at one point (Metacritic, October 2022), a sign of its broad appeal. Vampire Survivors became a fixture on gaming recommendation lists and earned a reputation as a new standard for roguelikes.

Sales: A Billion-Dollar Success

By September 2024, the game had sold more than 6 million copies and generated $7 million in its first month on Steam (LEVVVEL, September 17, 2024). Including DLC, Xbox Game Pass revenue, and bundle sales, Vampire Survivors cleared $150 million in total revenue by the end of 2024. Not bad for a game that once sold for $4.99.

Awards and Accolades

The game won big at the 2023 BAFTA Games Awards, taking home trophies for Game Design and Best Game. It also earned honors at the Golden Joystick Awards, New York Game Awards, and the D.I.C.E. Awards.

Despite competing with AAA juggernauts, Vampire Survivors proved that good game design and addictive gameplay could win just as much praise as cinematic storytelling or cutting-edge graphics.

DLC: Expanding the Madness

Poncle kept the content flowing.

• Legacy of the Moonspell (2022) added a Japanese-themed stage.

• Tides of the Foscari (2023) brought fantasy elements.

• Emergency Meeting (2023) introduced an Among Us crossover.

• Operation Guns (2024) layered in Contra-style chaos.

• Ode to Castlevania (2024), launched with patch 1.12, paid direct homage to its vampire-hunting inspiration.

Regular updates included new Arcanas, stages, and quality-of-life fixes—ensuring long-term playability.

What’s Next for Vampire Survivors?

Despite the technical headaches, Vampire Survivors isn’t slowing down. Poncle has promised a fix for the PS4/PS5 issues and continues to engage the community with transparency and humor. With its legacy cemented as one of the biggest indie successes of the decade, it’s only a matter of time before another patch, another DLC, or even a sequel reignites the hype.

For now, Vampire Survivors remains proof that a simple, well-crafted idea can still make an impact—even if it occasionally crashes your console.

Sources:

• Poncle, X Post, May 1, 2025

• “Vampire Survivors Dev Warns of Major Issues on PlayStation”, ComicBook.com, April 25, 2025

• “Vampire Survivors Reviews”, Metacritic, October 20, 2022

• “How many copies did Vampire Survivors sell?”, LEVVVEL, September 17, 2024

• “Version History”, Vampire Survivors Wiki, March 10, 2025

• “Vampire Survivors – Games | PlayStation®”, PlayStation, April 10, 2024

• “Hollow Knight PS4 Patch Notes”, IGN, June 12, 2019

• “Unity Support Lifecycle Update”, Unity Blog, March 5, 2024

• Reddit Thread, March 3, 2023

• Wikipedia, “Vampire Survivors”, accessed April 25, 2025

News compiled, edited, and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.

Bungie is catching heat over an unresolved copyright case tied to Destiny 2’s Red War storyline, reigniting fan outrage and raising new concerns about the studio’s future under Sony.

Bungie, the developer behind Destiny 2, is under fire after a Louisiana judge rejected its attempt to dismiss a copyright lawsuit over the game’s Red War campaign, per The Game Post.

Sci-fi writer Matthew Martineau alleges Bungie plagiarized his unpublished WordPress writings for the 2017 storyline, but Bungie’s defense—using YouTube videos—was denied as “third-party” and unverified. Fans are furious, blaming Bungie’s content vaulting for complicating the case, while the studio grapples with a history of controversies and a precarious future under Sony’s shadow.

Timeline of the Red War Debacle

The Red War lawsuit has deep roots in Bungie’s Destiny 2 history. Here’s how it unfolded:

• September 2017: Red War launches as Destiny 2’s base campaign, pitting players against the Cabal Red Legion, led by Dominus Ghaul, who threatens Earth with a superweapon called The Almighty.

• November 2020: Bungie removes Red War with the Beyond Light expansion, citing outdated code incompatible with the live game, as part of its Destiny Content Vault strategy.

• October 2, 2024: Sci-fi writer Matthew Martineau files a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleging Red War plagiarized his unpublished WordPress writings, including the Red Legion and a celestial object over Earth.

• Late 2024: Bungie attempts to dismiss the case, submitting YouTube videos and fan wiki pages as evidence, arguing Red War differs from Martineau’s work.

• May 2, 2025: Judge Susie Morgan denies Bungie’s dismissal motion, ruling YouTube videos are “third-party” and unverified, leaving the lawsuit active and fueling fan frustration over vaulted content.

The Red War Lawsuit Backlash

Martineau’s lawsuit claims Bungie stole Red War elements like the Red Legion faction, but the campaign’s removal in 2020 with the Beyond Light expansion—due to outdated code—means Bungie can’t directly compare it to the plaintiff’s work, per The Game Post, May 2, 2025. Bungie’s attempt to use YouTube videos as evidence was struck down, fueling fan frustration over the studio’s decision to vault content like Red War, Curse of Osiris, and Forsaken.

This isn’t just a legal hiccup—it’s part of a long-simmering community grievance. Since 2020, players have railed against the loss of paid content due to Bungie’s vaulting strategy, and this lawsuit puts that anger back in the spotlight.

Bungie’s History of Controversies

The Red War backlash is only the latest in a string of issues. In 2021, IGN reported on Bungie’s toxic workplace culture, with 26 former employees citing sexism, crunch, and an HR department that shielded abusers. Some staff said the pressure forced them to seek therapy or medication—a sharp contrast to Bungie’s public “zero-tolerance” stance on toxicity.

Then came Lightfall in 2023, an expansion that disappointed fans for its lack of depth and narrative cohesion. Bungie publicly admitted it had “lost a lot of your trust,” per GamesRadar, December 6, 2023. That sentiment has lingered, contributing to the pile-on surrounding the Red War lawsuit.

The State of Bungie in 2025

The past year has been brutal. In 2023, Bungie laid off over 100 employees to hit financial benchmarks and avoid triggering a full Sony takeover. GamesRadar notes this came after Lightfall’s poor reception and delays to The Final Shape. Sony, which acquired Bungie in 2022, now has two PlayStation execs—Hermen Hulst and Eric Lempel—on Bungie’s board.

If Bungie misses future targets, Sony could take full control of the studio. The Red War lawsuit now adds another complication to Bungie’s already fragile position.

Marathon: Bungie Stumbles Near the Finish Line?

Marathon is a reboot of its 1994 sci-fi shooter, reimagined as an extraction shooter set for release on September 23, 2025. But its development has hit rough patches. Announced in 2023, Marathon faced production stalls due to “numerous issues,” including multiple rounds of layoffs at Bungie.

PC Gamer notes concerns about its commercial success despite a strong playtest, citing a “major risk” for Sony due to the game’s non-free-to-play model and Bungie’s 11-year focus on Destiny. These stumbles, tied to Bungie’s broader instability, have tempered expectations for the studio’s first non-Destiny title in over a decade.

Can Bungie Recover?

Bungie was once celebrated as the studio behind Halo and the original Destiny. But a mix of workplace scandals, community backlash, and now legal troubles have put it on shaky ground.

Whether the studio can restore its reputation remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: Destiny’s next shape may be defined as much by courtroom outcomes and corporate restructures as by expansions and loot drops.

Sources:

• “Court Denies Bungie’s Attempt to Dismiss Destiny 2 Red War Lawsuit”, The Game Post, May 2, 2025

• “Bungie Workers Speak Out Against Crunch And Toxicity In The Workplace”, IGN, December 11, 2021

• “As Destiny 2 struggles, Bungie will reportedly face a total Sony takeover”, GamesRadar, December 6, 2023

• GamesRadar, “Marathon: Everything we know so far,” May 24, 2023

• PC Gamer, “After thousands of hours in Destiny I had serious concerns about Bungie’s Marathon reboot,” April 12, 2025

News compiled, edited and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.

As other corporations scale back DEI to avoid political heat, Nintendo’s sticking to its principles. Some gamers are cheering. Others? Not so much.

Nintendo of America isn’t backing down. CEO Doug Bowser made that very clear, doubling down on the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.

In an interview with Brazilian news outlet Folha de S.Paulo (via The Gamer), Bowser said, “This is something that has been in place for years, before people really started using the acronym DEI. And it will continue to be in place. It’s important to us.”

That puts Nintendo squarely at odds with a growing list of U.S. companies quietly abandoning their own DEI efforts in the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election.

According to Forbes, at least 20 major firms—including Walmart and Ford—pulled back their diversity programs after Trump was re-elected in November 2024 and began his second term in January 2025. By early 2025, DEI departments were vanishing faster than NFTs at a Steam sale.

Not Nintendo.

Their approach has sparked fresh debate across the gaming world, where DEI is either a badge of progress or a four-letter word, depending on who you ask.

Bowser’s Defiant Stance

Bowser’s comments weren’t vague corporate fluff. He told The Gamer that “diversity has always been, and will continue to be, part of the company’s values,” adding that Nintendo’s wide-ranging player base helps shape its inclusive approach. As of this writing, Nintendo’s careers page still features a full DEI section—highlighting support for women, disabled communities, and Hispanic and Latin American groups.

That’s a sharp contrast from companies like Disney, who’ve quietly deleted DEI job listings or scrubbed related language. Per Forbes, a lot of these changes happened behind the scenes in Q1 2025, presumably to avoid drawing attention—or heat from Capitol Hill.

Nintendo, on the other hand, seems fine being loud about it. Whether that earns them applause or a boycott is another matter.

Gaming’s DEI Divide

Nintendo’s stance comes at a time when the gaming industry can’t seem to agree on what DEI even means anymore.

In 2024, Square Enix caught flak for using the gender-neutral labels “Type A” and “Type B” in Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake. Some fans called it inclusive. Others called it pandering. IGN called it a “controversy,” which is journalism-speak for “X was mad about Y.”

Then came Palworld, which sparked another internet firestorm over its “Body Type 1” and “Body Type 2” character creation system. Popular streamer Asmongold went off about it on YouTube in April 2025, echoing a broader frustration that some players feel DEI choices are being shoehorned into games just to score points.

Nintendo’s no stranger to this heat either. In 2024, eagle-eyed Reddit users noticed localization changes in the Paper Mario remake—swapping or softening language tied to gender and identity.

One notable example was the character Vivian, originally portrayed as transgender in some non-English versions. Some fans accused the U.S. localization of downplaying this element, which sparked debates over how much influence Nintendo of America has versus the Japanese headquarters, and whether Bowser’s team is taking liberties or marching in lockstep with Kyoto.

What’s at Stake for Nintendo?

This isn’t just PR posturing. Nintendo has big skin in the game. The Switch 2 is expected to be revealed later this year, per VentureBeat. Between now and then, every move the company makes—DEI or otherwise—could shape fan sentiment.

If localization changes or character customization decisions feel too politically charged, gamers may push back. But if Nintendo’s inclusive stance translates into better character options, wider appeal, or new audiences, it could pay off big.

So far, Nintendo of Japan hasn’t made any public comments. But Bowser’s crystal-clear messaging suggests that, at least in the U.S., the company’s staying the course. Whether that wins praise or protests, we’re about to find out.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Is Nintendo taking the right stand here, or will it cost them fan goodwill? Do you want more inclusive games, or should devs just focus on making good ones and stay out of politics? Drop your thoughts in the comments or tag us on socials—we’re all ears.

Sources:

• “Nintendo Of America CEO Doug Bowser Defends DEI Practices”, The Gamer, May 4, 2025

• “Here Are The Companies That Have Recently Pulled Back On DEI Initiatives”, Forbes, February 7, 2025

• “Dragon Quest 3 Remake Body Type Controversy Explained”, IGN, November 15, 2024

• “Asmongold Reacts to Palworld Body Type Controversy”, YouTube, April 19, 2025

• “Nintendo Has Quietly Dropped DEI Language From Their Localisation Job Postings”, Reddit, June 17, 2024

• “Nintendo Switch 2: Everything We Know So Far”, VentureBeat, March 1, 2025

• “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Careers at Nintendo of America”, Nintendo, accessed May 4, 2025

News compiled, edited, and fact-checked by Derek Gibbs and Edgar B. for D/REZZED from Clownfish TV.