A new leak purporting to show an iPhone 17 Pro protective case, has backed up the continuing rumors that Apple has considerably redesigned the rear camera system.Close up on the camera bump cutout on the purported iPhone 17 Pro case leak — image credit: Sonny DicksonRumors that the forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max have now mostly coalesced on the belief that the rear camera system will be larger. It will also separate out the flash, LiDAR sensor and microphone, into a section to the right of the camera lenses.Now a new leaked image from reasonably reliable leaker Sonny Dickson, claims to show just how noticeably big the camera bump will be. The image consists of two transparent protective cases for the iPhone 17 Pro, which feature large cutout sections for the camera. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The highly sought-after commission to design the official Qatari Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia has been granted to rising Paris-based Lebanese star Lina Ghotmeh. The 2023 Serpentine Pavilion designer and recently announced British Museum Western Range galleries expansion will be given the chance to deliver what is just the third permanent national pavilion in fifty years in the Giardini on the strength of her proposal's clarity and responsiveness to site context. She beat eight other shortlisted competitors in doing so. Rem Koolhaas served as the competition's Advisory Panel chair. Ghotmeh is also the architect of Bahrain's National Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025.

Following several delays, 11 bit studios’ The Alters finally has a new launch date. It arrives on June 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, alongside a day-one release for Game Pass. Check out the latest trailer below. The premise involves Jan Dolski crashlanding and being stranded on a planet where the sun incinerates the surface. To run the mobile base required to survive, Jan creates Alters, versions of himself with unique skill sets based on different decisions during his life. Conflict inevitably arises, whether it’s one Alter fermenting a rebellion or hacking off limbs. Even something as seemingly straightforward as building a bridge to cross a river of lava can become a do-or-die challenge. Of course, there are other hazards like singularities, distortions, harsh weather, and radioactivity to deal with daily as well. Stay tuned for more details on The Alters before its launch. You can also check out the free demo available on all platforms.

You Can Enter to Win a Night Inside London’s National Gallery The museum is celebrating the reopening of its Sainsbury Wing, as well as a major refresh of its collection, with an overnight experience for one lucky visitor One winner will get to sleep in a bed placed between the newly refurbished Sainsbury Wing and the rest of the museum. The National Gallery For the past two years, crews have been hard at work renovating the Sainsbury Wing at London’s National Gallery. Now, to celebrate the wing’s makeover, the museum is giving one lucky art aficionado the chance to spend the night among its many masterpieces. The sleepover also coincides with the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary. To mark this milestone, curators are rearranging the museum’s permanent collection—and whoever wins the overnight stay will get a sneak peek at the redesign, called “CC Land: The Wonder of Art.” To be entered for a chance to win, participants must be over the age of 18 and subscribed to the National Gallery’s email newsletter. The contest will remain open until April 28, when a winner will be randomly chosen. The sleepover will take place on May 9, the night before the Sainsbury Wing reopens to the public. The evening will begin with dinner for two at Locatelli, the museum’s new on-site restaurant. Then, the winner will enjoy a private tour of “CC Land: The Wonder of Art” led by Christine Riding, the National Gallery’s director of collections and research. The museum’s bicentenary provides the “perfect opportunity to consider a new way to tell the story of the incredible paintings in our collection,” says Gabriele Finaldi, the National Gallery’s director, to the Guardian’s Nadia Khomami. “We feel it is fitting that through this prize draw, one of our visitors should receive a first look at the newly transformed National Gallery and Sainsbury Wing and have these wonderful pictures to themselves for one special night,” he adds. Come nightfall, the winner will snuggle into a bed placed between the Sainsbury Wing and the rest of the museum. When the winner wakes up the next morning, they’ll enjoy breakfast and a few moments to themselves among the artwork before the Sainsbury Wing opens at 10 a.m. This is not the first time the National Gallery has hosted visitors in the middle of the night. Earlier this year, it stayed open for 24 hours during the last weekend of its popular “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” exhibition. It did the same thing in 2012 for its “Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan” show. Added to the National Gallery in 1991, the Sainsbury Wing is being redesigned by New York-based architect Annabelle Selldorf. She’s been tasked with making the wing a more welcoming entrance to the National Gallery overall, as well as bringing in more natural light. The remodel has been controversial, with the wing’s original co-designer Denise Scott Brown describing the redesigned building as a “circus clown wearing a tutu.” The museum’s redisplay of its collection, meanwhile, is one of its most thorough refreshes in recent memory. Curators are working with a lighting designer to reimagine the galleries, while crews are also sanding and varnishing the floors, as the Art Newspaper’s Louis Jebb reported in 2024.  They’re also introducing a new color scheme as they redecorate the 65 galleries on the museum’s main floor. Each gallery will also get a new introductory panel with information about the art, as well as the design and architecture of the National Gallery itself. When the work is complete, the National Gallery will display more than 1,000 works of art created by roughly 400 artists. That represents nearly half of the gallery’s entire collection. “We are rethinking the collection and the way it’s presented, but also the architecture and the spaces suggesting certain ways of displaying works of art,” Riding told the Art Newspaper. “We’re also using design, upgrading galleries.” Editors’ note, April 10, 2025: This story has been updated to clarify information about entering the competition. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Ai2's new open-source OLMoTrace tool allows enterprises to directly trace LLM outputs back to original training data, bringing transparency to AI decision-making and addressing trust barriers.Read More

After years of stuntwork largely being overlooked by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Oscars are about to add a new category. Today, the Academy announced that it intends to start giving out Oscar statues for stunt design starting with films released in 2027 for the awards ceremony’s 100th anniversary. “Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement about the new category. “We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion.” The Academy has yet to announce any other eligibility rules for films that will be nominated in the new category. “The specifics of the award’s presentation will be determined by the Academy’s Board of Governors and executive leadership at a future date,” according to the Academy’s press release. Though over 100 stunt workers are currently members of the Academy’s Production and Technology Branch, as The Hollywood Reporter notes, the organization has only ever given out two (honorary) Oscars to stunt performers. Now that the new category has been established, we’re probably going to start seeing studios putting a lot more emphasis on their projects’ death-defying set pieces.

Thank your own personaly deity—possibly Jin Dahaad—it's Friday. It's also time to tuck into some wallet-friendly wonders, with digital delights across Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, PS5 and PC all copping hefty discounts. Until Monday, do stay safe and save often!This Day in Gaming 🎂In retro news, I'm celebrating the 28th birthday of Suikoden, an all-timer PS One classic. In case you're not familiar with it, you control the son of a general destined to seek out 108 warriors to defeat a corrupt government and bring peace to the land. Not only did it feature duels and large turn based battles, but also packed a large amount of depth into its magic and combat system. The HD remaster is well worth smashing.Aussie bdays for notable games- Suikoden (PS) 1997. Get- Dino Crisis 2 (PC) 2003. eBay- Defiance (PC, PS3, X360) 2013. eBay- Ninja Gaiden 3: RE (PS3, X360) 2013. GetContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchPreorders openNintendo Switch 2 ConsoleRequires a free to make / cancel First Membership that provides free shipping.Kicking things off on Switch, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom slices 47% off its price—perfect time to dive back into Hyrule’s floating islands. Fun tidbit: the game’s physics engine was originally designed to let players solve puzzles in a multitude of unpredictable ways; much to the surprise of even the developers, who’ve admitted being stumped by some player creations.Expiring Recent DealsOr gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch OLED + Mario Wonder: $̶5̶3̶9̶ $499 | Switch Original: $̶4̶9̶9̶ $448 | Switch OLED Black: $̶5̶3̶9̶ $448 | Switch OLED White: $̶5̶3̶9̶ $445 ♥ | Switch Lite: $̶3̶2̶9̶ $294 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $̶3̶3̶9̶ $335See itBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxOver on Xbox Series X, Star Wars Outlaws lands at $49—a galaxy-sized steal. This open-world adventure is the first to fully let players explore the seedy underbelly of the Star Wars universe, and its lead character Kay Vess was designed as an homage to Han Solo, but with a street-rat twist. Also worth snagging: Monster Hunter Wilds at half price.Xbox OneLego 2K Drive (-24%) - A$41The Crew Motorfest (-52%) - A$48Monopoly 2024 (-51%) - A$24Expiring Recent DealsSpace Marine 2 (-27%) - A$80Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-24%) - A$84Grand Theft Auto V (-60%) - A$25Suicide Squad: KTJL (-83%) - A$20Kingdom Come: Deliverance II (-23%) - A$90Call of Duty: MW2 (-35%) - A$44F1 24 (-48%) - A$36FC 25 (-65%) - A$39Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box? Series X: $̶7̶9̶9̶ $749 👑| Series S Black: $̶5̶4̶9̶ $545 | Series S White:$̶4̶9̶9̶ $498 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationPlayStation’s haul is equally tasty. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth crashes in at $49, cheekily continuing the saga’s tradition of emotional drama and karaoke minigames.PS4Dragon Quest XI S (-50%) - A$27What Remains of Edith Finch (-75%) - A$6Moving Out (-80%) - A$6Torchlight II (-80%) - A$5Expiring Recent DealsPS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from Apr 1 with this subscriptionRoboCop: Rogue City | PS5The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | PS4/5Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth HM | PS4Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 + Astro Bot:$̶7̶9̶9̶ $679👑 | PS5 Slim Disc:$̶7̶9̶9̶ $798 | PS5 Slim Digital:6̶7̶9̶ $678 | PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS VR2: $649.95 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $1,099 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCAnd finally, PC players can grab Dave the Diver for just $13, a game whose sushi-restaurant-management-meets-deep-sea-diving premise started as an internal meme before becoming a breakout indie hit.Dave the Diver (-55%) - A$13TLoU 2 Remastered (-12%) - A$65River City Girls (-100%) - FREEBatman: Arkham Col. (-85%) - A$12DmC 5 + Vergil (-75%) - A$11Expiring Recent DealsOr just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamLaptop DealsApple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch (-12%) – A$2,197Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (-36%) - A$879Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen7 (-27%) - A$1,018Desktop DealsHP OMEN 35L Gaming (-10%) – A$2,799Lenovo ThinkCentre neo Ultra (-25%) - A$2,249Lenovo ThinkCentre neo 50q (-35%) – A$629Monitor DealsLG 24MR400-B, 24" (-30%) - A$97Z-Edge 27" 240Hz (-15%) - A$279Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo Curved (-22%) – A$2,499Component DealsStorage DealsBack to topLegit LEGO DealsBotanicals Daffodils (-48%) - A$12Disney Celebration Train (-47%) - A$32Wicked Shiz University (-42%) - A$29TIE Fighter & X-Wing (-40%) - A$107Expiring Recent DealsBack to topHot Headphones DealsAudiophilia for lessSamsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro (-49%) – A$179Sony WH-CH520 Wireless (-27%) - A$73SoundPEATS Space (-25%) - A$56.99Technics Premium (-36%) - A$349Back to topTerrific TV DealsDo right by your console, upgrade your tellySamsung S95D 77" OLED 4K (-19%) - A$6,499LG 43" UT80 4K (-23%) - A$693Kogan 65" QLED (-50%) – A$699Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

This article contains spoilers for Hacks season 4 episode 1 and 2. The first two episodes of Hacks season 4 can be neatly summarized through one brilliant scene at the end of episode 2 “Cover Girls.” Standing outside of a comedy club after Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) walk out of a standup routine that doubles as a tryout for a writer position on their new late night program, the fiery duo spar over Ava’s job on the set. We’re treated to the actresses’ typical electric chemistry and a fair amount of barbs and retorts, but most of all we get to see the authenticity that kindles bright underneath the surface of their relationship.  Deborah grapples with admitting how she would never have gotten to her dream job as a late night host without Ava’s brilliant joke writing, but her paranoia over the demographic that will be watching her now forces her to turn her back on her young protege. “Late night is for housewives and mechanics.” Once again, Deborah is shrouding her pride with envy. Ava forces her to see comedy in a way she didn’t before. Ava propels her to grow into a better version of herself both on and off stage. Through this process she usually buries her genuine appreciation for Ava and uses practical jokes and other gags to undermine her pseudo daughter. Even though both women know they need each other, the journey they take to get there is riddled with fighting and jealousy.  The complex, fine line separating love and hate between Deborah and Ava is featured as strongly as it ever has in the premiere episodes of the fourth season. The nightclub scene is the encapsulation of the evolving, yet still stagnant dynamic between the two. You’d think after three previous seasons of conquering various obstacles in the comedy minefield of Las Vegas that these ladies would choose adoration instead of vitriol, but what kind of show would that present for the audience?  Deborah and Ava have to keep fighting not just for the audience’s sake, but because bickering is what brings out the best in both of them. Both women are feisty, determined, and intractable. Ava decides the only way to defeat Deborah’s ego is to play her own game when she blackmails Deborah over an affair with the network executive. That season 3 cliffhanger results in some of the most intense tug-of-wars of the series so far at the dawn of the fourth season.  Deborah’s childish forms of payback aim low and always deliver shock and laughs. One prank even sees Deborah sending Ava’s underwear to a network colleague’s desk in hopes it will get Ava in trouble with human resources. The irony of Deborah framing Ava for an HR blunder when she’s currently being held hostage by her own sexual misdoings with higher ups is a great example of the writing that keeps Hacks atop the sitcom game as one of the series that understands its characters on a deeper level while also poking fun at the inner workings of the Hollywood machine they’re apart of.  Deborah and Ava’s situation may be the main one that keeps this show humming at a high level, but the increased screen time for both Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter) is a welcomed sight. Any time the high intensity of the Deborah and Ava feud starts to become a little too overwhelming, Jimmy and Kayla serve as the calmer frenemy alternative. Jimmy and Kayla are trying to get their management business off the ground that they decided to start together at the end of the third season. The growing pains between the two are a lot more respectful than between Deborah and Ava. In many ways, this duo symbolizes where Deborah and Ava could and should eventually arrive at by the end of the show. Two mismatched personalities that bicker, but they still love each other.  The last scene of the second episode exquisitely sets up the more heartfelt half of the Deborah and Ava dynamic that we root for. They call a truce after they’re warned that the show is in danger of failing before even getting off the ground. Rooted in their common goal of conquering comedy again, Deborah shows up at Ava’s doorstep ready to work in good faith and promising that no more sabotage will occur. This is where it feels like the season is really about to begin.  These episodes are akin to first biting into a Sour Patch Kid on a nice spring afternoon after school. The bitterness of Deborah and Ava hit the taste buds with shocking intensity. Now the sweetness of the pairing will round out the drama and remind us why Hacks’ two equally compelling tones make it one of the best dramedies of the decade so far. The first two episodes of Hacks season 4 are available to stream on Max now.

Age DE Team April 10, 2025 We are thrilled to announce the next DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Three Kingdoms, a riveting and holistic expansion, coming May 6th! Dive into China’s epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy. The Three Kingdoms introduces five fascinating new civilizations, each with their own unique units and technologies: the Shu, Wei, and Wu, who represent the legendary Three Kingdoms; and the Jurchens and Khitans, who exemplify the struggle for power in northern China beyond the Three Kingdoms period. Challenge your friends in skirmish matches or battle your way across China with three new campaigns, commanding the forces of fabled heroes such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and the Sun Clan. These campaigns feature unprecedented features such as devastating special hero abilities, an interactive decision system allowing you to blaze your own trail, and more! We have been delighted to work with Forgotten Empires to bring you The Three Kingdoms. Whether you are a passionate historian, an admirer of compelling narratives, a longtime fan of the Age of Empires franchise, or all of the above – The Three Kingdoms will bring you endless hours of joy and fun! The Three Kingdoms is now available for pre-order with a 15% discount on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox- releasing May 6th! What is The Three Kingdoms?  “The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.  In the dying days of the Han dynasty, the empire was like a precious vase knocked off its pedestal. As it fell towards the ground, some refused to accept the inevitable and imagined that the worst had passed.  The more far-sighted positioned themselves to pick up the pieces.”  Created by Forgotten Empires, the passionate team bringing you Age of Empires content for over a decade, The Three Kingdoms is a DLC set in China primarily during the early medieval period, but also featuring two civilizations who rose and fell hundreds of years later. China’s Three Kingdoms, extremely advanced for their time, offer AoE II: DE players the game’s core unit roster along with several unique and region-specific units highlighting the iconic features of each kingdom. Veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy approachable, powerful, and immersive new civilizations! The story of The Three Kingdoms opens with three intertwining narratives spanning roughly 25 years. Totaling 15 missions across 3 campaigns with branching narratives and dynamic, far-reaching decisions that offer a level of replay value never before seen in Age of Empires, The Three Kingdoms offers a tour par excellence through China’s most fabled and beloved period of history from the viewpoints of all three