Grandpa Masterminds RE9, While Sony's Electric Dream Hits a Speed Bump – What a Week, Eh?
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
This week, we're celebrating a 91-year-old 'Game Grandpa' who absolutely mastered *Resident Evil Requiem* without a guide, all while scratching our heads at Sony and Honda ditching their PlayStation-themed electric car, and seeing players rally for better mounts in *Crimson Desert*.
Right, so I’ve been tinkering with the digital tea leaves this week, and bloody hell, it’s been wilder than a rogue spell in a wizarding academy. We’ve got tales of legendary grit, corporate U-turns, and the eternal struggle of players trying to get decent mounts. Grab a cuppa, mate, because we're diving deep into the magical chaos that is modern gaming.
First up, let's talk about a legend who’s absolutely *crushed it*. You know that feeling when you just know something is going to be epic? That’s exactly how I felt reading about Yang Binglin, the 91-year-old 'Game Grandpa' from China. This absolute wizard recently snatched the crown for the oldest video game streamer, and get this: he played through *Resident Evil Requiem* – which, let's be fair, is basically *Resident Evil 9* in all but name for many – from the comfort of his little chair, on a giant TV, and *beat the whole bloody thing without a single walkthrough or guide*.
Think about that for a second. Ninety-one years young, navigating the horrors and puzzles of a modern Resident Evil game, all while streaming it for the world to see. It’s not just a feat of endurance; it’s a masterclass in problem-solving and sheer, unadulterated gaming passion. It reminds us that gaming isn't just for the young whippersnappers with twitch reflexes. It’s a boundless realm where age is truly just a number, and dedication is the most powerful spell of all. This isn't just a win for Grandpa Yang; it's a win for every gamer who’s ever been told they're 'too old' for something. Inspirational stuff, fair dinkum.
Now, from the sublime to... well, the slightly bemusing. Remember that PlayStation-themed electric vehicle, the Afeela? The one Sony and Honda cooked up, promising DualSense control and dashboard remote play? Revealed in 2023, due in 2025, and now? Poof. Gone like a forgotten side quest. The two titans have agreed to 'discontinue the development and launch of its first model, AFEELA1, and its second model,' according to Nikkei reports (via VGC). I mean, bless 'em for trying, but a car controllable with a DualSense? It sounds like something a mischievous digital imp would conjure up – fun in theory, perhaps a tad overcomplicated in practice. Was there anyone out there genuinely clamouring for their car to stream games from the dashboard? It felt like one of those ideas born in a corporate brainstorming session that lost touch with actual player (and driver) needs somewhere along the line. Sometimes, even the biggest players cast a spell that just doesn't quite land, eh?
Speaking of landing, let’s talk about *Crimson Desert*. Players are apparently up in arms about the mounts, or rather, the lack of auto-summoning permanent ones. There’s a makeshift movement brewing to get Pearl Abyss to change things. This is where the magic of community truly shines. When players unite to voice a legitimate concern, it can genuinely shift development. It’s a stark contrast to some of the more, shall we say, 'questionable' corporate moves we see. Like the new *FIFA Heroes* mobile game – Thor and Maradona on the same pitch with 'magnetic tackles'? Sounds less like a beautiful game and more like a hastily brewed potion from a bargain bin alchemist, relying on 'gameplay shortcuts' to make it 'simple'. My gentle skepticism-o-meter is practically off the charts on that one. Is this truly 'innovation' or just another way to repackage familiar IPs with a new monetization coat of paint? We'll see, won't we?
And then there's *Roblox*. Oh, *Roblox*. The platform has decided to 'evolve' by replacing its beloved 'classic' faces with 'dynamic' ones. And the community? Not happy. 'Three public apologies and a 51,000-like devforum post begging them not to do this they did it anyway,' one player lamented. This is a classic case of a wizard tinkering with something that wasn't broken, only to accidentally blow a hole through player goodwill. Sometimes, listening to the community is more powerful than any new tech spell.
Before I sign off, a quick nod to a truly existential crisis: The *Resident Evil 4* remake’s Merchant. On the game's third anniversary, the official tracker confirmed his debt has ballooned to over 3.3 trillion Pesetas. Spare a thought for the poor bloke; he’s practically funding the global economy with all the rocket launchers and herbs we've flogged him. What a legend.
So there you have it, mates. From nonagenarian hardcore gamers inspiring us all, to the curious case of a PlayStation car that never was, and communities fighting for their beloved game features. The gaming world is never dull, always full of surprises, and perpetually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – sometimes for the better, sometimes... not so much. But that's the chaotic, wonderful magic of it all, isn't it?
*** Original Source: Kotaku, '91-Year-Old ‘Game Grandpa’ Crushes Resident Evil 9 Without A Walkthrough' by Ethan Gach (Published March 25, 2026). ***
Tags: gaming culture, community power, game development, player experience, industry trends
Original article: kotaku