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Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kojima has a mind tomb: a USB stick filled with ideas for his staff to use after he dies 'kind of like a will'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. As a 31 year old, I think constantly about my imminent death. After being assassinated by terrorists while rescuing a baby who is also the president from a burning building, how do I want people to remember me? Fortunately, my contract stipulates that I will be embalmed and lie in state like Lenin in the centre of the PC Gamer offices until the end of time, but others don't have that luxury (we're short on desk space as it is). Hideo Kojima, for instance, is achieving immortality by cramming a USB stick full of ideas for his staff to use after he concludes his tenancy on Earth. In a chat with our comrades at Edge magazine, Kojima said a serious illness during the Covid-19 pandemic reminded him of his mortality: "Until then, I didn't think I was old, you know? I just didn't feel my age, and I assumed I would be able to create for as long as I live." Sickness disillusioned him of that. "I couldn't create anything. And I saw lots of people around me passing away at that time. I was confronted with death." Though Kojima recovered and is now full-swing on putting out Death Stranding 2, the experience stayed with him. He began to wonder how long he had left to keep doing creative work—"Perhaps I would have 10 years?" It's that confrontation with mortality, says Kojima, that produced the pitch for Physint, but it produced something else, too: a USB stick filled with Kojima-brand ideas for his staff to pore through after he's gone. "I gave a USB stick with all my ideas on it to my personal assistant," said the man himself, "kind of like a will. "Perhaps they could continue to make things after I'm gone, here at Kojima Productions… This is a fear for me—what happens to Kojima Productions after I'm gone. I don't want them to just manage our existing IP." To be honest, I can't think of anything more Kojima than games still coming out with his name over the title sometime in 2150. If anyone deserves this kind of intellectual preservation, it's the guy who got a Game Boy Advance game made with a solar sensor built into the cartridge. You reckon the idea for a game where you get old, die, and forget how to move is on there? Hopefully Kojima's assistant backed it up, in any case. 2025 games: This year's upcoming releasesBest PC games: Our all-time favoritesFree PC games: Freebie festBest FPS games: Finest gunplayBest RPGs: Grand adventuresBest co-op games: Better together
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The new GTA 6 trailer just dropped and the thing I'm impressed with most are its beer bottles
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. There's this pretty underground game coming out next year called Grand Theft Auto 6. Not too sure if you've heard of it. A second trailer has just launched for Rockstar's cosy city life/ murderthon, and the thing I'm most impressed by are its beer bottles. Boring, I know. Just over the two-minute mark into the latest trailer, Lucia and Jason, two of the game's protagonists, arrive at their riverside property and lie down with a couple of beers. Not only do you see the bubbles and the condensation on those glass bottles, but you also see the reflection of the TV and the light pouring in from the outside. I shouldn't be surprised. Rockstar is known for little details, it is the company that made horse testicles shrink in the cold, after all. But it does suggest a splash of ray tracing is being used here on at least certain effects. There are bottles, frames, puddles, and even controllers reflecting on glass tables littered throughout the trailer that all scream 'look my these reflections', and the shadows look pretty impressive too. The water in the latest trailer also looks impeccable, flowing naturally in the warm sun. You might ask, 'How do you know the sun is warm?' and I'd respond, 'I can practically feel it through the screen. Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 Oohing and ahhing at the trailer in the PC Gamer office brought about a conversation about how bottles and the technology around them have always represented a challenge for video game textures. Water is hard to make look real, lighting is hard to make look real—bottles are a combination of the two. Back in 2020, Half Life: Alyx implemented a rather wonderful shader which accurately reflects how water moves in a bottle, and that same shader was later implemented in Counter-Strike 2. It's a small detail that means a lot in context. This is something both Valve and Rockstar do well. When not admiring bottles and lighting fragments, the rest of the trailer looks great, too. Textures are nearly movie-like, and the sheen that comes off water, or a dull light bulb above our main characters, makes the game feel grounded and real. I'm not one to normally stare, but even the way sweat pours down the chest of Jason in the hot sun feels so needlessly but impressively Rockstar. Rockstar seems to always be at the front of graphical limitations with the launch of its big games, and early signs suggest GTA 6 will be no different. It's a looker, and the way that trailer 2 leaves shots of glass, guns, and the smoke of the back of a motorbike to just sit shows how confident Rockstar is in its vision. I bought a new PC near the latter half of last year, and my RTX 4070 Super has been able to handle pretty much everything I've thrown at it. I have no doubt it will be able to run GTA 6, especially when the current generation of Xbox and PlayStation will both be able to play it at its launch. However, I can almost sense the strain that Red Dead Redemption 2 on Ultra settings leaves my rig under. Everything gets quite hot, and I can get above 60 fps on 4K, but not much more. This doesn't seem too bad, but the RTX 4070 Super is a mid-range card that launched five years after Red Redemption 2 did on PC. By the time GTA 6 launches on PC (likely at some point in 2027), we will be either ready for the launch of the RTX 60-series line or already have it in our PCs. You can actually see some stuttering even in the trailer. Trailers are highly edited and likely watched many times before they go live, so the inclusion certainly seems a bit strange. For instance, at 1:42 into the trailer, there's a scene with a man with a towel over his neck and, as he steps forward, the frame rate slows down. We still have a year until the game launches on console, so that is time for Rockstar to clean up performance, but it's clear it's going to be a mighty game from a technical standpoint. This is all before mentioning that Rockstar is known for having much better console ports than PC ones. GTA 6 will likely be aiming for 30 fps on PS5 with some amount of ray tracing included, but we don't know what kind of PC rig is needed for an equivalent experience. GTA 5 had a miserable launch on PC, and even the GTA 5 Enhanced launch in March this year was met by a mixed response. Assuming there will be a 12-month+ wait for GTA 6 on PC, one can always hope it will be optimised for that RTX 20-series card you've been rocking, but Rockstar's history suggests it may be a bit of a slog to run on older gear. A worthwhile slog, thanks to excellent visuals and an engaging story, but a slog nonetheless. Best gaming PC: The top pre-built gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
The Star
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Horror game abruptly removed from sale: ‘Ridiculous that this happens'
PC Gamer reports how Evil Dead: The Game – which, yes, is indeed a video game based on the iconic Evil Dead franchise – suddenly disappeared this week from the Epic Games Store and PlayStation Store. — Saber Interactive Plenty of people certainly don't find this groovy. A multiplayer horror game was abruptly pulled from sale the other day. And its publisher still hasn't given a reason as to why. PC Gamer reports how Evil Dead: The Game – which, yes, is indeed a video game based on the iconic Evil Dead franchise – suddenly disappeared this week from the Epic Games Store and PlayStation Store. The game – which was only just launched three years ago – then disappeared from Steam, too. A statement from publisher Saber Interactive posted to the platform explains that, even though people won't be able to buy it any more, those who have already purchased Evil Dead: The Game will still be able to play it 'as we plan to keep our servers online for everyone.' According to its Steam summary, Evil Dead: The Game lets players 'Step into the shoes of Ash Williams or his friends … in a game loaded with over-the-top co-op & PVP multiplayer action!' Many players online speculated that this sudden delisting was the result of expensive movie IP rights; others believe Evil Dead: The Game had been dead on arrival. A lot, however, are sad to see the silly goose time end. 'Sigh, this is why I don't buy the movie games,' reads one Reddit comment at the news. 'It's ridiculous that this happens.' 'A shame, this game really looked exactly how I wanted an Evil Dead game to look and the gameplay loop was fun,' reads another. 'The team that made this really should've made it into a single-player game instead … of trying to capitalised on Dead by Daylight's success.' Saber Interactive still hasn't provided a full reason for Evil Dead: The Game getting delisted as of the publishing of this report. – News Service
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Is 4chan gone? What happened to the notorious message board
The Brief A reported cyberattack on 4chan revealed moderator identities and backend files, according to Reuters. The site remains offline six days later, with some believing it may be permanently shut down. The hacker may have accessed 4chan's systems for over a year before striking, per PC Gamer. LOS ANGELES - The anonymous online message board 4chan — long known for its role in internet culture and more recently for hosting controversial content — has remained offline for nearly a week following a major reported hack. According to a previous report from Reuters, the breach appears to have exposed internal systems, including moderator tools and identifying information. Screenshots allegedly showing 4chan's backend infrastructure began circulating online, and a defunct section of the site briefly reappeared with the phrase "U GOT HACKED" across the top. Launched in 2003, 4chan is an anonymous imageboard where users can post text and images across a wide range of topic boards — from video games and anime to politics and adult content. The platform became known for its minimal moderation, raw tone, and viral influence on internet culture. While it played a role in meme creation and early internet activism, it also developed a reputation for hosting offensive, harmful, and sometimes extremist content. Over the years, it's been linked to various online movements, trolling campaigns, and controversial subcultures. The backstory Cybersecurity analyst Alon Gal, co-founder of Hudson Rock, told Reuters the screenshots "look legit," noting that they include backend tools and access logs. TechCrunch, which reviewed the materials, cited an unnamed 4chan moderator who said they had no reason to dispute the authenticity of the leaks. Reuters was unable to confirm the source of the breach. Emails sent to 4chan's press account went unanswered. One of the alleged moderators, contacted through a 4chan email address, directed Reuters to a video statement — which turned out to be an unrelated explicit video. A second request for comment was met with another similar link. Big picture view According to PC Gamer, the hacker may have had access to 4chan's systems for over a year before launching the attack. The breach reportedly exposed moderator and "janitor" accounts — users with limited moderation privileges — and included names tied to .edu and .gov email domains. 4chan, founded in 2003, was originally built as an anonymous hub for internet communities. Over time, it became a well-known source of internet memes, trolling, and extreme political rhetoric. The site has also been connected to the early formation of Anonymous, the rise of the alt-right, and the spread of nonconsensual AI-generated content. A 2018 Southern Poverty Law Center report linked 4chan's culture to online extremism. In 2021, the game Minecraft removed a long-standing reference to its gaming board due to its toxic reputation. What they're saying Some believe the hack may have marked the end of the platform altogether. PC Gamer reported that "with every single user of note doxxed, the site's servers decimated, and the admin team in disarray, it's unlikely 4chan will be back up soon. Or ever." One 4chan janitor told TechCrunch that the data appeared real and added, "Doxxing is a longstanding pastime on 4chan, and the possibility that we could be exposed has always been there." What's next As of April 21, the site remains offline, with no official word from its administrators about if or when it will return. With the site's infrastructure compromised and its leadership silent, longtime users and observers say the era of 4chan may be coming to an end. The Source This article is based on reporting from Reuters, published April 15, 2025, which first detailed the hack of 4chan and included commentary from cybersecurity experts. Additional reporting on the scope of the breach, user data exposure, and ongoing outage comes from PC Gamer and TechCrunch.
The Guardian
16-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
The cost of gaming is soaring – but for many fans, a game is ‘worth' more than its price tag
Now is not a good time to buy a new games console. The shock waves from Donald Trump's will-he-won't-he approach to trade tariffs were always going to hit video games, an industry that relies on incredibly complex global supply chains. On Monday, Nikkei Asia reported on analysis from a major electronics supplier suggesting that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be subject to Trump's 145% tariff on goods imported to the US from China, despite his apparent decision to exempt smartphones and computers. This came after Nintendo announced it would delay US pre-orders on the console, 'in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.' Meanwhile, the Guardian has reported on Sony's plans to increase the price of the PS5 by 25% in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, citing 'a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.' The games industry is already struggling with the punishing economics of triple-A game development. The past two years has seen a slew of studio closures, mass layoffs and project cancellations; the traditional revenue model of premium priced games, sequels and downloadable content has been torn apart by the huge success of live service games such as Fortnite and Valorant, which are free to play and which generate revenue through cosmetic purchases (like fancy weapons skins and limited-edition costumes) and 'battle pass' subscriptions. There is also controversy over the price of premium games. Nintendo's decision to charge £74.99 and $79.99 for the Switch 2 launch game Mario Kart World is expected to set a new benchmark for other game publishers and has led to much handwringing. All eyes will be on the price of Grand Theft Auto VI when it launches later this year, with one reliable industry analyst, Matthew Ball of investment strategy firm Epyllion, predicting that other publishers will follow suit if Rockstar opens the door to $80-$100 retail price points. Beneath all of these epic financial tumults, however, is something much more important: the personal economic decisions all gamers make. PC Gamer recently reported on a Reddit thread where readers had discovered a little known feature of the dominant digital game store, Steam. By navigating to a section of the Help menu entitled 'External funds used' you can see exactly how much you've spent on games since you started purchasing. The originator of the thread was in shock, realising they had spent $35,000. One member of PC Gamer's staff discovered their total was $16,000 – 'Oh god,' was their reported response. Here's the thing: cost is relatively easy to calculate, but value isn't – and value is what's really important on an individual level. In the mid-90s, when people like me were buying imported games for the Neo-Geo and PC Engine consoles, we were paying between £80 and £120 for new titles – but then I got to play an arcade perfect version of R-Type in my own home, which was valuable to me. When I look at games in my collection, such as Minecraft, Mario Kart 8, Elden Ring and Call of Duty (sorry), I can't even calculate how much joy they've brought me. We're told these days to spend our money on experiences, not things, but video games awkwardly straddle those two concepts – they are consumer products that lead to stories and experiences that we couldn't have predicted and that we can recall for years. It's going to be sensible over the next few years to rethink our relationship with the mainstream games industry. To pick very carefully which triple-A titles we buy immediately at full price; to take a chance on a wider range of smaller independent titles that will offer very different experiences at much lower price points. Most open world titles are designed for many months of exploration, yet many players only see a fraction of the content laid out for them before they move on. In the past, when games were physical objects (remember manuals?), we had software clubs and games rentals; public libraries used to lend games. The industry hated all of these – but it survived. As a consumer and a player, I know I need to manage my own economy of fun. At times, that will mean divesting from the pipeline of big game and console purchases and speculating on more exotic markets such as and Pico8; it might mean retro gaming, going back to rinse old favourites. It's OK to step off the treadmill. Sony and Nintendo have to react to the whims of mad kings and markets, but we don't. We can play a different game. OK, I know, we usually like to highlight smaller indie titles and innovative newcomers in this section – but Call of Duty has always been my guiltiest of pleasures, so here we are. The new season of its Warzone battle royale mode brings back the game's original Verdansk map, a sprawling killzone of high rise blocks, the legendary superstore and that old labyrinthine prison complex. A number of intricate changes have been made, but this feels like a return to what made Warzone interesting, in that it's almost a survival game first and shooter second, with lots of exploring and looting between skirmishes. I'm enjoying it a lot. If you're a lapsed fan or a newcomer with a couple of willing pals, now is the time to jump in. Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Estimated playtime: 20+ hours Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion Respawn Entertainment, the developer behind the acclaimed Star Wars Jedi games, has announced a new tie-in, Star Wars Zero Company: a single player, turn-based strategy game, possibly set during the Clone Wars. Is it just me that gets disappointed when any new Star wars game isn't set in that era? Game developer Will Luton has written a thought-provoking piece about how Nir Eyal's book Hooked killed the games industry. Well, he admits the title is slightly hyperbolic, but the gist is that the book showed developers how to exploit the psychology of addictive behaviours and none of us have been the same since. I find it really difficult to keep up with the world of analog games, so I was very grateful to see Polygon has written an excellent list of the best board games of 2025 so far. It includes a Metal Gear Solid board game, which I was disappointed to discover doesn't involve people taking it in turns to hide in a cardboard box. Plaything – how Black Mirror took on its scariest ever subject: a 1990s PC games magazine Blue Prince – exploring this game may become your new obsession | ★★★★★ Rematch packs five-a-side football with sweaty thrills Risks to children playing Roblox 'deeply disturbing', say researchers This question came in collaboratively from two Bluesky users, David and Biscuits, which sounds like a folk music group or a cartoon crime-fighting duo. 'Which copycat games were better than the iconic/innovative game they were copying?' This is a complicated one, because assimilation and iteration are key building blocks of the games industry. Is Galaxians a 'copycat' of Space Invaders, or a hugely valuable step in the evolution of the shooting genre? The examples given by David and Biscuits (I'm just going to keep writing that) are Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing being a better mascot racing game than Mario Kart 8 and Fortnite being a better battle royale than PUBG. My examples are pretty obvious: Minecraft is better than Infiniminer; Angry Birds is better than Crush the Castle; Nioh is better than Dark Souls. Alright, I may have just slipped the last one in to annoy From Software fans. There's a case that Stardew Valley is better than Harvest Moon, perhaps? And was The Simpson's Hit & Run better than Grand Theft Auto III? Whatever, as we started with Sega I'm going to end with Sega and suggest – as a ridiculously partial fan of that great company – that Columns on Game Gear is better than Tetris on Game Boy. In the words of Street Fighter (which was better than Karate Champ): fight! If you've got a question for Question Block – or anything else to say about the newsletter – hit reply or email us on pushingbuttons@
