Hallucination remains a significant challenge in deploying Large Vision-Language Models (LVLMs), as these models often generate text misaligned with visual inputs. Unlike hallucination in LLMs, which arises from linguistic inconsistencies, LVLMs struggle with cross-modal discrepancies, leading to inaccurate image descriptions or incorrect spatial relationships. These models leverage vision encoders, such as CLIP, alongside pretrained text decoders to map visual information into language. Despite their strong performance in tasks like image captioning, visual question answering, and medical treatment planning, LVLMs remain prone to hallucination, which limits their real-world applicability. The issue stems from various factors, including statistical biases in pretraining, an over-reliance on language priors, and feature learning biases. However, existing research often fails to account for the unique architecture of LVLMs, treating their hallucination mechanisms similarly to those in LLMs despite the distinct role of visual input processing.To mitigate hallucination in LVLMs, researchers have explored both training-based and training-free approaches. Training-based solutions focus on enhancing model alignment with ground truth through additional supervision, but they require extensive datasets and computational resources. In contrast, training-free methods, such as self-feedback correction and auxiliary model integration, have gained popularity due to their efficiency. Some approaches refine the text decoding process to reduce inconsistencies, but these often fail to address hallucination from the visual encoder. As LVLMs evolve, developing targeted solutions that consider visual and textual components will be crucial for improving their robustness and reliability in real-world applications.Researchers from Stanford University investigate the mechanisms behind hallucinations in LVLMs, focusing on the instability of vision encoders and their impact on text decoders. They introduce Visual and Textual Intervention (VTI), a test-time technique stabilizing vision features by modifying latent space representations. Unlike traditional smoothing methods, VTI pre-computes transformation directions from perturbed images and applies them to new queries, reducing hallucinations without extra training costs. Experimental results show that VTI consistently outperforms baseline approaches across multiple benchmarks, emphasizing the importance of vision feature stability in mitigating hallucinations and improving LVLM reliability.LVLMs comprise a vision encoder and a text decoder, where unstable vision features can lead to hallucinations. Researchers identify that perturbations in vision embeddings cause inconsistencies in generated text. To address this, they propose VTI, which pre-computes stable feature shifts using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on perturbed image embeddings. These shifts are then applied to new queries, improving feature stability without additional training. VTI also adjusts text decoder embeddings to reduce hallucinations. Experiments confirm its effectiveness in mitigating hallucinations while maintaining computational efficiency across diverse tasks and datasets.The study evaluates the effectiveness of VTI in mitigating hallucinations in LVLMs. Using 80 COCO image-text pairs, the method generalizes across tasks and datasets. Experiments on POPE, CHAIR, and MMHAL-Bench demonstrate VTIs superiority over baseline methods like OPERA and VCD. Results show that visual intervention stabilizes feature representations while textual intervention enhances image attention. Their combination improves accuracy while maintaining text richness. Additionally, an ablation study on and confirms their impact on reducing hallucinations. VTI effectively addresses multimodal hallucinations without compromising content quality.In conclusion, the study presents VTI as an effective method to mitigate hallucinations in LVLMs. Unlike hallucinations in LLMs, those in LVLMs stem from misalignments between visual inputs and textual outputs, often due to separately pre-trained image encoders and text decoders. VTI stabilizes vision features by adjusting latent space representations during inference, requiring no additional training. Experimental results confirm its superiority over baseline methods in reducing hallucinations while maintaining output quality. These findings emphasize the importance of robust feature representation, paving the way for more accurate and reliable LVLM applications in real-world settings.Check outthe Paper.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our85k+ ML SubReddit. Sana HassanSana Hassan, a consulting intern at Marktechpost and dual-degree student at IIT Madras, is passionate about applying technology and AI to address real-world challenges. With a keen interest in solving practical problems, he brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of AI and real-life solutions.Sana Hassanhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/sana-hassan/A Comprehensive Guide to LLM Routing: Tools and FrameworksSana Hassanhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/sana-hassan/Understanding AI Agent Memory: Building Blocks for Intelligent SystemsSana Hassanhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/sana-hassan/Advancing Medical Reasoning with Reinforcement Learning from Verifiable Rewards (RLVR): Insights from MED-RLVRSana Hassanhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/sana-hassan/Efficient Inference-Time Scaling for Flow Models: Enhancing Sampling Diversity and Compute Allocation

Nintendo has confirmed which OG Nintendo Switch games will have issues running on the new Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches on June 5, 2025.In lists published to the official Nintendo website, the company has revealed which games have "start up issues" on Nintendo Switch 2, and which games can start up but have "some in-game compatibility issues."Perhaps unsurprisingly, there's very little detail at this stage about each individual game's issue most games simply say the problem is "being investigated" but while it's to be expected that some games may struggle to make use of Switch 2's new hardware features, the list does include some surprising titles, including Rocket League, Pizza Tower, Warframe, Fall Guys, and NBA 2K25.PlayInterestingly, Fortnite is also included on the list, but Nintendo also revealed a bespoke Nintendo Switch 2 version is on the way.Here's the full list of Nintendo Switch games with start up issues on Nintendo Switch 2:112 Operator a Boy and His Blob Retro Collection Abyss Memory Fallen Angel and the Path of Magic Aca Neogeo Art of Fighting 2 Aca Neogeo Samurai Shodown IiCa Neogeo the King of Fighters '95 Aca Neogeo the King of Fighters '96Airhead Alchemy GardenAnother Crab'S Treasure Arcade Archives Burger TimeArcade Archives Crime City Arcade Archives Dig Dug Arcade Archives Gradius Iii Arcade Archives New Rally-xArcade Archives Pac-land Arcade Archives Xevious Astral Flux Baron: Fur Is Gonna Fly Batman: the Enemy Within Beyond the Ice Palace Ii Boot Hill Bounties Boot Hill Heroes Botany Manor Bus Simulator 2023: City DriverCats Hidden in Italy Crazy Strike Bowling Ex Dadish 2 Darksiders Genesis Dead by Daylight Death Coming Doom: Eternal BethesdaEggy Party Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist Everdream Valley Untold Tales Everspace Fables Mosaic: Snow White Felix the Cat Final Fantasy Square Enix Fitness BoxingFloor Kids FortniteFramed Collection Gal Guardians: Demon Purge Gang Beasts Gas Guzzlers Extreme Grid Autosport Guns Gore and Cannoli I Got Isekai'D Into a Shmup Inferno 2 Island Flight Simulator Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection Kids Vs Parents Kill La Kill - if Korean Drone Flying Tour Jeju Island-1 Kosmokrats Library of Ruina Little Nightmares Complete Edition Manticore - Galaxy on FireMexican Train Dominoes Gold Monster Loves You Too! Model Debut #Nicola Monster Energy Supercross - the Official Videogame Musynx Nascar Rivals Nba 2k18 Nba 2k25 Nelly Cootalot: the Fowl Fleet Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition Nobody Saves the World Nova-111 Oddworld: Stranger'S Wrath Ok K.O.! Let S Play Heroes Omg Police - Car Chase Tv Simulator Onigo Hunter Palia Perseverance: Complete Edition Pineview Drive Pizza Tower Plants Vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Raiden Iii X Mikado Maniax Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles Rims Racing River City Girls Zero Rocket LeagueRoller ChampionsSaviors of Sapphire Wings / Stranger of Sword City Revisited Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-a-fide Edition Slayin 2 Soul Dog Td South of the CircleSouth Park: the Fractured but WholeSportitions'24 Star Wars Episode I: Racer Aspyr Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Strania -the Stella Machina- Ex Summer Pockets Super Mega Baseball 3 Super Neptunia Rpg Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Taito Milestones the Cube the Jackbox Party Pack the Jackbox Party Pack 2 the Journey Down Trilogy the Talos Principle: Deluxe Edition Touhou Gouyoku Ibun Sunken Fossil WorldTravis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Tricky Towers Trip World Dx Trove Trover Saves the Universe Tt Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 3 Under Night In-birth Exe: Late[Cl-r] Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi V-rally 4 Nacon Warface: Clutch Warframe Warp Shift Kyrkudden Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Wolfenstein Ii: the New Colossus World of Tanks Blitz Xtreme Sports Victor Vran Overkill Edition Senran Kagura Reflexions Star Melody Yumemi DreamerNights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon Assault Suit Leynos 2 Saturn Tribute Process of Elimination Tokyo Xanadu Ex+ Here's the full list of Nintendo Switch games with in-game compatibility issues on Nintendo Switch 2:Alan Wake RemasteredAlien: Isolation Arcade Archives Ordyne Arcade Archives Phelios Arcade Archives Tetris the Absolute the Grand Master 2 Plus Arcade Archives Tetris the Grand Master Asphalt Legends Unite Dadish DexDust: an Elysian Tail Elderand Factorio Fall Guys Family Chess Games Advent Calendar 25 Days 25 Surprises Godlike Burger Harvestella Hitman 3 Cloud Version Hot Wheels Unleashed Just Dance 2019 Klondike Solitaire Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime Matchpoint Tennis Championships Mega Man Legacy Collection Motogp 21 My Brother Rabbit Noir Chronicles: City of Crime Overcooked! All You Can Eat Pocoyo Party Port Royale 4 Raiden Ivmikado Remix Real Car Driving Simulator & Parking 2022 Games S.N.I.P.E.R. Hunter Scope Saints Row Iv: Re Elected Smilebasic 4 Steven Universe: Save the Light Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection Stumble Guys Pilot Sports Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja WarsFailure to Adapt Effectively to Market Trends'You can catch up on everything announced at the Nintendo Direct today right here.Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Sonos doesn't discount its popular speakers very often, so it's a wise investment to jump on a good sale whenever you see one. Right now, both Sonos direct and Amazon are offering one of Sonos' best speakers the Sonos Arc soundbar for only $599 after a hefty $300 off instant discount. This is the lowest price we've seen for the Sonos Arc and beats out last year's Black Friday deal by $100. In fact, this is currently less expensive than a refurbished Sonos Arc SL which isn't even equipped with a microphone for voice assistant functionality.Sonos Arc Soundbar for $599 ($300 Off)Sonos ArcThe Arc is one of Sonos' flagship products and was the best soundbar in its lineup until the recent release of the Arc Ultra, which currently costs $350 more. This is a premium soundbar and it shows. You can't get much better in terms of sound quality from a soundbar, and that's thanks to its chunkier 45" length. There's enough space in there to contain eleven precisely engineered internal speakers, including two dedicated height channels. It's Dolby Atmos ready and the Sonos Arc can easily be synced with other Sonos speakers and subs to add even more room-filling audio. This modularity is one of the main reasons why Sonos is so popular. It has other nifty features, like an ambient light sensor, HDMI eARC, capacitive touch controls, WiFi, and more. The Sonos Arc also has a built-in microphone so it can accept voice commands from Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and more.Looking for more options? Check the best soundbars of 2025, which includes the Arc's big brother, the Arc Ultra.See more soundbars we recommendOur Top PickSAMSUNG Q990DSee it at AmazonBest for BassLG S95TRSee it at AmazonBest Budget OptionVIZIO V-SeriesSee it at AmazonBest Surround Sound ValueVIZIO M-SeriesSee it at AmazonWhy Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Every good stuntman knows that getting knocked down is part of the job. Every time you hit the dirt, youve just got to get back up and keep going. With that in mind, its not too surprising that stuntman Cliff Booth would return for a sequel to Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. What is surprising, however, is how the sequel will come to be.According to Deadline, the makeshift sequelwhich initially began as a screenplay for Tarantinos self-proclaimed final film, which at the time was titled The Film Criticis alive once more after the Pulp Fiction director shelved the project. Furthermore, it still has Brad Pitt attached to star as Booth. And yet, instead of directing it himself, Tarantino is turning the project over to David Fincher.Its an odd twist of fate, but one that at first honestly sounds pretty good. Fincher isnt that similar to Tarantino, but he is an auteur of the same generation and indie 90s background. He will be able to present the material with care, particularly given his decades-long friendship with Pitt. But as Deadline points out, Fincher is currently under exclusive contract with Netflix, which means that the follow-up to Tarantinos love letter to the power of cinema and old New Hollywood will be sandwiched between forgettable Millie Bobby Brown vehicles, watched by people scrolling on their phones and folding their socks. Forever.The project announcement comes just days after Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos pronounced movie theaters dead, the latest in a long line of similar claims. The theatrical box office is down 40 to 50 percent from pre-COVID, and this year is down eight percent already, so the trend is not reversing, said Sarandos. Youve gotta look at that and say, What is the consumer trying to tell you?Theres a logic to Sarandos bean-counting. But five years ago, Once Upon a Time made the exact opposite argument.In one of the movies many transcendent themes, Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) visits a movie house to see herself on screen in the Dean Martin vehicle, The Wrecking Crew (1968). After a delightful prelude in which she gets a ticket taker to snap her photo next to the movies poster, Tate watches the movie with wonder. Its not just that Tate sees herself, revealing a screen talent that shell tragically never fully develop in the real world. Its that shes transported by the magic of cinema, by the gigantic screen, the engrossing music, and the pastel colors.Imagine something similar with a Netflix star. Yeah, this star would still be excited to see her face on a television screen or even her iPhone. But shed have to navigate through the piles of other slush Netflix put out that week. Shed watch herself, at best, on a 55-65 TV, maybe in 4K if her internet connection holds up. But then it would be done. And before the credits could roll, giving her a chance to revel in the experience, trailers would pop up and urge her to choose her next watch, Is It Cake? or Nailed It!The power of the Tate sequences only grow stronger over time, as the movies supporting cast has turned into the next-gen stars of today. Once Upon a Time features early performances from actors who are now household names, including Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney, Mikey Madison, and Margaret Qualley. While old stars like Bruce Dern huddle under a blanket, these young luminaries move forward, carrying on the cinematic tradition.Once Upon a Time may end in an alternative reality where Cliff and his pal Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) thwart the Manson Family before they can kill Sharon Tate, but the success of these young stars proves that her spirit lives on in talented performers who can continue the magic of the movies.Or at least they could, provided they can still do movies. After all, the primary arc of Once Upon a Time involves Dalton contemplating his future. No longer an A-list talent, Dalton fears that if he lets go of his Hollywood home while making Italian pictures, hell lose his status forever. Instead he makes the transition to TV, playing the heavy who gets beat-up by up-and-comers in series such as Bounty Law.As a sophisticated look at stardom, Once Upon a Time isnt so simplistic that it says that movies are good and TV is bad. After all, Rick gives the best acting young Trudi (played by Julia Butters, another up-and-comer) has ever seen in the pilot for the largely forgotten TV Western, Lancer. Yet the fact that the movie presents a fantasy in which Sharon Tate lives, countering the Mansons claim that movies taught them to kill, the fact that Rick takes an Italian movie role instead of continuing television, suggests that the film has far more respect for the big screen instead of the small screen.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!All of which makes the sequels Netflix fate disappointingespecially after Tarantino railed fairly recently about the death of the theatrical experience Netflix is championing. Fincher and other greats have made fantastic movies released by Netflix: The Irishman from director Martin Scorsese, Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach, Hit Man by Richard Linklater, and Finchers own The Killer. But in each and every one of these cases, Netflix diminished and did not help the film, often getting it buried and, with the exception of The Irishman, deprived of a physical media release.Once Upon a Time In Hollywood believed in the beauty and power of cinema. Netflix believes in the numbers generated by constant distraction. If Once Upon a Times sequel goes to straight to stream, its hard to believe that Netflix isnt right and Tarantinos wrong. The movies are dead, replaced by endless, unremarkable streaming.

As a prequel to The Original Series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds squeezes a lot of references to that groundbreaking show in its season three trailer. We get to see Paul Wesleys Kirk toast Martin Quinns Scotty. The teams holodeck mystery feels closer to the gangsters of A Piece of the Action than they do the gumshoe Dixon Hill in The Next Generation. We even see Jess Bushs Chapel and Melissa Navias Ortegas in 1960s style costumes and hairdos.But the most shocking nod appears for just a split second. For one brief moment, Rhys Darby of Flight of the Conchords fame appears on screen and snaps his fingers. And as excited as we are whenever Darby is present, the more notable thing is the way he looks. Darbys character has long sideburns and a Victorian coat. More importantly, he looks like something reality-changing is going to happen when he snaps.Weve known for a while that Darby would join Strange New Worlds in season three. Furthermore, producer Henry Alonso Myers teased at a convention that Darby would play a very familiar character.There had been some speculation that he would play another member of the TOS crew, but the teaser essentially confirms it. Hes playing Trelane, the mischievous godlike being who troubles the Enterprise crew in the classic episode The Squire of Gothos.But is he actually Trelane? Yeah, his clothes and hairstyle are similar to the Trelane we saw there, but Darby doesnt actually look that much like William Campbell, who portrayed the character first. Sure, weve seen some differences in look and style of characters between their original and recent incarnations. Rainn Wilson sported brown hair and more traditional facial hair when he took over for Roger C. Carmel as Harry Mudd in Discovery, Celia Rose Gooding changes the hairstyle of their Uhura more than Nichelle Nichols ever did, and Martin Quinn is Scottish while James Doohan is not.So, sure, he might be playing Trelane with a slightly different look, something thats not out of the question for someone so powerful. But he might also be playing someone who is similar to Trelane, something that has huge implications for Star Trek in general.Trelane may have only appeared in on TOS episode, but there was a character with the same personality and power set who debuted in TNG. The pilot episode Encounter at Farpoint introduces John de Lancie as Q, a trickster god who tests the Enterprise-D and then returns to annoy Jean-Luc Picard and other captains time and again.Q describes himself as just one manifestation of an entire Q collective, and we do see other members from time to time throughout the franchise. But as much as Q has in common to Trelane, no series has ever made the connection canonically explicit. Sure, there was the delightful Peter David novel Q-Squared from 1994. And sure, a line from Mariner in the Lower Decks/Strange New World crossover episode Those Old Scientists suggested that they were the same. But given that Trelane has never reappeared in canon, the question remains open.Now, Strange New Worlds has a chance to change that. By bringing in the actual Trelane, or at least someone who looks a lot like him, were bound to learn more about him and his species. Add in the fact that season three will also explore the early days of holodeck technology, another Trek standard introduced in TNG, and we can expect to finally learn about this The Original Series and The Next Generation connection.Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season three premieres this summer on Paramount+.

SummaryVerdansk has been meticulously reconstructed to provide an amazing Battle Royale experience for up to 150 players.This Battle Royale experience contains adjusted movement mechanics paired with the signature gameplay from the original Call of Duty: Warzone.Season 03 of Call of Duty: Warzone drops on April 3, 2025.This is something special. See, I didnt get acquainted with Call of Duty: Warzone until recently, so I missed out on the initial launch of Verdansk back in March 2020, an iconic Battle Royale map that was released at a time when so many of us needed a place to play together online. For many of you, this is a return home to where it all started. But for those of us, like me, who may have missed out on it the first time, we can rejoin the fray and discover what makes this map so special for so many people when it launches as part of Season 03 of Call of Duty: Warzone on April 3, 2025.So, for us newcomers who are coming at this new map for the first time, Ill cover some of the key things you need to know about Verdansk, the modes you can expect to play, iconic locations we should check out, and a deep dive into some of the new quality of life features that will be rolling out with Season 03.Whats the Big Deal?The iconic Verdansk map is back and has been meticulously reconstructed to provide an amazing Battle Royale experience for up to 150 players, mixing the iconic gunplay of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, adjusted movement mechanics, and the captivating, signature Warzone gameplay weve come to know and love.Consulting the official Call of Duty Blog, some key areas newcomers should get acquainted with early on include the Lumber, Military Base, and the Train Station. Thats due to their sheer variety of engagement opportunities, like navigating through the maze of barracks looking for loot, hiding between pallets of timber, or battling across sky bridges above train tracks; these all sound like key areas we should check out to get a feel for Verdansks variety. You can find a full breakdown on many of the POIs here along with some suggested approaches to each of these key zones.Im sure my first couple of forays into these zones is going to be a challenge many returning players likely have their favorite nooks and crannies on lockdown. But Verdansk was highly regarded for a reason. Even if I may stumble my first time exploring Train Station or Lumber, you can bet Im going to be looking for ways to establish my own foothold in these new areas on repeated visits.The official Call of Duty Blog also highlights that popular fan-favorite hot-drops will return, including the top ofDam, the roof of Hospital, the Superstore, and the remote Karst River Quarry. Were told these are key spots to hit up if youre looking to quickly get into battle and it feels like this is likely to be the case again might be worth prioritizing these areas on your first drops into Verdansk if youre looking for a fight. Personally, Im a bit more cautious. You can find me looting on the outskirts avoiding these areas, at least until Ive built up some confidence in the maps layout. Check out the interactive Call of Duty: Warzone Tac-Map on CallofDuty.com to investigate these areas further.There has also been fine tuning to bring movement more in line with what players experienced in the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone. Season 03 will fine-tune player movement by slightly scaling back some of the speed increases introduced with Black Ops 6s Omnimovement system, bringing it more in line with the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone.Well also get access to the Heli along with four ground vehicles Cargo Truck, Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV), Polaris RZR Pro R 4, and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rebalanced in the spirit of the original iteration, with more rapid acceleration and handling. Alongside that, Circle Collapse mechanics (seeing a creeping cloud of acrid gas) will feature Loadout Drops at the second and fifth circles, like the original.A Retro RefreshIf youre wondering why all the loot is floating above ground dont worry, thats completely normal. Floating loot makes a return to Warzone in what is being deemed as a retro refresh of how it initially behaved. Also, Lethal and Tactical Equipment have been adjusted to be closer to what was formerly available. Heres a breakdown:Field Upgrades: Munitions Box, Heartbeat Sensor, Deployable Cover, P.D.S. (Decontamination Station), Trophy System, Loadout Drop Marker (Grenade and Crate), Armor Box, , Recon Drone.Killstreaks: UAV, Advanced UAV, Precision Airstrike, Cluster Strike, Bunker Buster.Equipment: Flash Bang, Smoke Grenade, Concussion Grenade, Decoy Grenade, Snapshot Grenade, Stim, Frag Grenade, Semtex Grenade, C4, Spring Mine, Molotov, Throwing Knife, Combat Axe.You can look forward to additional content becoming available within these equipment types at mid-season and across future seasons as well. Get a full rundown on all the equipment here on CallofDuty.com.Attend BootcampNewer players can check out an updated version of Call of Duty: Warzone Bootcamp to refine their skills across Verdansk. While waiting for your squad to assemble or if you want to earn some quick XP by completing missions and earning rewards drop into a Resurgence-sized section of the map, like the Karst River Quarry, and take down bots of varying skill levels.Progression is limited in this mode (results will not count against your stats) but expect to receive about half of the normal XP compared to standard Battle Royale. This is definitely an area Im looking forward to checking out myself once Verdansk drops on April 3. Getting a feel for some of its key zones, and taking out some bots to build my confidence, seems like the perfect way to be introduced to this map and collecting a bit of XP and earning rewards along the way is a nice bonus. You can get more details on Bootcamp here.New Game ModesNot everything old is new again there is some new stuff coming in Season 03 for all types of players, with a wide variety of new Game Modes.Battle Royale Casual: This mode has 148 players, including 28 humans and 120 bots, ideal for warming up, or a less intense experience.Battle Royale Ranked Play: Available mid-season, this competitive mode lets 150 players in trios showcase their skills and earn rewards.Plunder Quads: This mode includes 100 players in 20-minute matches. The objective is to collect the highest amount of in-game money.Call of Duty: Warzone Bootcamp: This training mode includes 44 players, comprised of 12 humans and 32 bots, in 15-minute matches. It is intended to assist newer players or those seeking to improve their skills.Resurgence: This mode will be available on Rebirth Island during the launch window and includes 44 players in 15-minute matches. The objective is to survive and redeploy fallen teammates.Look for mid-season to introduce additional modes, including the LTM: High Trip with resurgence potential, a special narrator on comms, and gameplay boosts. Full details can be found here on CallofDuty.com.Additional Quality of Life Improvements for All PlayersSeason 03 isnt just about the return to Verdansk, although that is a big part of it. There will also be several additional gameplay enhancements coming to the game. Check out the Call of Duty: Warzone Patch Notes for more information on these and other improvements.Squad Redeploy at Buy Stations: Got multiple Squadmates ready to return but only a moment to buy them back? Select Redeploy All at the Buy Station to bring everyone back with sufficient funds. If short on cash, choose specific players to rejoin the match.Weapon Inspect to View Attachments: When you acquire a weapon from ground loot, a fallen enemy, or a Loadout Drop, you can now view a list of the attached Attachments at any time by inspecting it. During the inspection, the icon and name of each Attachment are displayed in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This feature can be toggled on or off in the Settings > Interface > Gameplay HUD Menu.Prioritize Favorite Loadout in Gunsmith: Once you have completed your preferred Loadout in the Call of Duty: Warzone Gunsmith and designated it as Favorite within the Loadout Options, the selected Loadout will be prioritized and positioned at the top of the list.Tac Map Zoom and Centering Settings: The new Tac-Map settings under Map Assist provide various control options: Auto Zoom & Center, Auto Center, Zoom & Center Once, Center Once, and Off. These options offer you different ways to manage your map during the match.Detailed Death Recap Widget: When youre eliminated in a match, you see your opponent and a brief HUD message about how they defeated you. The Death Recap will now include more details on gameplay elements used by the attacker. Current and new recaps cover:Throughout the season, this feature will roll out additional gameplay tracking elements, helping you better understand how you were defeated in combat and prepare for your next encounter.List of attackers with their name, weapon, damage and hits (this appears currently in Call of Duty: Warzone).Affected by Live Ping: If the enemy had you pinged via line-of-sight.Affected by UAV: If the enemy had you pinged in the minimap via a UAV, UAV Tower (if available), or Advanced UAV.Affected by Unsuppressed Weapon: If firing your weapon revealed your location on the minimap to nearby enemies.Updated Squad Widget (Field Upgrades): In Duos, Trios, or Quads, quickly check the Squad Widget in the bottom-left HUD to see your teammates Armor Plates, Gas Mask, Killstreak, and Field Upgrade (or a white dot if none) this will be more efficient than asking over comms.Ping Duration Settings: You can now control how long pings stay on your screen, with options to make them disappear quickly or remain longer.Play the Return to Verdansk EventOn April 3, 2025, you can unlock free rewards in the Return to Verdansk Event that include the infamous Kali Sticks Melee Weapon, and if youre lucky you can potentially unlock a special Verdansk-themed Operator Skin for Caine as the ultimate reward! Learn more here.There will be six weapons available to unlock within Season 03 including the Kali Sticks as new players lets be sure to check out additional Verdansk-era originals: the Kilo 141 Assault Rifle (Call of Duty: Warzone download & launch reward), CR-56 AMAX Assault Rifle (Battle Pass Reward), and the HDR Sniper Rifle (Battle Pass Reward).All-up, there will be a variety of quality-of-life updates for Call of Duty: Warzone like Squad Redeploys at Buy Stations, attachment descriptions at Weapon Inspects, detailed Death recaps, and later in the season, a HUD flag so you know when your Loadout is available to buy. Naturally, there are plenty more revelations, Easter Eggs, and hidden clues to uncover that will be fun for newcomers and veterans alike in Verdansk once it launches April 3, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Battle.net, and with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).Call of Duty: WarzoneActivision Publishing Inc.1876Get it nowWelcome to Call of Duty: Warzone, the massive free-to-play combat arena. Experience thrilling modes & new gameplay features in Area 99, Urzikstan and Rebirth Island.Turn the Heat UpWelcome to Area 99. This fast-paced and frenetic Resurgence map is ready for nuclear-powered action.Prepare to take the battle to a massive metropolis in Urzikstan, the Battle Royale map. Or jump into the fan favorite Resurgence map, Rebirth Island. No matter where you land, these locales are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.Loot For RewardsDiscover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty: Warzone. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty: Warzone.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2025 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY WARZONE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2025 Id Software, Inc.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Vault EditionActivision Publishing Inc.200$99.99$79.99Get it nowThe Vault Edition includes: Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the game BlackCell (1 Season)* Includes: Battle Pass, 20 Tier Skips, 1,100 CP and more Hunters vs. Hunted Operator Pack 4 Operator Skins: Adler, Park, Brutus and Klaus Mastercraft Collection 5 Mastercraft Weapons Woods Operator Pack Includes 3 Operator Skins GobbleGum Pack for Zombies 12 GobbleGums of high rarities Reflect 115 Camo Pack for use in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone** Unlock the Reflect 115 Weapon Camo. Plus, get access to 9 acquisitions for Modern Warfare ZombiesForced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps. With additional content still to come, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.*Battle Pass / BlackCell redemption applies to one Season of Black Ops 6 Battle Pass only.**Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III or Call of Duty: Warzone on Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S required to redeem. Sold / downloaded separately. Must be redeemed by October 25th, 2025.Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE and MODERN WARFARE are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Cross-Gen BundleActivision Publishing Inc.707$69.99$55.99Get it nowXbox Game PassIncludes: Cross Gen Bundle of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S versions of the gameForced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early 90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.The Black Ops 6 Campaign provides dynamic moment-to-moment gameplay that includes a variety of play spaces with blockbuster set pieces and action-packed moments, high-stakes heists, and cloak-and-dagger spy activity.In a best-in-class Multiplayer experience, players will test their skills across 16 new maps, including 12 core 6v6 maps and 4 Strike maps that can be played 2v2 or 6v6.Black Ops 6 also marks the epic return of Round-Based Zombies, the fan-favorite mode where players will take down hordes of the undead in two brand-new maps. With additional content still to come, players can look forward to even more exciting maps and groundbreaking experiences dropping into both Multiplayer and Zombies.Activision may modify or discontinue online service in the future, which may impact the continued availability of online gameplay. Online services may be discontinued due to factors including number of players.Additional storage space may be required for mandatory game updates.For more information, please visit www.callofduty.com. 2024 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY and CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. This product contains software technology licensed from Id Software ('Id Technology'). Id Technology 1999-2024 Id Software, Inc.

In The Fog, a Ghouls power is to be feared, but also to be respected. They can traverse great distances in the blink of an eye. They can tear flesh apart, devouring it with a gluttonous appetite. They can strike quickly, leaving deep gashes and emotional anguish.Some might say they are the ultimate killers especially when they fully embrace their dark nature. Upon being tortured beyond comprehension by a sinister Ghoul named Jason, Ken Kaneki did exactly that. Escaping with newfound power awaken by his most primal impulses, he soon found himself engulfed by black FogA Ghoul UnleashedNow trapped in an endless cycle of Trials and twisted by The Entity, its safe to say the Ken Kaneki you once knew is gone. In his place stands The Ghoul, a masked nightmare as cruel and cunning as the captor who once placed a centipede in his ear. Any Survivor in his path will face the full might of the Kagune a Power brought to life by Dead by Daylights Principal Game Designer Janick Neveu and his team.While his personality is different, it was important for players to feel like theyre playing the Kaneki they know from the series, explains Neveu. The surreal existence of his tentacles are such an integral part of the character, so we knew right away that they would form the basis of his Power.The team recognized that the Kagune tentacles could be utilized for mobility, which immediately proved appealing. High-mobility Killers are quite popular, so we knew expectation would be high, continues Neveu. We paid close attention to make sure that the gameplay felt fresh, fun, and fair for both sides, as these types of Killers can feel oppressive.Despite the inherent potential of a high-mobility Killer, the design team wanted The Ghoul to be accessible to new players, so fans of the series coming to Dead by Daylight for the first time could have a familiar face to try out. Hes simple to use and hard to master, explains Neveu. Our last few Chapters featured complex Killers with advanced learning curves, but The Ghoul is much easier to pick up and play. Of course, theres a high skill ceiling for our veteran players, with plenty of depth to discover.All The RageSome of that depth comes through Kanekis Enraged Mode, a special ability that really lets players unleash their true power. While in Enraged Mode, Kanekis tentacles become momentarily stronger, explains Neveu. If you successfully hit a Survivor with your final lunge, you will injure them with a Deep Wound and become Enraged. While Enraged, youll gain an additional lunge, and if you manage to connect to a Survivor, your follow-up Vault will be even faster. Gaining a key benefit from attacking a Survivor helps adds a fun strategic element to The Ghouls gameplay.With a versatile Power and three unique Perks (Hex: Nothing But Misery, Forever Entwined, None Are Free) that incentivize spreading pressure, Ken Kaneki will feel like hes everywhere at once.Experience this terrifying take on Ken Kaneki with Dead by Daylight: Tokyo Ghoul, hitting Xbox today.

The start of spring is a great time to start a new landscaping projectbefore all you want to do is lie out in the sun instead of working in it. While there are plenty of outdoor additions that'll amp up your curb appeal, water features might be our favorite. Water featuresthink fountains, ponds, and even outdoor showersadd a serene, calming mood to your space. No matter what your yard currently looks like, there are elegant water features that'll fit right into your space and elevate it in the process. Whether you're adding one to your patio, garden, or backyard, there's something for everyone. For example, in a cottagecore fairy garden, consider putting in a wishing well and some bird baths. If you're going for a zen garden look, a serene koi pond is a must. These 17 water feature ideas below range from simple DIYs to large professional projects, so outdoor spacesand budgetsof all kinds can find their perfect match. Make a splash in your backyard with these relaxing water features.Additional copy by Nikhita Mahtani.More beautiful outdoor inspiration:1Spa PoolKatie CharlotteA spa pool is a shallow part of a larger swimming pool that may be designed to appear separate from the main body of water. We love that this water feature ups the versatility of a normal swimming poolthe shallower depth is perfect for just dipping a toe in. This serene spa pool is located just outside of a Cortney Bishopdesigned home in Charleston. Tour the Entire Home2"Natural" Swimming PoolJoseph KrammIf you're not ready for a real natural swimming pool (one that uses a biological filter, plants, and pumps to clean the water instead of chlorine), you can opt for a "natural" swimming pool instead. In this backyard by OAD Interiors, this water feature takes on an organic shape and is surrounded by native plants, allowing nature to take center stage. Tour the Entire HomeRelated Story: Natural Swimming Pools Are the Most Stylish Way to Cool OffAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Outdoor ShowerJohn MerklDoes an outdoor shower count as a water feature? We're going to say yes, because it adds a spa-like feel to your yard and increases your resale value. This one by designer Sheldon Harte is quite sizable with a more bohemian aesthetic, but you can design yours to coordinate with your home's style.Tour the Entire HomeRelated Story: 11 Design Features That Make a Home Sell for More, According to a Real Estate Expert4Shishi-Odoshima-no//Getty ImagesThis Japanese water feature translates to "deer-frightening" because it does just that: It scares away wildlife with the sound of water. While you'll love the ambience it provides, it'll helpfully keep plant-eating menaces like deer and rabbits at bay.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Outdoor TubAlfian Widiantono//Getty ImagesAn outdoor tub is the ultimate place to relax. This water feature is probably one you would only use occasionally (when the weather is perfect), but with the right design, it can transform your backyard into a resort spa.6Regular Swimming Poolivanastar//Getty ImagesThis water feature may be a somewhat obvious choice, but how can you go wrong with a swimming pool? Youll be able to take a dip in it at any time for a mental reset, and if you have kids, itll keep them occupied for hours on end. You can also outfit it any way you want, from picking the tiles you desire to playing around with the shape. Related Story: You Can Deduct a New Swimming Pool From Your TaxesHeres HowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Statue Fountainpink_cotton_candy//Getty ImagesBring some European flair into your backyard design scheme with a statue fountain. Depending on its size, you could nestle it in among your flowers or make it a statement piece right at the center of your outdoor space. There are many different design options you can take, from cute cherubs to Greek-inspired goddesses, so it simply depends on the vibe youre going for.8Water Wallgmc3101//Getty ImagesA water wall is a feature that's perfect for minimalists. Simple yet chic, you can watch water flowing down the exterior and have a meditative moment.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Bird BathBarbara Rich//Getty ImagesIf you love the idea of having a gorgeous water feature in your backyard but dont want to hook up a fountain pump, look no further: A bird bath is a low-key option that youll only have to replace with clean water about every two to four days. Itll help attract feathered friends to your space, too.10Koi PondBasieB//Getty ImagesThis one is for the truly dedicated, but the finished product is well worth it. Koi ponds provide hours of entertainment watching fish swim around. These water features are vibrant conversation-starters, and you can even add different plant options to them, like water lilies and begonias, for a more varied feel.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Bubbling FountainJacky Parker Photography//Getty ImagesBubbling fountains are great water features for those with tiny yards. You can choose a small one in any material or shape that suits your space and enjoy the soothing sound anytime you want.12StreamCharlotte Bleijenberg//Getty ImagesIf you are lucky enough to already have a stream flowing through your backyard, make it more of a focal point by keeping the landscaping and plant life around it clean and well-maintained.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13WaterfallJaclyn Vernace//Getty ImagesIf your backyard has sloped or uneven features, a waterfall is a great way to use that to your advantage. Adding some natural stones or plants will help draw attention to it and make it look like a part of the natural landscape.Related Story: 21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks, Stone, and Mulch14Water WalkwaySunphol Sorakul//Getty ImagesInstead of leapfrogging from one end of your pool to the other, construct a water walkway for a seamless path. Even if it's more for looks than anything else, it'll bring a unique, whimsical vibe to a pond or fountain. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Wishing WellKevin Schafer//Getty ImagesIf youre a fan of rustic, country-cottageinspired styles, you really cant go wrong with a wishing well. It lends a certain storybook charm to an outdoor areaand it doesn't have to be functional! You might even use this structure to cover up a feature of your backyard that you don't like.Related Story: 22 Cottage-Style Homes That'll Transport You to the English Countryside16Wall FountainSuresh Siriwardane//Getty ImagesWall fountains are a much bolder statement for a backyard than a statue or bubbling fountain since they usually tend to be much more dramatic in size and structure. By using high-quality materials like granite or marble, youll be able to bring an upscale feel to your backyard with ease.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Stone PondFar700//Getty ImagesA small, standalone pond is an easy way to bring nature into your backyard, especially if you're not ready to commit to a massive water feature just yet. You can even do this yourself with a simple home kit, and in time, youll be able to see your pond become a thriving water ecosystem in its own right. And who knows? By that time, you might just be ready to add a waterfall or fountain into the mix.

Its an exciting day for beta software releases, as Apple has just shipped developer beta 1 for tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5, HomePod 18.5, and more.New batch of betas rolling out, including tvOS 18.5 and moreIts been a big week for Apple software. Not long after shipping major new updates like iOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, visionOS 2.4, and more, Apple now has a new slate of beta releases available.Were officially in the x.5 beta territory, with new developer versions of visionOS 2.5, tvOS 18.5, HomePod 18.5, and more.Currently, new features and changes across these betas are completely unknown.Sometimes rumors help inform what we should expect from new software releases. But this time, theres been nothing on that front. There arent big previously announced features for these platforms that could potentially be included either.Apple did announce a special Apple TV+ screensaver for tvOS 18, but references to that were later removed from the companys website around the time the Snoopy screensaver debuted.Since were starting to get relatively close to WWDC and its big unveiling of iOS 19 and more, its possible this beta cycle will be light on new additions.In any case, well install the new betas and report back on any changes and features we discover.Have you installed beta 1 of tvOS 18.5 or any of the other updates? Let us know of changes you find via the comments.Best accessories for Vision Pro, Apple TV 4K, WatchAdd 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

Hot off the heels of releasing iOS 18.4 to everyone, Apple has pushed out the first developer beta version of its next big point update. iOS 18.5 beta 1 is now available to developer beta testers. Well dig in to learn whats new and report back so stay tuned.Whats new in iOS 18.5?iOS 18.5 isnt expected to include any major new features. Thats because iOS 19 development is well underway internally, and Apple has shipped nearly all of its promised features for the iOS 18 cycle.However, last years iOS 17.5 software update did include a few surprises with News+ game additions and cross-platform tracking detection for AirTag-like products.Spot anything new in iOS 18.5 beta 1? Send tips to tips@9to5mac.com. Well also post a roundup of everything new in iOS 18.5 beta 1 assuming the software release has any new features or changes.For a recap at whats new in the recently released iOS 18.4 update, read our coverage here.Best Apple accessoriesFollow Zac Hall on X, and listen to Runtime with co-host Sophia Tung on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.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