Bryant Francis, Senior EditorApril 1, 20258 Min ReadImage via SAG-AFTRA.At a GlanceSAG-AFTRA is entering its second year of striking studios under the Interactive Media Bargaining agreement.In that time, it's signed over 120 studios to the "interim agreement" that provides protections against AI voice usage.Now the union is urging all developerseven non-struck onesto consider signing the agreement.A recent back-and-forth between Hades II developer Supergiant Games actor Marin M. Miller shone a spotlight on a growing question developers face as SAG-AFTRA's strike against games signed under the Interactive Media Agreement enters its second year. What, exactly, do studios not under the agreement owe the actors they work with?Though the union's sticking point in negotiations with the bargaining group that includes Electronic Arts, Activision, and Take-Two Interactive is centered on disagreements on terms covering generative AI, Miller and Supergiant's conflict derives from a bigger purpose: actors asserting that now more than ever, they want contract terms to be backed up by unions with the resources to enforce them if things go south.That's one of the many messages that SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiating Committee chair Sarah Elmaleh and national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland hope developers are starting to hear. As the strike winds onward, the number of games being completed through under "side letter six" (the clause in the Agreement stating games that entered production before the strike are not officially struck) is dwindling down. That means publishers are eyeing casting needs for their next gameand actors, waiting for them to reach an agreement with the unionare looking for work with studios that hadn't previously signed any agreement.Related:On the surface, it's fair for a studio to ask why they would need a union contract. If they previously enjoyed a good relationship with an actor, and offered favorable terms, wouldn't that be enough?The answer, Crabtree-Ireland and Elmaleh said in an interview with Game Developer during the 2025 Game Developers Conference is "No."Why is the SAG-AFTRA strike still going?Studios hoping for the strike to resolve and for pressure to ease up any time soon might have a while to wait. According to Crabtree-Ireland, the nine companies that make up the game industry negotiating group can't agree with each other about "the basic principles that underly the AI protections we're looking for," he explained. "That hasn't been our experience with other bargaining groups."In case you need a reminder, Crabtree-Ireland fought that fight in 2023 during the SAG-AFTRA theatrical and television strike with the Producers Guild of America. "It took a minute to get there, but we made progress a lot faster toward that ultimate conclusion: informed consent, improved compensation, and parameters around generative AI use."To put his comments into context, with over 120 companies having signed the interim agreement, any members of the industry negotiating group that want to agree to SAG-AFTRA's terms are effectively being held back from casting union talent for new games. That means for however brief a window, smaller studios have a competitive edge against major industry players.Related:Which brings us back to the ongoing campaign by actors to secure interim agreements with their studio partners. As demonstrated in Marin's comments about Supergiant Games, more and more actors want "the very particular protections and strength of a union contract," Elmaleh said. "[The threat of AI] is new. It's unique, it's more serious than possibly any other threat we've faced as a community and that's really motivating people to recognize that the contract is special for many reasons, not only because of AI protections, but also the ability for a union to enforce those and...other protections in the contract" (Supergiant Games declined to comment after we reached out in advance of this story).If an actor enters a dispute with a developer (or third-party recording studio) over an individual contract, they have to pay their own lawyer to take it to court. If they enter a dispute over a union contract, their union dues pay for legal protection, among other benefits like health insurance, both of which carry over from job to job.Related:Elmaleh said that if one of your actors is asking for you to sign the contactto "go union"what they're saying is "this contract matters to me and these are my terms that I need to protect my career...I would love for you to sign this because this matters to me for self protection." She added that direct relationships between developers and SAG-AFTRA (as opposed to recording companies like the still-struck Formosa Interactive) allows the union to be "flexible" with the specific terms of the agreement.The realities of recastingTo the best of Game Developer's knowledge, none of the games struck by SAG-AFTRA have been recast with non-union talent. But games that aren't struck are a different story. Actors on games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zenless Zone Zero are among those who've been replacedsome of them stating they were recast after asking their employers to sign an interim agreement in exchange for their continued work.But as Canadian actor Humberly Gonzlez reminded us last year, the United States is not the only market for voice actors, and some games may employ actors from multiple territories covered by multiple unions to build the best possible cast. If the strike continues, could we see studios head overseas to fill gaps in productionespecially if they're in search of talent more willing to sign away their voice for generative AI use?That question has been on the lips of several voice actors Game Developer has spoken with in the last few months, with some pointing to a statement made by French voice actor Pascale Chemin saying her castmates on an unnamed game had been asked to sign a contract allowing for their voices to be used for generative AI by an unnamed publisher. (Pascale did not state which publisher or dubbing studio presented the contract, though she tagged the other actors in her Instagram postall of them are the French-language voices on Apex Legends. The tagged actors offer the only clue as to which game she was referring to).Chemin and her colleagues held the line against this unknown publisherbut will every actor do so? In every territory?"AI is a mandatory subject of bargaining, and that means you should not be circumventing or attempting to circumvent this process," Elmaleh said when asked about the possibility of currently-struck companies eyeing international replacements. Crabtree-Ireland agreed, saying it would be "reprehensible" for a company to go to such lengths to "foist unfair AI terms on performers.""You should expect to be called out not only by performers, but other fans too."He did say that that "there is no need" for any studio under the struck Interactive Media Agreement to take such steps. "More than 175 games and more than 50 percent of production earnings are covered under our interim or tiered independent agreements. It's entirely feasible to produce your game responsibly and under union contracts with fair AI protections."And as Chemin demonstrated, actors in other regions are willing to demonstrate solidarity if need be. As Crabtree-Ireland put it, "Most of the unions in other possible video game production jurisdictions have stated that they will fight against productions relocating to their jurisdictions to avoid the strike, not only out of solidarity but also because they don't want to work under unfair terms either."Worker protections are about more than legal termsGame development is a risky business and even salaried developers know their jobs are not the shining picture of stability. But by nature of the work, actors are in a more precarious position. Actors like Elmaleh hop from project to project as contractors, juggling the challenges that come with that life."It is a wild puzzle," she said when describing her relationship with the craft. When she's in the studio she needs to be able to keep a consistent performance that will allow a developer to seamlessly blend recordings from multiple days, a task that can be "potentially very athletic and flexible."In a post-GDC chat with Skin Deep developer Blendo Games, writer and narrative designer Laura Michet offered practical reasons for why the low-budget indie team went through the process of casting talent under the interim agreement through a third-party signatory. Blendo hasn't used voice acting in its previous games, and "I've worked with the union previously at some of my other jobs. I really love how everybody that you tend to get through there is very experienced," she said. "This is smooth sailing for them. There's no ambiguity, and they're very confident. It's always great to be in good hands when you're doing your first big game with [voice acting]."The union's standards, Elmaleh said, protect actors and offer stability they can rely on to keep themselves healthy and deliver high-quality work like the kind described by Michet.If developers prefer not to cast through a union agreement it's an actor's choice as to whether they want to keep working with that employer. But even if a studio has no legal obligations to the union, and believe that their choice to not sign a contract has limited consequences, Elmaleh argued there is still a bigger picture they need to consider. "You might feel like you're off in a corner, doing something on your own and doing things your own way, but you are part of a larger industry, and your games have an impact on people in that industry."For an example of the "impact" developers can have, let's return to Supergiant Games, a company that has produced inspiring, high-quality work with the help of voice acting talent. Hades was such a popular game that you can now find game mechanics and narrative systems inspired by the studio's work all over Steam.Inspiration takes many formsand the decision to work or not work with a given voice actor, or SAG-AFTRAmay send a message to other developers watching to see how their peers respond to the strike."It is an illusion to think that we don't impact each other," Elmaleh said. "That's not how this industry works."Game Developer and GDC are sibling organizations under Informa.About the AuthorBryant FrancisSenior Editor, GameDeveloper.comBryant Francis is a writer, journalist, and narrative designer based in Boston, MA. He currently writes for Game Developer, a leading B2B publication for the video game industry. His credits include Proxy Studios' upcoming 4X strategy game Zephon and Amplitude Studio's 2017 game Endless Space 2.See more from Bryant FrancisDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Smartphones are great. Theyre also a lot. The idea of a more balanced device, one that gives you all of the most important and useful features of a smartphone but keeps you out of the infinite-doomscrolling loops, has been an enticing one for a long time. Nailing that balance, though, turns out to be almost impossible.On this episode of The Vergecast, we try and get it right. The Verges Allison Johnson joins the show to talk about the new Light Phone III, and then we run through a list of a few dozen things your phone can do and we wonder if your perfect, sane, functional phone should be able to do them. Some things are easy, some are surprisingly difficult. Were still not sure what to do with Snapchat.After that, The Verges Andy Hawkins catches us up on all things Tesla Takedown. After this weekends coordinated set of protests, we talk through what the protestors want, why theyre pointing their anger at Tesla in particular, and how well know if its working. Andy also walks us through the tariff chaos coming for the auto industry, and tells us a little about the surprisingly cool new Nissan Leaf. Finally, we answer a question from the Vergecast H …Read the full story at The Verge.

Dbrand wants you to feel less guilty about having your face buried in a screen all day and not getting outside to touch grass. The companys latest collection of skins lets you wrap your gadgets in bright green artificial turf so you can touch grass whenever you want and no matter where you are.The Touch Grass collection is available now through Dbrands website for more than 100 different devices with pricing similar to its other premium skins: $29.95 for smartphones, $49.95 for tablets, and $69.95 for laptops.Despite the April 1st timing, the Touch Grass collection isnt a prank, Dbrand CEO Adam Ijaz assures The Verge. Each year, April 1st rolls around and companies trip over themselves to see who can be the least funny. We, on the other hand, take the opportunity to launch real products. Are they drenched in satire? Yes but theyre real products you can buy.The skins are covered in thousands of tiny polyethylene strands using a technique called electrostatic flocking, Ijaz explains. Each polyethylene strand is electrically charged, causing it to stand upright and propel directly onto an adhesive-coated surface. In this application, the adhesive coating is applied directly to our classic 3M vinyl skin material.1/4Image: DbrandTo ensure users dont end up covered in tiny green pieces of artificial grass and to prevent the particles from finding their way inside devices, the strands are embedded into an adhesive layer that covers roughly 25% of the strands height, Ijaz says. The company subjected the skins to 10,000 abrasive rub cycles during durability testing and found no issues with strands detaching or bald patches forming.However, the company found its traditional methods for cutting the skins resulted in the fake grass strands eventually breaking off at the edges. The solution was to switch to laser cutting instead of die-cutting. The heat from laser cutting effectively cauterizes (melts) the polyethylene strands along the perimeter, Ijaz says. This melting creates a sealed edge, bonding together the strands around the border. Ultimately, this was the key to preventing blades of grass around the edge from loosening or shedding over time.The biggest issue that Dbrand has found with the Touch Grass skins is that they also tend to function as effective yet unintentional lint catchers, but the company says they can be easily cleaned by gently wiping them.Its a fun idea, but in a time when microplastics are turning up in some very concerning places, we may not need another product potentially adding to the problem when its eventually discarded.See More:

The Switch 2 Nintendo Direct will last around 60 minutes, Nintendo has confirmed.Thats a long time for a Nintendo Direct, and suggests Nintendo has a great deal to run through in this most-anticipated of showcases.The Switch 2 Nintendo Direct start time is set for April 2, 2025 at 6am PDT / 9am EDT / 2pm BST. Nintendo has said it will use this Nintendo Direct to share a closer look at Switch 2, following its drive-by reveal of the console earlier in the year.That reveal offered a look at the Switch 2 form factor, a glimpse at what looks like Mario Kart 9, and teased a potential mouse mode for the new Joy-Con.PlayBut there are still a number of unanswered questions about Switch 2, including what the mysterious new Joy-Con C button does, how powerful the console is, and what its new ports might be used for.The Nintendo Direct will also, hopefully, give us the full Switch 2 launch lineup of games as well as a release date, which is expected to be at some point between June and September 2025. Fingers crossed Nintendo announces the Switch 2 price, which analysts predict will be $400.We are starting to build a picture of what to expect on Switch 2 in terms of games. There is a long list of rumored third-party titles coming to the console, and in an interview with IGN, Civilization 7 developer Firaxis called Switch 2s apparent Joy-Con mouse mode "definitely intriguing. French video game and accessories maker Nacon, publisher of the likes of Greedfall 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and RoboCop: Rogue City, has said it has Switch 2 games ready to go. The long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong is also rumored to be set for Switch 2. EA has said Madden, FC, and The Sims would all be a great fit for Switch 2.Last weeks Nintendo Direct announcement of a new Virtual Game Cards feature for sharing games between systems also raised some questions, most notably one about the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to a fine print footnote on an official Nintendo webpage.Meanwhile, Nintendo confirmed a Nintendo Treehouse: Live | Nintendo Switch 2 presentation featuring hands-on gameplay of Nintendo Switch 2 games on April 3 and April 4 at 7am PT each day.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

One of the reasons the MCU has been so successful over the years is that this shared universe leans heavily on the comic book source material. These movies arent usually direct adaptations of any one comic, but they always draw on iconic storylines and runs and make that classic material accessible to a wider audience. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will be no exceptions. These upcoming movies are inspired by both the original 1984 crossover Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2015s Secret Wars. More From the MCU: How Many Minutes of Screen Time Can Each Avenger Really Get in Doomsday?But thats just the tip of the iceberg. Now that we know the main cast of Avengers: Doomsday, were getting a clearer picture of which Marvel Comics storylines are inspiring this epic MCU adventure. From epic crossovers like Avengers vs. X-Men to the debut of the Illuminati to two different versions of Secret Wars, these are the 75 Marvel comics that give us a better idea of what Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are about. The Most Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Not Announced for DoomsdayTime Runs Out for the AvengersAs seen in: The Avengers Vol. 5 #35-44, New Avengers Vol. 3 #24-33 (2015)Again, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are heavily inspired by the two Secret Wars comics. This much we know from Kevin Feige and the Russo Bros. themselves, who are coming back to Marvel direct the films. But while well get to Secret Wars itself in a bit, its worth starting out by focusing on the long, dramatic buildup to the 2015 comics version. That storyline, Avengers: Time Runs Out, will probably end up informing the plot of Doomsday as much as anything else.From the beginning, Jonathan Hickmans Avengers and New Avengers titles deal with the concept of Incursions, that phenomenon where two parallel versions of Earth begin to collide and threaten to annihilate both universes unless one of the Earths is destroyed. The Incursions are revealed to be a symptom of a larger disease in the Marvel multiverse, one that seems destined to end in the complete obliteration of all existence.Time Runs Out takes place in a particularly dire period for the Marvel Universe. Incursions are occurring more and more frequently, making the fight to stop them and save Earth-616 truly an existential crisis. Unfortunately, Time Runs Out also occurs in a period when the Avengers are more divided than theyve been since the events of 2006s Civil War. Once again, there are basically two opposing factions in this ideological battle. One law-abiding team of Avengers serves under S.H.I.E.L.D., while another group follows the Illuminati and their more pragmatic approach to survival.Of course, Time Runs Out is more than just an Avengers story. Members of the X-Men and Fantastic Four also play key roles. And then theres Doctor Doom. Doom is revealed to be a pivotal player in the conflict, as he takes on a new identity as Rabum Alal and attracts a cabal of fanatical followers. Dooms war with the extra-dimensional entities known as The Beyonders is the source of the multiverses impending collapse. He sees himself as the savior of existence. Others might disagree.Weve already seen some plot threads inspired by Time Runs Out crop up during the Multiverse Saga. Thanks to the post-credits scene in 2022s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we know Benedict Cumberbatchs Stephen Strange has joined forces with Charlize Therons Clea to investigate the Incursion problem. And an Incursion forms the crux of the climax of 2023s The Marvels, resulting in Teyonah Parris Monica Rambeau becoming stranded on Earth-10005, a world where Kelsey Grammers Beast and the rest of the X-Men are making their own stand against Incursions.If Avengers: Doomsday is an adaptation of any one Marvel story, its definitely going to be Time Runs Out. If Avengers: Doomsday is an adaptation of any one Marvel story, its definitely going to be Time Runs Out. Were sure to see the Incursion problem reach critical mass, prompting a desperate race to stave off the end of all things. Like in the comic, we may see the Avengers split down the middle in how they deal with this threat. Though in this case, we suspect well see one team rally around Anthony Mackies Captain America and another around Robert Downey, Jr.s Doctor Doom. And again, well see the Fantastic Four and the X-Men drawn into the fray as everyone races to save their respective world. But if Doomsday is anything like the comic, its all going to be for naught in the end.Meet the IlluminatiAs seen in: New Avengers - The Illuminati #1-5 (2006)In the buildup to Marvels Civil War crossover, readers first met the Illuminati, a shadowy group that included Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, and Professor X. It was revealed that this group has been quietly manipulating events in the Marvel Universe for years, always in the name of protecting Earth from threats both within and without. Marvels New Avengers: The Illuminati miniseries explores the groups actions in much greater depth. Though they eventually disbanded, the Illuminati were reformed in Hickmans Avengers run. The slightly revamped roster included new members like Black Panther, Beast, and Hulk (who was going through an unusually intelligent phase at the time). The Illuminati are also prominent players in Time Runs Out, resorting to questionable measures to protect Earth-616 from Incursions.We already met one version of the Illuminati in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a group based on Earth-838. Unfortunately for them, they didnt survive their run-in with Elizabeth Olsens Scarlet Witch.But could we meet the Earth-616 version of the Illuminati in Avengers: Doomsday? Its hard not to come to that conclusion based solely on the cast list. What happens when you get Patrick Stewarts Professor X, Pedro Pascals Reed Richards, Tenoch Huerta Mejas Namor, and Letitia Wrights Black Panther in the same room? We even have to wonder if Downeys Doom could take the place of Tony Stark here. As in the comic, we may see the Illuminati stoop to any and all measures to save their universe, even if it means damning themselves in the process. The Avengers vs. the X-MenAs seen in: Avengers vs. X-Men #1-12 (2012)Normally, the Avengers and X-Men are allies in the never-ending fight to defend the Marvel Universe. But the two teams became bitter enemies in 2012s Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. AvX comes at the tail end of a long period where the X-Men are fighting a losing battle to protect the mutant race from extinction. When it becomes apparent that the Phoenix Force is back and making a beeline for Earth, the X-Men see it as their last, best hope to restore the mutant population. The Avengers, however, see the Phoenix Force as a clear and present threat to everyone on Earth. Thats when the two teams come to blows.PlayWeve already done a deep dive into Avengers vs. X-Men and the ways in which it could inspire Avengers: Doomsday, but the gist is that we could see a very different take in the MCU on the concept of the two teams going to war. Were not expecting a close adaptation of the comic book crossover, as the X-Men havent even been properly established in the MCU yet.Instead, we think Doomsdays AvX conflict would involve the multiverse. It stands to reason that Grammer is reprising the same version of Beast we saw in The Marvels post-credits scene, and that all the other X-Men confirmed for the film are residents of that same world, which were assuming is Earth-10005, a.k.a. the Fox X-Men movie universe. Eventually, Earth-616 and Earth-10005 will be linked together by an Incursion, forcing the MCUs Avengers to battle the Fox universes X-Men for the fate of their respective worlds. In that sense, the Avengers vs. X-Men conflict in Doomsday will probably be less inspired by the AvX crossover than it will the first chapter of 2015s Secret Wars comic. In Secret Wars #1, the Marvel multiverse is reduced to just two remaining universes, the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. The Avengers and Ultimates go to war as the final Incursion breaks out, only for both worlds to be annihilated in the end. Doomsday may very well end in a similar battle between the Avengers and X-Men. Instead of working together to save the multiverse, theyll be too busy fighting each other. And thats where Secret Wars comes in. The Secret Wars BeginAs seen in: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12 (1984), Secret Wars #1-9 (2015)At this point, we might as well talk about Secret Wars proper and how its likely to influence both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. As we mentioned earlier, Marvel has published two separate but not entirely unconnected Secret Wars comics, the first in 1984 and the second in 2015. The Russos have confirmed that both comics are an influence on their upcoming Avengers movies, though were definitely sensing more of the latter Secret Wars so far. PlayIn the original Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, a whos who lineup of Marvel heroes and villains are abducted by a godlike being known as The Beyonder. He whisks them away to an artificial planet called Battleworld to fight for his amusement. In the end, Doom steals The Beyonders power for himself, temporarily achieving the strength to match his boundless ego. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is also notable for introducing Spider-Mans black costume and paving the way for Venom. 2015s Secret Wars, meanwhile, serves as the climax of Hickmans sprawling Avengers run. Weve already covered how the first issue features a desperate, doomed battle between two teams of heroes as the multiverse collapses around them. But the real meat of Secret Wars is in what happens next. Even as the multiverse itself dies, Doom and his ally Molecule Man (a key player in the original Secret Wars crossover) make their final stand against The Beyonders. Doom steals their power and becomes omnipotent. He uses his newfound power to form a new Battleworld out of the broken fragments of dozens of dead universes. Doom then crowns himself God Emperor of Battleworld, with each realm controlled by a different Baron. Its sort of the Marvel version of Dune or Game of Thrones. Were expecting to see Downeys Doom achieve ultimate power and form Battleworld out of the ashes of the multiverse. As Secret Wars unfolds, Doom fights to hold his new kingdom together while a group of refugees from Earth-616 seeks a way to restore the multiverse. Fittingly, it all comes down to a final confrontation between God Emperor Doom and his greatest rival, Reed Richards. Even as a god, Doom cant move past his hatred for Reed and his own self-loathing.We dont know how much, if at all, were going to see the two Secret Wars storylines adapted in Doomsday, but Avengers: Secret Wars is shaping up to be a fairly close adaptation of those comics. Once again, were expecting to see Downeys Doom achieve ultimate power and form Battleworld out of the ashes of the multiverse. Well probably see a great many realms inspired by both the comics and various Marvel movies of years past. Well almost certainly see a motley team of heroes band together to restore the multiverse, including both MCU mainstays and iconic movie favorites like Hugh Jackmans Wolverine and Tobey Maguires Spider-Man. If youre wondering how Marvel could ever top the fanboy glee of the portals sequence from Endgame, thats how.All Hail Emperor DoomAs seen in: Marvel Graphic Novel #27 - Emperor Doom (1987)While the MCU is definitely drawing a lot of inspiration from Hickmans Avengers run and Secret Wars for its portrayal of Doctor Doom, its worth taking a look at a much older story that also revolves around Doom crowning himself emperor. That story is 1987s Emperor Doom graphic novel.Emperor Doom shows us what happens when Doom finally grows tired of ruling one measly country and sets his sights on the entire planet. After harnessing the mind-controlling powers of Purple Man, Doom brainwashes the nations of the world into accepting him as their monarch. With no one to oppose him, Doom ushers in a new era of peace and prosperity. Life under Emperor Doom is actually pretty swell, so long as you dont mind the total lack of free will. It falls on Wonder Man to free the Avengers and mount a resistance against Emperor Doom.Marvel is also currently exploring a similar concept in the One World Under Doom crossover, which again sees Doom crown himself Emperor of a surprisingly docile and grateful planet.Could we see elements of Emperor Doom when it comes to Downeys version of the iconic villain? Its definitely possible. The Russos have made it clear that Doom is someone who sees himself as the hero of his own story. He thinks hes doing what has to be done to save the Marvel multiverse. Maybe well see him crown himself emperor in Avengers: Doomsday, rallying the entire world to his cause. We suspect a great many people in the MCU would be only too happy to pledge their life to a guy with Tony Starks face. Doctor Doom as Iron ManAs seen in: Infamous Iron Man #1-12 (2016)To be honest, were still trying to wrap our heads around the surprise reveal that Downey has been cast as Doctor Doom. Why bring back the most recognizable MCU actor to play a completely different character? Whats the significance of the fact that Doom looks like Tony Stark? Is he a version of Tony from another universe where things worked out differently, or is he merely using Tonys face to further his own agenda?Those are all questions we probably wont see answered until Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters. But it certainly cant hurt to look at one of the comics that explores the Iron Man/Doctor Doom relationship in greater depth. For that, we recommend looking at 2016s Infamous Iron Man, part of Brian Michael Bendis' larger Invincible Iron Man run. This series is set after the events of 2015s Secret Wars. No longer a God Emperor, Victor von Doom has been healed in body and soul. Hes determined to prove himself a hero worthy of the mantle of Iron Man. And because Tony Stark himself is comatose at this point, theres no one to actually stop Doom from giving it an honest go.Will Infamous Iron Man have a direct influence on Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars? Its hard to say. Though, if nothing else, we wouldnt be surprised if the MCU draws on Dooms character design in this series as it introduces a Tony Stark-ified version of Doctor Doom. Downeys character may look less like the traditional Doom than he does this version that wears a silver and green Iron Man armor.Doom firmly believes hes the hero. But again, we know that Downeys character is someone who sees himself as being in the right. Doom firmly believes hes the hero. There may be elements of Infamous Iron Man that work their way into that portrayal of Doom. Hes a character who needs to win hearts and minds if hes going to carry out his plan of saving the multiverse. Invisible Woman and Namors Sexual TensionAs seen in: Fantastic Four - 1 2 3 4 (2002)With all the spectacle and cosmic stakes going on in these next two Avengers movies, its all the more important they find time to focus on the smaller character moments. They need to be perfectly balanced enough to satisfy even Thanos himself. Avengers: Infinity War accomplished that task by giving us moments of levity between Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange and zeroing in on the doomed romance between Elizabeth Olsens Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettanys Vision. Endgame was basically one long fat joke at the expense of Chris Hemsworths Thor.How will Avengers: Doomsday lighten the mood? We suspect thats going to fall on Namors brawny shoulders. Anyone whos read a Fantastic Four comic featuring Namor will know that the King of Atlantis has the hots for Susan Storm. Heck, he makes Wolverines deep infatuation with Jean Grey seem normal by comparison. Sue, for her part, has never really reciprocated Namors love over the years, but thats never stopped his incessant flirtation. Hey, hes a fish king. Hes not used to being told no.Given that Doomsday is the first MCU movie to include both Vanessa Kirbys Sue and Tenoch Huerta Mejas Namor, we can only assume were going to see this sexual tension play out on the big screen. Expect some of the movies more comedic moments to come as Namor woos Sue and she rebuffs his advances. As for Pedro Pascals Reed? If hes anything like the comic book version, he may be too oblivious to notice. Sue may wind up leading Namor on just to get a rise out of her single-minded science dork of a husband.Again, there are any number of comics the movie could draw from in this area. Namors unrequited love for Sue goes back a long time. But if Doomsday pulls from any one FF comic, wed guess it would be 2002s Fantastic Four: 1 2 3 4. That book, which is unusually dark for an FF story, may be the closest Sue has ever come to actually responding to Namors advances. 1 2 3 4 is also a very Doom-centric story, so that makes it all the more likely the screenwriters might have consulted this hidden gem of a Marvel comic.And there you have it. If you want to do your homework before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters in May 2026, you know what to read. But what Marvel storylines do you most want to see adapted in these next two Avengers movies? Let us know in the comments.

