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First big Marvel Rivals patch makes Doctor Strange less of a monster

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:05:05 -0000

Marvel Rivals, the free-to-play hero shooter from NetEase, launched late last week and is exceedingly popular. It's currently fourth on the Steam daily most played, right between Path Of Exile 2 and the evergreen Grand Theft Auto 5. I think there are three reasons for this enthusiasm: 1) it's free-to-play with the usual comet's tail of microtransactables 2) it's third-person Overwatch with Marvel characters, a straightforwardly enticing licensing sandwich, and 3) people want to have sex with a larger-than-usual proportion of the cast and especially awful tongue-monster Venom, who has a good butt in this one. No, I'm not going to share pictures. You'll have to google that filth yourself.

But perhaps you are a sophisticated soul who has no time for such salacious nonsense. You're more interested in hearing how they're patching the thing. Enough with the butts already, dang it - this is a new multiplayer game so there must, of course, be patches! Fair enough: here's what NetEase are changing or fixing in the first major update, out now.

Mallard mystery-solver is taking on a new case in Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:08:00 -0000

Duck Detective's first case was The Secret Salami, which paired its cosy mystery about stolen lunches with a protagonist whose divorce and destitution were played entirely straight despite his being a duck. The results were seemingly delightful, and here comes a sequel.

Duck Detective: The Ghost Of Glamping will offer a further 2-3 hours of mystery-solving and is aiming for release in 2025.

Little Rocket Lab is a Factorio and Stardew Valley mashup about building a rocketship in a cute town

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:20:00 -0000

Stardew Factory? Factory Valley? Whichever it is, Little Rocket Lab is a factory-builder about efficiently placing conveyors and robot arms, and is drawn in the warm, pixel art small-town of a Stardew-like. That sounds like a fitting combination, although it does mean you're building a NASA-sized rocketship on the outskirts of your quaint hometown. That can't be good for noise pollution. There's an announcement trailer below.

Naiad review: still waters run deep they say, but then these waters aren't still

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:30:00 -0000

Pity the "relaxing" games which set out to blanket their players in a wholesome fog. These minimalist or slight experiences set their stall against the mainstream philosophy of video game design focused on action, rules, clear progression, and often violence. So it is with Naiad, a sometimes pleasant swim down a river in which you sing to make flowers grow and discover poems by interacting with birds, bees, butterflies and other fauna.

Yet here's the cause of my pity. All those other games, with their decisive action, systemic consequence, and neck-snapping: I was playing those to relax, too. Why else would I have snapped all those necks? Being shorn of base pleasures does not make Naiad a restorative oasis amid a desert of stressful video games, and it doesn't make it more relaxing than its peers. In fact, it makes for an experience that left me restless, even a little anxious, when it made me feel anything at all.

Friendly photography adventure Toem is getting a sequel with more black-and-white pocket worlds to explore

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:35:00 -0000

Ooh, this feels like the biggest news out of this evening's Wholesome Snack showcase: nourishing photography adventure Toem is getting a sequel, appropriately called Toem 2. It looks to follow much of what made the first so well liked, including its pocket-sized black-and-white worlds in which you wander about, snapping photos and helping the locals.

Piece By Piece is about mending, painting and selling goods in a cute repair shop

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:40:00 -0000

It seems as if every "wholesome" game is either a Stardewlike or a Animal Crossingbut. Little Rocket Lab? Stardewlike. Piece By Piece? Animal Crossingbut. To be more specific, it's Animal Crossing but your chibi fox protagonist is specifically running a shop, mending and painting objects to sell while maintaining cleanliness and the plants outside. If you can't get enough of upcycling in Trash Goblin, here's one more for you.

You can now scan and steal paint jobs from any car in Cyberpunk 2077, plus more customisation with the 2.2 update

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:16:52 -0000

While it’s always worth starting a new game of Cyberpunk 2077 just to hear Judy say "his own choomba shot him!" for the thirtieth time, there’s now a slightly more tangible reason to start a new journey into Night City’s open world. Update 2.2 went live yesterday, bringing with it a host of fixes, as well as some deeper customisation options for both your character and vehicles. The base game is also 55% off on Steam until the 18th of December, with the Phantom Liberty expansion at 20% off, or both in a 48% off bundle. Cyberpunk is on sale often enough, although these current discounts line up with the cheapest it's ever been on Steam. Again: worth it for the line.

RPS Asks: what are you favourite games for the winter malaise?

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:23:12 -0000

I am a Winter baby. My birthday is very close to Christmas, and so you’d think this might make me immune to the serotonin-sapping effects of the greyest season in a “I was born of the cold. Moulded by it” kind of way. No such luck, I’m afraid. So, since there’s only so many Vitamin D supplements and delightfully festive lunchtime Gin and Tonics one can consume, I figured I’d ask: what are your favourite comfort games for the bleaker months? The special places you can always rely on for an escape when the weather outside is frightful, and the Cosy Fireplace Ambience 4K (10 hours) keeps getting interrupted by adverts for crypto scammers and War Thunder.

Bulletstorm and Painkiller devs People Can Fly let over 120 people go and suspend or downsize projects

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:19:06 -0000

Bulletstorm, Painkiller and Outriders developers People Can Fly are "suspending or parting ways" with over 120 people, shelving one video game project, downsizing another, and "restructuring some of our support teams" in the face of market turmoil.

Valve are now selling refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs at up to £110/$130 off – if you can find them in stock

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:30:21 -0000

The Steam Deck OLED has joined Valve’s Certified Refurbished programme, offering a much cheaper way of getting your hands on the best handheld PC around. Provided you don’t mind it being in someone else’s first, anyway. As with official refurbs of the original Steam Deck, "certified" Steam Deck OLEDs are formerly-broken models that have been returned to Valve, fixed up and tested in-house, then put back on the market at steep discounts. You’re looking at £389/$439 for the 512GB spec and £459/$519 for 1TB, down from £479/$549 and £569/$649 respectively.

Here's Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver's iconic intro voiced by David Hayter - who originally auditioned for Raziel

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:43:35 -0000

Ever wondered what the intro cutscene to Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver would sound like voiced by Solid Snake actor David Hayter? Quite specific of you, but a new documentary from Noclip might just have what you’re looking for. The Past, Present & Future of Soul Reaver interviews key developers from the action adventure game, and about halfway through host Danny O’ Dwyer gets hold of some archive materials, including old audition tapes. These include Mark Hamill reading for Janos Audren, and Jennifer Hale for Ariel.

The biggest treat, of course, is hearing Hayter read for Raziel, especially as it’s that excellent opening monologue. You’ll find the video below, with Hayter around 37:30.

Beautiful hand-drawn Cat Tram game arrives at station Steam today

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:59:38 -0000

First covered by Alice O (RPS in peace) in 2017, Short Trip was a chill hand-drawn game about driving a tram through a mountain populated by cats. Back then, it was only available as a free-to-play browser or itch.io experience. Seven years later, though, and on this very day, it's out on Steam. Not only that, it's arriving with all the tramming of the original, with an added "scheduled mode" that adds more charm to an already lovely game.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 11th

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

When I were a lad, you’d open an advent calendar and get a piece of chocolate shaped like a bell with an aftertaste so rancid you’d wish you’d eaten the little cardboard window instead. And you’d bloody well make do, too. Not these days. Now, you get a squadron of tiny automata with drills for noses that burrow through your battle lines and utterly wreck your vulnerable missile launchers. Country’s gone to the tiny robot dogs, I tell you!

Symphonia might scratch your Silksong itch, even though it's not a metroidvania

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:25:04 -0000

In "non-violent and poetic" 2D platformer Symphonia, you're an extremely fancy violinist exploring a realm of musical machines, where gas lanterns kindle fitfully as you approach, crotchets adorn vast cogwheels, and reams of what I really hope isn't actual catgut feed through titanic pegboxes overhead. Sampling the demo, I was immediately enflamed by the orchestral score and placed in a mood of white-gloved sophistication only slightly spoiled by the familiarity of the underlying platform moveset, and by my repeatedly falling into pits.

Path Of Exile 2 is so "severely overloaded" by players that Grinding Gear are hiring new support staff

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:08:44 -0000

Back when I played Path Of Exile 2 at Summer Games Fest, I fought a cave-dwelling boss who summoned hordes of grotty subterranean wildlife to swamp me. Fortunately, I was rolling a Witch - perhaps the best beginner POE2 class - so I could summon an army of skeletons in response. A similar horde vs horde encounter is underway at POE 2 developers Grinding Gear Games. The game launched in early access over the weekend, and has already drawn so many players that the developers are emergency-hiring additional staff to cope with the waves of support emails.

TankHead offers vehicle combat in a sci-fi world where you scavenge parts from your enemies

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:40:44 -0000

One of video game's greatest pleasures is being able to shoot bits off an enemy and then append them to yourself. TankHead gets it. It's about steering a tank through a desolate sci-fi landscape, blasting similar tank and mecha enemies to bits, then scavenging them for parts using a drone.

It's been in quiet development for years, but it got a big reveal during tonight's Day Of The Devs stream. It was also released during tonight's Day Of The Devs stream, so you can buy it from the Epic Games Store now.

Hyper Light Breaker, the co-op, open world 3D prequel, will launch in Early Access in January

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:05:08 -0000

Hyper Light Breaker is a prequel to the excellent topdown action-RPG from 2016, Hyper Light Drifter. The differences are myriad, given that Breaker is also 3D, open world, co-op and a roguelite. It also now has a release date for its launch into Steam Early Access: January 14th, 2025.

Curiosmos is a galactic playground of planet creation and creature evolution

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 21:27:08 -0000

Infamous evolutionary flop Spore, for all its flaws, still had a lot of magic to it. It was fun to design your weird creatures, to watch them try to walk, and - in principle - to turn your humble creations into a spacefaring species.

Curiosmos is a very different game, but it has a little of the same appeal. It's a galactic playground in which you smash meteors together to make planets, then tinker with the ecosystems of those planets to make life and watch that life evolve. All while a hungry black hole lingers nearby, eager to consume everything you have created. There's an explanatory video below.

It's almost Christmas, which means it's time to play Skeal

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 22:37:45 -0000

Creation is an act of kindness. One person sloughs off a piece of themselves, shapes it, wraps it, and sends it out into the world in the hope that it might mean something to someone else. Other people do this for us all the time and mostly we don't even notice. The work is unseen and unremarked upon even as, through repetition, we come to depend upon it. Until, one day, that light that they shine can't be seen. Maybe you left home, or maybe they did, but now it's your turn to perform such acts of kindness. To carry the tradition forward for others - and for yourself.

Friends, it's time to play Skeal.

Untitled Goose Game and Thank Goodness You’re Here! publishers are doing a thing and I’m not sure what the thing is but it seems like a cool thing

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:19:20 -0000

I have to write at least 250 words for a news post. Rock Paper Shotgun’s CMS (content management system) even has a built-in widget that shouts at me if I don’t write at least 250 words. "Page 1 body content is quite short" it says if I go under. How cute is that "quite"? I love being fooled into getting charmed by automated systems via colloquial British understatement. Anyway, I bring this up because I honestly don’t have anything to add about Blippo+. I just wanted to inform you all of its existence. It's a "casual" "FMV" "Cinematic" "Pixel Graphics" "1980s" digital product from developers also named Blippo+, as well as publishers Panic, who've previously unleashed the horrible goose and Thank Goodness You’re Here! on the world. Have a visual orientation:

A minor tweak to Steam will soon let you change the way you download that monstrous 250GB update

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:56:26 -0000

If your PC has ever started randomly roaring, and you check Steam only to find Space Marine 2 is panic-installing a 9 billion gigabyte update, then perhaps Valve's new upcoming feature is for you. For most of us, Steam simply slurps down fresh gigs of installed games automatically when a new update is released (and sometimes schedules the updates according to its own capricious whims). But the platform is testing a new option in the beta client, which lets you set download behaviour to git new gigs only when you actually launch a game. This would be a terrible curse, for reasons I will explain, but it's only going to be an option - not the new default.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 12th

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Today’s advent calendar game is already inside your head, for this is not a game you stop playing, merely one you step away from between rounds. Even after you quit, it lingers on the edge of your awareness like a muffled bassline. It glitters in the air around you like a cloud of spores. It cannot be denied. It can only be…

Band Of Crusaders is a dark fantasy party RPG with heady overtones of XCOM and Diablo

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:06:29 -0000

If Space Marine 2's wanton devil-mulching left you hungry for more fantastical depictions of medieval zealotry, maybe take a look at Band Of Crusaders, an open-world party-based RPG in which you are the Grandmaster of a knightly order, trying to keep a bunch of wily Archdemons out of Europe. It seems to play a bit like XCOM, with an oppressive world map that is slowly encroached upon as you travel around recruiting soldiers, interacting with settlements, and picking real-time fights with hellfiends "inspired by biblical descriptions and European folklore". Naturally, parallels with real-life xenophobia and sectarian hatred abound. Here's the trailer.

Total War: Warhammer’s Rich Aldridge on roleplaying, iteration, and lessons from nearly a decade on strategy’s most ambitious series

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

In more ways than one, today’s Total War: Warhammer 3 expansion marks a milestone for game director Rich Aldridge and his team at Creative Assembly. Omens Of Destruction’s three headline legendary lords each bring new campaigns and units for their respective factions, but it’s the fourth lord - a Khorne champion free to all players - that I imagine Aldridge will end up remembering the most fondly.

When Total War: Warhammer released back in 2016, it shipped with eight legendary lords - famous characters from Games Workshop’s fantasy setting that here act as faction leaders. The number grew steadily and, in terms of announcement order at least, today’s addition of Arbaal The Undefeated marks the series’ 100th. That's a hundred campaigns, a hundred joint efforts of game design, animation, art, writing and voice work.

Aldridge has never been shy about the team’s ambition for the series to eventually offer up each unit from every Fantasy Battle 6th edition army book ("The goal is to do everything, right?"). But ambition is one thing, and considering the fraught conditions at Creative Assembly and parent company Sega over the past few years, it’s not just the addition of the 100th lord that feels like something to celebrate. It’s taken time, effort, and a siesmic shift in update frequency, but Total War: Warhammer III is in the best place it's ever been.

VG247’s Alternate Game Awards 2024

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:00:59 -0000

We’ve heard some other awards show is also trying to steal our thunder and muscle in on our territory today, but who wants to travel to Los Angeles for a star-studded event anyway? The real action, and the real correct opinions, are right here.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League might be nearly done, but Goat Simulator 3 is picking up the baton of open-world superhero antics

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:02:25 -0000

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as misguided as its development was, wasn't completely terrible and even ended up reaching four seasons of completely free post-launch content. Now, with pretty funny timing, Goat Simulator 3 is promising much of the same, but less complicated.

The Beastmaster of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, part three: the stalker becomes the stalkered

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:32:46 -0000

After a failure-riddled start, my attempt to turn S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s mutants into beasts of war is finally bearing fruit. I’ve engineered a Bloodsucker attack that wiped out the worst of villains – someone who was mean to me – and I’ve progressed far enough to really open up the map, and with it, access to more of the Zone’s fiercest fleshwarps.

Also, rats. Buoyed by the successful Bloodsucker siccing, I’m back on the trail of some mysterious anomaly scanners, and word is I might find a lead inside a local maze of wrecked cars. It’s heavily guarded by some gangster types, but for once, I won’t have to dash off in search of some far-off muties and coax them back here using my neck as bait. Mercifully, a gaggle of overgrown rodents are already hopping around right outside the labyrinth’s entrance. I beckon them in like a bouncer on his last day, then sprint past the stunned gunmen, who can barely shoulder their rifles before being set upon by a pack of giant carnivorous hamsters.

Good Mews, Pokémon TCG Pocket's Mythical Island expansion is set to offer new booster packs with a chance to grab everyone's favourite pink cat

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:43:53 -0000

Desperate for more content to drop in Pokemon TCG Pocket? Well, good news, a new expansion is dropping for it next week, featuring a new booster pack that'll give you a chance grab yourself a Mew.

Marvel Rivals review: it's like Overwatch, if Overwatch was overcomplex and frequented Comic Con

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:53:27 -0000

At first I thought Marvel Rivals was basically rebranded Overwatch, in the way it's a free-to-play PVP hero shooter. And in some ways, it is. Fights are like if you took a MOBA and forced both teams to bash heads constantly. Success lies in picking off Spider-Man or Squirrel Girl or Marcus Fenix so as they wait to respawn, you hop on the big area that needs capturing. Or you push the cart while tanky Hulk absorbs bullets with his biceps and John Marvel snipes from afar.

The more I played Rivals, though, the more it hit me that it's specifically a messier, more complex Overwatch. A hero shooter with a surprising amount of polish and charm, sure, but also one that slides off my brain like water off Birdman's back. I understand why it's supremely popular at the moment and yet, I really don't.

The Game Awards 2024 liveblog

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:52:12 -0000

Tonight is The Game Awards 2024, the first since Geoff Keighley killed E3 and consumed its heart in front of a group of screaming schoolchildren. Just saying, this had better be good, Geoff, especially after the 2023 show’s "embarrassing" shooing-off of developers whose acceptance speeches cut into that valuable trailer showcase time.

Who will need to please wrap it up this time? Which games will be revealed? Will there be a musical number to top last year’s Herald of Darkness performance? (That was fun, actually, fair play on that one.) You can find out right along with us, as we once again fire up the RPS liveblog-o-tron to report all the developments as they happen. Even the ones that happen at 3:45am, when I’ll be desperately trying not to collapse into my keyboard like a felled tree.

EA Sports FC Empires looks to take on Football Manager with weird 4X strategy that's Ultimate Team meets Clash of Clans

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:11:35 -0000

EA Sports has just released the early access for FC Empires, a new football 4X Strategy game that’s kind of like Football Manager meets Clash of Clans.

Mafia: The Old Country release date shrinks to summer 2025

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 22:43:46 -0000

Open world fuhgeddaboudit simulator Mafia: The Old Country will release in summer 2025, according to a Youtube trailer that has leaked on social media ahead of tonight's Game Awards. The trailer also treats us to a few snippets of the game's story scenes, shoot-outs and punch-ups. We get to see wise guys swinging knives, riding horses and glowering silently at sun-baked Sicilian countryside.

Warren Spector and Thief's game director are making a multiplayer immersive sim called Thick As Thieves

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:51:19 -0000

A master thief creeps over cobbles in an early modern metropolis that splits the difference between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool. Lit by gaslamps that can’t quite dispel the industrial haze, they pass for a civilian - a rough one, admittedly, but not shady enough to cause an itch in the swordarm of any passing guard.

Until, that is, they take to the thieves’ highway - following the trajectory of their grappling hook upward to the rooftops, from which they can see the shape of the city, and the moon beyond. Up here, it’s a parallel world - the trees on street level answered by chimney stacks, and the distant hills echoed by the rise and fall of steep gables. “We’re super proud of these rooftops,” says Greg LoPiccolo. “It’s an amazing landscape that we put a lot of thought and effort into, and it’s a lot of fun to traverse.”

Back in 1998, LoPiccolo was the game director who saw Thief: The Dark Project to completion. Today - after an 18 year detour to Harmonix to lead projects like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, among other adventures - he’s the game director of Thick as Thieves. “It really is an opportunity to do something unique and cool and new, on the shoulders of this stuff that is now well-respected,” he says. “Thief has some legs, right? People still talk about it to some degree.”

Here’s the trailer for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, from Koei Tecmo, Dotemu, and the Blasphemous team

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:52:50 -0000

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is the next entry in the venerable series of action slice-em-ups, revealed tonight at pre-Geoffies. It’s arriving in 2025 as a joint effort between Koei Tecmo, Blasphemous developers The Game Kitchen, and retro revivalists Dotemu. Trailer below.

The creators of Sifu and Absolver are making a football game, set many decades from now

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Sifu and Absolver developers Sloclap have announced Rematch, a 5v5 multiplayer football game with a gentle dusting of science fiction, out in summer 2025. If, like me, you really enjoyed the French developers' previous martial art sims, you might, like me, find this news deflating. Football? We already have that at home. It's like a martial art, but all you get to kick is some... ball.

I'm not sure I'll ever entirely swallow my disappointment, but credit where it's due, Rematch does look like both an enjoyable game and a quietly disruptive one. It's also struck a chord with me inasmuch as it's a new way into the culture of a sport which I have pretty mixed feelings about.

Shadow Labyrinth is a twisted bloodthirsty take on Pac-Man, out in 2025

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:00:53 -0000

Pac-Man is doing a Prince Of Persia: Warrior Within, everybody. That’s to say, the Bandai Namco series is doing one of those dark, edgy iterations. It’s called Shadow Labyrinth, it’s out in 2025, and it’s a 2D hack-and-slash with gruesome monster designs. But none so gruesome as Pac-Man, who can transform into a huge champing black hole. Wakkawakkawakkawould you play this?

The Witcher 4 shows up at The Game Awards 2024, and it’s looking so much better than you would have thought

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:16:26 -0000

CD Projekt has just turned up at The Game Awards to show off the game we’ve all been referring to as The Witcher 4 or via its codename Polaris up until this point.

Surprise! Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming to PC, and it even already has a release date, so start prepping your mod ideas

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:22:21 -0000

Great news, Final Fantasy 7 fans that have been waiting for Rebirth to come to other platforms, as the JRPG just got a PC release date at The Game Awards.

From Software reveal Elden Ring: Nightreign, a three-player co-op spin-off

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:26:07 -0000

Remember when From Software’s Hidetaka Miyazaki said they weren’t thinking about Elden Ring 2, but they were thinking about the continuation of Elden Ring in general? Well, who had “three player co-op musou” on their bingo card?

Solasta: Crown of the Magister is getting a sequel starring Baldur's Gate 3's narrator

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:27:04 -0000

RPG Solasta: Crown Of The Magister is getting a sequel. Solasta II launches in early access next year, and they’re aiming to have a demo out sometime earlier. Like its predecessor, this one’s a party-based CRPG with tactical combat, featuring single player and online co-op. Here’s a trailer. Warning: it has shiny rock people in it, the worst videogame enemy.

It's not quite Elden Ring 2, but Elden Ring Nightreign certainly looks like everything us FromSoft-heads could want

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:38:30 -0000

At The Game Awards 2024, Geoff Keighley announced that we're getting a (not quite) sequel to Elden Ring - and it's arriving in the form of a co-op focussed title that will allow multiple players to take on bosses from the original game in collaborative environments.

The first Witcher 4 trailer is here, and Ciri is the star

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:47:58 -0000

CD Projekt have screened the first trailer for The Witcher 4, the next instalment in their fantasy monster-slaying series. It’s another single player open world RPG, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Ciri is the protagonist. In fact, she's the protagonist for a whole new Witcher saga, though there’s a tease at the end of the footage that crusty old Geralt may return as well.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is heading to PC in January, a year after its console launch

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:51:15 -0000

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launched on console back in February, and if I'd had to guess, I'd say it would arrive on PC about a year later. Hey - guess what! Square Enix just gave Rebirth a PC release date: January 23rd, 2025.

World Of Tanks creators reveal Steel Hunters, which isn't quite World Of Mechs

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:53:10 -0000

World of Tanks creators Wargaming are getting into the mech-bothering business with Steel Hunters - a new free-to-play Unreal Engine multiplayer shooter, in which Transformers-style juggernauts fight for control of an energy source called "Starfall" on smashable, post-apocalyptic maps. It’s just been announced at Wrasslin' Geoff’s Winter Hootenanny, aka the Game Awards, and there’s a 10 day PC playtest underway right now. Here’s a trailer.

Here’s the first look at The Outer Worlds 2 gameplay

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:57:32 -0000

The Geoffies have delivered us a first look at the gameplay for Obsidian’s spacefaring RPG sequel, The Outer Worlds 2. It looks, as you might expect, very much like the first one, but a bit nicer. The game itself was announced back in 2021, but we’ve seen nary a vaguely satirical sign nor very large gun since. Now we have both, plus some punching. Here’s that trailer.

Tifa? I barely knew her! Final Fantasy 16's Clive will be the first guest character to land in Tekken 8, whether you like it or not

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 01:58:34 -0000

There's a long legacy of guest characters in fighting games. And the variation in quality between guests is as huge as the list is long - the tradition deals the rough with the smooth, to be honest. In Tekken alone, we've had Gon from Masashi Tanaka's manga (a farting dinosaur), Negan from The Walking Dead (a boring fart), and Akuma from Street Fighter (a tough old fart).

Borderlands 4 gets a fresh trailer with some gameplay, and we can see why Randy Pitchford was "FREAKING OUT, yo"

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:00:52 -0000

A fresh trailer for Borderlands 4 just dropped at The Game Awards 2024, just as Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said it would in a whole bunch of tweets.

It Takes Two devs are making a new co-op game called Split Fiction, coming March 2025

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:08:38 -0000

It's the Game Awards this evening, which means another year of Josef Fares appearing on stage to performatively say "fuck" like he thinks it's naughty. Thankfully this year he also had a game to show: Split Fiction, a new co-op action adventure. It's about two aspiring authors, one who writes science fiction and one who writes fantasy, being sucked into and having to survive inside their own fictions.

The Long Dark 2 announced with co-op multiplayer, new urban areas and sanity system

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:24:31 -0000

The Long Dark creators Hinterlands have announced The Long Dark 2, another helping of open-ended wilderness survival. Actually titled Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 - a travestying of naming conventions that is surely more harrowing than any post-apocalyptic winter - it's out in early access in 2026, and introduces urban environments together with a "Will to Live" sanity system and co-op multiplayer. Here's the trailer.

Surprise! Warframe 1999 launches tomorrow for all platforms, so get ready to party like it's.... well, you get the idea

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:25:31 -0000

Digital Extremes - creators of Warframe - has just revealed that its highly anticipated Warframe 1999 update is launching tomorrow for all platforms. No specific release time has yet been specified, however.

The makers of Yakuza are working on "Project Century", a new third-person brawler set in 1915

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:28:54 -0000

I've lost track of how many Yakuza games are in development at any given moment, but it seems makers Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have space for more on their plate. During this evening's Game Awards, they announced "Project Century", a new third-person brawler set in 1915. There's a trailer below.

Borderlands 4 looks ready to drop the hottest memes of 2011 in first-look trailer

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:33:37 -0000

Looter FPS Borderlands 4 has gotten its first trailer, courtesy of Medium Geoff’s Happy Hour and..wait. What you mean it’s three hours? I’m going to die tonight, aren’t I? Ah well, at least I’ll die doing what I’m ambivalent about. Here’s the trailer for Fourderlands, which is out sometime next year.

Move over Resident Evil, Capcom's newest remake darling is Onimusha (just don't expect to get your hands on it until 2026)

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:35:12 -0000

Move over Resident Evil, Capcom has a new remake-led prized pony in town, and it's name is Onimusha.

Helldivers 2's update adds the dreaded Illuminate faction, plus city maps and bouncy jeeps

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:35:22 -0000

Arrowhead and Sony have released a new Helldivers 2 update that introduces the long-rumoured third faction, the Illuminate. Titled Omens of Tyranny, the update also stirs in city maps and a driveable jeep with a mounted gun that immediately reminds me of Halo's Warthog, and is hopefully just as fragile and bouncy. Here's a trailer.

Onimusha Way Of The Sword is the Capcom action-RPG's first new instalment in almost 20 years

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:53:39 -0000

Here's one I didn't see coming: a new Onimusha game. It's called Onimusha Way Of The Sword, and is the first new entry in Capcom's samurai action-horror series since... well, that upcoming VR game doesn't count, and nor does the Warlords remaster in 2018. So, 2012? Maybe 2006, if you rule out the Unity browser sim? Cor.

Den of Wolves' first showing since its big reveal shows off 10 Chambers' Payday roots... but with a lot more sci-fi style

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:10:19 -0000

Den of Wolves - the upcoming sci-fi heist game by 10 Chambers - has broken cover and made a sudden appearance at The Game Awards 2024. During the show we saw a brand-new gameplay trailer as well as a tentative 2025 Early Access release date. So at the very least, we won’t have to wait until 2030 for it (there are always delays, though...)

There's a new Turok game

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:14:58 -0000

There's a brand new Turok video game from Saber Interactive.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered finally gets itself a PC release date

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:27:02 -0000

In a surprise to no one (it has been rumoured for a while now), PlayStation's The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is making its way to PC.

The creator of Ico and Shadow Of The Colossus is making a giant robot-piloting game

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:27:55 -0000

Fumito Ueda is the august visionary behind ICO (small boy rescues small girl from evil castle), Shadow Of The Colossus (grieving boy murders several massive stone animals), The Last Guardian (small boy and huge, dopey dogcat escape from another evil castle). Now, he's getting into Gundams, though it looks like small boys are still a feature. Epic Games Publishing have just unveiled Ueda and genDESIGN's latest creation - Project: Robot. Find a trailer below.

Classic '90s PC racing series Screamer is returning, from the makers of Hot Wheels Unleashed

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:28:21 -0000

Back in the mid '90s, I was hooked on an PC racing game called Screamer. It got a sequel a couple of years later, and then the series went dormant. Until now, when it's seemingly returning as a foreboding, anime-infused racer about defying death, once again called simply Screamer. Huh! Huh. You'll find a trailer below.

Warframe's motorbiking, pal romancing 1999 expansion finally has a release date

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:28:39 -0000

It feels like forever since we first laid eyes on Warfarme's 1999 expansion (it was, in fact, a little over a year ago during TennoCon 2023), but the free-to-play sci-fi shooter's time-travelling 1999 story expansion finally has a release date: it launches for all platforms on 13th December - which is to say, later today.

There's a new Sonic Racing game in development

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 03:50:53 -0000

I'm a big fan of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, which pit Sonic and pals against a stable of characters from Sega's other games, including Total War and Football Manager. I'm less of a fan of Sonic's other kart racing exploits, but I'm still cautiously interested to learn he's getting back behind the wheel. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was just announced.

Naughty Dog's next game is a sci-fi hack 'n' slash called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:07:23 -0000

Well, what have we here? It's only a brand new franchise from Naughty Dog.

Aaron Paul stars in Dispatch, a story based superhero management game from ex-Telltale devs

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:08:00 -0000

Aaron Paul, he of a heartbreakingly fraught performance as Todd in Bojack Horseman, and also Breaking Bad, is starring in a new strategy story game from AdHoc, a studio with ex-Telltale developers at the helm. Dispatch is a story-focused strategy game where you’ll play a broke superhero trying to get himself a new mech suit by working at a hero dispatch center. Having trouble tracking a trailer down for this one, but you can find it here on Steam.

Wait. I’ve found it! Leaving that last bit in though. Consider it my gift to you reader. The gift of visible workflow at 4am.

Putting the mega drive back into Sega: how the company wants to return to creating video game "rock & roll", compared to Nintendo's "pop music"

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:10:14 -0000

The name Shuji Utsumi might not be as well-known as some other video game execs, but Sega Corp's recently-appointed president and COO is an industry veteran who's been toiling behind the scenes since Sony's early planning of the first PlayStation.

Naughty Dog are making a sci-fi bounty hunter game called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:11:16 -0000

Naughty Dog have announced their long-gestating new game, and their first in a long while that's not a sequel. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is a science fiction bounty hunter game set on a mysterious isolated planet, and the first cinematic trailer is below.

We're getting an Okami 2, with Hideki Kamiya at the reins

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:16:54 -0000

Capcom are working on a sequel to Okami, the wonderful 2006 Zelda-like in which you play a sun goddess in a wolf's body, roaming a world of ink and parchment. It’s being co-developed by M-TWO Inc, Machine Head Works Inc and CLOVERS Inc, and directed by original Okami game director Hideki Kamiya. I am tickled pink, I tell you. Find a trailer below.

Sega unveils next Virtua Fighter, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and new project from Like a Dragon studio

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:16:58 -0000

A month after casually dropping the bombshell another Virtua Fighter's in the works, Sega has officially unveiled its long-awaited franchise revival to the world - all during a Game Awards blow-out that also saw it dusting off its Sonic Racing series for another dash around the track, plus a brand-new game from the studio behind Like a Dragon, this time set in 1915.

Okami sequel in the works with Capcom and Hideki Kamiya's new studio, Clovers

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:24:38 -0000

A sequel to Okami is in the works, thanks to a partnership between Capcom and Hideki Kamiya's new studio, Clovers.

Everything announced at The Game Awards 2024

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:48:11 -0000

For the tenth year running, The Game Awards 2024 was packed with tons of game reveals this evening, and we've got the complete run-down of everything announced right here. Below, you'll find all the new Game Award trailers shown tonight, as well as a quick rundown of what was actually announced (and if you're here to find out who won what award, have a read of our full Game Awards winners list).

If you want to hear Disco Elysium's amazing music live, you need to act quickly: Sea Power is touring in 2025

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

There's a lot to love about Disco Elysium: the writing, the art style, the philosophy, the branching narrative, the little hole in the middle of space and time, lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi... the list goes on.

Helldivers 2 hits its highest Steam player number since May's PSN account linking backlash, and naturally all it took was Arrowhead finally unleashing the Illuminate

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:03:40 -0000

The wait is finally over, Helldivers 2 folks! The Illuminate are here after all that speculation, having arrived as part of a big new update to the game - Omens of Tyranny. It certainly got everyone's attention, leading the game to immediately hit its highest Steam player number in about six months.

The Game Awards 2024 winners list - who won what this year

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:23:21 -0000

Astro Bot has won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024.

Need more firepower to take on Helldivers 2's Illuminate? Well, the Urban Legends Warbond includes a flamethrower turret that can burn everything to death - including you

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:23:28 -0000

After yesterday's big update, Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead isn't done. It's just deployed a fresh warbond to offer to players taking on the new Illuminate threat that's arrived as part of Omens of Tyranny. The highlights, gear-wise? Well, a big new flamethrower, and a big pointy electric stick.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 13th

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Would you like to know more? Open the door and earn your citizenship today.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PC technical specs revealed, PS5 console exclusive being "optimised" for Steam Deck

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:16:14 -0000

The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth team is working on getting the game's upcoming PC release optimised for Steam Deck.

You'll soon be able to spread democracy with a limited edition Helldivers 2 DualSense controller in hand

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:38:24 -0000

Helldivers 2 has revealed a limited edition controller themed around PlayStation's chaotic space shooter.

Tekken 8's next fighter is Clive, actually

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:56:18 -0000

Earlier this week we heard rumblings of a new character announcement for Tekken 8, and at the same time a trailer dropped a big unmistakable hint for red-dressed rabble rouser Anna Williams. Turns out that unmistakable hint was mistakable. My mistake. At last night's Game Awards we learned that the next fighter to come to the game will be... Clive? From Final Fantasy XVI? Sure. Why not.

Turok: Origins will revisit the dinosaur hunter in a third-person shooter with co-op

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:56:32 -0000

Will the bulletting of my beloved dinosaurs never cease? Turok: Origins will revisit the dino-hunting archery of ye olde Nintendo 64, reimagining it as a story of three native huntsfolk out to lambast large lizards. The big new angle is that it'll be a third-person shooter and you can play in online co-op as a team of T-rex wreckers. You then slurp up their dino DNA to upgrade your character. Come and watch these crimes against nature in the trailer below.

The Cabin Factory review - a gimmick worth the cheap price of entry

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0000

I like a good gimmick. I think the term unfortunately has negative connotations, used by people to downplay something neat as the only thing going for a product - a game, film, bit of tech, etc. The Cabin Factory is essentially one gimmick. It's not really a full game built around a gimmick, it's just the gimmick. It's a really cool one, though. Is a cabin haunted? Yes or no. Simple. I couldn't play with headphones on, needed to make the room bright, and had Bluey playing on my phone next to my monitor to lower my stress level. It's a damn scary gimmick!

Gotham Knights developer Warner Bros Games Montreal slashes 99 jobs

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:11:10 -0000

Warner Bros. Games Montreal, the developer behind Gotham Knights and Batman: Arkham Origins, has laid off 99 developers.

Forget everything else at The Game Awards, between Like A Dragon dev RGG's mysterious new game and a semi-leaked thing, the real winners last night were lovers of early 20th century scraps

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:24:30 -0000

Among the many, many things that were shown off at last night's Keighleyfest - The Game Awards - were few things that I'm really excited about. Sure, The Witcher 4 was a big one, but there were others, and two of them have more common ground than you might expect from a couple of games set literally miles apart. They're Project Century and Mafia: The Old Country and they both look like they'll scratch my weird itch for fights that take place when my great grandad was alive.

Geralt of town, that was definitely Doug Cockle's white-haired monster hunter in The Witcher 4's reveal trailer

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:27:43 -0000

No, your ears were not deceiving you. That was definitely Geralt voice actor Doug Cockle popping up at the end of the Witcher 4's reveal trailer last night, and yes, the white-haired monster hunter will absolutely feature in some way in the upcoming game.

Elder Scrolls Online developer votes to unionise

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:46:32 -0000

Workers at ZeniMax Online Studios have voted to unionise.

While CEOs got dressed up for the Game Awards, 461 workers at Zenimax Online Studios unionised

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:05:49 -0000

Stealth launching a game during an awards ceremony is cool. But you know what's cooler? Stealth launching a union. As many in the games industry settled in for an evening of advertisements and blockbuster backslapping, one group of US workers quietly succeeded in organising something of their own. Employees at Zenimax Online Studios launched their union with 461 members, as announced on social media site Bluesky last night.

The future of Lego Fortnite: "I hope it will never be done"

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:05:53 -0000

This week has seen a flurry of activity within Lego Fortnite, the game's ever-expanding corner in which several major game modes now sit. First, there was the arrival of a major update for Lego Fortnite Odyssey (the mode previously also simply known as 'Lego Fortnite') that adds the Storm King boss as a big endgame challenge, akin to the Ender Dragon in Minecraft.

While Geralt's still hanging around, The Witcher 4 being about Ciri was "the natural choice" and CD Projekt says it'll lead to "more uncertainty and more surprises"

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:32:16 -0000

We all got our first proper look at The Witcher 4 during The Game Awards last night, via a cool new trailer that showed Ciri - the game's protagonist - doing some witchering.

Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island review - a repetitive if inoffensive offering of the gods

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:35:07 -0000

As I drag on another hoodie and fight the urge to put on the heating, the soft sands and sun-bleached stones of Ambrosia Island are undeniably appealing. So, too, is Mythwrecked's promise of a wholesome, frictionless adventure - as we haul ourselves towards 2024's finishing line, I can't imagine anything more delightful than losing a few hours exploring a lush, tropical island.

Open world sword-swinger Crimson Desert horse-powerslides to a late 2025 release

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:40:00 -0000

Crimson Desert first galloped onto the scene in 2020, with a bombastic trailer at Gamescom 2023 showcasing some particularly beautiful medieval open world action adventuring. It's got horses, fishing, plate armour and roving heroism, but one thing it lacks is a release date. Now, thanks to The Geoff Awards, that's changed! Well, sort of - Crimson Desert is out sometime in late 2025.

Elden Ring co-op spin-off Nightreign network test announced, and you can register for it soon

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:24:40 -0000

The Elden Ring team will be hosting a network test for its upcoming co-op spin-off, Nightreign.

Marvel Rivals' secret weapon is its healthy mix of A-listers and overlooked characters, and this may help the brand as a whole

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

"Curse you, Jeff!" That's what I've yelled internally as I was thrown into the nearest abyss at least five times since Marvel Rivals' launch on December 6. Before that, I barely even knew who the hell Jeff the Land Shark was, and this is coming from a pop culture sicko.

Wahey, Elden Ring Nightreign is getting a network test that'll let you play a bit of it early next year, and you can sign up very soon

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:09:24 -0000

Elden Ring Nightreign was one of the big healines at The Game Awards yesterday, as you'd expect from anything with FromSoftware's critically-acclaimed fingertips. Now, Bandai Namco has revealed that it'll be getting a network test early next year, with sign-ups starting in January.

Five Resident Evil games tested on PS5 Pro - and the upgrades are substantial

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:11:52 -0000

Between all of the PS5 Pro upgrades we've tested to date, the Resident Evil series enjoys some of the greatest benefits by running on Sony's new hardware. In order, we have 2017's Resident Evil 7, the remakes for RE 2 and 3, Resident Evil Village, and most recently Resident Evil 4 Remake. Capcom's in-house RE Engine forms the technical backbone for all five games, of course, and each one runs as a native PS5 app. Except, there's often been a catch to their performance delivery on base PS5 - whether it's using RT features at 60fps in some cases, or enabling a 120Hz HFR mode in others, there's potential not being totally fulfilled on base hardware. PS5 Pro offers a solution across the board with its increased GPU power and more advanced PSSR upscaling, via which there's now a genuine means to bridge the gap to those frame-rate targets.

What are we all playing this weekend?

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Most of the population of the RPS treehouse is currently hanging limply off various branches after the ordeal that was "staying up until 6am to cover everything announced at The Game Awards. So let's keep this brief, and no one speak too loudly please, we're sensitive at the moment. Here's what we're all playing this weekend!

What we've been playing - advent calendars, tricksy trials, and ages of dragons

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Hello! Welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing over the past few days. This week, we admire temporary rule-changes in a game, we play a real-life advent calendar somehow, and we push to the end of a long fantasy adventure.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 14th

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Squeezing through the advent calendar window into a sodden glade of flower and coral, you spy a curious organism on a ledge in the shadows. It’s a video game of some description, though it looks like a squirrel, with frantic white eyes. What’s it doing? Ah, whoops, you’ve startled it. Better follow it offscreen.

Uh oh, Roblox's Dress to Impress has lost Santa, but it's still sleighing the festive season with new Winter Wonderland event

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Dress to Impress kicks off its Christmas-themed festivities today with a Winter Wonderland event that will be running within the Roblox game until January 14. That’s a whole month of putting together outfits that will sleigh the catwalk, as well as some sleuthing, as players are also tasked with finding out where the hell Santa has vanished to.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's full ray tracing upgrade is beautiful

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 17:17:28 -0000

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is shaping up to be one of my favourite games of all time, capturing the look and feel of the classic movies - and its rendering plays a big part in that. The standard game ships with a form of ray-traced global illumination, but Machine Games has gone one step further for the PC version, delivering a full ray tracing upgrade. This turns an already great-looking game into an even better one, often bridging the gap between RTGI and full offline rendering. It has its limitations - which we'll go into - but overall, it's a spectacular upgrade. Yes, it can be demanding on hardware, but you can still enjoy the lion's share of the benefits on RTX 4070-class hardware at 1440p resolution.

Epic signs deal "to make Fortnite and Epic Games Store more accessible on millions of Android devices"

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:22:39 -0000

Epic Games has signed a deal with European telecommunications company Telefónica to pre-install the Epic Games Store on all its new Android devices.

Greedfall 2's improvements will come "gradually" with Update 0.2 "only the first step"

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 19:12:31 -0000

Greedfall 2 developer Spiders is taking the end of the year as an opportunity to "reflect on our journey so far" and said it is "committed to building a great game alongside [the community] and listening to your invaluable feedback".

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 15th

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Today’s advent calendar window is a window upon Xmas past. It returns us to the days of LAN parties and dial-up, of demo discs and Fileplanet – a more innocent era, before multiplayer shooters fell under the spell of progression. Not that innocent, maybe. There were plenty of arseholes back then. Some of them now run very large software companies. But at least there was no grinding to ruin your bunnyhopping.

Finally, an awards show gives Silent Hill 2 Remake and other horror games the love they deserve

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 12:58:52 -0000

Silent Hill 2 Remake may have been robbed of the awards it was nominated for at The Game Awards, but it took home the top Game of the Year prize at the 2024 Horror Game Awards last night.

Want to refresh yourself on Final Fantasy 7 Remake before Rebirth drops on PC? A new patch should help you out, even if one new feature is a bit of an odd one

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 13:52:14 -0000

Final Fantasy 7 Remake, not Rebirth, has a new patch, and it should help you speed through it ahead of the sequel's arrival on PC.

"It needs a lot more time in the oven" - Larian hopes it can distract you from whatever its next game is with a cute, puzzley Advent calendar

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:34:06 -0000

No, Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios isn't quite ready to show off its next game just yet, but it does have a little Advent calendar for you to get through at least.

With Okami and Onimusha sequels finally in the works, you might be hoping Capcom is planning some more comebacks, and it turns out you might just get your wish

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:54:17 -0000

Capcom had a big night at The Game Awards this week with the return of a couple classic titles, and it sounds like they won't be the last.

Yes, The Witcher 4's Ciri has been recast

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:28:30 -0000

Yes, the rumours are true - CD Projekt Red has indeed recast The Witcher 4's Ciri.

What's on your bookshelf?: I am going to sleep for several weeks edition

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Can one sleep on a bookshelf? I'm going to find out. See you in the new year. Or, probably next Sunday with another minimum effort column entry. Book for now!

Yes, you're hearing right: Ciri does sound different in that first Witcher 4 trailer, but CD Projekt Red hasn't shared why she's been recast

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:07:14 -0000

Some of you might have noticed that Ciri is sounding a bit different in the first trailer for The Witcher 4, and as it turns out, it's because she's been recast.

Still not over Cyberpunk: Edgerunners? The just revealed manga prequel won't help, but it does seem like a great addition to the series

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:40:53 -0000

A manga adaptation of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is here, the only problem is you probably won't be able to read it just yet.

There's a big JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime event coming next year, and fans have already convinced themselves that the next part of the series is finally getting adapted

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 17:03:59 -0000

Don't get too excited just yet, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure fans, but an anime event scheduled for next year does have some wondering if the next part is on the way.

While you wait for The Witcher 4, a bunch of former CD Projekt Red devs hope to get you interested in what they're working on with a title reveal and a promise of a proper showcase

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 17:24:39 -0000

Rebel Wolves isn't quite ready to show you what it's working on yet, but a small teaser has revealed the name of its first game.

Hidetaka Miyazaki's five words of advice for the director of Elden Ring: Nightreign probably sum up his own ethos better than any of us ever could

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 17:48:12 -0000

Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki is taking a backseat for Nightreign, but he did have some solid advice for the spin-offs director.

The Maw: what's new in PC games this week?

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:13:15 -0000

Seasons greetings, reader! It's almost time to hang your stocking by the crackling fireplace and post your handwritten letters to Santa up the chimney. If you don't have stockings, a fireplace, or a pen, rest easy. I've had a word with Santa's elves, and they say it's permissible to hang a trash bag by your George Foreman grill or local equivalent, and leave a comment on an RPS article instead. Wot you want for Wintermas, then? Extra trash bags? New George Foreman grill? Whatever it is, Santa will provide. If he doesn't, I'll feed him to the Maw.

You might be surprised to hear it, but Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is apparently already one of Bandai Namco's best selling games of all time

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:00:22 -0000

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has obviously been popular with fans, but it turns out it might be more successful than anyone might have guessed.

Black Myth: Wukong producer on The Game Awards top prize snub: "I came all the way here for nothing!"

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:02:39 -0000

Black Myth: Wukong producer and Game Science CEO Feng Ji has posted a lengthy statement following the action game's apparent snub for the top prize at this year's The Game Awards.

Diablo 4's final event of the year has the entire community chasing Treasure Goblins for some cool rewards

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:03:58 -0000

Diablo 4 is ending what’s been its best year yet on a high note with one final event that’s going to involve all players. Rather than the usual style of live event, this one features multiple tiers that can only be unlocked through the community’s collective effort.

Hideki Kamiya's "artistic spirit would die" had he stayed at Platinum Games

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:45:01 -0000

Hideki Kamiya has stated if he'd continued working for Platinum Games his "artistic spirit [would] die".

Balatro Dev jokes about adding loot boxes to lower 18 age rating, highlighting the "real gambling" EA Sports FC gets away with

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:54:31 -0000

Balatro, which was a runner up for The Game Awards' Game of the Year award, is certainly a popular game. However, for months now it's been plagued with a black mark of sorts on digital storefronts. This, a Pegi 18 rating indicating the game is for adults only, remains after months of pushback, despite other games with real gambling staying up at a 3+ rating. Earlier today, the solo dev of Balatro brought issue to the issue yet again.

We really don't need a Cyberpunk 2077 movie, but if there ever is one, Idris Elba is already up for reprising his role

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:03:41 -0000

A Cyberpunk 2077 film isn't in the works, but if anyone decides to make one, it can rest easy knowing it's already got Idris Elba aboard.

Elden Ring has now sold 28.6m copies, outselling the Dark Souls series combined prior to release

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:23:53 -0000

Elden Ring has now sold over 28.6m copies worldwide, outselling the entire Dark Souls series prior to its release.

Capcom focusing on "re-activating dormant" series, following Okami and Onimusha revivals

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 11:52:29 -0000

Capcom is working on more revivals of its dormant series, the company said following the reveal of new Okami and Onimusha games at last week's The Game Awards.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 16th

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Today’s door has a big DO NOT ENTER sign, suggesting your immediate opening of it was in fact prohibited. Banned. Taboo, even. Yet it’s hard to see why, as it swings open to reveal a spectacular sunset view, interrupted only by the roar of a mechanical woolly mammoth.

The Witcher 4 might not end up looking as pretty as its reveal trailer, but at the very least CD Projekt Red says it represents an "overall feel" the devs wants it to have

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:13:08 -0000

The Witcher 4's reveal trailer was quite a looker, and it turns out CD Projekt Red is hoping it'll capture that in the full game too.

Unpacking developer calls out Nintendo after reporting "cheap fakes" on its eShop

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:38:01 -0000

The creative director of indie hit Unpacking, Wren Brier, has called out Nintendo due to the prominence of copycat games on its Switch eShop.

Hideki Kamiya might be all in on the Okami sequel at his new studio, but that doesn't mean completely new titles aren't on the table

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:02:53 -0000

After an almost two decade long wait, an Okami sequel is finally on the way, but that isn't the only thing Hideki Kamiya has in mind at his new studio.

Playing Wreckfest while learning to drive was surprisingly helpful

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:28:21 -0000

At 9 years old, in the plastic seats of a Sega Rally arcade machine, I quickly learned that "automatic" is better than "manual" without understanding why. And now I know: changing gears is a fucking chore. This year, in my mid-thirties, I finally learned to drive. And weirdly, a racing game about destroying clapped-out old bangers helped me along. Thank you Wreckfest, for all the bottled road rage you allowed me to unleash.

Beware: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film spoilers are running wild

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:08:26 -0000

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is out in cinemas later this week, but supposed spoilers of its post credits scene are already being posted online.

While you wait for that Superman trailer, have a listen to the upcoming film's quite lovely main theme that calls back to the 1978 original

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:24:23 -0000

We won't be getting the first trailer for James Gunn's Superman until later in the week, but he has at least shared the main theme.

Boomer shooter dev discovers his dogs have been barking on an "unbearable" loop for years

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:47:43 -0000

Sometimes dogs are hard to shut up. Over a year and half after releasing Hrot from early access, the developer of the Quake-inspired shooter has fixed the dogs after discovering that a few of the canines have been, for some players, barking in a hideous and endless loop.

Beneath A Steel Sky at 30: how Terry Gilliam's Brazil and a week in Wales sowed the seeds of this classic adventure game

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Founded in 1989, Yorkshire-based Revolution Software hit the ground running with Lure of the Temptress, an advanced 3D point-and-click adventure that utilised Revolution's own Virtual Theatre engine. "We were reaching the end [on Lure of the Temptress], and it was the most intense time, testing and checking it," remembers Charles Cecil, co-founder of Revolution alongside Tony Warriner, Noirin Carmody and David Sykes. "And the problem was, as a one-team, one-project company, we were having to start the next one at the same time." Hence the development detox for Warriner and Cummins, despatched to a remote Cecil family cottage in North Wales. When the pair returned, they had a 12-page design for Revolution's next game.

Turns out we can't have anything nice anymore, as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 spoilers are apparently already floating around

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:53:37 -0000

Be careful out there, Sonic fans, as spoilers for the third movie have seemingly hit the internet.

If you can believe it, Lords of the Fallen is still getting patches that change its combat this many months after launch

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:56:10 -0000

Remember Lords of the Fallen? Not the original 2014 game, the sequel that came out in October last year and was fairly divisive. The game’s developer, Hexworks, never really stopped working on it.

Nintendo battling rising development costs with creativity, says Shigeru Miyamoto

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:01:48 -0000

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has stated the company's belief that unique creativity is more important than development costs.

Alan Wake 2 update improves PS5 Pro performance at last

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:19:51 -0000

A new update for Alan Wake 2 has been released to finally tackle issues with PS5 Pro performance.

Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature enemies from Dark Souls, director confirms

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:03:35 -0000

Elden Ring spin-off game Nightreign will feature enemies from Dark Souls, its director has confirmed.

Borderlands 4 will dial down the toilet humour, says narrative director

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:24:24 -0000

Borderlands 4 will dial down the toilet humour compared to the previous game, so don't expect any "skibidi" quotes.

Gwent returns in The Witcher 4, according to CD Projekt's heavy hints

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:48:24 -0000

Quick, the world is in peril, your adopted daughter is under threat, and nearby villagers are being terrorised by monsters. What do you do? Oh, you're sitting down at a cosy table in the local tavern. You're playing a card game with a dude called "Aldert". The wind outside is howling, and so are the nightwraiths, but you're just sitting there. Playing another "cow" card. Okay.

Guess you'll be happy to learn that the Witcher 4 developers have more or less confirmed that Gwent will be making a return in the recently trailered Ciri-led sequel.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 17th

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Uh, it's probably not a problem - probably - but I'm seeing a small discrepancy in today's advent calendar and... no, never mind... it's well within acceptable bounds. Go ahead, open the door.

Marvel Rivals Winter Celebration features Splatoon-esque arcade mode starring Jeff the Land Shark

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:04 -0000

A special Winter Celebration for Marvel Rivals has been revealed, which includes a limited-time game mode inspired by Splatoon.

Elden Ring: Nightreign will support singleplayer, but it might not reward it

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:56:12 -0000

Great was the adulation last week when FromSoftware announced a new Elden Ring game, Elden Ring: Nightreign - and great the lamentation from certain quarters when it was revealed to be a co-op-focussed experience. If you missed the reveal, perhaps because you value sleep over the spectacle of Geoff Keighley's fashion friends, let me catch you up: in Nightreign, you pick one of eight preset characters and explore a parallel-universe version of Elden Ring's Limgrave map, fighting lesser foes and levelling up quickly so that you can battle a boss at the end of each 15-minute in-game day.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director asks PC players to avoid "offensive or inappropriate" mods

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 13:37:00 -0000

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, has asked PC players not to install any "offensive or inappropriate" mods once the game is released.

Warframe does it again, turning another mobility bug into a permanent feature

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:57:06 -0000

Almost a decade ago, Warframe players were using weapons like The Tipedo to send themselves flying through the air at ludicrous speeds. This turned the mobility game on its heads, allowing folks with the dexterity to do so to quickly soar through levels. Digital Extremes, rather than remove this bug, made it a feature. Now, with Warframe 1999, it seems a similar revolution in the mobility game has happened again.

The Horizon games on PS5 Pro feature some of the best upscaling technology we've seen

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Horizon Forbidden West has received a PS5 Pro patch and the game represents one of the best-looking and most interesting efforts we've seen on the new console. After all, developers Guerrilla Games are famous for their use of checkerboard rendering on PS4 and PS5, and they've now moved onto something new - but it's not PSSR, the upscaler introduced on PS5 Pro that has been used in so many other PS5 Pro enhanced games. Instead, it's its own solution - a kind of 'Guerilla Super Resolution', if you will, and it represents some of the cleanest reconstructed image quality we've seen on consoles. Just how good is it? We decided to find out.

Den of Wolves lead reveals the secret behind badass video game music, the "other mid tempo", and Metal Gear Rising's composer's involvement

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:00:30 -0000

Den of Wolves stood out to me during this year's packed Game Awards celebration for one major reason. The music. Yes, the concept of a new first person heist game from the developers of Payday 2 is enough to garner significant hype, but it's the pounding, relentless rhythms that snatched my attention. Inside the Peacock theatre, you could feel your chair shaking.

"There's a lot packed into this update emotionally" warframe 1999's Ben Starr speaks on bringing some humanity to Arthur

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Warframe 1999 is here at last and players are having a blast exploring the past, zooming around on motorbikes, and thirsting over Viktor. However, it's also probably one of the most stacked updates in terms of popular voice acting talent. Warframe has always been solid in the VO department, but with Ben Starr, Alpha Takahashi, Amelia Tyler, and Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge the bar has been lifted to a whole other level.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete review - ditching the microtransactions for a more forgiving experience

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

The last time I wrote for Eurogamer, it was to tell the story of how Nintendo announced the end of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp as a freemium live service game and sent me into a tailspin of despair. The only thing helping me through this bleak time was the fact that, tucked at the very end of Nintendo's email, was the revelation that my save data could live on in a paid app - Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete - which would arrive in "the future".

Catly developer denies using generative AI or blockchain technology in its open-world cat game

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:10:54 -0000

The developer of Catly, an open-world cat game revealed at last week's The Game Awards, has denied using generative AI for the game's trailer, or the game itself.

I can't bear to play much of free horror game Toy Box, but I love the concept of pulling talking toys apart

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:56:32 -0000

Toy Box sounds like a very Xmassy game, but then you watch a trailer, and realise that it is not very Xmassy at all. It's a free visual novel with a macabre puzzling element. The setup is that you're a toy inspector working for a jovial Grand Toy Maker, his face hidden above the top of the screen. Your job is to disassemble toys - five in all - according to his eldritch written instructions, and either "salvage" them or "sentence" them to the incinerator.

My game of the year is Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree because, yes, of course you're are allowed to choose DLC

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

The best expansions are unmistakably grounded in their base game, but take all of their strongest ideas and distill them down into a more refined, self-contained experience which not only celebrates everything that made the original great, but takes it just that little bit further, too.

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 review: A genuine disruptor

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0000

I don't think there's much of a finer example of a 'heritage brand' than Cambridge Audio. Founded in 1968, they've been making fantastic audio kit including amps, record decks and headphones for such a long time, and as such, are a brand I've admired from afar. Their P100s are their first run at wireless, over-ear headphones with noise cancelling, which is as competitive of a market as it gets for audio.

The Game Awards' first Game Changers recipient responds to "hateful" and "disturbing" comments accusing him of fraud

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:49:46 -0000

Amir Satvat was the recipient of the first 'Game Changers' award at The Game Awards last week, but has since received "countless hateful messages", "disturbing comments" and antisemitic remarks about his wife.

Turns out Secret Level wasn't so secret after all, as Amazon has renewed it for a second season

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:54:06 -0000

Secret Level might have been a bit naff, but a lot of people watched it anyway, so Amazon is renewing it for a second season.

Amazon's game-inspired Secret Level anthology renewed for second season

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:14:44 -0000

Secret Level is set to return for a second season, following its debut on Amazon last week.

Times Of Progress is an elegant, focussed city builder set during the Industrial Revolution

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:29:19 -0000

Times Of Progress is a special game for me, because it's the first news tip I have ever received from Sin Vega, Prime Minister of Strategy Gaming. Sin once described writing news articles for our former news editor Alice0 (RPS in peace) as like practising backflips in front of the kung fu master. Writing about a new city builder at Sin's suggestion is like being invited to budget the development of Londinium by Julius Caesar.

The terror of screwing it up - together with other, more trivial distractions, like international games industry conferences - has stopped me from writing about Times Of Progress for months. Today I bite the bullet, and emerge from my lodgings to issue a hesitant speech to the masses, hoping like hell that Caesar is too preoccupied with the latest Gaul uprising to notice my errors.

Can't wait for The Witcher 4? Well, thanks to Witcher 3 modders, you can now get an early taste of playing as grown up monster slayer Ciri

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:30:41 -0000

While hype for The Witcher 4's rightly through the roof right now after it got a cool new trailer at The Game Awards last week, odds are we've still got a good while to wait before we can all head off on the path as Ciri.

First look at Exodus gameplay gives next-gen Mass Effect vibes

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:54:11 -0000

Archetype Entertainment has finally unveiled a first look at gameplay of its forthcoming sci-fi RPG Exodus.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse finally puts some names to its directors, and no, they didn't just join the film

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:59:04 -0000

Without a release date in sight, Sony finally confirms who's directing Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, but don't worry, they didn't just sign up.

Helldivers 2's first ever crossover is here, and it's good news for super credit flush Killzone fans

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:24:51 -0000

Because you don't have enough new gear to grab as you battle the Illuminate, Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has just revealed the game's first ever crossover. It's a welcome one with dormant PlayStation shooter Killzone, and the first of its gear drops is available right now.

Fresh Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra details and first look at Wakanda revealed by writer Amy Hennig

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:28:46 -0000

Fresh details on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra have been revealed by writer Amy Hennig, as well as a first look at its version of Wakanda.

Helldivers 2's first licensed crossover is also Killzone's official debut on PC, sort of

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:34:34 -0000

After much teasing, the vicious tyrants of Arrowhead Games and their noxious puppets, the "democratic government" of Super Earth, have announced the very first Helldivers 2 licensed crossover. In yet another hollow display of solidarity and "Liber-tea", they've teamed up with the loathsome fascists of Killzone, the elderly shooter series from Sony and Guerrilla Games.

From today, you'll be able to buy weapons, armour and cosmetics belonging to Killzone's despicable stormtroopers from the Helldivers Superstore, and there's the suggestion of an additional Killzone-themed reward depending on the fortunes of the so-called Galactic War, a xenocidal bloodbath couched as an exercise in bringing "freedom" to the upstanding socialist Automatons, the blameless wildlife of the Tyranids, and the Wellsian cosplayers of the recently added Illuminate faction.

We here at Rock Paper Shotgun stand against Super Earth and Arrowhead's wanton aggression, which absolutely isn't a big satirical joke based on some Verhoeven film or other. Anyway, those capes. Find an image and further details below.

Mass Effect-like Exodus's first gameplay video features duels with space bears and chats with thankful frogs

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:58:44 -0000

First revealed all the way back in December 2023, Archetype Entertainment and Blur Studio's sci-fi action adventure Exodus hit us with a few things: Matthew McConaughey is involved, it looks a bit like Mass Effect, it's being developed by BioWare veterans, and it loves a bit of time dilation. In October of this year, we got a look at some icky celestial faction and zero in the way of actual gameplay. And now? Now we finally get a look at how you do things. Like sucker-punching armoured space bears in the face with electro-pistols.

Helldivers 2 receives first ever crossover with Killzone 2 cosmetics

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:59:36 -0000

Helldivers 2 has received its first ever crossover DLC, adding Killzone 2 cosmetics.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 18th

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Today's Advent Calendar might take you quite some time to polish off. It's ridiculously dense, darkly majestic, and popular among masochists. Come then, touch the withered arm and be transported behind door number 18...

A Bluey movie is on the way, putting the fear of uncontrollably sobbing in front of a crowd of children in parents everywhere

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:05:10 -0000

Prepare yourselves, parents, as Bluey is making its way to the big screen, but don't worry, it's not out for a couple of years.

Spider-Punk lands in Marvel vs Capcom Infinite thanks to a giant mod with a revamped art style and new modes out this week

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:16:15 -0000

Fists up, a big fighting game mod is due out this weekend. Marvel vs Capcom Infinite came out in 2017 and got some flak for its plastic figurine art style. But this year a modder began work on an overhaul that would grant the game pretty cel-shaded visuals. Since then the modding team has grown to 40 people and the scope of the mod's features has ballooned. It's now going to include new moves, stages, costumes, and a chaotic-looking 2v2 multiplayer tag team mode. All good news for biff 'em up sickos, as the mod is due to release on Friday.

Remember Exodus? Here's its first gameplay, featuring a not quite Commander Shepard sci-fi slapping up a space bear

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:01:56 -0000

You might well have forgotten about Exodus in the year since it was first revealed at The Game Awards 2023 by actor Matthew McConaughey, who's playing a mysterious "major character" in it called C.C Orlev. The good news is that about a year on, it's now gotten its first gameplay trailer, featuring action that looks like it'll appeal to those who like to bang, ok.

Who said nostalgia was dead? Certainly not the first trailer for Karate Kid: Legends

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:04:05 -0000

I'm not sure how they're still making Karate Kid movies, but they are, and the latest one just got its first trailer.

The Sims creator Will Wright discusses his forthcoming AI life sim Proxi

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:09:23 -0000

Will Wright, creator of The Sims and co-founder of its developer Maxis, has shared fresh details of his forthcoming AI life sim, Proxi.

CD Projekt Red stays coy on whether The Witcher 4 can run on current-gen consoles, including Xbox Series S

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:37:53 -0000

Since The Witcher 4's impressive, ultra-high-fidelity debut trailer at The Game Awards last week, there's been a fair bit of consternation from fans as to whether it'll actually be playable on current-gen hardware. That's something only compounded by the mention, in the trailer's small print and a brief official blog, that the trailer was pre-rendered on a mysterious, "unannounced Nvidia GeForce RTX" graphics card, "using assets and models from the game itself" - suggesting at least some minor level of similarity to what the game will look like on arrival.

The Witcher 4 dev CD Projekt Red talks Ciri fan reaction, playable Geralt coyness, and if the game will honour your previous choices

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:37:55 -0000

The Witcher 4 is real, and it's actually called The Witcher 4. It'll star Ciri as the main protagonist, be another third-person action-RPG just like The Witcher 3, and Doug Cockle returns to voice Geralt of Rivia, who will indeed be present in the game in some form.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film review - a fitting finale for the Year of Shadow

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Back in April, Sega dubbed 2024 the Year of Shadow, in celebration of Sonic's Adventure 2 nemesis. We've had Lego sets, mobile game events, a motorcycle tour, and of course the excellent Shadow campaign in Sonic x Shadow Generations. But it's all been leading up to this, the main event: Keanu Reeves, as Shadow, in Sonic 3.

Lost Soul Aside launches in 2025, nine years after Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy 15 inspired action game's reveal

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:11:23 -0000

Lost Soul Aside is set to launch in 2025, nine years after its solo developer first revealed the Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy 15 inspired action game.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a tease of a teaser trailer for James Gunn's Superman, and it really wants you to look up

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:38:58 -0000

James Gunn's Superman is getting its first teaser trailer tomorrow, and ahead of that it's gotten its own little tease.

VG247's best games of 2024 that aren't actually from 2024, because we're all time- and money-poor these days, right?

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

I'll cut to the chase: 2024 has been a great year for gaming. Just look at the various GOTY pieces that'll be going up over this week and into the beginning of 2025: each of the writing team here at VG247 has written three pieces - one about our actual GOTY, one about something that we feel has been criminally under-rated over the past 12 months, and one about something we're really looking forward to in the new year.

PS5 Pro deep dive reaction: GPU and RT improvements, PSSR and Sony's new AMD Amethyst partnership

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

When Sony revealed the PlayStation 5 Pro, it did so in a very different manner to the reveal of PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 5. While lead system architect Mark Cerny was 'master of ceremonies' for the Pro reveal, the debut has a shortlived nine-minute affair - and a good proportion of that run-time celebrated the achievements of the standard PlayStation 5 console. It was a far cry from the detailed presentation given for the reveal of Sony's first 'Pro' console and somewhat bereft of detail compared to the now legendary 'Road to PS5' presentation given by Cerny in March 2020. We were left hungry for more details - and now, they have finally arrived.

The big PlayStation 5 Pro tech interview with Mark Cerny and Mike Fitzgerald

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro is a powerful mid-generation upgrade that delivers machine learning upscaling, improved ray tracing and more raw graphics horsepower. We've spent hours testing and discussing its capabilities, but it's always fascinating to see the other side: how it was built and how its software was designed. With that in mind, Digital Foundry's Oliver Mackenzie spoke to PS5 Pro lead system architect Mark Cerny and core technology director at Insomniac Games, Mike Fitzgerald.

The first trailer for A24's Death of a Unicorn has Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega freaking out about accidentally killing everyone's favourite fictitious animal

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:55:20 -0000

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to discover that unicorns are real, and to kill one on the same day, the first trailer for Death Of A Unicorn promises to show just that.

The Beastmaster of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, part four: the last bite

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:59:15 -0000

They say hope is the first step on the road to disappointment, and reader, I’ve made a pretty damn big step. Previously, on my mission to survive S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl with only wild mutants as my weapons, I’d discovered clues that someone else was attempting to tame the Zone’s beastly inhabitants. With one of their electronic tracking collars in hand and absolutely no preexisting knowledge of their location, I set out to find this kindred spirit, only for the Zone to once again slam a door in my face.

A cold, steel, very literal door to boot. It turns out that the scientist’s laboratory is locked up tight, and will remain so until I delve about twenty hours deeper into the faction war that’s bubbled up while I’ve been running around throwing irradiated rats at people in tracksuits. Fine. Fine! But I’m keeping the collar.

Love, death, and innovative storytelling: Game design, broadening perspectives, and the future of The Sims 4 with Anna Huerta

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

In a vanishingly rare moment of consensus among a modern gaming community, I think most of us can agree that The Sims 4 is ending 2024 on a high note.

"I hear what you're saying" Helldivers 2 dev Arrowhead's CEO responds to backlash from players against the lofty prices of its new Killzone collab gear

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:08:40 -0000

Earlier today, Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead deployed the opening bit of the game's first ever crossover. It's some gear inspired by dormant PlayStation shooter Killzone, but the prices players are being asked to pay for this stuff have prompted some backlash.

Revenge of the Savage Planet is a deeply funny open world metroidvania that oozes charisma... and ooze

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:54:27 -0000

I don't know about you, but I find that so many games that try to be funny fall short. It's a hard thing to do! Different people are amused by vastly different stuff, so a developer looking to inject humour into their game is treading on inherently trecherous ground. Racoon Logic has somehow managed not only to traverse such dangers, they've slid over them, arms flailing. Revenge of the Savage Planet is an exceptionally funny video game.

Sihoo Doro S300 review: A space-age office chair

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:00:00 -0000

The Sihoo Doro S300 has to be one of the most interesting, if futuristic, looking chairs I’ve seen in a long time. It’s been marketed by the Chinese brand as a ‘zero gravity’ chair, possibly designed to make you feel as if you’re floating in mid-air when in reality you’re writing an important email.

2XKO fiends will have to wait until February to hear what's coming next in Riot's upcoming fighting game

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 04:35:26 -0000

The 2XKO team is off on holiday, but they've left a nice little roadmap of sorts for those keen to learn more about the game before they departed for office for sweet treats and boozy nights out. In short, there'll be an update on what's to come in February, and a chance for players to see this for themselves in March.

Sony is now FromSoftware owner Kadokawa's largest shareholder

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:15:14 -0000

Sony has increased its shares in FromSoftware owner Kadokawa as the two companies agree to form a "strategic capital and business alliance".

Sony becomes the "largest shareholder" in FromSoftware owner Kadokawa, as the two put an Elden Ring on a "strategic capital and business alliance"

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:37:39 -0000

After a good few weeks of 'will they, won't they' chatter surrounding Elden Ring and Bloodborne developer FromSoftware's parent company Kadokawa Corporation and a potential acquisition by Sony, the pair have announced a thing. It's a "strategic capital and business alliance" that's aimed at boosting collaborative ties, with Sony becoming the largest shareholder in Kadokawa.

After much talk of an acquisition, Sony and FromSoftware parent Kadokawa announce "strategic alliance"

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:56:06 -0000

It's been rumoured for a while that Sony are about to buy Kadokawa Corporation, a monolithic Japanese media conglomerate that means nothing to the bulk of you unless I append the magic words "parent company of Dark Souls developers FromSoftware" and possibly also, "parent company of Spike Chunsoft". Sony and Kadokawa were reported to be in talks last month, fomenting all sorts of speculation about, say, the PC version of Bloodborne being ritually sacrificed to consecrate the PS6-exclusivity of Dark Souls 4. Now, the pair have emerged from the Cave of Haggling and announced... "a strategic capital and business alliance agreement". What does this mean? Is it safe to scream yet?

Jesse Eisenberg believes the reaction to Batman v Superman and his performance as Lex Luthor hurt his career, even if that's "kind of embarrassing to admit"

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:06:58 -0000

As we wait for today's hugely anticipated Superman trailer from James Gunn and DC Studios, the timing is just perfect to reminisce about the past incarnations of Supes and Lex Luthor. In fact, Jesse Eisenberg, who played the iconic villain in 2016's ill-fated but financially successful Batman v Superman (and very briefly in Justice League), recently talked about the aftermath of that failure.

Zenless Zone Zero saves gooner Christmas by fixing bug that prevented pervy camera angles

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:08:58 -0000

With the release of Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero, a huge selection of major additions and minor tweaks and fixes were rolled out to a community of thirsty players. However, it's this thirst that's caused a bit of a backlash over the past few days, as the update brought with it a semi-block to certain camera angles that allowed players to get 'up-close shots' of their player avatar.

Latest Switch 2 leaks appear legitimate, according to new report

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:15:06 -0000

Nintendo's next console will be called Switch 2, feature magnetic Joy-Con controllers, and could be announced in January.

Jurassic World: Rebirth director Gareth Edwards promises a very simple "survival story" and says they put the actors in water that poisonous snakes call home

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:58:06 -0000

There's a new Jurassic World movie coming next summer, after going from 'just announced' to production to post in the span of less than a year. The trick? Original Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp had knocked out a script in secret. Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) is directing and ready to talk a bit about the process of shooting in natural environments.

Catly developer shares proper gameplay trailer following AI allegations

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:00:26 -0000

The developer of Catly has updated the game's Steam page with a proper gameplay trailer and screenshots, following allegations its game and trailer have been made with generative AI and blockchain technology.

As Helldivers 2's Killzone collab pricing backlash rumbles on, CCO Pilestedt says Arrowhead chose not to make it a warbond to try and avoid exactly this kind of thing

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:28:55 -0000

Since Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead deployed the opening bit of the game's first ever crossover - with PlayStation shooter Killzone - yesterday, the prices players are being asked to pay for this new stuff have been causing some serious backlash. Now, CCO Johan Pilestedt has confirmed that the gear was originally set to be released as a warbond, before the studio made the call for it to be individual superstore items instead.

Courteney Cox is officially returning for Scream 7 after months of doubt, locking yet another Gale Weathers and Sidney Prescott reunion

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:45:46 -0000

With Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera out due to work elsewhere and public support of the people of Gaza respectively, Scream 7 has been reworked into a far safer legacy sequel (again), and now both Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are set to return.

Sonic songwriter sues Sega over ownership of iconic Live and Learn theme

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:56:03 -0000

Crush 40 musician and Sonic songwriter Johnny Gioeli is suing Sega of America over ownership of the Sonic Adventure 2 theme song Live and Learn.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 19th

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Huh, it's a little hard to breathe today, don't you think? Like the air's a bit thin. Anyway, I have a job I need to get to and there's this guy who's going to mentor me on my first day. A guy called Mo, who seems nice but isn't particularly talkative. Prefers paper and pencil.

Stalker 2 gets its "first major patch", patch 1.1, featuring a mammoth list of more than 1,800 fixes that includes the first batch of A-Life tweaks

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:34:08 -0000

Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World has been gradually working to fix as many of the bugs and issues that plagued the game at launch, and today it's relased a pretty huge swing at solving a heap of stuff. This latest patch comes with over 1,800 fixes, making it worth of being dubbed the game's "first major patch".

Helldivers 2 developers respond to criticism of Killzone 2 crossover cost

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 12:41:36 -0000

UPDATE 3.30pm UK: In response to concerns over pricing, Arrowhead will now gift all players the planned second set of Killzone 2 collaboration items for free.

Zenless Zone Zero devs speak on huge version 1.4 changes, where the game stands among the HoYoverse catalogue, and being a dev team 'who actually listens'

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:04:33 -0000

With the release of Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero, the game has found itself in a sort of soft re-launch. Big changes, overhauled features, massive adjustments to combat and story missions. It's a new era for the game, one that clearly hopes to both improve the experience for loyal fans and win back those who bounced off it.

Stalker 2 receives first major patch, including A-Life fixes

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:04:44 -0000

GSC Game World has released the first major patch for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, which addresses over 1800 issues and fixes to the game's A-Life.

Pokemon TCG Pocket players are heads over heels for a new addition to the cosmetic store

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:16:35 -0000

Pokemon TCG Pocket Players are, as you can imagine, having a lot of fun messing around with the new cards introduced in the Mythical Island pack update. But, while cards and combos are obviously the talk of the town, a lot of love is headed towards a certain cosmetic that is quickly becoming a favourite among coin flippers.

James Gunn's Superman teaser trailer shows Krypto the super dog, and is therefore incredible (other characters appear too)

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:20:41 -0000

The wait is finally over: Our first look at James Gunn's Superman, the first live-action entry of the rebooted DCU, has arrived.

Here is a page of insults

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:27:17 -0000

Insults are so serious, these days. They're all so insulting, whereas the kinds of insult I cherish are the ones that coax a belly laugh from both the roaster and the roastee. Here are a few stupid putdowns I've found or made up specially for Xmas, organised into tiers of savagery.

Caves Of Qud review: an obscenely rich roguelike realm you could get lost in for months

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:45:00 -0000

"We are a people who honour democracy," said the dog, scratching himself. "Per our custom, you may drink of our fresh water." The dog was called Senator Umeshefaat, and he was very civil, even if he was shedding his black and white fur everywhere. We spoke in his home village at dawn. Later, I examined the senator's personal history more thoroughly and discovered he was "hated by bears for cooking them a rancid meal." I suppose every politician has their enemies.

That Caves Of Qud creates fun anecdotes out of simple encounters shouldn't be a surprise. It has had 15 years of early access to establish itself as a small-but-mighty story generating roguelike of repute (there's a reason it sits deservedly side-by-side with Dwarf Fortress in the same publishing house). After creating many characters, and dying and dying and dying again, I understand why it grips the brain with such fierce glee. It is a machine of grand imagination and adventuresome comedy. A deceptively powerful RPG that isn't half as obtuse to newcomers as the screenshots make it out to be. Qud's low-res bark is just a complement to its bite.

Would Fallout 76's devs be open to doing playable super mutants? The game's lead producer says it could depend on how much people like going ghoul

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

One of the most interesting things happening with Fallout right now, as we close out what's been a very newsworthy year for the franchise, is Fallout 76 taking a crack at letting players turn their wasteland wanderers into ghouls for the first time.

As it heads into 2025, Fallout 76’s lead producer discusses playable ghouls, why Fallout needs a giant snake, and whether we’ll ever get playable super mutants

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

“You can't see it on [the device this interview was recorded using], but my smile is very big,” lead producer Bill LaCoste says, when I ask him how he feels about the year Fallout 76 has had, in what’s generally been pretty historic 12 months for the Fallout series as a whole.

Fallout 76 playable ghoul hands-on preview – a rad expansion, especially if you're keen for an undead dip

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

I emerge from the dodgy pool filled with dodgy barrels, geiger counter screaming like a white noise machine, and take it all in.

Intel explains what went wrong with its new Arrow Lake desktop CPUs

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:15:32 -0000

Intel's new Core Ultra 200-series desktop processors, codenamed Arrow Lake, launched to seriously underwhelming reviews back in October. Now the American firm has collated five issues that it says are to blame for the difference between its own performance expectations and what reviewers experienced, with four of the five problems described as being already resolved by BIOS, Windows or application updates, and further performance enhancements to arrive in January 2025.

Having Ciri as The Witcher 4 lead will help the game explore the Witcher world's sexism, say CD Projekt

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:43:21 -0000

The announcement of The Witcher 4 with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's Ciri as protagonist has attracted a bit of discussion. Some of the reaction is online toddlers waxing wroth about a video game having a (somewhat older!!!) woman as lead character, and especially, shock, a video game in a series that has hitherto starred a man. And some of it is people commenting more thoughtfully on whether Ciri genuinely makes for a suitable Witcher protagonist, given that she isn't the product of the typical Witcher genetic modification regime (which is heavily tailored towards men), and given that, without spoiling too much, she has gifts that make crumbly old Geralt's sword-and-sorcery skillset look rather paltry.

Speaking to Eurogamer this week, game director Sebastian Kalemba and narrative director Philipp Weber responded to a few of these comments, and also shared a little about Ciri's situation at the start of the game.

Monster Hunter Wilds director confirms PS5 Pro patch coming day one

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:54:20 -0000

Capcom has detailed its targeted performance for Monster Hunter Wilds on consoles, confirming a day one patch will be available on PS5 Pro.

James Gunn's Superman has just received its first trailer: some people love it, some don't, and we can't tell if Krypto or Lois Lane has the bigger stan army

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:59:31 -0000

The generous teaser trailer for Superman, written and directed by James Gunn, has finally arrived, and you can bet that everyone has strong opinions about it, good and bad. Here's a quick rundown of the current buzz online.

Path Of Exile 2 early access review: an expressive, characterful ARPG with plenty to chew on

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

At any given moment I am in the center of a wonderful vortex of skeletons. Bones splash and rattle and burst out of the ground in sharp, horrible spurs. My weakest skeletons, sensing their death coming, explode into fire and shards. My strongest skeletons fight so hard and with such alacrity that upon dying, they drag their spirits together and keep fighting as ghosts for a while. Foul little bone scorpions skitter around on fans of legs made from human hands. Somewhere in the middle, almost invisible among the noise, is the character I am actually playing: Path of Exile 2’s mean-spirited, callous, and gleefully enjoyable Witch.

This is a review in progress. It has to be. Even in its incomplete early access period, Path of Exile 2 is a great sprawling mass of a game. Three meaty acts of a planned six act campaign are followed by a trickier return tour through them, before the absurd endgame kicks into gear and the real work begins. If I came to you having played everything on offer I would be wild-haired, bloodshot-eyed and possessing perfect, incomprehensible knowledge. Let’s compromise: I have toured the dark caverns and the antediluvian crypts. I have been killed by various accumulated nasties. I’ve had a great time.

Helldivers 2 dev Arrowhead comes up with a suitably festive solution to all that Killzone collab price backlash

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:40:26 -0000

Since Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead deployed the opening bit of the game's Killzone crossover, the prices players are being asked to pay for this new stuff have been causing some serious backlash. Now, after working to respond to unhappy players, the studio's made the decision to give away the gear coming as second part of the collab for free.

Frostpunk creators cancel "Project 8" and lay off staff amid concerns that "narrative-driven, story-rich games" don't sell

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:43:04 -0000

Frostpunk developers 11 bit studios have cancelled a new, console-oriented game in response to both "shifting market trends" - in particular, declining player enthusiasm for "narrative-driven, story-rich games" - and specific problems during development. As a consequence, a number of 11 bit staff are going to lose their jobs, though at least half of the affected development team are being offered the chance to move to other projects, including a few unannounced ones.

It's been a grim year, hasn't it? 2024’s best games are all about disgust, decay, and existential dread

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

2024 was a big year for folk with a never-ending affinity towards all things survival-horror, largely due to the fact that the Silent Hill 2 Remake finally released. A game that, after its initial announcement, I was truly dreading. I love Silent Hill 2, so much, and for the longest time, all I ever really wanted was for the original trio of games to be ported to modern platforms exactly as they are. Nothing more, and nothing less. I, admittedly, did not trust Konami or Bloober Team to do it justice.

After 7 years of alien war, Elite Dangerous pilots have finally defeated the Thargoids

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:16:20 -0000

Open that bottle of space champagne, the aliens have been wiped out. At least that's what the interstellar pilots of Elite Dangerous are celebrating in the galaxy-sized multiplayer space sim. Earlier this month, the Thargoid menace finally landed in the Sol system, putting earth itself under threat for the first time, not to mention other human homeworlds and colonies. This meant players were invited to drop everything and head for home - to embark on one last great stand against the final, desperate, and dangerous alien attacker: a Thargoid Titan called "Cocijo". Don't worry, they got him.

Stable Diffusion 3.5 hits Amazon Bedrock: What it means for enterprise AI workflows

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0000

Stability AI CEO drives enterprise AI focus home as the flagship Stable Diffusion models land on Amazon Bedrock.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Credit: Image generated by VentureBeat with Stable Diffusion Large 3.5" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg 1280w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stable-diffusion-inbedrock-smk.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Stability AI CEO drives enterprise AI focus home as the flagship Stable Diffusion models land on Amazon Bedrock.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/stable-diffusion-3-5-hits-amazon-bedrock-what-it-means-for-enterprise-ai-workflows/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Google unveils new reasoning model Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking to rival OpenAI o1

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:04:34 -0000

Unlike competitor reasoning model o1 from OpenAI, Gemini 2.0 enables users to access its step-by-step reasoning through a dropdown menu.

<img width="578" height="330" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Cartoon stipple color image of a white humanoid robot with transparent head dominated by pink brain holds its hands up and points at its head with a lightbulb and lightning bolts floating directly above it" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png 1792w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=300,171 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=768,439 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=800,457 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=1536,878 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=400,229 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=750,429 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=578,330 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/robot-thinking.png?resize=930,531 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Unlike competitor reasoning model o1 from OpenAI, Gemini 2.0 enables users to access its step-by-step reasoning through a dropdown menu.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/google-unveils-new-reasoning-model-gemini-2-0-flash-thinking-to-rival-openai-o1/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Gamefam closes year of growth with 5 of top 15 branded games on Roblox

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:30:00 -0000

Gamefam said that its branded games on Roblox and Fortnite have exceeded 2.7 billion brand engagements in 2024.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Gamefam's success in 2024." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Carosuel_Gamefam_16x9-3.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Gamefam said that its branded games on Roblox and Fortnite have exceeded 2.7 billion brand engagements in 2024.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/gamefam-closes-year-of-growth-with-5-of-top-15-branded-games-on-roblox/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Audeze MM-500 review: planar magnetic comes at a premium

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:00:00 -0000

Audeze is an American brand best known for making everything from some serious audiophile grade headphones to some of the best gaming headsets we've tested. Their MM-500 is more of the former option, as a big, chunky and impressive set of planar magnetic cans which have an eye-wateringly high price tag to boot - you'll just need to fork out £1699/$1699, no big deal really.

SpongeBob SquarePants is the latest icon to join the UEFN platform

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:01:13 -0000

Zoned and Paramount have brought SpongeBob to Fortnite’s UEFN platform in four new UGC-based experiences.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg 2048w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/unnamed-6.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Zoned and Paramount have brought SpongeBob to Fortnite’s UEFN platform in four new UGC-based experiences.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/spongebob-squarepants-is-the-latest-icon-to-join-the-uefn-platform/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

ChatGPT adds more PC and Mac app integrations, getting closer to piloting your computer

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:59:34 -0000

ChatGPT can now support more coding platforms and applications on its desktop apps, opening the door for more agentic use in the future.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Credit: VentureBeat made with Midjourney" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp 1064w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=768,430 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=750,420 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_laptop_with_ChatGPT_open_optimistic_c88ce6c4-d41e-431e-b781-28ba7aa4db1c.webp?resize=930,521 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>ChatGPT can now support more coding platforms and applications on its desktop apps, opening the door for more agentic use in the future.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/chatgpt-adds-more-pc-and-mac-app-integrations-getting-closer-to-piloting-your-computer/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Monster Hunter Wilds' performance has been improved in the final game, and we may even get a second beta

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:58:15 -0000

Just before we all check out of 2024 and prepare for the new year, Capcom hosted one final community update to address pretty much all the major topics the recent beta of Monster Hunter Wilds generated.

Helldivers 2's Illuminate are coming for your new wheels, and players are convinced it's a push towards Meridia's definitely not suspiciously revamped black hole

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:12:57 -0000

It's been easy to forget that Helldivers 2 has still had an Illuminate invasion going on over the past couple of days, as everyone's been distracted by the pricing backlash against the game's Killzone crossover gear. But, the aliens are still doing their thing in-game, and the next step in their warpath could delay yopu getting your hands on a new ride.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 film sequel on the way

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:11:12 -0000

A fourth Sonic the Hedgehog film is on the way, with a spring 2027 release date.

Tencent pulls directors from Epic's executive board following antitrust "scrutiny" from US Justice Dept

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:27:03 -0000

Tencent has pulled two directors from Epic Games' board following an antitrust investigation by the US Justice Department.

Either PlayStation or Xbox will "struggle mightily" to do well with their next gen console, while Nintendo'll be "the clear winner”, predicts research firm

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:32:16 -0000

Yep, it's time to talk about video game boxes again. And the future. I know, I'm scared too. Anyway, a reasrach firm has had a go aty predicting what the next generation of console hardware will look like, and its verdict is this - one of PlayStation and Xbox will be able to achieve the kind of success it craves by avoiding landing in third place, while Nintendo'll be just fine.

Hi-Fi Rush sequel being considered "positively" but Tango Gameworks considering "various opportunities"

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:40:23 -0000

A sequel to Hi-Fi Rush is being considered "positively" but studio Tango Gameworks is "considering various opportunities" before fully committing.

Here are 5 snowy games you can get for cheap in the Winter Steam sale

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:54:48 -0000

Steam sales aren't the drop-everything-and-grab-yer-wallet events they used to be, according to you lot. The Winter sale that began yesterday is almost identical to the Autumn sale that ended just two weeks ago, for example. But you can still find one or two gifts if you bore deep enough into the ice. Me? I'm only interested in one thing. How many of these games are snowy and chilly enough to induce wonderful hypothermia? I'm on a frostbitten quest to find out. Here are the most winter-iest games you can pick up for cheap.

Reappraising Shadow the Hedgehog, one of 2005's biggest misfires

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

The day was 8th March 2005. The event: the inaugural Walk of Game celebration, in which gaming icons Mario, Link, Sonic and Master Chief were recognised for their contributions to the industry. Sonic even got a nice trailer showcasing his most glorious exploits since his inception in 1991.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 20th

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Ahhh, the lap of the ocean is calming isn't it? And it's really warm here, too. What's interesting is that the sounds of the sea are occasionally masked by the sounds of multiple segways. Weird.

Diablo 4 is free to play until the new year on everything, and you can even try out the new Spiritborn class

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:09:42 -0000

While the core ARPG community may be busy arguing the merits of Path of Exile 2 right now; how challenging (and sometimes downright unfair) it can be, and how much it is and isn’t like Diablo, casual players likely don’t care much about all that.

Ubisoft quietly releases new Web3 game featuring Rayman and NFTs

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:20:24 -0000

Ubisoft has quietly released a new game based on its Captain Laserhawk animated series, which features beloved mascot Rayman and NFTs.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 has quietly replaced some of its Zombies cast - here's why

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:23:06 -0000

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 publisher Activision has replaced some of the shooter's voice actors amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actor strike.

Rayman stars in a weird NFT game vaguely inspired by the coolest Far Cry DLC that Ubisoft's just quietly plopped out, because of course he does

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 12:45:40 -0000

Ubisoft's done it again. Here's a new weird NFT game that's been released with close to zero fanfare by the publisher. This one's got Rayman in it, and is based on a thing that's inspired by Far Cry 3's fun Blood Dragon expansion, if you can believe that.

Skibidi Toilet and Plungerman plop into Fortnite

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:03:13 -0000

A Skibidi Toilet bundle is now available in Fortnite, if you're keen to flush away your V-Bucks.

Frostpunk dev 11 Bit cancels project as it was conceived when "story-rich games held stronger appeal"

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:15:55 -0000

Frostpunk developer 11 Bit Studios has laid off an unknown number of staff following the cancellation of its console game codenamed Project 8.

Two Epic Games directors step down after US Department of Justice investigate games companies under antitrust laws

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 13:33:06 -0000

Two men on the board of directors for Epic Games have stepped down from their positions after the US Department of Justice investigated the board under antitrust laws. The pair of directors were originally appointed to Epic's board by Tencent (who slurp upon a minority stake in the Unreal Engine company) but the United States government took a look at this and said: ah-ah-ah, you're not allowed to have a director in your boardroom if they're already fingers-deep in the pie of a competing company. Naughty Tencent! Naughty Epic! And, yes, naughty Riot Games!

Fallout season two likely won't see Fallout 76 take its TV crossovers to a whole new level, as its devs don't want to "give fan service for just the sake of doing it"

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

The second series of Amazon's Fallout TV show has already commenced filming, and even if we've still likely got plenty of time to wait until we see what Lucy, Maximus and The Ghoul get up to in New Vegas, that doesn't mean people aren't excited.

Building giant and ambitious games | Brendan Greene interview

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Elvis Presley once said, "Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine." Brendan Greene, the creator of PUBG, still has a lot of ambition.

Microsoft Flight Simulator and the quest to replace Earth

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:16:25 -0000

Early on in Terry Pratchett's novel The Light Fantastic, a spell is cast to map the world. It begins as a "fireball of occult potentiality," dangling in the Great Hall of the Unseen University, which evolves into a ghostly "embryo universe." The embryo expands "lightly as a thought," with spectral continents "sleeting" through walls and people. It surges across the landscape until the entire population and geography of the Disc is exactly duplicated and enclosed by a shimmering shadow-self of "shining threads that followed every movement."

Space Marine 2 on PS5 Pro: a much-needed image quality and performance upgrade

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:19:28 -0000

PlayStation 5 Pro support at last arrives for Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2, resulting in one of the more worthwhile upgrades we've seen on Sony's mid-gen console to date. As of patch 1.5, PS5 Pro boosts performance in its 60fps speed mode and addresses the (at times) blurry image quality in that very same mode. Speed and quality modes both use PSSR in place of the original FSR2 method to improve image quality, while also pushing the internal resolution on each mode higher and targeting a 4K output resolution. In brief: on quality mode we now get a 1080p to 4K range as the input resolution, while on speed mode that range adjusts to 1080p-1440p.

Diablo 4 gets free trial over Christmas as it competes with Path of Exile 2

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:20:39 -0000

A free trial of Diablo 4 is now available, as Blizzard competes with the early access release of Path of Exile 2.

XDefiant's final patch includes content that would have released in future seasons if it hadn't been cancelled

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:26:28 -0000

XDefiant's final content patch is now available.

Fancy testing out Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 and its long-awaited crossplay mechanics? Larian's now letting folks sign up to do just that

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:53:17 -0000

Larian has put out Baldur's Gate 3's last big community update of 2024, and it brings some nice news. Registration's now open for the stress test of Patch 8 that's set to take place early next year, so you you can throw your username in the hat if you wish.

Rally Point: Oh phew, Songs of Silence is only pretending to be a card game

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Clambering deep out of the Contemplation Pit, where reading reviews or opinions or, god help you, Takes, is forbidden, I am curious to learn how people have been categorising Songs of Silence. Its structure most resembles Songs of Conquest or Heroes of Might and/or Magic, but with little RPG emphasis or base building, and minimal tactical fighting.

Taxonomy is arbitrary and often unimportant at the end of the day, but I am very glad to firmly rule it out of one category: It's not a bloody card game. It looks like one, sure. You do most things with cards, and characters acquire more cards over time. But even if you absolutely, utterly, and correctly loathe card-based systems, this game has none.

Palestinian pseudo-3D stealth game Dreams on a Pillow looks set to hit £150K crowdfund target early

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:10:00 -0000

A video game charting the true story of the Nakba, the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian Arabs in 1948, has secured three-quarters of its crowdfunding goal with over three weeks still to go.

Should you bother with... mini PCs?

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:46:50 -0000

I’m hoping you’ll forgive a spot of mission-bending here, given Should You Bother With? Is usually intended to test out the new and the strange of gaming hardware. Instead, I want to talk about mini PCs – not just small-form-factor desktops, but properly tiny, box o’ chocolates-sized computers – which have, of course, been around for decades.

Recently, however, I’ve been wondering if mini PCs are finally on the cusp of having their moment as serious games machines. Between rising desktop component prices and ever-ballooning electricity bills, it would make sense that a smaller, cheaper system would take on a new appeal, and the success of handhelds like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally show that convenience still trumps out-and-out performance for a lot of PC players. There have even been hints that Valve are resurrecting their Steam Machine mini PC concept, years after a flopping first attempt. Should you be interested?

Once Human's mobile pre-registrations top 26m as April release window now confirmed

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:57:17 -0000

NetEase's PvPvE sandbox action horror, Once Human, started testing its mobile port back in September, and now we finally have a mobile release window: April 2025.

Star Wars: Outlaws is completely unoriginal, but that's kind-of the best part

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

On TV and in films and games, Star Wars has the same problem.

Here's how the strategy layer works in Menace, the turn-based squad combat RPG from the Battle Brothers devs

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:05:27 -0000

"A tactically rich turn-based game with some meaty role-playing elements", was how Staff Sergeant James Archer characterised his Menace hands-on, back in September. The only thing missing from his account of the game was the bread needed to make that rich, meaty concoction a tasty, nourishing sandwich.

And by bread, I of course mean the strategic layer - the parts between the turn-based battles where you pick your next mission, improve your squads, deal with pop-up story events, appraise your standing with each NPC faction, and equip your strike cruiser with auxiliary systems. Developers Overhype have now shared a few details of how it all works. Mmmmm, such malty, yeasty strategicalness.

My favorite games of 2024 | The DeanBeat

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0000

So many games. So little time. Seems like I say that every year, as my pile of shame gets bigger. But I had enough time to pick my fav games.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="An iconic image from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone is depicted in Stalker 2." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/s2-6.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>So many games. So little time. Seems like I say that every year, as my pile of shame gets bigger. But I had enough time to pick my fav games.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/game-development/my-favorite-games-of-2024-the-deanbeat/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

OpenAI confirms new frontier models o3 and o3-mini

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:07:16 -0000

OpenAI has just confirmed that is releasing new reasoning models named o3 and o3-mini, successors to the o1 and o1-mini models.

<img width="578" height="330" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Colorful image of people staring at a robot with text floating before it o3" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png 1792w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=300,171 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=768,439 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=800,457 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=1536,878 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=400,229 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=750,429 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=578,330 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/o3.png?resize=930,531 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>OpenAI has just confirmed that is releasing new reasoning models named o3 and o3-mini, successors to the o1 and o1-mini models.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-confirms-new-frontier-models-o3-and-o3-mini/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The winter mechanical keyboard shootout: four tiny options put to the test

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0000

Well, we're into the month of December, and temperatures are beginning to get close to freezing here in old England-land. What I've decided to do, in lieu of the cold weather, is take the time indoors to review some more keyboards, although this time with a focus on smaller choices that are rather interesting. Yes, I really am a nerd.

Perplexity’s Carbon integration will make it easier for enterprises to connect their data to AI search

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:10:13 -0000

With the acquisition of Carbon, Perplexity will expand the knowledge pool powering its AI search engine, making its responses more relevant.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Perplexity writing Pages" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg 1280w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-robot-with-perplexity-written-on-its-torso-writi-2zEVq32AQdS313p_LPegMg-P4QVESWwSYKx383_3HyEAA.jpeg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>With the acquisition of Carbon, Perplexity will expand the knowledge pool powering its AI search engine, making its responses more relevant. <a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/perplexitys-carbon-integration-will-make-it-easier-for-enterprises-to-connect-their-data-to-ai-search/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Hugging Face shows how test-time scaling helps small language models punch above their weight

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:46:10 -0000

Given enough time to "think," small language models can beat LLMs at math and coding tasks by generating and verifying multiple answers.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Image credit: VentureBeat with Ideogram" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp 1312w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=768,431 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=750,421 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/tiny-robot.webp?resize=930,522 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Given enough time to "think," small language models can beat LLMs at math and coding tasks by generating and verifying multiple answers.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/hugging-face-shows-how-test-time-scaling-helps-small-language-models-punch-above-their-weight/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Players invested 8.34B hours into Blizzard titles in 2024, says studio

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:10:11 -0000

Blizzard has released its 2024 End-of-Year report, detailing the amount of player investment in its titles across the year.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg 1268w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=768,431 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=750,421 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Blizzard-Title.jpg?resize=930,521 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Blizzard has released its 2024 End-of-Year report, detailing the amount of player investment in its titles across the year.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/players-invested-8-34b-hours-into-blizzard-titles-in-2024-says-studio/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Arm lawsuit against Qualcomm ends in mistrial and favorable ruling for Qualcomm

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:17:00 -0000

Qualcomm did not violate a license with Arm when it acquired Nuvia for $1.4 billion, in a ruling by a jury today.

<img width="578" height="328" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Arm Total Design is aimed at sustainability." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=300,170 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=768,436 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=800,454 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=400,227 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=750,426 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=578,328 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/arm.jpg?resize=930,528 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Qualcomm did not violate a license with Arm when it acquired Nuvia for $1.4 billion, in a ruling by a jury today.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/arm-lawsuit-against-qualcomm-ends-in-mistrial-and-favorable-ruling-for-qualcomm/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Players rebuke clumsy ad strategies, even in popular games | Mobile Premier League

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 01:54:04 -0000

MPL's latest report show that popular mobile titles can leave players dissatisfied with certain approaches to in-game ads and updates.

<img width="578" height="369" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Candy Crush Saga has $20 billion in revenue." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=300,192 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=768,491 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=800,511 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=400,256 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=750,479 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=578,369 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/candy-5.jpg?resize=930,594 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>MPL's latest report show that popular mobile titles can leave players dissatisfied with certain approaches to in-game ads and updates.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/players-rebuke-clumsy-ad-strategies-even-in-popular-games-mobile-premier-league/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

What we've been playing - Open-world dress up, plant puzzles, and festive levels

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Hello! Welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing over the past few days. This week, we love a nice festive level, tackle some plant-based puzzles, and explore a brilliant open world while wearing some tremendous outfits.

What are we all playing this holiday?

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 08:04:15 -0000

Happy weekend all. Due to the intervention of Dark Powers and also, half the Treehouse already being on holiday, we neglected to do a round-up of staff Xmas plays before signing off for the year. Well, I’m pretty sure nobody did one. I can’t see anything scheduled in the RPS Post-A-Tron, but the RPS Post-A-Tron is an unreliable beast, full of malice and deceit. If I publish this and it turns out we have two, please divide into rival factions and have a comments war over which is the real one. Apologies! Normal service will resume next year.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 21st

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

There's a slight breeze and a comforting glow coming from the crack's in today's calendar door, the sound of merriment and many accents from all over the world. Better join in the campfire revelry, because whoever's there won't be staying for long.

Stalker 2 is a miracle game, and deserves its flowers more than any of the other big budget behemoth games that launched in 2024

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Looking back at 2024, there have obviously been a lot of fantastic games. No doubt about it - it's been a great year for pretty much anyone who loves turning on their PC, console, or phone and just throwing dozens of hours to the wind. But there is only one game that has truly astounded me this year. Not only on its own merit (a huge open world packed with mystery, secrets, and perilous dangers) but for the context outside of the game, too. Stalker 2 is a miracle game, and it deserves its flowers.

The most underrated game of 2024 reminds me of Animal Crossing, but it's all about fishing - and nothing else

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

When your game(s) of the year largely consist of psychological horror and back-to-back, brutal boss fights — as mine did — you’ll almost definitely need something mindlessly relaxing to kick back with. Sure enough, as I wrapped up my time wandering around the streets of Silent Hill 2, an adorable, unsuspecting game began doing the rounds on social media: Webfishing.

Large language overkill: How SLMs can beat their bigger, resource-intensive cousins

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:25:00 -0000

Whether a company begins with a proof-of-concept or live deployment, they should start small, test often and build on early successes.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="VentureBeat/Ideogram" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg 2624w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=768,431 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=1536,862 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=2048,1149 2048w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=750,421 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-vector-art-illustration-of-a-small-fle_uqOt6VuuSSyz0U6nwUHI8g_sSK28McNSIee3H6LfJRqZA-transformed.jpeg?resize=930,522 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Whether a company begins with a proof-of-concept or live deployment, they should start small, test often and build on early successes.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/large-language-overkill-how-slms-can-beat-their-bigger-resource-intensive-cousins/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 22nd

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

It was a rainy day when she walked into my office, hard rain, like stray stones from a truck on the highway hitting your car bonnet. I lit my cyber-cigarette and put my feet on my desk, I don't know why, I thought it would make me look nonchalant to this strange woman. She wasn't impressed. "Detective," she said, glaring at me with eyes like gorgeous tennis balls, "I want to open today's advent calendar door." I was confused. "Whaddya wanna do that for, missy?" She sat back, relaxed, and pulled a gun from her purse. "I need to stuff a body into it."

Final Fantasy: every PlayStation 5 game tested on PS5 Pro - with some impressive results

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 14:38:32 -0000

PlayStation and Final Fantasy have been closely linked for nearly the entire history of Sony’s console efforts. 1997's Final Fantasy 7 was a touchstone in storytelling and computer graphics on PS1, and nearly every single mainline Final Fantasy game since then has made its console debut exclusively on a PlayStation system. That close relationship extends to Sony's PS5 Pro, as this year's Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been overhauled for the new enhanced system. Plus, Game Boost should provide a bonus to older Final Fantasy software, even games that haven’t been formally enhanced for PS5 Pro. So exactly how does Rebirth fare on PS5 Pro? And can the PS5 Pro overcome frame-rate limitations in Final Fantasy 14 and 16?

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl dev is working on a "next-gen patch" for Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 14:39:46 -0000

As Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World marks the close of 2024 with patch 1.1, the studio confirmed it is also working on a next-gen patch for the console version of Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy.

How Pokémon TCG Pocket reignited my love for competitive card games (and yelling at my phone at 2AM)

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

I have a vicious love-hate relationship with Pokemon TCG Pocket. It is, without a doubt, my favourite mobile game released this year. It is a wonderful game, taking a snapshot out of the physical TCG and morphing it into this easy to endearing virtual collectathon. It has, also, manifested a side of me I thought died once I turned 21 years old. An angrier me, with a visceral hatred for strangers around the world.

What's on your bookshelf?: I am 90% yule log but I need to keep up the streak edition

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

The year's Steam Replay reveals 85% of Steam users in 2024 spent time playing games released in 2023 or earlier

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:37:41 -0000

Just 15 percent of Steam players spent time with new releases - defined as games released in 2024 - this year.

The Casting of Frank Stone was never meant to be GOTY material, but its underrated formula for crowd-pleasing collaborations is one I wish we saw more often

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

When I started writing up my shortlist of 2024 GOTY candidates earlier this autumn – in an attempt to sort through a messy mixture of widely-agreed-upon hits I still needed to play and total heart picks I intended to go to bat for – The Casting of Frank Stone easily cleared my personal top 10, quite clearly in the latter category.

Unintended consequences: U.S. election results could vastly accelerate AI development

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:05:00 -0000

AI accelerationists have won as a consequence of the election, potentially sidelining those advocating for a more cautious approach.

<img width="578" height="330" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Dall-E prompt by Grossman." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp 1792w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=300,171 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=768,439 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=800,457 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=1536,878 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=400,229 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=750,429 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=578,330 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cover-image.webp?resize=930,531 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>AI accelerationists have won as a consequence of the election, potentially sidelining those advocating for a more cautious approach.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/unintended-consequences-u-s-election-results-herald-reckless-ai-development/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Just in case you had any hope the horror series wasn't dead, EA said no to a Dead Space 4 pitch from the original co-creator

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:16:15 -0000

For a little while there, it seemed like EA felt jealous of Capcom’s immense success with its Resident Evil remakes. The publisher had its own horror franchise laying dormant, so it decided to do something with it.

Marvel Rivals review - snackable team brawler lacks attention to the little details

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:25:27 -0000

Sometimes, you don't quite know what makes something work until you experience another version of it that doesn't. This is, unfortunately, my experience of Marvel Rivals, a team battler that is eminently playable and moreish, but also never quite properly good.

The first RPS Christmas Cracker 2024

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The fell moons rise, and in their cold glare emerges a parcel from the dirt. Bloat and gangrene, crimped as if by tourniquet. A dark promise wriggles within. Grip the fibrous handles, feel its jagged soul imprint upon your palm. Now pull! Rend the sinew, tear muscle from bone, hatch their fetid gift! The yoke draws near! Take up the slip and read the words upon its face.

Time to enjoy your lovely joke!

Q: Why do oil rig workers only drink sparkling water?

No Rest for the Wicked dev may have been quiet for a little too long, but it will back with a vengeance in January

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:15:27 -0000

No Rest for the Wicked has been one of 2024’s most interesting releases. Though it got snubbed in many end-of-year awards, it remains an incredible title with an eclectic (and clever) mix of genres.

Dead Space 4 plans shot down by EA earlier this year

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:31:11 -0000

EA reportedly rejected proposals to create a brand new Dead Space game.

Cyberpunk 2077's coming to Fortnite

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:47:57 -0000

Keanu Reeves' Johnny Silverhand and Cyberpunk 2077's female V are both set to join Fortnite.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom had this year's most revelatory puzzle item

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Mention the words "water in games" and nine times out of ten the conversation will immediately turn to how good that water looks in said game, and whether it ripples and sploshes nicely as you attempt to wade through it or not. It rarely gets people talking about how clever that water might be, or how it completely shakes up your approach to moving and travelling through a game's landscape.

Now Black Myth: Wukong copycat games are popping up on Nintendo eShop

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:44:23 -0000

Another copycat video game has popped up on Nintendo's eShop in China, this time a Black Myth: Wukong imitation.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 23rd

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

An ancient tale, often re-told - and that's just the story of the development studio that made it.

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Naoe has her own speedy "Naruto run"

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:21:58 -0000

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Naoe is "the fastest Assassin" in the storied franchise's history.

What's next for the Sonic films after Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scene?

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

This article heavily spoils the plot of Sonic 3 and its post-credits scene, read at your peril!

Haven't I seen you somewhere before? 2024's best games were pure nostalgic comfort food, and sometimes that's what you need

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

I recently realised with some alarm that I've spent nearly 2% of 2024 playing Ace Attorney. That's not just 2% of my free time or even the time I spent awake, to be clear, but a whole percentage of the time I was alive in 2024, in-game in Ace Attorney. But honestly, what can you expect in a year when five previously almost-lost games from one of my favourite series were remastered and rereleased for modern systems, literally doubling the amount of Ace Attorney accessible to contemporary audiences within the span of only eight months?

The code whisperer: How Anthropic’s Claude is changing the game for software developers

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Artificial intelligence assistants like Anthropic's Claude, once viewed with skepticism, have become indispensable software development tools.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp 1410w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=768,430 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=750,420 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/nuneybits_Vector_art_of_a_retro_computer_a_white_sunburst_on_a__3c5d6417-c7d2-455b-acc5-b7b8d8356fbc.webp?resize=930,521 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Artificial intelligence assistants like Anthropic's Claude, once viewed with skepticism, have become indispensable software development tools.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/the-code-whisperer-how-anthropics-claude-is-changing-the-game-for-software-developers/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The 4 biggest AI stories from 2024 and one key prediction for 2025

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:10:03 -0000

By all measures, 2024 was the biggest year for artificial intelligence yet — at least when it comes to the commercialization.

<img width="578" height="330" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="A robot wearing top hat and tuxedo with bow tie gazes at a crystal ball reading 2025." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png 1792w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=300,171 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=768,439 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=800,457 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=1536,878 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=400,229 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=750,429 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=578,330 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-robot.png?resize=930,531 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>By all measures, 2024 was the biggest year for artificial intelligence yet — at least when it comes to the commercialization.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/the-4-biggest-ai-stories-from-2024-and-one-key-prediction-for-2025/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The Thing: Remastered is the definitive way to play 2002's most underrated horror comedy

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

The Thing (2002) never was a very scary video game. Sure, low-detail graphics were far spookier more than 20 years ago, and there are some effective jump scares in it, but by and large, Computer Artworks' adaptation-sequel was goofy above all. Nightdive Studios' The Thing: Remastered hasn't altered that.

DF Weekly: Remedy fix Alan Wake 2 on PS5 Pro with PSSR toggle and new 40fps mode

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:00:51 -0000

Alan Wake 2 is a graphical showcase on both PC and consoles, so it was disappointing to see the game's PS5 Pro patch leave the game looking and running worse in some areas than on base PS5. Thankfully, developers Remedy have lived up to their name with a fix for the situation: a new PS5 Pro patch that adds in a toggle for the problematic PSSR upscaling as well as some other nice changes and additions.

MultiVersus pulls tweet after Charlie the Unicorn creator says it used his work "without permission"

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:03:46 -0000

Charlie the Unicorn creator Jason Steele has hit out at Warner Bros. for allegedly using audio from his viral internet short in a MultiVersus advertisement "without permission".

Maniac may be the best Vampire Survivors-like you’ve never heard of (and is one of the best Steam Deck games of 2024)

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

I don’t believe we’ve ever covered Maniac here on VG247. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen much coverage for it elsewhere, either. Maniac is not the sort of game that generates headlines, even if its entire gimmick is one I can’t believe no one thought of sooner.

Activision spells out matchmaking in ranked play for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0000

Ranked play is live in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer. And Activision has decided to explain how it works.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Multiplayer characters in Black Ops 6." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1-2.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Ranked play is live in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 multiplayer. And Activision has decided to explain how it works.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/activision-spells-out-matchmaking-in-ranked-play-for-call-of-duty-black-ops-6-multiplayer/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Squid Game Unleashed players can unlock in-game rewards by watching Squid Game Season 2

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:00:00 -0000

Netflix said players of its newly released Squid Game Unleashed game will be able to unlock in-game rewards for watching Squid Game Season 2.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Squid Game Unleashed is a mobile game that does not require a Netflix subscription." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/squid-game-1.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Netflix said players of its newly released Squid Game Unleashed game will be able to unlock in-game rewards for watching Squid Game Season 2.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/squid-game-unleashed-players-can-unlock-in-game-rewards-by-watching-squid-game-season-2/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Learn how GE Healthcare used AWS to build a new AI model that interprets MRIs

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:54:53 -0000

Here's how GE Healthcare overcame challenges of 2D and created the industry’s first full-body 3D MRI research foundation model.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="VentureBeat/Ideogram" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg 2624w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=768,431 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=1536,862 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=2048,1149 2048w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=750,421 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/a-cartoonish-ai-robot-with-a-lab-coat-an_JCnRymIrTqmbCYvf5fs81A_uhWgRUHcQG2GZLi9LlOivQ-transformed.jpeg?resize=930,522 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Here's how GE Healthcare overcame challenges of 2D and created the industry’s first full-body 3D MRI research foundation model.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/learn-how-ge-healthcare-used-aws-to-build-a-new-ai-model-that-interprets-mris/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Sonic movie cut morbid Big the Cat cameo

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:39:52 -0000

As more characters join the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series, fans have been curious when their favourite big cat - Big the Cat - will pop up.

We’re almost certainly not getting a new GTA 6 trailer this week, but some fans have really convinced themselves that we are

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:51:53 -0000

We’re in the middle of the last full week of December, so almost everyone has already called it a year and kicked off their holiday break. This also includes Rockstar, the maker of GTA 6. All of that is to say: the chances of us getting a new trailer for the highly-anticipated game are slim to none.

The second RPS Christmas Cracker 2024

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The fell moons rise, and in their cold glare emerges a parcel from the dirt. Bloat and gangrene, crimped as if by tourniquet. A dark promise wriggles within. Grip the fibrous handles, feel its jagged soul imprint upon your palm. Now pull! Rend the sinew, tear muscle from bone, hatch their fetid gift! The yoke draws near! Take up the slip and read the words upon its face.

Time to enjoy your lovely joke!

Q: How can you tell a soulslike fan has fallen in love with a giant ape?

Nintendo Music adds Mario 64 tunes

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:04:13 -0000

Wahoo! Etc. You can now listen to tunes from Nintendo's seminal Super Mario 64 via the Nintendo Music app.

After Switch 2 design leaks, Nintendo keen to announce console as soon as possible - analyst

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:57:11 -0000

Nintendo will have been watching the recent stream of Switch 2 design leaks and is likely now keen to unveil its under-wraps new console as soon as possible, an analyst has said.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Queen's Blood is the best card game of the year

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

I've never really been one for card games, both in and out of video games. Beyond collecting a few Pokémon cards in the school playground, I used to play Gin Rummy with my grandad but he taught me such peculiar Devonshire rules I could never play with anyone else. The odd game of Uno at Christmas is about my limit.

Master Chief's return to Fortnite stirs fan upset, as it's discovered that an Xbox exclusive has been removed

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:21:42 -0000

UPDATE 10.40pm UK: Epic Games has now returned the Xbox-exclusive Master Chief design and apologised for confusion after previously stating it would no longer be available. A Christmas miracle!

Keanu Reeves is in Fortnite again, this time as Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand, and he's bringing his nuke along

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 11:27:11 -0000

Epic Games has announced the next guest characters to officially arrive in Fortnite, and they both hail from Night City. Both Johnny Silverhand, and female V have joined the in-game shop.

The RPS Advent Calendar 2024, December 24th

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Here we are, the final voyage of 2024. This is the last advent calendar entry of PC gaming website Rock Paper Shotgun. Days elapsed: 24. Writers employed: 8.

I hope this hurts.

One of the most beloved Call of Duty games, and a unique shooter from the X360 era, are seemingly coming to Game Pass

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:23:08 -0000

It looks like one of next year’s Game Pass updates will be bringing us some classic bangers, particularly those of us who grew up playing shooters on the Xbox 360/PS3 generation. The latest leak is yet another thing that points to Microsoft’s continued interest in expanding the service’s line-up with classic, back-catalogue titles from the many studios it owns.

Eurogamer's headed off for Christmas

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:10:14 -0000

Phew. You know how people say 'I can't believe it's been a year since...' Well, this year it really feels like it's been a year.

We’ve all forgotten about one of the year’s best RPGs, and that’s a crying shame because it’s the best strategy game I’ve played in years

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

I write about games for a living (lucky me, right?) and as much of a dream as that is, it has some downsides. If you can believe it. One of them is that I often don’t find games very stimulating or motivating. When you need to play something that’s not exactly to your taste as often as once a week to ensure you’re covering it correctly, you often find yourself engaging ‘work’ brain, rather than ‘fun’ brain. Pumping 50 hours into CoD in a week can be rough when you also need to spend a lot of the 9-to-5 editing, running meetings, generating reports, or yelling to colleagues about Google’s baffling new Core Update.

Breakthrough T1D Play has raised $5M for diabetes research

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:30:00 -0000

The Breakthrough T1D Play program is a medical research charity raising money for critical research into diabetes.

<img width="578" height="398" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Breakthrough T1D Play raises money to fight Type 1 Diabetes." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg 1200w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=300,207 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=768,529 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=800,551 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=400,275 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=750,516 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=578,398 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/t1d.jpg?resize=930,640 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>The Breakthrough T1D Play program is a medical research charity raising money for critical research into diabetes.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/breakthrough-t1d-play-has-raised-5m-for-diabetes-research/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

My most anticipated games of 2025 | The DeanBeat

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

I’m going to keep this post short as Rachel Kaser is giving this topic the real treatment. I wanted to weigh in on my own list of the most anticipated games of 2025. The list is in reverse order and the No. 1 most anticipated game is at the bottom of this post. While a […]

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Metroid 4 Prime: Beyond" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png 1920w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/metroidprime4.png?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>I’m going to keep this post short as Rachel Kaser is giving this topic the real treatment. I wanted to weigh in on my own list of the most anticipated games of 2025. The list is in reverse order and the No. 1 most anticipated game is at the bottom of this post. While a lot of this is subjective, it’s always critical for the game industr…<a href="https://venturebeat.com/business/my-most-anticipated-games-of-2025-the-deanbeat/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

How Etermax took Trivia Crack World to Meta Quest VR headsets

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 16:00:00 -0000

Etermax scored big with Trivia Crack, a mobile game that has had more than 800 million downloads. Now it's moving into VR.

Game of the year 2024? For me, it was all about karaoke, a trip to Yorkshire, and irradiated tea

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

You know all those games we were talking about potentially being the thing this year around the time that Geoff Keighley was putting on his best corporate forced smile and preparing to take to the stage at The Game Awards?

OpenAI’s o3 shows remarkable progress on ARC-AGI, sparking debate on AI reasoning

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 19:40:51 -0000

o3 solved one of the most difficult AI challenges, scoring 75.7% on the ARC-AGI benchmark. But does it really mean we're closer to AGI?

<img width="578" height="330" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Image created with DALL-E 3 for VentureBeat" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png 1792w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=300,171 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=768,439 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=800,457 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=1536,878 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=400,229 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=750,429 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=578,330 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DALL·E-2023-11-12-18.17.05-Create-an-abstract-depiction-of-artificial-general-intelligence-AGI-in-a-16_9-format.-The-image-should-feature-a-dynamic-and-complex-array-of-interc-1.png?resize=930,531 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>o3 solved one of the most difficult AI challenges, scoring 75.7% on the ARC-AGI benchmark. But does it really mean we're closer to AGI?<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/openais-o3-shows-remarkable-progress-on-arc-agi-sparking-debate-on-ai-reasoning/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

Maximum Entertainment divests Merge Games assets to Silver Lining

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 00:04:23 -0000

Maximum Entertainment announced it's divested assets of the former Merge Games to new publisher Silver Lining Interactive.

<img width="578" height="325" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Spirit of the North is one of the titles to be divested by Maximum Entertainment." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg 1920w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=750,422 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=578,325 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Spirit-of-the-North.jpg?resize=930,523 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>Maximum Entertainment announced it's divested assets of the former Merge Games to new publisher Silver Lining Interactive.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/games/maximum-entertainment-divests-merge-games-assets-to-silver-lining/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

What we've been unwrapping - Christmas Day edition

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Hello! Welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing over the past few days. This week it's all about Christmas presents and video game memories we associate with the festive season - what we've unwrapped, gifted, or otherwise been somehow involved with at Christmas time over the years.

Arcane may have been a Netflix hit, but Riot spent way more money on it than it got paid for it, or made from it

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:39:14 -0000

Whether or not you care about League of Legends, it’s hard to deny the impact Arcane - the animated series inspired by the game’s world and characters - has had on the streaming world.

The third RPS Christmas Cracker 2024

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The fell moons rise, and in their cold glare emerges a parcel from the dirt. Bloat and gangrene, crimped as if by tourniquet. A dark promise wriggles within. Grip the fibrous handles, feel its jagged soul imprint upon your palm. Now pull! Rend the sinew, tear muscle from bone, hatch their fetid gift! The yoke draws near! Take up the slip and read the words upon its face.

Time to enjoy your lovely joke!

Q: What's an etiquette teacher's favourite medieval sim?

The RPS Selection Box: Edwin's bonus games of the year 2024

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

My selection box isn't really a selection box. It's a tray of barely-nibbled leftovers, hastily lifted from my Steam backlog. One of the disadvantages of being news editor, you see, is that I have developed a goldfish-grade attention span. In my hectic pursuit of the next scoop, or the next Elden Ring update changelog, I snatch and cast aside game demos like a pickpocket speedrunning the checkout line at Harvey Nichols. I'm dimly aware that some of these cast-aside games are Very Good. A few might even deserve to be played for longer than 30 minutes. I feel immensely guilty about that. Perhaps a little... existential, too. I have measured out my life in tutorial levels.

So! Rather than digging out three of the games I've actually completed this year, such as The Crush House, Death Of A Wish and Mask Quest, I'm going to gamble on recommending a few I've barely scratched, but which sure feel excellent and have attracted a positive critical consensus. If I am false in this assessment, may Horace the Endless Bear bite my head off for my impudence. Let's begin.

The Odyssey is Christopher Nolan’s next film, and it's a mythic action epic coming July 2026

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 11:33:37 -0000

We can finally say that we know what Christopher Nolan’s next film is going to be about. Universal Pictures shared the first real details about the highly-anticipated picture in a tweet.

2024 was a stellar year for games, whether you wanted to hang out with shooty McSpace fascists, or fall in love with gaming’s most eclectic mix of genres

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

2024 has been a year of massive, perhaps irreversible change for the games industry. The games media space, which has employed me for over a decade, has itself fallen on the hardest times I’d ever witnessed.

Metaphor: ReFantazio makers hope it becomes a series, and they may already have some ideas about a sequel

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:21:26 -0000

Regardless of the quality of Metaphor: ReFantazio, the project was started as a way for its developer, Studio Zero, to create a third JRPG franchise of its own, to stand alongside Shin Megami Tensei, and Persona - two series the studio worked on.

The fourth RPS Christmas Cracker 2024

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0000

The fell moons rise, and in their cold glare emerges a parcel from the dirt. Bloat and gangrene, crimped as if by tourniquet. A dark promise wriggles within. Grip the fibrous handles, feel its jagged soul imprint upon your palm. Now pull! Rend the sinew, tear muscle from bone, hatch their fetid gift! The yoke draws near! Take up the slip and read the words upon its face.

Time to enjoy your lovely joke!

Q: Why was the grave robber disappointed when he broke into Ubisoft's tomb?

All the Squid Game season 3 news we’ve heard so far

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of Squid Game season 2.] Squid Game season 2 has come to an end with a bit of a bang and a whimper. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) has effectively lost his attempt at gaining control of the game, and the aggressive cut on the ending leaves a […]

<figure> <img alt="Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) crouching with his hands behind his head in a still from Squid Game season 2" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_207_N044192-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> [Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of Squid Game season 2.] Squid Game season 2 has come to an end with a bit of a bang and a whimper. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) has effectively lost his attempt at gaining control of the game, and the aggressive cut on the ending leaves a lot to be desired. (For me; no shade, I just desire to see more.) Luckily, Squid Game season 3 is already on its way — and might already be in the can, with a release date promised in 2025. Here’s everything we know about the new season of the hit show. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Is there going to be a Squid Game season 3?</h2> Yes! In <a href="https://www.polygon.com/24058115/squid-game-season-2-release-date-cast-news">a July letter announcing the release date for season 2</a>, showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk announced that Squid Game had been picked up for a third and final season already. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">When will Squid Game season 3 come out?</h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_207_N044093_1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.698018117141,100,78.603963765717" alt="The Front Man walks while flanked by guards holding guns in a still from Squid Game season 2" title="The Front Man walks while flanked by guards holding guns in a still from Squid Game season 2" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" /> This is a little more up in the air. The initial announcement said 2025. So far there’s been no specific date, but with <a href="https://www.allkpop.com/article/2024/06/exclusive-report-reveals-squid-game-seasons-2-and-3-have-wrapped-up-filming">production for the third season reportedly having already been rolled into season 2</a>, it could be any time. Not really (Netflix likes to make a splash of things) — that’s more to say, if it’s already in the can, that the new season isn’t going to have to wait on a longer schedule to get turned around. It’s possible we get season 3 sometime in the summer, rather than waiting until a full year from now. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">What will season 3 of Squid Game be about? </h2> Well, it’s certainly going to have to pick up the pieces: Gi-hun tried to lead a rebellion and take down the games from the inside. That went poorly, to put it mildly. It cost his most enthusiastic allies their lives, including his best friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan). There’s still a large contingent of players hiding out in the barracks, and who even knows what kinds of games they’re going to get put through after this. Plus, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) has decidedly switched back into his main persona, deserting his role as Player 001 to stand imposingly over a weeping Gi-hun. So it seems like the safest guess in the world that season 3 of Squid Game will pick up with those in the games — on both sides of the divide — possibly moments after where season 2 left us. After all, there’s plenty to still figure out, like: What happens to the games now? How much of this did the Front Man anticipate? Where do the other players, each desperate for their own rescue (financial or otherwise), land in all this? Will the rich people who run the games be upset? What does Gi-hun do now? <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Will Squid Game season 3 be the last season? </h2> It will be the final season of the show. Considering Squid Game was originally meant to just be a single season, that’s pretty good! Especially since Hwang feels the finale — whatever it may be — flowed organically from the writing. “When I was thinking about the idea for the ending of season three, I think it sort of naturally came to me that this was the finale,” <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/squid-game-creator-season-2-end-series-season-3-1236053164/">Hwang said</a>. “I believed that with that story, I was able to tell everything that I wanted to tell through the story of Squid Game and also in the perspective of Gi-hun as a character, and I thought that we don’t need any further stories from here.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">What games will be in Squid Game season 3?</h2> Squid Game season 2 threw a bit of a wrench into Gi-hun’s plans: Although he briefly thought he could simply save everyone by helping them get through the games together with his inside knowledge, it turned out that after Red Light, Green Light there was a whole new batch of games awaiting him. So, assuming the games move forward (even just for a single level — which, given the number of people left, seems like the exact sort of cruel thing the game makers would do), what childhood game will they subject people to? The stakes have never seemed bloodier or less hopeful, so it seems like the game makers might trot out something truly sick, like Double Dutch.

Grunn was the best vehicle for reliving childhood fears this year

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Growing up I was afraid there was something living in our garage. I can't tell where this fear came from. I can't even tell you what my child self thought it was - the exact creature was boringly undefined, labelled simply as 'Very Bad' (and it certainly didn't help that my Dad kept one of his old wetsuits hanging from the rafters like a piece of eternally damp shedded skin).

The RPS Selection Box: Jeremy's bonus games of the year 2024

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

2024 was my first full year at RPS, and as a guides writer, it was a year packed with the sort of games that make you roll your sleeves up, wipe sweat from your brow, and stare up at the sky from the trenches, ruminating on what life is like when you aren't dealing with back-to-back Soulslikes interspersed with gacha games that feature incomprehensible lootbox mechanics.

Rare would like to remind you that Everwild is still a thing... with a holidays card

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:05:31 -0000

On the heels of Rare’s success with Sea of Thieves, the British studio announced what would be its next project in November 2019. The game’s name is Everwild, and the initial reveal trailer was more of a tone piece than anything, showing a picture-esque world of wild animals and some elements of magic.

Popularium launches alpha for Chaos Agents from Magic creator Richard Garfield

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:30:00 -0000

Chaos Agents, a new autobattler royale game from Magic: The Gathering designer Richard Garfield, is launching its private alpha test today.

This YouTube scientist makes knives out of random stuff and it’s mesmerizing

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Do you know how knives are made? Do you know how knives are made of milk? Unless you’ve seen this video — or any others on YouTube channel kiwami japan — you don’t. The channel is dedicated to the art of knifemaking, but most of the videos are detailed step-by-steps of the creator’s successful attempts […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: kiwami japan/YouTube" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-27-153503.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> Do you know how knives are made? Do you know how knives are made of milk? Unless you’ve seen this video — or any others on YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@kiwami-japan">kiwami japan</a> — you don’t. The channel is dedicated to the art of knifemaking, but most of the videos are detailed step-by-steps of the creator’s successful attempts to craft real, usable knives out of materials like UV resin, tofu, bismuth, and yes, milk. The craftsmanship itself is mesmerizing and impressive, but it’s the enigmatic bladesmith that makes the videos so fun to watch. The creator themself — who only pours water out of a vase shaped like a cow and who often goes on lengthy, experimental side quests that have little to do with the knife being made in the video — has never revealed their name online. But their expertise when it comes to material science is clear, and the breadth and specificity of the equipment they use leaves you wondering why this person owns so much professional lab equipment. It’s all intrigue and no answers, but that’s not the point. It was sometime around 2018, on the floor of my then-group house with my roommates (because we didn’t have enough couch to fit us all at once), that I saw what we lovingly call “milk knife” for the first time. We were getting bored of watching Vine compilations over and over. In some twist of fate (no, that’s not hyperbolic), someone put this video on, and we’d end up watching it thrice more together before moving out. It’s become my go-to weird YouTube video to throw on at the proverbial end of the night. To adjust for 2024 attention spans, I usually crank kiwami japan’s videos up to 1.5x speed, since they can be quite long. The channel hasn’t posted any new knives in the last couple of years, but there are plenty to make your way through in the backlog.

Premium live-service games are failing. Why is Diablo 4 a success?

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Live-service gaming is in a difficult, transitional moment. Even as the sector consumes more and more millions of player hours, successful new launches are few and far between, and the frequency of shutdowns has increased. Franchises like Destiny and Overwatch have pivoted to free-to-play models in an attempt to keep their player numbers buoyant, and […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/diablo-4-lilith-silhouette.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> Live-service gaming is in a difficult, transitional moment. Even as the sector consumes more and more millions of player hours, successful new launches are few and far between, and the frequency of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/gaming/450065/concord-canceled-firewalk-studios-closed-sony">shutdowns</a> <a href="https://www.polygon.com/gaming/493305/suicide-squad-kill-justice-league-final-dlc">has</a> <a href="https://www.polygon.com/gaming/490491/ubsioft-xdefiant-shutting-down">increased</a>. Franchises like Destiny and Overwatch have pivoted to free-to-play models in an attempt to keep their player numbers buoyant, and premium live-service games — that is, games with a full purchase price, as well as some intention to monetize players over the long term — are a dying breed. 2024 saw two dramatic, high-profile failures in premium live service. Rocksteady’s <a href="https://www.polygon.com/game/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league/40825">Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League</a> flopped to a $200 million loss for WB Games, while Sony’s even more expensive <a href="https://www.polygon.com/gaming/448883/a-good-game-like-concord-just-isnt-good-enough-anymore">Concord</a> so failed to strike a chord with players that it was unceremoniously turned off after just a few weeks. (Sony did have a live-service hit in the form of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/game/helldivers-2/40933">Helldivers 2</a>, but judging from the publisher’s marketing efforts on the two games, Helldivers was seemingly not one that Sony higher-ups expected — or maybe even wanted — to take off.) Yet Blizzard’s 2023 release <a href="https://www.polygon.com/game/diablo-4/40629">Diablo 4</a> is a certified hit, with big sales, a strong expansion in 2024, and apparently an avid audience. How did it buck the trend? For Rod Fergusson — the famed Gears of War producer turned general manager of the Diablo franchise — it’s because Blizzard didn’t set out to make a live-service game. The studio simply set out to make a Diablo game, but Diablo’s breed of action role-playing game essentially demands that it be a live-service game. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote>An ARPG is inherently a live service. The question is what you do about it<cite>Rod Fergusson</cite></blockquote></figure> “I go back to the genre,” Fergusson told Polygon in an interview conducted in November. “Early on, there were these conversations. […] Is Diablo 4 a live-service game, or should we roll credits and call it? And I was like, look, when you look at Diablo 3 and the millions of people that showed up every season, whether you want it or not, an ARPG is inherently a live service. The question is what you do about it.” For Fergusson, live service is an opportunity to constantly refine and rebuild a game, but only if the audience demand to keep playing emerges naturally from the game design. “To me, when you’re a Diablo-like, […] people are going to look to play through the campaign, but then they’re going to look to play what I call the hundred- or the thousand-hour game. They want to be able to continue this progression, they want to have the power fantasy, they want to go back to it over and over again.” This is what creates the space for the developers to keep feeding new ideas in the game to keep it fresh. “That was one of the things that was great,” Fergusson said. “It wasn’t this sort of fait accompli where we’re like, ‘It’s in the box and we’re done.’ We’re going to have the ability to improve Helltide. We’re going to have the ability to add the Pit, we’re going to have the ability to try the Gauntlet.” There’s a simple lesson here for game publishers: Don’t force it. When Suicide Squad was previewed, players commented immediately that the game seemed an odd fit for a live-service framework; it didn’t flow naturally from the game’s storyline or genre. Concord belonged to a suitable genre — it was a hero shooter — but it appeared to have been made to satisfy a publisher’s demand for a live-service game, rather than players’ demand for an alternative to Overwatch. The game concept hadn’t come first. Conversely, Diablo 4 worked because people wanted a new Diablo game, and they wanted to play it for hundreds of hours. It’s like a reversal of the classic line from Field of Dreams: not “If you build it, they will come,” but “They will come… so you’d better build it.”

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage leads a 2025 double-A line-up that's already looking incredibly promising

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

I still think about the time, several years ago now, when I mentioned off-handedly in the comments of an article I wrote about video game adaptations of Stephen King stories that my dream game in this vein would be a Don't Nod adaptation of It. I've especially been thinking about that since the announcement of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – a game developed and self-published by Don't Nod, due out in early 2025 – because I'll be damned if it doesn't clearly take quite a bit of inspiration from King's iconic 1986 doorstopper about an eldritch spider-clown from outer space, and the ragtag bunch of misfits destined to fight it.

Black Myth: Wukong gets a PS5 Pro patch - and the base console code is improved too

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Black Myth Wukong was a phenomenon. The UE5-powered action epic sold millions of copies when it launched earlier this year, impressing with its fast gameplay and sophisticated visuals. However, its configuration on PS5 left something to be desired, employing bizarre frame-rate locks and frame generation with a 30fps base frame-rate. Developer Game Science has addressed at least some of those issues as of the latest patch - and the studio has also added PS5 Pro support, using PSSR to improve image quality for Pro players. So is the console version finally in reasonable shape? And should we expect any issues from the Pro upgrade?

A Disney-style live-action Wallace & Gromit? Creator says ‘NOOOOOO’

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:04:25 -0000

The cheese-loving stop-motion comedy duo Wallace and Gromit have been stumbling into invention-fueled hijinks since 1989’s Oscar-nominated short A Grand Day Out. This January, the characters return in A Vengeance Most Fowl, a feature-length adventure that’s basically a full-blown action movie. At this point, there’s seemingly nothing original creator Nick Park and Aardman Animation can’t do […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Trailer__Wallace__Gromit__Vengeance_Most_Fowl_n_00_01_43_16.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> The cheese-loving stop-motion comedy duo Wallace and Gromit have been stumbling into invention-fueled hijinks since 1989’s Oscar-nominated short A Grand Day Out. This January, the characters return in A Vengeance Most Fowl, a feature-length adventure that’s basically a full-blown action movie. At this point, there’s seemingly nothing original creator Nick Park and Aardman Animation can’t do in claymation. So when I asked Park in early December if he would ever ditch the stop-motion for a “live-action” Wallace movie, in the style of Disney’s recent spate of hand-drawn-to-photoreal conversions, the answer was… immediate and visceral.  “Well, it’s quite an easy answer,” he says. “NOOOOOOOO.” The live-action redo pipeline is not slowing down, despite mixed reactions and receipts. Disney started the trend nearly a decade ago with back to back hits of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2016/4/8/11392338/the-jungle-book-review">The Jungle Book</a>, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2017/3/3/14800974/beauty-and-the-beast-review">Beauty and the Beast</a>, and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/11/20690363/the-lion-king-2019-review">The Lion King</a>. 2023’s <a href="https://www.polygon.com/23730300/the-little-mermaid-live-action-halle-bailey-ariel-eric">The Little Mermaid</a> struggled to reach those highs, grossing as much worldwide as The Lion King did in the states alone, and this month’s <a href="https://www.polygon.com/disney/498183/mufasa-review-lion-king-live-action-prequel">Mufasa</a> (technically a live-action-ish reimagining prequel) is off to a slow start this holiday season. But that isn’t stopping Disney from plowing through the backlog, with <a href="https://www.polygon.com/disney/489970/snow-white-live-action-trailer">Snow White</a>, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/trailer/484914/lilo-and-stitch-live-action-teaser-trailer-release-date">Lilo & Stitch</a>, and <a href="https://www.polygon.com/23668412/moana-disney-live-action-movie-dwayne-johnson">Moana</a> all arriving in the next two years. Universal will try its luck in 2025 with a live-action <a href="https://www.polygon.com/trailer/481562/how-train-your-dragon-live-action-trailer-toothless">How to Train Your Dragon</a>, too.  As for Wallace and Gromit, Park hopes to stick to animation.  <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/WGVMF_BTS_NICK_MERLIN_INPRODUCTION_003.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.482191309665,100,79.03561738067" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Merlin Crossingham and Nick Park on the set of Vengeance Most Fowl" data-portal-copyright="" /> “I think the movies themselves will always be clay,” he said. But Park has the ambition, along with his Vengeance Most Fowl co-director Merlin Crossingham, to bring the characters to any imaginable platform. Wallace and Gromit have done video games, they’ve done AR, and the director hopes they can do just about anything. “But I think [clay] is part of the character, it’s part of their soul to be that medium. It’s what they were born out of and it might take something away. It’s quite hard to define. ‘Thumby and funny’ is the phrase we’ve often used.” Neither Park nor Crossingham want to see Wallace and Gromit stuck in the past. Each film is a reason to evolve the characters — technologically (as with the armatures of the modern sculptures) and emotionally. While Vengeance Most Fowl might be the most stunt-heavy Wallace and Gromit film to date, it also forces the characters to examine their friendship and, by the end, hug it out.   “We’ve sort of pushed them emotionally,” Crossingham said. “It’s in relative terms within the Wallace and Gromit world, but we’ve pushed them and I think it’s great to see them having a bit of a bigger arc to their emotional story.” “But it’s very much Wallace and Gromit,” Park added. “It is not too overt, but… a British version.” Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl premieres on Netflix on Jan. 3, 2025.

What was the hardest game in Squid Game season 2? The cast sounds off

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for games/characters that come up later in the season. Read on only if you’re fine knowing those details.] It’s very easy to watch Squid Game and think: I could do that. It’s perhaps even easier than some of the other reality competition shows. That is, after all, the Faustian […]

<figure> <img alt="Kang Ae-sim and Yang Dong-geun standing clasping hands as people pick teams in a still from Squid Game season 2" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_206_NO136192.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> [Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for games/characters that come up later in the season. Read on only if you’re fine knowing those details.] It’s very easy to watch <a href="https://www.polygon.com/e/501713">Squid Game</a> and think: I could do that. It’s perhaps even easier than some of the other reality competition shows. That is, after all, the Faustian bargain of the <a href="https://www.polygon.com/22709110/squid-game-games-real-terror-ranked">elite, violent games of Squid Game</a>. It’s exactly the same level of thinking that gets the characters killed — after all, just <a href="https://www.polygon.com/23972965/squid-game-challenge-reality-show-netflix-review-007-road-million">how hard would it be to make it through a single round</a> of Red Light, Green Light? <a href="https://www.polygon.com/trailer/472792/season-2-squid-game-netflix-most-popular-show-ever">Squid Game</a>, as a show, makes clear that it’s often more luck than skill that gets people through the games. But for the cast and crew, even getting a guaranteed outcome was far from playing a simple children’s game. And with season 2 deviating from the schoolyard games of season 1 for a few trickier competitions, the question had to be asked: Which was the hardest game to actually play? The cast themselves, while not putting their lives on the line, certainly have a dog in that fight. We polled the cast of Squid Game’s second season to find out what was actually challenging about this year’s challenges. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Jo Yu-ri (Kim Jun-hee)</h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_206_N005919.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.726316435203,100,78.547367129594" alt="Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) walking up stairs in the game facility of Squid Game season 2" title="Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) walking up stairs in the game facility of Squid Game season 2" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" /> “I enjoyed the game of six legs. […] That was the most fun. But at the same time, it was very difficult, because we had to stay with our legs tied together the whole time.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun)</h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25554680/unnamed__6_.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.732984293194,100,78.534031413613" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" /> “So for me it was Red Light, Green Light because we shot that for four or five days, and I was screaming at the top of my lungs all the time. I’m like, ‘Freeze!’ or ‘Stop!’ and kind of bossing people around. I would be screaming all the time, and sometimes it makes you a little bit dizzy when you are screaming so much. “Thankfully I didn’t lose my voice and we could wrap up the scene well. But yeah, that was the most challenging for me.”  <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Kang Ae-sim (Jang Geum-ja) </h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_205_N002451.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.732984293194,100,78.534031413613" alt="Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) looking concerned in a bathroom in a still from Squid Game season 2" title="Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) looking concerned in a bathroom in a still from Squid Game season 2" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" /> “It would definitely be the [pentathlon]. It reminded me of pep rallies or these big games that we would have at school back in the day where we were divided into red team and blue team and people would be cheering and everyone would be looking on, and it really had the tension and the emotion of those games.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk </h2> “For me, it was definitely the pentathlon — first of all, because there were just so many people that had to appear on screen and on set. And there was so much sand dust on the ground. So that led to a lot of people coughing constantly; I remember having a lot of trouble breathing as well, and having respiratory cold later on because of that. And also we had [only] so many numbers of shoot days to film the entire sequence. It was almost like a nightmare, I believe at the time — because I believe we went through about 15 to 16 shoot days over a course of probably a span of two or three weeks at least. So if I had to do it all over again, I don’t think I could.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Lee Byung-hun (Front Man)</h2> “While I truly believe that it was probably director Hwang who had to go through the most amount of trouble (and for whom it was probably the biggest challenge, because he had to think about all of the complexities), as an actor taking part in those scenes I believe that pentathlon was one of the toughest to shoot. Because first of all, the dust — the air was filled with sand dust at all times, so it was tough to breathe. And there were so many people there on screen, which you always have to be aware of as an actor. “But also in season 2, because my character requires for different facets where I have to be part Front Man, part In-ho, and then part the fake persona Young-il. So at times, I would have to switch on and off from my eyes having to be that of Young-il and then the next glance, having to be that of In-ho, and having to switch that immediately on and off with each fleeting moment. That was both very challenging and intriguing and a fun challenge for me to take on as a performer.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Yang Dong-geun (Park Yong-sik)</h2> “I think for me it was definitely the [merry-go-round] game because I had to show a lot of these deep inner emotions. And I think getting to that point where I could act out these emotions was a difficult process for me.”  <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Lee Seo-hwan (Park Jung-bae)</h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_203_N005716.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.732984293194,100,78.534031413613" alt="Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) talking to Gi-hun in a still from Squid Game season 2" title="Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) talking to Gi-hun in a still from Squid Game season 2" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix" /> “For me, it was the [merry-go-round] game. It was actually difficult for me physically, because I have really bad eyesight and the lights will shut down and then they will open up in another second, and sometimes you get blinded by that and you just can’t see for a few seconds. The floor was really slippery, too, and there was so many people, so it was physically challenging for me.” <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Yim Si-wan (Lee Myung-gi)</h2> <img src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Squidgame_Unit_204_N057345.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,10.732984293194,100,78.534031413613" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" /> “Before shooting, I thought the Green Light, Red Light would be relatively easy. But it was not, because standing still without any movement was actually very hard for me.”

Death of the Reprobate is wacky renaissance painting Die Hard with a Vengeance, and an ideal game for the holiday period’s long dark teatime of the soul

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0000

Warning: Spoilers for both Death of the Reprobate and Die Hard With A Vengeance lie ahead.

Madame Web, Kraven were ‘not terrible films’ destroyed by vengeful critics, says Sony boss

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:23:19 -0000

No one wants to end a seven-and-a-half-year run at a major Hollywood studio with an all-timer dud… but, unfortunately, Sony Pictures put out Kraven the Hunter just a few short weeks before CEO Tony Vinciquerra’s last day on the job. The executive spoke frankly about the flop in an illuminating exit interview with the LA […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25086267/cla_dtlr1_t_4k_rec709_full_13_2000x838_thumbnail.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> No one wants to end a seven-and-a-half-year run at a major Hollywood studio with an all-timer dud… but, unfortunately, Sony Pictures put out <a href="https://www.polygon.com/review/494778/kraven-the-hunter-spider-man-spinoff-movie">Kraven the Hunter</a> just a few short weeks before CEO Tony Vinciquerra’s last day on the job. The executive spoke frankly about the flop in an illuminating exit interview with the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-12-26/tony-vinciquerra-reflects-on-his-time-at-sony">LA Times</a> ahead of his Jan. 2 departure. When asked about the splashy failure of the Spider-Man-adjacent Kraven, which has yet to cross the $20 million mark in the U.S. in its first two weeks, Vinciquerra admits the long-delayed superhero movie was “probably the worst launch” Sony had during his tenure. But he stands up for the Aaron Taylor-Johnson vehicle, calling it “not a bad film.” The interviewer hits a bit of a nerve by saying the words “<a href="https://www.polygon.com/reviews/24071362/madame-web-review-post-credits-scene-sequel-teaser-bad">Madame Web</a>” out loud. Vinciquerra also calls the first of 2024’s three Spider-Man-adjacent Sony movies “not a bad film.” Madame Web played well on Netflix, according to Vinciquerra (a claim corroborated by the movie’s sustained placement <a href="https://screencrush.com/watch-madame-web-netflix/">in the Netflix top 10</a> for a few weeks over the summer), but in the end, the “press just crucified it.” Critics also had their knives out for <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/2/17929870/venom-movie-review-tom-hardy-sequel-potential">Venom</a>, the CEO says, but in the case of that trilogy-starter, “the audience loved Venom.” Vinciquerra has reason to take victory laps after running Sony Pictures since 2017: as the feature mentions, he has played a major role in growing the company’s anime footprint and, by all accounts, has been behind the studio’s commitment to theatrical distribution and filmmaker support. Sony also <a href="https://www.polygon.com/24177134/sony-alamo-drafthouse-theaters-purchase-crunchyroll-anime">acquired the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain over the summer</a>, and sees potential for it as a springboard for Crunchyroll movie exclusives. But more words than expected are committed to defending the Sony Spider-likes, and damning critics for hating on Madame Web. Critics did not care for this year’s Spidey-less slate, that’s true. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Madame Web stands with an 11% positive, <a href="https://www.polygon.com/movies/470588/venom-3-last-dance-every-symbiote-knull-cameras-guy-explained">Venom: The Last Dance</a> with 41%, and Kraven bottoms out with 15%. Rotten Tomatoes’ newly added “Popcornmeter” — a judgement issued by verified #fans of #movies — tells a slightly different tale: Madame Web got a thumbs up from 55% of fans, The Last Dance earned 81%, and Kraven gets a major boost at 73%. Why would critics be out to sack Sony’s Spider-Man villain movies? Vinciquerra doesn’t have any theories, but he acknowledges the studio is set to “rethink” its Marvel strategy. Not because the movies are bad, but because, as Vinciquerra puts it, if the studio released another one the press would destroy it by virtue of being a Sony Spider-Man-adjacent movie. “For some reason, the press decided that they didn’t want us making these films out of Kraven and Madame Web,” Vinciquerra says. “These are not terrible films. They were just destroyed by the critics in the press, for some reason.” Vinciquerra’s tenure saw the release of a number of movies that actually involved Spider-Man, including No Way Home (93% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse (95% critics’ score). But from the studio’s perspective, the press really, really did not want a Kraven movie, specifically. Maybe the non-Popcornmeter fans didn’t either; shortly after the movie bombed at the box-office, the Marvel Studios subreddit <a href="https://www.polygon.com/marvel/497212/kraven-box-office-spider-man-movies">was begging for Sony to sell off the rights</a> to the characters in hopes of a brighter future. Sony’s COO Ravi Ahuja will step into the CEO role on Jan. 2. It’s unclear which direction Sony will go with its IP, but for now, it’s full speed ahead on <a href="https://www.polygon.com/marvel/23345865/spider-man-4-marvel-studios-tom-holland">Spider-Man 4</a>. But let’s be very clear about something: I speak for all members of the entertainment press when I say I personally had a great time at Madame Web and fully encourage the development and production of Madame Web 2. Her web connects them all.

Squid Game games miss the point — but viewers want them, says Netflix

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:02:26 -0000

Having watched and been profoundly unsettled by Squid Game, I felt some surprise upon seeing the reveal of Squid Game: Unleashed earlier this month. The new video game adaptation from Boss Fight at Netflix Games repurposes the show’s brutal games into madcap multiplayer experiences. There’s still gore, but it’s cartoonish. And dissimilar to the characters […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/MainMenu_3840x2160.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> Having watched and been profoundly unsettled by <a href="https://www.polygon.com/tv/501009/squid-game-season-3-release-date-cast-news">Squid Game</a>, I felt some surprise upon seeing the reveal of <a href="https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/495597/squid-game-unleashed-free-to-play-release-date">Squid Game: Unleashed</a> earlier this month. The new video game adaptation from Boss Fight at Netflix Games repurposes the show’s brutal games into madcap multiplayer experiences. There’s still gore, but it’s cartoonish. And dissimilar to the characters of Squid Game, death is not the end for any of these participants. You can keep on trying over and over until you perfect these not-so-deadly virtual versions of the originally-quite-deadly games. From Squid Game: Unleashed to the upcoming <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzXgt2aR_IM">Call of Duty crossover with Squid Game</a>, and even the real-life recreation of the concept seen in YouTuber <a href="https://www.polygon.com/22812548/mrbeast-squid-game-youtube-copycat-reaction">Mr. Beast’s Squid Game</a>, every single attempt at gamifying Squid Game arguably misses the point of the show. But this isn’t the first time that something like this has happened. Remember the similar brutality and social commentary of the novel Battle Royale (1999), which <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/26/18636556/battle-royale-games-movie-book-koushun-takami-inspiration">was adapted into the widespread video game genre phenomenon</a> of the same name (as seen in PUBG and Fortnite). Battle Royale the novel is a raw depiction of a fascist regime that dehumanizes its countries’ children through a deadly, performative version of military conscription. In the book, getting enlisted in the titular battle royale is the worst thing that could happen to you. All of that original intention has been lost in subsequent recreations like Fortnite, which is fun, and has <a href="https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-guide/474221/doggpound-vault-how-to-open-snoop-dogg-keycard">Snoop Dogg</a> in it. All of that is why it actually shouldn’t surprise me to see Squid Game: Unleashed and its ilk. The game’s director, Bill Jackson, told me in a recent interview that this type of adaptation is exactly what the players asked for — as opposed to, say, a Telltale Games-esque narrative game set in Squid Game’s world that preserves the original TV show’s social commentary and intense storytelling style. Nope, people didn’t want that. They wanted to compete in the games. “We asked the players, the members, if we’re making games at Netflix, what would you want to see? And the first answer, and it was a huge delta, was Squid Game,” Jackson told me. “And we asked, ‘You like that? What do you want to do?’ And their answer was with, again, overwhelmingly, ‘I want to be a contestant and I want to play those games and try to live, and I’m fine if that means I fail and I die. And it could be brutal.’ And that was very clear from the first times we talked to members. So we wanted to make that true. Now, that’s still a hard mission, but we did. I really think that’s what we tried to deliver here is you’re going to be — you play the role of a contestant on a stylized version of that show.” Squid Game: Unleashed is inherently different from the source material by dint of its medium. As Jackson put it: “The main thing is you are a contestant and the penalties are brutal if you don’t win. But guess what? It’s a video game. If you fail, let’s try again. And that’s really ultimately the loop of it.” At this point in the interview, I actually asked Jackson about Battle Royale and its influences on video games, and he noted how much more prevalent this type of story has become across all mediums. “You can go back into the movies — Death Race — there’s all these kind of setups like this. Or Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon. It’s the same. It’s like — it’s the same kind of influences. But in video games, yes, it is a profound setup, right? We’re going to put you in a competition and the penalty is fairly — that you’ll be knocked out, and others will move on. That pattern is — it’s intrinsic to video games. It’s intrinsic to us.” As weird as it may seem, people like it. It’s not some executive at Netflix demanding that the in-house game designers take all the social commentary out of Squid Game and turn it into something more palatable. It’s the players themselves — regular people — who can’t help but crave competing in the games, just to see how they’d do, if it came to it. But of course, these players want to do it in a safe virtual realm, where death doesn’t matter, but bragging rights still do. That doesn’t mean that people miss what really matters about the story of Squid Game, or that all of these people are just stupid or superficial, or something. I think, like Jackson said, this impulse reflects something else, something intrinsic, about all of us. It may be a bit creepy, but that’s the reason why all of these adaptations are popping up in this type of format. We asked for it.

DeepSeek-V3, ultra-large open-source AI, outperforms Llama and Qwen on launch

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:46:47 -0000

The new model shows open-source closing in on closed-source models, suggesting reduced chances of one big AI player ruling the game.

<img width="578" height="324" src="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?w=578" class="attachment-single-feed size-single-feed wp-post-image" alt="Black and white AI vector image of robot jumping over the heads of onlookers in a city" decoding="async" srcset="https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png 2912w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=300,168 300w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=768,430 768w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=800,450 800w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=1536,861 1536w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=2048,1148 2048w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=400,224 400w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=750,420 750w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=578,324 578w, https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cfr0z3n_vector_art_line_art_flat_illustration_graphic_novel_spl_5e4ba6f6-8ff9-4899-a927-5e1aba8fb9e0.png?resize=930,521 930w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px" /><hr/>The new model shows open-source closing in on closed-source models, suggesting reduced chances of one big AI player ruling the game.<a href="https://venturebeat.com/ai/deepseek-v3-ultra-large-open-source-ai-outperforms-llama-and-qwen-on-launch/" target="_blank">Read More</a>

The year’s most unexpected holiday gift is a new Charlie the Unicorn short

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:52:16 -0000

Improbably, one of the great viral hits of the 2000s has returned this holiday season: Charlie the Unicorn. Created by Jason Steele of FilmCow, the original “Charlie the Unicorn” Flash animation short was released on Newgrounds in 2005 and slammed in to the cultural vernacular of terminally online millennials. Steele’s Charlie shorts had a tight […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-26-at-12.30.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> Improbably, one of the great viral hits of the 2000s has returned this holiday season: Charlie the Unicorn. Created by Jason Steele of FilmCow, the original “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKd_2vqPrmU&list=PL94555807213983FB">Charlie the Unicorn</a>” Flash animation short was released on Newgrounds in 2005 and slammed in to the cultural vernacular of terminally online millennials. Steele’s Charlie shorts had a tight formula featuring a pink and blue pair of tooth-erodingly saccharine unicorns who would relentlessly bother the skeptical and foul-mouthed Charlie into traveling with them on ceaselessly capricious adventures stocked with classic mid-aughts random humor. At the climax of each short, Charlie would, despite himself, give in to their relentless cheerfulness and start to enjoy himself — at which point they would conk him on the head and traffic one of his organs. When you write it all out like that it really does make you think: You know what? <a href="https://www.polygon.com/23921363/youre-so-skibidi-so-fanum-tax-and-other-fun-nonsense-explained">Skibidi Toilet</a> is fine. Steele followed up with some sequels, parodies, and spinoffs throughout the ’00s and early teens, eventually culminating in a Charlie “finale” in 2021. But lo, on the second day of Christmas my YouTube algorithm gave to me “Charlie the Unicorn Enjoys a Moment of Peace.” And, spoilers, but, the title is accurate. In the new vid, nothing bad happens to Charlie at all, and he is allowed to engage earnestly with a moment of true whimsy without any negative consequences. I’m happy for him. I wish that for you as well, reader, and for all of us, in this holiday season and the new year to come.

Dozens of amazing board games are buy 1, get 1 half off at Target

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 19:06:56 -0000

Didn’t get enough quality time with the family over your holiday? Target is offering another excellent opportunity for Target Circle members to fill their shelves with some amazing board games. Through Jan. 4, Target Circle members can save 50% on a board game when they purchase a second eligible title of equal or greater value. […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22751434/IMG_7083.JPG?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> Didn’t get enough quality time with the family over your holiday? <a href="https://www.target.com/pl/382856552?tcin=86682090&moveTo=product-list-grid&facetedValue=m4r0p&ignoreBrandExactness=true">Target</a> is offering another excellent opportunity for Target Circle members to fill their shelves with some amazing board games. Through Jan. 4, Target Circle members can save 50% on a board game when they purchase a second eligible title of equal or greater value. Just add a pair of games to your cart, and Target will apply the discount at checkout. While this deal is exclusive to <a href="https://www.target.com/l/target-circle/-/N-pzno9">Target Circle members</a>, joining is free, and a membership nets you access to exclusive discounts like this one in addition to free two-day shipping on most items. This sale technically features over 500 individual board games to choose from, but we’ve picked out a handful of our favorites that we think you should check out. Some of the highlights featured in this sale include <a href="https://www.target.com/p/fantasy-flight-games-twilight-imperium-4th-edition-board-game/-/A-76500578#lnk=sametab">Twilight Imperium fourth-edition</a>, <a href="https://www.target.com/p/space-cowboys-sherlock-holmes-the-thames-murders-38-other-cases-game/-/A-76500623#lnk=sametab">Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective</a>, <a href="https://www.target.com/p/leder-games-root-board-game/-/A-87884701#lnk=sametab">Root</a>, <a href="https://www.target.com/p/stonemaier-wingspan-with-swift-start-game-pack/-/A-82006492#lnk=sametab">Wingspan</a>, and other awesome titles to add to your board game rotation.

BobbyBroccoli’s science controversy videos give you great stories to tell at parties

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 20:00:00 -0000

I think we can all agree that Jon Bois and the team over on our sister site Secret Base do incredible work. Their documentaries are deeply researched, visually unique, and incredibly human, telling stories about sports but also the history of slipping on banana peels and that time some very dumb people got into an […]

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.polygon.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/A-STEP-BY-STEP-GUIDE-ON-AGM-ELECTIONS-2-1200x675-1.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption></figcaption> </figure> I think we can all agree that Jon Bois and the team over on our sister site <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/secret-base" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.sbnation.com/secret-base">Secret Base</a> do incredible work. Their documentaries are deeply researched, visually unique, and incredibly human, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIgK56cAjfY&t=1s&ab_channel=SecretBase">telling stories about sports</a> but also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8W5GCnqT_M&list=PLUXSZMIiUfFRdctoqqntkUV_Gf44gzw7i&index=56&ab_channel=SecretBase">the history of slipping on banana peels</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/eECjjLNAOd4?si=EDKBVnZ5p6Qr_0w5">that time some very dumb people got into an argument about how many days are in a week</a>. Which brings me to Kevan MacKay, aka BobbyBroccoli. His <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BobbyBroccoli/featured">YouTube channel</a> definitely riffs on the same 3D docu-space animation style: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfM7cqOlgds&ab_channel=BobbyBroccoli">He even made a tutorial for how to animate like Jon</a>! But I must be very clear: BobbyBroccoli is no knockoff. Instead of <a href="https://youtu.be/_P52G4Kyq5M?si=GD9FWeXEAr5o1xN2" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/_P52G4Kyq5M?si=GD9FWeXEAr5o1xN2">data-driven documentaries on the television series 24</a> or <a href="https://youtu.be/9l5C8cGMueY?si=Z_1skQ0bWSgL_JTU" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/9l5C8cGMueY?si=Z_1skQ0bWSgL_JTU">SCORIGAMI</a>!, BobbyBroccoli’s bread and butter is scientific controversies. However, this isn’t a look at the “controversy” surrounding, say, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIcAZxFfrc&ab_channel=hbomberguy">vaccines</a> or<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbR-5mHI6bo"> climate change</a>, but rather, the scandals that revealed legitimate scientific fraud. These include <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ett_8wLJ87U&list=PLAB-wWbHL7VskQmC4rUG8vwSUSjG83z-I&index=6&ab_channel=BobbyBroccoli">the Korean human cloning scandal</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn92eWhGG14&list=PLAB-wWbHL7VskQmC4rUG8vwSUSjG83z-I&index=1&t=31s&ab_channel=BobbyBroccoli">the cold fusion fraud</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe5WT22-AO8&list=PLAB-wWbHL7VskQmC4rUG8vwSUSjG83z-I&index=8&t=1s&ab_channel=BobbyBroccoli">the fake discovery of new periodic elements</a>. While BobbyBroccoli originally used Bois’ Google Earth style of animating, his last few docuseries have moved fully into Blender, even as they keep the concept of slowly assembling a virtual tableau to create powerful visual connections between characters and concepts in the story. This is part of what keeps these videos from simply looking like a Bois knockoff, because each of BobbyBroccoli’s series takes on a distinct visual style. For example, the series on human cloning ties everything together with a casino card table to help enhance a story about bluffing on an international scale. BobbyBroccoli also has a Bois-like knack for breaking down topics that you may not fully understand into compelling content. But while an episode of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yru_1al8EY" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yru_1al8EY">Pretty Good might need to explain just how hard it is to miss a field goal</a>, BobbyBroccoli needs to explain high-level science. Which means not only explaining how the periodic table works, but also how ultra-heavy particles are “discovered,” and how a fraudulent research paper slipped by some experts while others were able to spot the fake. As much as the visual connections seem like the most obvious tribute to Bois’ work, BobbyBroccoli actually understands that what really makes a video about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvh6NLqKRfs&t=1188s&ab_channel=SecretBase">guys named Bob</a> or <a href="https://youtu.be/ZlviajJlctQ?si=ONnLNkgV5wO4PeGE">one particularly notable pitcher</a> isn’t all the fancy graphics: It’s that these are ultimately stories about people. Extraordinary people, but still just people. Even science, for all its noble pursuits, is also made by people. Flawed, idealistic, selfish, fame-chasing human beings. Whatever the challenging, elite pursuit may be, if there are humans involved, there’s going to be an interesting story to tell.