Choices, Choices"We really heavily focused on freedom to play the game the way you wanted" - Fallout: New Vegas' director on Obsidian's goals in the face of bug criticisms and Fallout 3 comparisons"You always have to prioritise things." News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Nov. 10, 2024 Obsidian knew what it was in for as it was developing Fallout: New Vegas, but that didn't stop it from sticking with its guns.Despite how long games take to make these days, Fallout: New Vegas was on the opposite end of the spectrum, taking only 18 months to develop, which was way too quick even then. The end result had plenty of bugs, which is something that Obsidian knew it would have to accept, but also reused assets from Fallout 3 - and in a recent interview with Edge (via GamesRadar), director Josh Sawyer knew that that had to be the case if it was going to ship at all, particularly considering this might be his last chance to helm a Fallout game.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "I knew that people would say 'Hey, this basically looks like Fallout 3.' And there were a lot of complaints about bugs," Sawyer said. "It was very frustrating because we weren't unaware, but you always have to prioritise things." That doesn't mean any of this stopped Obsidian from doing exactly what it set out to, as a big thing the developer wanted to achieve is making the game highly replayable. "All of our work had gone into the intricate and the freedom of the quests and the critical path, and the faction alliances."Those are things that, if you just do one playthrough, you are going to be like 'yeah, whatever, who cares?' So it did take time for people [to] go 'oh, wow, actually you can beeline straight to the strip.'" Freedom was particularly important for Sawyer, as he noted that "you don't even have to do the critical path. You can kill anybody in the game and the game accounts for it. We really heavily focused on freedom to play the game the way you wanted, and I think that's what stood out over time."Since then, Fallout: New Vegas has obviously gone on to become a beloved entry in the series, with plenty hoping that Obsidian would make a new Fallout after being acquired by Microsoft (though I think it's probably a bit busy making Avowed and The Outer Worlds these days).

Tune in for a 10-minute tour.A Nintendo Direct is on the way, folks. This one, however, won't feature any upcoming Switch games, nor any information on the elusive 'Switch 2'.Instead, Nintendo will be showcasing a 10-minute look at the new Donkey Kong Country expansion for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

