December 4, 20247 min readNavigating Threats to Birth Control and Abortion during Second Trump TermWhen Roe v. Wade fell, interest in long-acting and permanent birth control rose. Heres what to know as Trump returns to officeBy Meghan Bartels Liudmila Chernetska/Getty ImagesSweeping restrictions on abortion across the U.S. have already had major ripple effects in reproductive health care. During president-elect Donald Trumps next administration, restrictions on abortion are likely to ramp up, and birth control may be next. The double hit is causing some people to urgently consider long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), or permanent contraception such as sterilization.Ive definitely noticed a change post-Dobbs, says Rachel Flink-Bochacki, an ob-gyn who practices in New York State, referencing the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that eliminated the nationwide right to abortion. In particular, Flink-Bochacki noticed an increased level of interest in sterilization among her patients. It was a common conversation among ob-gyns, where we were all sort of saying, Does anyone feel like were getting way more consults for this?The data suggest this perception had some truth to it, says Xiao Xu, a health economist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In a recent report in JAMA, she and her colleagues found a statistically significant increase in sterilization procedures nationwide in the immediate aftermath of the Dobbs decision, whichoverturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. The study also found that states with abortion restrictions continued to show higher rates of sterilization six months later. Other research has shown increases in long-acting reversible contraception use and sterilization procedures since Dobbs. These measures can prevent pregnancy for years at a time or for the rest of someones life. They are also less prone to failure than a daily pill and other short-term and temporary contraception.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.The results of the 2024 election appear to have further amplified this interest: reports from Planned Parenthood, which provides family planning and other reproductive health services, suggest sharp increases in appointments for vasectomies, IUDs and birth control implants at centers nationwide. Thats not surprising. If abortion is becoming more difficult to do, women may turn to contraception to prevent a need for abortion, Xu says. Any abortion-targeted policy can have an impact broader than abortion care itself.Long-Acting ContraceptionThree methods of long-term birth control are currently available: an arm implant, several varieties of IUDs, and sterilization procedures. All are extremely effective, with fewer than one pregnancy per year for every 100 people using them. In a survey conducted between 2017 and 2019, when abortion remained legal nationwide, some 24 percent of women relied on either their own or a partners sterilization for birth control, while 10 percent relied on an IUD or arm implant. People interested in any of these approaches will first consult with their doctor before scheduling the IUD or implant insertion or surgery, all of which are usually outpatient procedures.Sterilization involves procedures such as a vasectomy, which cuts or blocks the tubes that carry sperm out of the testes, or a bilateral salpingectomy, which removes the fallopian tubes that carry eggs to the uterus. Both procedures are conducted under anesthesia but are typically minimally invasive; they are also irreversible. Flink-Bochacki notes that the consultation process includes a doctor evaluating that someone has fully thought through the decision, although some practitioners may refuse to perform these procedures on people without children. In the wake of Dobbs, she notes, reproductive health advocates have created online lists of doctors who are willing to perform these procedures on people without children.The arm implant and IUDs only work on people who can get pregnant, and they are long-lasting but not permanent. They are phenomenal options, and they are reversible, so if you dont like [them], you can obviously have [them] removed, and your fertility returns and theres no long-term effects, Flink-Bochacki says. (She notes that IUDs and implants are also the most popular form of contraception among ob-gyns themselves.)The matchstick-sized arm implant is inserted and removed under local anesthetic; it is approved for up to three years of use before needing replacement, but Flink-Bochacki says data suggest it can last for five. It contains a type of hormone called progestin that stops ovulation and thickens cervical mucus, which reduces the likelihood of sperm reaching the uterus. Like the pill, which stops or reduces ovulation and prevents fertilization and implantation, the arm implant steadily releases progestin throughout the body, although at lower levels than the pill. For some people, the arm implant is associated with irregular bleeding patterns, Flink-Bochacki warns.Two types of IUDs are available. Each is placed directly into the uterus, which can be quite painfulpeople worried about pain during insertion should ask about management options in advance, Flink-Bochacki notes. IUDs also require returning to the doctor to have the device removed.One variety of IUD relies on progestin, but unlike the arm implant, the hormone doesnt travel throughout the whole body. Such hormonal IUDs can last from three to eight years and can reduce period pain and bleeding. There are also copper IUDs, which dont contain hormones and can be used for 12 years. The copper causes local inflammation and directly interferes with sperms mobility, preventing them from reaching the uterus. But