Stephen Totilo
Reporting and statements that mention Stephen Totilo.
Latest coverage
Star Wars Zero Company studio furloughed staff before the game was released
Most of Bit Reactor, the studio behind Star Wars Zero Company, was furloughed before the game's release, with reports indicating up to 80% of the team was affected. Despite positive reviews and "triple-A polish," the studio cited financial instability and hoped a successful launch would allow them to rehire staff.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reportedly has a bug that can wipe hours of playtime, but Ubisoft is working…
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced reportedly contains a bug that can cause players to lose several hours of progress, particularly when unfinished Templar Hunt sidequests conflict with main story missions. Ubisoft has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix for an upcoming update.
Xbox are parting ways with Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion, and Ninja Theory in the course of thousands of layoffs
Microsoft has announced significant layoffs affecting 3200 employees and is parting ways with five Xbox-owned studios: Double Fine, Arkane, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory. Some studios will become independent or find new ownership, while Arkane's future is uncertain. CEO Asha Sharma cited rising costs, underperforming acquisitions, and a challenging industry landscape as reasons for the "reset."
Newly Revealed PS5 Action Adventure Game Already in Trouble
A newly revealed PlayStation 5 action-adventure game, Senua, from developer Ninja Theory, may be in jeopardy. Reports suggest Microsoft is considering shutting down or selling Ninja Theory, with the game's announcement at the Xbox Showcase potentially intended to attract a buyer. The future of the studio and the game remains uncertain.
Gaming media diaspora: where every writer landed | 2026
The article maps the post-collapse landscape of gaming journalism, detailing where writers from defunct publications like Kotaku and Vice have relocated. It highlights the rise of independent, worker-owned sites, solo newsletters, and bundled subscription services as the new hubs for quality writing, contrasting them with legacy outlets perceived as publishing press releases.
PS5 First-Party Sales Have Fallen Sharply, But It Doesn't Tell the Full Story
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 reveals a significant drop in unit sales since FY20. However, the article argues this decline is influenced by factors such as increased game prices, fewer releases, the end of indie publishing, reduced discounting, the introduction of PS Plus Extra, and shifts in player behavior towards evergreen titles.
Civilization 7 has been profitable despite design missteps
Despite controversial design changes in Civilization 7's "Ages" system, which have led to lower player counts compared to previous installments on Steam, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed the game is a profitable enterprise. The article also touches on player sentiment regarding the game's design and potential future updates.
Trump shooting suspect's Steam game sees review bomb, spike in activity
The Steam game Bohrdom, developed by Cole Thomas Allen, has experienced a surge in activity and a wave of review bombing following reports that Allen is the suspect in a White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting incident. Discussion forums for the asymmetric fighting game have become a focal point for political debate and memes. Former Kotaku editor-in-chief Stephen Totilo observed the increased player activity on the game's forums.
Xbox CEO Will Take “Data and Strategic Driven” Approach to Exclusivity, Won’t Commit to Time Frame
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will adopt a data-driven and strategic approach to decisions regarding game exclusivity, emphasizing that the right decision is more important than a fast one. While no specific timeframe for announcements was given, Sharma indicated that more information will be shared when ready. The company is also focusing on improving the Xbox Series X/S platform experience and has adjusted its Game Pass offerings.
Nintendo Flips The Script: Splatoon Raiders Physical Costs More Than Digital
Nintendo is experimenting with a new pricing model for Splatoon Raiders, charging $60 for the physical version and $50 for the digital copy. This strategy challenges traditional gaming retail logic and could signal a shift towards physical games becoming premium collectibles. The company's decision is being closely watched by the industry as a potential indicator of future pricing trends.
