A strange atmospheric pattern known as an "omega block" is preventing the usual eastward progression of weather across the U.S. — but what is this weird block, and when will it go away?

RT Otaking 🇵🇸Ghost in the Shell - Masamune Shirow - 1989/1990

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has allowed banks in the US to offer services like crypto custody and management to their customers. The move adds to the list of steps that US President Donald Trump's government has taken recently to replace the crypto-related policies introduced by the previous administration. Acting Comptroller Rodney Hood published a letter on Wednesday, providing clarity for national banks and federal savings associations under the OCC.Banks' engagement with cryptocurrencies was previously discouraged owing to the volatility and risks associated with the sector. However, the US President's plan to make the US the "crypto capital of the world" has led to efforts to encourage engagement with digital assets, as one of the top priorities of the government.US Banks Can Now Help Customers Buy and Sell Crypto AssetsThe OCC said customers of US national banks and federal savings associations can now access crypto custody services from their lenders in the US. At the customers' discretion, banks can also help them buy and sell crypto assets.Eligible banks can also onboard third parties as "sub-custodians" to facilitate crypto activities for their customers. These may include "crypto custody and execution services", the OCC said. Banks will, however, be required to implement risk management provisions if involving third parties.Comptroller Hood's interpretive letter #1184 noted banks can offer crypto-to-fiat conversions, trade executions, tax services as well as the reporting and record keeping of crypto holdings to their customers. It added that crypto custody services are a modern form of traditional bank custody activities.After returning to the White House, President Trump instructed the SEC to establish a Crypto Task Force this year to focus on drafting crypto rules.Aligning with President Trump's vision, major US agencies are changing their approach towards the crypto sector.In April, the Federal Reserve revoked the need for banks to seek approvals before engaging with crypto, a rule that was introduced by former US President Joe Biden's administration.The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have also allowed fintechs under their oversight to engage with crypto and bridge the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies.Meanwhile, President Trump has directed the Crypto Task Force to present the crypto rulebook for the US by August. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Cryptocurrency, US, Crypto Banks Radhika Parashar Radhika Parashar is a senior correspondent for Gadgets 360. She has been reporting on tech and telecom for the last three years now and will be focussing on writing about all things crypto. Besides this, she is a major sitcom nerd and often replies in Chandler Bing and Michael Scott references. For tips or queries you could reach out to her at RadhikaP@ndtv.com. More Related Stories

Konami has released a new version of the company’s corporate profile, updating some of the key statistics in the process. As caught by ResetEra user MauroNL, the latest corporate profile also features an addition to what the company refers to as its most high-profile titles in the form of the Silent Hill franchise. Along with this, the profile also reveals that the Metal Gear franchise has sold an additional 500,000 copies since the last version of the corporate profile was released, totalling up to 62.9 million cumulative sales since the franchise’s first game in July 1987. The corporate profile also reveals that, since the release of the first game in the Silent Hill series back in March 1999, the franchise has sold 11.5 million copies cumulatively. This would include the sales of the Silent Hill 2 remake from last year, which the company had revealed crossing the 2 million copies sold milestone in January. Both the Metal Gear series and the Silent Hill series seeing growth in number of copies sold likely comes down to the fact that there have been relatively recent releases in both franchises. Metal Gear Solid got its Master Collection Vol. 1 release back in October 2023, while Silent Hill got a remake of the second game in the franchise just last year. Both of the franchises are also likely to see their sales figures go even higher, considering there are new games on the horizon. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, for example, will be getting a remake in the form of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The remake will be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on August 28. The Silent Hill franchise is getting in on the action as well with Silent Hill f coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. While it doesn’t yet have a release date, Konami has revealed details about its required PC specs. Other high-profile titles included in the list of console games in the company profile are the Pawafuru Puroyakyu series, which first launched in March 1994, and has sold 26.1 million copies, the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, which launched in December 1998 and has sold 32.2 million copies, and the Momotaru Dentetsu series, which launched in December 1988 and has sold 18.9 million copies. There are also lists for mobile games and a combination of console and mobile games. When it comes to a combination of the two platforms, the eFootball franchise – formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer or Winning Eleven depending on your region – has seen 900 million copies sold or downloaded as of October 2024 since its July 1995 launch. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, which launched in November 2016, has been downloaded 150 million times as of March 2022, and January 2024’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel has been downloaded 80 million times as of March 2025. When it comes to just mobile games, December 2014’s Jikkyou Pawarufo Puroyakyu has seen 52 million cumulative downloads as of March 2025, and Professional Baseball Spirits A from October 2015 has been downloaded 62 million times as of April 2025.

