Good morning. I’ve bought some nice information for you. Right now, sure at this time, is Friday. Inform everybody you recognize. Unfold the phrase. Friday is again, child. And on this glorious Friday, I welcome you to the most recent version of Morning Checkpoint, Kotaku’s day by day round-up of online game information and different stuff you would possibly care about. Right now, we marvel what occurred to a very good Black Ops 7 map, be taught extra about why Hytale is skipping Steam, and ponder excessive console costs.
Used Xbox consoles are going for some wild costs
Over on Reddit, persons are shaking their heads in disbelief on the state of used sport console costs. In 2025, Microsoft is selling refurbished Xbox Series X consoles for $550. In 2020, I purchased an Xbox Collection X at launch for $500. Microsoft can be promoting used Xbox Collection S consoles for $330. At launch, the smaller machine was simply $300, and you could possibly usually get it for much less if you happen to discovered a deal.
These are absurd costs, but in addition not shocking when you think about how costly consoles are in 2025, thanks to varied components like tariffs, inflation, AI squeezing demand, and each firm making an attempt to develop earnings. No matter why costs are so excessive, it sucks that that is the primary console era the place PlayStation and Xbox machines are more expensive five years after launch. And prices are likely to keep going up for new and used consoles. I can’t wait to take out a small financial institution mortgage to purchase a PlayStation 6.
A well-liked CoD: Black Ops 7 map has been mysteriously eliminated
Name of Obligation: Black Ops 7′s first season is now dwell, and whereas it has added a variety of new content material to the net FPS, it has additionally eliminated one thing: the fan-favorite map Blackheart. This was one of many unique maps to launch with Black Ops 7 and shortly turned one among its hottest. But it surely’s gone now. Activision says it was eliminated “temporarily” from each non-public and public map swimming pools because it investigates an undisclosed “issue.” The map will return in a future, but-not-yet-specified replace.
📢 Name of Obligation: #BlackOps7
Blackheart has been briefly faraway from each Public and Personal map swimming pools whereas we examine a problem. It’s going to return in an upcoming replace.
Particulars: https://t.co/rmpoklhguD
— Name of Obligation Updates (@CODUpdates) December 4, 2025
Newly found fish species will get Dragon Ball-impressed identify
As noticed by Dexerto, a brand new small fish was found deep within the ocean close to an island off the coast of Japan. And, doubtless because of its brilliant yellow markings throughout its physique, the fish has been given the scientific identify of Vanderhorstia Supersaiyan. Yup, it is a Dragon Ball Z fish. You can read more about the fish here.
Newly resurrected Hytale received’t be on Steam at launch
Earlier this yr, Minecraft-inspired survival sport Hytale was canceled by Riot Video games. Then, in November, the unique creator behind the undertaking was in a position to negotiate the rights again for the sport, and now Hytale is again in improvement with a few of the workforce that was engaged on it earlier than it was canned. However when it launches in early entry, you received’t discover it on Steam.
As explained in a new FAQ on the sport’s web site, the devs are going to keep away from Steam for a bit to concentrate on its current neighborhood and enhancing the sport as a substitute of chasing “a flood of cold first impressions that could overcorrect the game’s direction.” The put up clarifies that the workforce isn’t trying to keep away from “bad reviews,” however I’ve to think about that’s a part of the rationale the workforce is staying away from Steam till the sport is in a very good state. A sport on Steam with detrimental or blended critiques will be arduous to beat. I’ll be curious to see if extra groups observe this transfer.
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