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Rockstar Games Delays “Grand Theft Auto VI” to Late 2026

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Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI was initially set to launch on May 26th next year, but it has now been delayed once more, this time until the end of 2026. It’s been almost two years since the game’s announcement and over 12 years since the release of Grand Theft Auto V.

“Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on Thursday, November 19, 2026,” reads Rockstar Games’ statement on X. “We apologize for extending the wait that has already been extensive, but these extra months will enable us to complete the game to the standard of quality you expect and deserve.”

The highly anticipated game centers around a duo of romantically involved criminals, Jason and Lucia, set against Rockstar’s vibrant depictions of Miami, Vice City, and Leonida, a vast Florida-like state. Development has been ongoing at Rockstar North in Edinburgh since 2018, with contributions from the company’s other studios in New York and globally. The original target date was late 2025.

“GTA VI” is anticipated to rejuvenate the gaming industry, which has been experiencing a downturn following a surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto V, has amassed $8.6 billion in revenue since its 2013 release, as per the latest financial report from game publisher Take-Two. Rockstar’s last game, the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2, launched in 2018 and earned $725 million in its opening weekend.

Meanwhile, fans have been eagerly looking forward to Rockstar’s latest title for quite some time. Even by gaming industry standards, where blockbuster titles often take six years to develop, the wait of over 12 years for Grand Theft Auto VI is considered lengthy.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Battlefield 6 Review – A Grand Symphony of Thunderous, Immersive Warfare | Game

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BJust moments into the first round of the expansive multiplayer mode Conquest, you can’t help but feel the thrill of battle return. Fighter jets zoom overhead, tanks thunder by, and buildings crumble under the impact of rocket-propelled grenades. While Call of Duty has traditionally emphasized close-quarters combat in online matches, Battlefield 6 immerses you in a colossal military engagement that’s both bewildering and ear-piercing. Even in the quieter moments, you’re jolted back to reality by the distant sounds of rifle fire, urgent shouts for orders, and calls for medics.

EA’s legendary FPS series has faced significant challenges in recent years, and its futuristic installment Battlefield 2042 is widely regarded as a letdown. In response, the development team—comprising various studios including the original creator DICE—has returned to the stellar Battlefield 4 for inspiration. This time, the focus is on contemporary military warfare, delivering an authentic experience across expansive maps with numerous players involved. Similar to previous titles, Battlefield 6 offers four distinct classes: Assault, Support, Engineer, and Recon. Each class comes equipped with unique weapons and gadgets, which you can upgrade and customize as you gain experience and level up your soldiers. It’s a hybrid system that blends elements from earlier Battlefield games with features from modern Call of Duty titles, notably the Gunsmith system, which has revolutionized weapon customization in online shooters.




Brooklyn at war…Battlefield 6. Photo: Electronic Arts

The standout online modes are the large-scale ones like Conquest and Breakthrough, which concentrate on capturing objectives and seizing territory from rivals. There are also smaller modes such as King of the Hill and Domination, but for seasoned Battlefield players, these options feel like a different approach altogether. Since the groundbreaking Battlefield 1942 in 2002, the series has promoted strategic gameplay, encouraging teamwork among allies to infiltrate enemy bases, synchronizing assaults with helicopter cover, and gradually breaking through defenses. In a good game session, you may find yourself stealthily navigating the map or inching toward a heavily fortified structure. The rapid-fire nature of Call of Duty, characterized by quick skirmishes and instant respawns, seems worlds apart.

Yet, engaging in combat here feels invigorating. Whether you’re navigating the bustling streets of Brooklyn or the shores of Cairo, debris cascades, bullets ricochet, and tanks detonate in fiery explosions. The graphics and audio design are remarkably well-executed, channeling the gritty, camera-shaking documentary style of Generation Kill or Warfare rather than the polished action-movie mayhem typical of CoD. If you’re fortunate enough to join a solid team (I strongly recommend playing with one or two friends), you’ll forge genuine camaraderie.

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However, the game does stumble with its lackluster campaign mode. The storyline is a standard techno-thriller set in a near-future world where a private military firm seeks global domination, and only a rugged team of American special forces stands in their way. This narrative feels clichéd and uninspired. By portraying the antagonist as a fictional military corporation, the developer sidesteps political controversy and avoids addressing the game’s potential market dynamics or its investors at Electronic Arts. Additionally, staying engaged with the cast of tough guys, who consistently deliver lines like “There’s no bureaucracy here” or quip, “I don’t know what’s more impressive, the scenery or the firepower” while staking out an enemy base in sunny Gibraltar can be a challenge. When Murphy, the protagonist, states, “There’s no one I want to join in this fight,” I seriously wished that defection had been an option.

Don’t let that discourage you. Overall, Battlefield 6 marks a triumphant return to form, delivering a thrilling, almost operatic shooter experience that masterfully blends explosive combat with tactical finesse. It remains to be seen how it will fare amidst the contemporary landscape of hero shooters and battle royale games, but it is undoubtedly worth your time.