Banners designed by @bananas Rumor Info Also Sourced from Reddit user /u/Crusader3456 Thread Title by KozukiOden​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Gears of War: E-Day​TBD​Announce Trailer​Gears of War: Reloaded​X|S, PC, PS5​August 26, 2026​ Rumors​ Gears 6​Source: Xbox Era summary via GameRant​Gears of War Collection?​Source: Xbox Era, summary by Dexerto​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platform(s)​Release Date​Trailer​ Rumors​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​N/A​TBD​ Rumors​ Multiple Games in Development​Source: Gamerant​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​N/A​TBD​ Rumors​ Project Tatanka​Source: Windows Central​Move to Unreal Engine 5, No Story DLC​Source: Gamespot​Halo: Combat Evolved Remaster in early development​Source: Notepad by Tom Warren​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Perfect Dark​X|S, PC​TBD​Gameplay Reveal​ Rumors​ Perfect Dark Is Years Away​Source: Rebekah Valentine, IGN​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Clockwork Revolution​X|S, PC​In Due Time​Announce Trailer​ Rumors​ Title Based on Existing IP?​Source: Reddit, GamingLeaksandRumours​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​N/A​TBD​ Rumors​ Third Minecraft Spin-off Game​Source: Jez Corden, Summary via Screenrant​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Project Mara​X|S, PC​TBD​Teaser Trailer​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​The Outer Worlds 2​X|S, PC​Fall 2025​Announce Trailer​ Rumor​ Obsidian Want to Release 7 Games in 7 Years​Source: Jez Corden​ Current Projects​ Game NamePlatformsRelease DateTrailerFable​X|S, PC​2026​ Rumors​ Forza Horizon 6​​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Everwild​X|S, PC​TBD​Eternals Trailer​ Rumors​ Everwild Rebooted, More Like Viva Pinata​Source: Andy Robinson​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​​​​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​State of Decay 3​X|S, PC​TBD​Announce Trailer​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​​​​ Current Projects​ Game Name​Platforms​Release Date​Trailer​Ninja Gaiden 4 (Team Ninja & Platinum Games)​X|S, PC, PS5​Fall 2025​Announce Trailer​Contraband (Avalanche Studios)​X|S, PC​TBD​Announce Trailer​Towerborne (Stoic Studio)​X|S, PC​September 10, 2024 (Steam Early Access) 2025 (1.0 Release)​Announce Trailer​OD (Kojima Productions)​X|S, PC, Cloud​TBD​Official Teaser -- The Game Awards​ Rumored Partnerships​ Game Name​Platforms​Source​Project Dragon (IO Interactive)​X|S, PC​Windows Central​Project Maverick (People Can Fly)​X|S, PC​ShackNews​Project Shaolin (Brass Lion Entertainment)​X|S, PC​Windows Central​Project Suerte (Certain Affinity)​X|S, PC​Windows Central​Killer Instinct (Bandai Namco?)​X|S, PC​Windows Central​Project Vonnegut (Shadowrun?)​X|S, PC​Reddit Summary of Grubbsnax​Banjo-Kazooie​X|S, PC​NateDrake, ResetEra​Over a dozen projects in development​IdleSloth — GDC Video​Hundred Stars Project​TBD​eXtas1s -- Exputer​

Nintendo is predicting that it will sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles in its current financial year — a figure that most analysts agree is too low, but that would still put it among the fastest-selling game consoles of all time.Nintendo made the forecast in a report to investors covering its previous financial year, ending in March 2025. It also predicted sales of 45 million Switch 2 games, and 4.5 million original Switches — which would bring the older console within spitting distance of the all-time record held by PlayStation 2.Analysts, including Niko Partners’ Daniel Ahmad, said Nintendo’s forecast was “conservative,” likely due to uncertainty around U.S. trade tariffs. “Nintendo’s number is on the low side. With good reason,” Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games told VGC. “God knows how the tariff situation will evolve even over the next few days, so how is a company supposed to predict sales for an entire year?”Before the Switch 2’s $449.99 price was announced, and before President Donald Trump’s tariffs came into effect, analysts were predicting sales of 20 million in the console’s first fiscal year. These estimates were buoyed by reports that Nintendo would have an unprecedented inventory of 6 to 8 million consoles available on day one, which would almost certainly lead to a record-breaking launch. Since then, it’s become apparent that Nintendo’s efforts to provide an adequate supply of Switch 2s for launch have fallen short, with the company admitting it won’t be able to meet what it calls an “astonishing” level of demand for the console.Even if Nintendo does sell “only” 15 million Switch 2s in its first 10 months — the months between its June 5 launch and the end of its fiscal year in March 2026 — this would put it among the most successful console launches ever. The original Switch sold 14.86 million units in a similar period, between its March 3, 2017 launch and the end of the calendar year. Sony reported sales of 13.4 million PlayStation 5s by the end of September 2021, a little over 10 months after it went on sale (and in the face of crippling stock shortages).It looks like the Switch 2 is going to be a massive hit — tariffs or no tariffs.See More:

Menu Home News Hardware Gaming Mobile Finance Deals Reviews How To Wccftech Gaming 8 The Midnight Walk Review – A Scenic Stroll Despite Some Stumbles Nathan Birch • May 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT • Copy Shortlink Game Info The Midnight WalkMay 8, 2025 PlatformPC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, SteamVR PublisherFast Travel Games DeveloperMoonHood There can be something strangely unsettling about stop-motion animation, particularly the old-school stuff made before the likes of Wallace & Gromit gave the medium a softer edge. A few games over the years have tapped into that stop-motion aesthetic (last year's Harold Halibut being a good example) but the new handcrafted horror game The Midnight Walk really leans into the creepiness that sometimes accompanies the art form. The makers of The Midnight Walk, veterans of games like Fe and Lost in Random, went the extra mile, constructing actual physical models of all their characters and key props, which were then 3D scanned into the game to give everything that proper tactile look. Is The Midnight Walk a carefully-constructed horror gem? Or will you want this stop-motion adventure to just... stop? Mosey onward for the answer… The Midnight Walk casts players as a mysterious figure simply known as The Burnt One (a pair of charred arms is all you’ll ever see of yourself) who befriends a cute/creepy living lantern named Potboy and a walking house named… Housy. Together you all set off on a journey along the titular Midnight Walk to reach the top of Moon Mountain, solving various problems and keeping one step ahead of a menagerie of horrors along the way. Why exactly do you want to climb Moon Mountain? The Midnight Walk is a bit unclear about that and if you’re expecting a tightly-plotted narrative from the game, you’ll likely be disappointed. This game is mostly about vibes. That said, the game does take the FromSoftware approach of filling in various details about the world you're traversing via occasional bits of narration, audio logs, and so on. The game is split into chapters, with each location usually having some sort of dark or tragic backstory. The game manages to deliver a few surprisingly affecting moments while keeping cutscenes and dialogue to a minimum. Ultimately though, what really draws you into the world of The Midnight Walk is the game’s impressive presentation. The various beasties that Midnight Walk developer MoonHood have dreamed up hit that proper balance between charming and eerie, but perhaps the most striking thing about the game are its environments. Each chapter has its own theme of sorts, ranging from a monster-infested swamp, to a snow-blanketed haunted village, to a hand-crafted city overseen by a shambling giant, and some of the vistas within these areas are truly remarkable. The game's sumptuous visuals are elevated by excellent music that strays from the usual horror tropes, with some tracks having a classical or even jazzy feeling. This all works together to create a unique atmosphere and a persistent, but not overwhelming, sense of tension. Playing on PS5, it was sometimes hard to fully assess how well the game was running, as herky-jerky animation is an intentional part of the game’s aesthetic. There were definitely occasions when the game’s framerate seemed to be chugging a bit though. That said, this isn’t exactly a fast-twitch action game so the performance stumbles weren’t a big issue. Of course, a game can’t get by on vibes and visuals alone, so how does The Midnight Walk actually play? The game gives you a fairly limited selection of abilities – you can command Potboy to interact with various things, which typically involves him lighting stuff on fire, and you can light things up yourself with matches that are strewn fairly liberally throughout levels. These matches can even be shot from a gun you’ll eventually acquire (it’s strictly used for solving puzzles – this game never becomes an FPS). Finally, you can also close your eyes, which may provide audio clues for solving some puzzles, open up paths marked by glowing eyeballs, and freeze or destroy some enemies marked by the same glowing eyes. The Midnight Walk uses its limited mechanics in service of some fairly standard puzzles and stealth challenges. The game’s puzzles aren’t terribly complex, but provide just enough difficulty to keep your brain engaged. Stealth sections are also simple, but work well enough, at least early on. Towards the end of the game, things get a bit more complex, with players having to do things like lure enemies onto specific switches in order to progress. At times these challenges can feel a bit too fiddly for their own good. The Midnight Walk is mostly very linear, although there are times where you have to backtrack a short distance or collect a series of MacGuffns within a somewhat more open area. There’s no map to guide you during these moments, with the game instead offering glowing trails that pop up and direct you where to go. This approach is functional, but you do feel like you’re being guided by the nose. Some sort of map or more elegant solution would have been welcome. Really, The Midnight Walk feels the best when it’s at its least “game-y.” When you’re simply exploring and experiencing this haunting world. The stricter stealth sections, while generally okay, and sometimes even good, don’t stand out as unique in the same way the game’s world does. It should also be mentioned that The Midnight Walk can be played in VR, and I suspect it will work quite well as a VR experience (I only played the game the standard way on a TV). That said, I could also see some of the more fiddly moments I mentioned previously being a bit frustrating in VR. The Midnight Walk isn’t necessarily cheap for an indie, coming in at $40, but it provides a decent workout with its story taking around 5 or 6 hours to complete. Meanwhile, alternate endings and a variety of collectibles may give you a reason to tackle the game again. I thought this walk felt substantial enough, but your mileage may vary. This review was based on a copy of The Midnight Walk provided by publisher Fast Travel Games. 8 WCCFTECH RATING The Midnight Walk The Midnight Walk is a real eye-catcher, offering one of the most distinctive and visually-arresting worlds yet seen in a horror game. As with most good walks, the experience is often best in its quieter moments, as the game’s puzzles and stealth sections range from good to sometimes merely adequate. That said, The Midnight Walk never strays too far off path and those in the mood for something spooky ought to enjoy the journey. Pros World has some interesting lore Beautiful, uniquely-eerie visuals Well-tuned level of tension Fairly satisfying puzzles Stealth is mostly solid Effective soundtrack Reasons to replay Cons Actual plot is rather simple A few somewhat finicky sections Some areas could use a map Buy for from Amazon The links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Wccftech.com may earn from qualifying purchases. Deal of the Day 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

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The regulator previously attempted to block Microsoft's acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher.

Software Engineer II (Full Stack)Sony PlaystationUSA-CA-San Diego-Via Esprillo2 hours agoApplyWhy PlayStation?PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.Our team is looking for a strong and enthusiastic full stack software engineer to join our established team within PlayStation in beautiful San Diego, CA. We apply web technologies to develop innovative core user experiences on the PlayStation®5 and PC and beyond, that hundreds of millions of customers around the world enjoy daily. The ideal candidate will come from a strong object oriented development background and be passionate about full stack and web technologies on both the front end and back end.We employ Agile standard methodologies, use modern software development paradigms, and focus on continuous improvement in the delivery of high quality applications for our customers. This is an opportunity to be part of one of the world's most recognized brands, and to collaborate with PlayStation Engineering teams throughout the world.We work in a hybrid work environment with a flexible mix of at home and in office time expected, so relocation to the area will be required.Responsibilities:Drive development of complex projects across multiple-teams and fields.Collaborate with Product Owners, Product Managers, and Designers to understand feature requirements, define technical requirements, and develop new features in PlayStation system applicationsPartner with QA engineers to ensure test coverage and verify test plans that help deliver high quality featuresWrite unit tests and component tests for features with key characteristics of stability and maintainability which prevent regressions in the product code.Efficiently debug issues raised by internal and external users and work with the team to provide resolutions to these issues.Focus on Quality and strive to improve processes, propose standard methodologies and drive their usage within the teams.Support and Mentor other team members and provide technical leadership by reviewing pull requests, design plans, and participate in architectural discussionsCommunicate on development strategy, technical subjects related to software development frameworks, and collaborate effectively with the globally distributed teams to achieve the business goals.Required Qualifications:Must relocate to the San Diego areaBachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or ability to demonstrate equivalent knowledgeAt least four years or equivalent experience in full stack developmentSignificant experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Node.js for front end developmentExperience with Java and Python for back end developmentExperience with React or at least one modern web application framework such as Angular/Ember.jsExperience with asynchronous programming and PromisesExperience with git or other version control solutions (both centralized and distributed)Preferred Qualifications:Profile (Non-Technical)Strong independent problem-solving skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skills in a team environmentProven ability to learn quickly and tackle new challengesWorks independently under minimal direction with strong work ethicAble to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environmentA passion for robust codeWe are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.#LI-AT1Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.$145,700 — $218,500 USDEqual Opportunity Statement:Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment. Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply