Amy Redford, daughter of Robert Redford, has expressed her discontent regarding the proliferation of artificial intelligence tributes to her late father, labeling them a “hoax.”
Redford shared a statement on social media. In her message, she expressed gratitude for the “overwhelming love and support” from fans, stating: “It’s evident he meant so much to so many, and my family is truly humbled by the countless stories and tributes pouring in from around the globe.”
She further commented, “There are numerous fabricated AI funerals, eulogies, family quotes, etc. Portraying a father who clearly has no voice, alongside a family misrepresented, is especially challenging during these trying times.”
Redford added that a public funeral has not yet occurred, and plans for a memorial celebrating her father’s life are still underway. “Every family deserves the opportunity to grieve, honor the deceased, and convey their sympathies in a manner that resonates with their values and familial culture,” she stated.
She concluded, “My wish is to maintain transparency around AI usage. While many aspects of AI are created with good intentions, I implore you to consider: What would you want if this situation involved you? Let that perspective guide your actions.”
After years of partnering with Disney on Marvel and Star Wars, it’s finally come to fruition: The Simpsons have made their way into Fortnite. Unlike most crossovers which typically feature themed skins and emotes, this one is an all-encompassing takeover featuring a stylized map designed for players to explore Springfield. It’s a clever method to introduce younger audiences to America’s longest-running sitcom, especially with the announcement of a second movie in the works. For millennials, it serves as the peak of a year-long effort to capture our interest, particularly in light of past collaborations with Power Rangers, Scream, and Mortal Kombat.
While this might seem like an easy tactic for someone who grew up reliving episodes on repeat after school, it’s not a half-hearted cash grab. Expect to see recognizable Springfield sites: the Simpsons’ residence on Evergreen Terrace, the well-known sloping lawns of Burns Manor, and the town square featuring Moe’s Tavern and the Jebediah Springfield statue complete with its removable head. On the outskirts of the map lies a nuclear power plant, emitting cartoonish steam into the sky; players can avoid a meltdown by interacting with the control console accompanied by the tune of “Eeny, meeny, minnie, moo.” Cletus’ Farm and Slurp Factory (Duff’s take on the game—no draft beer here) sit in one corner of the island, and every match kicks off with a delightful reimagining of the show’s intro, complete with the sky parting, the title card, and the iconic theme music, before you thank Otto and jump from the battle bus onto the map.
Awesome…Burns Manor from the Simpsons season of Fortnite. Photo: Epic Games
Though there have been virtual adaptations of Springfield in the past (the most recent being 2012’s Tapped Out and 2015’s LEGO Dimensions), this iteration is rendered with unprecedented detail. Playing here feels like stepping directly into the animation. Springfield is smaller compared to Fortnite’s overall map, but it has some quirky elements. The Springfield Valley, where the Hollywood-style Springfield sign proudly sits in the center, is a nod to the unforgettable episode “Bart the Daredevil,” probably just a short distance from the residential area housing Homer, Marge, and Ned Flanders.
Regardless, Springfield’s layout has always been an enigma, and what truly matters is that this intricate recreation is a delight to explore. A longstanding strength of Fortnite’s map design is its ability to effectively use the spaces between prominent landmarks, and here it’s an excellent chance to embed references for dedicated Simpsons fans—whether you discover the 33-cent store or not. Expect to find a tire yard that inexplicably burns forever. Your exploration can be enhanced with optional quests featuring fun guest appearances, where you can follow Homer’s orders to use a set of car keys or pick up a ringing payphone to receive a prank call at Moe’s. You’ll even spot Nelson popping up to say, “Ha ha!” when you defeat boss characters like Krusty.
The game is stuffed with content. Even after numerous iterations, there are still new findings to uncover. If there is a downside, it’s that the map must be navigated in a competitive setting, with storm rings threatening to push you along. I wish there was a way to leisurely explore without the necessity of diving into battle royale. Fortnite’s engaging pop culture collaborations are often best enjoyed as a fun playground rather than a virtual museum. However, I’d love for an exception here, particularly for new or returning players enticed by this update. If that’s you, here are some tips to help you last long enough to enjoy the experience: try the less chaotic “Zero Build” mode. If you activate “Sound Effect Visualization” in the settings, your position will be highlighted on the screen. Remember, there’s no shame in landing in a quieter part of the map and picking off opponents before they can make a move. After all, some of the greatest references are tucked away off the main paths.
The Simpsons collaboration is set to conclude on November 29th, marking a month-long break before the subsequent seasons. It would be a shame to see such an impressive tribute vanish, and while older maps have been reintroduced before (for instance, Fortnite’s first chapter returned in 2023, breaking concurrent player records), many have disappeared for good. Yet, if any series holds enduring appeal, it’s definitely The Simpsons. I’m holding out hope for a revival reminiscent of a blockbuster movie.
Like many others, Ursula K. Le Guin is undoubtedly one of my beloved sci-fi authors. I’m thrilled about this month’s compilation of maps that I plan to use as inspiration for my story. Especially after enjoying It Was Confiscated. Join the New Scientist Book Club: Do Do Do Do and Jo, and share your insights on this classic with fellow readers!
This month not only brings back science fiction, but I eagerly anticipate it. Ken Liu will introduce a thriller based in the near future. I’m particularly interested in the tale of flooded Kolkata and the challenges faced by the mother, Megamajumdal. Additionally, there’s a story from astronaut Chris Hadfield and a new offering from author Mark Z. Danielewski, titled Leaf House.
Le Guin will venture into her great stories, promoting the Earthsea series (I recall the archipelago mentioned in those books) and I Always Go Home. This new collection features these maps alongside interviews, poetry, recipes, and contributions from various writers. It seems like a true treasure trove for fans like me of Le Guin.
Set in the not-so-distant future, this sci-fi thriller revolves around hacker Julia, who is tasked with rescuing a “dream artist” while uncovering the mysteries of virtual reality. This is the first in the Julia Z series, which has received the Hugo Award.
Reynolds once wrote fantastic sci-fi short stories for New Scientist. In one, we follow Yuri Gagarin, a private investigator observing a death aboard a spacecraft, weaving a tale through the vastness of space.
I’m not sure how far this fits within the realm of science fiction, but I believe there are many overlaps between sci-fi enthusiasts and those who adore Danielwski’s inventive works, particularly Leaf House. In fact, my colleague Jacob Aron selected it as one of the greatest sci-fi novels ever written. Therefore, I imagine quite a few people, myself included, are eager to hear about Danielewski’s latest novel this month. It ostensibly follows two friends who are trying to escape a massacre in a small town in Utah called Orbop, though I suspect there’s much more to it than that.
This dystopian narrative unfolds in a setting where a mysterious illness has stripped people of their memories, challenging how they interact and live. However, as “fragments of memory” start resurfacing, they threaten the center’s rigid structure, prompting students to question their reality. I love how they occupy their free time, watching old tapes and embodying characters like Chandler and Gunther, Maria and Chino!
Drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games, this story takes place in a dystopian world where individuals are evaluated based on their ability to fit in, centering on a woman caught in a love triangle. It highlights the perils of social and genetic engineering.
In Cold Eternity, a fugitive takes refuge on an abandoned spaceship
roman3dart/Getty Images
This slice of space horror is perfect for the Halloween season. Halley embarks on an adventure after uncovering an interplanetary conspiracy. She takes refuge in the Elysian Field, a drifting space vessel once believed to be a sanctuary by the wealthy until its inhabitants succumbed to death. After being abandoned for over a century, Halley now senses something amiss aboard…
Astronaut Chris Hadfield’s Cold War thriller is set in the 1970s during a space race involving the US, Soviet Union, and China. The narrative follows a new Apollo mission as it ventures into orbit. This marks the third entry in Hadfield’s series, following Apollo Murder and Exile.
This tale strikes me as a must-read. It unfolds in present-day Kolkata, where climate change and food scarcity have led to flooding and hunger. MA teams up with her husband in Michigan, bringing their 2-year-old daughter and elderly father. Just as they prepare to depart, MA realizes her immigration documents have been stolen. What ensues is a frantic one-week search for the thief. Meanwhile, the offender, Bulba, grapples with escalating crimes while trying to provide for his family. As disaster looms, what lengths will each individual go to protect their children?
European grey wolf (Canis Lupus) hunting in the forest
Arndt Sven-Erik / Arterra Picture Library / Alamy
Lucy, whose earliest memories date back to the Covid-19 pandemic, is now striving to restore lost species. Hester was born on the day of the Chernobyl disaster. In the words of Kim Stanley Robinson, this is “enduring” and “unforgettable.”
We receive two stories in one with this doubleheader. The first presents crime-laden narratives set in a futuristic scientific cosmos. Mirrors Red Star Hustle follows the adventures of a high-end escort entangled with a “noble clone of a murderous puppet monarch,” a unique blend that intrigues me. Kowal’s Anxiety also unfolds a tale of a grandmother whose grandchild is tempted into a terrorist group, all while a new planet harbors new challenges and possibilities.
If you enjoy Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, then Zenith (or Nadile) reimagines Jane Austen. This is an inventive remix of Pride and Prejudice and Frankenstein, depicting the lesser-known sister, Mary Bennett, as a brilliant scientist aspiring to revive the dead in search of her husband. But then she meets a remarkable young woman, leading her to reconsider her true desires.
wWe meet Gustave, the main character of Claire of Thru, who prepares to say goodbye to his ex-girlfriend, Sophie. Once a year, a giant godlike woman visible across the sea, the sedative is awakened, drawing numbers on a large monolith, and depicted in the peaceful town of Lumiere. This process, known as Gommage, has shortened lives for 67 years, and now it’s Sophie’s turn. Shortly after this heartbreaking goodbye, Gustave and his adopted sister Mael are ready to set sail as part of Expedition 33, defeating the pain and ending the terrifying cycle.
Although surprisingly beautiful, the continent you arrive at is not a friendly place. And the path to sedative is filled with surreal monsters called Nevrons. The characters have melee and long-range attacks, but most importantly, they have a wide variety of unique skills, including elemental magic attacks and powerful attacks with multiple hits that have the opportunity to faint. Each member of the team has a special way to deal more damage. Maelle, for example, uses a defensive, offensive, or offensive combat stance inspired by fencing, while Lune’s magic can be spent creating a so-called dirt and making other spells more powerful. Add to this long list of optional passive skills called Pictos and there are a wide range of ways to instantly enhance your character. The interaction with building action points, using skills, dealing damage and defending is truly interesting, and I’ve tried out a variety of tactics, even though it means a lot of time was spent on the menu.
A mystery shrouded in mystery…Clair’s unclear: Expedition 33. Photo: Sandfall Interactive
It may feel overwhelming, but each new skill is gradually introduced, with persistent tool tips in the Battle menu listing the effects and costs of each skill. However, since Battles uses the Parry and Dodge system, Clair Obscur’s fighting can be a very challenge. At least, the battle will soon end if it is inevitable. Successful Parry has a narrower response window than dodge, allowing the character to answer with a powerful counter. Even the normal enemies kept me on my toes with many attacks, but the power to shake the absolute screen of the successful counter felt deeply satisfied each time. I got acceptance continuously because it’s right – it can get boring if you don’t get a hit of dopamine from occasional success, or it’s frustrating if you’re constantly struggling. Also, enemies occur very often. This is intended to increase the difficulty of assumptions, but can also lengthen the attack.
Developer Sandfall Interactive is very open about taking inspiration from Japanese role-playing games. Combat is certainly a prominent example, but I have seen influence everywhere. The menu design is as persona-inspired as combat, but the enemies are as surreal as Bloodborne’s horrifying work. But when it comes to storytelling, Clair Obscur shares the tendency that many JRPGs can make things overly complicated.
But the dialogue is well written and acted. Your party goes through incredibly bad times, but they will be open about it and try to support each other as much as they can. Optional conversations help you get to know everyone better. Some of Claire Obsul’s best writings can be found here. It is the main plot that ultimately gets things tired. Most often, Claire’s obscurity is the adult fantasy that Final Fantasy XVI tried to do. But it’s also a mystery, adding new questions and characters, for hours and hours until it’s all revealed in an absolute dump of late game information. The conversation, location and gameplay are repeated in the final third, and things feel like they are artificially extended.
Towards the end, Claire of Surre is always finding a saddest way out of just a few minutes ago, and he doesn’t want to force you through a long boss fight with operatic metal throughout the soundtrack. It also peaked with a very frustrating ending, making me question everything I spent hours. From combat to enemy design to music, everywhere else, they appreciated the epic talent of Claire of Thru, but too many tears, too many fights were ultimately made for a serious, fumble ending.
noOstalgia is a strange thing, it can appear out of nowhere like a TIE fighter and hit you in the gut, leaving you confused and in pain. An hour into Star Wars Outlaws, I never expected to be emotionally overwhelmed by a simple quest to buy spare parts from a group of Jawas. But then I got in my speeder and rode out into the Dune Sea, and I saw their vehicles, black and huge, in the low sun. And I saw those little guys running around repairing droids. And I was transported back to when I was 12 years old, watching Star Wars on VHS in the living room, eating Monster Munchies my mom bought me, repeating lines with Luke. Ubisoft’s epic adventure is full of moments like this, and they saved my life many times.
All Pre-release talk You hear a lot about this not being a typical Ubisoft open world game, but Star Wars Outlaws is a lot like a typical Ubisoft open world game. You play as Kay Vess, a city thief who has been living quietly off her cunning until a lucrative heist goes wrong and she steals a spaceship and crashes it on the remote moon of Tshara. From here, she must survive while working for and at odds with the many criminal organizations in the galaxy, building a reputation as a skilled mercenary and thief. From here, it’s a familiar storyline. You’re soon given the main story quest, dozens of optional minor tasks, and the opportunity to take on various smuggler and rogue side jobs, usually traveling somewhere to get or blow things up. It’s like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, or Watch Dogs. It’s Star Wars: Busy Work Strikes Back.
Star Wars Outlaws cleverly weaves in Star Wars culture. Photo: Ubisoft
But there’s also an important difference: here, you’ll be aided by your beloved pet Nix, who you can dispatch to distract guards, fetch useful objects, or crawl through tight spaces to unlock doors. Nix is adorable, and adds emotional depth and danger to Cay’s lonely life. But more importantly, the game expertly weaves Star Wars lore into the mix, with the buildings you invade being beautifully recreated Imperial research facilities, destroyed Republic starships, and vile Hutt fortresses, all filled with intricate visual and narrative details drawn from the original film trilogy. Everywhere you go, fans will find a treat: familiar droids, bits of history, and beloved spaceships. The streets of Mos Eisley are patrolled by Stormtroopers in their monstrous vehicles. Dewback.
The planets you visit aren’t huge explorable territories. Most have big cities and a few square miles of open terrain. But that’s ok. There’s plenty to discover, from Hutt treasure vaults in the valleys of Tatooine to pirate camps in the swampy forests of Akiva. Sadly, the speeder bikes handle badly and are like trying to traverse an alien planet on a beat-up old Honda 125. Equally unwieldy are the space flight sections, which are reminiscent of No Man’s Sky. The planets’ orbits are densely populated with abandoned spaceships, TIEs and pirate fighters that you can loot. You can rescue ships in distress or perform cargo pickup missions, but the flight simulation never quite matches up to the classic LucasArts space combat titles.
So much to discover…Star Wars Outlaws. Photo: Ubisoft
Most of the aboveground quests involve a combination of parkour (climbing pipes and cliffs painted yellow, although you can turn off the paint) and stealth, sneaking through steel corridors, passing walls of flashing buttons and beeping computer displays, destroying alarm panels, and silently taking down enemies. It’s basic, and at times it comes closer to Spider-Man’s Mary Jane missions, which can be frustratingly slow compared to Dishonored’s systemic complexity. As you progress, however, you’ll encounter different experts who can unlock new skills that allow you to move more quietly or use cool stealth toys like smoke grenades, making infiltration much more fun. You also have a very configurable laser gun with different modes that can be unlocked. You can temporarily pick up other weapons, but I like that Kay sticks to a Han Solo-style pistol. You can’t beat a good blaster by your side.
At its core, it’s a cheesy story that’s grown from a myth of street kids making it big into something a bit more interesting. As Kay recruits a raiding party that includes the laser-scarred battle droid ND-5, he forges friendships that both elevate and contrast the heist plan. Clashes with the Rebels also call into question the ethics of their war and their methods. There are great moments where it’s clear the designers took inspiration not only from Star Wars itself, but also from directors George Lucas reveres, John Ford and Akira Kurosawa.
Some may be nostalgic for the legends of the Jedi or EA’s Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor titles. Outlaws is definitely for Solo fans, not Skywalker fans, but it does feature some really compelling new characters. It gives most fans of the movies what they want, and they’ll get to geek out with things like the EG-6 power droid and the X-34 landspeeder. Chadra Fan Sitting at the bar in the cantina 😅 I’ve been wandering around for hours looking for this item and have rarely been disappointed.
If this Was Compared to Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry titles, this one falls into the so-so category: reasonably fun, a little frustrating at times, and chock-full of overused tropes of the open-world genre, but the Star Wars license grabs the game by the Corellian trousers time and time again, dragging it into thrilling territory. For the better part of the 40 or so hours I played, I felt like a 12-year-old again, feeling a little confused and giddy, but also blissfully familiar, enjoying every moment.
R
Conventional wisdom suggests that music critics who criticize popular pop stars are often dismissed as failed musicians. This notion has always seemed like an unfair judgment to me. Rather than being a slight against harsh critics, it seems more like a criticism of musicians who have not achieved success in the industry. The question arises: why do some people fail in music? Implying that success is solely determined by talent or professional circumstances severely underestimates the allure of music, as exemplified nowhere better than in karaoke.
Karaoke establishments embrace a culture of incompetence, where grandeur, off-key performances, and unconventional stage presence are not only accepted but celebrated. In this environment, the “unpopular musician” takes on a captivating persona, becoming a standout figure in the music industry.
The recent passing of Shigekazu Negishi, the inventor of the karaoke machine, at the age of 100 highlighted the significant impact of his creation. Negishi, a Japanese consumer electronics innovator, developed the Sparko Box machine in 1967, initially as a response to a mocking colleague in a factory. Despite facing initial skepticism and criticism from live musicians wary of automated competition, Negishi’s invention went on to become a commercially successful venture.
Critics of karaoke have often deemed it boring, silly, and kitschy over the years, dismissing its artistic value. However, a shift in perception occurred when I personally experienced a karaoke bar in east London, where the magic of public performances unfolded before my eyes. Karaoke transformed from a nostalgic ritual to a high-stakes theatrical spectacle where honor and absurdity intersect.
Not so quiet…Björk.
Photo: REX/Fotex
Karaoke challenges individuals not only to showcase their vocal abilities but also to shed their inhibitions and embrace a sense of playfulness and humor. In a room filled with potential critics, the act of performing transforms into a liberating experience of self-expression and creativity.
Related: Stand up and be a fool: why film-makers love a karaoke scene
Karaoke provides a platform for ordinary individuals to embody a sense of star power, offering a unique form of interaction distinct from traditional concerts. Whether one performs with passion or humor, karaoke encourages participants to let go of inhibitions and embrace the joy of performance.
Shigekazu Negishi’s lifelong dedication to karaoke and his inventions symbolize the enduring power of passion over talent. As his legacy continues to influence music culture, he remains a beacon for aspiring singers worldwide.
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