Latest news with #MMO
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fleetwood trawlerman fears livelihood will be lost through ban
One of the last surviving commercial fishermen in a coastal town said potential bans on a type of trawling could kill off his government is proposing a ban on a "destructive" type of fishing that drags large nets along the seabed - known as "bottom trawling".John Worthington, 59, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, does not believe a ban in areas such as Morecambe Bay is needed, because the number of fishing boats has tailed off compared to previous told the Local Democracy Reporting Service if the plans go ahead to prohibit using bottom towed gear, it will force him to fish 20 miles out to sea which he said would be untenable and unsafe for his small vessels. The measures are being considered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and a 12-week consultation is running until 1 Bay, where Mr Worthington fishes, is among the 42 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) being considered for the said habitats and species are at risk from damaging fishing activity and their protection and recovery will contribute to healthier marine ecosystems and support the long-term sustainability of commercial fish Worthington has two small commercial fishing vessels - a trawler and a prawner - which are under 33ft (10m).The fisherman, who has been in the trade since he was a teenager, said: "If they go ahead with this, it will force me to fish out of my area and I'll be 20 miles out. "That is too far for a small boat like mine, it isn't safe."We have already been barred from some of our existing fishing grounds and now this. How do they expect us to make a living?" The UK's National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has pushed back on the claims of environmental impact with chief executive Mike Cohen previously saying: "Trawling does not damage most of the seabed."Trawls penetrate the sediment very little, if at all, in most areas and trawling has been carried out for well over 100 years."Mr Worthington, who is based in Jubilee Quay, is one of a handful of Fleetwood fishermen left from the once huge industry in the town, which dramatically collapsed when deep sea fishermen were banned from their traditional fishing grounds off Iceland after the final Cod War in acting chief executive Michelle Willis said: "Our latest proposals are based on draft fisheries assessments which have concluded management measures are necessary to ensure, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that the conservation objectives of the MPAs included in the stage can be achieved." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"A future has been stolen": ZeniMax union says "lives were upended" by Xbox layoffs and MMO cancelation, but "we have not yet been laid off"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. ZeniMax Online Studios United (ZOSU-CWA), a union formed by members of the Elder Scrolls Online development team and people who had been working on a now-canceled MMO in December, has issued a statement in response to the recent layoffs at Xbox. For the uninitiated, an unannounced Destiny-style MMO codenamed Blackbird, which was in development at Elder Scrolls Online studio ZeniMax Online for seven years, was canceled as part of Microsoft's restructuring, and in the wake of the news longtime studio director Matt Firor resigned. We've known that the layoffs hit Microsoft's gaming division particularly hard, but the full scope of the downsizing has yet to be revealed. Now, thanks to a statement from ZOSU-CWA (via IGN), we know the ZeniMax Online team has yet to be made redundant despite the cancelation of its unannounced MMO. "Earlier this month, Microsoft indefinitely shelved an unannounced MMORPG at ZeniMax Online Studios, a shock to the 222 ZOSU-CWA developers working on the project," reads the statement. "It has been heartening and validating to see our game mentioned in the press and by players that would have loved to see the results of our work. "Undoubtedly, a future has been stolen from many of us and our community will never experience an amazing game. However, despite discussions regarding the status of our employment, the fact is: we have not yet been laid off." Blackbird was reportedly an online looter shooter along the same lines as Destiny but with a lot more verticality and a Blade Runner-esque, sci-fi noir vibe. Xbox boss Phil Spencer reportedly had so much fun playing it he had to have the controller ripped from his hands. Nonetheless, it's been shelved indefinitely, with the team behind it seemingly in limbo until they get word from parent company Microsoft. According to this statement from ZOSU, however, the writing's on the wall. "While we understand that for most of us something like a layoff is inevitable, last December both the teams behind The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and the unannounced project voted overwhelmingly to form a union and establish ZeniMax Online Studios United-CWA (ZOSU-CWA)," the union says. "Worker-volunteers elected to represent the interests of our union are currently bargaining with Microsoft for the benefit of our impacted teammates." ZOSU says it's negotiating with Microsoft on "how we move forward following the project closure" and reaffirms that, for the time being, "the developers behind the unannounced project remain employees of ZeniMax Online Studios with full pay and benefits." "On July 2nd, our lives were upended without prior notice or communication from Microsoft leadership and without clear understanding about the status of our employment. In light of this, our union came together with urgency, gathering and distributing information and resources to our affected members," ZOSU says. The statement then takes direct aim at Microsoft, which it says "failed to support the talented craftspeople who have generated billions in revenue," leaving the union to step up and "provide clarity and support." While ZOSU specifically has yet to reach an agreement on contract with Microsoft, ZeniMax Workers United, a sibling union representing ZeniMax QA workers, reached a tentative agreement in May. Still, ZOSU acknowledges, "a layoff may be in the future for some of our members. However, as a result of our organizing, we are able to ensure that those impacted will be able to depart with dignity. "More importantly, the work of ZOSU-CWA will continue so that our remaining teammates — the stalwart developers of ESO — can follow in the footsteps of our colleagues across other departments and studios at Microsoft, including our union siblings at ZeniMax Workers United (ZWU-CWA). We look forward to other units who will soon ratify fair contracts that will guarantee the rights we all deserve." Microsoft's recent layoffs impacted over 9,000 workers, or around 4% of its total workforce, and in addition to the cancelation of ZeniMax Online's MMO, resulted in the cancelation of Rare's action-adventure game Everwild, the cancelation of Xbox's Perfect Dark reboot, the shuttering of studio The Initiative, and the reduction of Forza studio Turn 10's workforce by about 50%. Former Microsoft exec says if Xbox hadn't shelled out $1.15 billion to fix its infamous red ring of death, "I'm not sure the Xbox brand would be around today". Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Soulframe Open Alpha Live Now, New Game by Warframe Devs
Whether you're a fan of Warframe's brand of sci-fi RPG ninja looting or you're locked in on Elden Ring Nightreign's hard-core dark fantasy raids, developer Digital Extremes' next game might be right up your alley. Soulframe is an upcoming dark fantasy MMO experience where players, controlling powerful characters known as Envoys, burn the evil out of the land of Midrath. Whereas Warframe is a sci-fi adventure, Soulframe explores human connections with nature through a world of living fables. The game's combat centers on third-person hack-and-slash action, as well as magic and ranged weaponry. The classic Digital Extremes attention to detail was put into the arsenal of weapons, which will grow and expand alongside the game. During the weekend of July 19, as TennoCon 2025 roars to life, all prospective Soulframe players will be allowed into a brief test of the game as the alpha opens up. Here's how to try it out. Read more: Warframe Isleweaver's Spider-Man-Like Frame Is a Masterpiece of Design Slay fearsome foes and discover unexpected allies in Soulframe Preludes. Digital Extremes/Screenshot by CNET What is Soulframe Preludes? Soulframe is the biggest game developed by Digital Extremes since the release of Warframe in 2013. Despite the similar naming conventions, Soulframe isn't a prequel to Warframe. The two games take place in entirely separate worlds and spin out unrelated narratives. This is a brand-new game with different gameplay mechanics that's perfect for players looking to jump into something different. Soulframe Preludes is the closed alpha version of the game, meaning a lot could change between now and the actual release. The latest update, Soulframe Preludes 10, went live May 27. The current iteration of the game lets players battle corrupted foes like the Will-o-wings and Mendicant King, wield fearsome weapons and sidearms and even ally with factions to befriend their very own (fearsome) wolf pup. Soulframe Preludes is a way for development to continue while gathering community suggestions from previewing players, and getting a key to the closed alpha qualifies you to join a special Discord server (and will unlock for you the Alca's Eye item in-game upon the full release, as appreciation for your feedback). How to get into the Soulframe Preludes alpha during TennoCon 2025 Soulframe Preludes is currently available only to PC gamers because this is a limited alpha launch intended for community-centric testing and development. Anyone who creates a Soulframe account will be able to access Soulframe Preludes 10 for the duration of TennoCon 2025. Here's a step-by-step guide to start your Soulframe