kingdoms’ founders. Experience storied battles such as Guandu, Changban, and Red Cliffs, and relive the dashing exploits of the honorable and benevolent Liu Bei, the conniving yet brilliant Cao Cao, and the resilient, vengeful Sun Clan! Included in this DLC 5 New Civilizations Shu Take the reins of the Kingdom of Shu and fulfill Liu Bei’s dream of restoring the Han dynasty. The Shu unique units are the White Feather Guard, an infantryman that slows down units it attacks, and the War Chariot, a vehicle that fires barrages of bolts from a large repeating crossbow. Wei Step into the shoes of Cao Cao and dominate China with massive cavalry armies and nefarious schemes. The Wei unique units are the Tiger Cavalry, a horseman that levels up as it kills units, and the Xianbei Raider, a cavalry archer that fires storms of arrows into the enemy ranks. Wu Lead the Sun Clan to glory through infantry and naval prowess. The Wu unique units are the Fire Archer, a ranged soldier that fires incendiary arrows, and the Jian Swordsman, a heavy infantry unit whose shield offers immense protection – until it breaks. Jurchens Dominate the rugged terrain of northeast China with the skilled hunters, armored cavalry, and gunpowder weaponry of the Great Jin dynasty. The Jurchen unique units are the Iron Pagoda, a cavalryman that occasionally blocks melee attacks, and the Grenadier, a foot soldier who hurls deadly incendiary bombs at his enemies. Khitans Relive the glory of the Liao dynasty and Kara-Khitai, terrorizing your enemies with mobile hordes and diabolical weapons. The Khitan unique units are the Liao Dao, an infantryman whose lethal sword slashes cause lasting damage, and the Mounted Trebuchet, a powerful siege engine carried around by camels. Additionally, instead of farming, the Khitans gather food from Pastures, which can be tended by two Villagers instead of just one. Several new units and unit-lines for increased immersion in Chinese history: Hei Guang Cavalry — a heavily armored horseman. Regular and Elite Hei Guang Cavalry replace Knights, Cavaliers, and Paladins for the Shu, Wei, and Wu. Traction Trebuchets — deadly, mobile engines that provide the Shu, Wei, and Wu an excellent long-ranged siege option on land in the Imperial Age. Lou Chuans — literal floating fortresses that excel against other warships and buildings alike. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Shu, Wei, and Wu. Fire Lancers — spear-wielding infantry who occasionally use an explosive ranged attack. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, Koreans, and Vietnamese. Rocket Carts — this siege engine replaces Mangonels, and instead fires a volley of incendiary rockets at enemies. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, and Koreans. Dragon Ships — the deadliest Fire Ship in the game, exclusive to the Chinese! 3 New Campaigns: Liu Bei (Shu) — In the midst of a bloody civil war, the sandal maker Liu Bei and his sworn brothers fight to restore the ailing Han dynasty. Can this honorable commoner save the empire, or will it fall into the hands of the ruthless warlord Cao Cao? Cao Cao (Wei) — The greatest warlord of his time, Cao Cao rises from a mere cavalry commander to the true power behind the throne of China. Will his ambitious schemes and tactical skill be enough to place his own dynasty on the throne of the Middle Kingdom? The Sun Clan (Wu) — After their father is murdered, the sons of the Sun Clan fight for revenge while building themselves up to be the rulers of southern China. Will their struggle make them worthy of the Mandate of Heaven, or are they doomed to become footnotes in history? As you venture through these campaigns, you will:  Relive fabled events: like the Oath of the Peach Garden, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the Battle of Red Cliffs – from up to three different perspectives! Encounter legendary characters: such as the notorious Lü Bu, the wise Zhuge Liang, and the exalted Guan Yu. Unleash their deadly heroic abilities: like Green Dragon Strike, Superhuman Aim, and Exploding Bolt. Train your favorite heroes: from the Three Kingdoms era in the new Hall of Heroes building. Experience unprecedented gameplay and narrative value: as you use an interactive system to make key decisions that shape each campaign. Choose from two new difficulty levels: Easiest offers a leisurely cruise through the story, while Legendary could test the mettle of Cao Cao himself! Marvel at an array of new flora, fauna, and other atmospheric visuals: that will fully immerse you in China’s Three Kingdoms era. All 5 New Civilizations Available in Ranked Play! While The Three Kingdoms era sits on the edge of AoE II: DE traditional timeframe, Forgotten Empires was committed to delivering a product with content for everyone at all levels, styles, spheres, and preferences of the Age of Empires experience. Research and design exploration quickly showed that Three Kingdoms China was extremely advanced for its time, making it an easy fit into the AoE II: DE technology tree and design mould. With this in mind, we committed ourselves to the goal of making this DLC fully available in ranked gameplay. With an instantly recognizable Age of Empires II-feel, plenty of flavor to satisfy the appetites of avid Romance of the Three Kingdoms fans, and the innovative features that AoE II: DE fans have come to expect from each new addition to our beloved game, The Three Kingdoms has something for everyone. A Message from Forgotten Empires The Three Kingdoms represents something a little different than we’ve done in our prior work on Age of Empires II. Although authenticity, fun, and innovation have always been hallmarks of the Forgotten Empires brand, The Three Kingdoms pushes each of these farther than our past Age of Empires II releases. Our goal for The Three Kingdoms is to inspire new and longtime players alike to revel in the Age of Empires experience, and we hope it does justice to the game we all know and love – as well as to each and every one of its fans! Whenever we at Forgotten Empires set ourselves to creating Age of Empires content, we ask ourselves two fundamental questions: “What got you started playing Age of Empires?”, and “What kept you playing Age of Empires?”, which are part of the navigational toolset we use to guide us on that quest. While there can be as many answers to those questions as there are grains of sand in an hourglass, one is that China’s Three Kingdoms era lends itself particularly well to is a compelling campaign experience. While we’ve told many compelling stories through our historical campaigns over the past decade, we’ve also always asked ourselves the question: “How do we raise the bar further still?” With an epic, detailed, riveting, and thoroughly renowned narrative that is to China as Shakespeare is to the western world, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms offered us an ideal setting to tackle that challenge. With entertaining new civilizations, stunning new visuals, innovative concepts, fun and varied mission designs, and a gripping narrative with unprecedented depth, all brought to you in the time-proven Age of Empires II gameplay experience, we welcome you to the incredible world of Three Kingdoms China. We hope you enjoy playing The Three Kingdoms as much as we delighted in creating it, and as always, we appreciate your continued passion for this incredible franchise! Pre-Order The Three Kingdoms Now! Dive into the epic history and legends of China with The Three Kingdoms! Lead five new civilizations – Shu, Wei, Wu, Jurchens, and Khitans – through an era where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy. Fight your way across China with three new campaigns, commanding the forces of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and the Sun Clan, each with their unique units, technologies, and heroes with devastating abilities! The Three Kingdoms is now available for pre-order with a 15% discount on Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox – releasing May 6th!

There are myriad factors to consider when determining where you should live. Work commutes, school districts, and the community vibe can vary drastically, even within the same zip code. But while you may have your heart set on a certain state or city, it’s time to get more specific when you’re looking to buy a new home. The neighborhood you choose to call home is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the entire moving process. You don’t want to accidentally settle into a tourist hub or on a street you’ll soon realize is full of college party houses. There’s a reason why some neighborhoods are more popular than others. Just look at New York City, for example—Times Square is a renter's dead zone, while the West Village has people placing above asking bids just to secure an apartment. Not all neighborhoods are created equal, and it’s important to know what areas match your family’s lifestyle. According to recent data by real estate company Redfin, five of the 10 hottest neighborhoods (areas with much higher home sales than this time last year) are located on the outskirts of Midwestern metros, with buyers seeking affordability and an easy commute. Read on as we break down the 10 hottest neighborhoods in the country right now—from suburban oases to budding urban zip codes. Related StoriesProspect Heights and Clinton Hill, New YorkAuseklis//Getty ImagesWith their historic charm, good schools, and easy access to multiple transit lines, the Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York, are Park Slope’s more affordable cousins. Boasting a mix of new builds and old brownstones, there’s an ideal apartment for all family sizes in this area. New York Redfin Premier agent Ian Rubinstein explains that the boost in home sales is largely due to widespread return-to-office mandates. “Many companies now require workers to be in the office at least two to three days a week—so people are coming back. In my opinion, Brooklyn has become even more popular than Manhattan.” This area has the highest increase in sales, up a whopping 150 percent since last year. Taxes and mortgages are high in New York, but due to the higher-than-average incomes in this area, interest rates are less of a concern than in the Midwest.Jenison, Michigan A suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jenison is just 15 minutes from downtown. Here, home sales have risen 11 percent year-over-year, while time on the market has been cut by eight days. This indicates that demand is high and buyers are looking to move fast. Local Redfin Premier agent Christine Kooiker says, “Taxes are low, land is affordable, and the broader Georgetown Township is very open to new development. Every time I drive by, I see a new subdivision that’s half-finished.”Related StoryCampton Hills and St. Charles, IllinoisDawid S Swierczek//Getty ImagesFifty miles from downtown Chicago, the Campton Hills and St. Charles neighborhoods of Illinois have seen a 38 percent boost in home sales. Not only that, the budding cultural hub has also seen over 30 percent of homes sell for above the asking price. Homes here have an average price of $615,000. Great for families, this area has award-winning schools and beautiful parks, as well as access to nature. Fairpoint, New York Fairport, New York, is a small town just east of Rochester. With a population of merely 5,000, this area encompasses small-town charm with the convenience of being near a mid-sized city. Rochester is a booming area for those in the manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare industries. Home sales here have increased 48 percent since last year, with an astounding 81 percent of homes selling for above asking.Polk Gulch and Russian Hill, CaliforniaAlexander Spatari//Getty ImagesSan Francisco, CaliforniaLocated in the heart of San Francisco, the neighborhoods of Polk Gulch (also known as Nob Hill) and Russian Hill are drawing tech locals and families alike. “Many wealthy local and international tech workers—especially those in the booming AI sector—are looking to buy in these neighborhoods,” said local Redfin Premier agent Ali Mafi. “People keep saying ‘San Francisco’s back.’ The truth is: it never left.” Russian Hill is slightly slower-paced than the bustling Polk Gulch. The home sales may be down six percent, but views per listing are up 129 percent, indicating a newfound demand and interest in the area. Related StoryFranklin, WisconsinFranklin, Wisconsin, offers a family-oriented neighborhood to commuters or those working in the metro area a few days a week. This Milwaukee suburb is also close enough to Chicago to warrant a less frequent commute. Home sales here are up 29 percent with 40 percent of listings selling above average. “Franklin is not fully developed yet, so new construction is attracting buyers to the area. Many people are purchasing new builds because they can’t find a home for the right price closer to central Milwaukee. One of the defining characteristics of homes in Franklin is really big lots—a perk for buyers who are tired of living on top of their neighbors,” says local Redfin Premier agent Ben Ambroch. Great Kills, New YorkJaysonPhotography//Getty ImagesLocated on the Eastern coast of Staten Island, the Great Kills neighborhood has seen a 19 percent increase in home sales, with 35 percent of listings selling above asking. With direct beach access and a friendly community, this area is great for young families. This area is largely walkable, with everything you need within a few blocks, negating the need for a car. You also benefit from New York City’s robust public transportation system.Lakeville, Minnesota With beautiful natural views and an easy commute to Minneapolis, the neighborhood of Lakeville, Minnesota, is a popular locale for growing families. The school districts here are strong, as is the community. Again, home sales are down (a mere seven percent), and the time homes spend on the market is also down, indicating a high demand for properties in the area. “There aren’t enough homes for sale here in Lakeville, and that makes it really competitive—around 70 percent of sellers get multiple offers,” said Emily Olson, another local Redfin Premier agent. “We had clients put in an offer of $50,000 over asking recently, with a significant escalation clause, and they still lost out. Homes that are move-in ready get snapped up immediately.”Related StoryPrairie Village and Mission Hills, KansasTriggerPhoto//Getty ImagesPrairie Village and Mission Hills are two neighborhoods just 15 minutes away from downtown Kansas City—they are right on the Kansas-Missouri border. Here, home sales are down 19 percent, but similar to the San Francisco neighborhoods, median views per listing are way up (132 percent!), indicating a resurgence in interest and demand. These neighborhoods see a wide variety in home prices, from the mid-$300,000 to the millions. So when there is an affordable home here, consumers jump on it quickly—the average time on the market is just 21 days.Bowie, MarylandBowie, Maryland is an ideal neighborhood for commuters because both Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington D.C. are within a 30 to 40 minute drive from this suburb. Home sales in the area have seen a 31 percent increase since this time last year. According to the Redfin experts, Bowie may be the last district suburb that still has good housing deals, with the average home price being just above $512,000. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.