You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide The PlayStation Plus November Essential games are now available to claim, and the offerings are decent with Ghostwire Tokyo arguably the highlight. While you can grab and play the Essential selection this very second, the reveal date for the PS Plus November 2024 Extra and Premium games is only a couple of days away. An exciting leak for a PS1 classic has emerged online, meanwhile, there are some massive titles set to leave, including one of the greatest video games of all time. Its been a good month so far for PlayStation gamers. Just recently Stardew Valley 1.6 landed on console, and Sony also recently released the PS5 Pro. There is a huge selection of enhanced games for the PS5 Pro including Helldivers 2 and Black Ops 6. While Sony told fans to temper expectations, analysts have reported that the PS5 Pro has failed to fix a fundamental flaw with Sonys tech. Whether you forked up the cash for a PS5 Pro or not, there is still a lot for PlayStation loyalists to anticipate from Sony. The PS Plus November 2024 Extra and Premium games are set to be revealed soon, and we could be getting a horror classic if leaks are accurate. PS Plus Extra and Premium November 2024 games reveal dateThereveal date for the PS Plus Extra and Premium November 2024 games is November 13th . Sony always reveals the Extra and Premium games on a Wednesday one week after the release of the Essentials. The November 2024 Essentials were given away on November 5th, hence the impending announcement in just a couple of days. After the curtain has been pulled aside, the games should come out to play on November 19th. In regard to the December 2024 Essentials, they are expected to be identified on November 27th with an official launch confirmed for December 3rd. To avoid missing out, make sure to claim thecurrentmonthly gamesbefore they expire. Ghostwire Tokyo is arguably the best game included from the folks previously responsible for Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within, Tango Gameworks. However, theres also the excellent Hotwheels Unleashed 2 as well as the day one release of Death Note Killer Within. Games leaving PS Plus Extra and Premium November 2024 Below are all of the games leaving PS Plus Essential, Extra and Premium in November 2024: WWE 2K24 Nov 4thDoki Doki Literature Club Nov 4thDead Space remake Nov 4thGTA San Andreas Def Edition Nov 19thRed Dead Redemption 2 Nov 19thThe Sims 4 Nov 19thDragons Dogma Dark Arisen Nov 19thMobile Suit Gundam Extreme vs. Maxi Boost ON Nov 19thSuperliminal Nov 19thEiyuden Chronicle Rising Nov 19thKlonoa Phantasy Reverie Series Nov 19thTeardown Nov 19thKingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMix Nov 19thKingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue Nov 19thKingdom Hearts 3 Nov 19thKingdom Hearts Memory of Melody Nov 19thChorus Nov 19thWhat Remains of Edith Finch Nov 19thOvercooked 2 Nov 19thBlasphemous Nov 19thMoving Out Nov 19thAll of the above come courtesy oftruetrophies. These are from an EU PSN account so there may be some discrepancies.Unfortunately, its a torrid month for departures as there are so many excellent games listed above. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the greatest video games of all time, meanwhile, the exodus of the Kingdom Hearts series is very unfortunate as they are brilliant experiences. If you have never played Red Dead Redemption 2 or the Kingdom Hearts franchise, you should definitely make sure to experience them before they leave on November 19th. Exciting Premium leak Sony has not revealed any of the PS Plus Extra or Premium games for November 2024, but a leak has possibly spoiled the incoming arrival of Alone in the Dark 2. Alone in the Dark 2 is listed on PS Deals, and it has a release date of November 7th. This obviously hasnt come to fruition, but its likely the release date is wrong and it will instead join the PSN store and PS Plus Premium catalogue on November 19th. This is what happened with Star Wars The Clone Wars as it was leaked on PS Deals with a release date that did not match the day it joined Sonys subscription library in June. Of course, this is just a leak rather than anything guaranteed. It seems likely as Alone in the Dark is already part of PS Plus, and it would be a great addition as the Alone in the Dark PS1 games are some of the greatest survival horror experiences on par with the classic Resident Evils and Silent Hill. In other PlayStation news, Sony has said the PS5 Pro is not aiming for everyone.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The rule of thumb is to pick a blanket around 10% of your body weight. Therefore, a 120-pound person should look for a 12-pound blanket, a 150-pound person a 15-pound blanket, and so on. (If your weight falls in between blanket sizes, go with the lighter one). Its all a matter of personal preference, of course, but this formula should give you a blanket that feels just right. (With children, however, take this rule literally. If the blanket is too heavy for them, they could struggle to get out from under it, as can pets.)MaterialsWeighted blanket cover materials range from classic cotton and cooling bamboo to luxurious velvet and warming fleece, and a number of blankets feature a dual-sided design to make use of two fabrics. Similar to how you shop for bed sheets, consider how these different materials can support your personal preferences and overall comfort.Another material to consider is the fill of the weighted blanket. Some feature glass or plastic beads, often within a quilted design, that distribute the weight of the blanket fairly evenly but can also make a bit of noise as you move around. Others are filled with fabrics and other fibers for a quieter experience. Meanwhile, knit-exclusive designs that resemble a cozy sweater are woven with heavier fabrics to achieve an even weight distribution.SizeWeighted blanket sizes range dramatically and tend to lack the standardization we've come to know and appreciate when shopping for mattresses and other bedding. Be sure to review the dimensions of a weighted blanket before purchasing so you have a clear understanding of how it will lay across your bed or sofa.Care InstructionsSome weighted blankets feature machine-washable removable covers that make a weekly refresh a breeze while others list dry cleaning as the preferred care method. Consider what level of maintenance works for your lifestyle when looking for the best weighted blanket for your home.Trial Periods and WarrantiesSimilar to your bed frame and mattress, quality bedding and sleep accessories are investments, and we like to help you make smart ones. Pay close attention to trial period lengths with weighted blankets, as some brands let you try them out for 100 nights risk free. Similarly, some weighted blankets can come with warranties of up to five years and protect against product defects.FAQsWhat is the best kind of weighted blanket?Based on our research, testing and reviews, we recommend the seven weighted blankets in our list based on a wide range of user preferences. For someone who enjoys the look and feel of a cable knit sweater, an option like Brooklyn Bedding's Chunky Knit Weighted Blanket is likely the best kind of weighted blanket. Meanwhile, someone who prefers a luxe, quilted vibe should consider a style like Saatva's Velvet Weighted Blanket.Is it bad if your weighted blanket is too heavy?There's a reason experts use the aforementioned 10% rule when it comes to weighted blankets. Using a weighted blanket that's too heavy can be problematic in a few ways, leading to overheating, joint and muscle pain, and general discomfort that disrupts rest rather than promoting it.Is it okay to sleep with a weighted blanket every night?Generally, weighted blankets are considered safe for nightly snoozing so long as they're sized appropriately for your body weight and don't seem to lead to any discomfort. But when in doubt, it never hurts to check in with your health care provider.

Mariah Carey may want to hold onto her Queen of Christmas crown a little tighter. On a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the Since U Been Gone singer revealed that she has an entire Christmas room in her New York City home that stays decorated year-round.Clarkson, who took her talk show with her when she moved from Los Angeles to Manhattan in 2023, explained during a recent interview with Here actor Robin Wright that her new pad near Central Park has more space than she knows what to do with. One room in particular had the mom of two stumped.I decorated it the first year for Christmas. And then I was like, That was a lot of work. Well just shut the doors until [next] Christmas, Clarkson told Wright with a laugh. The Grammy winner doesnt let all that holiday cheer go to waste, though: We literally will go in there and dance throughout the year and just put Christmas songs on, she said, referencing impromptu holiday jam sessions with her eight- and 10-year-old kids.Outside of her dedicated room, it seems the Underneath the Tree singer is already in the full Christmas swing for this year. For me, November first is the marker, she reasoned with the Forrest Gump star, Because you spend so much time decorating. That sentiment is shared by Carey, who for the past five years has released increasingly elaborate videos on November first to ring in the yuletide season, announcing that its tiiiiiiiiime. Of course, Clarkson gives credit where credit is due: When Mariah came out with her first Christmas record, she changed the game for all of us, Clarkson said in a recent statement to the New York Times.The American Idol winner, who recently dropped a deluxe version of one of her two Christmas albums, plus a new remix feature on Chers DJ Play a Christmas Song, will return for the second year in a row to host NBCs Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony on December 4.Register TodayAD PRO's 2025 Interior Design Forecast is almost hereArrowAs for Carey, she recently embarked on her Christmas Time tour, which will conclude in New York on December 17. Shes also celebrating the 30th anniversary of Merry Christmas, the album that established her as the Queen of Christmas in the first place. Its something that I look forward to all year, Carey told NYT of her feelings around the holiday. Maybe people think its something that I put on, but its really my favorite time of year.

