Nearly three years into Russias full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the Biden administration gave Ukraine the green light to strike deeper into Russia using US-supplied longer-range missiles.The Ukrainian military quickly put that permission to use: On Tuesday, it attacked a weapons depot about 70 miles from Ukraines border. The US and NATO allies have hesitated to provide sophisticated weapons like the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that Ukraine used in that attack, fearing Russian retaliation against NATO sites or even nuclear escalation. Raising that specter on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new version of the countrys nuclear doctrine, which would theoretically make it easier for Russia to use nuclear weapons in this conflict. The new doctrine specifically allows for a nuclear strike in response to a strike with conventional weapons like the longer-range missiles Ukraine now has permission to use if those attacks involved the participation or support of a nuclear power, likely referring to the US and other NATO countries. Throughout the war, Russian leaders have threatened to use the countrys nuclear weapons in the conflict if they believed they were necessary. That has led Ukraines allies to be cautious about the amount of aid theyve offered, and has led to limits on what Ukrainian troops can do with those weapons.Ukraines new ability to use longer range missiles to strike Russian territory and Putins confirmation of new nuclear rules have again raised the question: Could Russias war in Ukraine escalate into a nuclear conflict?Throughout the war, experts have downplayed Russias appetite for nuclear conflict. But the rapid escalation of the conflict in recent weeks, and particularly Russias new nuclear doctrine, could mean that possibility is closer than before. Since the beginning of Russias invasion into Ukraine, Putin and other officials have made statements, both explicit and oblique, that Russia might be pressed to use nuclear weapons. Most experts agree that the risk of Russia using such weapons is low, but its not negligible. A previous version of the doctrine Russia updated on Tuesday said the country would tap into its nuclear arsenal only under four circumstances: receiving credible data of a ballistic missile attack; nuclear or other WMD attack against Russia or its allies; attacks on Russian nuclear infrastructure; or conventional weapons attacks that threaten the very existence of the Russian state. Under the new doctrine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated attacks like Ukraines on Tuesday could trigger a nuclear response.That change shouldnt be taken as a response to Ukraines strike, however, Samuel Charap, distinguished chair in Russia and Eurasia policy and senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, told Vox.The new doctrine has been in the works for a long time, Charap said. The timing may be tied to the attack of decision, but the substance has been brewing for a while.Putin and other officials have not, it seems, made major preparations to actually use nuclear weapons. However as the war continues, Putin and his officials threats have become clearer and have involved actually demonstrating nuclear capacity. As recently as July, Russia and Belarus held joint military exercises that demonstrated Russias tactical nuclear capabilities.Initially, the US and NATO responded to Russias threats with caution, denying Ukraine weapons or placing restrictions on their use. But over the past three years, as little has come of Putins threats of nuclear war and of war with NATO, Western countries have given Ukraine access to increasingly sophisticated weapons systems. Besides the risk of nuclear war, Ukraines allies have had to balance concerns that they might be more directly drawn into the conflict. Though Ukraine is not a member of the NATO military alliance, Putin has previously warned that permission to use longer-range missiles (like those used Tuesday) inside Russia would be considered a NATO attack on Russia.US officials speaking to the Associated Press said they had anticipated a response from Russia, but that Russian officials warnings were viewed as inflammatory rhetoric, and would not provoke any change in US action. That suggests the US does not believe theres much danger in Russia using its nuclear capabilities in the near term.Russia never explicitly, on the official level, warned that they would use nuclear weapons in response to X, Y, or Z, Charap said. The only explicit red line that theyve ever drawn was on the use of long range, US [or] Western weapons to strike into Russia that has now been crossed. So I can imagine people will expect their response, and it will not just be with words. After 1,000 days of the war, the conflict appears to be approaching an impasse. Theres no clear path to decisive victory for either side. Each side is deploying new tactics to try to gain an advantage: Ukraine with longer range missiles; Russia with recruits from North Korea. And now, Russia and the US seem to be simply responding to each others escalations: Russia put North Korean troops on the battlefield, the US responded by authorizing the use of longer range missiles, and Russia released its new nuclear posture. That sort of behavior is both reckless and dangerous, Charap said.You are in a spiral that is the definition of a tit-for-tat dynamic, where your actions are driven not by your goals, but by countering what the other guy is doing, Charap said. That only goes in one direction continuing to up the ante. The spiral dynamic just continues until somebody gets out of control or somebody decides to stop 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 global gaming phenomenon Minecraft is coming to the real world for the first time in a global deal to open themed rides, attractions, hotel rooms and retail outlets, starting with the UK and US.Minecraft has struck a deal with UK-headquartered Merlin Entertainments Europes largest theme park operator and the second biggest globally after Disney which runs more than 135 attractions in 23 countries including Alton Towers, Legoland, Sea Life, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye.Under the terms of the deal, Merlin will invest more than 85m ($110m) in the first two attractions. They are due to open in the UK and the US in 2026 and 2027, in either an existing theme park or as new city centre attractions.Over the longer term the two companies plan to expand the strategic partnership, which is called Adventures Made Real, to other countries and territories.Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time, with 140 million players each month, in territories as disparate as Antarctica and Vatican City, and there are more than 1.3tn videos posted by game players on YouTube.Merlins partnership with Minecraft is called Adventures Made Real. Photograph: Merlin and TM & Mojang ABWe are everywhere digitally, Merlin is everywhere physically, said Kayleen Walters, the vice-president, franchise development, for gaming at Microsoft, which acquired the Minecraft maker Mojang for $2.5bn in 2014. It is about how do we expand Minecraft beyond the game. Mojang and Microsoft are experts on Minecraft and the brand, Merlin are the experts on location-based experiences; it is a shared vision.Minecraft is on something of a brand extension boom: a much-delayed film is due for release next April, featuring Hollywood stars including Jason Momoa and Jack Black, and earlier this year Netflix announced plans to release an animated series based on the game.For Merlin, the Minecraft partnership has the potential to be its biggest deal since it struck a deal with Lego to buy its four Legoland theme parks in 2005.In recent years, Merlin has been upping its strategy of focusing on deals with crown jewel intellectual property owners to drive the popularity of its parks and attractions, in the same way Hollywood studios do with blockbuster franchises.A Minecraft Movie is due for release next April. Photograph: Warner Bros.In 2022, Merlin struck a deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to bring the $2bn Hollywood film franchise Jumanji to its parks, with a range of rides and attractions opening at Chessington in the UK last year.Earlier this year, Merlin announced an expansion of its Peppa Pig deal to create rides and attractions in Duplo-themed areas at a number of its parks.When we look for partners we look for the right people, scale and community, said Scott ONeil, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainments. We are in 23 countries, what brands can play at that level, you have to be one of the biggest brands in the world. We have partnered with the number one toy brand, Lego, the number one toddler brand, Peppa Pig, and now in Minecraft the biggest video game. Bringing Minecraft to life is going to be one of the greatest joys; this is just the beginning; our aspirations are very big.Last year, Minecraft became the first single video game to pass 300m sales, well ahead of other top-selling global titles including Grand Theft Auto V (205m), Nintendos Wii Sports (83m) and PUBG: Battlegrounds (75m).skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Business TodayFree daily newsletterGet set for the working day we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morningPrivacy 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 promotionTetris and the Super Mario franchise have sold more copies but Minecraft, which was launched in 2011, is the only single game to have reached that mark.Minecraft is the bestselling video game of all time. Photograph: Iurii Vlasenko/AlamyIn 2020, Minecraft moved to make its educational-themed worlds available for free, to help pupils no longer able to attend school because of the Covid-19 pandemic.The company, which said it wanted to do its part to help keep young minds sharp and stimulated, made 12 digital lessons available, including a game about generating power from renewable energy sources and an interactive lesson about ancient Greece.In 2015, Minecraft was given to every secondary school in Northern Ireland for free as part of a cultural technology festival, which was government funded, the first time it had been distributed across an entire region.In 2019, a consortium led by the family that controls the Lego toymaking empire agreed a 6bn takeover of Merlin.The consortium is 50% owned by Kirkbi, the private investment company of the Kirk Kristiansen family, the inheritors of the Lego fortune. The other 50% is owned by the private equity company Blackstone and CPPIB, the Canadian pension fund.

The fast-growing childrens gaming platform Roblox is to hand parents greater oversight of their childrens activity and restrict the youngest users from the more violent, crude and scary content after warnings about child grooming, exploitation and sharing of indecent images.From Monday, Roblox will grant parents access to a dashboard on their own phone showing who their child is interacting with, how long they are spending on Roblox each day and to make sure they are accurately recording their age.It will also restrict users under nine to games rated mild, with access to moderate content allowed only with parental approval. Mild content might involve unrealistic blood or unrealistic violence whereas the blood would look realistic for moderate violence.Preteens will also be blocked from chat functions outside of games as part of a worldwide tightening of the rules on the most visited online destination among British eight- to 12-year-olds after Google, Metas Instagram and Facebook, and TikTok.The moves comes after a short-seller last month alleged it had found child sexual abuse content, sex games, violent content and abusive speech on the site. In the UK, Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science and technology, told parliament: I expect that company to do better in protecting service users, particularly children.Robloxs millions of brightly coloured user-generated gaming worlds are enjoyed by 90 million daily users worldwide, according to the $3bn (2.4bn) annual revenue Silicon Valley company.Children using Roblox can choose from 6m games and experiences devised by users, and play with friends and strangers who are able to message them in real time.Already the company runs automated software that clamps down on texts that aim to lure children off the platform and vets the images, audio, video and the 3D models for content that breaches community standards.The most popular games last week included the dressing-up game Dress to Impress and the angling game Fisch. But there are also games themed around depression, violence and some which are described as racism simulators.Last month, Hindenburg Research, , described Roblox as an X-rated paedophile hellscape, replete with users attempting to groom our avatars, groups openly trading child pornography, widely accessible sex games, violent content and extremely abusive speech all of which is open to young children.It revealed it took a short position in Roblox shares, while the gaming platform described the claims as misleading and said safety and civility was foundational to the company.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 promotionOn 16 October, the MP Mike Reader told parliament about a constituent who was a volunteer moderator and had identified and banned over 14,000 accounts involved in child grooming, exploitation and sharing indecent images as part of a group.Kyle responded: Companies releasing products into our society should see that as a privilege, not a right. I have high expectations, on behalf of this country, to ensure that safety is baked in from the start.Restrictions to prevent under-13s accessing new Roblox games that are awaiting maturity ratings will begin on 3 December. From Monday, under-13s will also be prevented from using games that use chalkboard writing as these attract teens drawing things that may be inappropriate for our youngest audience, said the chief safety officer, Matt Kaufman.Explaining the new parental controls, Robloxs senior product manager, Dina Lamdany, said: Parents will be able to view their childs screen time over the last week, as well as set daily limits on that screen time. In addition, from that same dashboard, parents will be able to view their childs friends. We hope that this will encourage parents to have conversations with their kids about who their child is spending time with on Roblox.

League of Legends is bringing a whole host of fresh changes for players entering the Rift, including new Arcane skins, buffs and nerfs for multiple Champions, and big ARAM changes.

From one blocky world to another, a new agreement has been struck between Minecraft and the group behind Peppa Pig World, Alton Towers, and Legoland, Merlin Entertainments

The 10 best and weirdest Nintendo DS games to celebrate the 20th anniversaryMichael BeckwithPublished November 20, 2024 1:00am Remember when Tingle was popular enough to warrant two solo titles? (Nintendo)GameCentral honours the Nintendo DSs 20th birthday by celebrating the most bizarre entries in its extensive catalogue of games.This may shock some younger readers, but the original Nintendo DS was massive when it came out. In fact, it remains one of the best-selling consoles ever made, second only to the PlayStation 2.Its likely itll eventually be overtaken by the Nintendo Switch, but holding onto that position all these years, even as far more powerful hardware has come out, shows just how beloved the DS was.We initially planned to celebrate the consoles 20th anniversary with its all-time best games, like the original Mario & Luigi: Bowsers Inside Story and Ghost Trick,but then we remembered how the DS was home to all manner of delightfully odd releases; plenty of which will likely never get a modern day remaster and are already fading from memory.So, let us toast to the forgotten, weirder entries in the DS library; ones that are still worth experiencing even today.Freshly-Picked Tingles Rosy Rupeeland (2006)It is shocking that Tingle, a recurring side character in The Legend Of Zelda series, got to be the main star in not one but two games, long before Echoes Of Wisdom finally gave Zelda a proper protagonist role (no, the CD-i games dont count).Freshly-Picked Tingles Rosy Rupeeland almost feels like a parody, with the titular Tingle exploring dungeons and selling items to earn enough money to build a tower and reach the paradise that is Rupeeland. It is as unserious as it sounds, with even Tingles health directly tied to your rupee count.It did well enough to warrant a 2009 sequel all about pursuing relationships with different women but that was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a Japanese release only.Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)Despite what you might think, there have been lots of Grand Theft Auto games on Nintendo formats, including the GTA: The Trilogy remasters, but also stretching all the way back to the Game Boy Color. That alone is pretty strange but Rockstar went one step further on the DS, with a big budget touchscreen exclusive.While GTA: Chinatown Wars did see a PlayStation Portable port seven months after launch, the original was marketed solely for the DS and was even part of Nintendos E3 2008 showcase. It was all very un-Nintendo-like, especially when the game caught flak for having a drug-selling mechanic.Perhaps more shocking was that Chinatown Wars was very good, being explicitly designed for the DS capabilities and not just a watered-down port of contemporary GTA 4.Henry Hatsworth In The Puzzling Adventure (2009)With a name like Henry Hatsworth In The Puzzling Adventure, youd be forgiven for assuming this was some sort of Professor Layton rip-off. Especially when you learn the game stars a British gentleman defined by his headgear, whos very good at solving puzzles.However, the Layton similarities end there, as this isnt just a match-three style puzzle game but a 2D action-platformer too. All the platforming takes place on the top screen, with defeated enemies becoming puzzle blocks on the bottom screen. You must then link chains of coloured blocks using the stylus to ensure the enemies dont come back and fill up meters for performing super attacks.Its surprisingly involved and an effective blend of both gameplay styles. It was also a rare but welcome change of pace from EA Tiburon, better known nowadays as EA Orlando, which mostly worked on sports games like EAs Madden NFL series.999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (2009)Before AI: The Somnium Files, director and writer Kotaro Uchikoshi made a name for himself with the Zero Escape series of visual novels, of which 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors was the first. Nine people find themselves trapped on a sinking ship and must solve escape room puzzles to survive in a deadly game of choice; one where breaking the rules will set off bombs in their stomachs.Initially something of a rarity, thanks to its Japan and US exclusivity, the game soon garnered quite the following thanks to its complex branching storyline, that touches on thought-provoking topics and concepts while also revelling in off-the-wall, sometimes juvenile, humour. It also had a neat gimmick where all the character dialogue took place on the top screen while ongoing narration appeared on the bottom screen.Surprisingly, it fared very well in the West, with poor Japanese sales for both it and its superior sequel, Virtues Last Reward, very nearly killing the series. Fortunately, Uchikoshi would get to wrap up the franchise with a third game, and all three are easily available on modern platforms.Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (2005)A long-time GameCentral favourite, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan is a delightfully silly game where you help people in need, be it a students struggling to study or a potter seeking inspiration, by tapping your stylus to the beat of a variety of Japanese pop songs.Aside from satisfying rhythm-action gameplay, the scenarios are increasingly over-the-top and hilarious. The very concept of people calling on a cheerleader squad to rally them through whatever problem they have including an asteroid crashing into the Earth is great fun all on its ownAlthough it never left Japan, it was a popular import title that encouraged the more international friendly follow-up Elite Beat Agents, which was fine but wasnt quite as good. There was another Japan-only sequel in 2007, but that was sadly the last weve seen of the Ouendan series, barring cameos in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.Pokmon Conquest (2012)In a post-Pokmon Smile and Pokmon Sleep world, Pokmon Conquest may still be the strangest spin-off in the franchises history. Not only was it The Pokmon Companys first (and so far, only) stab at the tactical role-playing genre, Pokmon Conquest doubled as a crossover with Koei Tecmos Nobunagas Ambition series.While it was certainly too easy for those who had cut their teeth on something like Advance Wars, Pokmon Conquest remains one of the better Pokmon spin-offs thanks in part to a ludicrous premise that, despite all odds, actually works quite well. As such, it has cultivated its own devoted fanbase.Its a shame it didnt seem to leave much of an impact, since it never saw a follow-up. There have been some other solid spin-offs since then, namely Pokkn Tournament and New Pokmon Snap, but none of them are nearly as odd as this.Slide Adventure MAGKID (2007)Even some of the most diehard Nintendo fans wont have heard of this one. Like Ouendan, this was a Japanese exclusive, but it doesnt seem to have been much of a hit in its home country. Slide Adventure MAGKID is worth remembering, though, if only for its novel motion control gimmick.It came with a special accessory called the Slide Controller, which you plugged into the DS bottom slot. You then had to rest it against a flat surface, and it acted like a computer mouse, allowing you to slide the DS to move the titular Mag Kid and solve puzzles.Theres fun to be had in the sheer novelty of the game but why Nintendo thought it justified its own peripheral, that had to be sold in a larger box than usual, is a mystery. Although its much less perplexing as to why it was never released in the West.Soul Bubbles (2008)Another old school GameCentral favourite, Soul Bubbles puts you in control of a shaman whose mission is to herd spirits through various levels by containing them in bubbles.Using the touchscreen to draw and guide these bubbles sounds simple enough, but where Soul Bubbles excels is in its environmental puzzle-solving. Sometimes your bubble is too big to pass through spaces, so you must divide the spirits into a chain of smaller bubbles. Other times, the bubbles need to be frozen or filled with water, so theres more complexity to it than you may expect.On top of that, the whole game has a relaxing atmosphere and boasts some of the most gorgeous visuals weve seen on the DS. If you ever stumble across a second-hand copy of Soul Bubbles, you owe it to yourself to snap it up and give this long-forgotten gem a chance.Super Princess Peach (2005)When it comes to Super Mario games for the DS, Super Princess Peach is well remembered but not for the right reasons. In some basic role reversal, Mario has been kidnapped by Bowser and Peach must save him. Rather than rely on her own platforming skills, though, Peachs main powers are her own emotions.You activate these powers by tapping the different coloured hearts on the bottom screen. Joy, for example, makes her float through the air, while sadness makes her run fast as she cries a waterfall of tears. The sexist undertones, where Peach is portrayed as an emotionally unstable wreck, are no doubt unintentional but difficult to ignore.More TrendingIf you can look past that, Super Princess Peach is an otherwise solid platformer that isnt just a run-of-the-mill Super Mario Bros. clone, with Peach as the playable character. It certainly offers more of a challenge than the overly simple Princess Peach Showtime, but the definitive Peach solo adventure has yet to emerge.The World Ends With You (2007)Even nearly two decades later, The World Ends With You remains one of the most courageously original role-playing games out there, especially when it comes to the gameplay.Its combat, which demands you pay attention to both screens while controlling two characters simultaneously, can be off-putting and difficult to parse, but figuring out how it all works is worth it. Combined with the stylish art style and music, The World Ends With You stood out amongst its peers of the time for taking full advantage of the DS capabilities.While the Switch remaster and 2021 sequel are certainly more approachable, we honestly miss the risks the original game took. If possible, its worth tracking down a DS copy and experiencing how it was meant to be played because, like many of the games on this list, its so much more fun on its original hardware.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.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The entire industry will be paying attention to GTA 6 (Picture: Rockstar)Its been over a decade since GTA 5 launched in 2013, and after several re-releases and more than $8.5 billion in revenue, Rockstar Games and Take-Two are finally gearing up for the release of GTA 6.At this point, Grand Theft Auto is the biggest traditional (i.e. not Minecraft or Roblox) video game franchise in history, and that makes the new game arguably the most anticipated one of all time. If you want proof just consider the announcement trailer, which garnered more than 50 million views in less than a day.Although the second trailerWith everyone eager for more information, weve compiled all the important information Rockstar has officially confirmed about GTA 6 and all the many rumours that have followedGTA 6 release date: when does the game come out?GTA 6 is currently scheduled to launch in autumn 2025, as confirmed by Take-Two in its most recent financial results.The game may be hit with a delay though, which could push it into December or even 2026.As a reminder, GTA 5 was initially scheduled for spring 2013, but wound up not releasing until that September. Any such delay for GTA 6 likely wont be announced until later next year, as at the moment its probably not clear whether it needs more time or not.GTA 6 formats: what consoles will the game be available for?GTA 6 will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. There are no plans to bring it to last-gen platforms (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) so, if youve yet to upgrade to either of the current consoles, youll need to if you want to play GTA 6.Theres no mention of when GTA 6 will come to PC, but Rockstar has traditionally always been slow to support the format. In a November 2024 earnings call, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said: I do think PC will continue to be a more and more important part of the console business going forward, and that isnt complicated for us to support at all.GTA 5 didnt arrive on PC until 2015, almost two years after its initial console release, but its widely assumed GTA 6 will be a bit sooner than that.One outside possibility is that GTA 6 could also be released for the Nintendo Switch 2. Rockstar has always had a surprisingly good relationship with Nintendo and the only limiting factor is whether the new console will be powerful enough to run the game. GTA 6 looks poised to take full advantage of current hardware (Picture: Rockstar)GTA 6 story: what is the game about?Exact story details for GTA 6 are incredibly slim, but the reveal trailer did provide a general outline for what to expect. GTA 6s main protagonist is a young woman named Lucia, who commits crimes as part of a Bonnie and Clyde-style duo with a currently unnamed male partner (although hes widely believed to be called Jason).Despite what you may think, GTA 6 wont mark the first time youre able to play as a woman in the series. The original 1997 game, the Game Boy Color version of GTA 2, and GTA Online have had options for playable female characters. These options never impacted the story, though, so GTA 6 is still breaking new ground for the series in that regard. Lucia may not be the series first playable woman, but her status as GTA 6s main character is still a big deal (Picture: Rockstar)GTA 6 setting: where does the game take place?GTA 6 will be set in Leonida, a fictional version of the state of Florida. What makes this particularly exciting for long-time GTA fans is this means Vice City will be making a return.Based on the real-world city of Miami, Vice City was initially a level in the original GTA but is better known for its open-world depiction in GTA: Vice City (2002) and its prequel, GTA: Vice City Stories.Vice City has long been a popular locale with fans, so much so that there have been several fan efforts to recreate the city, such as modding it into GTA 5. It also speaks to the size of GTA 6s map that the setting of a PlayStation 2-era game will only be a portion of it. Expect multiple means of travel (Picture: Rockstar)GTA 6 trailers: when does the next trailer release?So far, theres only one trailer for GTA 6, which doesnt feature any actual gameplay footage. Fans have come up with their own (often bizarre) theories on when a new trailer will drop, but neither Rockstar nor Take-Two have formally confirmed anything.More TrendingA new trailer could wind up debuting at The Game Awards 2024, which takes place on December 13. Its the last major gaming event of the year and has typically hosted major game announcements.However, last years trailer debuted just a few days before The Game Awards 2023, which suggests Rockstar isnt interested in sharing the limelight with anyone else.That means the best guess for when Trailer 2 will be released, if it does happen this year, is sometime between now and the second week of December. How big is GTA 6 going to be? (Picture: Rockstar)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.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

You better knock off that awful attempt at a Scottish brogue, mate: A team of researchers has found that people in the northern United Kingdom and Ireland are especially good at telling when youre faking it. The research surveyed nearly 1,000 participants from across the UK and Ireland and found that individuals from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northeastern England were better at identifying mimicked native accents than participants from farther south. The teams research is published today in Evolutionary Human Sciences. The new paper focused exclusively on people from the UK and Ireland, but its a fair warning for those of us in North America about attempting those awful accents. We found first that people across groups are better than average when detecting when someone is faking any accent (across the seven accents in the UK and Ireland we evaluated), said Jonathan Goodman, a researcher at the University of Cambridge and corresponding author of the paper, in an email to Gizmodo. Second, we found that some groups of native speakers are better than others at detecting when someone is faking their own accent.The team recorded speakers using accents from northeast England, Belfast, Dublin, Bristol, Glasgow, Essex, and standard British English. The participants were asked to record themselves saying several test sentences, including She kicked the goose hard with her foot, Jenny told him to face up to his weight, Kit strutted across the room, Hold up these two cooked tea bags, and He thought a bath would make him happy. The sentences include words that are particular tells for whether the speakers accent was authentic or spoofed. We worked with the phonetics lab here in Cambridge to develop sentences that teased out accent-specific phonemic differences in pronunciation of specific words, Goodman said. For example, for some people the word bath rhymes with path; for others, with moth. These differences make up what we can call accent-specific signals linked with regions across the UK and Ireland.The participants recordings were played in 2 to 3 second clips for other participants. The team found that participants from Belfast were the best at identifying fake accents, with locals in northeastern England and Dublin being second- and third-best. Listeners from Essex, Bristol, and London were the least accurate. This narrative both predicts better mimicry detection among speakers from places with high-between group tension, such as Belfast, Glasgow and Dublin, and explains why an area like Essex may also have relatively poor mimicry detection, the team wrote in the paper. Specifically, speakers of the Essex accent moved to this area over the past 25 years from Londona strong contrast with speakers living in Belfast, Glasgow and Dublin, whose accents evolved over centuries of cultural tension and violence.Thats one side of the coin. The other side, the team suggested in the paper, is that people in London and Bristol may be less attuned to specific accents because they are surrounded by a more diverse array of accents on the day-to-day. The research brings to mind a baffling medical case described last year, in which a man suffering from metastatic prostate cancer developed an uncontrollable Irish brogue accent despite no Irish background, according to research published in BMJ Case Reports. That team concluded the man suffered from foreign accent syndrome, a real thing that causes listeners to perceive changes in a persons speech as an accent. That work did not indicate how convincing the Irish brogue was.The recent study only surveyed participants from the UK and Ireland, but Americanslets not even pretend we do a decent British or Irish accent. I think wed all be better off not trying.

