In 2018, at 46, Chris retired and left Chicago for Bangkok.He spent two years planning and saving for his move by investing in real estate.He enjoys the affordability of living in Bangkok and how easy it is to make friends.As he soaked in the pool of his Airbnb in Bangkok, Chris wondered, "How can I make this my home permanently?"It was 2016, and he had spent the past 25 years in the toy industry overseeing product development. His routine was the same: wake up, go to work, come home, play a video game, and sleep. At 44, retirement was weighing on his mind."There was nothing else I needed to really do," said Chris, now 52, who asked to be identified only by his first name to protect his privacy. "I mean, could I have worked longer to buy a cooler car? Maybe. Could I have bought a bigger house? Maybe. But nothing like that was really important to me."At the same time, Chris knew he didn't want to retire in his home state of Illinois. He loved the city but couldn't stand the long and bitter winters. Most of his friends unlike him were married with kids. He wanted to challenge himself with a hard reset.Chris had taken many businesstrips to Asia and started to love that part of the world. So, he mapped out a plan to save up, quit his job, and then live there full-time.The first thing he did was tell no oneHe didn't want to deal with negative reactions, he said. So, he kept his plan a secret for almost two years.But behind the scenes, Chris worked feverishly to make his plan a reality.First, he ramped up his real estate investments. Chris got more involved in theHe decided to invest in more property. By 2018, he had nine properties earningHe also visited Thailand eight times to ensure it was where he wanted to be. He had considered Hong Kong and Japan but eventually decided against them due to the higher cost of living."I wouldn't do touristy things. I would sometimes spend days just hanging out at the condo I was renting as if I already lived here," he said.By September 2018, he had a six-figure safety net in the bank in case he "didn't survive" and hadfrosty Chicago for sunny Thailand.The first six months were hardChris said he was used to being in a job where he had a team and worked on multiple projects."It was very strange to be fully retired and not have any responsibilities at a young age," he said. "I definitely, in the beginning, had some panic attacks where I'd wake up at 3 in the morning and be like, 'What did I just do?'" he recalled.Things improved when he followed a friend's suggestion to explore a site for meeting people with the same interests. Through meetup.com, Chris was able to connect with other expats and make Thai friends. Playing pickleball was a great way to connect with new people, he said."Bangkok is such a massive city. It's so easy to walk up to almost anybody and say hello," he said. "I don't do it as much as I used to because I have a lot of friends now. I'm like, I can't handle more friends," he said with a laugh. Chris met his girlfriend while living in Thailand. Chris Living in Thailand is more affordableChris lives in an 882-square-foot two-bedroom apartment in Thonglor, a hip neighborhood in Bangkok with trendy bars and shopping centers. His rent is 62,000 Thai baht, or around $1,785 a month.Before he left the US, he had set a budget of around $3,000 a month based on three factors: his age, lifestyle, and health. Describing his lifestyle as "semi-luxury," Chris said that he's increased his budget year after year to adjust to his changing circumstances. Now, his budget is at $3,800.Still, it's almost half of what he spent in Chicago, which was over $6,000 a month.Chicago is the most expensive place to live in the Midwest. Among 32 Midwestern cities, Chicago has the highest Cost of Living Index score, the Council for Community and Economic Research found last October."I get so shocked every time I go home once a year to visit my mom and see how it's gone up even more exponentially over the last couple of years," said Chris, who would spend a few weeks with his 82-year-old mom.He recalled that his parents were more shocked about his early retirement than his move."I think this is important for people that move away from family," he said. "You can't think of it as how many years you have left with somebody. You have to think about it as how many visits you have left with that person."Thailand is a popular retirement destinationChris is not the only one who has found a retirement haven in Thailand.According to the World Bank, the number of foreigners over 50 who received retirement visas to stay in Thailand doubled between 2013 and 2018 to nearly 80,000.Retirees enjoy the country's slow pace of life and low cost of living.John Walker, 73, moved from Australia to Chiang Mai, a province in northern Thailand, in 2019. He lives on an annual pension of around $18,000 and saves around 40% of his income. "People from all different countries come here," he told BI. "It's got a huge retirement community."Similarly, Jeffrey Odgen, 75, decided to retire in Hua Hin, a beach town south of Bangkok. "The people here are very respectful. They respect their elders, whereas you don't get that in other European countries," said Odgen, who is originally from the UK. Chris also travels to other parts of Thailand for vacation. Chris For Chris, being able to live any type of lifestyle is his favorite part of living in the city."If you want to be a recluse and just hide in your condo all day and get everything delivered, you can do that. If you want to explore the city, the public transportation is amazing," he said. "There's a lot of great culture, and everything is just right at your fingertips."Although he's been in the city for six years, Chris says it only feels like six minutes."It has been the fastest and the best six years of my life living here," said Chris, who has since extended his visa for 20 more years. "I absolutely want to stay as long as I possibly can."Do you have a story about moving abroad to retire that you want to share? Get in touch with the reporter, Erin: eliam@businessinsider.com.

Thanks to a new Netflix docuseries from true crime mainstay Joe Berlinger, audiences across the nation are asking a question true crime fans never really let go of.The new series, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBent Ramsey, doesnt actually spend all that many of its three hour-long episodes speculating about its title question. Instead, it spends most of them arguing a hot take thats less hot than you might think that JonBents own parents didnt do it. Following JonBents violent death which occurred sometime during the early morning hours of December 25 and 26, 1996, in her familys massive home in Boulder, Colorado that was a very popular theory. During the ensuing media frenzy, many members of the public looked at John Ramsey and his wife Patsy (who died in 2006) and assumed the case was open and shut. The victim was an eerily sexualized 6-year-old pageant queen; her face graced the tabloid magazine covers at every checkout line in America. In 1997, no single news story was bigger than this one; by 1998, the Los Angeles Times labeled her the nations most famous murdered child since the Lindbergh baby. And although a 2003 federal ruling supported the Ramseys innocence, and they were formally exonerated in 2008, many people remain convinced that one or both of JonBents parents were the culprits and suggest they did it to cover up a horrible accident committed by their 9-year-old son. A hugely influential 2016 CBS series about the case confidently made that argument. Yet in recent years, many experts, including several featured in Berlingers documentary, have argued that an intruder committed the crime a theory that the original police investigation never really seemed to take seriously, and which led to deep divisions among Boulder police, the district attorney, and the FBI. Much of the confusion stems from the problem that the original investigation was botched from the beginning, with police allowing the crime scene to be completely contaminated, evidence to be moved around and tampered with, rooms to be cleaned, and a string of visitors to traipse throughout the house for hours after the Ramseys called 911. This negligence torpedoed the integrity and reliability of nearly every piece of evidence in the case. As a result, even decades later, every detail remains up for debate. As for a list of potential suspects, while there are several primary contenders, including the Ramseys, its often difficult to have an even-handed discussion about them. Thats likely all because of a single piece of evidence, one of the most infamous in true crime history: the ransom note. For most people who look into the JonBent case, how they view the ransom note determines how they view the rest of the case, including who did it. Thats because the ransom note itself is so inexplicable that it immediately, and perhaps permanently, biased and derailed the entire investigation. The strangest ransom note everThe first weird thing about the ransom note is where Patsy claims to have found it lying unobtrusively on the floor of a back spiral stairwell in the early-morning hours of December 26. She gave conflicting stories about the sequence of events: In one version, she checked JonBents room first and noticed she was missing, and then found the ransom note; in the more frequently repeated version, she found the note first, then ran upstairs to check on JonBent, only to discover her missing. The next weird thing about the ransom note is... well... everything about it. Here is the text in full:Mr. Ramsey,Listen carefully! We are a group of individuals that represent a small foreign faction. We [the word do has been scribbled out] respect your bussiness [sic] but not the country that it serves. At this time we have your daughter in our posession [sic]. She is safe and unharmed and if you want her to see 1997, you must follow our instructions to the letter.You will withdraw $118,000.00 from your account. $100,000 will be in $100 bills and the remaining $18,000 in $20 bills. Make sure that you bring an adequate size attache [sic] to the bank. When you get home you will put the money in a brown paper bag. I will call you between 8 and 10 am tomorrow to instruct you on delivery. The delivery will be exhausting so I advise you to be rested. If we monitor you getting the money early, we might call you early to arrange an earlier delivery of the money and hence a [sic] earlier [delivery is scribbled out] pick-up of your daughter.Any deviation of my instructions will result in the immediate execution of your daughter. You will also be denied her remains for proper burial. The two gentlemen watching over your daughter do not [not has been inserted between words] particularly like you so I advise you not to provoke them. Speaking to anyone about your situation, such as Police, F.B.I., etc., will result in your daughter being beheaded. If we catch you talking to a stray dog, she dies. If you alert bank authorities, she dies. If the money is in any way marked or tampered with, she dies. You will be scanned for electronic devices and if any are found, she dies. You can try to deceive us but be warned that we are familiar with Law enforcement countermeasures and tactics. You stand a 99% chance of killing your daughter if you try to out smart [sic] us. Follow our instructions and you stand a 100% chance of getting her back.You and your family are under constant scrutiny as well as the authorities. Dont try to grow a brain John. You are not the only fat cat around so dont think that killing will be difficult. Dont underestimate us John. Use that good southern common sense of yours. It is up to you now John!Victory!S.B.T.CTheres a lot to unpack here: The strange ransom amount $118,000 corresponded to Johns year-end bonus that year from the lucrative tech company he ran. The notes over-the-top language seems to be referencing well-known quotes from movies that feature abductions and ransoms, including Dirty Harry, Ransom, Ruthless People, and Speed. The foreign faction is very obviously not real, and S.B.T.C. has never been linked to any existing group.The final oddity about the note is where it came from a notepad belonging to Patsy. The notes author not only used the notepad, they wrote a draft version of the note originally addressed to Mr. & Mrs. before directing the note just to John. They even used a Sharpie from the house that they then helpfully returned to the correct pen holder. Patsy participated in a string of handwriting analysis sessions, over which multiple analysts concluded it was probable, but not definitive, that she wrote the note. However, the modern understanding of handwriting analysis generally holds that its a shaky forensic arena prone to significant cognitive bias, and that less experienced analysts are more likely not only to be wrong, but to be more confidently wrong than their peers. Other handwriting analysts have since offered totally different opinions about who wrote it. Behavioral analysts, too, tried to analyze the note with dubious results. To give you an idea of the kind of hysteria that surrounded this case, one official psychological profile claimed that SBTC could have meant Saved by the cross, and argued that Patsy was a delusional sociopath who committed the murder as part of an arcane religious ritual. The ransom note is so strange that for many people its impossible to get around the sheer improbability of anyone writing it at all. After all, what purpose could it serve an intruder to linger in the house after the crime, taking their time to write multiple drafts of a note, for a kidnapping that had not taken place?One argument against this is that the intruder could have written the note before the crime. The Ramseys were away for hours at a Christmas party that evening, which gave a potential predator hours to enter the house, familiarize themselves with the homes layout, and play around with creative writing exercises while waiting for the family to return and settle in for the night. But the question of motive why? seems to lead, for most people, away from an intruder and straight back to a Ramsey: The note is so fantastical that the most glaringly obvious conclusion is that it was written by someone who was desperate to divert attention away from the home and away from the family. For a while, if that was the motivation, it worked: Boulder police assembled at the house but then left without securing it as a crime scene, leaving only one officer there throughout the day until JonBents body was ultimately found by her father in the basement. Yet if this was really a cover-up by the family, the question of motive still remains: Why would the family leave (or place) JonBents body in the basement if they wanted the police to think shed been abducted? Why write such an elaborate ransom note or ask for such a specifically incriminating amount? Either way you look at it, the ransom note just doesnt make sense. For most people, theres only one way to read the ransom note: Patsy wrote it. What else could it be?One alternate way for us to think about this ransom note comes to us via The Consult, a recent podcast hosted by former members of the FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit, of Mindhunter fame. We know criminal profiling is as pseudoscientific as every other cool-but-actually-junk forensic tool, so we have to take this analysis with many grains of salt. But in their two-part series studying the ransom note earlier this year, host Julia Cowley and her guest Robert Drew made interesting observations about the mindset of the letter writer by honing in on the fact that they were really into movies about abduction. That sounds like an obvious point, but the profilers used it to make a salient point about the kind of person who could commit this crime. Every film referenced in the note involves a villain who, at the moment hes making ransom demands, fully has the upper hand over the hero. Hes not only calling the shots, but doing so gleefully and maliciously, exactly as the letter writer may be attempting to do with John. The former FBI profilers argue that the letter is a fantasy of having control over someone rich and powerful that its not an anomaly, but rather an extension of a crime scene created by a sadistic child abuser.This isnt the only way to read the note, of course, but its a reasonable way to think about how the note fits into an intruder scenario. And given the resurgence of interest in the case, maybe this truly bizarre piece of evidence will finally start making some sense.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team have yet to sign the customary documents allowing the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct background checks on his nominees for important government posts, and its unclear whether those nominees will receive FBI background checks at all. The background checks flag any serious concerns about the nominees not just criminal activity but financial issues or relationships that could compromise their ability to carry out their jobs. They are also the basis for security clearances necessary for high-level national security officials tasked with handling sensitive information. The checks are meant to reveal whether theres reason to believe these potential officials might misuse the power of their offices or if they have any vulnerabilities that might be exploited, either by US citizens or foreign adversaries. Its possible that the FBI will be asked to do background checks next year. According to a report in the Guardian, Trump will request the background checks once his own officials are posted at the Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI. The transition team is reportedly relying on internal vetting as well as outside law firms and unspecified allied groups to conduct the background checks, but the FBI is better equipped and has the training and capacity necessary to conduct these investigations. An FBI background check for political appointees is only customary; theres no legal backing for it. No other branch of government can compel the nominees to undergo them. Trump himself has been skeptical of the FBI, so its not that surprising that hes eschewed the background checks. But they do serve several important purposes.Heres what you need to know about the FBI background checks.Whats the standard background check process?The FBI background check process is straightforward, if arduous. First, the incoming administration signs a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Justice outlining what kinds of information they are looking for about their nominees and what resources the DOJ can provide to help uncover that information. Nominees who will be working in national security have to fill out a special form (the same one the Department of Defense uses in evaluating staff for security clearances).The FBI can question the nominee and their contacts if necessary but cannot collect documents or compel