Behind the Scenes: Cathedral at the end of day By Alina Khan on November 11, 2024 Behind the Scenes Dive deep into the passionate mind of Stan, a Belarusian 3D artist, exploring the intricacies of this architectural masterpiece. INTRODUCTIONHi, Im Stan (Stanislaw) Kazimiraw, a freelance 3D-artist originating from Zhodino, Belarus, and specializing in CAD and SubDiv modeling.I started my journey in 3D many years ago when XSI|Softimage and AutoCAD were in their prime, driven by a passion for creating architectural buildings and a fascination with bringing concepts to life.From a young age, I was captivated by the interplay of light and space in paintings and structures, which inspired me to dive deep into the world of 3D modeling and visualization.Initially, I began exploring basic modeling techniques and gradually progressed to more complex projects, learning various software tools (ZBrush, Substance Designer, Substance Painter) along the way.I primarily use Blender and Maya for my projects, ensuring high quality and efficient results.INSPIRATIONWhen I was a child, I could spend hours observing and researching paintings of the Old Masters in order to understand how they play with shapes, light, and colors. Thanks to my mother who was a designer and had a lot of books about design, architecture, anatomy, and art at all. It was a period of time when you could get information only from TV, VHS, or books (dark old days with no Internet).I was especially interested in the paintings of old Dutch and German architecture. Such artists as Salomon Rombouts, Barend and Willem Koekkoek, Andreas Schelfhout, Charles Leickert, Adrianus Eversen, Frederik Roosdorp, and of course, "the Great" Cornelis Springer inspire me the most. Among the books, I want to highlight "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett. I read it many years ago, and it left a lasting impression on me. And, of course, I have seen many TV shows and anime set in the medieval era.So, after Blender 2.93 was released and introduced so many new features and improvements, I finally decided to learn it. In addition, the clients I was working with wanted to integrate Blender into their pipeline.The only thing I did in Blender before was convert (for modding) a 3D character from the "Dynasty Warriors 9" game into "fbx" format for rigging and animation in Maya and Unreal Engine 4.The best way to learn new 3D software for me is to create a couple of scenes from scratch using only this software. As a big fan of Gothic medieval architecture, I decided to create a medieval scene with a huge cathedral as the main hero prop.PROCESSSoftware: Blender with no add-ons (modeling, texturing, rendering, compositing) Substance Designer (Bitmap2MaterialLight node for converting textures into material; creating masks, dirt, soil, etc.) Substance Painter (mixing and recreating some materials from textures) Photoshop (masks, diffuse texture creation, tiling) Pipeline: Traditional or Standard (diffuse, normal, specular maps) Textures: 256, 512, 1024 px ReferencesWhen the idea was fully formed in my mind, I began searching for references.The Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk (St. Lawrence Church) in Rotterdam served as the basis for my design, using its original plans and structural elements for guidancewidth, length, and height. I made some adjustments to the aisles to simplify them in this version.For the medieval houses, I drew inspiration from photographs taken by my mother during her visit to the Netherlands and Internet photos of the Archeon Museum Park, where some of the best-preserved medieval houses can be found.Scene Disassembly OverviewThe scene consist of the next elements: skydome (sphere 6 km in diameter) ground (simple plane, 3 km x 2 km) sun (position on the eye on January 15, 1480 year, 16:00 in Rotterdam, with azimuth ~232.5 deg and elevation ~9 deg) global atmosphere (simple emission shader) smoke and fog (created in Blender physics and rendered into textures) medieval houses (kitbash that was created in Blender) medieval cathedral (modeled and textured in Blender) scaffolds and wooden beams (modeled in Blender, part of the "medieval houses" kitbash) trees (modeled and textured in Blender, then rendered into texture) birds (simple textures with bump maps) Modeling StageAll assets were modeled from scratch in Blender according to real-world scales. Firstly, I modeled a small kitbash of medieval houses and then a medieval cathedral. Trees were modeled using Skin Modifier and baked into transparent textures.I prefer to keep the number of polygons as small as possible to ensure better performance and faster rendering times. To achieve this, I like to create base meshes with minimal detail and rely on texture maps to add depth and detail. This allows the models to be lightweight while still appearing visually rich.Also, I like to design "modular assets" that can be reused in different contexts (facades, walls, roofs, doors), which reduces the need to create multiple unique models for similar objects. This also streamlines my workflow.By focusing on these strategies, I can strike a balance between aesthetics and performance, making my projects more suitable for a range of situations.Texturing and Shading StageAt that moment, the Shader Editor was the most interesting and intriguing part of Blender for me. Having previously worked with the Octane node editor in Cinema 4D, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were quite similar, which made it easy for me to adapt to the Shader Editor.Substance Designer (Bitmap2MaterialLight node) was utilized to convert some of the textures into standard pipeline maps (Diffuse, Normal, Specular).Most of the textures I mixed in Substance Painter or Photoshop and then converted simple colored textures into specific textures via Substance Designer.To simulate standard pipeline behavior, I combined the diffuse BSDF and glossy BSDF shaders, using the specular map as a mask.I created most of the materials in the shader editor, by blending procedural textures (Musgrave, Noise, etc.) with diffuse or specular maps. For example, the Cathedral Tower features a total of 10 distinct materials.To reduce repetition in texturing, I blended the Musgrave texture with the diffuse and specular maps, which introduced organic variation and depth to the materials.Fog from chimneys, ground mist, and haze were initially generated using Blenders fluid physics (fluid -> domain -> gas). However, I wasn't satisfied with the results in terms of performance and shape, so I decided to bake the effects into black-and-white textures, which I then modified and combined using RGB channels.Lighting and Atmosphere StageFor lighting, I decided to use HDRI in combination with the position of the sun on January 15, 1480, at 16:00 in Rotterdam. Unfortunately, Blender does not support direct input of azimuth and elevation for the sun. I used a solar position calculator to determine the azimuth and elevation, and then I positioned (approximately on the eye) the light source into the angular diameter of the sun according to formulas.The atmosphere was created using an emission shader instead of principled volume. This approach produces excellent results with minimal noise and improved performance.I like to use skydomes in my projects because they effectively create immersive environments with a realistic sky and atmosphere. Additionally, skydomes provide flexibility in design, making it easy to simulate different times of day and weather conditions. This not only improves the visual appeal but also helps to set the mood for the scene.Rendering and Compositing StageTo render the image, I used Cycles with approximately 650 samples without denoising. Both denoisers, NLM and OptiX, produced washed-out results, so I opted not to use them. As a result, I increased the number of samples to 650 to achieve a cleaner image.For post-processing, I utilized the Blender Compositor. This "powerful" (ha-ha!) tool allowed me to enhance the final image by adjusting colors, adding effects, and refining details seamlessly within the same software environment.The words from the FutureThis was my very first project in Blender, and at the time, I was unsure whether it was a good idea to learn the software. I found the compositor lacking for post-processing, which left me feeling frustrated. Additionally, I had numerous questions about the performance in large scenes, and render engines...However, only in a month, when I was working on my third project in Blender, I realized the software had everything I needed. This revelation made Blender my primary tool for 3D work.RENDER: Cathedral at the end of day Thank you for reading! I hope this article helps you gain new and valuable insights. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to share your thoughts. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!About the Artist Stan (Stanislaw) Kazimiraw is a freelance 3D artist, specializing in the creation of realistic and detailed models. He is currently working as a hard surface and environment 3D modeler for various clients from China and Japan.Links

Here's an overview of the most recent Blender jobs on Blender Artists, ArtStation and 3djobs.xyz: 3d animation for a logo Environment Artist at Section 9 Interactive 3D Artist at HYPE XR - Hyper Realistic Digital Twins For more jobs, look here.Source

In the weeks after Donald Trumps 2016 victory, many top tech leaders found themselves at a meeting in Trump Tower, frowning and quite obviously full of dread. Now, the same executives sound enthusiastic when they say theyre looking forward to working with the next president.After Tuesdays election, the congratulations from the tech elite to Trump came in fast. The day after he secured the White House, everyone from Tim Cook to Mark Zuckerberg posted their well wishes for Trumps second term. Even Jeff Bezos weighed in, hailing Trumps extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. This, from a man who has been in more than one public feud with Trump.The newfound praise does not, however, signal a political realignment in all of Silicon Valley. Tech executives as well as rank-and-file workers overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the election, which shouldnt be too surprising: Shes been involved in Bay Area politics for many years and has deep ties with the tech and venture capital industries. That allegiance continued the trends of the Obama era, which was marked by a bit of a love fest between Washington and Silicon Valley. Barack Obama, who won the White House in 2008 with the help of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, embraced the ethos of startup culture and celebrated tech companies as a positive force in the United States. He developed personal relationships with executives like Zuckerberg and championed tech-friendly policies. Now, that era is over. In its place is something darker and dominated by a small but very loud group of techno-libertarian Trump fans whose ranks include not only Elon Musk but also the industrys most influential investors, most of the PayPal Mafia, and the vice president-elect. Does that mean the tech industry has taken a turn to the right? Is Silicon Valley Trump country now?It is neither left nor right, Democrat or Republican, Margaret OMara, an American history professor at the University of Washington, told me after the election. She pointed out that the tech industry culture in Silicon Valley has its roots in post-Vietnam baby boomers viewing personal computers as a form of liberation. They didnt feel like they had anything in common with political conservatives, but they shared a libertarianism that ran its way all the way across the political spectrum, OMara added. Its kind of a funny libertarianism.Tim Cook and other tech leaders met with Donald Trump, Peter Thiel, and other members of the transition team at Trump Tower on December 14, 2016. Albin Lohr-Jones/Getty ImagesYou get a sense of Silicon Valleys anti-bureaucratic worldview in everything from Apples famous 1984 ad, which quite literally suggests tearing down the establishment, to Googles celebrated 20 percent rule, which lets employees work on side projects of their own choosing. Theres also a more extreme version of this philosophy in the tech industry, especially lately, one that leans into anti-establishment thinking, which explains their affinity for crypto. These 21st-century techno-libertarians just want to be left alone to build things and make money. The tech executives busy kissing the ring this week are not necessarily part of this crowd. The Tim Cooks of the world are just doing business, and that requires doing business with the president of the United States, whomever it might be. After the tumultuous first Trump administration, these leaders learned that the president-elect responds best to flattery and praise. Theyve actually been sucking up to Trump for months in hopes that they might have some sway in the event of his return to office. This would be handy for many reasons. The Biden administration, in a break from Obama, has been tough on Big Tech. He appointed anti-monopoly legal star Lina Khan to chair the Federal Trade Commission, and she mounted multiple antitrust suits against the countrys biggest tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. Now, Khan is currently waiting to see if shell keep her job, and the targets of those lawsuits may have an ally in Trump, who gets to decide Khans fate. In addition to less intense regulatory scrutiny, tech companies would also enjoy lower corporate taxes, which Trump has promised to provide. In my mind, this isnt a story about Silicon Valley overall and DC overall, said Robert Lalka, a professor at Tulane University. Instead, whats occurring now involves the influence of far fewer people: a very close-knit network of like-minded Trump supporters, especially if we focus on the PayPal Mafia, and the transformation of the Republican Party and its policy agenda.The PayPal Mafia refers to a group of entrepreneurs who worked at PayPal in its early days before going on to found or help build hugely influential tech companies. If you had to pick a godfather of the PayPal Mafia and hence the leader of this pro-Trump techno-libertarian political revolution it would be Peter Thiel. The PayPal co-founder donated over $1 million to Trumps campaign back in 2016 and spent $10 million to help JD Vance win a Senate seat in Ohio in 2022. Thiel also helped fund a project to establish autonomous, floating nations in international waters, where they would be free of all laws and regulations one reason he has been called the avatar of techno-libertarianism.The motivations of the techno-libertarians, also now known as techno-authoritarians, are more twisted. Elon Musk, who was also a PayPal co-founder, emerged this year as Trumps biggest supporter after donating nearly $119 million to his campaign through his America PAC and has made the promotion of free speech one of his missions. Free speech is also a big part of why, after accusing it of censorship, Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and turned it into X, where the promotion of right-wing propaganda and misinformation may or may not have helped Trump get elected too. Its not hard to see why Musk would benefit from a close relationship with the White House. The billionaire certainly didnt have much of a rapport with the Biden administration, which snubbed him at an electric vehicle summit, an incident that reportedly led Musk to embrace Trump. Musks rocket company, SpaceX, makes billions of dollars through government contracts, while his car company, Tesla, is lobbying for fewer regulations around self-driving cars as it attempts to launch a robotaxi business. Musks company Tesla Energy, formerly SolarCity, has received billions in subsidies over the years and surely looks to benefit from the federal governments continued investment in the energy transition. Meanwhile, Trump has promised Musk a role in his administration as the secretary of cost-cutting a position that doesnt yet exist, but one that Trump seems to be seriously entertaining.The other loud pro-Trump voices in Silicon Valley share a web of connections to each other and to Musk. Theres former PayPal COO and Musk pal David Sacks, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July; Joe Lonsdale, who co-founded Palantir with Peter Thiel and helped launch Musks America PAC; and Marc Andreessen, who last year published the 5,200-word Techno-Optimist Manifesto that envisions tech leaders as keepers of the social order. Its worth noting that not every member of the PayPal Mafia has pledged allegiance to Trump. Reid Hoffman, another former PayPal COO and LinkedIn co-founder is a prominent Democratic Party fundraiser. He donated $7 million to pro-Harris and pro-Biden PACs, even though hes a vocal Lina Khan critic. He was also on a list of more than 100 venture capitalists who threw their support behind Harris leading up to the election.Donald Trump did a campaign stop at a crypto-themed bar in New York Citys West Village on September 18. Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesAnd then theres cryptocurrency.Andreessens VC firm announced in 2022 it was going all-in on crypto, a bet thats starting to pay off after two years of looking very foolish. Trump has promised to create a strategic cryptocurrency stockpile for the US government in his second term. Trumps general anti-regulation, pro-crypto stance sent Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies soaring to all-time highs after election night, following a widely covered crypto winter that lasted a couple of years. You could argue that the crypto vote was vital to helping Trump and a lot of other Republican candidates win, too. The crypto industry has emerged as one of the most powerful lobbying forces in the country, pouring tens of millions of dollars into races against politicians they perceive to be anti-crypto and its working. So far, 48 candidates backed by pro-crypto PACs have won their races this year. Zero have lost. When you think of it that way, Trumps win on the back of techno-authoritarian billionaires seems less like a seismic shift in the politics of the tech industry and more like a bunch of one-issue voters who donated lots of money and got their way.I think a lot of it is about crypto, OMara said. Crypto is also tied in and always has been tied in to a broader worldview, which is one of libertarianism, deregulation, or privately regulated markets that are separate from government. She described this ethos as escaping the state.Now, the techno-libertarians are the state. The day after Trump declared victory, he asked Musk to join him on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And in the coming months, several more members of the PayPal Mafia get to decide what US tech policy will be for the next four years. You have to wonder if they just want to tear it all down. Or maybe theyll get bored and move to a floating nation in international waters where there are no laws and never have been.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:

Using theMonarch personal finance program, I went through my finances recently and found that I pay $510 every month on various subscriptions. (Thats not counting things such as my Internet bill, $120 a month for AT&T 2Gbps fiber.) Im talking about Netflix, Google One,The Wall Street Journal, and other services and publications I actually want.But there were also over $100 worth of subscriptions that, frankly, Id forgotten aboutand no longer wanted or needed. Thats real money.So, how do I get rid of them? Today, I have to dig into every last lousy one of them and jump through numerous hoops to cancel but that may not be the case for much longer.The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month announced aclick-to-cancel ruleaimed at making it easier for you and me to end recurring subscriptions and memberships. The new regulation requires sellers to make canceling services as simple as when you initially signed up for them.As FTC Commission Chair Lina M. Khan explained: Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription. The FTCs rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money. Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want.Amen, sister!The new regulations arent going to affect just Disney+ subscribers and the like. Businesses that rely on Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) as either users or providers are going to be affected as well.The new rule, which goes into effect six months after being published in the Federal Register, will have significant implications, for example, for providers like Google One and Microsoft 365.Heres how its likely to affect these services.For example, practices like requiring phone calls or in-person visits to cancel will no longer be allowed. If you think thats an exaggeration, by the way, you clearly havent had aPlanet Fitness subscription, which required snail-mail or an in-person visit to close out your membership.Additionally, SaaS providers must provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about subscription terms: For example, automatic renewal information must be clearly stated and cancellation deadlines by which customers must cancel to avoid charges must also be spelled out.Under these regulations, you can no longer automatically resubscribe customers. They must consent before automatic renewals take place. Clearly, businesses that use automatic renewals will have to change how theyll handle subscription renewals.If your business gets customers by offering free trials that convert to paid subscriptions, youll also need to clearly disclose the trials terms, including when the trial ends and what charges will occur. And, of course, canceling after a free trial must be as simple as signing up for the trial.All of this means, of course, that your company will have to update its terms and conditions. Youre going to have to pay your lawyers (as well as your programmers) to address these new rules.On the plus side, while none of this will be cheap, the FTC argues that customers will be happier and more likely resubscribe. And new transparent practices could even lead tostronger customer relationships.Not everyone is happy about the new regulations. Business organizations such as the Internet & Television Association (NCTA), the Interactive Advertising Bureau, and the US Chamber of Commerce oppose them. They have three major arguments: that the FTC doesnt have the legal authority to implement the rules; the change will cost companies money; and theyll force industries to change current cancellation processes that protect consumers or offer better deals.In other words, its exactly what youd expect them to say.Given the click-to-cancel rule is part of the Biden administrations efforts to combat junk fees, you might think its dead as a doornail. Usually, Id agree. But while Kahn has been alightning rod for both Democrats and Republicans, she has one ally you probably didnt expect; Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who said: I look atLina Khan as one of the few people in the Biden administration that I think is doing a pretty good job,In addition,overall, the rule appears to be quite popular among consumers and consumer advocates. Lets get real. People are sick of perpetual subscriptions. Their budgets are tight. Even if the FTC regulation costs companies some coin, itll be worth it in the long run.

2nd RoundRiot is aiming to host 2XKO's next alpha lab beta test in Spring 2025Eager to jump back into 2XKO? You won't have to wait too long.Image credit: Riot Games News by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Nov. 11, 2024 Are you eager to jump back into 2XKO? Did you miss out the first time and want to try it out fresh-faced and eager? Well there's some good news! According to an official post by 2XKO game director Shaun Rivera, the team is aiming to set a 2nd Alpha Lab test in Spring 2025.This post, which you can read right now in full on Twitter, Rivera states that this playtest will be available in more regions than the first, which should be good news to those who were unable to take part initially. In addition, it'll impliment several key changes. This includes Jinx, who was just given her own gameplay trailer for the game today, as well as gameplay alterations including improved controls and decreased downtime.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. This, obviously, is good news. While 2XKO's Alpha Lab test went too a hit (as indicated by Rivera's post), players did leave the experience with some feedback for the game. And, with the game absent from Worlds 2024, we've not had a chance to see whether that feedback has been implimented. It seems like our first real chance to find out will come early next year. It's also worth noting that if you had access to the first Alpha Lab test, you don't need to sign up for the next one.With the game set for a vague 2025 release date, this expected Alpha Lab test also has me wondering how large the overall 2XKO package will be on release. With Jinx, that makes seven in total. At the pace they're being revealed and added to the game, what character total will 2XKO reach at 1.0?My bet is 10. You want an even number of characters for a 2v2 fighter, and at the pace we're seeing them come out the 10th reveal should land sometime in the 2nd half of next year. Or, I'm totally wrong and the 2XKO team shoot past it. That's the great thing about this bet, even if I lose I'm smiling. More characters would be lush.Are you excited to hop into 2XKO's next Alpha Lab test? Let us know below!

What's next!One of the best parts of Arcane Season 2? Its end-of-episode teases that make it near-impossible to stop watchingThe main plot is obviously brilliant, but it's those small scenes at the end that has me fiending for Act 2.Image credit: VG247 Article by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Nov. 11, 2024 I, like thousands of others out there, am absolutely enraptured by Arcane Season 2. As a fan of the first season, I was eager to sit down and watch the first act for an update on the misadventures of Jinx, Vi, and co. I expected the show to sink its hooks into me, but what I didn't expect was the majority of my anticipation to stem not from the core plot, but by the little stingers the writers placed at the end of each episode.(This article contains spoilers for Arcane season 2 Act 1)Cliffhangers are hard to do, that's no secret. The art of laying breadcrumbs for fans to speculate and excite themselves over is difficult, a treacherous balancing act between leaving things too vague and giving the game away. That said, I firmly believe the showrunner and rest of the narrative team on the show has managed to trapeze their way across this tightrope excellently. For that, they deserve their roses.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. It says a lot that in spite of the engaging primary story arc present in Act 1, my mind was left affixed to these little moments. Forget Jinx, what on earth is Singed up to? Off on some wacky adventure to the snowy wilderness, throwing gas grenades at murk wolves then setting up a blood transfusion on himself, apparently. It's about as far separated from the core plot as you can get, a bizzare escapade off screen while Caitlyn and Vi get all romantic and her gaggle black ops strike team are gassing up the place, but it hints towards unseen dangers.It's important that it doesn't distract from the main plot, and it doesn't. You could build walls around the first act and it would still be compelling as a sole story. A story of how loss leads people to do bad things, a tale as old as time. One could argue that setting up problems beyond this arc distracts from the overall arc narrative - I couldn't disagree more. If Act 2 were to start and Singed just showed up for the first time, it would seem rushed. Not to mention it would raise questions about what the lad was doing throughout the entirety of Act 1, and leave Singed lovers in shambles. This way, Act 2 can start running. The set-up is done. All that's left now is payoff, as this established and awfully tantalizing subplot crashes into the main narrative.It's just good planning, and good story structure. We League fans already know what Singed is cooking up, but for those unaware of the background context it makes for a big mystery in a season that seems delighted in its ability to float them in front of us viewers. It's just enough of a tease to lurk around the pending confrontation the Act ends on. We know trouble is coming, and we know who the big players are, but where Singed stands in all this remains unclear. A wildcard story point, one that throws a stone at what many expect will happen next Act.All in all, I'm sat here counting down the days to Act 2. Yes, I'm keen to see what happens with the major protagonists, the political pushes and pulls, and how relationships will form and break between the cast. But I'm also left with an intense feeling on anticipation around what new mysteries will being introduced to us. Arcane Season 2 has established that there's still many layers to Piltover and Zaun we don't know about, and seeing the showrunners slowly peel back these layers ultimately adds to a deeper, richer world to explore. I'm locked in.Season 2 of Arcane is set to release on Netflix on November 16 on Netflix, and Act 3 will follow it on November 23. Check it out if you haven't already! It's proven to be a very expensive show, so here's hoping it makes up the cost! Maybe the blue-ray will help.

Image: NintendoShigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo have lifted the lid on the upcoming Donkey Kong Country expansion, coming to Super Nintendo World in Osaka, Japan. And in today's Nintendo Direct, we finally know when the expansion is opening to the world 11th December 2024.We've had a few teasers sneak peeks at the park over the years, but this Direct gave us a really good look at what to expect. If you're lucky enough to be in Japan when it opens, well... we're pretty jealous!To get to the new park, you have to go through the 1Up store and walk through a tunnel covered in rocks and bricks. The new area is fantastic, sporting palm trees, Donkey Kong's treehouse, and the Golden Temple.Images: NintendoShowing us around the park, Miyamoto took us to a music-themed game using conga drums, where you'll need three people to team up and hit the drums in time with the lights. There's plenty of banana-flavoured food and drinks you can try (as well as a special hot dog which has avocado-flavoured sauce... hmm) as well as Funky's Fly and Buy, a store where you can buy lots of DK-related merch.Just like the main Super Nintendo World, there are also plenty of secrets that interact with the Power-Up Bands. But the big one will be familiar to Donkey Kong Country fans letters have been tucked away in the park, which you can "collect" and register on the Universal Japan app to spell out Kong.Inside the Golden Temple is a mine cart ride, and here's where you'll find lots of impressive animatronics for various Donkey Kong characters and companions. It looks like a chill little roller coaster and we're delighted Dixie is there to greet you. Could we get some Lanky Kong or King K. Rool though, Nintendo?Images: NintendoImages: NintendoThe Donkey Kong Country expansion was announced back in 2021 and was originally slated to open the barrel in Spring 2024, but it turns out, building parks takes a long time! At least we finally have a date. If you can't get to Japan this December, then don't worry, as Donkey Kong Country will be part of the Super Nintendo World opening at Universal Florida in 2025.If you want to watch the Direct, you can do by heading to Nintendo's YouTube channel.What do you think of the new expansion? Are you going to be in Japan when it opens up? Peel back your thoughts in the comments. Tune in for a 10-minute tourLet's-a gOrlandoLooking good![source youtube.com]Share:212 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Direct Announced For Super Nintendo World's Donkey Kong ExpansionTune in for a 10-minute tour