Streaming video services are seeing more customers hitting "pause," The Wall Street Journal reports.This means people cancel their subscriptions, only to re-subscribe soon after.I admit to frequently quitting and rejoining Hulu and data shows I'm not alone. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. I have broken up with and gotten back together with Hulu so many times over the years that it would probably make the cast members of "Vanderpump Rules" say we were in a toxic relationship.Once a year or so, I look at all the various subscriptions I'm paying for and, in a fit of budget-consciousness, decide that I must cancel something. Hulu seems to keep ending up with the short stick but then a few months later, there's some show I'm dying to watch, and I keep crawling back.It appears I'm not alone: The Wall Street Journal reported Monday on the rise of the subscription pauser. The Journal examined subscription data from analytics firm Antenna to see the pattern of people quitting Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, and others.Here's what it found:The monthly median percentage of premium streaming video subscribers who rejoined the same service they had canceled within the prior year was 34.2% in the first nine months of 2024, up from 29.8% in 2022.The habit of pausing and resuming service means that the industrywide rate of customer defections, which has risen over the past year, is less pronounced than it appears. The average rate of U.S. customer cancellations among premium streaming video services reached 5.2% in August, but after factoring in re-subscribers, the rate of defections was lower at 3.5%.Meanwhile, last month, the Federal Trade Commission finalized a "click to cancel" rule that is supposed to make it easier for customers to cancel online subscriptions. (The rule essentially says if you signed up online, you can't be required to cancel by phone or mail you have to be able to cancel online, too.)In my experience, streamers generally are already compliant with the FTC's rule. Because of that, I doubt it's going to have much effect on whether someone cancels. Instead, streamers might offer discounts, promotions, or bundling with other services to try to keep you for the long term and reduce what they call "churn."As for me, I'm back as a happy Hulu subscriber after I was lured by comedianBrian Jordan Alvarez's demented series of TikToks. In them, he's dancing shirtlessto an audio meme to promote his FX show, "English Teacher," which streams on Hulu. Consider me un-paused.

President-elect Donald Trump has begun naming members of his White House team, offering an early signal as to what direction hell take on issues, including foreign policy and immigration. Thus far, Trump has announced a handful of policy staffers, nominating House GOP Conference chair Elise Stefanik as Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Hes also named former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Tom Homan as his choice for border czar and is set to announce longstanding policy adviser Stephen Miller as a deputy chief of staff. Stefanik has been a staunch supporter of Israel, and Zeldin has emphasized his desire to roll back environmental regulations. Homan and Miller, meanwhile, are known for their hard-line stances on immigration, including overseeing family separations during Trumps first administration.Many other nominations including for powerful Cabinet positions like Secretaries of State and Defense are still to come. Related:Trump described a range of priorities while on the campaign trail, including promises of mass deportations, expansive tariffs, and cuts to protections for LGBTQ people. It will be up to his secretaries and staff to execute these plans, with his picks thus far underscoring just how serious he is about pursuing many of these goals, particularly on immigration. During his first administration, many of Trumps Cabinet members oversaw significant changes to the executive branch including Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who were critical to curtailing worker protections and attempting massive cuts to education spending, respectively. Trump has indicated that he wants to go further and move faster this time around and that he wants to ensure hes surrounded by like-minded staff. Below is a rundown of the people Trump has named and the roles these appointees could play. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 16: House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) speaks on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his partys presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesHouse Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY) has been tapped for UN AmbassadorWho she is: Once a moderate, Stefanik currently part of Republican House leadership has become a vocal Trump loyalist in recent years as her New York district shifted right. Stefanik first burst onto the national stage as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, grilling witnesses as part of Trumps first impeachment proceeding in the lower chamber in 2019. More recently, she went viral for her questioning of college presidents during a hearing on antisemitism and their handling of student protests over Gaza. As a top House Republican, Stefanik has amplified Trumps 2020 election denials and hewed so close to the president-elect that she was once on the shortlist for the vice presidency. Stefanik is also known for her efforts to recruit and support more Republican women for House seats. Shes taken a pretty standard conservative stance on foreign policy: Stefanik has been a prominent supporter of aid to Israel while balking at continuing support for Ukraine. She backed early tranches of Ukraine aid but joined other Republicans in arguing that more recent aid could be better applied domestically. Stefanik has previously questioned aid to the United Nations, including to its Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been vital to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter, Trump said in a statement about the role. What we know about the role: The Ambassador to the UN serves as a vital envoy for US interests; given the countrys financial support for the body and its role on the UN Security Council, the ambassador has major influence regarding how the organization utilizes its resources and who serves in its leadership. In the last year, UN officials have been increasingly critical of Israels attacks on Gaza as thousands have died, health care systems have been assaulted, and famine has struck. As Ambassador, Stefanik could criticize these positions and call for defunding UN relief programs. This role requires Senate confirmation. What message this sends: The pick suggests that the Trump administration could once again ramp up its disagreements with the United Nations, after attempting to curb funding for certain UN initiatives in Trumps first term. At that time, the administration also pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council, citing its criticisms of Israel. Stefaniks naming could also underscore the president-elects skepticism of additional aid to Ukraine. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 22: Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, testifies before the House Homeland Security Committees Border and Marine Security subcommittee on Capitol Hill on May 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. Republican House members are calling for reform to asylum processes. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty ImagesFormer ICE Acting Director Tom Homan has been named border czar Who he is: Homan was acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration and oversaw the implementation of the family separation policy during his tenure from 2017 to 2018. Hes also long backed Trumps desire to deport unauthorized immigrants, previously noting that if invited to join the administration, he intended to run the biggest deportation operation this countrys ever seen.Homan worked for ICE during former President Barack Obamas administration as well, and has also served as a police officer and Border Patrol agent. Hes been in lockstep with Trump on implementing punitive immigration policies and called for ICE to deport a wide range of unauthorized immigrants, including those who dont have criminal histories. Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. There is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. What we know about the role: The border czar is not an official role that requires Senate confirmation; the Secretary of Homeland Security is the actual cabinet official overseeing the border. However, Homan appears poised to have a major say over policy and will weigh in on proposals at both the northern and southern borders, according to Trump. What message this sends: Homans efforts in the first Trump administration and his commitment to sweeping deportations this term indicate that the president-elect is fully focused on his promise to remove a large number of unauthorized immigrants from the US. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lee Zeldin, Former New York Senator and gubernatorial candidate visits Mornings With Maria with host Maria Bartiromo at Fox Business Network Studios on February 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesFormer Rep. Lee Zeldin tapped for administrator of the Environmental Protection AgencyWho he is: Zeldin is a former Republican House lawmaker who also ran a failed campaign for the New York governors seat in 2022. Zeldin did not previously sit on committees focused on environmental policy in the House, and focused on crime and inflation during his gubernatorial run. That year, he came within a notably close margin of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul as a Republican running in a traditionally blue state.Zeldin has said that some of his first priorities will be to roll back regulations that are forcing businesses to be able to struggle, and to work on US energy dominance. What we know about the role: The EPA is responsible for crafting policies that protect clean water and air, and also plays a major role in approving regulations to combat climate change. The position of administrator is a Senate-confirmed role. What message this sends: Trump promised to take a very different approach to the environment than the Biden administration, including by exiting international climate agreements and focusing on expanding fossil fuel production. Zeldins nomination suggests those promises will be a priority, as will rescinding Biden-era environmental protections that curbed carbon emissions for businesses. Stephen Miller, former White House senior advisor for policy, speaks during a campaign event with former US President Donald Trump, not pictured, at Atrium Health Amphitheater in Macon, Georgia, US, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. A flurry of polls released Sunday show Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump remain poised for a photo finish in this weeks presidential election, with voters narrowly split both nationally and across the pivotal swing states that will decide the election. Photographer: Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesTrump policy aide Stephen Miller expected to be named deputy chief of staff and policy adviserWho he is: Miller is a staunch Trump loyalist and policy adviser who pushed many of the harshest immigration policies during the president-elects first term. He has advocated for a travel ban and family separations in the past, and hes a chief architect and booster for the idea of the mass deportations Trump has promised this term as well.They begin on Inauguration Day, as soon as he takes the oath of office, Miller has said of deportations. Trump has not yet formally announced the appointment, though Vice President-elect JD Vance has already posted his congratulations to Miller. What we know about the role: Another political appointment that doesnt require Senate confirmation, this position is set to focus heavily on providing policy guidance likely focused on immigration, given Millers expertise to the president-elect. What message this sends: Between this appointment and Homans, Trump has made clear that his promised mass deportations will be one of his top policy goals when he retakes office. West Palm Beach, FL - November 6 : Susie Wiles speaks with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump after he was declared the winner during an election night watch party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 06, 2024. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Jabin Botsford/Washington Post via Getty ImagesTrump campaign adviser Susie Wiles has been named chief of staffWho she is: A longtime Florida campaign operative, Wiles helped run Trumps 2016 campaign in the state and was a senior national adviser to him in 2024. Shes heavily credited for the success Trump had during the Republican primary in 2024 and had previously aided Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during his gubernatorial run in 2018 prior to a falling out between the two. Wiles has also been a corporate lobbyist and worked with a spectrum of Republicans in the past, including former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and Florida Sen. Rick Scott. Susie is tough, smart, innovative, universally admired and respected, Trump said in a statement. What we know about the role: The chief of staff is effectively a gatekeeper who helps shape the presidents priorities and offers policy counsel. The position is the most prominent political appointee in the White House and is not Senate confirmed. Notably, Trumps former chief of staff John Kelly has been a major critic of Trump, describing him as a fascist who favors a dictator approach.What message this sends: Wiles has been credited with professionalizing Trumps campaign operations and reining in some of the chaos that has marked his past operations. That said, his campaign was still rife with racist remarks that echoed authoritarians as well as frequent lies about former Vice President Kamala Harriss policies and identity. Kelly has said that he attempted to restrain the president during his first term, though it was still plagued by in-fighting and tumultuous policies on everything from climate to immigration. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

President-elect Donald Trump is pushing for the next Senate majority leader to allow recess appointments, which would allow him to install some officials without Senate confirmation.Typically, the Senate must approve presidential nominations for high-level posts, including cabinet positions, ambassadorships, and inspector general jobs, in a process outlined in the US Constitution. This procedure is meant to be a check on presidential power a way of ensuring officials directly elected by citizens can guard against the appointment of unqualified or corrupt personnel.The Constitution, however, also allows for recess appointments, a provision that aims to prevent prolonged government vacancies by allowing the president to install officials without Senate approval while Congress is not in session. Using such recess appointments, Trump would be able to appoint whoever hed like without giving the Senate the opportunity to question or object to the pick. Critics of the practice note that it increases the risk of unqualified, corrupt, or ideological appointees filling government posts. It also significantly expands presidential power. Though recess appointments have been used in the past by presidents of both parties, in recent years, the Senate has avoided going to extended recesses, blocking presidents from making any appointments in senators absence.Reinstating recess appointments would essentially negate one of the Senates main roles in governance, which is to vet presidential nominations for high-level positions, Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, told Vox. It would, if the Republicans in the Senate were willing to go along with it, represent sort of an abdication; they would be simply giving up the power thats afforded them.Trump injected his demand into the fierce race to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as the leader of the Senate, which will be under GOP control next session thanks to the results of last weeks election. Trump largely stayed out of that contest while on the campaign trail, but he waded into it on Sunday, writing on X, Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!)The three candidates for the position Sens. John Thune (South Dakota), John Cornyn (Texas), and Rick Scott (Florida) quickly expressed support for Trumps demand. Scott, the underdog in the race who is also the closest Trump ally of the three, was the most explicit in his endorsement of the plan, writing 100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible, on X.Whats a recess appointment and how does it work?In ordinary circumstances, nominees to many government posts including cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and federal judges must undergo a confirmation hearing, during which they are questioned by the Senate about their record, qualifications, and how they will perform their government duties. Confirmation in this process requires a simple majority voting to confirm. Recess appointments work differently, and they dont require a vote. The president simply appoints an official of their choice. The idea behind them was that there might arise times when the president needed to appoint someone to keep the government functioning, while Congress was out of session (in recess).At the time the Constitution was written, Congress met mainly nine out of 24 months, and there were long stretches where Congress wasnt in session, Squire told Vox. As such, the Constitution states the president has the Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. Congressional recesses arent as long as they once were. Now, recesses happen in between each congressional session and around holidays. Recess appointments still work the same way, however. And as the text notes, any appointment made during a recess isnt permanent: Presidential appointments made during a recess last to the end of that second session, meaning for a period of no more than two years. A president can renominate their pick after that, or reappoint them during another recess. How have they been used in the past?With the exception of Trump and President Joe Biden, recent presidents have made use of recess appointments; according to the Congressional Research Service, former President Barack Obama made 32 recess appointments, Bill Clinton made 139 recess appointments, and George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments.Though recess appointments were meant to be used in emergencies or in times when Congress met less often, over the past few decades, theyve become seen as a way for presidents to get around congressional opposition. The process faced major scrutiny during the Obama administration, and was curtailed after a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that Obama had overstepped his power in utilizing recess nominations. (Thats why neither Trump nor Biden made any recess appointments.)In an effort to block recess appointments, the chamber often employs what are known as pro forma sessions. These short meetings, in which no real business is conducted, mean the Senate is never in recess for more than 10 days preventing the president from making any appointments without the bodys consent. A pro forma session can be as simple as one senator gavelling in, and then calling the session over.If recess appointments are reinstated, there is little Democrats could do to stop the process, Squire said. But they could slow down legislative processes, which wouldnt necessarily prevent [recess appointments] from happening, but there would be a penalty a cost attached to it. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

The PlayStation 5 Pro was announced in September, and immediately people reacted with disbelief to the price: 699/$699, without a disc drive. Adjusted for inflation, it is the second-most expensive games console ever released beaten only by the PlayStation 3, whose price was quickly slashed when it turned out nobody was willing to work a second job to afford one. Its an addition to, rather than a replacement for, the original PS5 model. All games released so far work on the Pro, and all future PS5 games will work on both models.For your money, you get an upgraded GPU (graphics processing unit), which is overall 45% more powerful that the original PS5s; AI upscaling, which makes images more detailed; and advanced ray tracing, which makes the lighting better. In plain English, its supposed to make all PS5 games prettier and faster.My partner and I bought one last week, with an added disc drive to complement the 2TB of storage (an extra 100, though they are now in short supply). For context: I mostly play games on my Steam Deck or my Nintendo Switch, and can only just tell the difference between 30FPS and 60FPS. I appreciate a gorgeous game God of War and Ratchet and Clank have blown me away on PS5 but graphical performance is not hugely important to me. My partner, meanwhile, is a lifelong early adopter and PC gamer who is very invested in his tech. Here is our verdict.The idea behind this console upgrade is removing all compromises. The original PS5s graphical options let you pick between fidelity and performance how good everything looks v how fast everything moves. Choose fidelity and the lighting and detail of each scene will be better, but the frame rate will be lower. Choose performance and the frame rate will be higher, making things feel silky-smooth during play, but some of the fancier lighting effects and detail are turned off. With the PS5 Pro, the compromises have been removed: now you can have the higher detail at a higher frame rate.As to whether you can actually see this difference will depend a lot on your TV. If you dont have a 4K TV, for instance, there is absolutely no point in this console. Most high-end TVs now have a lot of built-in effects and features that smooth out frame rates and otherwise improve the look and performance of what youre playing, so the difference might not look as huge as youre expecting. Personally, as someone who is not invested at all in high-end tech, I can see and feel a small but noticeable difference when I compare the same game on PS5 and Pro on our 4K TV. My partner, whose eye is better trained for these things, feels that the contrast is more obvious.This lack of compromise is what tech-minded gamers hoped for from this generation of consoles in the first place, so it is nice to finally have it. Indeed, I reckon the ideal customer for the PS5 Pro is someone whos been holding off on buying a PS5 because it didnt feel like enough of an upgrade from the PS4. Most people are unlikely to play a PS5 exclusive such as Spider-Man 2 or Horizon Forbidden West again simply because its a little better-looking on an upgraded console. But if youve never played these games in the first place then youll now be able to enjoy them at their very best.Sonys pleasing hardware design is still going strong with the PlayStation 5 Pro Photograph: Sony Interactive EntertainmentSpeaking of enjoying games at their best: this console has a feature called PS5 Pro Game Boost, which enhances all the 8,500+ backwards-compatible PlayStation 4 games as well. Some of the PS4s best games have been specifically remastered for PS5 already, including The Last of Us parts I and II and Horizon Zero Dawn, but plenty havent, and they benefit hugely from this upgrade. The difference here would be noticeable to anyone.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionTypically, Sony has released these upgraded consoles just after the midpoint of a PlayStations lifespan, so we can assume well get three to four years worth of use out of the PS5 Pro before the PlayStation 6 comes along. As for whether its worth the money? If you already have a really nice TV, you like to have the latest tech, and you havent already played every PS5 game worth playing, you will, like my partner, be very happy with it. Its a nice-to-have, rather than an essential. You can be reassured that if, like me, you balk at paying this much for any games console, you are not missing out on much.

Silent Hill 2 much better than expected (Konami)The Tuesday letters page gives up on the Nintendo Switch 2 being announced this year, as another reader worries about kids access to GTA 5.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukRemaking the moodIve just finished the Silent Hill 2 remake and Ive got to say it has completely exceeded my expectations. Even knowing that it was good, thanks to the positive reviews, I expected it to be a straight recreation of the original game, but with a few modern touches. But its much more than that, a completely new game that mirrors the original but is never exactly the same with some parts removed and others added.Full credit to Bloober Team, I think theyve done a great job and Im genuinely wondering whether it might be the best remake Ive ever played. The other contenders, I would say, are Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Resident Evil 2 and 4. All of which are similar in that they play pretty loose with the original game very loose in Final Fantasy 7s case but still manage to capture the mood and atmosphere of the original perfectly.This is a million miles away from the pointless remakes Sony has been churning out lately, for things like The Last Of Us and Until Dawn, which just seem to be literal cash grabs, that add nothing to the original and arent needed anyway.I think its silly to say remakes are good or bad. They can be either or just mid. But I think the best ones are great and I cant get enough of them. I wish they were remaking Soul Reaver instead of just remastering it.LemptonLike what you likeThank you for printing my (positive) take on Starfield. I wasnt even surprised to see the umpteenth negative review in the Readers Feature a week later but an Underboxer did comment my continued belief that the gaming community love to hate Starfield.I have to admit Ive spent more time dwelling on my discrepancy of experience than I should, I dont dispute any of the complaints that have been repeatedly levelled at Starfield, I can only say they havent impacted my enjoyment of the game in the way it has for others.And shouldnt that be OK? We dont all like the same things, if Starfield isnt for you there are numerous other space titles you could play instead.While numbers for Starfield are down on other Bethesda titles, it has a (smallish) dedicated following and is starting to see some really cool mods. I can only promise to never write in on this subject again and quietly hope we see a few more expansions.DarKerR (gamertag)GC: Of course its OK. Look at us, were convinced Etrian Odyssey 4 is one of the best games ever made, and were never going to stop going on about that. The only thing we disagree with you about is the idea that theres numerous alternatives; there are far too few space exploration titles for our liking.Different tiersSurprising Dragon Age: The Veilguard isnt selling all that well.The GC review made it sound like it was on a par with Elden Ring and Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom. A top tier title. I wonder why it isnt performing as well as EA would have hoped?I was tempted to give it a go and refund if I didnt like it, but two hours to get an idea of how a complex role-playing game plays isnt a lot of time.P.EllaGC: We said it was very good but Elden Ring and Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom are two of the best games of the generation, if not of all time, so its not on that level. And Dragon Age is selling well, just not spectacularly.Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukTo stalk or not to stalkIve never played any of the previous S.T.A.L K.E R. games and Im not a big first person shooter or survival game fan either, to be honest. But I recently read Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky brothers, on which the games and the film Stalker are loosely based, and loved it.Following that I watched a few preview videos of the new game, and I have to say my interest is piqued. I do like an open-ended role-playing game and this looks like it might hit the spot. A positive review from your good selves may probably be the decider. In any case, read Roadside Picnic if youre a fan of dystopia sci-fi. Its excellent.SomasonicGC: It is indeed, and if youre a fan of that and Stalker we cant see you not enjoying the games to at least some degree. The older ones can usually be had quite cheaply or theres the recent compilation S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends Of The Zone Trilogy on all formats.The final trollAt this point Nintendo is literally trolling us, right? There is no way a Donkey Kong expansion for the Japanese theme park justifies a whole Nintendo Direct. Its literally only Japan; internationally speaking, whos going to go visit that in the middle of November?!But I think this guarantees no Nintendo Switch 2 reveal this year. Theyre not going to do it in the middle of Black Friday, which basically lasts the rest of the month, and theyre not going to do it in late December. I suppose theres a small chance they tease it at The Game Awards but what kind of chance? I wouldnt have said any more than 10% or so.No, all those rumours were wrong and while I appreciate they may have been right at the time the end result is nada this year. Except for probably another Nintendo Direct about a Zelda concert tour or an interactive tea machine or some other nonsense thats just an excuse to troll us one last time.TacleHome classicOne of the greatest Home Alone games ever produced, to me, has to be Home Alone on the Mega Drive. This game was not only a shoot em-up platformer but also brilliantly combined the ability to explore houses as well as a neighbour, as well as being able to build weapons and collect items to build them while also preventing two thieves from robbing each house. Adding to this ,you also had the ability to set traps in each house, adding to the fun.For anyone who has played this gem of a game they will tell you that if there is one Mega Drive game you have to own this is one of them. Even Home Alone fans who have never played this game will love it and wonder why they missed this classic.A remaster of this game, I feel, is well deserved and should be converted into 3D 4K HDR10, as well as additional weapons and traps, combined with voice acting from the original characters (Macauly Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern).This would make a remaster of this amazing game stand out and give it an upgrade it truly deserves, along with a revamped sound rack of remixes of the original Mega Drive soundtrack.Here is a walkthrough of the game for anyone who has never played it. Im sure you will agree this deserves a decent remaster.gaz be rotten (gamertag)GC: You cant convert a 2D game into 3D, it would have to be completely remade.One good reasonIve been thinking about the PS5 Pro and even though I bought the PlayStation 4 and then the PS4 Pro I have no reason to think about buying the PS5 Pro.The only reason I can thinking of them bring it out is because next year GTA 6 is out. They put a PS5 Pro and a free copy of GTA 6 and it could shift them. I still wouldnt buy one but could twist some players arms into buying one and if the Pro does have the power to play GTA perfectly it could sell a hell of a lot more.DavidGC: Its already selling more than Sony expected.Easy accessI found myself agreeing with a lot of what last weekends Readers Feature said about GTA 5. Like the author, I would never call for a ban, it wouldnt really have any effect anyway not to mention its not like its the only game kids shouldnt play.The responses saying its down to parents I feel are a bit ignorant to whats realistically possible. I assume were all just accepting that anyone in secondary school is going to play games rated 18, because how would anyone ever stop that?By that point theyve got friends to get games through, bank cards to buy it themselves, and phones which need parental controls removed for school lessons at school. Im not even sure why we have 15 or 18 certificates anymore, when the only place left that can enforce it is the cinema. Microsoft and Sony certainly dont have any way to do it.Its junior school ages were talking about. As the article pointed out, you may be able to control what happens in your own home but at some point theyre going to interact with other children. You cant control other parents and every school has a spectrum of families ranging from fully engaged and understanding what their kids are watching or playing to the ones the NSPCC adverts are about.I dont think banning the games would ever help. Its certainly not going to stop them watching it on YouTube or Twitch on their phone. And who can honestly say when they were young, the solution to your parents saying No wasnt to just do it anyway and not tell them. Easy access to this stuff is part of their life, just like social media and the best thing you can do is engage with them on it.TimGC: Very sensibly said.Inbox also-ransI wonder if the marketing bods at Nintendo have considered calling the Switch successor the Switch Up? Seems to me that, while it incorporates the Switch name it also works as an instruction to existing owners.Meestah BullIm kind of torn whenever I see Nintendo sue someone for piracy. On the one hand I hate that sort of corporate bullying but on the other hand I cant help but laugh when these cocky streamers get a face full of ninja lawyer, despite thinking the law somehow doesnt count with them.JiffoEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.MORE : Games Inbox: Will the PS5 Pro delay the release of PlayStation 6?MORE : Games Inbox: What will be Rockstars next game after GTA 6?MORE : Games Inbox: Is the PS5 Pro worth getting?Sign up to all the exclusive gaming content, latest releases before they're seen on the site.Privacy Policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Tetris Forever the actual greatest of all time (Digital Eclipse)The video game that helped end the Cold War (kind of) is honoured with an interactive museum featuring 18 different versions, including the 1985 original.Although its not quite as obvious a choice nowadays, given how long ago the games heyday was, its hard to take serious any list of the top 10 video games of all time that does not include Tetris. The timeless design of Tetris makes it an essentially perfect gaming experience, but its importance extends beyond just its qualities as a piece of interactive entertainment.With its 40th anniversary due to start next year, it can be difficult for younger gamers to appreciate its impact and relevance (or perhaps not). But apart from anything it was the game that sold the Game Boy, and without the Game Boys handheld dominance Nintendo may have ended up on a very different trajectory than it is today.But even that is just a single part of one of the most interesting behind the scenes stories in all gaming. One that involves Cold War era intrigue and Robert Maxwell trying, and failing, to convince Mikhail Gorbachev, and his other Kremlin contacts, to gift him the rights to the game. All of which was portrayed in the surprisingly entertaining, if highly sensationalised, Tetris movie on Apple TV+.The movie downplays Nintendos role in things but was inspired by David Sheffs 1993 book Game Over, which we always recommend to those interested in the early days of the games industry. If you dont want to read that though (or are only interested in the Tetris bit) then you now have another alternative to the movie, in the form of this interactive museum.Its by remaster experts Digital Eclipse and follows the same format as their excellent Atari 50 compilation, as well as other more focused titles like The Making Of Karateka and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story.So, while you can play all 18 included versions of Tetris from a simple menu, the best way to experience things is by working through the timeline to explore the life and times of the franchise, from its inception to the modern day, through the medium of videos, photos, short text explanations, and playable games.Tetris Forever Hatris is a fun alternative (Digital Eclipse)30 years ago, this wouldve been referred to as multimedia, a concept that never really took off with the limited technology of the time but here the history of Tetris is told via whatever media is most appropriate to get the point across, from retro TV ads to Japanese posters and talking head interviews.The magic of Tetris backstory is that its all a lot more interesting than you wouldve thought, even if most people know the basics, of it being the invention of Soviet programmer Alexey Pajitnov, who simply wanted to bring a little fun and happiness to the world. In the early days Tetris always revelled in its Soviet origins and, in its own small way, was a celebration of the thawing of the Cold War.Youll notice that we havent yet attempted to explain what Tetris is or how its played, but with over 200 million copies sold (and thats probably a gross underestimation when you add in mobile versions, let alone unofficial clones) we feel that would be an insult to the games legacy.There is a problem with Tetris Forever though, as despite what you might imagine this does not include all the different versions of the game or anything close to it. Therere no cross-licensed versions at all, so while you do get the very first version of the game, created on the Soviet computer format Electronika 60, theres nothing here at all by Nintendo, EA, or any of the many other companies that have brought Tetris to over 65 different formats in the last 39 years.There are some interestingly weird sequels and spin-offs, but many of those had nothing to do with Pajitnov, even though he did work on a number of them back in the day. Pseudo-sequel BomBliss, and all its variants, are all but forgotten today, while Tetris Battle Gaiden was never released outside of Japan. Theyre interesting novelties but there are obvious gaps in the collection, with no Welltris or Faces which Pajitnov did actually work on and instead only a couple of versions of Hatris.The most serious problem is that this means Tetris Forever does not include the two best versions of the game: the original Game Boy edition and the more recent Tetris Effect by Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Nintendo would never allow someone else to licence their games to appear on other formats, so this is no surprise, but it does leave a gaping hole in the collection.Developer Digital Eclipse has tried to work round this though, via Tetris Time Warp: an entirely new game made specifically for this occasion. It plays as a perfectly bog standard, modern version of the game, until you clear a line with a special glowing tetromino and it transforms into one of the many Tetris variants from throughout the years, including a legally distinct version of the original Game Boy game.Time Warp is as good a compromise as you could hope for, given all the legal issues, but while Tetris Forever is a very interesting interactive museum, for sheer entertainment value youd probably be better off watching the movie (or better still reading the book) and buying a copy of Tetris Effect instead.In Short: Another immaculately researched and presented interactive museum by Digital Eclipse, but one that is missing too many important versions of the game to function in quite the way its intended.Pros: Fascinating museum features, with rare promotional items, brand new video interviews, and some games that have never been released in the West before. Perfect emulation of even the original Electronika 60 version.Cons: Its not anyones fault but the lawyers, but this is missing all the best versions of the game, and many of its spin-offs.Score: 7/10Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: 29.24Publisher: Digital EclipseDeveloper: Digital EclipseRelease Date: 12th November 2024Age Rating: 3Tetris Forever this is what the original 1985 version looked like (Digital Eclipse)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.MORE : Dragon Age: The Veilguard sold even less than Star Wars Outlaws in UKMORE : Where are the PS5 and Switch made? 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WhileThe Penguins finale was filled with twists and turns as the series cemented its place in comic book TV royalty, perhaps its unsurprising to learn that star Colin Farrell had a terrible time making it. No prosthetic wang needed this time to make things miserable, but instead the sheer horror of having to work through one of the series darkest moments. That is, of course, when Oz makes the cold calculation that in order to stop his rivals from using anyone close to him to get to him, he must brutally throttle poor young Vic to death with his bare hands. Its a moment among many across the show that has transformed The Batmans take on Oz from the almost charmingly affable, but sleazy mobster he was in the film to an absolute terrora transformation that Farrell apparently wanted to resist to his very core up until the last moment.Every fiber of me, of Colin, resisted it because theres a part of you that, no matter how dark a character youre playing and no matter how you accept swimming in those waters of the impossibility of any comeback into the affections of the audience, theres a part of you that always wants the audience to be open to the idea that you can redeem yourself, Farrell recently told Collider of the shock he felt reacting to Vics death in the finale. No matter how dark your character is, you always want them to feel that maybe there is some sliver of humanity left, that if the right thing was done in a well written scene in the right moment, you could redeem yourself. Im not sure thats possible anymore by the end of episode eight. So, knowing that I was going into that kind of degree of psychological finality and embodying the character with a kind of a depth of cruelty that is articulated in that scene, it was tough, man. Farrell knew from the get-go that part of whatThe Penguin was going to do was completely kill off any idea that Oz would remain the man he was inThe Batman, ahead of his return in the long-in-the making The Batman Part II. But after working with Rhenzy Feliz for the best part of a year and coming to the final days of production, the actor wasnot having a pleasant time separating fiction from reality.There was very little conversation on the set that night. We knew where we were. There was a slab that we were sitting on by the water, Farrell continued. We knew our lines as actors are supposed to, and we just went, and we did the takes, and we did as many angles as we had to do, and I fucking hated it. I hated that scene. I really did. I was fucking so pissed off. It felt in performing it asguess what?you would like it to feel in viewing it. It felt gross, it felt cruel, it felt absolutely insane, and it felt like Oz was reaching a point of no return. You bring it home at night, and that was a sticky scene. I had to have a shower with a wire brush at the end of that night, he concluded.As horrified as Farrell is, hopefully the overwhelmingly positive response to the finale will make him feel like he needs to scrub a little less deeply when he hits the showers this week. The Penguin is now streaming in its entirety on Max. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Dont worrytheres no world in which lo-fi horror classic The Blair Witch Project gets one of those overly smooth 4K upgrades. The 1999 film became a sensation because it looks like it really was filmed by a trio of young documentary makers who get lost in a haunted forest: shaky, grainy, weird lighting, not always in focus. Though by now we know the true story part of Blair Witch was a gimmick, the found-footage film is still finding new ways to surprise us. According to one of the films producers, Michael Monello, the film is finally25 years after it hit theatersgetting a home video release that reflects the version its creators (the film was written and directed by Eduardo Snchez and Daniel Myrick) always intended. The new version comes into being due to a technical snafu that was mistakenly not corrected decades agoand apparently makes a notable difference in the viewing experience. Heres Monellos social media post that breaks it down:The Blair Witch Project was filmed on Hi8 video and 16mm b&w film and edited on a Media 100XR, a non-linear editing system in wide use then, he wrote. Since theaters then did not have video projectors, we had to transfer our DigiBeta master to 35mm via a process called telecine, basically filming the video on a special screen in a controlled environment with a 35mm film camera.They had no choice at the time, he explained. But when The Blair Witch Project was shifting from theaters to home video, [distributors] Artisan made a huge mistake and instead worked not from the DigiBeta master, but the 35mm telecine transfer. This introduced serious motion errors, Monello explained. It gave the Hi8 footage film grain and muddied all the colors with a brown overcast, killing detail. The edits of that transfer became 3-frame dissolves, rather than hard cuts!The new version, he said, is the film the way it was intended to be seen, and its scarier to boot; the new transfers look, motion, and hard cuts create a far scarier psychological effect than all previous versions. The release comes with 90 minutes of deleted footage as well as a new documentary, he added. But theres a catch: this will be a Region B release onlythats Europe, not the United States. (Monello suggested fans contact Lionsgate on their social channels to request a U.S. release; American fans with the ability to play Region B discs can pick it up from Second Sites website, for what its worth. You can also go to that link to see the full list of special features.)And speaking of Lionsgate, the studio recently announced its working on a new version of Blair Witch. To that end,a fan on Bluesky asked Monello if the Blair Witch Project castHeather Donohue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williamsparticipated in this new release. Recently, the actors spoke out to say they werent included in the indie films massive profits, despite their integral part in its success. Monello replied: They were made offers to participate, but due to their ongoing issues with Lions Gate they chose not to be involved. Note that none of us earn any money from Blair Witch anything. Our work on this was unpaid, and we only did it to finally get it out into the world the way it was meant to be.The Blair Witch Project is already scary as hell. Its hard to imagine a version thats even scarierbut were certainly intrigued to get a look at it and see if thats the case. Will you be checking it out? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Convention Center at PSG / SD SHARMA & ASSOCIATESSave this picture! Purnesh Dev NikhanjCultural Architecture, CommunityNeelambur, IndiaArchitects: SD SHARMA & ASSOCIATESAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:90000 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Purnesh Dev NikhanjManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Kalzip, Saint-Gobain Lead Architects: Sangeet Sharma More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The concept of the planning of the auditorium complex in Coimbatore is purely based on location and function. It was the client who clearly stated that the building must not obstruct any vision either from outside the campus or from inside. Any other form other than a dome would have been catastrophic.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The convention centre comprises of 1200 seater auditorium with a balcony which enables a convenient viewing of the large stage. According to the management's requirements, the stage will need to cater to large panel discussions, dance programs, concerts and presentations by professionals. The design of the plan was fashioned in a unique ambulatory system where a corridor was placed all around which enabled the movement, passage and views. The corridor is not just a place for movement, the level differences and the beautiful clear spaces with light percolating inside make this pathway a great experience.Save this picture!Along the auditorium, the School of Architecture and Museum are placed where they complement each other's geometry. The linear line of the school of architecture with its angled glazing superbly complemented the domical structure Just adjust into it. Not only that geometry but also provides each other an art which acts like street art, making the whole area more energetic.Save this picture!Save this picture!Special Features: This somehow takes the prime Space as ambulation is visible from outside through the glazing and from inside as well with the mix and match of artificial and natural light coupled with very creative interior materials is visible. Realizing that there could be more than thousands of people at one time, the lobby area, pre-function areas, and service areas are well-lit, and the planning is cohesive, complimentary and User-friendly. The materials used of nature that they provide ambient Sheen and dust-free finishes like strong Mica, Granite and tiles provide the auditorium the chic that is required in places like this, a structural system used of a unique nature and designed by the leading structural consultant.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The rafters and beam are placed and covered with an aluminum-based sheet that makes the finish more diagonal angles and enhances the geometry of the Auditorium. If we notice the site plan, the axis of the Dom is mathematically drawn So that It has a diagonal vision from the Avinashi Road Highway from afar from inside it is new in terms of its height and magnitude.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Neelambur, IndiaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsMaterials and TagsPublished on November 12, 2024Cite: "Convention Center at PSG / SD SHARMA & ASSOCIATES" 11 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023325/convention-center-at-psg-sd-sharma-and-associates&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream