A humanoid robot has provided one of the week’s most spectacular gaming-adjacent mishaps, while Take-Two’s market value takes a brief tumble after Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks. Elsewhere, Compulsion Games explains its return to independence, Microsoft and Mattel announce an unusual Xbox collectible, and a new Gabe Newell meme takes over the internet.
The week has also delivered an unfortunate food-safety run. Frozen blueberries have been moved to the FDA’s “highest” risk level because of E. coli concerns, while authorities found salmonella in the granola. The jalapenos have also been recalled, and generative AI has made even burritos look horrifying. RAM prices are not offering much comfort either: just kidding.
A humanoid robot discovers the brake pedal too late
机器人跑太快不及刹车，撞上垫子后把腰折断了🤯 pic.twitter.com/wwJ4HfgiC5
— 偏航 (@pianhangx), August 20, 2026
The second World Humanoid Robot Games is taking place this weekend in Beijing, China. Teams arrived at the National Speed Skating Oval early for final preparations, but some of those preparations have apparently involved robots sprinting directly into walls.
Robotics expert Eren Chen and other observers have circulated clips of the accidents. The robots are reportedly finding this year’s competition more difficult because they must navigate the events autonomously instead of relying on human controllers. Several have yet to master slowing down or turning, making the high-speed collisions both alarming and oddly entertaining.
For more unusual gaming and technology stories, browse RETROCADE’s arcade news and editorial coverage.
Take-Two absorbs a $2.8 billion market-value drop
Reports earlier this week suggested that Take-Two lost $2.8 billion in market capitalisation after the latest GTA 6 leaks. The company’s share price did fall, but its normal day-to-day and week-to-week movement is important context.
The figure is substantial—almost the size of Ubisoft’s entire market value—but it represents only a small portion of Take-Two’s approximately $45 billion market capitalisation. Shortly before midday, the stock had returned to its position from the beginning of the week. It later moved lower after a report said Rockstar still had not contained its ongoing security breach, although the company’s broader financial position remained largely unchanged. Seen reports put the market reaction in perspective.
South of Midnight developer returns to independence
Guillaume Provost founded Compulsion Games in 2009. Earlier this summer, the CEO worked to secure funding that would allow the studio to become independent again, following Microsoft’s shift away from smaller projects. Compulsion released the award-winning South of Midnight through the Game Pass model last year. Microsoft had acquired the studio in 2018, but Xbox is now concentrating more heavily on major franchises.
Provost said he pursued the buyout primarily to keep the team together. He asked staff whether they wanted to remain as one group, and they strongly preferred that outcome over being separated. The studio is now incubating new projects, but it is not rushing to announce its next direction. During its first few months outside Xbox, Compulsion plans to explore potential partnerships. GamesBeat’s interview covers the transition.
Mattel builds a $325 Xbox that cannot play games
Mattel Brick Shop’s 3,509-piece replica of the original Xbox is a life-sized, Lego-like construction set. It includes dioramas based on Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Psychonauts.
The Psychonauts reference carries an awkward twist: Double Fine, the studio behind that game, was among the teams affected by Xbox’s latest round of cuts. Mattel’s set is scheduled for release on October 1, marking Xbox’s 25th anniversary. Although the price is high, it remains less expensive than the $900 translucent-green Xbox Series X.
Collectors considering a playable setup can compare options in RETROCADE’s arcade machine range or start with the arcade machine buying guide.
A new Gabe Newell meme arrives during The International
New Chad Gabe Look Just Dropped has become one of the week’s more noticeable gaming memes, with the post shared by u/OrangeBasket in the Valve community.
The International, Valve’s annual Dota 2 tournament, is currently under way. The event features major cash prizes supported by the company’s lucrative in-game skin economy, and Valve owner Gabe Newell traditionally appears in a short pre-recorded video.
This year’s footage prompted widespread discussion of Newell’s changed physique. Fans compared him with Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman, while others simply welcomed what they saw as a healthier appearance. Reports from the event helped push the image into meme territory. Speculation even touched on the use of GLP-1s, though no explanation for the change was provided.
In case you missed it
- Mortal Shell 2, Fields of Mistria and Metal Gear Solid 4 received reviews this week.
- Industry veteran Warren Spector is retiring after his latest game failed to find success.
- A beer company wants people to send jars of urine to AI data centres.
- Sony is rebooting the multiplayer Horizon project that has attracted little apparent enthusiasm.
- Riot Games is already abandoning its new 2D fighting game.
- Xbox unions held rallies across the country amid continuing mass layoffs.
- The creators of Big Walk discussed the indie game’s development, puzzles and ending in a major interview.
Watch this challenge run
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. pic.twitter.com/dtz5oUQ1Fh
— GinoMachino, August 20, 2026
The completed Skyrim run combines every achievement with a no-damage restriction, after nearly a decade of challenge-run attempts.
For hands-on retro gaming at home, explore RETROCADE’s compact bartop arcades.
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