Reasonable accomodations Satisfactory now has controller support, so theres no excuse for your bad lines Can you mine resources and build factories with merely sticks and buttons? Kevin Purdy Apr 1, 2025 2:52 pm | 8 Hitting the "ship it to space" button feels pretty good with a controller. Credit: Coffee Stain Studios Hitting the "ship it to space" button feels pretty good with a controller. Credit: Coffee Stain Studios Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreSatisfactory starts out as a game you play, then becomes a way you think. The only way I have been able to keep the ridiculous factory simulation from eating an even-more-unhealthy amount of my time was the game's keyboard-and-mouse dependency. But the work, it has found meon my couch, on a trip, wherever one might game, really.In a 1.1 release on Satisfactory's Experimental branch, there are lots of new things, but the biggest new thing is a controller scheme. Xbox and DualSense are officially supported, though anyone playing on Steam can likely tweak their way to something that works on other pads. With this, the game becomes far more playable for those playing on a couch, on a portable gaming PC like the Steam Deck, or over household or remote streaming. It also paves the way for the game's console release, which is currently slated for sometime in 2025. Coffee Stain Studios reviews the contents of its Experimental branch 1.1 update. Satisfactory seems like an unlikely candidate for controller support, let alone consoles. It's a game where you do a lot of three-dimensional thinking, putting machines and conveyer belts and power lines in just the right places, either because you need to or it just feels proper. How would it feel to select, rotate, place, and connect everything using a controller? Have I just forgotten that Minecraft, and first-person games as a whole, probably seemed similarly desk-bound at one time? I grabbed an Xbox Wireless controller, strapped on my biofuel-powered jetpack, and gave a reduced number of inputs a shot. Here is how Satisfactory works on an Xbox Wireless Controller. Coffee Stain Studios Here is how Satisfactory works on an Xbox Wireless Controller. Coffee Stain Studios Here is the PlayStation DualSense version of Satisfactory's controller scheme. Coffee Stain Studios Here is the PlayStation DualSense version of Satisfactory's controller scheme. Coffee Stain Studios Here is how Satisfactory works on an Xbox Wireless Controller. Coffee Stain Studios Here is the PlayStation DualSense version of Satisfactory's controller scheme. Coffee Stain Studios The biggest hurdle to get past, for me, is not jumping in place when I wanted to do something, though it's not unique to this game. In most games that have some kind of building or planning through a controller, the bottom-right button ("A" on Xbox, "X" on PlayStation DualSense) is often the do/interact/confirm button. In Satisfactory, and some other games where I switch between keyboard/mouse and controller, A/X is jump. Satisfactory wants you to primarily use the triggers and bumpers to select, build, and dismantle things, which feels okay when you've got the hang of things. But even after an hour or so, I still found my pioneer unexpectedly jumping, as if he needed to get the zoomies out before placing a storage container.Wherever you go, there your blueprints areWhatSatisfactory has going in its favor is its relatively forgiving nature when it comes to objects clipping through each other, and the perfect amount of snappiness when combining buildings and logistics. I managed to build out my new-to-me remote oil production facility (oil into rubber and plastic, residue into fuel for generators, excess material into the Awesome Sink) using only a controller. I might switch back to keyboard and mouse if I knew I were going to be building a big project, the kind you sketch out on paper, or an online calculator. But I'm otherwise impressed at what the developers have pulled off here, having only reached for my mouse once or twice for what was seemingly a missing option (in the crafting bench). Using the chainsaw with a controller generates a lot of rumble, which feels appropriate. Coffee Stain Studios Using the chainsaw with a controller generates a lot of rumble, which feels appropriate. Coffee Stain Studios It's not too bad moving through your inventory with a controller, and there are common mechanics across all interfaces. Coffee Stain Studios It's not too bad moving through your inventory with a controller, and there are common mechanics across all interfaces. Coffee Stain Studios I built this rat's nest of fuel-powered generators, refineries, and reservoirs using a controller. Don't be too impressed. Coffee Stain Studios I built this rat's nest of fuel-powered generators, refineries, and reservoirs using a controller. Don't be too impressed. Coffee Stain Studios It's not too bad moving through your inventory with a controller, and there are common mechanics across all interfaces. Coffee Stain Studios I built this rat's nest of fuel-powered generators, refineries, and reservoirs using a controller. Don't be too impressed. Coffee Stain Studios You'll want to build out your item selection wheels if you have not previously. They make on-the-spot building far faster to get through than clicking the left shoulder for a build menu, then pacing through the categories and options, merely to get to a power line or foundation. You will also want to give the order of your hand-held items more consideration than normal, as you can only move through them in one direction with a controller. Discovering this while in the midst of conflict with