evidence. Cooperation is voluntary, but as Llewelyn Engel, an attorney at the Washington, DC, firm Emery Will & Henry, told Vox, From an interview perspective, if the FBI calls you to ask about somebody, you might be more forthcoming than with a law firm or other private entity conducting investigations. Once complete, the full background check then goes to the president-elect who, based on the findings, can either refer the nominee to the Senate or decide to withdraw the nomination. If the nomination is for a high-level position, like a Cabinet member or an ambassador, the investigations go to the appropriate Senate committee for example, the Senate Armed Services Committee for a Defense secretary nominee.The Senate committee is in charge of looking at all this information, so theyll get a big binder of all the material, and they can also do their own investigations as well, Engel said. They can always request that more information is collected about this individual.Again, the process isnt mandated by law. The practice started when President Dwight Eisenhower chose to have his nominees subject to a background check and has continued since then.Is Trump following the usual process?Thus far, Trump has deviated from the usual process, although the incoming administration did sign other important transition agreements with the Biden White House on Tuesday. The Biden administration told Politico that progress has been made towards an agreement between the Trump team and the DOJ, but how much progress remains unclear.The Trump-Vance transition lawyers continue to constructively engage with the Biden-Harris Administration lawyers regarding all agreements contemplated by the Presidential Transition Act, Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trumps transition team, told NPR. We will update you once a decision is made.The Justice Department said in a statement that it is prepared to deliver briefings to the transition team on our operations and responsibilities, and we stand ready to process requests for security clearances for those who will need access to national security information.Why isnt Trump following the standard process?No other president-elect has eschewed the FBI background check process in recent memory, Heath Brown, a professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told Vox. And Trump hasnt said why he hasnt tasked the FBI with doing background checks.He does, however, have a noted distrust of the FBI following investigations into his handling of secret documents after he left office in 2021, as well as FBI investigations into the January 6, 2021, insurrection and attempt to overturn the 2020 election. And as previously noted, theres no law requiring Trump to follow the normal process. Reps. Ted Lieu of California and Dan Beyer of Virginia introduced a bill in November to codify the practice in the law, but it hasnt passed yet.Instead of following the typical process, Trumps transition team plans to have the FBI checks go forward only after he has taken office that is, after he is in control of the agency and has his own appointees in place, the Guardian reported Wednesday. According to that report, Trump also plans to grant blanket security clearances, though its unclear whether or how the DOD will be involved in that process. What happens now?Without the FBI background checks, the various Senate committees can conduct their own investigations into nominees, according to Engel and Jennifer Selin, associate professor at the Arizona State University Sandra Day OConnor College of Law. Those investigations may or may not become public.Even without FBI investigations, potential red flags with nominees will sometimes emerge through reporting. The press resurfaced allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of former Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. And Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseths alleged sex crime also came to light through news stories. Both men have denied wrongdoing.The media is in some ways a good ally for the Senate because its not just the senators delving into and using their subpoena power and their background and connections with various agencies to get information and to conduct their own investigations, Selin said. The Senate will ideally begin confirmation hearings with or without the FBI reports before Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025.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:

In a special gaming event at Waterloo in London, Bjetka Zmelikova and Jacob Stewart finally met in person after first meeting online in 2020

Xbox and PC owners will no doubt be looking to find out what new games will be available in December, but we already know about one major AAA addition

Does Sony even remember it published it? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)The Friday letters page is worried about how Borderlands 4 will handle references to the movie, as one reader has a good idea for The Witcher 4.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukI want to believeI agree with the recent reader that the latest fan rumour about GTA 6 seems like absolute nonsense but then I saw one about Bloodborne that is probably equally silly, but because I like the game I found myself still wanting to believe it, so I see how this sort of thing happens.The idea is that that a server maintenance update is planned for the game on the same day as the date shown in a recent PlayStation advert, that fans thought could be connected to a new State of Play. The idea is that the game will finally get its PlayStation 5 patch that day or that some other kind of announcement will be made for the game.I dont really believe this, but I want it to be true because I do not understand why Sony has ignored Bloodborne for so long. Its their best exclusive on the PlayStation 4, Froms best game, and one of the greatest games of all time and it hasnt had an ounce of attention ever since it came out.Sony cant have fallen out of love with From, because theyre currently trying to buy them, so what has gone wrong? Why does Sony seem to hate Bloodborne? They gave the much more obscure Demons Souls a full remake, but Bloodborne cant even get a patch four years after the PlayStation 5 came out?At this point anything short of a full sequel is never going to make up for this ridiculous wait and the complete lack of love the game has been getting.Taylor MoonCompany crossoverFollowing on from what Cushon said yesterday, what would be even better than the two events the Switch 2 reveal and GTA 6 Trailer 2 happening in the same week would be for them to be one and the same, with the Switch 2 reveal including the debut of the GTA 6 Trailer 2, showing it playable on the new console.While Im in this fantasy world, the scenario would be completed with Phil Spencer being the person playing the game, before announcing that it would be coming day one to Game Pass, which will be available on Switch 2.I appreciate that this is asking a lot of the Inbox magic, but you never know its no wilder than some theories that have been floating around!Scott, Fort WilliamYou are The WitcherFollowing on from your excellent article on Why Star Wars Outlaws failed but Hogwarts Legacy didnt, Im hoping CD Projekt feel the same. Id like the next game to give me a proper create-your-own Witcher to allow me to role-play in the Witcher universe. Imagine taking your own character through the training and all the alchemical nightmares as a part of a deep role-playing game?Ciris too overpowered in my opinion, assuming this follows on from the last game. But what about setting it a little down the line with a brand new, blank canvas Witcher, to gradually learn and ultimately save the world? Helped, of course, by Old Man Geralt in the Vesemir role.Id be all over thatBadgerOfDoomGC: To be honest, thats not a bad idea for the new game.Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukFormat focusOne thing Im surprised at with Black Friday is that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has not had any major discounts. Its over a month old now and didnt seem to do that great. I think the best indication that it didnt do that bad either though is that its not being cut in price right now.Star Wars Outlaws also isnt as cheap as I thought itd be, so I wonder if its failure has been overexaggerated a bit? I know Steam is the only real sales figures we can get but I think for some games theyre just not the sort thing that most PC gamers are all that into.Baldurs Gate 3 is totally a PC game at heart, but Id say Dragon Age was much more console focused. Star Wars Outlaws too, strikes me very much as a console-orientated game, unlike Starfield. I also saw people trying to claim Lego Horizon Adventures was a flop because its PC numbers were low but whos going to buy that on PC?Theres a reason Sony released it on Nintendo Switch and Im willing to bet thats where its sold the most not that were ever likely to know for sure.GabboLast minute price riseI have been paying for PS Plus Premium monthly for a few months now and the subscription expires on the 18th of December.I go into the app, crikey, premium with a 30% discount ya dancer, I cry with the PlayStation Portal getting a second wind with cloud streaming, this is very much a result.Select the offer, starts to load upHawd the bus!It has only just gone and jumped right back to top whack.Come on Sony, you and Microsoft are crushing my soul, man!Can you maybe ask Sony about this nonsense as well, please?RAMB01STBL00D (PSN ID the right one this time)GC: Were not sure your and Sonys priorities are in alignment at the moment.Would not let it lieIm not going to rain on a fans parade if Borderlands 4 is something hes really excited about, but I cant say Im looking forward to it. I really liked Borderlands 2 back in the day but not only have they not advanced the gameplay since then, but the third game was painfully unfunny.Maybe its just because Ive gotten older (Borderlands 2 was 12 years ago!) but Im pretty sure nobody would argue that 3 was funnier than 2, it was just loud and obnoxious in a way the earlier game mostly managed to avoid.I also find it ridiculous that Borderlands 3 still didnt have a proper open world. It was 2019 when it came out and there was no excuse for it being that technically backwards, if you ask me. I can only assume that Borderlands 4 will at least fix that but the other thing Im not looking forward to is the constant, awkward jokes about the movie.You just know the games not going to be able to avoid making jokes about it and Im already cringing at the very thought. If I was Gearbox, Id just forget it and let it be but Ill bet good money theyll pick that scab till it bleeds.GastonStay out of troubleJust a recommendation to anyone looking in the Black Friday sales, that RoboCop: Rogue City is dirt cheap at the moment but highly recommended. If youre a fan of the film then its no question, just get it now, but even if youre not its a really solid, old school first person shooter with great combat and some surprisingly good humour and characters.Its by the same people that did the recent Terminator games, which also had good stories but not so good action, but RoboCop is a real step up for them and Im interested to see what they do next.GrackleTop 20Im feeling rather rapturous on this fine day; for I just snapped up a PlayStation VR2 for 271 in the Black Friday sales (stacked a 20% off voucher I had on top of the seasonal discount). Talk about a gargantuan bargain!I came extremely close to purchasing the device on its release date, but Im glad I exercised some requisite self-control and waited for the format to host at least 20 games in VR that Id consider must-haves, before parting with my precious moolah. And verily, that threshold of unreserved desirability has just about been reached after two years on the market.The original PlayStation VR was a revelation for me, it ushered in an unprecedented sense of palpable depth and immersion to my gaming when I bought it back in 2018. With Resident Evil 7, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Rez Infinite, Thumper, WipEout Omega Collection, and Star Wars Squadrons being among the most euphoric experiences Ive ever had in my 35 years as a gamer.Cant wait to be blissfully transported and giddy with wonderment and delight (plus terror!) once I delve into Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village and 4, Humanity, Tetris Connect, Synapse, Red Matter 2, Madison, Moss: Book 2, No Mans Sky, Metro Awakening, Fantavision 202X, Max Mustard, Alien: Rogue Incursion, and more.My hopes now are that PlayStation VR2 sales reach a new milestone on the strength of the Black Friday promotions, coupled with a somewhat burgeoning library of compelling games, and Sony are forced to reVITAlise their first/second party support for it. Still, so much untapped potential in the console VR space.On a slight tangent, Im currently four-fifths through new Astro Bot and the game design is simply spellbinding and PlayStation at their creative, charming peak. So, fingers crossed Team ASOBI can once again transplant the platforming magic into the VR domain.Id settle for a Rescue Mission PlayStation VR2 port whilst we wait though. Inbox magic for a Half Life: Alyx port too. Happy gaming one and all!Galvanized GamerGC: Inbox magic is going to need more MP after today.Inbox also-ransMarvels Spider-Man 2 is 32.99 at Argos.EdI really dont see how games like Palworld and this new Horizon Zero Dawn clone can exist. Surely its an open and shut case that theyre ripping off existing games? Making them survival games instead isnt fooling anyone.QuintMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Readers Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.You can also leave your comments below and dont forget to follow us on Twitter.ArrowMORE: Games Inbox: Is Half-Life 2 a bad game nowadays?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

After Tears Of The Kingdom, where can Zelda games go next on Switch 2?Michael BeckwithPublished November 29, 2024 1:00am Zelda: A Link to the Future (Nintendo/Metro)With the Switch 2 on the horizon, Nintendo has a major problem on its hands in terms of how it surpasses Zelda: Breath Of The Wild.The release of The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild in 2017 changed the Zelda series forever. While some purists werent fond of its radical open world overhaul, Nintendo was more than justified in its decision thanks to the games widespread critical success and massively increased sales.The unparalleled sense of freedom Breath Of The Wild offered in how players could explore the world, progress its story, and solve puzzles led to it being widely acclaimed as the best video game ever made, although admittedly thats not the first time anyone has said that about a Zelda title.Nintendo even managed to capture lightning in a bottle twice, with the 2023 sequel Tears Of The Kingdom expanding the map further and adding impressively realistic physics-based gameplay, turning Hyrule into the ultimate sandbox playground.Much like with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the problem with the last two Zelda games is that Nintendo has done too good of a job, setting an impossibly high bar for the eventual next game on Nintendo Switch 2.With Nintendos plans for its next console, and the Zelda series as a whole, still nebulous, we need to discuss where Nintendo can go next and what we do know so far of Zeldas future.What has Nintendo said about the next Legend Of Zelda game?In a 2023 interview, series producer Eiji Aonuma and Tears Of The Kingdom director Hidemaro Fujibayashi confirmed that the inevitable follow-up would still feature an open world setting.This doesnt rule out more 2D games, as demonstrated by this years Echoes Of Wisdom, but its safe to say any new 3D game would continue the formula established by Breath Of The Wild and not the older one pioneered by Ocarina Of Time.Aonuma has expressed confusion over why fans would want to go back to the old 3D formula but hes also made it clear that therell be no more sequels to Breath Of The Wild. So while future games will be open world they wont necessarily resemble the Switchs games in any other way.Even without official statements from staff, its obvious Nintendo will stick with the current formula, or something close to it, just by looking at the sales figures. For as prestigious as the Zelda series is, the games never used to reach anywhere near the same level of financial success as the Super Mario and Pokmon games.What is the best-selling Zelda game?For the longest time, the best-selling Zelda game was 2006s Twilight Princess (ironically, one of the least regarded entries by most fans) which had sold 8.85 million copies by 2015. While still a success, compare that to New Super Mario Bros. and Pokmon Diamond/Pearl, that came out the same year, which sold 30.8 million and 17.67 million, respectively.Breath Of The Wild came along and utterly destroyed Twilight Princess record, with a current total of 32.29 million. This not only makes it one of the best-selling Switch games but, in a stunning role reversal, its done better than the Switch entries for Mario and Pokmon (not including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe).Nintendo might seem to make illogical decisions at times but they know when theyve hit pay dirt and, as Aonuma has clearly stated, theres now no going back to the old ways, except via spin-offs and remasters.Will there be a sequel to Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom?Aonuma seems adamant about moving onto a new Hyrule, and it would make sense when you remember why he ruled out any DLC for Tears Of The Kingdom, when he said: I feel like Ive done everything I can to create games in that world.Although the games themselves never draw attention to the fact, the various Zelda game are set in a complex series of separate timelines and you only rarely play as the same Link in any of them its often a different character and often one from a separate, parallel universe.Aonuma has said his team could return to the Breath Of The Wild version of Hyrule if they came up with new ideas for it, but it sounds like hes eager to make something else entirely. Whether its a sequel or a new work, I think it will be a completely new way to play, he said.Surprisingly, when asked if Tears Of The Kingdoms success was a hurdle for planning the next game, Aonuma sounded unconcerned and even encouraged fans to keep [their] expectations high.That suggests he already has something clear in mind for a Tears Of The Kingdom successor, but what that might be is very hard to guess.When will the next Legend Of Zelda be out?One thing Nintendo cant change is how long it takes to make a modern triple-A game and even though Tears Of The Kingdom used Breath Of The Wild as a foundation it still took six years to develop. That should be taken as an absolute minimum for the next game, which would make it no earlier than 2029 and quite possibly several years more than that.Some may assume Nintendo will simply offer broadly the same game, with the same mechanics, but with better graphics and a bigger map. Thats not usually how they do things though and certainly doesnt seem to be what Aonuma is hinting at.If there is a clue as to what they could be doing next, perhaps it can be gleaned by looking at those weaker aspects of