these IUDs can worsen period pain and increase bleeding, Flink-Bochacki warns.In addition to the logistics and side effects of each birth control method, Flink-Bochacki also notes that people may need to use it longer than they may think. Until someone has gone a full year without a period, they may still be able to get pregnant. Flink-Bochacki recommends that if a persons birth control method eliminates periods, as some do, they should continue to use it until age 55.Reproductive Freedom at RiskPolicy experts worry that these contraception options may be at greater risk in the coming years, even though birth control and abortion have widespread support in the U.S. According to April data from the Pew Research Center, 63 percent of American adults believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases; in a separate survey, 79 percent of registered voters said that widespread access to birth control is good for society. In the pre-Dobbs contraception survey, 65 percent of U.S. women between 15 and 49 years old reported currently using some form of birth control.Despite this popularity, during Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, he praised his Supreme Court appointees for overturning Roe v. Wade. And the conservative policy agenda Project 2025, which several of Trumps cabinet nominees have ties to, lays out a path for using an existing law called the Comstock Act to enforce a nationwide abortion ban without additional legislation. Particularly at risk is medication abortion, which accounted for 63 percent of all abortions in the U.S. in 2023. Access to this treatment has already come before the Supreme Court, which preserved its availability but left open the possibility of future legal challenges, and it is likely to be subject to additional cases.The second Trump administrations potential new efforts to restrict access to contraception may be more subtle than the antiabortion campaign, but it could have a major influence on peoples birth control access, says Liz McCaman Taylor, an attorney and senior federal policy counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, a global nonprofit organization that focuses on reproductive rights policy.Theoretically, extreme right-wing politicians could directly challenge court rulings that protect contraception access, but Taylor thinks that approach is unlikely. Birth control is even more popular and ubiquitous than abortion is, so the mainstream strategy is not to make it illegal writ large or pull the drugs approvals in the same way, she says. Instead I think that well see death by a thousand cuts in the same way that was used to take down Roe eventually.These more subtle techniques include a strategy to warp the definition of abortiona tactic already used in right-wing rhetoric, says Brigitte Amiri, an attorney and a deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Reproductive Freedom Project. One of the attacks, very specifically, that you see in Project 2025 is the attempt to conflate certain forms of birth control with abortion, she says. Medically, someone is pregnant only once a cluster of cells called a blastocyst has implanted in the lining of the uterus. But right-wing extremists often talk about pregnancy beginning with fertilization, falsely arguing in turn that emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, and IUDs are abortion measures because they can prevent implantation.Amiri and Taylor both expect opponents of contraception to begin by eroding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The policy includes the Womens Preventive Services Guidelines, which lays out a range of careincluding contraceptionthat must be covered by insurance at low or no cost. Trump may attempt to remove at least emergency contraception and IUDs, but potentially birth control more broadly, from this list. Such a measure wouldnt forbid birth control but would make contraception more expensivebefore the ACA, it could represent more than a third of a persons out-of-pocket health care spending. (People living in states with more protective health care laws may be somewhat insulated from ACA changes because the federal government provides only the minimum health benefits; state governments can require additional coverage.)Title X, a government program that has historically provided birth control and other health care, will also be a likely target. During Trumps first term, his administration banned clinics receiving Title X funding from referring people to abortion care, which caused some clinics to leave the Title X network, nearly halving the number of people that could receive the networks birth control services. President Joe Biden reversed this policy, but Amiri expects Trump to reinstate it.Taylor also expects that health care professionals who oppose abortion and contraception may find it easier to refuse care based on their moral or religious beliefs. Sterilization, which can already be difficult to access, is particularly vulnerable to these objections, she notes.Overall, Taylor says its important to think beyond abortion when it comes to reproductive rights. Bodily autonomy is connected to all kinds of our reproductive health experiences, and if there is a threat to abortion, it is a threat to all reproductive care, including birth control, she says.Still, Flink-Bochacki hopes that the current and future political climate wont factor too strongly into peoples decisions about contraception. I think its very reasonable that people are concerned about these things, she says. I hope that theyre able to make conscientious, intentional decisions based on their goals and their preferences and are not feeling like theyre forced into things that they dont want to do because theyre afraid of the alternative.

There's no Wicked video game, except if you download this Funko Fusion DLCI want to be Pop-ular.Image credit: 10:10 Games News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Dec. 4, 2024 Breakout musical movie success Wicked has signed itself up to a crossover with... Funko Fusion, meaning you can wobble around its world as big-headed versions of Elphaba, Glinda, the Wizard and Madame Morrible.For the uninitiated, Funko Fusion is an action-adventure game solely based around the power of brand crossovers. Character packs are available for a range of prices, from free up to around a tenner for a few extra figures.Funko Fusion is developed by 10:10 Games, the Warrington-based studio founded by Jon Burton, former boss of licensed Lego outfit TT Games. Similar to Lego Dimensions, Funko Fusion hosts an eye-opening array of intellectual properties, from Back to the Future's Marty McFly to Five Nights at Freddy's Freddy Fazbear to Hot Fuzz's Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman.Wicked joins Funko Fusion.Watch on YouTubeAlongside those are characters from (deep breath) Battlestar Galactica, Chucky, Jaws, Jurassic World, Knight Rider, Masters of the Universe, M3gan, Mega Man, Scott Pilgrim, Shaun of the Dead, Team Fortress 2, The Walking Dead and Xena: Warrior Princess. KFC's Colonel Sanders is also in. Also, Bob Ross.What is this feeling? Gameplay-wise, Funko Fusion is very much a spiritual successor to Lego Dimensions - though without the natural charm of Lego and with more digital plastic. Does its array of licensed IP outweigh its simple gameplay? Well, you can't defy gravity.Next up for Funko Fusion? Characters from the US version of The Office.

The cult classic mobile RPG finally gets its due, for lovers of mechanics over story who can rise to the demands of its extreme challenge.It's a bit surreal playing Fantasian with randomised Final Fantasy battle music. But it's not unfitting. At one point I was in a fraught battle against a giant fiery salamander as the unmistakable piercing strings of One Winged Angel distracted me, as if Sephiroth himself was about to swoop down from the sky. To help or hinder, who can say.Fantasian Neo Dimension reviewDeveloper: MistwalkerPublisher: Square EnixPlatform: Played on Nintendo SwitchAvailability: Out on 5th December on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X/S, PS5/PS4, and Nintendo SwitchFantasian feels like a lost Final Fantasy game emerging from the 90s and that's only reaffirmed by the inclusion of actual Final Fantasy battle music, which has been added to this re-release of the game. And for a time it really was lost. Developed by Mistwalker, itself a studio founded by the father of Final Fantasy Hironobu Sakaguchi, and with music from long-time Final Fantasy series composer Nobuo Uematsu, Fantasian was originally released - and subsequently trapped - exclusively on Apple Arcade back in 2021.Now Mistwalker has reunited with Final Fantasy custodians Square Enix to publish this PC and console re-release as Fantasian Neo Dimension, with a little help from Final Fantasy 14 and 16's Naoki Yoshida. This is a homecoming, then, the gang back together to share with the world a curio intended to be Sakaguchi's final, final fantasy.Watch on YouTubeWhat characterises Fantasian most of all is its blend of old school genre trappings and modern sensibilities. Sakaguchi is uncompromising in his vision - for better or worse - resulting in a game aimed squarely at longtime RPG players and demanding a great degree of expertise. Yet this re-release is undoubtedly a more approachable version, if still not quite definitive.That blend of old and new is exemplified by the game's visuals - it's what initially impresses most and lends the game its unique identity. In a callback to the past, the detailed backgrounds are static with 3D character models; but they're formed from actual hand-made dioramas that have been built, photographed, and digitalised. Environments are tangible, real places with something of the clean futuristic look of Final Fantasy 8 making way for dusty town streets, lush forests with tiny, bushy flora, and alien-like landscapes of pustules and mushrooms and a soft fuzzy textured ground that looks like it would make you sneeze. All of this is presented through contrasting angles as the camera swoops and soars, revitalising the lost art of fixed perspectives. It's a beautiful game.Another example of old-meets-new is the turn-based battle system and the unique targeting mechanic for its characters. Attacks and skills must be carefully aimed at enemies: some in a piercing straight line, some in wide AoE circles, and some curving behind to the back line. Along with an explicit turn order, there are enough tactical options to satisfyingly clear a screen of enemies without taking a single hit. Bosses, too, make use of this system, with hidden weak points requiring not just meticulous aiming, but attentive understanding of mid-battle animations to specifically time critical attacks. Landing a death-from-above strike right when a boss yawns upwards makes me feel like Sephiroth, just as his iconic music reaches a crescendo. The dioramas have been meticulously crafted and the results are beautiful | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerFantasian's most innovative feature, though, is the Dimengeon system. It's genius, essentially allowing you to collect random encounters into a single pot to then battle all at once at your discretion. This allows for exploration without interruption, and a switch to battling when the opportunity suits. No more running to a