a native creature is ill-advised.Generally, I'm very impressed with the controls as implemented (by Fishlabs). There is a common language to each panel and situation that slowly seeps into your fingers, like moving between panels with the right stick, and holding the left trigger while clicking brings up a kind of right-click contextual actions menu. If you started the game with a controllerpresumably something the developers hope lots of people will do on consolesyou would never know to miss your Q, F, and V keys.I will be both glad and somewhat concerned that I can now take my exploitative space factory into more relaxing spaces than the same desk where I do my full-time job. There is no excuse now for the conveyor spaghetti, the inefficient truck paths, the missing alternative recipes I could be scavenging from hard drives. What else was I doing, really?Kevin PurdySenior Technology ReporterKevin PurdySenior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 8 Comments

Chana Widawski took a yearlong sabbatical to celebrate her 50th birthday. Somya Rakshit 2025-04-02T00:14:02Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Chana Widawski handed in her notice after feeling burned out at work.She celebrated her 50th birthday with a yearlong sabbatical.Now 51 and back in New York, she says the sabbatical taught her to prioritize living over making a living.Burnout is real, and so is turning 50.As I neared both, I knew it was time for a sabbatical. I needed a break from my job as a social worker and from my hectic life in the concrete jungle of New York City. I craved travel and needed to recharge. I decided that it was time.Sabbaticals are an almost foreign concept in my field and for most Americans in general. Losing both of my parents at a young age and working for years with families who had lost loved ones made it clear to me that life is short.As with most things, dreaming it up was easy; actualizing was not.I cherished many aspects of my job and life. I loved the neighborhood free store and composting initiative I started. I relished opportunities to dance and partake in happenings around the city.But those all-too-familiar feelings of stagnation, burnout, and wanderlust prevailed. While I didn't quite know how I would spend my break or exactly when I'd start it, I handed in my notice.It was transformative, even though my actual last day on the job came 6 months later.In January 2023 my journey began. Single and without children or aging parents to care for, I was free of responsibilities and faced no objections to traveling into the next half-century of my life with positive energy and openness. The author cycled back from volunteering at a permaculture farm in Pokhara, Nepal. Jeeban Bastola Traveling solo, at my own paceI used the airline points I had accrued to book a one-way flight to India, unsure of how long I would stay or where I'd head next.Eliminating my primary expense, housing, came easy, as a friend was more than happy to use my affordable, centrally located apartment in my absence.Once abroad, I opted for the adventure of low-cost public transportation. This included a 24-hour bus journey from Kathmandu to Delhi and sitting on sacks of rice with someone's child on my lap for segments of a packed bus ride toward Muktinath in Nepal.Similar to my life back in New York, I avoided lavish spending and saved money by living a socially conscious lifestyle bicycling, camping, gardening, volunteering, foraging, eating home-cooked meals, and wearing secondhand clothes.My background in social work gave me a sense of openness while I moved about the world. Attending a rice feeding ceremony in Nepal. Kishor Lohani I lived with the Lohani family in Nepal, volunteering on their farm and eating the best home-cooked dal baht, a rice dish with lentils. We hiked through the mountainside to join the entire village for its rice planting festival and for a baby's rice feeding ceremony.Self-discovery through solo travelI traveled slowly and covered a lot of ground, from Nepal and India to Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, both coasts of the US, and lots in between.A friend from home joined me to trek the mountain villages of Svaneti, Georgia. I spent time with new friends at gatherings in Germany, a festival in the Czech Republic, a conference I presented at in Croatia, and on a canoe trip back in the US, on Utah's Green River.But nothing compared to the powerful serendipities and exchanges I experienced while traveling alone.On the day of my 50th, I didn't get any hugs, phone calls, or even text messages. My phone was in a drawer at the picturesque Kopan Monastery in Nepal while I spent 10 days in silence, with people from across the globe, learning, meditating, reflecting and just being. It was idyllic.My sabbatical turned out to be more than just a break; it transformed my way of being.Two years later, I'm back in New York.I'm still in love with the city and still disillusioned by the rat race and concrete jungle. The trip taught me to continue to prioritize living over making a living.Recommended video

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey is delivering one of the longest Senate floor speeches in American history. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images 2025-04-02T00:09:48Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Sen. Cory Booker just delivered the longest-recorded Senate floor speech ever.It's an astonishing feat of workplace stamina one that requires some preparation.Sen. Ted Cruz, who once spoke for more than 21 hours, said he didn't use a diaper or catheter.At about 7 p.m. ET on Monday night, Sen. Cory Booker began delivering what became the longest Senate floor speech in American history.At 8:06 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the New Jersey Democrat finally finished what was a 25-hour-and-4-minute-long speech in opposition to President Donald Trump, DOGE, the firing of federal workers, and more. It was the longest-recorded Senate floor speech in American history, and it prevented the GOP-controlled Senate from doing anything else, temporarily delaying the confirmation of some of Trump's nominees.Booker never left to use the restroom. He didn't eat a meal. He stood largely in the same spot behind his desk on the left side of the chamber; his speech was occasionally interrupted by a Democratic colleague whose friendly questions allowed him quick reprieves.Several of Booker's colleagues have done the same in the last 12 years, including Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky, along with Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.Delivering a speech like this requires stamina and careful preparation. Just ask Cruz, who in 2013 spoke for 21 hours and 18 minutes against the Affordable Care Act. Earlier that year, Paul had spoken for almost 13 hours in opposition to former President Barack Obama's nominee to be CIA director, and the Kentucky Republican offered Cruz some advice."He said, No. 1, wear comfortable shoes," Cruz recalled on Tuesday. "And he said, number two, drink very little water."It's a delicate question what if you really have to pee? Paul ended his own 2013 speech by noting that "there are some limits to filibustering, and I am going to have to go take care of one of those here."Wendy Davis, a former Democratic state senator in Texas, has said she used a catheter when she delivered a 13-hour filibuster against an abortion restriction bill in 2013. Sen. Strom Thurmond, the late senator whose 24 hours and 18 minutes filibuster against civil rights legislation was previously the longest speech in US Senate history, reportedly had access to a bucket if he needed to relieve himself."In the age of C-SPAN, that seemed like a poor idea," Cruz said, alluding to the presence of television cameras trained on the Senate floor. He also confirmed that he never used a catheter or a diaper. "In 21 hours, I drank one little glass of water."A spokesperson for Booker declined to comment on how the New Jersey senator had prepared for the speech and whether he wore a catheter or diaper. Booker, after he passed the 24-hour mark, referenced "biological urgencies" that he was feeling.Booker's has now exceeded not just Thurmond's record but Cruz's 2013 record as well. The senator from Texas said he's still "grumpy" that he couldn't claim the top spot himself, owing to previously agreed-upon limits on the length of the debate.However, he said he wished Booker the best."Cory's a good friend," Cruz said. "Knock yourself out."Update: This story was updated with the news that Booker finished his speech and passed Thurmond's record.Recommended video

The boys are alt-right. At least thats what polling and voting data suggests. Men under 25 were nearly 20 percent more likely to vote for Donald Trump than women in that age group in the 2024 election, revealing a gender gap far larger than those in older generations.Democrats have been freaking out about their young men problem. Theyre starting podcasts. Theyre talking about sports. Theyre cursing more. And increasingly theyre courting Hasan Piker: a 33-year-old Twitch streamer some are calling the Joe Rogan of the left. Piker livestreams for eight hours or more nearly every day. He has millions of followers, a group that skews young and male. Piker is a self-described leftist. Hell vote Democrat as the lesser of two evils, but hes been very critical of the party, especially over its handling of Israels war in Gaza.Hes overtly political but also an entertainer. During a recent streaming session, Piker bantered about his squat form and riffed on Andy Sambergs face, before pivoting to a long interview with New York Times politics reporter Astead Herndon. The message is equal parts self-improvement and how to fight for a better world, emphasis on fight. His message to his followers and to Democrats seeking a way forward is to get more antagonistic in pushing for what they believe in. You should fight back, Piker told Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram. You should be like, No, this is what I believe. Why do you not want to give health care to poor people? Like, whats wrong with you?Pikers conversation with Today, Explained ranged from his protein intake, to Lyndon B. Johnsons thoughts on race, to the warm blanket of right-wing media. Make sure you listen to the whole thing at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Whats your protein intake? Is there a lot of protein going on?Yes, I consume about 200, at a minimum, 220 grams of protein every day.Amazing.I mean, its alright. I eat a lot of chicken. I love chicken. So this is fine. Just straight white chicken breasts every day.Oh! How much do you feel like being kind of yoked is like part of your draw and your persona?I think it initially in leftist circles is aits a negative. People look at me and immediately assume that I am a right-wing dude. At this point its hard to say that because obviously most people know what my politics are. But if you dont know who I am from afar, you think like, Oh, thats like an alpha bro potentially right kinda guy. My demeanor also is like that too. Im just authentically myself. I do not like putting on a show. I dont even think Id be capable of lying and being inauthentic for 10 hours a day in real time especially as Im responding in real-time to both news that is happening, but also then to people who are trying to argue with me about it. Its just who I am. Theres not much I can do to change it. And I dont even want to change the way I behave.What is your read on why this male optimization, (getting, you know, really beefed up) has a left-right divide? And what is that divide about?Theres a bunch of different reasons for it, but I think, like a lot of these guys, they dont think too hard about politics and then they find themselves trapped in this right-wing bubble. And then I think that they just like to associate that with self-improvement and self-help with that in general. Self-help inherently is not like a leftist or a right-wing thing. But it does seem like a lot of the content creators that are promoting that and presenting themselves as that are definitely, at the very least, right-wing. But I think part of it is because thats just the domineering attitude in general, if you dont really think about things too much and you kind of find yourself susceptible to social conditioning. And that does have a right-wing slant, the whole commonsense narrative. Its like, Oh, this is just common sensetwo genders: commonsense.You didnt put a lot of thought into it. Thats just what you learned your entire life. So of course you kind of slot yourself into the right-wing in that regard.I guess the other reason is because self-improvement can turn into hyper-individualism very quickly, which is also another incredibly American attitude in general, but thats what it is.You try to couple self-improvement with helping others, which feels really critical in this moment where a lot of people feel lost, but that leads to them becoming more inward, introverted, even angry. How do you feel like youre fairing in that battle right now to not just improve yourself inside and out, but to be more considerate of those around you?I dont know. Im justIm a stubborn dude. Im not doing deliberate gym content specifically because I want to penetrate the alpha bro fitness space. Its just something that I have always liked to do organically. And, the content creators that I watch from this space are people that I end up collaborating with or have at least some mutual interests. It feels like were at a pretty important juncture for young men, right? And theres a lot of people telling them to regress, to be expecting women to take their last names, and to stay at home and to make lots of babies and to not ask too many questions. And then, I dont know, it feels like youre on the other side of that fight trying to tell men to grow.I dont tell people like, Women have to stay in the kitchen, or Women dont have to stay in the kitchen. Im just more like: Treat women as individuals, you know? Just like you would your sisters or your mother with respect as like a normal human being. Let them do whatever they want to do. Thats my attitude on it at least.I think that the reason why the right is so successful at capturing the attention of young men in particular is because theyre taking a lot of the worst aspects of the hopelessness that I was just talking about that everyone in the next generation is experiencing. And right-wing commentary is like a warm blanket that you can surround yourself with that says: Youre right to be angry and you should be angry at vulnerable populations. You should be angry at people who have no power over you. And then if you dominate them a little bit, then that gives you a little bit of power, right?It reminds me of the LBJ quote about telling the lowest white man that he is higher than any Black man.If you can convince the lowest white man, hes better than the best colored man. He wont notice youre picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on and hell empty his pockets for you.I think what youre getting at here is the vision that the right is selling to young men is very compelling, because it doesnt necessarily involve growth or progress. It just affirms what they already believe or maybe what their fathers and their fathers before them believed. But you seem to do something special which is you create an alternate vision for young men, for young people, what keeps you hopeful?The one area of hope that I have right now is the momentum that Ive seen from AOC and Bernie Sanders, who are going out and speaking in front of tens of thousands of people, people that may have not even voted for Bernie Sanders in the primaries, right? Like people from all different walks of life both Democrats and maybe even some not Democrats coming together and being like, Yeah, everything is messed up. We need to do something about it.So theres definitely a lot of interest amongst the American working class to to change things. Some people have associated that change with Donald Trump. I find that kind of change to be worse because I think Donald Trump is further breaking the system that was broken previously prior to this.The fact that some people recognize that there must be a difference, there must be a different mechanism for change. And they find Bernie to be a vehicle for that is somewhat positive, but it entirely depends on where it goes from here. Does the Democratic Party turn around and go, Okay, we got to do that. Enough with this, you know, third-way neoliberalism.This kind of [neoliberal] attitude is ridiculous. I think its academic, its smug, its elitist, and its wrong. Its demonstrably wrong. And I think people dont want to hear it anymore.So, I hope the Democratic Party recognizes that, and then more and more people run for office and say, No, I dont want corporate donations. Im done with the billionaires and millionaires. Im done with you. Im done with the rest of the Democratic Party. Im going to be a Democrat, but Im done with the Democratic Party.Thats what Republicans did over the course of many, many years as well. They feared their base. They did not worry about the potential political repercussions of pushing for incredibly unfavorable and unpopular policies. And look where theyre at now. They got rewarded consistently time and time again. Or at least doing something.Thats the attitude that many Americans have. Theyre just like, Yeah, everything is messed up. At least this guy wants to break the system. And I dont really like the system anyway. I dont like the institutions anyway. They, what have they done for me? So lets test this out.See More:

Whether its at the Direct or the livestreams, were seeing more Mario Kart this week (YouTube)If Wednesdays Nintendo Switch 2 showcase isnt enough for you, Nintendo will have even more reveals to share throughout the rest of the week.You probably know by now that Nintendo will be holding a showcase tomorrow all about the Nintendo Switch 2. In fact, you probably already have the livestream open in another tab in preparation.Its exact contents are a mystery, but its expected to share a lot of new info about the console and its games, considering its set to be the longest Nintendo Direct ever.Turns out thats not all Nintendo has planned for this week, as it will also be sharing deeper dives and hands-on gameplay for certain Switch 2 games for two days after the showcase.As announced on its social media channels, Nintendo Treehouse will be holding livestreams on Thursday, April 3 and Friday, April 4. Exactly how long these livestreams will last hasnt been specified but both will start at 7am PT, which is 3pm BST here in the UK.For anyone unfamiliar with Nintendo Treehouse, its a division of Nintendo of America mostly responsible for localising the companys games for the region. Since 2014, its occasionally held livestreams to show off upcoming games.Nintendo hasnt said which games will be shown, but thats obviously because they havent been announced yet. One of them could very well be the new Mario Kart, which was teased in the initial Switch 2 reveal, but the rest are anyones guess.Whatever will be shown is bound to be interesting though as a hands-on demo usually gives a better idea of how games work in action, when compared to curated trailers.The livestreams may also serve as an indicator of what people can expect from the Switch 2 live events Nintendo is holding over the coming months. Anyone who managed to land a ticket will get to try out the Switch 2 early.More TrendingIt seems fair to assume whatever games are shown in the Nintendo Treehouse streams have a good chance of being present at these events, although not necessarily all of them.As a reminder, tickets were given out via a lottery system, so you cant just waltz in. The London event is taking place next weekend on April 11 to April 13 so you can expect attendees to share video footage and photos from that as well.The Switch 2 isnt expected to launch until June, although that is currently only a rumour. Ideally, Nintendo will reveal have a concrete release date during tomorrows showcase, as well as pre-order details and pricing. Were you lucky enough to land a spot at the Switch 2 event in London? (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Today is most certainly the day (Nintendo)The Wednesday letters page is excited and anxious about todays Switch 2 news at the Nintendo Direct, as one reader is unimpressed by the Xbox Asus team-up.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukPLEASE NOTE: We will have very limited time to put together the Games Inbox on Wednesday, so please get your emails in as quickly as possible, especially if youre planning to comment on the Nintendo Direct. Otherwise the next Inbox will be on Friday.The day todaySo here we go, the biggest Nintendo moment in eight years: the full reveal of the Switch 2 and all (some? a couple?) of its games. I dont know whats going to be there anymore than anyone else does but I can tell you I feel that tingle of excitement in a way I havent in a long time.We dont need to go over what a disappointment this generation has been again, but this is the sort of thing its been missing: a big event, that probably isnt going to disappoint, and will have tons of new things to talk about and look forward to.When was the last time we had something like that? For me The Game Awards just dont do it, theyre just paid ads and what is shown is almost always pre-rendered and very brief. Id probably have to go back to the unveiling of Elden Ring for the last time I was anticipating things this much and that wasnt hyped up like this.Maybe that will hurt it in the end, if it means Nintendo can never do enough to please people, but I have a good feeling about it and I certainly plan to get no work done between 2pm and 3pm today.OnibeeOne hour60 minutes of Nintendo Direct? Now we know theyre serious. Id worry that a lot of that is going to be waffle but Nintendo are the masters of the Direct format and a lot of that is due to fast pacing and being very lean, with no wasted time and never staying on anything for too long.Maybe theyll suddenly switch strategies, but I doubt it. This is their moment and I hope for their sake, my sake (as a fan), and the games industrys sake they make a proper job of it. This has been such a rough generation, where the great games seem to almost be in spite of Microsoft and Sony, not because of them.I want to see Nintendo reset the clock and show what video games are about: an affordable console thats clearly different to the last one, unique and imaginative games that dont cost the earth, and no live service trash or at least a bare minimum, I know Nintendo has dabbled with it.LoftyDream teamMy wish list for today: Mario Kart (a given), 3D Mario, F-Zero, a new Zelda remake, and two new IP. Might seem a bit of a tall order to some but I think theres a reasonable chance it might come true. The Mario games are obvious, but I think some kind of Zelda representation, even if its a cheap remaster of The Wind Waker, is very likely.Nintendo must have some new IP, I think, and even if one is a smaller thing like 1-2-Switch hopefully we still get something. And then F-Zero well, weve had some rumours about GameCube support recently so maybe itll be F-Zero GX on Nintendo Switch Online. If its a brand new game then I promise to pre-order a Switch 2 the second you can.HesterEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukCheap adviceThis Xbox crossover with Asus seems so cheap. I know thats a strange word to use for something thats probably going to cost 600+ but the ROG Ally does look cheap and that whole teaser trailer thing looked like an ad for DLC, not a hyper expensive handheld console.I can sort of see the idea that Microsoft wants to get their foot in the door with portable consoles, but most people arent even going to know this exists, let alone buy it. So what does Microsoft gain from that?As usual theyre trying to take a shortcut, because they want a portable next gen console out now, but its not going to be ready, according to them, for a few years. You wouldve thought theyd learn by now, after so long making the same mistakes again and again, but no.Just do the groundwork and success will come to you. There is no shortcut and if there was it certainly wouldnt be slapping an Xbox logo on a weird portable console that only plays PC games.GazaToo obviousGiven Nintendos new obsession with the number to, that a reader pointed out a few weeks ago releasing a 2:22 long video at 22:02, having 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days between announcements I wonder if someone with a sense of humour at Nintendo UK has considered setting a trailer to this version of the appropriately timed Song 2, which I remember being mentioned in the Inbox years ago.Though presumably it needs updating with Kevin Afghanis vocals now.astropauseGC: Perhaps well find out at 2pm today.Solid nineIm quite surprised by your comment on Final Fantasy 9 not being a popular game. I remember it getting rave reviews at the time of the release (in fact Metacritic still has a 94% rating on the game). I remember thoroughly enjoying the game at the time (even if the story got a little weird towards the end!). I dont think Ive ever heard anyone disparage it (except in the general Japanese role-playing game way).Im very hopeful for a remaster, but not in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake style of super realistic graphics and a totally new battle system. Refine the existing game and improve the graphics, certainly, but dont go so far as Remake did. Maybe add some new content or expand the story. Definitely give us an expanded Tetra Master! Loved that mini-game!Anyway, I wrote in way back (January maybe?) saying the top port in the Switch 2 could be to enable dual screen with the old Switch. Glad the current rumours are agreeing this is what its for, but I wait with bated breath for the actual reveal!SolaboundGC: We just meant it wasnt necessarily a series favourite, but we have nothing against it.Genie in a bottleIf some developers are crying because they havent been given devkits I think Im prepared to believe that Nintendo is right to deny them. We havent had a single serious leak that didnt come from the production line and I for one am glad of that.I hate leaks and rumours, and it annoys me no end that they spoil everything before you get a proper reveal. I realise that once the information is out there its pointless to pretend it isnt but if Nintendo is being extra suspicious with who they trust then good for them, it clearly worked.WaldorfMappa mundiI am currently playing the excellent Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown on Switch. Having a great time 15 hours in and so far would place it in the top tier of Metroidvanias, alongside Hollow Knight and Metroid Dread.One minor issue I am having though is constantly pausing to look at the map. I have this compulsion with all similar games, to continually check I am in the right place or to look for clues in branching paths, etc.The rumoured Wii U-esque feature for Switch 2 has really caught my eye for this reason. Back on the Wii U I played another brilliant Metriodvania in Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition. Here the map was on display on the GamePad, with touchscreen functionality. I loved this set-up at the time and was always disappointed when other Wii U games didnt replicate it (Breath Of The Wild was a huge missed opportunity to display the map on the GamePads second screen)It sounds minor but would be an excellent quality-of-life feature if developers were to take advantage.i.e.mcr (NN ID)GC: We suspect Nintendo downgraded the GamePads functionality in the Wii U version of Breath Of The Wild, so it didnt seem better than the Switch.Inbox also-ransI could almost imagine Rockstar releasing the GTA 6 this week or next, except that I think that weirdly they have quite a good relationship with Nintendo. Ill laugh if the Direct starts with Rockstar logo, that would certainly set the tone.BosleyWhat if Metroid Prime 4 isnt in the Nintendo Direct but a 2D sequel to Metroid Dread was? I would not be disappointed.LockwoodMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.ArrowMORE: Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 Trailer be released? GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Season of the Force has begun at the Disneyland Resort and Star Wars fans are in for some fantastical foodie fun. io9 recently attended the media experiences on opening day. We also ran around the park for our own little food crawl that took us from Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters in Galaxys Edge to Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, trying out the park-wide meal and treat offerings that are new for this years seasonal event, which celebrates all things tasty and cool-looking inspired by a galaxy far, far away. (Some food covered here was provided to io9 by Disney during a press event. The rest we paid for ourselves.) Galaxys Edge We started with a quick behind-the-scenes look at the Coaxium Sipper and the Tauntaun popcorn bucket in a secret base location (backstage) at the Black Spire Outpost. A Disney Experiences representative demonstrated the locking and popping mechanism of the light-up smugglers container of choice, which we thought was a clever way to reference the tanks seen on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction. The Tauntaun was the best part and we think it will be a major draw for fans this year. We loved seeing the creature that Han Solo improvises into a sleeping bag for Luke as a way to hold popcorn, or an Empire Strikes Back-era action figure. We also got to preview returning food faves for Star Wars Nite, which will see the Yoda-shaped Dagobah-Bite Beignets and Princess Leia-inspired Galactic Princess Sundae make their way back for the separately ticketed Disneyland After Dark event. Once we got back into Galaxys Edge we began our food crawl, starting with the Fried Chicken Baos from Docking Bay 7. These are definitely some hold-you-over tasty bites before a bigger meal. Its tangy and spice combo is more pleasant than intense. Theming-wise, getting rid of the Star Wars canon name for chicken (tip yip) is a bit sad, but apparently immersion with food names was too adventurous for the average park goer. And while the snack buns are delicious, they dont particularly look like something from Star Wars. But honestly, that might not be such a bad thing; Id rather have the effort go into creating the tastiest bao bun, rather than one crafted using too much food dye. Docking Bay 7 is also where youll be able to purchase drinks that come in detailed containers to satisfy Star Wars aesthetic collectors.The new food item that really impressed us was the Fried Falumpaset Cheese Skewer, which comes covered in potato pieces with more cheese to dip it in. It was easy to walk around with; you can eat this in the queue for Rise of the Resistance. Its cheese, its balanced, its the chosen one. We wish Disney would keep this on the menu and sell that cheese sauce alone too, because I definitely put some of it on my baos and it made me feel as if I was in Cloud City. I would buy this over and over again because its lighter on the stomach than the year-round staple Ronto Wrap and less messy too. Tomorrowland Over in Tomorrowland by Hyperspace Mountain, you can find more options. This space has often had maybe the most questionable of ideas go through it in the past like that Dark Side burger with a black bun. This year, the burger tries something new: a gyro meat-inspired offering that highlighted the patty as beef and veggie mixed. If the food in Galaxys Edge was Bespin quality, the food at Galactic Grill was Port Borgo pirate bay slop, because that patty tasted unlike anything I could name. If youd told me it was Tauntaun meat, Id believe you and the toppings spilled out too easily too even with an oversized bun.The other option we tried were the Loaded Outpost Fries, which didnt quite bring Star Wars to mind either. It was a basket of fries and onion rings with a pile of pulled pork on top sprinkled with cheese and other toppings. Its decent and shareable, but it also could have been added to a menu for literally any IP. The winner for us at Galactic Grill is decidedly silly, because this spot has slush drinks with mini lightsaber stirrers that light up. I promptly gave it to my child and was delighted to see her with her own blue lightsaber. (I was glad it wasnt real when she stuck it in her mouth, though.) I did feel the absence of the Darth By Chocolate parfait cake, though, which had grown to be a favorite staple of the season over the years. Take a look below to see the hits and misses of our Star Wars food crawl. Coaxium Sipper io9/Gizmodo Coaxium Sipper io9/Gizmodo Tauntaun Bucket io9/Gizmodo io9/Gizmodo io9/Gizmodo io9/Gizmodo Fried Chicken Baos io9/Gizmodo Fried Falumpaset Cheese Skewer io9/Gizmodo Loaded Outpost Fries io9/Gizmodo Galactic Gyro Burger io9/Gizmodo Check out this foodie fare and more out at Disneylands Season of the Force, now through May 11. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Two men from Illinois have filed a class-action lawsuit against global smut peddler OnlyFans, after having come to the ego-rupturing realization that the messages they were receiving as a result of their subscriptions may have not actually come from their favorite sex workers. 404 Media originally reported on the litigation, which was filed on behalf of its two plaintiffs, M. Brunner and J. Fry. The lawsuit takes aim at Fenix Internet, LLC and Fenix International Limited, the platforms parent companies, and accuses them of furthering a vast deception against the sites users. Plaintiffs claim that Defendants unlawfully and improperly deceived and defrauded its Fans by allowing third parties to send communications on behalf of Creators in violation of OnlyFans TOS, the suit reads. It also states: Despite the fact that OnlyFans success is built on a promise of direct connections and authentic relationships, OnlyFans knowingly facilitates schemes in which Fans are duped into paying to have personal interactions with Creators that are not authentic at all. These schemes involve the deceptive outsourcing of the job of interacting with Fans, as well as other functions, to third-party management agencies. Gizmodo reached out to OnlyFans for comment. It is a well known fact that many OnlyFans models do not actually talk to their subscribers. Prominent media outlets have covered this phenomenon for years, and I have always assumed that most OF subscribers know this about the business. As Brunner openly admits in the litigation, he subscribed to a model who had hundreds of thousands of followers. Just on the basis of pure common sense, what are the chances that a lady like that has the time, resources, or, more importantly, the will to answer all of her fans messages directly? OnlyFans is also upfront about the potential involvement of third-party firms in customer exchanges. Indeed, the platforms contract between creators and fans states: The Fan acknowledges that third parties may assist Creators in operating their accounts and in Creator Interactions. The implication here seems obvious, but Brunner and Frys lawsuit claims that this contract obfuscates the role that third parties may play in assisting Creators with their content, as the Fan-Creator Contract is nested within the TOS, requires an additional action on behalf of a Fan to view, and is only referenced within the Terms of Use by hyperlink requiring a Fan to visit that page separately to understand its import to the Terms of Use. Roughly translated, the lawsuit appears to be saying that the fact that the contract is on a different webpage than the TOS and, thus, requires the user to click from one page to another, is unreasonable. Yes, how can you be expected to thoroughly read and understand a companys terms of service when youre so hungry for the authentic connections you can have with the starlets advertised on its website? Its a good question, but arguably not really the companys problem.

Following two exciting weeks of nominations, ArchDaily's readers have evaluated over 500 projects and selected 15 finalists for the Building of the Year Award China. Architects and enthusiasts participated in the nomination process, choosing projects that exemplify what it means to push architecture forward. These finalists are the buildings that have inspired ArchDaily readers the most, which also reveal the growing trend of Chinese architecture.

IEIE House / MASA ArchitectsSave this picture! Masao NishikawaArchitects: MASA ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:93 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Masao NishikawaManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Kuraray, Louis Poulsen, AGC Glass Plaza, Daiken, JFE Galvanizing & Coating company, LIXIL, Panasonic, Technos Japan Corporation, Tokushu Kenhan Corporation, Velux Lead Architect: Masayoshi Nakanishi More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. In Japanese, "IEIE" generally means "a row of houses." The house named "IEIE" is for a couple with piano lessons, built in a land readjustment residential area in Urayasu. This is a house in which functions normally located outside the house, such as a piano school and telework, are included within the house. The house is not directly open to the neighborhood, but rather, like most houses, it is closed to the neighborhood, and we attempted to design a space where people can feel the town as our image in the house, and where the image of the town is continuously connected.Save this picture!Save this picture!In a town, in addition to the shape of the house, the streetscape is created by color and light, balconies, windows, and other elements of buildings. Because of their complexity, we do not perceive them individually but only vaguely. We attempted to create such a vague perception of the town as a whole within the "IEIE".Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Specifically, we created a composition in which several house shapes exist within one large house. We tried to create fluctuating phenomena as a whole by having the house shapes perceived uncertainly through the light from the edges and clear lines of sight. Although people live in the house, as if they live in a town. The exterior walls are also covered with horizontal metallic steel sheets, which reflect light from the sky in different ways over time, creating an appearance of shifting shadows on side joints.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The structural plan that small house-shaped frames support large house-shaped frames is designed to accommodate the changing needs of the residents without specifying their lifestyle. Structural walls are placed only on the perimeter and on the sides that form a small house shape so that we acquire a similar cross-section no matter where they are cut. This allows for flexible adaptation if the way people live changes in the future.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on April 01, 2025Cite: "IEIE House / MASA Architects" 01 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028591/ieie-house-masa-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream