• WWW.GAMESPOT.COM
    Get Four Collectible Fallout TV Series Figures For Only $34 At Amazon
    A 4-pack of collectible figures based on the Fallout TV series is on sale for over 50% off at Amazon. Manufactured by McFarlane Toys and released in November, this collection of 6-inch figures normally costs $75, but you can snag the set for only $34 while supplies last. The collection includes 6-inch replicas of Lucy, Maximus, the Ghoul, and the Vault Boy mascot. Get deal at Amazon McFarlane Toys - Fallout TV Series Figures Box Set$34 ($75)Continue Reading at GameSpot
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  • GAMERANT.COM
    Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 is Exciting, But Project Orion Might Be More
    Nearly five years later, Cyberpunk 2077 has risen from the ashes of its launch and has become one of the most loved RPGs around. The dystopian world of Night City now feels more alive than ever, making Cyberpunk 2077 a game filled with compelling characters and a story that hinges on taking down society's corporate overlords.
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  • BLOG.PLAYSTATION.COM
    PlayStation 5 Pro Teardown: An inside look at the most advanced PlayStation console to date
    PlayStation 5 Pro console — the most innovative PlayStation console to date — elevates gaming experiences to the next level with features like upgraded GPU, advanced ray tracing, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) – an AI-driven upscaling that delivers super sharp image clarity with high framerate gameplay. Today we’re providing a closer look at the console’s internal architecture, as Sony Interactive Entertainment engineers Shinya Tsuchida, PS5 Pro Mechanical Design Lead and Shinya Hiromitsu, PS5 Pro Electrical Design Lead, provide a deep-dive into the console’s innovative technology and design philosophy. *In this article, we refer to the PlayStation 5 model released in 2020 as the “original PS5,” the PS5 released in 2023 as the “current PS5,” and the PS5 Pro released in 2024 as the “PS5 Pro.” *Do not try this at home. Risk of fires, and exposure to electric shock or other injuries. Disassembling your console will invalidate your manufacturer’s guarantee.  Name: Shinya Tsuchida (PS5 Pro Mechanical Design Lead) (Right of photo)Name: Shinya Hiromitsu (PS5 Pro Electrical Design Lead) (Left of photo) An exterior design featuring three distinct horizontal lines  Tsuchida: Before we begin the teardown, I’ll start by going over the PS5 Pro’s exterior design. PS5 Pro is a high performing console, so it requires more air to cool it down. The distinctive three slits are new airflow paths that were not present in the original PS5, or the current PS5. This design was conceived through extensive discussions between the engineers and designers, and we refer to them as ‘blades’ within the engineering team. The slits enhance airflow while also acting as a design element. Exterior design comparison between the original PS5 (left), the current PS5 (center) and PS5 Pro (right). PS5 Pro is slightly smaller in size compared to the original PS5. While the look of the PS5 Pro is consistent with the rest of the PS5 family of products, it features three distinct blades that contribute to improved ventilation. ‘Louvers’ between the main unit and cover help to make the console quieter Tsuchida: Inside the PS5 Pro, there is a structure called a “louver” that sits between the main unit and cover, which looks like a series of slats or fins. While it’s part of the design, it also prevents some of the fan noise from escaping the console towards the front direction. Since most users will play games while facing the front of the console, we intentionally designed the system to make it harder for players to hear the fan. Rear changes for more efficient airflow Tsuchida: Next, let’s take a look at the back of the console. We place importance on the types and arrangement of the input/output ports. Since the power button is something everyone uses, there’s been a shared understanding among our successive design teams that it’s better to have it positioned at the bottom rather than the top when the console is placed vertically. On the other hand, the positions of the HDMI, LAN, and USB ports are placed slightly higher compared to the current PS5. This is because the PS5 Pro’s mainboard features a high-density circuit design, and the port placement has been adjusted to accommodate the change. The vent (exhaust vent) surface is also larger compared to other PS5 models, and air is taken in and exhausted from the rear and bottom surfaces. The size of the intake and exhaust vents is important for better ventilation, and we knew from preliminary research that they needed to be larger than the current PS5, so we decided on the size after discussing with the design team. The teardown begins Tsuchida: Let’s start the teardown. On the top side, just like in previous PS5 models, a dust catcher is provided for cleaning purposes. On the bottom side, there is an M.2 SSD slot, a disc drive connector, and a hatch for inserting a coin cell battery. Tsuchida:The screw holding the battery is intentionally designed to stay attached to the battery cover, preventing it from being lost or accidentally swallowed—a thoughtful safety feature. A new fan that quietly increases air flow  Tsuchida: After disconnecting the fan cables, we can now remove the blades and inner shell. I’m also removing the fan itself. Like I mentioned earlier, the PS5 Pro requires more air for cooling, and the fan is designed to generate airflow more efficiently. The overall size of the fan is larger than the current PS5 model’s as well. Comparison of the PS5 Pro’s fan (left) and the current PS5 model’s fan (right) Tsuchida: The two fans have the same number of blades, but our teams re-designed the blade shape for further optimization. If you look closely, you can see that there are even smaller blades in between each blade. Generally speaking, if a fan has good airflow efficiency, it’s considered better and higher performing. However, we designed our fans to be more than that — we wanted our fans to produce more air “quietly.” It may be generally acceptable for fans to be louder as long as it’s creating more airflow, but this isn’t the case for game consoles as it can disrupt the gameplay experience. I think this specific design philosophy is unique to PlayStation consoles. Screws to suppress electromagnetic noise Tsuchida: Now let’s remove the metal shield located further inside the cabinet. The shield is secured to the mainboard with a large number of screws—and there’s a reason for that. Most components on the mainboard generate electromagnetic noise. Since this noise can interfere with nearby electronic devices, such as smartphones, and potentially disrupt their operation, we must suppress the amount of electromagnetic emissions to be kept below a certain threshold. The screws securing the shield are strategically placed to reduce electromagnetic interference. An evolved motherboard that achieves heightened gameplay Tsuchida: Once we remove the top and bottom shields, you’ll reach the PS5 Pro’s motherboard. One characteristic of PS5 consoles is that they leverage liquid metal with excellent thermal conductivity for the TIM (Thermal Interface Material) of its main processor. Before we get into details, I’ll provide some explanation using a board before the liquid metal is applied.  PS5 Pro’s motherboard is larger than that of the current PS5. The current PS5 model’s board is curved where the fan sits, but the PS5 Pro has a larger board due to the increased number of circuits required to achieve PS5 Pro’s enhanced performance, which changed the position of the fan. As I mentioned earlier, you’ll notice the location of the input and output ports on the back of the unit is different as well. The top side of PS5 Pro’s motherboard. The top side of current PS5 model’s motherboard. Hiromitsu: The SoC (System-on-a-Chip) is the large chip you see on the center of the board. This chip handles the rendering of high-resolution, high-frame-rate graphics, including the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which uses AI-enhanced resolution for ultra-high-definition gameplay. To maximize the performance of the SoC, the power delivery lines have also been enhanced compared to the current PS5. In addition, PS5 Pro’s board has more layers compared to the current PS5. If you look closely at the surface of the current PS5 model’s motherboard, you can see the traces that connect the SoC and RAM. However, on the PS5 Pro’s board, the traces are barely visible on the surface. This is because the PS5 Pro’s motherboard was designed with additional internal layers, which allows signal traces to be routed more efficiently through the inner layers achieving even faster memory performance. Now let’s compare the back side of the motherboards. The main visible difference is that the number of RAMs placed around the SoC has increased from eight to nine. All PS5 consoles up to the current PS5 were equipped with eight chips of high-speed GDDR6 memory, which handled high-speed rendering for games as well as low-speed processing for the rest of the OS. In the PS5 Pro, we added a ninth DDR5 memory which is dedicated to the slower processing, while the remaining eight GDDR6 memories handle all the high-speed rendering required for gameplay. The GDDR6 RAMs themselves have also been improved and are faster than those equipped on the previous PS5 models as well.  The back side of PS5 Pro’s motherboard. A ninth DDR5 memory chip was added to the upper right corner (circled in red in the photo), in addition to the eight GDDR6 laid out in a circle. The back side of the current PS5 model’s motherboard. The innovative use of liquid metal became an integral piece of technology that has been carried over to successive PS5 models.  Tsuchida: Using liquid metal as the TIM in the original PS5 was quite challenging at the time. Since liquid metal has far superior cooling capabilities compared to conventional TIMs, we adopted it after conducting various tests to ensure its safety. We spent quite some time conducting research on insulation when we were designing the original PS5. The basic structure remains the same in the PS5 Pro, but we made some improvements by adding fine grooves where the liquid metal is applied, so that the cooling effect is more stable. When we were doing research for the original PS5, we anticipated that semiconductors would continue to advance and become much denser, so we believed liquid metal technology would become crucial. It turns out we were right, and it was integral when designing the PS5 Pro. For more stable cooling, grooves have been added where the liquid metal is applied. Developing a larger power supply unit with higher output Hiromitsu: This is the power supply unit. The PS5 Pro outputs about 48W more compared to the current PS5 and is also larger in size. The curved power supply units are meticulously designed for each PS5 iteration, so that it fits perfectly into the chassis. Fun fact, the unit has “Sony Interactive Entertainment” engraved near the bottom, so it’s easy to tell which side is the top or bottom. This obviously isn’t immediately visible to the consumer, but it is a small detail that indicates the correct orientation when the console is placed vertically. A perfectly placed heat sink Tsuchida:The heat pipes are made of copper. The silver components of the heat sink are made of aluminum to dissipate heat, and the rest of the gray parts are made of steel. PS5 Pro’s heat sink has more heat pipes, as the console requires a more powerful heat sink to support its high performance. The heat pipes are located next to the SoC, and the fins that transfer heat from the heat pipes are divided into two sections. A heat sink’s cooling capabilities vary greatly depending on its placement, so we put a lot of effort into finding the perfect layout. Adopting Wi-Fi 7 for even faster connectivity Hiromitsu: On the top side of the mainboard, you’ll find the Wi-Fi 7 module. Wi-Fi 7 is a new standard released in 2024, and we chose to adopt it for the PS5 Pro based on its high performance and future potential. During the development of the PS5 Pro, Wi-Fi 7 had not yet been officially released, which made the validation process quite challenging. But we were glad we were able to become early adopters for a gaming console when we got it certified in time for launch in regions that supported Wi-Fi 7. The white section visible at the bottom right of the top side of the board is the Wi-Fi 7 module. An antenna is also located just beneath it. And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed getting an inside look at the internal architecture of the PS5 Pro. Each component works together in harmony to realize the console’s innovative features, like stunning graphics and smooth gameplay.
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  • WWW.POLYGON.COM
    Overwatch 2’s new mode, Stadium, is the game’s 3rd pillar, Blizzard says
    Blizzard Entertainment is giving Overwatch 2 its second big shake-up of 2025 this week, launching a new game mode on Tuesday that radically changes the standard rules of team play and introduces all-new powers for the game’s heroes. Stadium will also add a new, optional third-person camera view, ditch the mid-game hero-switching mechanic that’s essential to other modes, and give heroes wild new variations. Reinhardt can fly now. Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller describes Stadium as a third pillar for the hero shooter, not just as a new mode that can stand alongside Quick Play and Competitive modes. The game’s development team is now structured with this in mind. Keller told press in a roundtable interview that there’s a “totally separate team of people that are solely devoted to working on Stadium.” They’ll add new heroes to the mode — Stadium will launch with 17 playable heroes; Overwatch 2 currently has 42 — as well as new Stadium-specific maps and game modes each season. “We really want to put as much time and attention into supporting Stadium as we do the rest of the game,” Keller said. Stadium has been in development in some form or another for years, Keller said — even before Overwatch 2 launched in 2022. The goal with the new mode, he explained, was to give Overwatch 2 players more tactical gameplay, with downtime between rounds where players could strategize their hero builds to counter their opponents’ builds. “The reason people play a hero shooter is to just get that power fantasy of what it means to play that particular character, and Stadium allows us to push that further than we ever have in the game,” Keller said. Stadium is a round-based, best-of-seven mode. Before each round, players spend a mode-specific currency called Stadium Cash on items that boost existing abilities and powers that dramatically reimagine those abilities. Heroes will initially get modified abilities that boost damage or healing, or reduce cooldown times. As games of Stadium progress, players will earn more currency to spend on wild new powers, like the aforementioned option to have Reinhardt fly when using his rocket-boosted Charge ability. Some other heroes’ powers can get even wilder. Ana can unlock the ability to Nano Boost her entire team or shoot her Nano Boost dart through walls. Moira can fire “multiball” orbs. Mei can turn into a giant rolling ball of ice. Kiriko can create a clone of herself when teleporting toward an ally using Swift Step. These purchasable hero powers are kind of the alternative to hero switching, since Stadium requires teams to lock in their hero choices from the start of a game. But if your team has a Genji, for example, he can purchase a power that offers beam reflection to counter a troublesome Zarya or Symmetra. And as teams stack items and powers over the course of a game of Stadium, things can get pretty chaotic and hectic. But that’s also when Stadium is the most fun. Stadium’s initial lineup of heroes includes characters that have been in the game since the beginning, including Reinhardt, Soldier: 76, Genji, Reaper, and Zarya. Some veteran heroes, like Tracer and Hanzo, will come in later seasons. There’s also some fresh blood in Stadium’s launch roster, including Juno, Kiriko, and Freja, the last of whom is the game’s newest damage-class hero; she’ll make her Overwatch 2 debut and her Stadium debut on April 22, with the launch of season 16. The full roster of Overwatch 2 heroes is expected to come to Stadium in time, but adding them will take a lot of work, senior game designer Dylan Snyder and lead level designer Ryan Smith said. Building out dozens of powers for each hero across the roster and attempting to balance them all is hard — and even harder for certain characters, Snyder said.  “There are heroes whose kits are just already so tight and complete that as soon as you start to expand it you’re playing with fire,” Snyder said. “Mercy was actually one of those; having such a powerful ability like Resurrect, you have to be very careful what you do to expand something like that.” Smith said that “a lot of the high-mobility characters are the risky ones,” noting that D.Va was a tough character to adapt to Stadium play. Snyder said that alpha testing Stadium with thousands of players in recent months has helped iron out some of the mode’s balance issues. “Cassidy was a very early one for us that was tricky,” he said. “We knew that we wanted to pursue something with Fan the Hammer, and we definitely maybe went a little too far with that. [We learned] very quickly how in the hands of a skilled marksman how bad that could be for an enemy.” Like other modes of Overwatch 2, expect a fairly quick response to imbalance issues and possibly even new items and powers that address holes in heroes’ kits. “I expect we’ll get a large number of our player base moving over to Stadium,” Keller said, ensuring that players put the new mode through its paces. Overwatch 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game’s new Stadium mode launches on all platforms April 22.
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  • DESIGN-MILK.COM
    Apartment V Reimagines Industrial Heritage With Modern Vibrancy in Greece
    In the heart of Ermionida, Greece, a former machinery workshop has been given a vibrant new identity as a dynamic and contemporary living space. Apartment V, a project by Anastasia Naki of Naki Atelier, breathes new life into a once-industrial setting, integrating modern design elements while paying homage to its past. Spanning 807 square feet, the residence is strategically designed to optimize natural light. A wall of glass blocks surround the front entrance allowing light to enter the space while also prioritizing privacy. With only one external-facing facade, the architectural team prioritized its design to flood the interior with daylight, enhancing both ambiance and energy efficiency. The layout is thoughtfully structured, dividing the home into two primary zones. The private section, containing two bedrooms and a bathroom, is accessible via a corridor that extends from the kitchen. Meanwhile, the public area of the apartment is an expansive, open-plan living area that combines various functions without compromising comfort or aesthetic appeal. A defining feature of the renovation is a suspended steel loft – in a cherry red hue that is seen throughout the space – which serves multiple purposes. Hovering above the kitchen and dining space, this mezzanine area acts as an additional relaxation zone while simultaneously shaping the perception of height in the room. The elevated structure provides a sense of intimacy, counterbalancing the generous 14-foot-high ceilings. By incorporating this level, the design maintains an open connection between different parts of the apartment while ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere. Leading up to the mezzanine and suspended from the back of the kitchen island, the floating staircase makes a 90-degree turn midway up and continues to the top with added treads that tie the red between the two floors. The material selection reflects both the industrial history of the space and a bold contemporary vision. A red steel framework anchors the design, echoing the building’s original function, while stainless steel custom-made furniture reinforces the industrial aesthetic. To balance these raw, robust elements, the interior features Tinos green marble, bold-hued tiles, thick textiles, and raw birch plywood – each adding texture and warmth to the space. For more information on Naki Atelier, click here. Photography by Thanos Palaskos / Bessawissa Studio.
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  • UXDESIGN.CC
    Everything’s a vibe: is it progress or just an illusion?
    In a world where feeling productive replaces thinking deeply, are we innovating or just vibing our way into deceptive flow?Continue reading on UX Collective »
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  • LIFEHACKER.COM
    My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Apple Watch Series 10
    We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Ever since Apple released the latest Apple Watch Series 10 earlier in September, it has been steadily dropping in price; it's currently sitting at $299 (originally $399) after a $100 drop, matching the lowest price yet, according to price-tracking tools. This price is for the 42mm case, 130 to 180mm size bands, in black, denim, and rose-gold case colors. The bigger 46mm case is down to $329 (originally $429), also its lowest price after a $100 discount. Memory Storage Capacity: 64 GB, Connectivity Technology: GPS, Screen Size: 42 Millimeters Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] $299.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $399.00 Save $100.00 Memory Storage Capacity: 64 GB, Connectivity Technology: GPS, Screen Size: 46 Millimeters Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] $411.91 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $411.91 at Amazon SEE -1 MORE The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best Apple Watch for most people and a great replacement if you're still wearing the more budget SE, according to Lifehacker associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt's review. There are also some key upgrades from the Apple Watch 9, although they're less noticeable than previous Apple Watch upgrades. If you're curious to know how it compares to other flagship smartwatches, you can check out our head-to-head comparison post here.Some of the first things you'll notice on the Series 10 are a thinner case and a bigger OLED screen (either 1.6 inches or 1.8 inches, depending on which model you get). Unlike the Series 9, which could only take calls on the speaker, the Series 10 has audio playback, meaning you can listen to podcasts or Spotify on its speakers. The sleep features were also improved, with a notification that gets triggered by sleep apnea symptoms. There are also new depth and water temperature sensors that automatically turn on when you go underwater, a feature that used to be unique to the more premium Apple Watch Ultra series. Of course, you get the Vitals App with the Watch OS 11, which gives you your energy score based on many health metrics.The battery will last you anywhere between 18 and 36 hours, depending on your use. You still get the same fitness features, heart rate monitor, and sleep tracker from previous models—but still no blood oxygen sensor.
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  • WWW.ENGADGET.COM
    The Roblox economy is going global, as users can now set regional pricing
    Roblox has adapted its payment system to allow for regional pricing. This means that the software will automatically adjust the cost of an in-game item to match the local economy of the buyer. The company says this will make it easier for active community members to "better adapt to local market conditions and maximize earnings." Prior to this move, users in a country like Vietnam would pay the exact same price as folks here in the US. This effectively priced out users who live in countries with weaker economic conditions. Regional pricing should make international users more active in the Roblox marketplace. Roblox Creators have to opt-in for the service. The software will not only automatically determine optimal local prices for items, but will update costs periodically as the global economy shifts. Companies like Nintendo already do this, as anyone who has opened up an eShop account in a different region can attest to. For the uninitiated, Roblox creators earn something called Robux by selling in-game items that grant perks and abilities. Regional pricing doesn’t yet cover avatar items, but will later in the year. This follows the platform’s recently-launched price optimization feature, which helps creators set the best price for anything they are selling. Roblox says the feature has increased earnings by around four percent for eligible creators, typically because the price was lowered but more units were sold.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-roblox-economy-is-going-global-as-users-can-now-set-regional-pricing-160047440.html?src=rss
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  • WWW.TECHRADAR.COM
    A Microsoft Entra security update is locking users out of their accounts
    Microsoft appears to have flagged some users’ credentials as being compromised erroneously, locking them out.
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  • WWW.CNBC.COM
    Musk says he's looking to put 'proper value' on xAI during investor call, sources say
    Sources said recent comments from Musk signal that AI startup xAI may be readying for a significant capital raise.
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