A multiplayer action football game isn’t exactly what you’d expect to see from Sifu and Absolver developer Sloclap, but excitement surrounding Rematch has been high since it was unveiled in December, and now we know exactly when it will be releasing.  Sloclap has announced that Rematch will launch on June 19. The indie developer has also released a new gameplay trailer for the multiplayer title that highlights what it calls the “golden rules” around with Rematch’s gameplay experience is built, including keepers playing as sweepers who won’t just stick to their box, players being vulnerable when they’re in possession of the ball, and more. Check out the trailer below.  Upon its launch, Rematch will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, priced at $29.99. Sloclap has announced that the game will also be available via Game Pass at launch. An open beta will also be available on PC from April 18 to April 19.

Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech GamingRumor Mafia: The Old Country Seemingly Set for August 8 Launch Alessio Palumbo • Apr 11, 2025 at 03:45am EDT Publisher 2K and developer Hangar 13 previously stated that Mafia: The Old Country would launch this Summer. Now, though, we have a semi-official release date: August 8. The info briefly appeared in a Steam post that announced a developer panel due to take place at PAX East. On May 8 at 7 PM BST (2 PM ET), Hangar 13 developers will debut a new gameplay trailer and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the past, present, and future of the franchise. During the panel, the studio will provide an in-depth look back at the last 23 years of Mafia, insight into how Hangar 13 brought the brutal underworld of 1900s Sicily to life in Unreal Engine 5 for Mafia: The Old Country, a Q&A session and more development insights. Studio President Nick Baynes, Game Director Alex Cox, and Cinematics Director Tomas Hrebicek will be there to attend and reply to several questions, including some taken from the community.  Any mention of the launch date was quickly amended, but nothing escapes fans these days. Mafia: The Old Country was announced at Gamescom 2024, slightly less than a year before its planned release date. As hinted by the title, it will be set in Sicily. The goal is to dive into the criminal organization's origins, dating back to the early 1900s. Players will step into the role of Enzo Favara, who survived a childhood of forced labor and is now all too eager to prove himself to Cosa Nostra and, specifically, Don Torrisi's family. As revealed by Hangar 13, the game will be a linear, narrative-driven action/adventure grounded in authentic realism. Combat will include melee fights with blades and ranged engagements with firearms. In certain segments, Enzo will use horses and even early motorcars. Mafia: The Old Country is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and certainly looks the part, although we don't have any info on the system requirements yet. Subscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inbox Follow us on Topics Sections Company Some posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com © 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

روجيه فيدرر من أيقونة التنس إلى مهندس الابتكار الرياضيروجيه فيدرر تحول إلى مبتكر أحذية للاعبي التنس (مواقع التواصل)11/4/2025بعد مسيرة رياضية استمرت 24 عامًا، حصد فيها 103 ألقاب وقلوب الملايين حول العالم، لم يكن من المفاجئ أن يقرر روجيه فيدرر الاعتزال. لكن المثير للدهشة أنه لم يختر الراحة أو الانسحاب، بل قرر أن يبدأ فصلا جديدا، باقتحامه عالم الابتكار. ففي قلب مختبرات "أون" (On) السويسرية، يشارك فيدرر في تصميم وتطوير أحذية رياضية ليست فقط للاعبين، بل تمثل فلسفة جديدة في عالم التنس.اقرأ أيضا list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2list 2 of 2end of list فمنذ انضمامه شريكا عام 2019، لم يكن دوره شكليًا. حيث جلس إلى طاولة التصميم، واختبر النماذج الأولية، وشارك في اتخاذ القرارات الكبيرة والصغيرة. بداية القصة بدأت القصة بعشاء جمع فيدرر مع مؤسسي "أون" (On)، حيث تلاقت القيم والطموحات، وتحوّل اللقاء العابر إلى شراكة إستراتيجية. يقول فيدرر "أردتُ مساعدة علامة تجارية سويسرية في ابتكار شيء مميز"، مؤكدا أن مشاركته تتجاوز حدود التسويق والدعاية. لم تكن الرحلة سهلة، فالنموذج الأول كان مخيبًا، كما يروي فيدرر، لكن التحديات لم تثنه، ففي النهاية تم طوير وتحسين الحذاء وظهر على الملاعب في الوقت المناسب عند عودته إلى الدوحة عام 2021. وبالنسبة له، كان هذا الابتكار امتدادًا طبيعيًا لشغفه بالتنس. فيدرر شارك في تصميم وتطوير أحذية رياضية للاعبي التنس (مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي) الجيل الثاني بعد نجاح الجيل الأول، بدأ العمل على الجيل الثاني: "ذا روجر برو 2″، المصمم ليواكب متطلبات اللعب المعاصر، من الحركة السريعة إلى الانزلاق المدروس. إعلان لم يكن الحذاء مصمما خصيصا فقط للاعبين المرتبطين بعقود مع "أون" (On)، بل أصبح خيارًا شائعًا لدى العديد من لاعبي التنس المستقلين، وهو ما يجعل فيدرر يشعر بالفخر. لكن الأهم من كل ذلك، أن فيدرر لم ينس جذوره. فقد كانت رسالته واضحة "لا تنسوا من جعلكم تصلون إلى هنا" فهو يؤمن أن دعم المجتمعات الشعبية في التنس، وتحفيز الجيل الجديد، لا يقل أهمية عن الفوز ببطولات كبرى. لهذا يعمل مع مؤسسته الخيرية، ويواصل عبر "أون" (On) إلهام محبي التنس حول العالم. لايزال روجيه فيدرر يمارس لعبته المفضلة، لكن بأسلوب جديد، حيث لم يعد فيدرر أيقونة تنس فقط، بل بات رمزًا للاستمرارية، والإبداع، والامتنان. لقد ترك بصمته في الملاعب، ويبدو أنه الآن يضعها في مستقبل التنس ذاته. المصدر : مواقع إلكترونية

تتكرر بشكل مستمر أزمة نفاد العمر الافتراضي للبطاريات في الهواتف الذكية والحواسب اللوحية (التابليت)، مع الاعتماد على هذه الأجهزة بشكل يومي في مختلف المهام الحياتية، عبر استعمال التطبيقات المختلفة، سواء لأغراض تتعلق بالعمل أو الدراسة أو الترفيه. ومع تطوّر عمليات التصنيع للهواتف، أصبح الاتجاه السابق في تغيير البطاريات من الأمور الصعبة في ظل تحوّل إنتاج البطاريات المدمجة بالهواتف، التي لا يمكن استبدالها إلا من خلال مراكز الصيانة المتخصصة، بالمقارنة مع أشكال البطاريات السابقة التي كان يمكن استبدالها بسهولة. وتتسبب أزمة انتهاء صلاحية البطاريات بالهواتف وأجهزة «التابليت» في العديد من المشكلات سواء في الاستخدامات اليومية المعتادة، أو حتى عدم القدرة بشكل نهائي على الاستعمال وترك الأجهزة المحمل عليها البيانات الشخصية والتطبيقات التي يتم استخدامها بشكل يومي. وحدّد خبيران متخصصان في التقنية، ست نصائح للحفاظ على جودة بطاريات الهواتف المحمولة وأجهزة «التابليت»، تشمل إبعاد الهواتف عن مصادر الحرارة، وعدم الشحن الكامل للبطاريات، وتجنب إبقاء الهواتف موصولة بالكهرباء بعد الشحن، فضلاً عن عدم ترك الشاشة قيد التشغيل دائماً، وعدم الاستخدام المكثف للهاتف أثناء الشحن، إضافة إلى الابتعاد عن أجهزة الشحن غير المناسبة. وقال الخبيران لـ«الإمارات اليوم» إن من الضروري مراعاة تلك النصائح والإرشادات، لإطالة العمر الافتراضي لبطاريات تلك الأجهزة. وأوضحت خبيرة التقنية، جيسي كيم، أن «هناك العديد من مستخدمي أجهزة الهواتف والتابليت لا يدركون المعايير الخاصة بالحفاظ على جودة بطاريات أجهزتهم، ما قد يؤدي إلى سرعة تلفها»، لافتة إلى أن «من أبرز الإرشادات تجنب تعريض الهواتف والأجهزة لارتفاع درجة حرارتها بشكل مستمر، سواء من خلال الاستخدام المكثف للألعاب أو التطبيقات التي تتسبب في ارتفاع حرارة الهواتف، أو ترك الهواتف بالقرب من أشعة الشمس أو مصادر قد تؤدي إلى زيادة الحرارة بالهواتف بشكل يؤثر في سلامة البطاريات». وأضافت أنه «يفضل أيضاً عدم الوصول للشحن الكامل لبطاريات الهواتف بدرجة 100%، وإنما يفضل الوصول فقط لنحو 80 أو 90%، وذلك للحفاظ على دورة العمر الافتراضي للبطاريات، وكذلك يفضل عدم ترك الهاتف دون شحن حتى يصل إلى 0%، فيما يفضل الشحن المتقطع على مختلف أوقات اليوم». وأكّدت كيم أن «من المهم أيضاً تجنب الاستخدام المستمر للتطبيقات التي تبقي الشاشة بالأجهزة قيد التشغيل أو التطبيقات التي تستهلك البطارية بشكل سريع، إذ يمكن تفعيل وضع إغلاق الشاشة أو إغلاق التطبيقات غير المستخدمة سواء شبكات (الواي فاي) عند عدم وجود إشارة أو عند عدم الاستخدام أو (البلوتوث)، أو تطبيقات تستخدم تحديد المواقع الجغرافية، مع البحث عن التطبيقات التي لا يتم استخدامها وحذفها بشكل مستمر». وأشارت إلى أن «استخدام الشحن السريع بشكل مستمر واستخدام أجهزة شحن غير مناسبة أو بجودة رديئة، قد تؤثر في المدى الطويل على كفاءة بطاريات الأجهزة والعمر الافتراضي لها». من جهته، قال الخبير التقني، محمد عبدالحق: «من الأخطاء الشائعة التي تؤثر في سلامة بطاريات الهواتف وأجهزة (التابليت) هي ترك هذه الأجهزة على الشواحن طوال فترة الليل، ما يؤدي إلى استهلاك العمر الافتراضي للبطاريات، ويساعد على سرعة انتهاء صلاحيتها بسبب الشحن فوق الحد المطلوب وبشكل يؤدي إلى رفع حرارة البطاريات بدرجات قد تصل إلى ما قد يهدد سلامة استخدام البطاريات مع التكرار». وأضاف أنه «يفضل عدم استخدام الشحن السريع لبطاريات الهواتف بشكل مستمر دون الحاجة إلى ذلك، لأنه يؤدي بدوره إلى استهلاك العمر الافتراضي المحدد للبطاريات، كما يفضل عدم الاستخدام المكثف للهواتف أثناء عملية الشحن دون وجود حاجة ضرورية إلى ذلك، لأنه يطيل من فترة الشحن وإجهاد البطاريات على المدى الطويل مع استمرارها موصولة بالكهرباء لفترات أطول». النصائح الـ 6 1- إبعاد الهواتف عن مصادر الحرارة. 2- عدم الشحن الكامل للبطاريات. 3- تجنب إبقاء الهواتف موصولة بالكهرباء بعد الشحن. 4- عدم ترك الشاشة قيد التشغيل دائماً. 5- عدم الاستخدام المكثف للهاتف أثناء الشحن. 6- الابتعاد عن أجهزة الشحن غير المناسبة.

Anyone familiar with Nintendo's favorite gourmand Kirby knows that the pink blob has an insatiable appetite. Ordinarily, a little bit of gluttony isn't a bad thing, but in Kirby's case, it has quite the transformative effect on him--quite literally! We've already seen the little fella gulp down an entire Nintendo Switch controller, so it's only natural he decided to eat a gaming headset. PowerA's new Kirby Mouthful Wired Stereo Headset sold out quickly when it launched earlier this year, but it's back in stock for $30 at Amazon. PowerA Kirby Mouthful Wired Headset for Switch $30 PowerA's Kirby Mouthful Wired Stereo Headset is part of the third-party manufacturer's series of officially licensed over-ear headphones themed around popular franchises. Naturally, the main draw here is the cool design that makes it look like Kirby swallowed a gaming headset. The underside of the cushioned headband features a colorful collage of characters from the Kirby universe. The left earcup shows Kirby preparing to inhale the headphones, while the right earcup displays Kirby's "mouthful" face.As for the audio specs and performance, these are basic 3.5mm stereo headphones with 50mm dynamic speaker drivers and a detachable boom mic. There are much higher-performing wired headsets with customizable audio features for similar prices, including the Razer BlackShark V2 X for $35 (was $60) and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 for $49 (was $60). But if you love Kirby or are looking for a stylish lightweight headset for a younger gamer, PowerA's Kirby Mouthful headset is quite charming.PowerA's Nintendo Switch HeadsetsKirby Mouthful -- $30Mario Kart Rivals -- $23.49 ($30)Pokemon Kanto Friends -- $30Fortnite: Llambro (includes Glyphic emote) -- $30Fortnite: Drift (includes Signal Override Wrap) -- $30The Kirby design is the best of the bunch from PowerA, but there are several other options also priced at $30 or less. Notably, you can get a Mario Kart-themed headset for only $23.49 at Amazon. PowerA's Pokemon-inspired headset features Pikachu and other Generation 1 standouts from the Kanto region. The two Fortnite models listed below come bundled with a voucher to redeem a rare in-game item: the Glyphic emote or Signal Override Wrap. See at Amazon More Kirby PowerA AccessoriesKirby controllersKirby Mouthful Wireless Switch Controller -- $40 ($45)Kirby Wired Switch Controller -- $24.44 ($28)Kirby Nintendo Switch Carrying Case -- $20As mentioned above, there are a few other products from PowerA that feature a Kirby-fied aesthetic. The Kirby Mouthful Controller will match the headset perfectly. Part of PowerA's Enhanced series, the wireless controller includes motion controls and two remappable back buttons. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Marvel Rivals’ Season 2, Hellfire Gala, is making a massive splash with its festive skins and considerable balance changes. Ultron’s leaked Marvel Rivals kit aside, it’s unknown exactly how influential he’ll be in S2.5. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Emma Frost as a tank with fairly unique telepathic abilities. No two seasons have been alike in Marvel Rivals thus far as NetEase has attempted to find its footing and also meet the demand of players, and the developer has decided for Season 3 and onward that it will abandon the concept of two characters released over a three-month period.

Navigating through the twists and turns of the Mount Holly estate to reach Room 46 is one of the main goals of Blue Prince. In Blue Prince, you play as Simon, a 14-year old child who has inherited the will of his wealthy grandfather — under condition that you can find the elusive Room 46. Room 46 is a hidden and rumored room that can only be found at the northernmost end of the estate, but since the mansion’s floor plan changes every day, how are you supposed to reach such a room? In this Blue Prince guide, we’ve given you a full walkthrough on how to reach Room 46. Take note that while we’ve taken steps to partition out segments, this guide still covers some spoilers on specific Blue Prince puzzles. How to reach Room 46 in Blue Prince There are many routes to reach Room 46 in Blue Prince. You can actually get there in one day with a bit of luck and a lot of information, but this walkthrough will instead focus on taking a route with minimized randomness. We can’t control your RNG, but we can offer some universal advice. Before you start… Before we get into the meat of the walkthrough, we recommend that you unlock as many permanent additions as you can. While our guide will ask you to unlock just one permanent addition, these upgrades to the house will drastically help you on your days as they’ll provide you with extra starting resources and another way to reach one of the mandatory rooms to finish the game. Additionally, make sure to keep an eye out for these items: Broken Lever Battery Pack Sledgehammer These items aren’t necessarily required to reach Room 46, but they can combine to make the Power Hammer, which can make your journey a lot easier. The Power Hammer can break walls to reveal hidden Antechamber Levers and corridors that allow you to save steps and time. (That said, save the Power Hammer in your Coat Check for later use!) Blue Prince walkthrough overview In brief, here’s the steps of how to reach Room 46 and claim your inheritance in Blue Prince: Step 1: Unlocking Outer Rooms Step 2: Traversing the Tomb Step 3: Unlocking the Antechamber Step 4: Finding the Basement through the Foundation Step 5: Getting through the Basement Step 6: Unlocking Room 46 Some of these steps aren’t necessarily required to reach Room 46, but, as noted before, this route will provide you with a few permanent changes that’ll make your journey easier day to day. Step 1: Unlocking Outer Rooms Outer Rooms are one of the many permanent additions in Blue Prince, and can be unlocked by drafting the Garage and Utility Closet in your estate, and using the two to open the West Gate and reveal the West Path as a permanent addition. (The Garage door can also be opened if the Boiler Room is powered and connected to the Garage, but the chance for that happening is a little more rare.) For more details, see our guides on how to open the Garage door and how to open the West Gate, but the key takeaway here is to make sure to unlock the gate, so you can revisit the Outer Rooms at the start of each day. The Outer Rooms function similarly to the rooms inside the estate, as they must be drafted every day, but the room you’re looking for is the Tomb. Step 2: Traversing the Tomb Inside the Tomb, you’ll find statues that resemble the stained glass windows in the Chapel. To progress, you’ll need to activate each statue in the same order as they appear in the Chapel by interacting with the arm holding the item: Gardener – Rimmed hat and a hoe Chef – Chef hat and a pizza peel Farmer – Cowboy hat and a rake Chimney Sweep – Top hat and a brush Maid – Bonnet and a broom Jockey – Riding helmet and a racing whip Queen – Crown and a scepter This will lower a secret wall and reveal a path that takes you to the Catacombs. Inside, you’ll find a lot of coffins, a large arrow, and a statue of Draxus, a skeleton wielding a scythe. Interact with the arm holding the scythe to lower yet another secret wall, revealing a path to the Abandoned Mine. As soon as you step onto the path, turn to the left to find a minecart. Interact with the minecart and pull it backwards until it can’t move further. This won’t have an immediate effect on your day, but it’ll be necessary for a step later down the line. With that done, you can return to the daily program of trying to reach the Antechamber. Step 3: Unlocking the Antechamber Unlocking the Antechamber may seem like the penultimate goal, but it’s about the midway point of your quest to find Room 46. To enter the Antechamber, you’ll need to unlock one or more of the east-, south-, or west-facing doors and build a path to the open door. Each door can be unlocked by finding and activating one of its associated levers hidden in the Secret Garden, Greenhouse, and Great Hall, alongside additional locations. See our guide on where to find all Antechamber levers for more details. Before heading into the Antechamber, you’ll need to make sure you have enough steps to reach either the Foundation or Coat Check from the Antechamber because you’ll need to do some extra walking. In one day, you’ll need to [deep breath] unlock one of the Antechamber’s doors, connect a path to the Antechamber, collect the Basement Key inside, and unlock its associated door. (The key can also be left in the Coat Check to be used on a later day if you can’t accomplish all of that in one go.) Step 4: Finding the Basement through the Foundation The Basement Key can open two doors around the estate: the door at the bottom of the Foundation and the door at the bottom of the drained Fountain. This walkthrough covers the route through the Foundation. One of the most important rooms in Blue Prince is the Foundation. The Foundation is a room that defies the rules of the estate, as it will stay in the same position every day. It’s a rare blueprint, so the odds of it appearing aren’t very high, but if it shows up as an option, you should draft it.  As its location is permanent and it’s a room you’ll need to go in and out of, you might be worried about its placement on your grid, but you should know that it’s only capable of appearing in the middle three columns and the rank you place it at has its pros and cons.  When placed in higher ranks, it’s going to be harder to reach, but you will need to traverse between the Antechamber and Foundation in order to complete the game. The closer it is, the fewer steps you’ll need to take. On the other hand, when placed in lower ranks, the pros and cons are reversed. Inside the Foundation, there’s an elevator that’s a little too high off the ground to reach, and you’re going to need to lower it down to ride it to the basement. To lower the elevator, you’ll need to draft a room with a door that connects to the Foundation’s wall without a door. As you try to enter the Foundation from the other side, you’ll find a lever that lowers the elevator to the ground. After activating the lever, return to the Foundation and ride the elevator down and permanently unlock the door with the red symbol using the Basement Key. Step 5: Getting through the Basement With the door unlocked, you can now enter the Basement through the Foundation. The Basement is full of boxes, filing cabinets, your typical basement storage, but the most important of all are the jacklifts, the carts with stacks of boxes on top, and a button that is a little too high to reach. To press the button, we’ll first need to shift the jacklifts to create a passage leading to the opposite side of the L-shaped room. Here, you’ll find more cabinets and boxes, but also a set of stairs that is surrounded by boxes along one wall and a ramp leading up to the top of a line of boxes along the opposite wall. To reach the stairs, you’ll need to create a bridge between the two walls using a jacklift and a powered jacklift, which can raise and lower its height. Once the bridge is complete and you descend the stairs, push the powered jacklift straight across to the opposite wall and raise its height to create another pathway. This pathway will lead you to the button, but first, you’ll need to create another bridge with three jacklifts. Reuse the two used for the first bridge and the jacklift that can move parallel to the pathway to connect the boxes. Once the bridge is complete, return to the ramp from before and push the button at the end of the path to reveal a secret passage way into the Reservoir. (This step is entirely optional, but, if you have a power hammer, you can create a shortcut to the basement to make your trip a little quicker.) Head to the top of the L-shaped basement to find a patch of the brick wall that is a little darker than the rest. Interact with the wall to break open a hidden passageway that leads to an area of the grounds just beside the four braziers. Now at the start of a new day, you can go down the stairs and enter the basement right away! Step 6: Unlocking Room 46 Now that you’ve arrived at the Reservoir, you’ll notice a lake to your left, a railroad track ahead of you, and a doorway on your right. Our main focus in the Reservoir will be just through the doorway on the right, which will reveal a gear platform and a lever that can rotate the platform. Turn the lever four times, which won’t create a walkway straight ahead of you, but rather to your left. Exit the doorway and follow the railroad track to find the minecart you repositioned in Step 1 and a path to the right. Continue down the path and cross the newly created gear pathway to the next lever. Turn this lever five times and continue along the path and through a doorway to find eight locked doors, a familiar moon symbol, and a lever unlocking Room 46. Return to the gear platform, but don’t immediately walk across. Turn the lever five times and walk across to what seems like a dead end, but in actuality, is a secret path. Open the door inside to end up back on the railroad track path from before. Now, make the trek back to the Antechamber and enter Room 46 to complete Blue Prince. Although this is technically the end of Blue Prince, there are still a lot of puzzles and mysteries to solve inside the estate!

Let’s talk about the real cost of UX design beyond the numbers and into what actually mattersPhoto by Jakub Żerdzicki on UnsplashAfter years of UX design work, I’ve learned something interesting: it’s not always about the user. Sure, desirability is crucial for end-customer products, but when you’re dealing with business-to-business tools, internal systems, or complex enterprise solutions, what’s feasible and viable often outweighs pure desirability.I’ve had my share of battles trying to convince stakeholders that user research is valuable. That’s why understanding the business side of design and the impact we make is crucial. We need to get comfortable with discussing risk, cost, and expected outcomes in ways that make sense to business leaders.And no, saying “good design is good business” isn’t enough. We need to prove it-or at least try to.In this article, I’ll share a practical model I’ve developed for understanding UX ROI by balancing cost-efficiency, risk, user testing, and the impact of design expertise.Metric for UX cost efficiencyThe real cost of design workLet’s start with the basics. Here’s a simple formula I use to calculate the direct cost of UX design work:Cost of Work (COW) = H × T × (1 + R)Where:H = Hourly rate (junior or senior designer)T = Time required to complete the task (in hours)R = Revision factor (typically 0.2–0.5 for junior designers, 0.1–0.2 for senior designers)I’ve added this revision factor because, in my experience, junior designers typically need more revisions, making their effective cost higher than their hourly rate suggests.Designer Type | Hourly Rate (H) | Time per Task (T) | Revision Factor (R) | Total Cost (COW) - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - -Junior Designer | $50 | 10 hours | 0.4 | $700Senior Designer | $100 | 4 hours | 0.15 | $460At first glance, junior designers might seem more cost-effective due to their lower hourly rates. But in my experience, the increased time (T) and revision factor (R) they typically need can lead to higher overall project costs. For complex or high-risk projects, I’ve found that the efficiency of a senior designer often reduces overall expenses.Not all tasks are created equal. A simple landing page redesign is worlds apart from an enterprise dashboard revamp. Let’s adjust for this by introducing task complexity.A Quick Note: I’m not talking about roles here-a junior designer might have more experience than a senior designer in certain contexts. We’re focusing on the experience gained, assuming that senior designers have more years under their belt and a proven track record.Understanding task complexityIn my work, I’ve found that task difficulty comes down to these key factors:- Cognitive load (how much mental effort is needed)- Sequential dependencies (how steps relate to each other)- Error sensitivity (what happens when things go wrong)- Feedback loops (how users know they’re on the right track)Take configuring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in an enterprise security dashboard. It’s a complex task that requires administrators to understand security protocols, authentication methods, and user access levels. The process involves multiple settings that must be configured in a specific order, where mistakes can lock out users or create security vulnerabilities, and errors might not be immediately visible.Photo by Resource Database on UnsplashThe task complexity formulaAfter years of analysing different tasks, I’ve developed this formula to measure complexity:C = (S × 0.3 + D × 0.2) × SD + (E × 0.3 — F × 0.2)Where:S = Number of Steps (weighted 30%)D = Number of Major Decision Points (weighted 20%)SD = Sequential Dependencies (a multiplier that adjusts for dependencies between steps)E = Error Sensitivity (weighted 30%)F = Feedback Clarity (weighted 20%)This formula:- Weights different factors based on their real-world importance- Emphasizes steps and error sensitivity (because these matter most in practice)- Maintains the relationship between dependencies and complexity- Better reflects what I’ve seen in actual projectsA Real Example:Let’s say we’re setting up MFA with:- 8 steps (S)- 4 major decision points (D)- Strong sequential dependencies (SD = 2)- High error sensitivity (E = 5)- Moderate feedback clarity (F = 3)Here’s how it works:C = (8 × 0.3 + 4 × 0.2) × 2 + (5 × 0.3–3 × 0.2)C = (2.4 + 0.8) × 2 + (1.5–0.6)C = 3.2 × 2 + 0.9C = 6.4 + 0.9 = 7.3But here’s the thing: efficiency alone doesn’t tell the whole story. While a senior designer might finish a complex task faster than a junior designer, the real question is: what happens if the design is flawed?Risk impactIn my experience, understanding the relationship between task complexity and cost efficiency is crucial. A poorly executed low-risk task (like a simple UI tweak) might only need minor revisions. But a flawed high-risk task-think checkout flow, medical device UI, or enterprise security settings-can have serious financial, legal, or usability consequences.That’s why when we evaluate who should handle which tasks, we should look beyond just task complexity and consider risk impact (R):The risk impact formulaR = (U × 0.4 + B × 0.4 + T × 0.2)Where:U = User Impact (40% weight)B = Business Impact (40% weight)T = Technical Complexity (20% weight)I’ve weighted it this way because:- User and business impact matter most (40% each)- Technical complexity is important but often secondary (20%)- This better reflects what I’ve seen in real projectsEach factor is rated from 1 (low impact) to 5 (high impact).Real-World ExamplesScenario 1: Minor UI Tweak (like changing button color)User Impact (U) = 1 (Users barely notice)Business Impact (B) = 1 (No financial impact)Technical Complexity (T) = 1 (Simple CSS change)R = (1 × 0.4 + 1 × 0.4 + 1 × 0.2) = 1.0Scenario 2: Checkout Flow (high-risk task)User Impact (U) = 5 (Critical failure, prevents key tasks)Business Impact (B) = 5 (High financial loss, regulatory risk)Technical Complexity (T) = 4 (Requires deep expertise, major risks)R = (5 × 0.4 + 5 × 0.4 + 4 × 0.2) = 4.8In this case, the risk score for the checkout flow would be 4.8, significantly higher than the 1.0 for the minor UI tweak. This tells us that the checkout flow needs more careful handling and likely requires higher expertise.Photo by The Chaffins on UnsplashRisk-adjusted cost (RAC)Once you’ve figured out the Risk Impact (R), here’s the formula I use to calculate the overall cost efficiency:RAC = COW × R × (1 + C)Where:COW = the original Cost of WorkR = Risk Impact (calculated as above)C = Task Complexity (calculated as above)This formula:Includes task complexity as a multiplierBetter reflects how complex tasks increase risk-adjusted costsGives you a more complete picture of true project costsReal Examples:For a minor UI tweak (assuming COW = 5 hours, C = 1):RAC = 5 hours × 1.0 × (1 + 1) = 10 hoursFor a checkout flow (assuming COW = 20 hours, C = 7.3):RAC = 20 hours × 4.8 × (1 + 7.3) = 796.8 hoursBy considering both risk impact and task complexity, we get a much clearer picture of the true cost of a task. This helps me make better decisions about when to invest in senior expertise versus using a more cost-efficient solution with a junior designer.User research as a risk mitigatorIn my experience, risk in design doesn’t just come from complexity or technical challenges-it also comes from uncertainty about user behavior. A product might look great from a business or engineering perspective, but if users can’t figure it out, the risk of failure skyrockets.That’s where user research becomes a powerful risk mitigation tool. By catching usability issues early, it helps reduce rework costs, user frustration, and potential business losses.Here’s how I adjust the Risk Score (R) formula to account for user research:R_adjusted = R × (1 — UR) × (1 — C × 0.1)Where:UR = Effectiveness of user research (scaled 0 to 1)0 (No research): Maximum risk remains0.5 (Moderate research): Risk is reduced by 50%1.0 (Comprehensive research): Risk is fully mitigated (in theory)C = Task Complexity (as calculated above)0.1 = Complexity factor (more complex tasks benefit more from research)This formula:- Shows how research effectiveness varies with task complexity- Demonstrates that complex tasks benefit more from research- Gives a more realistic view of risk reductionReal Example: Checkout Flow RedesignInitial Risk Score (R) = 4.8 (Critical feature, complex integration, business impact)Task Complexity © = 7.3No user research (UR = 0):R_adjusted = 4.8 × (1–0) × (1–7.3 × 0.1) = 4.8 × 1 × 0.27 = 1.3High risk remains → Needs senior expertise & extensive testingModerate research (UR = 0.5):R_adjusted = 4.8 × (1–0.5) × (1–7.3 × 0.1) = 4.8 × 0.5 × 0.27 = 0.65Risk is reduced → Still needs validation but is saferComprehensive research (UR = 0.8):R_adjusted = 4.8 × (1–0.8) × (1–7.3 × 0.1) = 4.8 × 0.2 × 0.27 = 0.26Low risk → Junior designers can implement with minimal oversightPhoto by Who’s Denilo ? on UnsplashResearch validityOne of the most important things I’ve learned in UX design is knowing when you’ve done enough testing. This is where Nielsen’s Law of Diminishing Returns for Usability Testing comes in (Nielsen, 2000). It states that the first few usability test participants uncover most usability problems, while additional users reveal fewer new issues. In practice, testing with 5–8 users usually finds most major problems, making usability testing highly cost-effective.Here’s the formula I use for calculating the Percent of Usability Issues Found (P):P = 1 — (1 — λ)^n × (1 + C × 0.05)Where:λ(lambda) is the problem discovery rate per participant (typically 0.31, based on Nielsen’s research)n is the number of participantsC is the task complexity0.05 is the complexity adjustment factorThis formula:- Accounts for how task complexity affects issue discovery- Shows that complex tasks need more testing- Maintains the core relationship from Nielsen’s LawReal Examples:For a simple task (C = 1):- At 5 participants: ~85% of issues found- At 8 participants: ~95% of issues foundFor a complex task (C = 7.3):- At 5 participants: ~92% of issues found- At 8 participants: ~98% of issues foundBeyond 8 participants, the ROI in terms of discovering new issues drops sharply, making additional users less cost-effective.In my experience, cost-efficiency in UX design is crucial because the more users you test, the higher the cost. However, most usability issues surface early in testing, making it more effective to test 5 users, fix the issues, and then retest rather than testing 20 users all at once.This iterative testing approach lets you improve the design faster and more cost-effectively. However, there are exceptions where more users are necessary:- For diverse user groups, you might need separate tests for different personas- Quantitative metrics (like A/B testing) need larger sample sizes (50–100 users)- Edge cases or accessibility testing might need specialized users (like screen reader users)Cost of user testingLet me break down the real costs of user testing based on my experience. These costs vary depending on multiple factors like test complexity, participant numbers, required resources, and the tools or services used. It’s crucial to factor in all these elements when budgeting for usability testing.Here’s the formula I use to calculate the Cost of User Testing (CUT):CUT = (H × T × n × (1 + C × 0.1)) + Recruitment + (n × Incentive)Where:H = Hourly rate of facilitator/moderatorT = Time per test sessionn = Number of participantsC = Task complexityRecruitment = Base recruitment costsIncentive = Per-participant incentiveThis formula:- Accounts for how complexity affects testing time- Includes both fixed and variable costs- Better reflects real-world testing expensesReal Examples:For a simple task (C = 1):- 5 participants- $100/hr facilitator- 2 hours per session- $50 recruitment- $25 per participant incentiveCUT = ($100 × 2 × 5 × 1.1) + $50 + (5 × $25)CUT = $1,100 + $50 + $125 = $1,275For a complex task (C = 7.3):- 8 participants- $150/hr facilitator- 3 hours per session- $100 recruitment- $50 per participant incentiveCUT = ($150 × 3 × 8 × 1.73) + $100 + (8 × $50)CUT = $6,228 + $100 + $400 = $6,728While user testing might seem expensive upfront, I’ve found it’s highly cost-effective in the long run. Early identification of issues lets teams make quick corrections, often at a much lower cost than fixing problems after launch.Post-launch fixes can be significantly more expensive, involving costly design changes, development time, and potentially brand damage or lost users.By conducting iterative testing (small batches of tests with users), you can catch and fix problems early in the design process, reducing the need for expensive fixes after the product is live.Photo by Ian Schneider on UnsplashExpert VS user testing in UX designIn my experience, there are two main approaches to usability testing: Expert Testing and User Testing. Both are valuable but serve different purposes depending on the design stage, product type, and test goals.Expert testingExpert testing involves having UX designers, usability experts, or subject matter specialists evaluate the product based on their knowledge and experience. This type of testing is usually done without actual users interacting with the product.What I’ve Learned About Expert Testing:- Quick & Cost-Effective: No need to recruit participants or wait for test sessions- Professional Insight: Experts can spot high-level usability issues quickly- Early in Development: Great for early stages when you’re still prototyping- High-level feedback: Focuses on general usability issuesThe Downsides I’ve Seen:- Lack of Real-World Feedback: Experts might miss specific user needs- Subjectivity: Personal biases can influence evaluations- Limited in Depth: Can’t fully capture user-specific challengesThe Expert testing risk formulaRisk = R / [1 + P × (1 + C × 0.1)]Where:R = Expert risk factor (usually 0.2 to 0.8)P = Problem discovery rate (usually 0.3 to 0.5)C = Task complexity (e.g., 1–10)This formula:- Shows how complexity affects expert effectiveness- Demonstrates that experts are more valuable for complex tasks- Provides a more nuanced view of expert testing riskUser testingUser testing involves having real users-who match your target audience-interact with the product. These users are observed while completing tasks, and their behaviors and reactions are recorded for analysis.What I’ve learned about user testing:- Real User Insights: Reveals actual usability issues users face- Real-World Data: Involves actual people who will use the product- Unbiased Feedback: Users offer authentic feedback about struggles- Exploration of Edge Cases: Users might interact in unexpected waysThe Challenges I’ve Faced:- Cost and Time-Consuming: Requires significant resources- Logistical Challenges: Can be difficult to organize- Limited Scope: Small user groups only uncover some issuesThe user testing risk formulaRisk = R / [1 + P × (1 + C × 0.2)]Where:R = User risk factor (usually between 0.1 and 0.3)P = Problem discovery rate (typically between 0.6 and 0.8)C = Task complexity (e.g., 1–10)This formula:- Shows that users are more effective at finding issues in complex tasks- Reflects the higher discovery rate of user testing- Provides a more accurate risk assessmentReal Example:R = 0.2P = 0.75C = 7.3Result: Risk_User = 0.2/(1 + 0.75 × (1 + 7.3 × 0.2)) ≈ 0.05This indicates very low risk because real users are more likely to uncover usability problems than experts, especially for complex tasks.Comparing expert design, user research and junior designIn my experience, not all design tasks need the same level of expertise, and not all projects require extensive user research. Understanding where each approach fits best within a cost-effective framework has helped me make smarter design decisions.Expert design vs. junior design: finding the right fitA Real Scenario:Let’s say we’re creating a new UI for a security system with a moderately complex user flow (like an admin panel for managing user roles and permissions).What I’ve Learned:- Expert Designer: Can complete tasks faster with fewer revisions- Junior Designer: Needs more time, guidance, and iterationsReal Costs:Role | Hourly Rate | Estimated Time (Hours) | Revision Factor | Total Cost - - - | - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - - - -| - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - Expert Designer | $150/hr | 12 hours | 0.15 | $2,070Junior Designer | $75/hr | 24 hours | 0.4 | $2,520My Analysis:In this case, the expert designer ($2,070) actually costs less than the junior designer ($2,520) because:- Lower revision factor (0.15 vs 0.4)- Faster completion time (12 vs 24 hours)ConclusionI’ve spent years developing these formulas as a way to understand the complex relationships in UX design. While I never actually calculate these numbers in my daily work, they’ve become a valuable mental framework that helps me navigate design decisions and communicate with stakeholders.What makes these formulas powerful isn’t their precision, but how they help me understand the trade-offs between cost, expertise, and impact. They’re like a compass that helps orient my thinking, not a rigid map that tells us exactly where to go.UX design is both art and science. While these formulas help us understand the relationships between different factors, they can’t capture the full complexity of real-world design decisions. Every project brings unique challenges that require experience, intuition, and good judgment.The real value of this framework lies in how it helps me think about and discuss complex design decisions. It’s a tool for understanding, not a replacement for experience. The best UX decisions come from balancing analytical thinking with creative intuition — something no formula can fully capture.ReferencesNielsen, J. (2000). Why You Only Need to Test with 5 Users. Nielsen Norman Group. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/why-you-only-need-to-test-with-5-users/Nielsen, J. (1993). Usability Engineering. Academic Press.Nielsen, J., & Landauer, T. K. (1993). A mathematical model of the finding of usability problems. Proceedings of the INTERACT ’93 and CHI ’93 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 206–213.Faulkner, L. (2003). Beyond the five-user assumption: Benefits of increased sample sizes in usability testing. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 35(3), 379–383.The cost of UX: balancing cost, expertise, and impact was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If you haven't filed tax returns for several years, you're not alone: The IRS anticipates a $500 billion decrease in tax revenue this year. (That’s a more than 10% decline compared to last year.) More anecdotally, the IRS has also noted increased talk online from people saying they won’t pay taxes this year, and that they're willing to take the gamble that they won’t be audited. So, with just a few days left before the April 15 deadline, you might be wondering: What if I keep on ignoring my taxes? How long can this con go on? Unfortunately, that's a mighty risky gamble. You're better off filing as soon as you can, or else be on the line for costly penalties and interest. Here are the steps you need to address unfiled tax returns and get back on track with the IRS.What happens when you don't file your taxesFirst off, it's important to clarify the difference between failure to file and failure to pay. Failure to file refers to neglecting to submit tax returns by the filing deadline, while failure to pay occurs when taxes owed are not remitted by the due date. The most important piece of advice here: File even if you can't pay. Filing on time avoids the failure-to-file penalty, which is typically higher than the failure-to-pay penalty.The IRS imposes a late filing penalty of 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month the return is late, capped at 25% of the unpaid tax bill. Additionally, interest accrues on both unpaid taxes and penalties from the due date until the debt is settled.Plus, if you don't file, you of course won't get any refund. You must claim refunds within three years, so if you don't file, you risk losing out on the money you're owed altogether. Steps to take to file your old taxes ASAP The good news: The IRS generally prefers late filing to no filing at all and has programs to help taxpayers become compliant.Gather your documentsStart by collecting the basics, like your W-2s and 1099s from employers; bank and investment statements; receipts and records of deductible expenses; any prior tax returns you still have available.If you're missing documents—understandable, at this point—you can request wage transcripts from the IRS through a few different avenues:IRS.gov (Use the "Get Transcript" tool)Form 4506-T (Request for "Transcript of Tax Return")Contacting previous employersDetermine which years you need to fileThe IRS generally focuses on the last six years of unfiled returns, though legally you should file for all unfiled years. Priority should be given to the most recent three years, so that you have a chance of getting your potential refunds. After that, focus on any years during which you had significant income.Prepare and file those returnsFile returns in chronological order, starting with the oldest. Unfortunately, one of the most common filing options, like IRS Free File, doesn't accept past tax years. Still, you have several filing options:Use commercial tax preparation software. Think big names like H&R Block, TurboTax, and FreeTaxUSA.Hire a tax professional. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or Enrolled Agents can help with complex returns. Here's how to make sure your preparer knows what they're doing.File by mail. Mail each year separately with appropriate documentation. Address your payment optionsIf you owe taxes but can't afford to pay the full sum, call the IRS and ask about the following options:Installment agreement: A monthly payment plan until you're paid upOffer in compromise: Settlement for less than full amount owedCurrently Not Collectible status: Temporary hardship reliefFrom here, the IRS may be able to guide you through some special programs available to you, such as:Administrative penalty relief: They may waive failure-to-file penalties for first-time offenders with a good compliance history.Voluntary disclosure programs: The IRS offers various programs to encourage taxpayers to come forward voluntarily as a means to resolve non-compliance and limit exposure to criminal prosecution.Streamlined filing compliance procedures: For taxpayers with foreign accounts who haven't filed required FBAR forms.Going forwardThe worst approach is continued inaction. The IRS has extensive information-gathering capabilities and eventually identifies non-filers. By taking proactive steps, you can minimize penalties, protect your financial future, and eliminate the stress of unfiled returns.If you find yourself with multiple years of unfiled returns, or maybe even need representation before the IRS, you really should consult with a qualified tax professional.Once you're back on track, you can avoid the headache that brought you to this article and start using a spreadsheet to track all your tax-related information throughout the year. I've created a basic template to get you started here. The purpose is to create a handy archive of all your tax records in one spot, making it much easier to file on time next year.Remember: Your current situation is fixable, and addressing it sooner rather than later will always be the smartest choice.