Battlefield 6 is available now, priced at £65

Source: www.theguardian.com

Shakespeare’s Macbeth: A Tale of Violence and Decadence—Not Grand Theft Auto

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Last week, The Guardian engaged with the creators of Lili, Macbeth’s video game, which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. The prominent quote from this piece stated, “Shakespeare will write for today’s game.” Shakespeare was immersed in the Elizabethan era of theatre, a time when, much like contemporary video games, plays were regarded as mere popular entertainment and often overlooked for serious analysis or preservation! Authorities at the time similarly fretted over the violent and obscene nature of these plays and their potential influence on the masses.

If he were to embrace the notion of a 21st-century Shakespeare crafting games, what type would that entail? Our key argument is that Shakespeare was invested in populism and entertainment. Thus, if we focus on pure profit, he might develop casual smartphone games—akin to Tencent’s massively popular multiplayer arena game, King of Honor, which raked in $2.6 billion (£1.9 billion) last year. However, while the Bard had a fascination with royalty and honor (and certainly making money), it’s a stretch to envision Hamlet as a multiplayer arena-style battler. Surely, our noble characters would barely utter, “O, this would melt, thaw, and settle into dew. Before it evaporates with a barrage of sc-heat.” There’s also little room for the intricacies of storytelling or military rhetoric in battle royale games like Fortnite, despite Shakespeare’s acknowledged affinity for conflict and mortality.

No, if Shakespeare were to return in the early 21st century, it seems he would gravitate towards open-world role-playing adventures. In such a realm, he would have the freedom to craft nuanced stories with an array of characters in diverse settings. The marsh of King Lear could transform into a desolate wasteland, echoing the ravages of Fallout. Macbeth’s Castle might resemble Elden Ring’s ghostly dungeons or settings in The Witcher 3. Verona, home to Romeo and Juliet, could present a captivating yet troubled rendition reminiscent of GTA’s Los Santos. The persistent themes of Shakespeare—war’s nature, revenge, madness, and free will—are at the heart of fantasy RPGs. His talent for incorporating characters from all walks of life is mirrored in the intricate social hierarchies of expansive open-world games. Shakespeare’s historical narratives blend real and fictional figures, akin to the Assassin’s Creed series, which also grapples with themes of identity, disguise, and fantasy.

“This castle has a comfortable seat”… The Witcher 3 represents the kind of open-world RPG that a reborn bard could inspire. Photo: CD Projekt Red

Moreover, open-world games possess a similarly free-form structure and psychological depth as Shakespeare’s theatrical works. They feature subplots, side quests, nonlinear timelines, and morally complex characters. Vast and sprawling, these games invite diverse interpretations; audiences often become both spectators and participants within the narrative. Likewise, Shakespeare aimed for his audiences to engage with the performance, utilizing asides, quips, and monologues to blur the lines between the stage and the audience. Today’s vocal and interactive gamers share more with Shakespeare’s Elizabethan viewers than with the polite crowds of modern theater.

This intriguing intersection of Shakespeare and open-world games is gradually gaining recognition. A few years back, the RSC commissioned three artists to explore live theater interactions with technology. One such artist, digital creator Adam Clarke, experimented with staging Shakespeare’s performances in Minecraft. Recently, I viewed Grand Theft Hamlet, an incredible documentary showcasing efforts to perform Hamlet within Grand Theft Auto during the COVID lockdowns. After all, if any genre can technically express Shakespeare’s fundamental philosophy, it’s that of open-world online video games, where everyone is merely a player on the great stage of life.

What to play

An intriguing strategy sim… Lift Lift. Photo: Adriaan de Jongh

It’s always refreshing to witness a familiar video game genre reimagined thoughtfully. Lift Lift, created by Dutch designer Adriaan de Jongh and his small team, offers a fresh take on tower defense games—think Plants vs. Zombies. In this version, the landscape is significantly more expansive, incorporating tactical elements like the capacity to lay the groundwork for new towers before gathering the necessary resources. With engaging visual aesthetics and sound effects, this strategy sim proves appealing to both newcomers and veterans alike.

Available on: PC
Estimated playtime: Over 15 hours

What to read

It’s a flesh scar… Elden Ring. Photo: Bandai Namco

  • Writer, director, and gaming enthusiast Alex Garland has confirmed his involvement in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Elden Ring, produced by A24 and Bandai Namco. If realized, the initial moments of the film will depict the protagonist’s repeated defeats at the hands of the Tree Sentinel Knight.

  • Pac-Man officially turns 45! The BFI features articles tracing the game’s development, from its origins as a pizza-inspired saga to the distinct personalities of the ghosts. However, Ms. Pac-Man remains the superior game.