This review contains The Replacement finale spoilers.Praise be for the three-parter. Even when the narrative wheels come off, as they did in spectacular fashion in The Replacements ludicrously overblown finale, youre still quids-in when it comes to your time investment. A dodgy last hour after two decent instalments is forgivable, especially when its all so bonkers you cant look away.Episode three put pay to all the subtle ambiguity over who was really the crazy one and vindicated our girl Ellen by exposing Paula not only as Kays killer but also as the villain from the Saw films. The blue-eyed monster hatched a plan so complicated that even after watching the episode twice and taking notes each time, I could still use a steer on what actually happened.Heres what I have so far: Paula wanted to save baby Lia from Ellen, so stole the former from a windowsill like a pie in a Yogi Bear cartoon, then sent a cryptic message to the latter inviting her to the place where she died. (Reading she as Paulas daughter Caris, Ellen met her foe at the accident site though if shed done what I did and interpreted she as Kay, it turns out shed have driven straight to baby Lia without any need for all that A-Team nonsense in the garage).If Paula planned to fake Ellens suicide and then take her place as Lias mother, then what about that whopping filing cabinet leaning against the car, or Paulas line about knowing she couldnt have Lia? If she planned to frame Ellen as Lias kidnapper and be the one who marches in with the police and saves the day, then why quietly accept the handcuffs? Was Ellen supposed to wake up from those sleeping pills? Did Paula turn herself in to the police? Forgive me if its all clear to you, but Im genuinely floundering.Kudos to Vicky McClure and Morven Christie, whove gone up in my already high estimation by gamely selling whatever it was that happened in those last ten minutes. Theyre such good actors, they even had me convinced they had a clue as to what on earth was going on. That pair were The Replacements prize; the depth of their performances kept this story of well-dressed unhinged women from venturing too close to soap territory.Until this episode, that is, when it held its nose and took a running both-feet jump into soap-land. Dead Caris being kept alive as a comforting lie? The faked push down the stairs at a chichi party? Paula breaking up Ellen and Ian by telling him Lia isnt his baby? Colour-drained flashbacks to seemingly incriminating dialogue? Is this a BBC psychological thriller or Days Of Our Lives? Georgias child has leukaemia, we learn. And an evil identical twin no doubtIt probably didnt help the accusations of soapishness that the cast was so uniformly good-looking. Everyone, from Ellens sister to the mysterious Georgia to those social workers, looked like Abercrombie and Fitch models. Theres not a pot belly, imperfect smile or pair of eyes you wouldnt want to dive into in the whole joint.In the finale, all the nuanced tension and promised exploration of competitiveness, paranoia and what work and motherhood mean to modern women went out of the window (or should we say through the skylight). With that absurd MacGuyver ending, it blew it. Ultimately, The Replacementturned out to beyour average bereavement-turns-mothers-into-psychopathic-murderers thriller, nothing more complex or original than a posh soap with a partiality for contra-zoom camera tricks.Still, those two were great leads. You have to give it that.The Replacement is streaming now on Netflix UK.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!

Weve all had an experience like this: You walk into a high-ceilinged living room with light pouring in through the windows, and you feel instantly energized. Inspired, even. Or you step through the door of a cozy bedroom with soft lighting, a plush rug, and layered textiles, and your shoulders relaxin fact, your whole system seems to slow down. Thats emotional design in action: the idea that the design of the homes (and offices) where we spend our time can have a powerful effect on our moods and even our behavior. For Chicago-based architect and interior designer Anne Lukan, its second nature to create interiors that not only look beautiful, but also evoke the emotions their inhabitants want to experience. What I do is very personal, she says. I come into somebodys home and affect their daily life, their everyday, from the small moments to the bigger, long-lasting memories.Heres how Lukan approached the redesign of a Pueblo-style home in Scottsdale, Arizona, so it accommodates and enhances its owners every mood and attitude.You can feel the way it grounds you.Megan DiehrIts now a well-accepted concept (one supported by a slew of scientific studies) that views of surrounding landscapes and an abundance of natural light enhance well-beingthey can lower your blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and engender feelings of calm. Early conversations with my clients stemmed around this feeling of ease that they wanted to create for themselves, Lukan recalls. So she took every opportunity to showcase the desert and mountain vistas surrounding the Scottsdale home.The key, naturally, was to incorporate as many windows as possibleand Lukan had a specific aesthetic in mind: luxurious scale but a modern, minimalist design that would let the landscape speak for itself. Direct glaze windows from the Marvin Modern collection, with their thin metal frames, expansive sizes, and clean lines, provide elegance without the focus being taken away from the space and the view beyond, she says. Finding ways to capture the light, to give it a feeling of easiness, airiness, was something that we took a lot of care with. In the bedrooms (including a bunk room designed for future grandkids), a casita-style lounge space, and the kitchen, casement windows, also from the Marvin Modern collection, coordinate with the sleek look of the direct-glaze versions but open and close with a rotating handle to let in the desert breezes.To reflect the colors on view outside, Lukan layered the interior spaces of the home with furniture and fabrics in natural tones and integrated plenty of wood. You can feel the way it grounds you. We were very intentional about selecting colors that had staying power, she says. Thats something that we were careful about in every single room: Is this grounding? Does it feel natural? Are we incorporating something that is durable, inherent, and authentic to the location, to this space?Theres a lifting moment.Megan DiehrThe homes organic Pueblo style is characterized by rounded walls, fluid curves, and varying floor and ceiling heights. Lukan played with scale and designed an organic, undulating layout to achieve a feeling of wonder and inspiration as you travel from the door of the home toward its central rooms, with new details and visual delights appearing around every bend. The carving of those spaces, the soft archeswhen you come into the home, there is a feeling that gives you this moment of reprieve. Theres a lifting moment. As soon as you walk in, the space opens for you. And as you walk through each slight angle, the home is revealing itself to you.Very protected, very intimate.Tim BjerkThough the house is spacious and the landscape it sits amid is sweeping, Lukan made sure there were opportunities for the homeowners to retreat to a place of quiet and contemplation. One of the beautiful, underrated moments of the home is that right off of the front entry, theres this private, almost secret garden of a breakfast patio, she says. The patio is accessed through a curved window wall, inset with a glass-paneled Ultimate Narrow Style Swinging Door by Marvin. And though the area fronts the houseusually a very public spaceit is sunken and partially enclosed by exterior walls and landscaping, affording a sense of seclusion. You have this perfect opportunity for a personal coffee-for-two out front, Lukan says. It feels very private, very protected, very intimate.Its yet another example of why the spaces in a home should look beautiful, function efficiently, and reflect the everyday lives of the inhabitants, Lukan says. But its also about creating a supportive layer for their most beautiful, special memories of life.

Spring is officially in swing, and if you're fortunate enough to have a home with outdoor living space, you're likely gearing up for pool parties, firepit nights, and just good old lounging around in the sun. Ormaybe you're casting a critical eye on your deck, porch, patio, or veranda, realizing it could use a serious spruce-up.Never fear: We're here to help you live your best, most luxurious alfresco life. We solicited the advice of six designers with Decorating Den Interiors, a collective of individually owned and operated design firms across the U.S., and came away with five keys to making your outdoor-living dreams a reality.1. Choose your materials wiselyDesigner: Bohnne Jones | Photographer: Alex SharpIn any space that will be exposed to the elements, it's vital to rely on furniture, rugs, and lighting specifically manufactured for outdoor use. "You really need to make sure, if you're not taking your things in and out every day, that they're rated for the weather," says Nashville designer Bohnne Jones. As an example, she offers the patio shown above, for which the owner wanted furnishings with a very organic look. Unfortunately, "very organic" materials are often the ones that deteriorate most quickly in the sun and rain, so Jones went with these rattan-look chairs, which are actually synthetic. Along similar lines, "the cushions are all outdoor-rated, light-fast, and mildew-resistant, which is an issue in the South because of the humidity," she says.Ditto with the more decorative items, like the throw pillows. (A useful caution here from Jones for DIYers: "You might think you can make pillows using outdoor fabric, but if you're still using regular cotton thread, it will rot. Make sure you have outdoor-rated thread as well.") Even the plant containers are chosen accordingly. "Ceramic pots shouldn't be left out in the winterthey will absorb moisture and crack when it freezes," Jones says. So this patio uses an assortment of planters in weather-appropriate materials: glazed terra-cotta, metal, and plastic.2. Don't overestimate your spaceDesigner: Krista Shugars | Photography: Darren MilesWhen designing a seemingly vast pool area for homeowners in Naples, Florida, Krista Shugars, owner and lead designer of Maryland-based KD Designs, and her team proceeded carefully in plotting out the arrangement. They started with the pool, which left the remaining square footage to accommodate the owner's requests for multiple functions: an outdoor kitchen, a dining room, a TV sitting area, and a firepit."They wanted big, comfy chairs, and it's actually a narrow space, so making it all fit was a challenge," Shugars says. Some considerations they made a point to keep in mind: leaving enough room for guests to easily pull chairs back from the dining table; ensuring seating was a comfortable viewing distance from the TV while not encroaching on the pool (the chairs might be splash-proof, but guests watching the football game may not be); and allowing room around the adjacent firepit for six substantial swivel chairs. Also, when you're contemplating a space with wide-open views rather than solid walls to provide a sense of the parameters, it can be easy to be deceived visually. Shugars relied on 3D rendering software and detailed drawings, along with the tried-and-true "checking and rechecking our measurements," she says.3. Make the color scheme cohesiveDesigner: Kris Miller | Photographer: Michael HunterWhile it might seem obvious to decorate a pool area in shades of blue, in fact your outdoor design palette should play off the one inside, says designer Kris Miller, who designed this space in Austin, Texas. "It's important that they coexist, especially if you're sitting inside and can see out the windows to the outdoor design."This philosophy was especially important in this case, because several rooms look out over the terraced outdoor space: the primary bedroom, which is decorated in blues, taupes, grays, and golds, with artwork in blue and orange; the formal living room and adjoining family room, which use cream, taupe, and champagne; and the kitchen/breakfast area, which houses the owners' collection of art glass, much of it blue. "What we did outside was use a lot of neutral, but then also some color pops incorporating blue," Miller says. "It's cohesive with the interiors, and the blue ties into a lot of artwork that's very personal to them."The same point holds true for the design style used indoors and out, she adds: If your home is "super-modern, and you bought outdoor furniture in wicker that's very traditional and cottage-y, it's a disconnect."4. Consider how much upkeep you're up forDesigners: Barbara Elliott & Jennifer Ward-Woods | Photographer: Scott JohnsonBarbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods, partners in Atlanta-based design firm The Sisters and Company, also adhered to the outdoors-as-extension-of-indoors principle in conceiving this cozy balcony. But in doing so, they encountered another challenge, since the governing palette here was black and whitethe latter, of course, being particularly risky in outdoor areas. Their client on this project was willing to go to some trouble in order to keep the color scheme she loved, however, so Elliott and Ward-Woods ordered covers for all of the furniture and made sure the cushion materials could be removed and bleached when necessary. They also advise being diligent, in any open space that could be buffeted by winds, "that you're not putting in furniture that's going to bounce around or fly away easily." Equal care was taken when it came to smaller details. "When it's completely open, we try to not have as many accessories," says Elliott. "We're going to do more with pillows, which can be brought in easily, and lean toward plants and heavy lanterns."5. Don't stress if you don't have a viewJennifer Psynack, owner of Design Concept in upstate New York, had amazing views to showcase when she designed the striking octagonal screened deck in the Finger Lakes region pictured at the top of this story. To that end, she kept accessories minimal and simply let the glittering blue water and glossy green trees work their visual magic. "But not everyone has a lake view," Psynack acknowledgesand in those cases, "we have to create those moments, those focal points. Don't be afraid to use plants, rocks, water features, statues." She strives to create a textural, layered feel: "If you have a lot of plants, break them up with a rock formation, a waterfall, or even a birdbath." As long as you're willing to shuttle accessories in and out, you can even decorate with books and tableware, she adds.

The European Space Agencys (ESA) Rosalind Franklin rover is back on course for a landmark trip to Mars, where it will probe the red planet for signs of extraterrestrial life.ESA initially designed the Mars rover alongside Roscosmos, Russias space agency, as part of the ExoMars programme. The vehicle was set to launch in 2022, but when Russia invaded Ukraine, ESA severed ties with Moscow, putting the mission in jeopardy. Rosalind Franklin named after the British chemist whose work was crucial to understanding the structure of DNA was left without several key components, including a landing platform to safely touch down on the Martian surface.But now, ESA and Thales Alenia Space, the prime contractor for the ExoMars mission, have issued Airbus a 150mn contract to build a new lander at the companys facility in Stevenage, UK. The British government will fund the lander via the UK Space Agency.Getting the Rosalind Franklin rover onto the surface of Mars is a huge international challenge and the culmination of more than 20 years work, said Kata Escott, managing director at Airbus Defence and Space UK, which also designed and built the rover.Get TicketsThe ExoMars spacecraft is set to launch from the US in 2028. Arrival on Mars is expected by 2030.If successful, it will be Europes first rover to be sent to Mars. The US space agency NASA already has two in operation Perseverance and Opportunity while China has one, called Zhurong.The trip to MarsUK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle next to a mockup of the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover at Airbuss facility in Stevenage in the UK. Credit: DSITAs the spacecraft approaches Mars, the lander carrying the rover will separate and begin its rapid descent into the atmosphere. A combination of a heat shield, parachutes, and braking rockets will slow down the lander just before touchdown.Once on the surface, the lander will deploy ramps, allowing the rover to drive off and begin its exploration. Rosalind Franklins instruments will look for evidence of past and present Martian life. The rover includes a drill designed to probe as deep as two metres into the surface, acquiring samples shielded from radiation on the surface. Its designed to operate for at least seven months.Since its fallout with Russia, ESA has secured new agreements for various components of the ExoMars spacecraft, including a contract with NASA to supply adjustable braking engines for the landing platform and radioisotope heating units (RHUs). These RHUs use radioactive decay to generate heat, preventing the rover from freezing in the frigid Martian environment. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Apple released iOS 18.4 to everyone this week, and it comes with a big upgrade to the Home app. With iOS 18.4, users can now add robot vacuums to HomeKit for the first time thanks to the Matter smart home standard.Here are the best robot vacuums compatible with HomeKit in iOS 18.4What can you do with a robot vacuum in HomeKit?Once you add a compatible robot vacuum to the Home app, youll see the device alongside all your other HomeKit accessories.You can integrate your robot vacuum with different automations and scenes in the Home app. You can also schedule it to run at certain times of day and as part of specific automations, including scheduling and automating cleanings for specific rooms at specific times.Additionally, if you have a robot vacuum that supports vacuuming and mopping, the Home app will let you pick between those modes. The Home app will also show you the devices current status, such as whether its cleaning or charging.Integration with HomeKit also means you can control your robot vacuum with Siri. You can say things like, Siri, clean the living room or Siri, mop the kitchen to begin hands-free cleaning.You will, however, still have to use the manufacturers app for the more robust features and controls for your robot vacuums. This includes mapping, object avoidance settings, custom routes, and more. For the fundamentals and day-to-day usage, the Home app should be able to get the job done.Which robot vacuums support HomeKit?So, which robot vacuums support HomeKit integration? Its more than you might think, thanks to the Matter smart home standard. This makes it easier for manufacturers to adopt new features.In a press release, Roborock says it has started rolling out a firmware update that enables HomeKit support on a handful of its models. The update started rolling out today, and Roborock promises that all customers will have it by April 10th.Heres the full rundown on the Roborock models that will support HomeKit integration:Roborock says that firmware updates with HomeKit support will come to other models, like the S8 Max Ultra and Qrevo Slim, in the upcoming weeks and months, followed by even more models coming soon.Ecovacs is also committed to supporting HomeKit integration. The company told The Verge that the update be released to the following models in phases starting this week:SwitchBot is another brand that has started rolling out HomeKit support to its products. First up is the SwitchBot S10 Robot Vacuum and Mop, which features Home app integration today.iRobot says that the Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot Vacuum and Auto Wash Dock will receive a firmware update with Apple Home support. The company hasnt shared any details on when that update will be released, though.Wrap upWhile the Home app and HomeKit platform often feel neglected, support for robot vacuums is a great addition. Do you own a HomeKit-capable robot vacuum? Are you planning to buy one now that iOS 18.4 has been released? Let us know down in the comments.Follow Chance:Threads,Bluesky,Instagram, andMastodon.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel