The results of searching the family tree of the woolly mammoth have been surprising; it turns out the beasts we most closely associate with the Ice Age emerged not from a linear lineage, but a relatively complex web of genetic diversity.A study examining 34 mammoth mitochondrial genomes, with specimens spanning a million years, gives us a glimpse of mammoth evolution. Mitochondrial DNA is a circular strand found in each cell’s powerhouse. It helps researchers trace lineage on the maternal side and is useful to paleontologists because it resists breaking down, unlike less hardy genetic material.Researchers studied mammoth mitochondrial DNA from as far back as 1.3 million years, with the most recent based on genetic material from a relatively recent mammoth from about 125,000 years ago. The study, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, describes mammoth evolutionary history over a million years.Genetic Diversity of the Woolly Mammoth“Our analyses provide an unprecedented glimpse into how major deep-time demographic events might have shaped the genetic diversity of mammoths through time," J. Camilo Chacón-Duque, a researcher at Stockholm University and an author of the study, said in a press release.Although biodiversity likely evolved over the past 2.5 million years, very few DNA samples older than 100,000 years have been preserved well enough to study. That gives scientists the equivalent of one short scene to watch from a long-running television series.Recovering DNA from mammoths as old as a million years, analyzing it, then comparing it to 200 previously published mammoth mitogenomes essentially gives researchers a pretty good sample of scenes over its entire run.Major Demographic ShiftsThe analysis showed that genetic changes in mammoth genomes matched well with major demographic shifts that occurred during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. The study supports an ancient Siberian origin for major mammoth lineages. And the article discusses how shifts in mammoth population in different parts of the world might have resulted in a variety of mammoth genomic subtypes.For instance, the team identified the oldest known mammoth DNA in North America, dating back 200,000 years from a specimen found in the Yukon Territory of Canada. And the research confirms previous work showing that mammoths from around a million years ago are vastly different than the most recent version of the creatures.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Molecular Biology and Evolution. A Million Years of Mammoth Mitogenome EvolutionBefore joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Sony’s ULT POWER SOUND debuted in April 2024—a redesigned, rebranded line of portable Bluetooth speakers replacing the Extra Bass series and its alphanumeric nonsense. Let’s be honest: Are you more excited to tell your friends about your awesome new SRS-XB100 or the ULT FIELD 1? But that wasn’t the only abandoned nomenclature.  The refresh also marked the end of the MEGA BASS era, which boosted low frequencies and lifted spirits since appearing in the Walkman in the 1980s. In its place came the ULT button as a means to access deep, dynamic levels of bass. But is this the ULTimate upgrade to what were already highly recommendable portable party speakers? That’s the question Sony set out to answer when they invited us to New York’s “For The Music” event in mid-March to preview the latest additions to the lineup—the ULT FIELD 3, ULT FIELD 5, and ULT Tower 9—then gave us early access to try products at home. These are our first impressions.  The first thing that draws your eye to the speakers is the logo—an opalescent SONY stamped on a solid black, off-white, or forest gray background, depending on the speaker. The shimmering silver block letters aren’t subtle in the light, but they’re also not garish; it’s an iridescent reminder of product heritage that was absent from the previous generation. It’s also a nod to the prismatic ambient illumination that is another signature built into the ULT FIELD 5 and ULT Tower 9 (the smaller ULT FIELD 3, to the left above, doesn’t feature LED accents). Before you even turn them on, however, the $199 ULT FIELD 3 and $329 ULT FIELD 5 speakers stand out by not trying so hard to stand out. Unlike the pentagonal and cylindrical form factors of the speakers they replace, these are rectangles with rounded-off edges—oblong and relatively restrained. You could sling these over your shoulder—and, thanks to a removable strap, you can sling these over your shoulder—and not worry about any strange looks. (The ULT Tower 9 is a different stylistic beast—one we’ll get to in good time.) What is striking about the speakers is the sound, which is anything but reserved, particularly in the ULT FIELD 5. Whereas the mono ULT FIELD 3 features one woofer and one tweeter, flanked by two passive radiators, the ULT FIELD 5 expands that array to include two tweeters, with larger drivers throughout. This differs from the dual-racetrack woofer configuration in the SRS-XG300 that the ULT FIELD 5 replaces and that we still have for comparison (seen to the left below). Yet, the end result is a significant step up in terms of clarity and sound pressure. The ULT FIELD 5 can’t get as loud as the step-up ULT FIELD 7, but you still get a solid soundstage in an easily transported body. Connected wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.2 (offering LDAC HD audio for Android, while iPhone’s get AAC), it’s immediately noticeable even without ULT engaged that the slightly muffled character of the SRS-XG300 has been addressed. But it’s particularly audible on ULT1 mode, which is undoubtedly bright but still tight, sculpted in a way that’s not sacrificing the midrange at low to medium volume. Sit far enough back and there is a modicum of channel separation, but not true stereo effects. Of course, you’re buying this speaker for its bass-forward attitude more than its discrete details aptitude. Still, you have to push it pretty far for compression artifacts to overwhelm the surprisingly nimble layering, though you can boost any portable wireless speaker to brittleness if you try. Better to keep things at a reasonable listening level and use the Sony Sound Connect app, which features a 10-band EQ if you want more or less of a specific frequency.   Maybe it’s the available excursion for the 79 mm x 107 mm woofer … the 8-pound ULT FIELD 5 is a little more of a thicc boi than the concave, barrel-shaped SRS-XG300 … but there’s good speed and precision to the bass. Moving to ULT2, you’ll want more distance from the speaker as it’s a sharper V-shape all about prioritizing punch—imaginative energy well-suited for outdoor activities rather than more relaxed listening. And the outdoors is a natural habitat for the ULT FIELD 5. With its IP67 rating—that’s waterproof and dustproof—and up to 25 hours battery life (with party lighting off, closer to 10 when on), the speaker gets a party going wherever you’re going. You can even link multiple speakers to play simultaneously with the touch of a Connect button (or configure a real stereo pair within the app). And the USB-C port found behind a rubber hatch can not only power the speaker but also charge external devices like smartphones, so the playlists never end.  Of course, if it’s sheer output you’re truly after, it’s the ULT Tower 9 you’ll want. And if it’s the ULT Tower 9 you want, understanding neighbors is what you’ll need. With its sizeable central woofer and down-firing bass port, this speaker is seismic. Joining that X-Balanced 320 mm x 320 mm diaphragm are two front-facing tweeters stacked on top of two midrange woofers, with an additional two angled tweeters positioned in the upper rear corners for “360° Party Sound”—providing more dispersion, sure, but don’t expect spatial audio in the surround sound sense. This speaker is all about genuine physical force. It’s also a physical presence. Standing almost 3 feet tall (waist height on my 5’6” frame) and equipped with 23 multi-color sound-reactive LED party lights, the ULT Tower 9 makes itself known before you even hit play. There’s a handle at the top and newly widened wheels to make moving the almost 70-pound speaker around easier, but the ULT Tower 9 feels suited more for a permanent corner and maybe a short journey to the patio than it does toss me in the trunk, I’m DFW. Reinforcing that impression is the fact that while the top touchpanel controls are IP67, the speaker’s body is only rated IPX4—so just a bit splashproof. And the fact that there is a $749 AC-wired version, while the battery-powered edition costs an additional $150 (battery life is the same 25H/10H lights on/off split as the ULT FIELD 5). And you definitely don’t have to see it to know it’s there. I knew it was loud, but the vibrations I felt the first time I played a song still caught me off guard. I quickly had to turn down the volume from what I thought was already a low level because the sub-bass was running rampant. Anything close to halfway indoors and you’re in rearrange-the-wall-art/visit-the-audiologist territory. That’s before you get all the way to ULT2 (as with the ULT FIELD 5, I didn’t feel a need to push the low-pass beyond ULT1 to avoid over-powering the midrange). And if there is a specific curve you want to carve beyond the default dynamics, there is that 10-band app-based EQ.  As for the overall sound signature, the ULT Tower 9 can be pushed hard but still holds its composure. It’s going to accentuate all the bass in a track, but rich mids and crisp highs keep it in check. At higher volumes, the DSP can compress the mids, but the chances you’re anywhere you can achieve those levels is slim to none. The gently titled transducers offer some perceivable stereo separation, but you’ll want to pair two towers if you truly care about L/R channels; at that point, however, you’re within the price range of proper floorstanding speakers, so … With its programmable lights and multiple inputs—Bluetooth 5.2 SBC/AAC/LDAC, sure, but also MIC1 and MIC2/GUITAR quarter-inch inputs—it’s obvious the ULT Tower 9 is intended to be a social centerpiece. Set up a DJ, a singer/songwriter performance, or some killer karaoke. That last option is assisted by the new $149 ULT MIC package (sold separately), which consists of a shockproof battery-powered microphone and a wireless transponder you plug into one of those jacks. And this is obviously one of the main hooks of the ULT Tower 9, seeing as the speaker body has two pop-out mic holders and the top panel features Echo and Key Control features. Two mics can even be set to Duet Assist, matching the gain as needed if one person has a softer singing style than the other. As for the ULT Tower 9’s final, well, party trick, it has a back panel with USB-A for charging portable devices, an optical port, and 3.5mm audio in. This means you could, if you choose, plug in a turntable with a built-in preamp, or connect the speaker to a compatible TV. That final option even has a dedicated TV Sound Booster Mode, which turns off the front drivers and uses those rear tweeters to bounce audio off the wall, anchoring it more directly to the screen (this assumes your speaker sits next to the TV). The new generation of Sony’s speakers embody that can-do kando spirit no matter the space and lifestyle they fit in, bringing intense excitement whether you’re gearing up for al fresco atmosphere or a couch concert. The ULT FIELD 3 is available now with a suggested retail price of $199.99. The ULT FIELD 5 is available now with a suggested retail price of $329.99. The ULT TOWER 9AC is available now with a suggested retail price of $749.99. The ULT TOWER 9 is available now with a suggested retail price of $899.99. The ULT MIC is available now with a suggested retail price of $149.99.

Nature, Published online: 09 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00966-8The academic impact of early morning lectures, alcohol’s effects on sleep and other highlights from sleep studies.

Also known as the 'Paschal Moon,' April's full 'Pink Moon' will rise alongside Spica, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, on April 12.

RT HUXLEY®Kai and Huxley REALLY went through a lot in the brief time they were together.

Dell launched a wide range of artificial intelligence (AI) PCs in India across multiple series on Wednesday. The company's newly added portfolio in the country includes notebooks, desktops, monitors, and more. These devices are being released under the Dell Pro, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Dell Pro Max, and Dell Ultrasharp series. The new AI PCs are powered by Intel and AMD's processors. Dell said that its broad portfolio launch with a multi-silicon strategy will let users find the device best suited for them.Dell Launches New AI PCs: Price and DetailsIn a press release, Dell announced the new range of devices launching in India. The company said the latest portfolio adds on top of the Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs launched last year to meet “a wide range of organisational demand.”Coming to the launched lineup, the Dell Pro 14 can be configured with Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) and AMD Ryzen 300 Series processors, along with an AMD RDNA 3.5 GPU. The professional-focused laptop comes in Textured Magnetite and Sleek Platinum Silver colour options and starts at Rs. 74,849 for the AMD variant.The Dell Pro Plus series is available in 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch display variants. All three variants are available with either Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) or AMD Ryzen 300 Series processors. These business-focused laptop series also feature 2-in-1 models with both chipsets. The Dell Pro 14 Plus wil Intel chipset is priced at Rs. 1,73,441.On the other hand, the AMD-powered Dell Pro 13 Plus will cost 84,608, whereas the Dell Pro 14 Plus and the Dell Pro 16 Plus are priced at Rs. 88,104 and Rs. 96,562, respectively.The Dell Pro Premium series features Tandem OLED screens and are available in 13-inch and 14-inch variants. The laptops are only available with the Intel Core Ultra 200V series processors. It comes with a mini-LED backlit keyboard, optional collaboration touchpad (CTP), an 8-megapixel camera with HDR and IR support, and a 60Whr battery. The Dell Pro 13 Premium is priced at Rs. 1,92,777, and the Dell Pro 14 Premium will cost Rs. 1,96,307.Additionally, Dell also launched its Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max series desktops aimed at businesses. Calling them “secure commercial PCs” for business productivity, the company highlighted that these devices arrive with both Intel Core Ultra 7 and AMD Ryzen 8000 Series CPU, paired with DDR5 RAM.While the prices of the Dell Pro Max series were not revealed, the Pro series is available in Micro, Slim, and Tower models. The Dell Pro Micro desktop is priced at Rs. 53,914, whereas the Slim and Tower variants are set at Rs. 55,802 and Rs. 56,628, respectively.Finally, coming to the monitors, the company introduced two series — Dell Pro Plus (P Series) and UltraSharp (U Series). The Dell UltraSharp series displays are available in 27-inch and 32-inch variants. These offer 4K IPS panels with a 3000:1 contrast ratio. The 27-inch monitor is priced at Rs. 65,179, while the 32-inch model's price is set at Rs. 82,899.The Dell Pro Plus (P Series) monitors are available in a 14-inch and a 75-inch variant, with the latter being touch-enabled. The Dell Pro 14 Plus model comes at the price of Rs. 28,199, and the 75-inch touch-enabled monitor is priced at Rs. 4,98,499.Apart from hardware, Dell also introduced its AI toolkit. Dubbed Dell Pro AI Studio, the toolkit is aimed at businesses that wish to train and deploy AI models locally on AI PCs. Dell says the process is traditionally tricky due to varying hardware requirements across CPUs, GPUs, and NPUs. The Pro AI Studio is said to help developers build and manage AI software faster while reducing deployment times significantly. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Dell, AI PC, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Dell Pro Max, AI, Artificial Intelligence Akash Dutta Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More Related Stories

Unshakeable confidence does newly blossomed Montpelier-headquartered studio Sandfall Interactive exhibit in their first project. Barely half a decade old, the company – led by CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche, a passionate gamer formerly employed at another game developer – has amassed a thirty-strong team, and their upcoming RPG-adjacent adventure Clair Obscur: Expedition’s presentation is bracing, intriguing, and damn-near faultless. Graphical prowess isn’t the source of the studio’s confidence though. Sure, Clair Obscur looks incredible, but Broche and his team – wearing influence from Soulslikes, out of FromSoftware’s oeuvre like Sekiro – are certain they’ve crafted a distinct combat experience. Narrative, character-driven action is Expedition’s beating heart, but it’s battling is its body’s nourishment: vibrant, free-flowing, energising. It was during Broche’s previous experience when he conjured up the ideas comprising Clair Obscur’s narrative framework. Expedition focuses on a populace desperate to halt their eradication by enemies whose cruelty looms oppressively in view of prosperous citadel Lumiere. The stage is set for some bitter skirmishes, experienced through the eyes of oppressed protagonists. Once you get into it, you’ll quickly discover there’s an RPG heritage imbuing Clair Obscur’s combat. It’s turn-based in nature, so anyone who’s dabbled in RPGs will be rightly familiar in the ebb and flow of Expedition’s fighting. There are, however, extra elements which reframe Clair Obscur’s combat with asymmetrical lightness of touch. Real-time actions which add distinct flavour. Amongst these are defence minded dodges, parries, and jumps to evade enemy attacks, each executed via time-based button presses. Especially precise dodges and parries result in perfect variations, gifting chance to unload potentially damaging counterattacks. Better still, if you successfully parry an attack aimed at your entire party, the whole squad will retaliate with an awe-striking, choreographed counter. Visual spectacle and ultra-high damage. There is risk versus reward in parrying versus dodging, of course, with the risk heightened by numerous tough enemies who manoeuvre unpredictably to attack in off-kilter patterns. You’ll have to study their moves, ala FromSoft, in order to successfully deflect or evade every landing blow. Even on normal difficulty, the window for precise response is tight, so it’ll take some practice to truly get into the groove. The combat’s real-time swagger continues with a free-aim ability which can be used not unlike Horizon’s Aloy to shoot enemy weak points, wipe off chunks of their health, or immobilise or eradicate opponents altogether. There’s depth to the combat’s turn based flipside too, with each character in your party capable of melee attacks in addition to the free-aimed range attacks. However, crucially, your characters need to amass Action Points if they’re to use their ranged ability, and landing blows is the best way to do this. Action Points themselves, according to Sandfall Interactive co-founder François Meurisse in conversation with GamesRadar at Games Developer Conference, are a further point of differentiation between Clair Obscur: Expedition and other RPGs. Meurisse explains that the idea is that the players accumulate points to put towards skills rather than more established magic or mana points in other games of the genre. These skills are distinct to each character’s arsenal too and rely on building a specific attribute (also unique to each character). Grizzled expedition leader Gustave uses his skills to fill an Overcharge meter which he can spend to unleash a devastatingly powerful attack. Mage-like Lune wields elemental attacks which leave Stains upon her enemies, the effects of these consumed by subsequent attacks to boost damage alongside other effects. From these two characters alone and this brief explanation of their skillset we can see already the kind of over-powered synergies players can concoct between party members. Lune leaves a stain; Gustave unloads an overcharged attack. We haven’t even mentioned the youngest of the trio Maelle, who joins the party later. Her skillset – when built over subsequent turns – seems especially potent. See, she has three stances which she can freely switch between: an offensive stance to boost damage at the cost of defence, a mirror image defensive stance to increase resilience for a reduction in attacking power. Her piece-de-resistance however is her Virtuose stance which, should an opponent’s defences be whittled down enough or should one of Lune’s stains leave them elementally weakened, can eliminate them in a spectacular attack dealing 200% more damage. There will be plenty of unlockable abilities for each character too which should provide a host of imaginative, and thoroughly gratifying, ways to take down enemies the deeper the expedition goes. The characters you’ll command throughout Expedition are complex, emotionally nuanced, damaged, yet relatable. They exist in a world where their population is slowly being whittled down to zero. Gustave, for one, has had to suffer the recent trauma of seeing his 34-year-old love interest die. In fact, during Clair Obscur’s demo Gustave happens upon the bodies of his fellow expeditioners, with his anguish bubbling just beneath the surface spilling into an act of desperation and desire for suicide. It’s Lune who stops him, her being the more pragmatic of the pair, essentially making clear that their mission will likely see them both dead before its culmination and that should either one of them die, they’re duty bound to continue regardless. The pair spend much of their time together quarrelling, both unable to see each other’s point of view, equally valid they both are. However, within the emotionally charged script are lighter moments. Shared laughter, banal conversation, that sort of thing, the more laidback moments examples that these characters deeply care about each other’s survival, alongside providing the perfect counterpoint to heavier moments of desperation and fear, emotions that make up the bulk of the character’s journey. It’s another refreshing distinction in Clair Obscur’s favour in that these characters are written and performed with emotional gravitas. Too often in JRPGs characters act like foolish people and often make silly mistakes that are not to be expected from them. Expedition’s participants are adults’ scorn by generations of loss, dwindling hope, and trauma, and this is reflected in their actions and behaviours. So, we’re assuming Clair Obscur will deliver mature characters and will avoid the one dimensional route that so many games follow these days. Topping off the superb action and wonderfully composed characters is a vibrant, thoroughly imaginative world in which the game takes place. Levels here meld high-art fantasy with the phantasmagorical, a highlight in the gameplay shared thus far being a realm seemingly underwater, with fish swimming through the air and seaweed waving in invisible currents. Also of significance is Clair Obscur: Expedition is not open world. Instead, these levels are linear in design, with secret routes and hidden areas sure, but these biomes are curated experiences. From gameplay shared thus far, the game seems like it’ll be for the better than players aren’t free to take in the narrative, action, and exploration at their own pace. There’s an important purpose driving the motives behind each character, and Sandfall Interactive have opted to portray their odyssey at a pace they feel is most suitable. Sandfall Interactive are right to be confident. Clair Obscur: Expedition looks fantastic and should end the year as one of the biggest games released. It’ll be nothing short of a Lumiere-sized tragedy should it fail to find an audience. Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 39,591 [FATAL FURY: CotW] Open beta incoming!📢 Take #CotW for a spin and share your thoughts! 🐺 Roster: 8 fighters (details TBA) 🗓️ Period: Feb 20 (12 AM PST) – Feb 24 (11:59 PM PST) 🎮 Platforms: PS5 / PS4 / Xbox Series X|S / Steam Click to expand... Click to shrink... Open beta test for FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves announced for February 20–24, 2025 (PST)! Players can choose from eight different characters!｜PRESS RELEASE｜SNK Corporation Open beta test for FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves announced for February 20–24, 2025 (PST)! Players can choose from eight different characters!｜PRESS RELEASE｜The official SNK corporation website. www.snk-corp.co.jp EDIT: 2ND OPEN BETA TEST ANNOUNCED   Last edited: Mar 17, 2025 Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 92,666 Houston, TX Isn't MH Wilds coming out around then?   Sanox Member Oct 25, 2017 10,965 Pls be good online, pls no matchmaking issues or anything just let it work Neoxon said: Isn't MH Wilds coming out around then? Click to expand... Click to shrink... 4 days after the beta ends   Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 92,666 Houston, TX Sanox said: Pls be good online, pls no matchmaking issues or anything just let it work 4 days after the beta ends Click to expand... Click to shrink... Oh, that's not as bad as I was expecting.   Foxhound286 Member Dec 4, 2017 645 New Jersey Nice, can't wait to try it out. Hope they end up releasing a physical version.   Rumenapp Forza Photographer Member Nov 9, 2017 16,704 Have it preordered, might as well try it with this.   Raidou Member Oct 25, 2017 940 That's nice. Curious about which characters they will have there.   Platy Member Oct 25, 2017 30,512 Brazil Raidou said: That's nice. Curious about which characters they will have there. Click to expand... Click to shrink... and if the soccer player will be one of those xD  shadow_shogun Fallen Guardian Member Oct 25, 2017 18,535 *Offline Training*   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 39,591 I really can't understand announcing this with no trailer. Unless they drop it at Frosty Faustings this weekend...but in that case, why not wait until then?   bounchfx Member Oct 25, 2017 7,593 Muricas I am so freaking pumped. Been playing Garou at work almost daily lately. Tried this one at EVO and it was fucking amazing. Really excited for it!   Dougieflesh One Winged Slayer The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 36,360 Milky Way Ghetto Any word on which characters will be there? I wanna try out Gato   Adnor Member Oct 25, 2017 4,143 Dougieflesh said: Any word on which characters will be there? I wanna try out Gato Click to expand... Click to shrink... 8 characters but they haven't said which ones. I would assume Rock and Terry will be there, because they've been in every showing of the game so far, but who knows about the rest.  Audible Silence Member Aug 9, 2018 534 CROSSPLAY???   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 39,591 Tace Avenger Nov 1, 2017 40,652 The Rapscallion Oh fuck yea   Pyro God help us the mods are making weekend threads Member Jul 30, 2018 18,205 United States Hell yessssss. I will be there!   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 39,591 Not announcing the 8 characters is a bit odd...I can only wonder if at least one of them hasn't been announced yet...   DaveB Member Oct 25, 2017 5,014 New Hampshire, USA Sign me up!   CountAntonio Member Oct 25, 2017 24,211 Good move.   Audible Silence Member Aug 9, 2018 534 Jaded Alyx said: hell yeah   Mesoian ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 28, 2017 31,131 I will be there.   Raidou Member Oct 25, 2017 940 Also glad it's for all platforms, KOF XV beta was only for PS4 and PS5. Platy said: and if the soccer player will be one of those xD Click to expand... Click to shrink... I don't think he will be a playable character, he's probably gonna be just a NPC on that RPG mode   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,541 Peru IN!   Rango Member Oct 29, 2017 527 can't wait!   secretanchitman One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 9,738 Chicago, IL Hell yeah!!   ShinUltima One Winged Slayer Member Oct 30, 2017 1,935 Trinidad, West Indies Finally, Jesus. Hope Tizoc is part of the test cast.  Lycanthrope -R- Member Aug 26, 2018 4,573 米国・日本   Timu Member Oct 25, 2017 18,181 Nice! I hope B. Jenet is playable.   night814 One Winged Slayer Member Oct 29, 2017 16,128 Pennsylvania shadow_shogun said: *Offline Training* Click to expand... Click to shrink... This will be all I do.   JusDoIt ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 25, 2017 42,705 South Central Los Angeles FINALLY! Actually decent timing too. Gives Mai two weeks to breathe. Done before MonHun drops.  Toasty Member Oct 25, 2017 473 Sidewinder its time to be introduced to the mechanics before I wait for Ken to be released.   Astral Member Oct 27, 2017 33,065 Oh man I can't wait. I'll probably suck ass. This game looks like a different beast.   TheDarkKnight Member Oct 25, 2017 8,510 Same time LAD Hawaii comes out Which is a shame   TΛPIVVΛ Member Nov 12, 2017 3,857 Perfect timing in-between wilds most anticipated fighting game for me for the year.   CommandThrower Member Oct 26, 2017 6,060 Finally! I'll be looking forward to this, very much!   Ry. AVALANCHE Member Oct 10, 2021 3,486 the planet Zebes Awesome, can't wait to get my ass beat   Alex2DX Member Nov 6, 2017 1,342 I can finally start labbing Cristiano Ronaldo oki.   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 39,591 shadow_shogun said: *Offline Training* Click to expand... Click to shrink... night814 said: This will be all I do. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The text has since been changed to "Offline: Tutorial".   Astral Member Oct 27, 2017 33,065 Btw, the full roster hasn't been announced right? We've still got a few people missing?   yap Avenger Oct 25, 2017 10,691 beta training mode, in this economy? Jaded Alyx said: The text has since been changed to "Offline: Tutorial". Click to expand... Click to shrink... oh   SDBurton Community Resettler Member Oct 25, 2017 10,130 Oh sweet, I'm definitely down   Piccoro Member Nov 20, 2017 8,034 Can't wait!   dreamfall Member Oct 25, 2017 7,195 I am super excited about this !   Finaika Member Dec 11, 2017 17,033 Let's burn it up! - Wolfgang Krauser   Lucia Member Oct 18, 2021 2,230 Argentina shadow_shogun Fallen Guardian Member Oct 25, 2017 18,535 Jaded Alyx said: The text has since been changed to "Offline: Tutorial". Click to expand... Click to shrink... Thanks for the heads up…   Li Kao Member Oct 25, 2017 2,021 The same day as KOF Global Match on Steam, uh ?   Raidou Member Oct 25, 2017 940 Astral said: Btw, the full roster hasn't been announced right? We've still got a few people missing? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yes. It's missing four characters on the base roster.   Shaman Member Jan 18, 2024 3,171 Weird announcement but I will take it. Not a fighting games guy but sure I do love me some ARE YOU OKAY BUSTER WOLF  

No stupid questions: If Nintendo wanted to avoid any hefty tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, how quickly could it move Switch 2 production to the U.S.? Trump has done a partial walkback on the tariffs already, but let’s get hypothetical here.The short answer is that it would take a lot more time than you’d think, and the long answer is the same reason why every major hardware manufacturer that heavily relies on factories outside the U.S., like Apple, has been scrambling to find alternative solutions.“Such a move would take years,” New York University Stern School of Business economics professor Joseph Foudy told Polygon. “Nintendo would have to set up a final assembly factory in the U.S., which means finding land, building a facility, and recruiting a workforce.”According to the Financial Times, Nintendo currently manufactures more than half of its hardware in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the rest is in China. A move to the U.S. for assembling Switch 2 units would require importing all the custom parts and paying the tariffs anyway. On top of that, Nintendo would have to shell out for the higher cost of labor in the U.S. If Apple were to do this, the cost to make an iPhone could nearly double, according to Bank of America analysts. The only way for Nintendo to completely avoid the tariffs would be to set up even more factories in the U.S. to make each and every part of the Switch 2 in the States, stretching the timeline out even further.“By way of example, Apple has faced increased costs and risks due to its reliance on China dating back to the first Trump administration. And it has taken years to move even a fraction of its production to places like Vietnam and India,” Foudy said.That’s also when Nintendo moved some of its Switch production away from China and into Vietnam and Cambodia. That six-year-old decision might be the only way Nintendo can sidestep the staggering 125% tariff on Chinese imports that went into effect on Wednesday. Further centralizing Switch 2 production in those countries could minimize the impact. On Wednesday, Trump dropped every country’s tariff except China’s down to 10% for the next 90 days, but if nothing changes, the tariffs on both Vietnam and Cambodia could shoot back up to some of the highest costs when they’re reinstated.“[Nintendo’s] best hope is that these other locations strike at least a partial trade deal with the administration or that the industry as a whole receives an exemption,” Foudy said. “But it’s impossible to guess the chances of either.”None of this is good news for those of us who winced at the $450 price tag for the Switch 2. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser said the tariffs didn’t factor into the price, but the CEO of research firm DFC Intelligence suspects they did, and predicts that there will be no price increase when pre-orders eventually go live. If he’s wrong or Trump reverses his decision on the 90-day pause, the Switch 2’s price might be closer to $600. Analysts told Reuters last week that iPhones could cost 30% to 40% more if Apple were to pass on the increased cost to consumers.So, how quickly could Nintendo move Switch 2 production to the U.S.? So long that it’s not going to do that, at least not before the handheld launches in June. Nobody, not even Nintendo, can escape Trump’s tariffs.“Nintendo, like a lot of manufacturers, is a ship in a storm that is struggling not to get hit by a big wave as best it can, but has little control over its fate,” Foudy said.See More:

While monitor brands are competing in the higher-end segment, AOC has brought more affordable solutions for competitive players. AOC Debuts 25" and 34" High Refresh Gaming Monitors on a Budget: Delivering Smooth Visuals on a Budget AOC has been active in producing entry-level and mid-range gaming monitors even though most leading display manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, ASUS, MSI, etc. have been working on crafting expensive QD-OLED displays. AOC is back again with two more offerings, each monitor catering to different needs. Our newest G4 models reflect our understanding that different gaming genres demand specialised performance, While we continue to push boundaries with QD-OLED technology in our AGON PRO lineup, we're bringing targeted high-performance features to our AOC GAMING range. The CU34G4Z delivers exactly what simulation enthusiasts have been asking for, while the 25G4SXU provides competitive players with the frame rate advantage they need — all at price points that make sense for dedicated gamers. - Cesar Acosta, Gaming Product Manager, AGON by AOC The first one is the 25G4SXU, which features a 25-inch screen and is equipped with a Fast IPS panel. Unlike regular IPS panels, the Fast IPS panel helps the 25-inch AOC monitor achieve faster response with just 1ms GtG and 0.3ms MPRT. The CU34G4Z model, which features a 34-inch screen size, also brings a fast 1ms GtG response time but is equipped with a Fast VA panel. 2 of 9 The main difference between the two, apart from the screen size, is the display type. The 25-inch monitor has a flat 16:9 ratio display while the 34-inch monitor has a curved ultra-wide screen with 1500R curvature. This results in a higher resolution of WQHD (3440x1440p) on the latter, while the 25G4SXU boasts 1080p resolution. 2 of 9 Despite the higher resolution of the CU34G4Z, it can still achieve a good 240Hz refresh rate, but the 25-inch monitor is able to hit 300Hz out of the box. It can be overclocked further to reach 310Hz, but the difference will remain mostly unnoticeable. The 34-inch monitor seems to lack adaptive sync while the 25-inch monitor brings NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility for a tear-free gameplay experience. Considering these specs, both monitors seem fit to play esports titles such as CS2, Valorant, and others and will be ideal for competitive gamers on a budget. The 34-inch monitor is more suitable for immersive gameplay and will be good for triple-A titles where one would want to explore vast worlds that envelop your field of vision. For connectivity, each of the monitors is equipped with USB 3.2 Gen 1 hubs and the CU34G4Z comes with 2 ports while the 25G4SXU comes with 4. For display output, there are DP 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 ports. The AOC Gaming CU34G4Z is priced at £369 and the 25G4SXU at £199. Both will be available for purchase, starting this month. Deal of the Day