"40 years in the making".Digital Eclipse is releasing Tetris Forever on the Switch eShop early next week on 12th November and the file size is now in.According to an official listing, you'll need roughly 5.3 GB of free space to install this collection on your Switch. As previously confirmed, there will be more than 15 playable games in Tetris Forever, including several that haven't ever been released outside of Japan until now.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Image: Nintendo LifeWelcome once again to Catch-up Crew, where Nintendo Life staffers assemble for a mission to explore an old classic, with veterans leading new recruits into the unknown.Last time we examined Rareware's Donkey Kong Country on the SNES. For today's mission, we're taking a look at WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, or Minigame Mania! as it was known in Europe.This winning 21-year-old GBA classic was Wario's first venture into the world of microgames and is available to play on Switch if you've got a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube784kWatch on YouTube Following the customary various promotions and demotions, this is the crew we assembled for this mission to Diamond City circa 200X:Capt. Gavin Lane - WarioWornCmdr. Alana Hagues - WarioWiseLt. Ollie Reynolds - Mi$$ed this oneEns. Jim Norman - WarioWhere?Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Good afternoon, crew. Are we all assembled?Alana: Correct and present, sir.Jim: Presently correct, captain.Ollie: Aup!Gavin: Good. Were here a little later than expected following our mission to assist with terraforming efforts in the Rostk system, and Id like to keep todays briefing as short and sweet as possible given the micro nature of the assignment.First up, lets get some background. Ensign Norman, is this your first encounter with the WarioWare series?Jim: With the series? No, sir. I dabbled in the wonderful Wii entry, WarioWare Smooth Moves, back in the day, and I also have a particular soft spot for the DSis WarioWare: Snapped! (though, in retrospect, its not very good is it?). But this was my first encounter with where it all began.Gavin: Ah, Smooth Moves - my first brush with the series also! I first played this GBA debut during my time serving as 3DS Ambassador. Youre familiar with other entries in the series, Lt. Reynolds?Ollie: Yep! Ive dipped in and out of the WarioWare franchise, and if my memory is correct, Ive played D.I.Y. and Gold the most. I have very vague memories of the original, but I dont think I actually played it myself; perhaps I watched a friend play it during school or something. Who knows. Its a cool series, though!Gavin: And youre a seasoned veteran, Commander?Alana: Seasoned is a generous term, sir, but I played Mega Microgame$ back when it came out on GBA. I havent played any of the WarioWare titles on 3DS or Switch - its a series I sort of dropped off. But I have some fond memories of this one and Touched!, in particular.Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Interesting, you're the only one to have played this on original hardware. Okay then, its worth beginning with constructive criticism, because I believe I speak for the crew when I say this one holds up exceptionally well. I only intended to dip in briefly via NSO to refresh my memory, but ended up playing the whole thing.So, negatives. Anyone?Ollie: Heh Honestly? Not really. Like yourself, I think it holds up very well. The ability to communicate exactly whats required from the player in literal seconds is astonishing. I also love the whole vibe of this one. It kind of reminds me of early MTV Animation shows, but its also before Wario became known for, yknow farting and stuff.Alana: Im on the same page as both of you. I actually love how gimmick-less the original is. It really is just a bunch of little minigames all bundled together with no microphone, no touchpad, no motion controls just you and two buttons and a d-pad.Jim: Gosh, I better come up with something negative to say, then. Erm the Paper Plane minigame is a bit too addictive? My hands got a little too sweaty in the final level? Ive got nothing! I was expecting to play this one over the course of a week, but ended up playing it from start to finish in a single sitting. How moreish.Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: Indeed. The simplicity of the inputs work so well. If you misunderstand an instruction due to the speed, theres almost zero confusion the next time. In terms of negatives, hmm. Compared to the others, Orbulon's observational games aren't quite my cup of Earl Grey. And the very slow upload bar when you unlock the next round of games is pointless. Thats all Ive got.Moving on, lets talk about favourite characters and specific minigames. Ive a soft spot for Jimmy T. myself.Jim: Jimmy is great, and perhaps the best-defined character in the game, but 9-Volts selection was a highlight for me. Having played the later series entries, I was wondering when all the Nintendo references were going to pop up, and there they are! I love the shameless plug for the GBA SP on completion, too.Alana: The Nintendo games are always a highlight, arent they, Ensign? Ill give a shoutout to Mona for being this kooky, energetic character. Shes also got some of those classic WarioWare games, too, like the eye drops, nose picking, fried eggs. I like it when WarioWare gets stupid. But I do hate the nail and hammer boss round.Ollie: The Nintendo games are really neat, but I have to admit that I prefer the more original, bespoke games. Theres a sense of the unknown the first time that you play them that is missing with those established Nintendo-themed ones. My favourite characters are Dribble & Spitz, purely because I love the effect of the rain on the taxis windscreen as the wipers clear it away. It looks so cool!Images: Nintendo Life Our Top 25, but what's at number WAAAAH-n?Jim: Ill give a little shoutout to those microgames that use a real image in the background. Getting the cat to sleep or the dog to shake made me laugh. Every. Single. Time.Alana: Its a very cool-looking and sounding game with a lot of different art styles, vocal songs, and colour. It really stands out on the GBA, honestly. I remember the first time I saw those animated photograph games and it reminded me of the Game Boy Camera.Gavin: Yep, the mixed-media approach to the art felt so anarchic. I love the simple narratives that thread the thing together, too. I havent played either of the Switch games, unfortunately, as the increased complexity and gimmickry tended to put me off, especially with the backlog. Has anyone here sampled the latest entries?Jim: Not me, unfortunately. Though after checking out the OG, Id be keen to now.Alana: I havent, and I dont know if I will. This is more a broader point, but I feel like once youve played a handful of WarioWare games, you know what youre getting. WarioWare knows what it is, and thats great, but I think Ive had my fill from the earlier games, and its a big jump to pay full price for something I might only play for a few hours and stop playing.Ollie: Yeah, same here. Now that Ive sampled a few of the earlier games, I have a hard time imagining playing Move It! or Get It Together! and thinking, Wow, so unique! Theyre not all the same, mind, but yknow. YKNOW. Yeah, I wont play them.Gavin: Here we are, on the flagship, and apparently only Chief OReilly has played the Switch WarioWares! Ill make a note in my log. Youre absolutely right, though - that simplicity and the purity of the concept was nailed in the very first entry. Nintendo has a habit of doing that, which is fantastic but also makes iteration tricky.Okay, lets wrap up this micromission. Any final thoughts? Particular memories?Jim: Monas backstory involves her killing a lot of people and we dont discuss that nearly enoughAlana: Shes a working woman, what can I say?Gavin: Remind me to review your Starfleet records, Hagues.Alana: *gulp*Images: Nintendo LifeGavin: And on that note, lets adjourn until next time. Speaking of which, I believe its freshly-promoted Lt. Normans turn to take command for the next mission?Jim: You would be correct. Im taking the wheel and turning us all towards a wonderful world of safari. Anyone up for a spot of Pokmon Snap? It will be a first for some of us, no?Gavin: It will. Some fresh air and snapping holos of the local wildlife on a pleasant M-class planet sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, all. Dismissed.WarioWare, Inc. Mega Microgame$ - Recruit ReportImage: Nintendo LifePromoted Officer:Lt. Cmdr. Ollie ReynoldsLt. Jim NormanBest bit:Those sweet windscreen wipersThe sleepy catWorst bit:Cutscenes are a bit lengthyErm, my sweaty palms?Would play again?Who says I'm not playing it now..?I won't rest until I beat my Paper Plane high score Fun incorporatedRANK!Catching up with the DK crewCaptain's log, stardate 202411.10. After spending some time with the most verb-filled of video games, the crew is energised and ready to go boldly on to our next assignment. With the festival of GO'TY fast approaching a time of great joy and gratitude we look forward to our continuing mission.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:21 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRound Up: The Reviews Are In For Mario & Luigi: BrothershipHere's what the critics thoughtIt's Official, 'Switch 2' Will Be Backwards CompatibleSwitch Online will also be available on the "successor"Mario & Luigi Fans Aren't Happy About Brothership's Battle Button TweaksIt should be 'B' for the Bro, right?Nintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch GamesXenoblade X! Brothership! Donkey Kong Country!Plans To Announce The 'Switch 2' Have Not Changed, Says Nintendo's PresidentSo expect it before the end of March 2025 System:Game Boy AdvancePublisher:NintendoDeveloper:NintendoGenre:PuzzlePlayers:1Release Date:Game Boy Advance 26th May 2003 23rd May 2003 21st Mar 2003Wii U eShop 10th Apr 2014, $6.99 10th Apr 2014, 6.29 3rd Apr 2014, 700Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (Subscription)8th Feb 2023Series:Wario, WarioWareAlso Known As:WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania! (Europe), Made in Wario (Japan)Where to buy:Buy on eBay

In BriefPosted:3:00 PM PST November 10, 2024Image Credits:TechCrunchElon Musks X is moving its legal disputes to Northern TexasLawsuits against X (formerly Twitter) will soon be heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.The shift was first announced last month as part of a broader set of changes to Xs terms of service and privacy policy. Now, with the changes set to take effect on November 15, The Washington Post spoke to a number of legal and tech experts about what the move might mean.X owner Elon Musk also recently moved the social media companys headquarters from San Francisco to Bastrop, Texas near Austin but Bastrop lies in Texas Western District.The Northern District, meanwhile, has become a destination for conservative activists seeking to challenge Democratic policies, with 10 of its 11 active judges appointed by Republican presidents.While its normal for companies to specify in their terms of service where lawsuits against them may be filed, Cornell law professor G.S. Hans described choosing the Northern District of Texas as weird compared to the Northern District of California, which most tech companies choose. Hans said the Texas district just doesnt have as much of a volume or history with tech lawsuits.Topics

Folks in America: Your senators only have a few weeks left to pass the PRESS Act, a federal shield bill that the House passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in January but has been waiting in the Senate for a final vote ever since.The PRESS Act, if passed into law, would enshrine nationwide protections for journalists across the United States from forcibly having to identify or give up their confidential sources (except in emergency cases, like to prevent an act of terrorism). The bill also grants other protections, such as limiting what records the government can secretly take from journalists or their email or phone provider that could identify their sources again, with a narrow set of exceptions for emergency threats.Lawmakers have been pushing to pass federal protections for journalists in the PRESS Act for the past year, citing recent U.S. government abuses, including the secret seizure of phone records from journalists who worked for CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post at the request of the Justice Department under the Trump administration. As noted last week by The Verge, protections for journalists and their sources will become increasingly relevant in a second Trump term.Forcing journalists to turn over a sources identity can have a real chilling effect on newsgathering. Peoplewill feel discouraged from talking to journalists, and that harms the publics ability to be informed about things that affect them. We also increasingly consume our news from independent journalists and smaller outlets, which might not have the legal resources to fight a government subpoena for their records. The PRESS Act would provide the same blanket protections to journalists across the United States, and also covers independent journalists and outlets that publish information in the public interest.While the bill doesnt affect the tech industry directly, as a news outlet, were in favor of protecting and building upon press freedoms. Some of TechCrunchs most read and impactful reporting has come from readers like you, who have reached out and tipped us off to corporate wrongdoing, unearthing mismanagement in the startup world, detailing human rights abuses, and revealing major breaches and data spills, cyberattacks and criminality that otherwise might have gone unreported. TechCrunch has a history of standing up to legal demands to protect our sources. We can only do this with the protections of press freedoms.At this point, the PRESS Act already has bipartisan support in the Senate, with Sens. Ron Wyden, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, and Dick Durbin as co-sponsors. The bill is just waiting for a final vote on the Senate floor, with weeks to go before the bill expires at the end of the congressional session. The ACLU has a web form if you want to send a note to your senators, or you can call or email them directly to ask them to vote for the PRESS Act.

In BriefPosted:11:30 AM PST November 10, 2024Image Credits:I-Hwa Cheng / Bloomberg / Getty ImagesTSMC reportedly halts advanced chip shipments to Chinese companiesAfter a chip manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company was found inside a Huawei processor, the US Department of Commerce has ordered the company to halt shipments of advanced chips to Chinese customers, according to a report in Reuters.Huawei faces significant trade restrictions from the US, so the pause on shipments is supposed to allow the government to determine whether other companies are diverting chips to Huawei.TSMC reportedly notified affected customers that it will be halting shipments starting Monday. The advanced chips being targeted are often used for artificial intelligence applications an area where the US has already been restricting chip exports from companies like Nvidia.In a statement provided to Reuters and other publications, TSMC said it is committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls.Topics

close How VPNs shield your identity and secure your financial transactions from theft A VPN could be your secret weapon to protect your identity and finances. Ever feel like navigating the internet is like walking through a digital minefield?With cybercriminals lurking around every corner, protecting your identity and finances can feel daunting. But what if I told you that a VPN could be your secret weapon?By masking your IP address and encrypting your data, a VPN makes you nearly invisible to online threats.Lets dive into how this powerful tool can safeguard your online activities and keep your financial transactions secure. A woman using a VPN on a tablet (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What is a VPN?A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your internet connection, ensuring that your online activities remain private and secure. By routing your internet traffic through a secure server, VPNs mask your IP address, making it difficult for hackers and malicious entities to track your online behavior. A VPN being used on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How VPNs workVPNs operate through two primary mechanisms IP address masking and data encryption. When you connect to a VPN, it hides your real IP address by assigning you a new one from its server network, effectively preventing websites and cybercriminals from tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.Simultaneously, VPNs encrypt all data transmitted between your device and the internet, rendering it unreadable to anyone who might attempt to intercept it. This encryption process ensures that sensitive information, such as credit card details, remains confidential throughout your online activities. By combining these two powerful features, VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, significantly enhancing your online privacy and security. A woman using a VPN on her cell phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Protecting against identity theft by using a VPNIdentity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information to commit fraud. This can lead to unauthorized transactions and damage to your credit status. So, how can a VPN prevent identity theft? By encrypting your internet connection, VPNs protect against data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information, especially on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi. VPNs also prevent third parties from tracking your online activities, reducing the risk of personal data being harvested for malicious purposes.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A woman using a VPN on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Using a VPN to reduce risks in online transactionsOnline transactions are vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals looking to steal financial information such as credit card numbers and banking credentials. A VPN can be used as a shield for financial data. VPNs ensure that all data exchanged during online transactions is encrypted, making it nearly impossible for hackers to access sensitive financial information. When using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often targeted by cybercriminals, a VPN provides an additional layer of security by encrypting all data transmissions. A woman using a VPN on her cell phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Practical tips for using VPNs effectively1. Choose a reliable VPN provider:Opt for reputable VPN services known for strong encryption standards and no-log policies to ensure maximum privacy and security.For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices2. Use strong passwords:Combine the use of a VPN with strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts to enhance security. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE3. Enable two-factor authentication(2FA):Wherever possible, enable 2FA to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.4. Regularly update software: Keep yourdevices and software updated to protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.5. Monitor financial accounts: Regularly check bank statements and credit reports for any suspicious activity to catch potential fraud early. A woman working on a laptop using a VPN (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Kurt's key takeawaysVPNs play a vital role in protecting your identity and securing financial transactions online. By masking your IP address and encrypting data transmissions, they offer a robust defense against identity theft and credit card fraud. Implementing the tips provided can further enhance your online security, ensuring peace of mind in the digital world.Have you ever experienced identity theft or fraud? How might the information in this article help you prevent it in the future? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Not everyone needs a $1,000 phone. If you're on a tight budget, the NUU N10 is an impressive handset that won't break the bank.

When it comes to Bluetooth speakers, small size usually means small sound -- unless it's the JBL Clip 5, which produces surprisingly powerful audio.