You wouldnt know it from the trailers but itll be very obvious once the lights go down. Wicked, which hits theaters this week, is just part one of the story. Its right there in the films title when it begins (the title card says Wicked Part One) and its the last thing youre reminded of at the end (To be continued fills the screen). This has been public knowledge since April of 2022 but it wasnt a big selling point, for obvious reasons. Audiences dont like to know theyre only getting half a movie. Just ask Tom Cruise. Recently io9 spoke to Wicked director Jon M. Chu, who not only defended the decision, he explained how it was one of the key decisions that made the movie possible at all. Read about that, as well as how the second film impacted shooting, below. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Well have more from Chu later this week.Germain Lussier, io9: Were you part of the decision to make Wicked into two films? Jon M. Chu: Yes for sure. [Universal] was dancing back and forth and I think that was part of the problem of getting it started. They kept going Oh its one movie, no its two movies. I had to come and be like, We need to make a choice with this. You cannot make a good one movie or two movies by dancing back and forth. Commit to two movies right now, otherwise, were never making those two movies good. I promise you that. We can always change our minds, but we cannot think about it right now. Thats what we committed to. And once you commit to that, then you can pull this thing apart and find what we need to. The plot holes we need to fill, and the things we need to build to build up to Defying Gravity. So that was a big choice.io9: Knowing you had to make this film satisfying on its own, how did you go about achieving that? Chu: It was really about moving backward from Defying Gravity. What we discovered was the perspective of the movie had to be different than the show. In the show, Galinda comes down on her bubble and shes basically the host of the night. Its sort of vaudevillian. Shes going to bring you into the story. Shes going to take you out of the story. We dont have the other side of that to go with. Eventually we will, but not this one. In a weird way, the audience is with her at the beginning of the theater show because this green girl pops in and shes the outlier. Thats the weird one. Whereas in the movie, the audience has to accept the world that youre building for the first 10 minutes. So theyre singing and dancing, which is still an oddity in a movie. And then the normal green girl walks in and shes like, What the hell did I just walk into? That joke is different. That one-liner joke is very different in this.And when that changes, now were with that girl. Now we get to see her in her youth and be teased. We get to root for her in this musical world. Shes like Why is everyone singing? And then in The Wizard and I you hear the little whisper of her voice and you see Oh she sings as beautifully as any of them and shes going to go for that. Wow. Its in her. So youre using the form of the musical to actually help evoke the story and that helps push it to the next level. Now youre like, What do we want for that girl? And if we follow that path, thats what we did. Okay, then how does she move into a dorm room and meet Galinda? You cant just have another song just to have them at each others throats. What is that awkward thing? What are they discovering about each other? Why do they need each other ultimately? So were discovering a lot of things in that scene. So theres little moments that we just track along the way to help make Defying Gravity the end of this movie. Complete your emotional journey, satisfy choices made, then the second movie is the consequences. Chu and his cast Image: Universal io9: How did you feel about the marketing decision to not put Part One or any singing in the trailers?Chu: I mean, marketing has its own strategy for all those things. I think we were pretty clear that there are two parts from the very beginning. I had a statement, did the whole thing, everyone reacted. I knew that there was going to be a certain reaction. But I also knew that when you actually look at the nuts and bolts of it, it was very clear. There was no question. Either its not Wicked and youre stripping out all these songs or youre changing the story so much that its not going to be the Wicked that you want. I knew we were making the right choice, so we went along with that and marketinghow they do it, I dont know how they do it. But I understood what those choices were. And I felt like everybody knew it was a musical anyway. We had musical trailers and things like that. What people dont think about, and this is difficult, is when youre actually cutting a trailer, when you have music in there and theyre singing, moving their mouths, all the songs are in different keys. And how do you jump from one song to another in an organic, trailer way, where you only have two minutes to do it? Its actually, technically, very difficult. And they were dancing at different rhythms and things. It becomes a mess very quickly. So even the ones we did release, I thought it was impossible to cut all those songs together. And they found certain things and they had to pitch things differently and its not exactly how I would love to do it, but it does connect the songs and you need to do that. But its technically very challenging. Its not just a choice that, Oh, we cant. How do you go from The Wizard and I to Defying Gravity without changing the key? Its very difficult.io9:Tell me a little bit about the filming process for both films and why you decided that. Chu: We shot them at the same time. So it was sort of block shooting, I guess. But locations had to change. Munchkinland is sort of our town square in Back to the Future where its constantly changing. The house is now crashed in there, and the house is not there. Its before the Yellow Brick Road is built there, and then when the Yellow Brick Road is there. So that became a centerpiece. We had to move in and move out of that location according to what part of the movie. We also had different actor times. You know, you get Michelle Yeoh for a certain amount of time. Shes up for an Oscar at that time so youre All right, weve got to shoot all of her stuff right here. So there are logistical reasons for that. But Im really glad we did because I think going out of it and going back in would be very difficult.We had to do that for the strike. We had to come back to do Defying Gravity, which was emotionally difficult for Cynthia [Erivo] and Ari [Grande]. [Erivo] had trained a year to do those stunts and to know where to put her voice. And suddenly for six months shes not doing it. Then she has to come back. For us, it actually really helped in the end because we got to gather our energy again. We had been shooting for 160 days at that point. And I think she dropped in so quickly and easily. And Ari also dropped in really easily. They were these characters and it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. *** Thats just a taste of our full interview with Chu. Check back soon for more on how he got involved with the production, his process, and the fascinating tale behind getting the show-stopping finale, Finding Gravity, just right. Wicked is in theaters Friday. Part Two is out next year. 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.

Africa Hall Cultural Center / Architectus Conrad GargettSave this picture! Rory GardinerRenovation, Cultural CenterAddis Ababa, EthiopiaArchitects: Conrad GargettAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:5450 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Rory GardinerSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Architectus Conrad Gargett has revitalized the United Nations' historic Africa Hall in a landmark decade-long renovation. The 1961 Arturo Mezzdimi modernist masterpiece in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has played a key role in shaping modern African history. It now stands as a world-class conference and cultural venue.Save this picture!Africa Hall was gifted by Emperor Haile Selassie I as a meeting place for African nations and headquarters for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). It was here, in 1963, that the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was established, a key step in the formation of today's African Union (AU). The ECA initiated the renovation in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union, and the Ethiopian Government with Architectus Conrad Gargett engaged to lead the design.Save this picture!Save this picture!A holistic renovation - A Conservation Management Strategy guided all aspects of the renovation, ensuring changes respected the building's historical and cultural significance. The design team conducted extensive research into Italian architect Arturo Mezzdimi's original plans to ensure the renovation honored his vision.Key elements were painstakingly restored including the reinforced concrete structure, original mosaic ceramic tiles, and stained-glass artwork by Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle. Thirteen million new tiles were fabricated to match the original, and Tekle's famous 150-square-metre stained glass artwork was restored by the grandson of the original maker. The renovation also included the restoration of over 500 bespoke furniture pieces that were custom-designed by Mezzdimi. These iconic pieces were restored and returned to their original configurations and positions within the building.Save this picture!Modernized for the future - Africa Hall's functionality as a world-class contemporary conference center was critical to the renovation. The Assembly Hall, a central space where African Union meetings are held, was reconfigured to accommodate 55 member statesup from the original 32. It now also features new audio-visual systems and a 13-metre-wide LED display. Physical changes are expressed as distinctly contemporary, with a clear respect for Mezzdimi's original design. Services spaces on the rooftop and a new external lift core are clad in zinc shingles in a pattern that is a contemporary reference to the original mosaic tile profile. Safety, accessibility, and sustainability were also at the forefront of the renovation. The project aligned with the UN's "Greening the Blue" initiative and UN Disability Inclusion Strategy.Save this picture!Save this picture!New visitor experience -Africa Hall now also offers an engaging cultural experience for the public. Architectus Conrad Gargett designed a new museum and exhibition space that tells the story of the building's historical significance. The visitor experience is further enhanced with the addition of a caf, separate visitor center, bus drop-off, and car parking. This monumental renovation ensures Africa Hall will continue to be a beacon of African unity and progress for generations to come.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Addis Ababa, EthiopiaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeConrad GargettOfficePublished on November 20, 2024Cite: "Africa Hall Cultural Center / Architectus Conrad Gargett" 19 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023551/africa-hall-cultural-center-architectus-conrad-gargett&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