Gameranx: December 2024 Gaming Oddities

Today on Gameranx, Falcon delves into the bizarre gaming tales of December 2024. First up, we have "Desktop Survivors 98," a game that pits players against the Windows 98 desktop, inspired by the popular "Vampire Survivors." Gearbox, known for the raucous "Borderlands" series, plans to dial back the toilet humor in the upcoming "Borderlands 4" after the excessive antics in the previous installment. Meanwhile, "Fortnite" takes a cheeky turn by introducing a Skibidi Toilet, a move that would make even the most hardened Gearbox developer chuckle.

The intricate connection between "Cyberpunk 2077" and "The Witcher 3" almost took a more direct route through a mission that involved Geralt in Knight City. However, subtle changes steered the narrative in a different direction, preserving the essence of both worlds. Valve's lighting maestro, Ken Birdwell, revolutionized the gaming industry by correcting lighting math errors in "Half-Life 2," challenging the norms of 3D gaming hardware. On the other end of the spectrum, "Helldivers 2" raises eyebrows with its pricey "Killzone" skins, straying from its successful live service model.

In a quirky turn of events, Japan unveils a luxurious gaming blanket with built-in snack pouches, prompting questions about its practicality and the infamous spaghetti policy. Bethesda's "Starfield" developer, Nate Purkeypile, departs due to unproductive team dynamics and limitations of the Creation Engine, shedding light on the challenges faced during game development. Lastly, Bungie's former legal executive, Don McGowan, exposes the company's controversial hiring practices, revealing a trend of exploiting fans to cut labor costs. Falcon's exploration of these gaming oddities offers a fascinating glimpse into the industry's quirks and controversies, making December 2024 a month to remember in the gaming world.