  • Game design icon Peter Molyneux recently participated in a Q&A at the Nordic Game 2025 Conference, where gi.biz shared his intriguing insights on the fate of Project Milo. If you have to ask what it is, you may never know.

  • For those intrigued, check out Hurt Me Plenty, an exquisite coffee table book exploring the finest first-person shooters from the 2000s. It dissects titles like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Half-Life 2, and Unreal Tournament, along with an obscure gem known as Code Name: Nina—an insightful overview of this pivotal era in shooter game design.

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The oddest game contender… Seaman. Photo: Sega

This query comes from Andy, who asked:

What is the strangest game you’ve ever played? Last year, I explored Harold Halibut on Game Pass, which stands out as one of the most bizarre experiences I’ve encountered. I’m eager to hear about other unusual gaming journeys.

I’ve played many peculiar titles. Seaman (the fish who speaks with Leonard Nimoy’s voice), Mr. Mosquito (where you embody a mosquito), and Catamari Damacy (where you roll up a massive ball of trash for the King of the Universe) have all left an imprint. I’ve also ventured into more obscure games like the Spectrum classic Fat Worm Blows a Sparx (you are a microscope worm trapped in a computer), the strange Amiga adventure Tone’s Tass Town (where you’re caught in a punk-infused 1980s dimension), and the quirky PlayStation 2 voyeur simulator Polaroid Pete (you’re a photographer capturing odd happenings in a park).

My personal favorite is Sega’s Ambulance Emergency Call, a game reminiscent of Crazy Taxi. If you collide too much, you have to perform CPR while transporting a critically ill patient. It was a notable arcade hit, yet it surprisingly didn’t make it to home consoles—I can’t fathom why!

If you have a blocking question or anything to share about the newsletter, please reach out to pushingbuttons@theguardian.com

Source: www.theguardian.com

GTA 6 Delivers: Will the Notorious Cynical Action Series Finally Embrace Romance?

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something exciting is coming to Grand Theft Auto Universe next year. This isn’t just about stunning graphics or uncharted territories in Rockstar’s version of the US; it goes much deeper. If you caught the recently released second trailer for GTA6, it was unveiled mercilessly just days after the announcement that the game won’t be available until May next year. What’s new is romance.

The main characters in this latest gangster saga are Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, two young lovers from rough backgrounds. He’s a former attire turned drug runner, while she’s just out of prison and determined to create a better life for herself and her beloved mother. Their paths cross as they devise plans to escape their gritty surroundings. However, when a seemingly straightforward robbery takes a dangerous turn, they find themselves entangled in a sprawling criminal conspiracy. If Rockstar is telling a love story, you can bet it includes an Underworld Kingpin, gang members, conspiracy theorists, and a horrifying array of corrupt politicians.




Slazy Rider…Grand Theft Auto 6. Illustration: Rockstar Game

But how do writers create a couple that resonates with the series’ tone and lore? Traditionally, it has focused on deeply flawed, solitary characters like the PTSD-afflicted veteran Nico Bellic and the volatile Trevor Phillips. There was a brief romantic subplot in previous games—Mercedes Cortes, CJ’s short affair, the entanglements of Catalina in San Andreas, and the flirtations woven throughout Tommy Vercetti’s escapades. Even Trevor’s odd interactions with Patrice in GTA5 featured sparse love stories filled with Stockholm syndrome. Yet, in these narratives, emotional dynamics often took a backseat to violent heists and adrenaline-fueled car chases. The GTA universe has been largely nihilistic, emphasizing individualism often accompanied by a façade of camaraderie before brutal betrayal. However, the new GTA trailer hints at a fresh integrity. “Rather than superficial fantasies, Lucia is prepared to seize control. A life with Jason could lead her to new horizons.”

Writers still look to cinema for inspiration. With its themes of violence and luxury cars under the sun, Vice City drew from Scarface and Miami Vice. GTA: San Andreas channeled the cinematic essence of early ’90s South Central LA through films by John Singleton and the Hughes brothers. GTA 4 took cues from French crime dramas and Russian gangster films. Already, GTA6 is drawing comparisons to Bonnie and Clyde, another tale of troubled lovers willing to risk everything for love. Yet, Rockstar seems to have delved deeper, studying the true romance depicted in Sam Peckinpah’s classics and Terrence Malick’s Badlands—a story of a thrilling but ultimately discontent couple. Even Natural Born Killers may provide surreal inspiration for this new arc.

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Regardless, this is timely. With all its satire and moral ambiguity, GTA titles have often lacked subtlety. Relationship dynamics have traditionally been tied to the honor code of dysfunctional families and the hypermasculine gangland ethos. This series has never featured a female lead protagonist until now. We’re witnessing the emergence of new dynamics.

Perhaps GTA will approach romance similarly to how it has explored friendship in the past. Take Roman and Nico in GTA 4, who embody contrasts of darkness and violence alongside meaningful risks. Expect minimal player influence in the relationship’s development since GTA isn’t a strict role-playing adventure. Story progression hinges more on actions rather than dialogue. However, I’m curious about what the writers have observed about human behavior from the increasingly popular multiplayer spinoff, GTA Online, where dedicated role-playing servers have fostered virtual relationships.

In any case, I’m rooting for Lucia and Jason. They represent some of the most intriguing characters we’ve seen in the series—already generating buzz online as fans have shipped them. While Rockstar’s art team typically depicts characters as reflections of internal decay, these two are undeniably attractive and share a strong chemistry. Perhaps Rockstar recognizes that the current state of the world—and perhaps our desires—yearns for genuine romantic connection. Next May, expect both love and bullets to fly.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed to May 2026

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Rockstar Games has postponed the release of Grand Theft Auto VI to May 26th, 2026. Originally slated for this fall, concerns were growing within the industry due to the uncertainty surrounding the launch date.

The announcement was made through a brief post on their website. The company stated: “We sincerely apologize for this delay, which has taken longer than we anticipated. The excitement and interest in the new Grand Theft Auto has truly humbled our entire team. We appreciate your support and patience as we finalize the game.”

“With every game we release, our objective has always been to elevate your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no different. Please know that we need this additional time to ensure the high level of quality you expect and deserve.”

It has been over ten years since the launch of Grand Theft Auto V, which has sold 210 million copies, making it one of the most successful video games alongside Minecraft and Tetris. GTA V itself experienced multiple delays before its final release in September 2013.

Since the teaser video was unveiled in December 2023, little has been disclosed about GTA VI. This open-world crime thriller is set to unfold in a Miami-inspired version of the game world, featuring the hometown of Leonida. The narrative is anticipated to follow seasoned criminal Lucia as she engages in an ambitious heist alongside a male counterpart.

No additional details regarding the delays of GTA VI have surfaced. However, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, is scheduled to announce its financial results on May 15th, where questions from journalists and shareholders are likely to take center stage.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Grand Canyon was created shortly after a massive asteroid impact.

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The view of the two large gorge, the month of the month radly radiated from the Schrodinger basin

Nasasvsernie T. Wright

The vast collision crater near the month of the moon was formed on an asteroid that moved in more than 1 kilometer for 1 second or more, and released 130 times the energy of all existing nuclear weapons. Currently, researchers say that two unusual and straight gorge were formed within 10 minutes by a secondary debris chain of two unusual and straight gorge.

David King In Houston, Texas, and the planetary research institute, we investigated a 312 kilometer Schreading Glator for 15 years. Part of it was to develop a landing site that could have a NASA concertation program. This tried to return people to the moon, but ended in 2009.

“They are basically hidden and in a sense mysterious. [of the moon]King says. “And they are generally overlooked.”

For more information, Kring and his colleagues are using a computer model to investigate the origin of two gorgees or “light rays” extending north from the crater. One is VALLISSCHREDINGER, 270 km long, 2.7 km in depth, 280 km in length and 3.5 km in depth. For comparison, Arizona's Grand Canyon length is 446 km and depth of 1.9 km.

However, it has been engraved in water for millions of years, but the gorge of the moon is a straight and straight groove formed by vast shocking force within 10 minutes. The dramatic asteroid strike not only spread dust and tile BLE throughout the moon, but also spread to space and earth.

Researchers also suggest that the main ones that cause the main crater of the main, faster, to drive the fragments that run through the moon, focusing on narrow areas due to the irregularity of Legoris, which is a loose material that covers the moon. It may have been combined.

Using their models, researchers have calculated that asteroids collide 3811 billion years ago to create the speed and direction of debris to create a gorge. 。

“There is a rock that hits 2 kilometers per second per second, perhaps 2 kilometers per second, and it may be devastating,” says Kring. “I knew that Schrödinger's impact would create these rays, but the related process needed some attention.”

Kring is not deep enough at any of the landing points that Legolis, who was kicked out of Schrölinger, was sued to seriously interfere with geological experiments, so Kring is the moon in the ARTEMIS III mission of NASA. He says that he has a sense of security to put an astronaut in. 。 If they were planning to land north of Schledinger, where much more materials landed, they would have faced a very deep layer that hid the early geology.

The view of the gorge that looks straight at the moon

Nasasvsernie T. Wright

Mark Birchel At Kent University in the UK, this study is done in some way to prove that the gorge is formed by a shock chain, but it is necessary to investigate up close.

“The ultimate evidence is the person who brings back the rocks from one or some rocks in these gorgees,” says Birchel. “Then there is a mineral grain that you just cut out, and was shocked there. [by impacts]And some of them have changed the structure as a result. “

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Games to Look Forward to in 2025: Dragons, Demons, and Grand Theft Auto VI

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Civilization VII

The rules of Civilization remain the same in this long-standing strategy series, but Civilization VII is set to receive a much-needed update. With a release date of February 11th, players can expect more leaders and peoples to choose from as they navigate world domination from ancient times to modern eras.
Released on February 11th on all platforms

Grand Theft Auto VI

Rockstar’s latest installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, Grand Theft Auto VI, features a female protagonist named Lucia and is set in a vibrant Florida environment resembling Vice City. With the immense success of GTA V, generating $8.5 billion, the anticipation for this game is high, although the release date is yet to be determined.
Release date: TBD on PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

From the creators of Life is Strange comes Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, a narrative game that follows a group of teenage bandmates on a mysterious journey. Jump between the summer of 1995 and the present day in this visually stunning game, released on February 18th.
Released on February 18th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC

Atom fall. Photo: Rebellion

monster hunter wilds

Embark on a thrilling adventure in Monster Hunter Wilds, a game by Japanese developer Capcom known for their impressive titles. With its captivating creatures, spectacular weapons, and diverse environments, this game promises an exciting experience for players. Release date set for February 28th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

atom fall

Fans of post-apocalyptic settings will enjoy Atomfall, a game from British developer Rebellion set in an alternate timeline following the 1957 Windscale fire in Britain. Pulpy references and elements from popular culture make this game a unique experience. Released on March 27th on PC, PS4/5, and Xbox.

DOOM: Dark Ages

Get ready for an even more intense experience in DOOM: Dark Ages, the next installment in the iconic first-person shooter series. Expect gore, demons, and medieval warfare in this high-octane game. Release date to be announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

metroid prime 4

Anticipated for the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor, Metroid Prime 4 is a space adventure game developed by Retro Studios. With a legacy of sci-fi excellence, fans are eager to see what new innovations this game will bring to the beloved series.
Release date: TBD on Nintendo Switch

Doom: The Dark Ages. Photo: Bethesda

Like a Dragon: Hawaiian Pirate Yakuza

Experience the oceanic adventures of Goro Majima in Like a Dragon: Hawaiian Pirate Yakuza, a game that combines Japanese gangster themes with high-seas action. Set to release on February 21st on PC, PS4/5, and Xbox, this game promises a blend of naval combat, sword-wielding, and treasure hunting.
Release date: February 21st on PC, PS4/5, Xbox

fable

Get ready for a comical fantasy adventure in Fable, starring Richard Ayoade and Matt King. This game aims to revive the beloved Fable series with its humor and unique British sensibilities. Release date to be announced for Xbox and PC.
Release date: TBA on Xbox, PC

Claire Obscur: Expedition 33

Enter a dark fantasy world in Claire Obscur: Expedition 33, a French game with a captivating storyline. Explore a twisted wilderness and unravel mysteries in a game filled with intriguing environments and supernatural elements. Release date to be announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of Grand Theft Hamlet: Shakespeare’s Performance in the Game is Riveting and Exciting

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a Great idea, brilliantly executed. Hilarious, surreal, and, yes, really exciting in a weird way. This could be the Marat/Sade of the 21st century. During lockdown, two out-of-work actors, Sam Crane and Marc Oosterveen, played Grand Theft Auto (GTA) online (remotely to each other), and the entire movie It is shown as an in-game action feature in GTA. Their avatars navigate the vast, intricately detailed cityscape of Los Santos, similar to Los Angeles, where the action takes place, while avoiding being shot, mutilated, and mauled in the usual GTA fashion. While running through the area, they happened to come across a deserted group of people. Vinewood Bowl Amphitheater. So they staged an in-game production of Hamlet there, recruiting other gamers to play the roles, donning various bizarre costumes, handles, and personas, and using virtual reality in a zero-gravity, near-realistic way. I thought it might be possible to move around the space., the avatar’s lips move almost in sync as they speak their lines into a microphone.

They audition for all comers. In this noisy business, strange people appear who tend to use flamethrowers and rocket launchers to destroy others for no reason during the explanation of their works. But they also meet people who have fascinating or inspiring stories to tell. Finally, the finished performance is shown, with an atmospheric musical soundtrack that was probably added later for the film.

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Coincidentally, they don’t stick to the Vinewood Bowl stage, instead boldly expanding their reach throughout the city. As one of the leads says, this is Shakespeare on a billion dollar budget, or the Shakespeare Elon Musk can afford to make. Crane and Oosterveen, along with Pinny Grylls (who co-directed with Crane), explore the game’s never-ending, dark violence, how close it is to the violence of Shakespeare’s world, and how depressed they are by the stagnation of lockdown. I look back in fascination. It provides a new dreamlike insight into Hamlet’s melancholy.

The result is something like Baz Luhrmann’s gangbanger Romeo + Juliet or Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, in which actors roam the land performing a show. It’s so wild that you wonder if anyone is watching it. It’s really funny and sweet when Crane, Oosterveen, and Grylls start arguing among themselves in the quirky GTA setting. (Maybe they were just making a little fuss about these “real” crises, but that doesn’t matter.)

To me, Oosterveen’s bemused voice sounds a lot like Simon Jones as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and it’s no surprise that Douglas Adams would have loved this movie. I say this as a compliment. It certainly was.

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Grand Theft Hamlet will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from December 6th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

God is a Terrible Player in the Grand Simulation of Life

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IOver Easter weekend, Catholics like me spend hours in church listening to editors’ expanded versions of stories whose endings we already know. As I sat there recently for my millionth Passion performance, I started thinking about how few religious video game characters I’ve ever come across. In a world where so many people’s lives are dictated by their religious beliefs, it’s interesting to see such a lack of religion in games. That is, you could also argue that all The game is a homage to Jesus with respawns and extra lives, but even I admit that’s a stretch.

The Peggys in Far Cry 5 are a violent mind-controlling cult. The founders of BioShock Infinite use religion to heighten and justify hatred of foreigners. In Fallout, there are some eccentric people who worship the atomic bomb. Religion is used almost exclusively as a tool for leaders to get their minions to do bad things. (Sure, they might be on to something here.) With so many video games structured to place players as lone protagonists facing off against immense forces, I think it’s clear that religion is the go-to villain.




Altered Beast (Arcade version), 1988. Photo: Sega

For me, the scariest religious happening in a video game has always been in Altered Beast. A Roman centurion who has lived a life of horrific violence, pain, suffering, and marching down a straight path is rudely awakened from the dead and forced to further his efforts by Zeus (the game has a mix of that mythology) It has been). The poor guy probably wants to sleep forever. Instead, he is forced to punch and kick all sorts of beasts and shiny orbs. He has no choice. He can’t go back now. This is possible with horizontal scrolling.

My eldest daughter, a Zeldamaniac, tells me that religion in these games is “nothing but a problem, except for nature-worshipping religions.” Again, she’s a vegan who works at a veterinary hospital. There’s a heated debate on the internet about how John Marsten, a Catholic, acted in Red Dead Redemption, and that Doomguy was similarly persuasive, and that’s a fact. I found “evidence” as to why he took pleasure in hunting demons in The Exorcist of Upper Space.

My own relationship with religion is complicated. When the world is beyond a shadow of a doubt in the toilet, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God. The excuse that “all bad things happen because of the free will God gave us” seems like the religious equivalent of the infinite life cheat in video games. It’s a bit of a hack. To be honest, tomorrow I would give up my free will. As it stands, I have had to make too many decisions in my life. When I was young, I much preferred being told what to do and being cared for. To be honest, if I could get eight hours of sleep a night, I’d be a happy automaton.

What if, as some people believe, we were characters in a giant computer simulation? I feel that there is meaning in that. This is one of his theories that is accurate and at the same time supported by facts. please think about it. If this world were part of a video game, played by really shitty players, wouldn’t it all make sense? As someone in charge of a video game, how often do we make poor decisions? How many cities have you completely ruined and abandoned in SimCity? Have you ever seen world leadership this cruel and unethical outside of your Civilization playthrough?

The answer is obvious. God is not a very capable player. Don’t tell me it’s a coincidence that the end credits of Altered Beast reveal that it was all just a simulation.

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Remember 2001’s “Black and White”? This video game allowed you to play as God and more. everytime I made a mistake? Yeah. Photo: Bullfrog/EA

There is one positive point to the simulation argument. It means criticism becomes less painful. There’s always this selfish fear that I’ll write something that people won’t like. In the days before online comments, when I spent a decade as the Daily Star’s only Liberal columnist, none of this mattered, but the toe-curling handwritten letter I could show them, but if I didn’t bathe them, I would then bury them in lime with holy water.

The great thing about simulation theory is that you can write anything you want and if people don’t like it, that’s okay. I’m not even the one writing that. In The Adventures of a Newspaper Columnist 5 there is a supreme being controlling me. Poor supreme being. This will be the most boring game they’ve played since Euro Truck Simulator.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Years of Study and a Grand Vision to Merge Computers and Brains

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Elon Musk’s announcement on Monday caught the attention of a small community of scientists who work with the body’s nervous system to treat disorders and conditions.

Robert Gaunt, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said, “Inserting a device into a human body is not an easy task. But without neuroscience research and decades of demonstrated capabilities, I don’t think even Elon Musk would have taken on a project like this.”

Musk tweeted, “The first humans @Neuralink I was recovering well yesterday. Initial results show promising neuronal spike detection.” However, many scientists are cautious about the company’s clinical trials and note that not much information has been made public.

Neuralink won FDA approval to conduct its first human clinical study last year, and the company is developing brain implants that allow people, including severely paralyzed patients, to control computers with their thoughts.