Breath Of The Wild, which Nintendo might feel are worth extra attention in a new game.Zeldas combat changed little between Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom and was beginning to seem a little simplistic by the end, so one obvious idea might be to focus more on action with a more robust and complex combat system, perhaps one that adds magic as well as just weapons.Or maybe it could flesh out Links inventory and give him permanent items and tools, such as old favourites like the hookshot. There may be no going back to Ocarina Of Time but Nintendo is not beyond throwing fans a bone and its easy to imagine the next game might see more traditional use of items and more integral dungeons given the ones in Tears Of The Kingdom still werent quite up to par.Nintendo clearly heard fan demand for a playable Zelda, so theyll also know that many were originally speculating she might be playable in Tears Of The Kingdom, perhaps even via a co-op mode. That never happened but it wouldnt have been the first, or even the second, time Zelda featured co-op multiplayer. Imagine multiple Links running around Hyrule banding together to beat tough enemies (Bandai Namco)We know Nintendos been experimenting with online multiplayer lately, running a private test for something involving a shared world. What if it did something similar for Zelda, creating a version of Hyrule populated by players who could help one another la Elden Ring?We could speculate till the cuccos come home, but perhaps the reason why Aonuma seems unintimidated by the future is because he, and by extension Nintendo, arent necessarily interested in surpassing Tears Of The Kingdom.Nintendos priority has always been gameplay over anything else; its why it took so long for Zelda to be playable. So, while the next 3D Zelda probably wont be as much of a dramatic gameplay reset as Breath Of The Wild was, we also shouldnt expect it to hit the exact same beats.But with such a project many years away from coming out, and with the Switch 2 expected to launch in 2025, Nintendos going to want something Zelda related for at least the consoles first year on the market, if not its launch period.So, what can the company do in the meantime? The answer to that question is thankfully far easier to guess: more remakes and/or remasters.What is the next Zelda remaster going to be?Considering Nintendo typically tries to have a new Zelda game out every year or two, and 2025 is far too soon for the new mainline entry, its not unreasonable to assume itll have a remaster or remake ready for the Switch 2.After all, its plugged its release schedule before with Wii U remasters of Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker, plus Skyward Sword for Switch, as fans waited for brand new entries.While no such projects have been so far annouced, rumours of Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker coming to Switch have persisted since at least 2021.The Switchs 2025 line-up is nothing but remasters at the moment, so we could easily see those two games being added to the schedule. Either to pad things out till the Switch 2s release or to promote its backwards compatibility feature. Especially since Nintendo is known for sitting on completed games until it has an opening for them.Remasters, though, wouldnt be quite as exciting as a full-fledged remake. One dream project for fans is a full remake of Ocarina Of Time, which many still consider the best entry in the series.If Nintendo handed something like that off to Grezzo (its go-to developer for Zelda remakes) or another external studio (Capcoms remake team, anyone?) to get it ready for Switch 2, that would certainly help push the new hardware and they couldve already been working on that for years in secret.If not that, theres been plenty of rumours of a Breath Of The Wild remaster for the Switch 2 launch, to show off its new technical abilities. But that may have resulted from confusion over a supposed technical demo that Nintendo has been showing developers and not something they actually intend to release to the public.More TrendingTheres also the possibility of Nintendo offering a non-traditional spin-off. Another Hyrule Warriors? A sequel to Links Crossbow Training? A management sim where you play as Beedle and sell bugs to customers?Whatever the case, Nintendo has several avenues to pursue for the future of the Zelda series. The fruits of Aonuma and his teams labour wont be seen for some time, but theres plenty Nintendo can do to keep interest in Zelda high until then.Not to mention theres a live action movie on the way. Admittedly, theres no hint at when thatll release either but if its anywhere near as successful as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo can safely rely on that to prop up sales of currently available Zelda titles.For now, it seems we shouldnt be pondering whether Nintendo can surpass Breath Of The Wild and Tears Of The Kingdom, but rather what the next Zelda can do differently while adhering to the formula that made millions of people fall in love with the series in the first place. The answer isnt necessarily to go even bigger (Nintendo)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

Science & technology | Fellow feelingsElon Musk is causing problems for the Royal SocietyHis continued membership has led to a high-profile resignationThe great resignationPhotograph: Alicia Canter/Eyevine Nov 28th 2024ISAAC NEWTON was a self-interested tyrant. James Watson, a Nobel laureate, spouted racist and sexist notions all his life. These men nevertheless managed to keep hold of one of the British scientific establishments highest baublesfellowship of the Royal Society, the oldest scientific academy in the world. The latest member of that club to be accused of unbecoming behaviour is Elon Musk, the richest man in the world and, now, a confidant of President-elect Donald Trump. His continued inclusiondespite what some other scientists have called anti-scientific behaviourhas led to a fracas.Explore moreElon MuskThis article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline Fellow feelingsFrom the November 30th 2024 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the editionReuse this content

In the world of foldable smartphones, Samsung has long been the leader on the market. While some brands have ventured into this territory (Google, Oppo), none have matched Samsungs commitment to excellence. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 stands out as the creme de la creme of foldable technology. Priced at $1,899 for the 256GB version, it may seem steep but you can take advantage of incredible Black Friday deals that make this device almost free!Samsung is currently offering an exclusive deal on its official website that simply cannot be found anywhere else, including at major retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. For the 256GB version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, you can enjoy an instant savings discount of $800, reducing the price to $1,099. But Samsung has introduced a record-breaking trade-in offer that allows you to exchange your old smartphone for up to $1,200 off your purchase. This means if you take full advantage of both offers, you could potentially walk away with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 for as little as $399, down from $1,899which is a massive total savings of $1,500!See at Samsung.comSamsung is enhancing the value of this deal with a 1.5% cashback offer through its Samsung Rewards program. This means that you save on your new device but you also earn rewards for your purchase. And if youre considering buying accessories like the Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Buds3 Pro, you can enjoy discounts of up to 47% on those items as well. With all these savings combined, its possible to offset the entire cost of the Galaxy Z Fold 6!Our Favorite Foldable PhoneThe Galaxy Z Fold 6 is truly a marvel in smartphone technology and youll immediately acknowledge it once its in your hands. It features a breathtaking 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display when unfolded which provides a true immersive viewing experience. This vibrant display is complemented by a secondary cover screen which measures 6.2 inches and which allows users to interact with notifications and apps without having to unfold the device.As Qualcomms strategic partner, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and its paired with up to 12GB of RAM. This powerful combination delivers seamless performance across demanding applications, games and photography/video. The device also houses a robust 4,400mAh battery which supports fast charging capabilities of up to 25W, and which helps you stay powered throughout your day without any interruption.The camera system is also impressive with a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. Youll be able to capture stunning photos in various conditions whether in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments. Its among the top camera phones on the market right now. Video recording capabilities reach up to 8K resolution so that you can create high-quality content from your smartphone.Samsung has also focused on the user experience by incorporating innovative software features into the Galaxy Z Fold 6: The device runs on the latest version One UI 6 based on Android 14 which includes enhancements tailored specifically for foldable devices. Features like multi-window support allow users to run multiple applications simultaneously on the expansive screen while tools like Note Assist help organize and summarize notes efficiently using AI technology. Galaxy AI is one of the hot big things at Samsung, and you can expect a lot more in the coming months.See at Samsung.com

Ten years ago, the concept of a smartwatch seemed far-fetched and many believed it would never catch on. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has dramatically changed, thanks in large part to Apple which created a new market for wearable technology. With the introduction of the Apple Watch, a wave of innovation surged through the industry and challenged established players like Garmin.In response, Samsung entered the arena and leveraged its extensive expertise to produce high-quality (yet affordable) smartwatches. Among these is the Galaxy Watch Ultra which has quickly become a benchmark in the smartwatch market standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra. This Black Friday, this model now available for just $189, down from $649, after applying an instant discount and a trade-in offer.Originally priced at $649, you can enjoy a $160 instant saving on its retail price. If you trade in an old smartphone or smartwatch, you can save an additional $300, which brings the total discount to an impressive 70%. This discount applies to all colors and band types.See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.comAmong The Best SmartwatchesThe Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed for those who demand both durability and functionality in their devices: Its robust titanium frame and sapphire glass display will withstand the rigors of daily life as well as extreme conditions. Whether youre hiking in the mountains or swimming in the ocean, this smartwatch is built to last. The watch features a beautiful 1.4-inch AMOLED display that boasts 3,000 nits of brightness.When it comes to health and fitness tracking, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers with a comprehensive suite of features. It includes advanced heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking and blood oxygen level measurement. The Samsung watch also offers specialized modes for various sports such as running, cycling, swimming, and more. With built-in GPS functionality, you can accurately track your outdoor activities without needing to carry your phone along. The battery life is impressive as well; under normal usage conditions, it can last up to 100 hours on a single charge.The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers seamless connectivity with both Android and iOS devices. While it is optimized for Samsung smartphones, it can also connect effortlessly with iPhones via Bluetooth. This means you can receive notifications for calls and messages directly on your wrist regardless of your smartphone. The watch supports various apps through Samsung Health and other platforms as well.As a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra and several Garmin models, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers premium features at a significantly lower price point. With its advanced health tracking capabilities and rugged design, its definitely one of the best smartwatches on the market. The combination of style, functionality, and durability makes it an attractive option if youre looking to invest for yourself or for your loved ones.See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.com