save point at low health praying an enemy doesn't randomly strike! What's more, Dimengeon battles take place in a void where players are aided by various buffs: aim carefully and you'll do extra damage, cure afflictions, and steal turns. It's wonderfully strategic and the sort of obvious solution to a genre frustration I hope gets copied elsewhere.Outside of its underlying systems, however, Fantasian's firm roots in the past also risk becoming its undoing, as its characters and plot fail to innovate in the same way its gameplay does. That's partly due to an overreliance on parallels with Sakaguchi's earlier games, and genre stereotypes that have themselves been popularised by Final Fantasy. Once again, Fantasian sits at the convergence of science, technology, magic and religion, grappling with typical sci-fi questions of what it means to be human, and scheming godlike figures. But it never quite offers a novel viewpoint on these timeless themes. Similarly, while poetic moments of storytelling accompanied by gorgeous hand-drawn artwork are a highlight, elsewhere there are awkward womanising moments that already felt awkward in 2021, and feel doubly so now three years later. Despite occasional charm, the main narrative is bogged down by cringeworthy dialogue and tired characterisation we've seen countless times before.Yes, this is another fantasy game with an amnesiac, spiky-haired protagonist: Leo. There's Kina, the wispy, ethereal ingnue who's at one with nature and (obviously) the healer of the group. She's Aerith-coded and, along with the forthright, Tifa-esque Cheryl, forms a tedious love triangle with Leo. Admittedly, spotting Final Fantasy references can be a fun distraction for long-time fans - here's Ez, a male blend of Yuffie and Rikku! - but it only serves to highlight Fantasian's status as a Final Fantasy 'best of' that lacks its own originality, so I never felt fully endeared to them. There's even a character called Sid (even if it is spelled differently). The aiming system adds enjoyable strategy, especially in the void of the Dimengeon | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerYet there's one reference I especially enjoyed: Fantasian's two-part structure is directly borrowed from Final Fantasy 6, with a linear story-driven first half and a character-driven, open-ended second half. Fantasian itself was released in two parts, which Neo Dimension converges into a singular experience, though you still feel the tension of that divide as everything shifts gears halfway through and improves considerably.The game's first half, of course, establishes its world and tone, steering you from place-to-place as the story progresses and adding new party members to diversify combat. It's fun, with the strength of combat just about outweighing those disappointing, aforementioned stereotypes. But often my favourite part of any RPG is the moment it bursts open - when you invariably receive an airship of some sort, and you take a step backwards to see the world as a giant puzzle of interactions, questlines, ultimate weapons, and super bosses. It's then that the best kinds of RPGs can truly test your knowledge, and you gain full mastery of its systems.That's something both genre greats Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger achieve in abundance, and Fantasian follows suit with a transformative second half I ultimately grew to love. In part that's because its story finally gets a little weird and its multiple pieces click into place, the overarching plot somewhat sidelined for a focus on shorter character-led episodes. Yet even then, it feels like the story is there to serve the gameplay as these episodes ultimately expand each character's combat repertoire. Fantasian's second half cements itself as an RPG for lovers of gameplay over story, and for those who revel in tweaking character builds to get the most out of its strategic battles. These three form a love triangle, though I'll admit I'm not the biggest lover of the angular, exaggerated anime features | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerThe addition of a much-welcome skill tree in the second half is a prime reason for this, providing newfound freedom and further complexity to character customisation. I wish this had been introduced earlier to give the first half of the game a bit more direction, though again there are story reasons for this change. Still, its introduction dramatically opens up Fantasian's combat as the game's previously fixed characters can evolve in multiple directions. What's more, unlocking new branches is directly tied to both the story and as a reward for exploration, together with discovering materials for the newly-introduced weapon upgrade system. And that's on top of extensive accessory options providing buffs, as well as an expanding cast of playable characters to freely swap between in battle. By its second half, Fantasian has layers of strategy and complexity that all neatly interlock, giving enough depth to appease even the most hardened of RPG nerds.What I particularly appreciate in the second half is Fantasian's trust in the player. While there is a quest log to keep track of everything, it's mostly up to you to find quests through exploration and chatting with NPCs. It's as if the first half is an extended tutorial, while the second half is a real test of your understanding of the world: your memory of locations, navigating its environments, and the intricacies of combat. I found this kind of challenge immensely satisfying to overcome and it made me appreciate the construction of the game on a mechanical level. More questlines had me peeling back the layers to explore unforeseen areas of the world, spurred on by a melodic score that's unmistakably Uematsu's work. The music adds to the nostalgia, but with a dash of Vangelis-esque electronica in a nod to the game's Blade Runner-inspired themes and world. This is Fantasian at its best, a collision of old and new.Boss battles, by extension, feel like something of an exam, though sometimes that challenge can lead to frustration. As character development leans more on abilities acquired through the skill tree than traditional levelling, boss battles act like puzzles to test your knowledge of those skills and often require specific moves and strategy to best. This is great! It tests your mind more than your propensity to grind for sheer power. Yet some bosses really do test your patience, with gimmicks resulting in complete failure after a lengthy struggle. Perhaps that's an overwhelming number of minions, strategies requiring one specific move by one specific character (tucked away on the skill tree), or shimmering clones that make the true boss impossible to spot. Many of these bosses are technically optional, but they feel mandatory to reach the higher levels required for later quests. At times Fantasian isn't just punishing, it tips firmly into unfair. The bosses are challenging and often spectacular, though sometimes feature unfair gimmicks | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerAnd that's on Normal difficulty. The initial release of Fantasian was notorious for its challenge, so much so a new easier difficulty level has been introduced here. Sadists can still opt for the original difficulty level, now dubbed Hard, but the new Normal ensures the game is (mostly) approachable, despite major spikes in later areas. Beyond its wider release on PC and consoles, these new difficulty options are the primary reasons to recommend this particular version of Fantasian.Fantasian Neo Dimension accessibility optionsMessage speed options. Two difficulty options. Basic volume level options. No subtitle or visual options. No control customisation. It's still not quite definitive, though. It's clear Fantasian was designed for smaller touchscreens - all those curved aiming lines had fingers in mind - and blown up to a larger scale those beautiful backgrounds feel stretched and blurred. I played on Switch and even in handheld mode the visuals lacked the sharpness of a smaller mobile screen, while performance stutters were frequent if not totally distracting. The exploration controls are most awkward of all: rather than tapping to auto-run, characters are now directly controlled but, as the camera flips angles, the direction of control must be constantly re-aligned to match the new perspective. No, sadly the old touch controls haven't been transferred to Switch. It's something I got used to over time, but it's a quirk that causes this re-release to fall short.I'm glad Fantasian Neo Dimension exists for bringing this cult classic to a wider audience. I love its modern innovations, its tactical combat, and the depth of its world, which all ensure the game thrills on a mechanical level. Yet a reliance on genre conventions sees Sakaguchi clinging to his Final Fantasy past, resulting in some outdated storytelling. And while this new version is more approachable, it's not quite the smoothest transition to bigger screens. Fantasian is a game that demands much of its players, to rise to its extreme challenge and overlook flaws. Persevere, though, and there's satisfaction and nostalgic highs to be found akin to the very best of the genre.A copy of Fantasian Neo Dimension was provided for review by publisher Square Enix.

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 We have been blessed with an excellent year of video game releases, but 2024 is not over yet, and we are just about to be treated to the arrival of Infinity Nikki. This is a gorgeous open-world cozy game that has been anticipated ever since its reveal earlier this year. The release date and time countdown for when Infinity Nikki will come out is nearly over for PS5, PC, iOS and Android, and, although its free-to-play, you can pre-order at a modest fee for some bonuses. Infinity Nikki was shown off at Sonys State of Play in May, and the gameplay looked absolutely beautiful. However, its launching at an extremely busy time as there are lot of highly-anticipated titles coming out this week. Theres Indiana Jones and the Golden Circle on Xbox and PC, theres early access for Path of Exile 2, and theres also the release of MARVEL Rivals. All of the above aforementioned games are no doubt mega blockbusters, but none of them are as cute or cozy as Infinity Nikki. The world looks absolutely beautiful as do the dresses, and we dont have to wait much longer for the release date and time countdown to end. Infinity Nikki release dateThe release date for Infinity Nikki is December 5th. This is confirmed over on the games official EN account on X. It is coming out on mobile for both iOS and Android devices, and for console it will be available on both PS5. As for PC, it is available on the Epic Games store, or you can download from the games website.For those unfamiliar with the series, this is the fifth installment. It uses Unreal Engine 5, and the goal of the game is to simply explore at your leisure, complete puzzles, play dress up, and enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the open-world. When does Infinity Nikki come out? The release time for when Infinity Nikki will come out is 6PM PT/9PM ET on December 4th, and 2AM GMT on December 5th. This comes courtesy of the games official X account which says it will release at 10AM UTC+8 on December 5th, which translates to the above hours. It should be the same unlock time across PS5, PC, and mobile devices. Infinity Nikki release time US 6PM PT on Wednesday, December 4th 9PM ET on Wednesday, December 4th Infinity Nikki release time UK 2AM GMT on Thursday, December 5th Countdown Below is a visual countdown to the games launch:Pre-order bonuses Although the game is free-to-play, you can pre-order to get some extra bonuses. The price is 7.99 (via PSN store), and the bonuses are as follows:In-game item for Resonance: [Resonite Crystal]*3In-game currency: [Bling]*20,000Crafting materials for Outfits: [Thread of Purity]*50Growth materials for Outfits: [Shiny Bubble]*10Growth materials for Eurekas: [Shining Particle]*2PC system requirements Below are the minimum and recommended PC system requirements shared on the Epic Games store: Minimum: OS version: Windows10 22H2CPU: Intel i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500XMemory: 16GBGPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 590 / Intel Arc A380DirectX: DirectX 12Storage: 50GBRecommended: OS version: Windows10 22H2CPU: Intel i7-6700 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600Memory: 16GBGPU: Nvidia RTX 2060 / RTX 3050 Laptop / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT / Intel Arc A580DirectX: DirectX 12Storage: 50GBIn other gaming news, The First Descendant Season 2 starts on December 5th, too.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

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 Earning an XP boost in Black Ops 6 and Warzone makes working through the ranks significantly easier. While several players believe recent XP events are a scam, Activision continues to allow fans to earn bonuses while playing multiplayer and battle royale matches. Arriving as part of the Season 1 Reloaded update, players can get their hands on a guaranteed XP boost throughout the Black Ops 6 cycle if they choose to part ways with their hard-earned cash much to their disappointment.CoD XP boosts come with a priceAlongside earning tokens by participating in limited-time events and the battle pass, players now have the option to increase their earn rate even further if they choose to purchase the BlackCell in each season. If you plan on purchasing the premium battle pass, you can earn up to 50% extra XP compared to those who choose not to.Players who only purchase the Season 1 BlackCell wont be entitled to any kind of boost but those who buy three seasonal passes can earn up to 20% by the time Season 5 rolls around. For the maximum benefit, buying all six BlackCells dishes out between ten and 50% making reaching Prestige Master and levelling up new weaponry much easier.Locking the boosts behind a paywall hasnt gone down well with many claiming each update is just to add a new money-spinning incentive into the Call of Duty universe. Every update is a scheme to make more money, not fix the game or improve it, says one fan. Will it work?Ranking up your level and the ever-expanding weapon arsenal in Black Ops 6 and Warzone can feel like a tedious task, especially when you need to reach level 1000 to hit Prestige Master and most weapons having over 40 individual ranks to move through. XP boosts are always guaranteed to attract interest considering the inconsistent earn rates and the lack of clarity from Treyarch.If youve already bought the BlackCell, the incentive is likely to keep you coming back each season for all the benefits. For those without the BlackCell, the loyalty scheme is bound to attract even more players wanting to make the grind easier than ever. For more, check out the best Jackal PDW loadout for casual and competitive matches along with the latest on when the next double XP event is taking place.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The owners of this 1930s brickwalled house in Upstate New York did not feel a special connection to the space when they purchased it three years ago. Its interiors had recent updates that didnt work for them. Yet it was on a beautiful piece of land in the desirable Bedford Hills areaclose to their five adult children, who had all moved to New York City. The Texas-based couple envisioned this second home as a place where the whole family could spend holidays and summers together. They asked interior designer Genevieve Lavelle, a relative of theirs who was just launching her own studio, to make the house warmer and more livable, with things like a spacious open kitchen and well laid-out patios. Yet they also expressed some doubts about wanting to keep the property long term.A view of the main hallway and staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms. Most of the door and window frames were painted in Farrow & Balls French Gray. Florals throughout the home were created by Gabrielle Daly.The living room, with its two seating areas, features a set of curved-back armchairs that were inspired by the interiors of Estancia Vik, in Uruguay. Lavelle had the chairs replicated, and covered them in a space-dyed fabric by Dedar. The vintage coffee table is from Pierce and Ward in LA.Shop out the look of the house hereLavelle, a Parsons School of Design graduate who previously worked at David Scott Interiors before branching out on her own, took it upon herself to make them fall in love with the home, all 6,000 square feet of it. I was nervous, says Lavelle. But I said Im going to prove that we can turn this into a cozy oasis.The designer worked with architect Steven Helmes, of The Helmes Group, and began by adding 800 square feet to the ground floor to create a kitchen with an important island and a sitting area, where the family could gather and chat while meals were being prepared. She also upgraded the front and back patios to make them more suitable for lounging and entertaining. Stylistically, the exterior remained as it was, with Georgian Revival elements like sash windows, a pitched roof, and classic Grecian columns. Indoors, however, Lavelle imagined a layered, comfortable space where you dont know what time period youre in.Lavelle added 800 square feet of space to create a spacious contemporary kitchen. The island, topped with imperial Danby marble, was painted in Farrow & Balls Dove, and the cabinets in Benjamin Moores White Dove. The designer worked with JEM Woodworking for the millwork.This sitting area is inside the renovated kitchen, part of the homes 800-square-foot addition, which also includes a laundry room and mudroom.Most PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareIn the dining room, Lavelle paired an antique rustic table with understatedly elegant slipcovered chairs from RH, and an elongated brass chandelier from Urban Electric. To add a dash of glamor, she painted the ceiling in a high-gloss blue-gray hue called Pigeon from Farrow & Ball.Knowing that her parents were well traveled, and that they were drawn to the sophisticated yet relaxed aesthetics of Malibu in California and Jos Ignacio in Uruguay, Lavelle used a relatively soft color palettebeiges, muted greens, earth tonesalong with a blend of rustic and polished furnishings. In the dining room, she paired an antique wooden table, the kind found in the French countryside, with elegant, sloped-arm chairs dressed in greige linen, and an elongated brass chandelier with simple curved lines. To add a dash of glamor, the designer painted the ceiling in a high-gloss blue-gray hue from Farrow & Ball. Even though shes younger, she had a big vision and such a varied vocabulary about paint colors, fabrics, and materials, says the owner of Lavelle.Dubbed the fireplace room, this cozy space off the main hallways was created for just that: sitting around a hearth. The custom swivel armchairs were upholstered in a stone-hued wool yarn from Dedar.In the laundry room, a trellis motif wallpaper by Antoinette Poisson.A sunroom on the ground floor has a custom built-in bench with a cushioned seat upholstered in a Kravet boucl. The teak stool, an antique, is from the Antique and Artisan Gallery in Stamford, Connecticut.To complement a collection of vintage chinoiseriess, Lavelle veered from the neutral color palette used throughout the ground floor. She upholstered this rolled arm sofa in a blue velvet fabric from Romo, and picked a matching floral linen from Lisa Fine Textiles for the window treatments and throw cushions.Most PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareBecause the homeowners loved the interior design at Estancia Vik, a luxury ranch near the beaches of Jos Ignacio in Uruguay, the designer reached out to the property to ask about the measurements of their club chairs. She had them replicated and placed them by the fireplace of the houses main living room. Speaking of fireplaces, there are five, including one in a snug parlor specifically set up so the homeowners could sit across from the burning logs and bask in their warmth. This fireplace room, says Lavelle, became an instant favorite with family members, who often vie for spots by the hearth.Earth colors and delicate florals with touches of blue make for a serene yet warm primary bedroom. The wall and window trims were painted in Farrow & Balls Oval Room Blue and the wallpaper, featuring small plant foliage, is Braquenis Vermicule from Pierre Frey.A sitting area with a fireplace in the primary suite, decorated with a 19th-century Swedish coffee table and two slipcovered chairs with pleated skirts from Crate & Barrel.Most PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareBenjamin Moores Segovia Red paint was paired with Robert Kimes Ardagh wallpaper in this lively powder room. The rattan globe pendant is from Design Mix Furniture via Chairish, and the swan neck sconce is an antique.While the common areas on the ground floor are eclectic, in the second-floor bedrooms Lavelle paid homage to the aesthetics that have come to define the Hudson Valley: nods to British design traditions and hints of Americana. There are four-poster beds, framed vintage artworks, and floral wallpapers and fabrics in shades of cherry red, sky blue, and soft yellow. I tried to pare things down in places that got a lot of traffic, she says. But upstairs each room is its own jewel box; you can tell they go together yet theyre completely different.Now that the couple have been living in the house on and off for more than a year, and even hosted the wedding of one of their daughters there, their thoughts of flipping the property are in the rearview mirror. The house, they agree, is now a home.The 6,000-square-foot brick-walled house in Bedford Hills, New York, was built in the 1930s and renovated by Genevieve Lavelle, a young designer who recently launched her own studio and architect Steven Helmes. The colonnaded front porch, which was added to make space for an outdoor sitting area, respected the Georgian Revival style of the construction.Most PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareThis guest room is the only bedroom on the lower level, and the only one featuring a black-and-white palette. The wallpaper, with delicate monochrome flowers, is Braquenis La Discrete from Pierre Frey.A second-floor bedroom used by one of the couples daughters features a custom iron bed with pleated drapery panels, vintage bamboo side tables, and swing-arm floor lamps by Visual Comfort.Most PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareAnother bedroom, this one mixing stripes and florals. The custom bed cushion was made with Jaspers Tree of Life linen fabric in saffron hues. Lavelle found the vintage tole table lamps on 1stDibs.This guest room was dubbed the red room because of its Braqueni Bengali wallpaper printed with carmine flowers. The four-poster bamboo bed is a vintage piece from the 1970s, and the custom pillows were made with Jaspers Bentley Rose hemp fabric.Art: Mary MaguireMost PopularMagazineInside Painter Walton Fords Revived West Village Town HouseBy Sarah MedfordArchitecture + DesignTour a Designers 100-Year-Old LA RetreatBy Vaishnavi Nayel TalawadekarArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth Fazzare[The owners] wanted to use more of the property for garden parties, says Lavelle, who took advantage of an existing stone wall to dimension this patio, now covered in pea stone. A set of side by side fiberglass tables with teak trunk legs from Home Nature were paired with dining chairs from Thayer Coggin.The new outdoor patio, with a fire pit and RH seating.Shop it out:Quince European Linen Sheet SetGordon StoolLes Ceramiques De Lussan Guinea FowlGuest Ottoman by Jake ArnoldGrand RugHerb PotsAntique French Confit Pot Terracotta

Photo: Scott Frances1/37Steven Harris ArchitectsA contemporary home in James Island, South Carolina, by Steven Harris Architects.Photo: Cesar Bejar2/37Frida Escobedo StudioEscobedos Boca de Agua hotel in Bacalar, Mexico.Photo: Eric Piasecki3/37Schafer Buccellato ArchitectsA boathouse restoration project by Schafer Buccellato Architects.Photo: Roger Davies4/37Marmol RadzinerA residence in Montecito, California, by Marmol Radziner.Photo: Aaron Leitz5/37Olson KundigA Maui house helmed by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig.Photo: Thomas Loof6/37Borries & Shearron ArchitectureA stair hall in a cottage project by Borries & Shearron Architecture.Photo: Eric Petschek7/37Oliver Freundlich DesignThe exterior of an Oliver Freundlich Design house in Montauk, New York.Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson8/37Vincent Van DuysenA Los Angeles residence by Vincent Van Duysen.Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu9/37BIGBjarke Ingels GroupBIGs Kaktus Towers in Copenhagen, Denmark.Photo: Joe Fletcher10/37Woods + DangaranA modern project in Palm Springs, California, by Woods + Dangaran.Photo: Adrien Dirand11/37Joseph Dirand ArchitectureA recent project in Palm Beach, Florida, by Joseph Dirand Architecture.Photo: Martin Morrell12/37Vincenzo De Cotiis ArchitectsPalazzo Quai de Bthune, completed in 2021 by Vincenzo De Cotiis.Photo: Michael Moran13/37Peter Pennoyer ArchitectsThe Guild Hall Theater in East Hampton, New York, completed by Peter Pennoyer Architects in 2024.Photo: Mark Anthony Fox14/37Roman and WilliamsEynsham Baths, the spa at the UKs Estelle Manor hotel, by Roman and Williams.Photo: Yoshihiro Makino15/37Jamie Bush + Co.A 1920s Los Angeles home by Jamie Bush + Co.Photo: Matthew Williams16/37Elizabeth Roberts ArchitectsThe primary bathroom suite in a Brooklyn town house by Elizabeth Roberts Architects.Photo: Andre Herrero17/37Charlap Hyman & HerreroA Charlap Hyman & Herrero project in Studio City, Los Angeles.Photo: Joshua McHugh18/37Sawyer | BersonThe primary bedroom and bath of a project in Water Mill, New York, designed by Sawyer | Berson.Photo: Malcolm Brown19/37Ashe LeandroAn Ashe Leandro West Village town house project.Photo: Andrea Ferrari20/37DimorestudioDimorestudios Caruso Nuovo Bistrot, a restaurant in Milan.Photo: Anson Smart21/37Flack StudioA private residence by Flack Studio in Melbourne, Australia.Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.22/37Food ArchitectsThe Garden Club by Food Architects in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.Photo: William Jess Laird23/37Hugo ToroPur, the Michelin-starred restaurant at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendme, designed by Hugo Toro.Photo: Karel Balas24/37LaplaceDa Costa restaurant by Laplace & Co. in England.Photo: Pratya Jankong25/37Leyden Lewis Design StudioA Manhattan residence by Leyden Lewis Design Studio.Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson26/37Neal Beckstedt StudioNeal Beckstedts house in Sag Harbor, New York.Photo: Billal Talright27/37Office of BCA den room in an Office of BC project in Los Angeles.Photo: Joshua McHugh28/37Yellow House ArchitectsAn Upper East Side residence in New York City by Yellow House Architects.Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson29/37Sachs Lindores Architecture, InteriorsA Washington, Connecticut, project by Sachs Lindores.Photo: Clement Pascal30/37Studio Giancarlo ValleCasa Valle, Studio Giancarlo Valles gallery located in Tribeca, New York.

Here's an overview of the most recent Blender jobs on Blender Artists, ArtStation and 3djobs.xyz: Blender artists/ motion designers in Austin TX For more jobs, look here.Source

Discover a selection of digital paintings and concept art by Florian Herold , a concept artist from Nuremberg, Germany, focusing on environments, mood, and stylization. Florian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian HeroldFlorian Herold

Dive into The Art of Yohann Schepacz, Concept Artist and Founder of OXAN Studio. The Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann SchepaczThe Art of Yohann Schepacz