journey: Go to Soulframe's online home page. Click the "join us" button. Fill out an email address, password and envoy name (this will become your Soulframe in-game name, so choose wisely). Accept the privacy policy and participation agreement. Click "join us" and check your email for a verification link. Optionally, you can navigate to your account's personal information and link a Twitch account to earn Soulframe Twitch drops for the game's full release. Download the Soulframe Preludes build from the website's home page. Soulframe's mix of grounded combat and Warframe-like RPG systems will be on display during the open alpha test this weekend. Can I play Soulframe Preludes after TennoCon? You'll be able to play Soulframe Preludes after the TennoCon open alpha test is closed, but you'll once more need to sit tight for an access key to do so. You need a Soulframe account spun up to be eligible for Soulframe Preludes access. The good news is that following the same steps to enter Soulframe Preludes during TennoCon 2025 puts you in the pool to be sent a key to access the game after the alpha closes again. It's likely there will be additional open play tests in the future, but Digital Extremes hasn't indicated when those might be -- so if you want to play soon, keep an eye on your email. Once you've verified your email address, there's nothing else you can do but wait for a Soulframe Preludes key. These are released in weekly waves and include keys for friends as well, so if you're lucky enough to have co-op buddies, they might be able to usher you into the alpha more quickly.
The Verge
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Nintendo wants you to join its next mysterious Switch Online playtest
Late last year, Nintendo hosted a mysterious Switch Online playtest, and on Thursday, the company announced that it would be doing another test as part of the 'Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program' and that it will be opening applications soon. This second round will be a test of the 'same service' as before. Last time, Nintendo asked participants not to share details about the playtest, but leaks appeared anyway indicating that the test was for some kind of MMO-style game. Applications for this next playtest will be open to users 18 or older with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack as of Thursday at 6PM ET and with a Nintendo Account registered in Japan, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico. Users can apply as individuals or as a group of up to four people 'if everyone in the group meets the Application Qualifications,' according to Nintendo. You can prepare your application on Nintendo's website from Friday, July 18th at 6PM ET to Monday, July 21st at 10:59AM ET. You can actually submit your application from Monday, July 21st at 11AM ET to Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:59AM ET, though Nintendo says applications will be accepted 'on a first-come, first-served basis.' Nintendo expects to accept 'as many as 40,000 participants worldwide,' a big jump from the 10,000 participants allowed for the October test. If you participated in that playtest, you can participate in this next one, too, Nintendo says. The playtest itself will run from Monday, July 28th at 9PM ET to Sunday, August 10th at 8:59PM ET.
The Verge
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Nintendo wants you to to join its next mysterious Switch Online playtest
Late last year, Nintendo hosted a mysterious Switch Online playtest, and on Thursday, the company announced that it would be doing another test as part of the 'Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program' and that it will be opening applications soon. This second round will be a test of the 'same service' as before. Last time, Nintendo asked participants not to share details about the playtest, but leaks appeared anyway indicating that the test was for some kind of MMO-style game. Applications for this next playtest will be open to users 18 or older with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack as of Thursday at 6PM ET and with a Nintendo Account registered in Japan, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico. Users can apply as individuals or as a group of up to four people 'if everyone in the group meets the Application Qualifications,' according to Nintendo. You can prepare your application on Nintendo's website from Friday, July 18th at 6PM ET to Monday, July 21st at 10:59AM ET. You can actually submit your application from Monday, July 21st at 11AM ET to Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:59AM ET, though Nintendo says applications will be accepted 'on a first-come, first-served basis.' Nintendo expects to accept 'as many as 40,000 participants worldwide,' a big jump from the 10,000 participants allowed for the October test. If you participated in that playtest, you can participate in this next one, too, Nintendo says. The playtest itself will run from Monday, July 28th at 9PM ET to Sunday, August 10th at 8:59PM ET.
