President-elect Donald Trumps contempt for the media is well-known, but two lawsuits filed against news organizations offer a worrying look at the next four years for outlets and reporters covering his administration.Disney, the parent company of ABC News, settled a suit with Trump for $15 million; Trump sued the company because anchor George Stephanopoulos mistakenly said Trump was found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll, when he was actually found liable for sexual abuse. Trump also sued the Des Moines Register, an Iowa newspaper, this week because they published a poll showing Vice President Kamala Harris would win the state; he also sued the person who produced the poll. Trump is alleging this is election interference. These developments come amid ongoing lawsuits Trump has against CBS and publisher Simon & Schuster.These kinds of lawsuits arent new. Theyre meant to be expensive and time-consuming for news companies, even if the outlets win the case. They are also meant to make all news organizations question whether its worth publishing critical reporting about public figures in this case, Trump given the financial, legal, and public relations risk.The US has strong protections for the press, so news groups can fulfill their obligation to inform the public, particularly about powerful people and organizations. But Trumps lawsuits could interfere with their ability to do so.Lawsuits such as Trumps against ABC, the Des Moines Register, and the Iowa pollster Ann Selzer are commonly called strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) suits. The first such suit Trump filed was a defamation case against ABC News. Trumps team initially filed the suit in Florida in the spring, after Stephanopoulos said in a March interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on This Week that Trump was found to have raped Carroll in 1996. In fact, the jury in Carrolls case found in 2023 that Trumps actions qualified as sexual abuse, and not rape under the law in New York, where the Carroll case was filed. However, the judge in the case did note that Trumps abuse did align with commonly held definitions of rape, even if they didnt meet the specific legal standard.Defamation cases against the press must meet a very high standard in the US; reporters make mistakes, but thats not enough to warrant a lawsuit against a reporter or news organization. Defamation cases must prove a reporter acted with actual malice, writing or saying something they knew or had good reason to believe was false. In July, Disney asked to have the suit dropped, on the grounds that Stephanopouloss statements were essentially true, if imprecise, and his reporting was protected by Florida law. The judge argued that a jury could potentially find Stephanopoulos guilty. Then on Friday, she ordered Stephanopoulos and Trump into depositions and for Disney to hand over documents related to the case. Disney reportedly pushed to settle the case in part because the company worried it could lose a jury trial in heavily Republican Florida.In Iowa, Trump is suing the Des Moines Register, its parent company Gannett, Selzer, and her polling company on the grounds that they perpetrated consumer fraud for producing and publishing a pre-election poll that had Vice President Kamala Harris winning the state. (Trump won Iowa by over 10 percentage points.) The lawsuit accuses Selzer of brazen election interference, according to the New York Times. Trump filed a similar suit against CBS News in October, alleging that an interview with Harris on its program 60 Minutes violated consumer protection laws due to its editing.SLAPP suits are meant to have a chilling effectThe sort of lawsuits Trump is filing against media companies are the latest workaround that wealthy and powerful people who want to bully the press have found to attempt to circumvent the well-established safeguards for the press under the First Amendment against defamation and similar claims, Seth Stern, director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, told Vox. Trump may not win these suits, but thats not really the point. What really marks a SLAPP suit, aside from it being legally baseless, is that the intent is not so much to win, but to send a message to bully and punish critics through forcing them to incur legal fees, and not only legal fees, but time costs spent defending against litigation, which can be quite devastating for smaller outlets, Stern said. Trump has made clear in the past he knows the purpose of these suits to induce these costs, and to establish fear of speaking out against him. As Trump infamously said about a lawsuit he brought against the author of a book he did not like, I spent a couple of bucks on legal fees, and they spent a whole lot more. I did it to make his life miserable, which Im happy about.SLAPP suits have a long history in the US, according to Samantha Barbas, a legal historian at the University of Iowa School of Law.Historically, politicians and other public figures have tried to shut down their critics in the press using defamation law in particular, she told Vox. Back in the early 20th century, it was really common for public officials to basically try to sue the press out of existence over comments they didnt like.Now, the US has robust press freedom protections, established in the 1964 case New York Times v. Sullivan, which codified those protections. Many states also have anti-SLAPP legislation, and a federal anti-SLAPP law was proposed in 2022. But Trump has said he wants to undo some of those safeguards. That those protections exist largely because of Supreme Court precedent rather than due to federal law is reportedly also part of why Disneys lawyers chose to settle so the case couldnt go to the Supreme Court and potentially result in a rollback of Sullivan. At least one Supreme Court justice, Justice Thomas has expressed skepticism about the New York Times v. Sullivan standard, and would like the Supreme Court to revisit it, Stern said, although theres no indication the other justices share Thomas opinion. For not, there is nothing stopping Trump from continuing to file SLAPP suits and he may even inspire copycat cases, Barbas said.When someone wins a libel suit against the press, it will just inspire others to bring claims, and it becomes very dangerous, Barbas said.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

The Supreme Court issued an unusual order on Wednesday morning, announcing it will hear a case deciding the fate of TikTok on a fast-tracked schedule. The case, known as TikTok v. Garland, asks whether a federal law potentially banning TikTok, which President Joe Biden signed in April, violates the First Amendment. The law would ban the short-form video app, which is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, within the United States unless ByteDance sells the platform to a different owner before January 19. The law was upheld by a lower federal court earlier this month, and so a ban may be imminent unless the Supreme Court intervenes.The Supreme Courts order announcing it will hear TikTok v. Garland departs from the Courts ordinary procedures in several ways, compressing both the briefing schedule for this case, and the amount of time the justices will have to consider the case after briefing is completed.The Courts order instructs TikTok and the Justice Department, as well as other parties challenging the law, including a number of content creators who use the platform, to all file their briefs simultaneously on December 27, two days after Christmas. The justices will hear oral arguments on January 10.It is likely that the Court is following this unusually fast schedule typically, a case waits months for an oral argument before the justices, even after the Court announces it will hear that case because the justices want to issue their final decision before the ban takes effect on January 19.Although TikTok raised several constitutional challenges to the law, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, the Supreme Courts review will focus on a single question: Whether this law, which could shut down one of the most popular online platforms in the country, violates the free speech clause of the First Amendment.TikTok pits national security concerns against free speech protectionsThe law targeting TikTok passed both houses of Congress with broad support from both political parties. The laws supporters justify such an unusual encroachment on traditional free speech protections because they fear the Chinese government will either use TikTok to gather data on Americans, or they will manipulate the content that appears on TikTok to shape US opinion.The question of just how much control China can and does exercise over TikTok is hotly contested. TikToks parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing. Like many Chinese companies, it is legally required to host an in-house Communist Party committee composed of TikTok employees who are also party members.The law at issue in the case bans internet hosting services and other tech companies including Apple and Google, whose app stores make TikTok available to download from serving foreign adversary controlled applications. While other apps can potentially qualify as such an application, the law specifically states that TikTok, as well as any other application operated by ByteDance, qualifies. TikTok can potentially escape this ban if it is sold to another company that is not controlled by a foreign adversary, but no sale appears imminent.A federal appeals court upheld this law earlier in December, essentially arguing that national security concerns trump free speech concerns. While that opinion includes many details about the sheer volume of data controlled by TikTok, it included far less evidence than courts normally provide when upholding laws burdening free speech that the governments stated interest in protecting national security justifies this particular law.The appeals court justified this approach by arguing that judgments of the Congress and the Executive regarding the national security threat posed by the TikTok platform is entitled to significant weight.The lower court is correct that courts often defer to the other branches in matters of national security, and it cites Supreme Court precedents establishing that general proposition. But the amount of deference shown by the lower court in this case is unusual. All three appeals court judges who heard this case agreed that the TikTok ban should receive heightened scrutiny from the judiciary because it threatens free speech. Laws that are subject to such scrutiny are presumptively unconstitutional, and the government bears the burden of proving that such a law can be justified.As the Supreme Court said in Ashcroft v. ACLU (2004), when there are substantial factual disputes regarding whether a law burdening free speech can be justified by some other compelling national need, the Government must shoulder its full constitutional burden of proof.Which isnt to say that the Justice Department cannot overcome that burden in this case, if it can produce sufficient evidence that China will use TikTok to undermine US national security. But, under existing precedent, the government must provide that evidence if it wants this law to survive.In any event, we will likely know more about what sort of evidence the Justice Department plans to muster in defense of this law after it files its brief on December 27 although its worth noting that the government could potentially file some of this information under seal if it would require them to disclose classified information, as seems possible given the national security concerns alleged by the government.For now, the only thing that appears certain about this case is that the justices are moving very quickly and one way or another, the future of TikTok will likely be resolved before the federal ban takes effect in January.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:

EA FC 25's latest Team of the Week is here, with upgrades for Olga Carmona, Rodrygo, and more, including a particularly lethal Alexander Isak of Newcastle UnitedTech18:00, 18 Dec 2024Rodrygo gets a big upgrade this week(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)Another Wednesday, and it's time for a fresh EA FC 25 TOTW drop, with Team of the Week 14 bringing some big upgrades..We already predicted we'd see stat improvements for Son and Martinez from the Premier League, but we were wrong. Instead, Isak and Sarr see improvements for Newcastle and Palace respectively. Isak looks particularly strong, with 86 pace and shooting, as well as 88 for dribbling.Elsewhere, Inter's holding midfielder Calhanoglu gets rewarded for his fine form, while Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Carmona are both up to 87 overall. Rodrygo's 89 dribbling and 90 pace will see him scare defences silly, but Carmona will be a great pick for your squad's left back since she has 92 pace and 80 shooting, as well as 82 passing.Read on for the full EA FC 25 TOTW 14 lineup. Team of the Week 14 cards are in packs as of right now, 6pm GMT on December 18.EA FC TOTW 14 is hereArticle continues belowHere's the full Team of the Week squad, with their upgraded overall ratings, too.LB - Olga Carmona (Real Madrid) - 87CDM - Calhanoglu (Inter) - 87ST - Rodrygo (Real Madrid) - 87RW - Sarr (Crystal Palace) - 86ST - Dumornay (Lyon) - 86ST - En-Nesyri (Fenerbahce) - 86LW - Beerensteyn (Wolfsburg) - 86ST - Isak (Newcastle) - 86LB - Simon (Bayern Munich) - 85CAM - Trincao (Sporting) - 85GK - Carnesecchi (Atalanta) - 85CAM - Dali (Aston Villa) - 85ST - Giminez (Feyenoord) - 84ST - Thiam (Univ Cluj) - 83LM - Mason-Clark (Coventry City) - 83CAM - Lee Jae Sung (Mainz) - 83RM - Bakwa (Strasbourg) - 83CB - Sergio (Leganes) - 83RB - Kubler (Freiburg) - 83LW - Doue (PSG) - 83CAM - Aquino (Velez Sarsfgield) - 83CB - Dussenne (Lausanne-Sport) - 83LM - Sijaric (Erzgebirge Aue) - 83For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

GTA 6 fans have spotted a trademark in Brazil and are hoping it could lead to another look at Rockstar Game's next crime epic we'll take anything at this pointTech12:30, 18 Dec 2024Is it just a logo refresh, or something more?(Image: Still)Fans are starting to get even more restless in the wait for GTA 6 news, and with parent company Take-Two's CEO talking up the game as 'extraordinary', it feels like we're reaching fever pitch.After more than a year since the first (and only) trailer (setting a new Rockstar record in the process), a new trademark may hint that Rockstar is planning another reveal soon.Content cannot be displayed without consentIn a new trademark filing in Brazil, fans have spotted a new GTA 6 logo that includes a slight change from the one we've seen up until now.The trademark also suggests Rockstar could look to release GTA 6 merch, with mentions of clothing and printed materials, too.GTA 6 could not be seen until 2025 if Rockstar doesn't show anything soon(Image: Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Ima)Some fans have taken this to mean that Rockstar could be looking to show more of GTA 6, particularly with the fresh logo, but as we know, predicting Rockstar's next move is a fool's errand.One former developer said last week that there's a good chance the Rockstar team is "geeking out" over the fan theories cropping up. These include plotting the phases of the moon in GTA Online, as well as a PlayStation event that didn't materialise, analysing social media posts and a mystery YouTube playlist.We're ready to head back to Vice City, but other publishers aren't(Image: Rockstar Games/AFP via Getty Ima)GTA 6 is likely to be one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time, with publishers reportedly trying to avoid releasing in a similar time frame, although it could slip to 2026.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

Fortnite's final update of the year has big Christmas updates for players, but that means server maintenance here's what's going on with the game's servers, and when you can playTech12:13, 18 Dec 2024Updated 14:43, 18 Dec 2024Fortnite's Chapter 6 update has been well-received(Image: Fortnite)Fortnite Chapter 6 is underway, but the last update of the year means Christmas fun.Not only is update 33.11 giving the island map a snowy makeover, but the game is adding fresh skins that include a crossover with Pixar's Cars franchise, new DC skins, and much, much more.Before we get to it, though, there's the small matter of some server maintenance to get through.Content cannot be displayed without consentGood news, Fortnite fans the game is back!Cyberpunk could come to Fortnite(Image: Shared Content Unit)On the plus side, the 33.11 patch is packed with Christmas goodies.Winterfest is back from December 20 to January 7, with a series of Christmas tweaks to the island and a Festive Snoop Dogg skin to earn.Article continues belowEpic is also introducing a Skibidi Toilet bundle if that's of interest to you. It'll set you back 2,200 V-Bucks, while Pixar's Cars are expected to make their Fortnite debut. Rumours have also suggested we could get a Cyberpunk crossover, but it's not here yet.There are also fresh DC skins on the way, as well as more Star Wars skins.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

1000xResist Fixer knows what shes talking about (Fellow Traveller)GameCentral catches up with an excellent indie game from earlier in the year, that may have the best script and voice-acting of 2024.Every year, at around this time, we try to make sure we catch up with any interesting games we may have missed at other times during the year invariably indie titles that were not well publicised at launch, but which subsequently gained critical acclaim.Christmas has crept up on us a bit this year, so we may have to conclude our catch-up in January which is perhaps just as well given how slow the start to the year usually is (although perhaps not, depending on Nintendos Switch 2 reveal plans).We wanted to cover 1000xResist first though, because not only is it a great game, that wed never heard of until a few weeks ago, but its very likely to make it into our Top 20 of the year. It is pretty obscure its all-time peak on Steam is just 154 people but its easily one of the best storytelling games of the last 12 months.This is the first game by developer Sunset Visitor, but the most obvious point of reference is Vanillawares 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Not in terms of any of the specifics this is not a strategy game but the sci-fi setting and storytelling tone does feel as if its cut from the same cloth, with some similarities to NieR:Automata as well (and probably a bunch of anime that were not aware of).1000xResist takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been all but wiped out by aliens, via a global pandemic. The allusions to Covid are clear from the start, although here the artificial virus has reduced the human race to a small group of women cloned from the Allmother a rare human immune to the virus.You play as one of six clones given a specific leadership role, such as doctor, librarian, and engineer. Your job, as Watcher, is more complex, since youre tasked with recording the life of the Allmother by accessing her memories during a process called a communion and interpreting and recording her actions and life before the alien invasion. At the same time, you also have to keep an eye on the other clones, which creates tensions amongst the group, even though youre technically all sisters.In terms of gameplay, 1000xResist is essentially a visual novel and most of the time youre just walking around, looking for people to talk to. Thats actually the worst part of the game though, as theres no proper map and its very easy to get lost. Theres no real action, beyond some elements similar to Gravity Rush, where youre jumping between different locations, and the occasional puzzle. Both aspects are very simplistic though and are not at all intended as a challenge.In terms of visuals, the game is not exactly high-tech, but that doesnt mean youre just left trawling through pages of endless text. For a start, all the dialogue is voice-acted, and extremely well too with performances better than many a triple-A game. But communions are also visually inventive, in terms of both the camera angles from side-scrolling to first person and the many different time periods the memories are set in (technically the game takes place over a period of a thousand years).Although the tribulations of the pandemic, both real and fictional, are one obvious focus of the story, its anything but one note. Some of the more general topics range from negative parental influences to governmental abuse of power, but since the developer is based in Canada, and primarily made up of Asian immigrants, the game also explores that experience too.More TrendingLike all good sci-fi, 1000xResist is more about the current day than it is the far future, with very human stories mixed in with evergreen concerns about authoritarianism, discrimination, and radicalisation. If the game has any singular message though, its how damaging the past can be if it is mistakes are not acknowledged and addressed.Theres a lot of grim subject matter in the game but it can also be surprisingly funny at times, with all the characters proving impressively three-dimensional in terms of their flaws and character quirks. Physically, they may all be clones but theyre all individuals, with their own personalities, concerns, and hang-ups.Its no longer unusual for indie games to have better storytelling than big budget games but it is unusual to experience one that is quite this ambitious and capable in its execution. Especially as the story runs for over 12 hours. 1000xResist may have a terrible, off-putting name but everything else about it is extremely well written and compelling.1000xResist review summaryIn Short: A superior example of the visual novel, with some of the most compelling storytelling of the generation, even if its not very interactive.Pros: Excellent script that tackles many subjects with grace and, at least occasionally, humour. Surprisingly good voice-acting and more visually interesting than the low-tech graphics suggest.Cons: Beyond a few branching paths, the story progression is entirely linear and theres very little traditional gameplay. Navigating the base is a pain without a map.Score: 8/10Formats: PC (reviewed) and Nintendo SwitchPrice: 16.75Publisher: Fellow TravellerDeveloper: sunset visitor Release Date: 9th May 2024Age Rating: 16 A map wouldve been nice (Fellow Traveller)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

Nintendo Switch sells 46,600,000 consoles beating PS2s lifetime sales in the USAdam StarkeyPublished December 18, 2024 5:29pmUpdated December 18, 2024 5:29pm Nintendo officially dominates the US (Metro/Sony/Nintendo)The Nintendo Switch has hit a huge sales milestone in the US, as EA Sports College Football 25 becomes the best-selling sports game ever.Sonys suddenly very vague sales figures for the PlayStation 2 have made it difficult to ascertain whether the Nintendo Switch will surpass it in worldwide sales, but in one key country at least, it already has.Following the November 2024 US sales data from Circana, the Nintendo Switch has now hit 46.6 million units sold, exceeding the PlayStation 2s lifetime figure in the region.According to games industry analyst Mat Piscatella, this means the Switch is now the second best-selling console in the US ever, behind the Nintendo DS at 53.80 million. While the figure for the PlayStation 2 isnt stated, NPD data last reported it as 43 million in January 2009.Its still unclear whether the Switch will surpass Sonys console in worldwide sales. At the time of writing, the overall Switch sales total is 146.04 million, behind both the Nintendo DS at 154.02 million and the PlayStation 2 with its recently touted over 160 million milestone despite Sony previous stating its total was 155 million.Switch sales this Christmas will be crucial in deciding whether the console will have a chance of exceeding the PlayStation 2, but it does seem somewhat ambitious at this stage. Elsewhere in the figures, EA Sports College Football 25 has become the best-selling sports game in US history, based on dollar sales. Its also the best-selling game of the year so far in the country with only month to go, ahead of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Helldivers 2.Year-to-Date Ending November 2024 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content) Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-12-18T14:00:21.999ZAs for November sales specifically, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 topped the charts, ahead of Madden NFL 25, EA Sports FC 25 and EA Sports College Football 25. The only new entries were Mario & Luigi: Brothership at number seven (digital sales not included), Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D at number 12, and MySims: Cozy Bundle at number 19.Overall, spending on video game hardware, content, and accessories fell by 7% in November compared to last year, with the launch of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (which launched in November rather than October that year) cited as part of the reason for the decline.November 2024 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content) Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-12-18T14:00:21.998ZThe launch of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Xbox Game Pass, meanwhile, is said to have contributed to an 8% growth in non-mobile video game subscription spending, but its unclear if this is the kind of increase Microsoft were hoping for.On the hardware front, 2.4 million units were sold overall, a 4% increase over the 2.3 million sold a year prior. This was led by the PlayStation 5, where dollar sales were up by 15%, while Xbox Series X took a massive 29% decline and the Switch dropped by 3%.More TrendingAs for mobile games, Pokmon TCG Pocket was the big success story, ranking at number two in November for revenue worldwide, following its launch in late October. EA Sports College Football 25 is a juggernaut (EA)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

Xbox denies quitting Europe as report claims no Xbox Series X stock in PolandAdam StarkeyPublished December 18, 2024 2:44pmUpdated December 18, 2024 2:45pm Can the Xbox Series X be bottled into a handheld? (Microsoft)A limited supply of Xbox Series X consoles in Poland has led to concerns around Microsofts support in Europe, as the company shifts its priorities.After poor sales of the Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft has begun to shift its strategy towards being a broader Game Pass platform which can be accessed across multiple devices.This push has been clear for several years now, with many former Xbox exclusives making their way to other platforms, but its been reinforced in a new Xbox marketing campaign which downplays Xbox consoles in favour of phones and laptops.If the existence of the Xbox Series X/S feels like its becoming increasingly irrelevant, with talk of a next generation on its way, it seems like Microsoft might already be winding down support of the console within certain markets in Europe.These reports originally stem from Polish social media platform Wykop, where a user named Tetsuya posted an alleged statement from Microsoft Support suggesting it has stopped selling the Xbox Series X in some European countries due to its new strategic shift to Game Pass.The unavailability of the Xbox Series X in markets like Poland and some European countries is largely due to Microsofts strategic shift to focus on cloud gaming and subscription services such as Game Pass, rather than promoting or distributing physical consoles, reads the statement.It goes on to cite lower-than-expected sales in these regions as a reason for the reduced marketing of Xbox hardware, although the legitimacy of the statement has been questioned since the moment it was posted online.After it went viral, Polish games media outlet Android.com.pl obtained a statement from Xbox, where it confirmed Xbox Series X stock is low in the country in the run-up to Christmas, but that the Xbox Series S is still widely available.Due to high consumer demand for the Xbox Series X console, supply is limited during the holiday season in Poland, the statement reads. At the same time, we would like to inform you that the Xbox Series S is still available for purchase nationwide.Microsoft has not yet responded to GameCentrals request for comment.The high consumer demand is hard to believe considering we know Xbox sales have nosedived in Europe over the past year. Users on ResetEra have also highlighted the lack of stock in other European territories such as Finland, Bulgaria, and Belgium, so it appears as if this is a wider trend.With Xbox never having been hugely popular across Europe, compared to PlayStation, reports earlier this year claimed retailers across the continent were scaling back Xbox stock due to low sales.I heard it from a very prominent company and one not so prominent Xboxs performance in Europe is just flatlining, said GamesIndustry.biz editor Christopher Dring back in March.Beyond Europe, there have been concerns around Xbox stock in other territories. In October, Microsoft gave a very vague answer when addressing reports of Xbox pulling out of Saudi Arabia, while restocks in India have reportedly been delayed until March next year.Even if this is a temporary hitch, Xboxs lack of presence in these territories doesnt bode well for its future hardware plans, or if it simply wants to exist as a brand on other platforms.More TrendingMicrosoft has teased its next generation console plans on several occasions, which will likely include some kind of handheld device. Indiana Jones And The Great Circle is Microsofts latest exclusive (Bethesda)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

We analyse two centuries of scholarly work

Survival is a case of childs play