The PS2 is arguably the single most iconic piece of hardware to have ever come out of the games industry. Its sales numbers, at the very least, back that statement up staunchly, with the console long having been held up as the highest selling of all time, and interestingly enough, there continue to be updates on that front.Until not too long ago, the PS2s last known official sales numbers stood at 155 million units sold worldwide, though earlier this year, former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan claimed that the console had actually sold 160 million units. That figure has now been officially confirmed by Sony with a PlayStation timeline website that recently went live and mentions the aforementioned sales figures in the section dedicated to the PS2.As mentioned, the PS2 is, of course, the best-selling game console of all time, having now extended its lead by another 5 million units compared to previously known official figures. In second place currently is the Nintendo DS, which sold over 154 million units, while the Nintendo Switch is in third place with over 146 million units sold as of the end of September.The Switch, however, is likely to keep on selling at a steady pace for some time to come, so it should be interesting to see when (or if) it overtakes the PS2.

CD Projekt RED confirmed back in the early months of 2022 that it had started early pre-production on the next instalment inThe Witcherseries, while much more recently, in August, the developer stated that the project would be moving into full production soon.It has now crossed that milestone. CD Projekt revealed during its recent quarterly earnings call thatProject Polaris which is the codename under which the nextWitcheris being developed has now entered full production.Game director Sebastian Kelamba wrote on Twitter, Im thrilled to announce that Project Polaris has entered the full-scale production phase! With new challenges just around the corner, its the talented and hard-working people who make me believe we can together make the upcoming Witcher Saga a remarkable experience. No stopping now! Stay tuned for whats on the other side of the coin!CD Projekt says 400 people across the entirety of the company are involved with the development ofThe Witcher 4(or whatever it ends up being called), which means it continues to be by far the biggest project in the works at CD Projekt RED right now.Not much is known aboutPolarisyet, though it was previously confirmed by CD Projekt that it will be the first instalment in a new trilogy ofWitchergames. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, the game will also see former series protagonist Geralt of Rivia returning, though not as the protagonist this time. Read more on that through here.Meanwhile, the company has also announced updated sales figures forCyberpunk 2077and its expansion,Phantom Liberty, both of which have continued to enjoy steady sales. Read more in that through here.pic.twitter.com/A8uKmbKsZk CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) November 26, 2024Great news that we can share with you: Polaris has entered the production phase! Kudos to everyone involved at @CDPROJEKTRED studio, fingers crossed for further developments! https://t.co/K8Ai7XM04B CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) November 26, 2024pic.twitter.com/bR7rydiz9W CD PROJEKT IR (@CDPROJEKTRED_IR) November 26, 2024

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Squid Game Season 2 trailerThree years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the states and comes back with a new resolution in his mind.Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the states and comes back with a new resolution in his mind.

Warhammer 40,000 - Secret Level Traileratch Titus and the boys in action, in this new trailer for the Warhammer 40,000 episode of the Secret Level animated anthology, deploying December 10th on Prime Video.https://adapt.one/editorial/link/246/Warhammer+40%2C000+-+Secret+Level+Trailer/

A stock illustration of an asteroid near Earth.Astronomers believe our "mini-moon" originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt. SCIEPRO via Getty ImagesAfter almost two months of companionship, Earth has just lost its mini-moon. On Monday, the asteroid dubbed 2024 PT5 was tugged away from our planet and resumed its course in the suns orbit once more.NASAs Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) first spotted the space rock in early August. By the end of September, Earths gravity had pulled it into what would become a temporary, horseshoe-shaped path around our planet.The asteroid is roughly 33 feet long, which is about the length of a London bus, Jamie Carter reports for Forbes. Astronomers suggest it originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a ring of space rocks that orbit the sun on a similar path to Earths. 2024 PT5 traced about one-quarter of an orbital path around our planet at a distance of more than two million miles, which made it impossible to spot with the naked eye or even amateur telescopes.Mini-moons are celestial objects that orbit Earth for a limited amount of time. Theyre not real moons, because they are never captured by Earths gravity into a permanent orbit, and they also differ from quasi-moons, which orbit the sun but follow a close enough path to Earth that they might falsely look to be circling our planet.Including 2024 PT5, astronomers have identified five total mini-moons that were once captured by Earth, as radio astronomer Laura Nicole Driessen of the University of Sydney in Australia writes for the Conversation.Technically, the asteroidlike two of the past mini-moonsis atemporarily captured flyby, meaning it will not complete a full orbit around our planet.But researchers have suggested our planet always has at least one mini-moon, even if its less than one meter across.Even as 2024 PT5 leaves Earths orbit, astronomers are probing its origins. In a new preprint study published this month on arXivandbased on data from telescopes in the Canary Islands, researchers conclude that 2024 PT5 is a natural object and suggest it originated from our true moon.The teamwhich includes two brothers who originally spotted 2024 PT5revealed the asteroids chemical composition by spectral analysis. They found that it matches the signature of lunar samples brought back to Earth. Their work also suggests the rock rotates completely about once an hour, which aligns with how a large celestial body should behave after being knocked off the moon or another object by a violent collision.2024 PT5 could be a large boulder from the surface of the moon that was ejected into cislunar space after a cratering event, subsequently evolving dynamically towards an orbit within the Arjuna asteroid belt, Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, lead author of the study and an astrophysicist at the Complutense University of Madrid, tells Space.coms Robert Lea. This object has helped the community to realize that lunar ejecta is probably a main source for the material that constitutes the Arjuna asteroid belt.In fact, the researchers note that a previous mini-moon from 2022 called 2022 NX1 had similar characteristics and might also have been broken off from Earths true moon. Astronomers have also previously claimed that the quasi-moon Kamooalewa, which has been orbiting the sun near Earth since 2016, might also have lunar origins, specifically from the moons far side.Just a brief look at the vast number of craters on the moon helps us to imagine how that might have happened, Darren Baskill, an astrophysicist at the University of Sussex in England who was not involved with the research, tells Newsweeks Tom Howarth.If this is true, the leading moon origin theory would indicate that 2024 PT5 actually came from Earth originally: The giant-impact theory suggests that our moon formed from the debris following a giant collision of a Mars-sized body with Earth roughly 4.5 billion years ago.So, in a way, just as many of us will on Thursday (Nov. 28), it seems the asteroid was paying a visit to its relatives, perSpace.com.Celestial bodies like mini-moons and quasi-moons also hold great interest for scientists searching for potential bases to store supplies and fuel as space missions become more ambitious, as Harry Baker writes for Live Science.Unfortunately, 2024 PT5s recent departure means that astronomers will not be able to gather new data that could confirm the observations of the preprint study. However, when the asteroid approaches Earth again in January, it will get as close as 1.1 million miles before heading off again. During that time, NASA will take the opportunity to observe the object with a radar antenna, per the Associated Press Marcia Dunn. Afterward, we wont see 2024 PT5 make a close approach again until 2055.Mini-moons come and go as they wish, Marcos says to Space.com. The good news, however, is that near-Earth object surveys have improved enough for scientists to spot them more frequently. That means scientists will be watching for when Earth catches another temporary companion, which, he adds, will likely happen in the next few months.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Asteroids, Astronomy, Earth Science, Moon, Outer Space, Solar System, Space Travel, Sun, telescope

The amulet contains an image of King Solomon and a Greek inscription that reads, "Our Lord defeated evil." Karabk UniversityArchaeologists in Turkey have found a unique bronze pendant decorated with an image ofKing Solomon. The ruler is shown on horseback defeating the devil with a spear.Discovered inAnatolia, a region in modern-day Turkey, the two-sided pendant features inscriptions in ancient Greek. One side reads, Our Lord defeated evil. The other spells out the names of four angels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael and Israfil.The artifact dates to the fifth century C.E., when the area was part of the Byzantine Empire. Ersin elikba, an archaeologist at Turkeys Karabk University, says in a statement that it was likely worn as a protective amulet.King Solomon appears in theHebrew Bible as a ruler of Israel during the tenth century B.C.E. However, there is little archaeological evidence supporting the biblical narrative. The researchers think the pendant was associated with Christianity, though Solomon is also linked to Judaism and Islam.Solomon is an important figure in all three major monotheistic religions, says elikba, per Trkiye Todays Koray Erdogan. His depiction here reflects his significance across these faiths, making this artifact a remarkable discovery for both scholars and religious communities.The artifact was found during a dig at the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, where archaeologists have been conducting excavations for two decades, according to Artnets Richard Whiddington. The pendant is the only item of its kind to be discovered in Anatolia, though it resembles another pendant found in Jerusalem. The amulet was discovered in modern-day Turkey at a site that was once the ancient city of Hadrianopolis. Karabk UniversityThe depiction of Prophet Solomon on this necklace surprised us and revealed the importance of the artifact for Anatolian archaeology, says elikba in the statement, perCBS News Kerry Breen. The presence of similar works in these two distant geographies indicates that Hadrianopolis was an important religious center in ancient times.Hadrianopolis is named after the Roman emperorHadrian, who ruled during the second century C.E. The city became a cultural hub during the Roman and Byzantine periods and is known for its archaeological riches, including baths, churches, burial sites and theaters. elikba tellsLive SciencesMargherita Bassi that the amulet was found in a building that may be linked with military activity.In our previous excavations, we had determined the existence of a cavalry unit here, says elikba in the statement, per Live Science. Prophet Solomon is also known as the commander of armies. We understand that he was also considered as a protective figure for the Roman and Byzantine cavalry in Hadrianopolis.The researchers also hope that the artifact will shed new light on religion in the region during this period.With the pendants inscriptions and unique depiction, it provides us with insights into the beliefs and practices of the time, says elikba, per Trkiye Today.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Ancient Rome, Archaeology, Artifacts, Bible, Byzantine Empire, Christianity, Cool Finds, History, Islam, Judaism, Religion, Religious History, Rituals and Traditions, Roman Empire, Turkey

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreAI is advancing at breakneck speed, but the regulatory landscape is in chaos. With the coming Trump administration vowing to take a hands-off approach to regulation, a lack of AI regulation at the federal level means that the U.S. is facing a fragmented patchwork of state-led rules or in some cases no rules at all.Recent reports suggest that President-elect Trump is considering appointing an AI czar in the White House to coordinate federal policy and governmental use of artificial intelligence. While this move may indicate an evolving approach to AI oversight, it remains unclear how much regulation will actually be implemented. Though apparently not taking on the AI czar role, Tesla chief Elon Musk is expected to play a significant role in shaping future use cases and debates surrounding AI. But Musk is hard to read. While he espouses minimal regulation, he also has expressed fear around unrestrained AI so if anything, his role injects even more uncertainly.Trumps efficiency appointees Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have vowed to take a chainsaw approach to the federal bureaucracy that could reduce it 25% or more. So there doesnt seem to be any reason to expect forceful regulation anytime soon. For executives like Wells Fargo Mehta Chintan, who at our AI Impact event in January was calling out for regulation to create more certainty, this lack of regulation doesnt make things easier. In fact, regulation around AI was already way behind, and delaying it further meant more headaches. The bank, which is already heavily regulated, faces an ongoing guessing game of what might be regulated in the future. This uncertainty forces it to spend significant engineering resources building scaffolding around things, Chintan said at the time, because it doesnt know what to expect once applications go to market.That caution is well deserved. Steve Jones, executive VP for gen AI at Capgemini, says that no federal AI regulation means that frontier model companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, Google and Anthropic face no accountability for any harmful or dubious content generated by their models. As a result, enterprise users are left to shoulder the risks: Youre on your own, Jones emphasized. Companies cannot easily hold model providers accountable if something goes wrong, increasing their exposure to potential liabilities.Moreover, Jones pointed out that if these model providers use data scraped without proper indemnification or leak sensitive information, enterprise users could become vulnerable to lawsuits. For example, he mentioned a large financial services company that has resorted to poisoning its datainjecting fictional data into its systems to identify any unauthorized use if it leaks.This uncertain environment poses significant risks and hidden opportunities for executive decision-makers. Join us at an exclusive event about AI regulation in Washington D.C. on Dec. 5, with speakers from Capgemini, Verizon, Fidelity and more, as we cut through the noise, providing clear strategies to help enterprise leaders stay ahead of compliance challenges, navigate the evolving patchwork of regulations and leverage the flexibility of the current landscape to innovate without fear. Hear from top experts in AI and industry as they share actionable insights to guide your enterprise through this regulatory Wild West. (Links to RSVP and full agenda here.Space is limited, so move quickly.In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, enterprise leaders face a dual challenge: harnessing AIs transformative potential while encountering regulatory hurdles that are often just unclear. is increasingly on companies to be proactive, otherwise, they could end up in hot water, like SafeRent, DoNotPay and Clearview.Capgeminis Steve Jones notes that relying on model providers without clear indemnification agreements is riskyits not just the models outputs that can pose problems, but the data practices and potential liabilities as well.The lack of a cohesive federal framework, coupled with varying state regulations, creates a complex compliance landscape. For instance, the FTCs actions against companies like DoNotPay signal a more aggressive stance on AI-related misrepresentations, while state-level initiatives, such as New Yorks Bias Audit Law, impose additional compliance requirements. The potential appointment of an AI czar could centralize AI policy, but the impact on practical regulation remains uncertain, leaving companies with more questions than answers.Join the conversation: The future of AI regulationEnterprise leaders must adopt proactive strategies to navigate this environment:Implement robust compliance programs: Develop comprehensive AI governance frameworks that address potential biases, ensure transparency, and comply with existing and emerging regulations.Stay informed on regulatory developments: Regularly monitor both federal and state regulatory changes to anticipate and adapt to new compliance obligations, including potential federal efforts like the AI czar initiative.Engage with policymakers: Participate in industry groups and engage with regulators to influence the development of balanced AI policies that consider both innovation and ethical considerations.Invest in ethical AI practices: Prioritize the development and deployment of AI systems that adhere to ethical standards, thereby mitigating risks associated with bias and discrimination.Enterprise decision-makers must remain vigilant, adaptable and proactive to navigate the complexities of AI regulation successfully. By learning from the experiences of others and staying informed through studies and reports, companies can position themselves to leverage AIs benefits while minimizing regulatory risks. We invite you to join us at the upcoming salon event in Washington D.C. on Dec. 5 to be part of this crucial conversation and gain the knowledge needed to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and understand the implications of potential federal actions like the AI czar.VB DailyStay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox dailyBy subscribing, you agree to VentureBeat's Terms of Service.Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here.An error occured.

Nintendo to close Switch eShop and online services in China in 2026Platform holder is offering free games as compensation News by James Batchelor Editor-in-chief Published on Nov. 26, 2024 Nintendo has announced it will phase out its online store and services for Switch in China by the end of May 2026.The announcement, spotted by Eurogamer, states this will begin with the cessation of digital game sales through the eShop on March 31, 2026. There will also be no free trials offered from this point.After May 15, Switch owners in China will no longer be able to redeem any codes, download any software, and all other network-related services will be shut down.Nintendo has currently not given any reason for this decision.To compensate for Chinese Switch owners, Nintendo is offering up to four free games, which can be redeemed between November 27, 2024 and March 31, 2026.There are 12 titles on offer, including Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and the Pokmon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee games.The Nintendo Switch launched in China in 2019, over two years after its worldwide debut, through a partnership with Tencent.