Although it’s too early to know if Neuralink’s implants will work in humans, Gaunt said the company’s announcement is an “exciting development.” His own research focuses on restoring motor control and function using brain-computer interfaces.

“In 2004, a small device known as the Utah array was implanted in a human for the first time, allowing a paralyzed man to control a computer cursor with nerve impulses,” according to a report from University of Utah. Scientists have demonstrated how brain-computer interfaces can help people control robots, stimulate muscles, decode handwriting, speech, and more.

Musk said the clinical trials will aim to treat people with paralysis and paraplegia. However, many scientists believe enhancing human performance through brain-controlled devices is far in the future and not very realistic.

Still, Neuralink’s clinical trials represent a major advance for the fields of neuroscience and bioengineering. Funding basic science research is key to private companies advancing commercially viable products, says Gaunt.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

British Teenager, Arion Courtaj, Sentenced for Hacking ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’

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The teenager behind the infamous hacking incident in which footage of the unreleased Grand Theft Auto VI game was leaked online has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

Arion Kurtaj, 18, a “principal figure” in the Lapsus$ group, has hacked into major technology companies, including Rockstar Games, the developer of the highly successful video game series.

He stole code and footage from the unreleased Grand Theft Auto VI. The long-awaited sequel It will be in stores next year, more than 10 years after it was last released.

Kurtaj Some of the stolen footage has been released In an online forum, he blackmailed developer Rockstar, threatening to release its source code if it did not contact him last September.

Judge Patricia Rees said the hack “cost Rockstar a significant loss of incalculable marketing opportunities,” adding that in addition to thousands of hours of employee labor, the company lost more than $1.5 million in outside help alone. It said it cost about $1.2 million (approximately £1.2 million).

Kurtaj also said that over a 14-month period from July 2021 to September last year, when he was 16 and 17 years old, he had access to broadband provider BT, mobile phone operator EE, software companies NVIDIA and Uber. targeted and demanded millions of dollars.

Psychiatrists had ruled that Kurtaj, who is autistic, was unfit to face charges or stand trial.

However, the jury found he had committed 12 criminal acts. The charges included six counts of committing a fraudulent act to interfere with the operation of a computer, three counts of extortion, two counts of fraud, and failure to comply. After a two-month incident, he served a Section 49 notice to disclose the keys after failing to hand over his mobile phone password when asked by police.

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The pair were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court.file photo

read more:
GTA VI trailer: What we learned from the first look at the next Grand Theft Auto game

The judge ordered him to remain in hospital indefinitely, with restrictions under Section 41 of the Mental Health Act, meaning he could only be discharged if the Attorney-General gives permission.

Courtaj, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to one count of computer fraud and one count of fraud and was sentenced along with a 17-year-old boy who was also convicted of one count of fraud. received. He committed extortion and fraudulent activities that interfered with the operation of computers.

“You two were at the center of a series of cyber crimes carried out by a group of hackers calling themselves Lapsus$,” the judge said.

“The group targeted major technology companies, subjecting them to hacking, blackmail, and fraud.”

The court heard that the young man was a member of the group from July 2021, when he was 15, to February last year, and was involved in crimes against EE/BT and Nvidia, with the hack costing the company $5 million (approx. The court found that the remediation costs amounted to $1. .

The judge said the boy, who has been diagnosed with autism, also carried out a “brazen hack” into the City of London Police system to access CCTV footage.

This teenager used an international government official’s email address to send emergency disclosure requests to companies including Discord, Google and Uber, obtaining personal information about the people he targeted before scamming youth courts. He was also found guilty of stalking, the court heard.

He was given a Youth Rehabilitation Order including an 18-month supervision requirement and a six-month prohibited behavior requirement to stop using VPNs.

Source: news.sky.com

Google’s AI demo was fake, Grand Theft Auto VI captures attention, Spotify reduces workforce

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Welcome to the Week in Review (WiR)

Welcome everyone to Week in Review (WiR). This is TechCrunch’s regular newsletter that recaps the past few days in technology. AI is back in the headlines, with tech giants from Google to X (formerly Twitter) taking on OpenAI for chatbot supremacy. But so much more happened. In this issue of WiR, Google fakes a demo of a new AI model (and handed out an offensive note to Black Summit attendees), defense startup Anduril unveils fighter jet weapons, and the latest from the 23andMe hack The Continuing Aftermath and Grand Theft Auto VI trailer. Other stories include patient scans and health records leaked online, Meta’s new AI-powered image generator, Spotify layoffs, and self-driving truck startup pulling out of the US. There’s a lot to do, so don’t delay. But before that, if you haven’t already, here’s a reminder to subscribe here so you can receive her WiR in your inbox every Saturday.

Google fakes a new AI model (and hands out an offensive note to Black Summit attendees)

Google this week announced a new flagship AI model called Gemini. However, the complete model Gemini Ultra was not released, only a “lite” version called Gemini Pro. Google touted Gemini’s coding and multimodal capabilities in press conferences and blog posts, claiming the model can understand not only text but also images, audio, and video. However, because Gemini Pro is strictly text input and text output, it has proven to be error-prone. And to make matters worse for Google, the company was caught faking the Gemini demo by adjusting the text prompts with still images taken away from the camera. In another Google PR failure, people who attended the company’s K&I Black Summit in August were given third-party notebooks containing extremely insensitive language. My colleague Dominique Madri wrote that the inside of the notebook had the phrase “I was just now” printed on it. cotton That was the moment, but I came back to take your notes” (emphasis on our notes). Needless to say, this would not have been well-received by the mostly black audience in attendance. Google promises to “avoid similar situations.”

Anduril’s new weapons

Anduril, the controversial defense company co-founded by Oculus founder Palmer Lackey, has developed a new product designed to counter the proliferation of low-cost, high-powered aerial threats. A modular, twin-jet-powered, autonomous vertical take-off and landing aircraft (one version of which can carry warheads), called the Roadrunner, can take off from, track, and destroy targets, as well as intercept them. If there is no need, you can intercept the target. autonomously maneuver back to base, refuel and reuse. More 23andMe victims: Last Friday, genetic testing company 23andMe announced that hackers had accessed the personal data of 0.1% of its customers, or about 14,000 people. But the company initially declined to say how many other users may have been affected by the breach, which 23andMe first disclosed in October. In all, 6.9 million people had their name, year of birth, relationship label, percentage of his DNA shared with relatives, ancestry reports, and self-reported location exposed.

Grand Theft Auto VI trailer goes viral

The first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI reached 85 million views in just 22 hours, breaking the MrBeast video’s record for most YouTube views in 24 hours. The excitement for Grand Theft Auto VI continues for his decade. The previous installment in Rockstar Games’ long-running series, Grand Theft Auto V, remains the same. second best selling Best video game of all time, not even close to Minecraft.

Patient records leaked

A security weakness in a decades-old industry standard designed for storing and sharing medical images has led to thousands of exposed servers exposing the medical records and personal health information of millions of patients. I am. This standard, known as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), is an internationally recognized format for medical images. However, as German-based cybersecurity consultancy Aplite has discovered, security flaws in DICOM are allowing many healthcare facilities to unintentionally make their personal data accessible from the open web.

Meta generates images

Not to be outdone by the launch of Google’s Gemini, Meta has launched a new standalone generative AI experience, Imagine with Meta AI, on the web. This allows users to create images by describing them in natural language. Similar to OpenAI’s DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, Imagine with Meta AI leverages Meta’s existing Emu image generation model to create high-resolution images from text prompts.

Spotify makes layoffs

Spotify will cut around 1,500 jobs, or about 17% of its workforce, in its third round of layoffs this year as the music streaming giant aims to “increase both productivity and efficiency.” It’s a schedule. In a memo to employees on Monday, Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek cited slowing economic growth and rising costs of capital, saying the company needs more employees to face “the challenges ahead.” He stated that it is important to set an appropriate size of staff.

TuSimple will exit

When TuSimple went public in 2021, it was emerging as the leading self-driving truck developer in the U.S., but now, after a series of internal disputes and the loss of a key partnership with truck manufacturer Navistar, TuSimple is completely removed from the U.S. We are withdrawing. TuSimple says:

ZestMoney will shut down

ZestMoney, a buy-now-pay-later startup that can underwrite small loans to first-time Internet customers and has attracted a number of high-profile investors, including Goldman Sachs, has found a buyer. Efforts failed and it was closed. At its peak, the Bangalore-based startup employed around 150 people and raised more than $130 million during its eight-year run.

TechCrunch’s latest podcast episodes

TechCrunch’s list of podcast episodes continues to grow, just in time for your weekend listening. capital We featured a retrospective conversation from TechCrunch Disrupt 2023. Alex is the founder of Trible, a no-code app builder that helps you build online courses. He spoke with Serhii Bohoslovskyi. The two talked about the current state of the creator economy, the state of use of no-code tools today (and how it’s being embraced by non-technical creators), and the safety of startups with Ukrainian roots. . It’s over found, the crew spoke to David Rogier, CEO and founder of MasterClass, a streaming platform where you can learn from world experts on a variety of topics. Before Rogier launched his MasterClass, he worked as a VC, and through those connections he secured a $500,000 seed round before the company even had an idea. and, Chain reaction, Jacqueline interviewed David Packman, Managing Partner and Head of Venture Investments at Coinfund. Prior to CoinFund, David worked at venture capital firm Venrock where he worked for 14 years. He also led the Series A and B rounds of Dollar Shave Club, which was acquired by Unilever for $1 billion. And he co-created Apple Music in 1991, when David was in Apple’s Systems Software Product Marketing Group.

Source: techcrunch.com