Clanker Collides with Wall and Hilariously Breaks Apart Like a Cartoon Character

Take-Two is feeling the heat from the recent GTA 6 leaks, but don’t worry, its stock isn’t in jeopardy. A studio head has shared insights on navigating the fallout from Microsoft’s latest Xbox cuts. Plus, another robot mishap has gone viral. Welcome to another late edition of Checkpoint, your go-to for gaming news, rumors, and culture, where we’re all craving snacks that won’t lead to disaster.

Frozen blueberries have just been bumped up to the “highest” risk level due to e-coli concerns. Salmonella has been detected in granola, and even jalapeños are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, generative AI is making even burritos look unappetizing. On a brighter note, RAM prices have finally hit a peak—just kidding.

In Beijing, the second World Humanoid Robot Games are underway, and things are going swimmingly. Teams have arrived at the National Speed Skating Oval to finalize their preparations, which has included robots barreling into walls as if they’re auditioning for a role in a particle accelerator.

Robotics expert Eren Chen has been sharing clips of these entertaining mishaps, showcasing the chaos that expensive robots can create. This year, the robots are facing challenges as they must navigate events autonomously instead of relying on human controllers. So far, some of them seem to have missed the memo on when to slow down or change direction—something that might resonate with parents of toddlers.

Earlier this week, reports indicated that Wall Street slashed billions off Take-Two’s market cap following the GTA 6 leaks. While there was indeed a dip in stock price, Take-Two’s stock is known for its day-to-day and week-to-week fluctuations.

Although a $2.8 billion drop is significant—almost equivalent to Ubisoft’s entire market cap—it’s just a minor blip compared to the company’s overall $45 billion valuation. In fact, by midday today, Take-Two’s stock had rebounded to its earlier levels. Despite a report indicating that Rockstar is still grappling with a security breach, it’s largely business as usual in the stock market.

CEO Guillaume Provost founded Compulsion Games in 2009 and recently had to scramble for financial backing to take the studio private again after Microsoft shifted its focus away from smaller games. Compulsion released its acclaimed South of Midnight under the Game Pass model last year, but now Xbox, which acquired the studio in 2018, is retreating to concentrate on major franchises.

“I did this deal for the team first and foremost,” he shared in his first interview since the divestiture. “I asked the team: ‘Do you want to stay together?’ They told me they’d rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up.” He mentioned that the team is nurturing new projects but isn’t rushing to make decisions, opting to explore partnerships in the early months of their independence.

The Mattel Brick Shop has unveiled a life-sized, 3,509-piece Lego-like replica of the original Xbox, complete with dioramas for classics like Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Psychonauts.

The irony is that Double Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, was one of the teams Microsoft recently let go in its latest round of cuts. This set is set to release on October 1, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and while it comes with a hefty price tag, it’s still a steal compared to the $900 translucent-green Series X.

The International is currently taking place, you know, that massive Dota 2 tournament hosted by Valve every year, featuring huge cash prizes funded by its lucrative in-game skin economy. Gabe Newell, the owner, often makes a brief appearance via pre-recorded video, and this year’s reveal has left Steam fans stunned by his new physique.

“Live long enough to see Lord Gaben turn into Russell Crowe, while real Russell Crowe becomes Gabe,” one commenter quipped on YouTube. “Lord Gaben is getting healthier, love to see it,” another noted. Someone even remarked that he resembled Hugh Jackman. Whether it’s all those gym sessions on his $500 million super yacht or the influx of GLP-1s, he’s richer than ever, and I’m doing my best to resist the urge to re-install Dota 2 this weekend.

World’s First Skyrim All Achievements No Damage run completed.

Almost a decade of challenge runs and this is probably the hardest run I’ve done.