Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 65, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If youre new here, welcome, get ready to take up all your phones storage space, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)This is the last Installer of the year! Im taking a couple of weeks off for the holidays, and I hope youre getting some relaxation in too. Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to this newsletter, emailed me your recommendations, told me Im a lunatic about to-do lists, and generally been part of the Installerverse this year. Making this newsletter is so much fun, and Im so thrilled to get to do it with you. Bigger and better next year!This week, Ive been reading about Spotifys ghost artistsFormula 1 and Mufasa and the deeply silly New York Jets, watching Hot Frosty30 Rock, beating BalatroI also have for you a nifty new smart home controller, a new app for the future of social networks, the next Sonic movie, and much more. Plus, our most-requested homescreen ever? Lets do this.(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you into right now? What should everyone else be playing / reading / watching / building / upgrading this holiday season? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, tell them to subscribe here.)The DropHome Assistant Voice. I am currently actively avoiding becoming a Home Assistant person, because I know as soon as I get a Green in my house Ill become a full-on smart home lunatic. But this new voice assistant and microphone you can call it Jarvis! has me more enticed than ever. I might spend the holidays tearing my house apart.Flipboard Surf. Ive been ranting and raving for two years about how the fediverse is the future, and Surf a way to create and consume feeds of all kinds, from Mastodon and Bluesky to RSS and YouTube is the best evidence Ive seen yet. The apps waitlist-only and opening up slowly, but you should get on the list. Surf is awesome.Google Whisk. Prompt engineering was never a good idea. Google is one of the companies trying to find better ways in this case, it built a way to prompt its models just by uploading some inspo images and then describing what you want. I dont know if its useful, per se, but its fun to play with.Sonic The Hedgehog 3. I feel like nobody ever talks about the Sonic movies? But Ive really enjoyed the first two, and the reviews on the latest installment are really strong. And apparently Jim Carrey is on a whole new level in this one.Acorn 8. Acorn is one of my favorite Mac apps. Its like Photoshop for babies, in the sense that it cant do everything but it also doesnt require a masters degree to use. The new version brings a bunch of automated editing and selection features, Shortcuts integration, and some other useful new stuff.Niagara Launcher. Niagara remains my favorite Android launcher, and I really like the new Usage Breaker feature that helps you track and manage your screen time. Its much more subtle, and much more thoughtful, than all the OS-level stuff Google and Apple are doing.1-800-ChatGPT. A phone hotline for chatting with AI is definitely at least half a gimmick, but I kind of love it? (You can also message the number on WhatsApp.) Theres a long and delightful history of phone-number tech products like GOOG-411 and 777-FILM, and Im glad its not over.The LG Signature OLED T. For our last Installer of the year, the most expensive thing weve ever discussed: a 77-inch, kinda-sorta transparent, fishbowl-looking TV that is both extremely cool and totally pointless, and is now on sale for $59,999. If you buy one of these, email me. I need to know everything.Screen shareTheres a document I wrote when I was first planning Installer, in which I wrote down a bunch of people who seemed like perfect people to feature in a homescreen-sharing section. Hank Green was the very first name on that list. Hank is a YouTuber and a TikToker and an educator and a standup comic and a merchant slash philanthropist and an author and just, like, everyones favorite person on the internet it seems? I can think of few people as Installer as Hank.And for this, the last issue of the year, Hank agreed to share his homescreen! (He also assigned me a story in the middle of our email exchange, which Ill allow, because it was a very good story idea.) I sort of hoped hed have 12 phones, each for a different social platform, but alas it appears its just the one.Heres Hanks homescreen, plus some info on the apps he uses and why:The phone: iPhone 14.The wallpaper: My son attacking me with a cat tail and the planet Mars.The apps: Shopify, Wikipedia, YouTube, Duolingo, Apple Notes, Google Authenticator, Google, Philips Hue, FocusFriend, Gmail, Phone, Messages, Google Calendar.I know its a mess. All of this has evolved over years and now I just know where everything is and can never change anything. If theres any hot take on this home screen, its that more people should use Wikipedia as a primary search engine its often where youre going to end up anyway, so I keep that very handy. Also, I recently moved Twitter out of my social networking folder to make it harder for me to use. Its like three swipes away now, though still on my phone. I run several Shopify stores that are a big part of my business, so thats why thats there!By far the most-used non-social media app on my phone is Notes. I rely on it in a very unhealthy way that makes it an extremely entertaining scroll for me at least. My short-term memory isnt what it used to be, so everything ends up in there. There is also a secret project on here that I could have removed but instead were doing a soft-launch you can probably spot it if you look hard enough.I also asked Hank to share a few things hes into right now. Heres what he sent back:Adrian Tchaikovsky. If you havent read any, read Children of Time, but if youve only read the Children of Time series youre missing out on so many very interesting ideas about what minds are and the bizarre and exciting future we are headed into.Bluesky. Its where the nerds are, and so, five years from now, its where everyone will be.The Narwhal Wikipedia Page was robustly and entertainingly analyzed by this YouTube channel HG Modernism, and I loved it so much and youre silly if you dont watch it.Sean Carrols Mindscape: If sometimes you think, I like that Hank Green but he isnt technical enough and doesnt take on deep enough topics like the origin of life or consciousness, BOY DO I HAVE A PODCAST FOR YOU!!Frontline: The PBS investigative documentary show. Its just extremely good and I feel like it is totally underappreciated. Like, long YouTube videos analyzing things are great, but you know whats even better? When a large team of professionals work together on a long video analyzing things. The fact that I have more subscribers than Frontline on YouTube is FUCKED. CrowdsourcedHeres what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what youre into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com or message me on Signal @davidpierce.11 with your recommendations for anything and everything, and well feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on Threads and this post on Bluesky.If you havent played with Tana yet, I think that it is just about the most mind-blowing technology out there for personal knowledge management. It is a next-next-generation version of where knowledge graphs are going. RobertProbably a show thats a little under the radar right now is the show The Agency. Star-studded cast such as Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, and Richard Gere. This is a show that asks a lot from the viewer but is handsomely rewarded. JohnPlanning on building my second Classic-TKL keyboard from NovelKeys over the holiday break. The real challenge will be figuring out which keycaps to put on it! NoahThe ABC procedural High Potential has scratched the itch Ive had since similar concept shows like Monk, Psych, or the Mentalist went off the air. Is it revolutionaryno. But if you love person with special talent solves crimes this is a show for you. MikeIve been trying all these Bluesky/fediverse clients. I like: OpenVibe, Graysky and Skeets. JordanOne of the best shows about AI I watched in the past year, Pantheon, is on Netflix instead of AMC Plus jail. Highly recommend! SaadIts not going to spread Christmas cheer, but last night I went to a theatre near me to see The Order. Its a pretty limited theatrical release (and on Prime Video in the rest of the world) but the movie is fantastic. Its based on real life events involving a (more) violent splinter group of the Aryan Nation in the Pacific Northwest. Its violent, its scary, its full of slurs and cop cliches but it really happened. JohnI am way late to the party but I am really enjoying Suika Game for the Switch. Nice change of pace compared to what I usually play and today I managed to get my first watermelon. FilipRead it before, but never finished the series, so I re-picked up the first in the Murderbot Diaries series and am super enjoying it (again). DanReading The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. Its a very sobering read about our relationship with the internet, written in a manner that traverses the entire history of humans relationship with technology, literacy, and information intake. JoeThat new Superman trailer! NachoSigning offOne of my very favorite kinds of stories is how things beget other things in ways nobody could have seen coming. Someone invented the elevator, and so skyscrapers happened, and cities changed forever. Some lobbyist comes up with the term jaywalking, and suddenly cars rule the road. Or the one I discovered this week: how the invention of the gang-nail plate somewhat unintentionally forever changed the houses people live in. Without a weird sheet of metal, we might not have open floor plans. Weird. I love it. And I bet there are a million more examples just like it. Blows my mind every time.Have a great holiday, see you in a few weeks!

Unlike series 14s episodes, the new Doctor Who Christmas special wont have an early streaming release followed by a later BBC One airing, meaning that everybody will be able to see it from the exact same time on December 25.Joy to the World is a 54-minute special adventure written by former showrunner Steven Moffat and directed by Bridgertons Alex Pillai. See the official synopsis and trailer below:When Joy opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor. But a deadly plan is unfolding across the earth, just in time for Christmas.And heres the episode trailer:When does the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas Special Come Out?For UK viewers, the 2024 Christmas Special Joy to the World airs at 5.10pm GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday December 25.Where available around the world, non-UK viewers can stream the episode on Disney+ on the same day and at the same time, which is 12:10 pm EST / 9:10 am PST in the US.Series 14 Recap: Wheres Ruby Sunday?As is (mostly) traditional, the Doctor is without his regular companion in this years Christmas special and is instead joined by guest stars Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), Joel Fry (Plebs) and actor-director Stephanie de Whalley as Joy, Trev and Anita respectively who are all part of his adventure at the Time Hotel.In the series 14 finale Empire of Death, the Doctor and Ruby (Millie Gibson) defeated classic-era villain Sutekh, whod been hitching a ride on the TARDIS through the Time Vortex ever since 1975 serial Pyramids of Mars. Sutekh brought his empire of death to the universe, bringing destruction to all life, until the Doctor reversed it all and resurrected everyone and everything.Ruby also solved the mystery of her birth mothers identity in the finale, and discovered that she wasnt part-alien or a scion of some fantasy creatures family, but all human. Rubys mother had simply been a young girl who found herself pregnant and who was forced to give up her baby to protect her from an unsafe home.Reuniting with her birth mother, Ruby chose to say goodbye to the Doctor and leave the TARDIS so that she could spend more time with her family. She and her adoptive mum Carla (Michelle Greenidge) and grandmother Cherry (Angela Wynter) are still around, living their lives on Earth, just without the Doctor.A New Companion for Series 15Millie Gibson will appear as Ruby Sunday in multiple episodes of series 15 but the Doctor will meet a new companion played by Varada Sethu named Belinda Chandra. Well bring you the official season synopsis once its announced.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!A release date is also yet to be confirmed for the new eight-episode series, which once again has showrunner Russell T Davies at the helm, but wed expect it to arrive at some point in spring 2025.Joy to the World airs in the UK on BBC One at 5:10 pm, and will be simulcast on Disney+ around the world.

The Mississippi Delta may be a popular destination for the recreational hunting of wildlife, but it was a sport of another sort that brought this lakeside hunting lodge to life. Our client is not only a hunter; she is also an avid collector, says interior designer Richard Keith Langham, a native Alabamian turned New Yorker who was tasked with infusing his signature brand of Southern comfort into Black Bear Lodge, where the owners friends and extended family gather for hunting, fishing, and holiday getaways. We had a treasure trove of things to work with, says Keith. Principal designer Cass Roth-Retz echoes the sentiment: A lot of design decisions were made based on the clients curation of these really interesting things.More specifically, these interesting things include 19th- century European antiques and American primitive pieces that share space with taxidermy and unique artwork featuring wildlife, hunting dogs, and other outdoor scenes. The whole house is an amalgam of furniture and art that pays tribute to the land and nature and the animal kingdom, says Keith, who complemented his clients collections with custom upholstery, draperies, and lighting. Becky Luigart-StaynerThe lodges red metal roof and trim (Cottage Red by Benjamin Moore) provide a holiday-ready palette, while the dark neutral exterior siding keeps things grounded. Outfitted with wreaths, a pair of antique dog statues stands at the welcome at the front door. The propertys found furnishings merrily intermingle with its more rustic touches, including reclaimed barnwood ceilings, a fireplace featuring Tennessee limestone, and unique bark detailing installed by the homes architect, Mississippi-based Lewis Graeber III. In addition to gracefully walking the line between rustic and refined, the home lives up to its geographical claim to fameMississippi is the Hospitality State, after allwith a gracious open floor plan, well-appointed guest rooms, and a Christmas-ready color palette, which even extends to the rusty red of the homes dirt road drive. By the time December officially rolls around, a fresh-cut tree gets dressed up with handmade wooden ornaments and burlap ribbon, while pine cones and greenery gathered from the 20,000-acre property outfit the homes other cozy corners. Despite its thoughtful design, its the destinations off-the-grid disposition (read: spotty internet and cell service!) that makes every trip feel like a retreat. Its the most blissful place, says Cass. Unless someone has the [landline] phone number, the family cant be reached. Theres something quite charming about that. It is just idyllic.Tour More Homes All Decked out for the Holidays:Ruddy RedsBecky StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerBarn red milk paint sets a warm, welcoming tone for houseguests. Milk paint has a nice, chalky complexion, which gives the space that rustic charm, says Cass. The red thread continues with two bobbin-legged work tables, custom hooked rug, and billiards table. Beneath a large oil painting, one table holds woven baskets and a German Black Forest stag clock from the 19th century. The front doors bark veneer panels bring the outdoors in.Get the Look: Wall Paint Color: Barn Red Milk PaintEuropean AntiquesBecky Luigart-StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerAfter days full of brisk activity and big country meals (fried quail and catfish are often on the menu), guests gather at the 19th-century French oak table for games. New splat-back oak armchairs with embroidered upholstery and a wrought-iron light fixturekeep things cozy. The English chiffonier holds a collection of the homeowners old books, candlestick lamps, and nature dioramas. On another wall, a duo of carved Black Forest trophy plaques pairs with a painting of hunting dogs on the job.Natural MaterialsBecky Luigart-StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerA grouping of cozy upholstered furniture beckons guests to gather around the living rooms fireplace featuring Tennessee limestone. Along the walls are framed pieces from the homeowners personal collection, including watercolors of wildlife and a 19th-century English painting of a deer. The clients treasures give the house its personality, says designer Richard Keith Langham. Come Christmastime, the room is filled with a 10-foot Leyland cypress that is bedecked with claret-colored burlap ribbon and wooden ornaments hand-turned by Emily Wood, a maker based in Utah.Nods to NatureBecky Luigart-StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerUltrasuede counter stools by Louis J. Solomon surround a maple-topped island in the kitchen. Architect Lewis Graeber III designed the island as well as the cabinets, where he used tree bark insets to bring in a nod to nature.On the dining table, the Christmastime table setting features the owners Spode Woodland Pheasant china paired with antler-handled flatware. The designers created the centerpiece from pine cones and greenery gathered on the property.Welcoming SpacesBecky Luigart-StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerGarland made of cypress and pine cones harvested on the property deck the staircase. The chinking in the rough-hewn timbers gives the walls a log cabin feel, and the recesses in the wall house the owners wildlife dioramas. The antique English chair holds hunting rifles, and its back piece folds down to make a table. The British-style snug a denlike space where lodge guests can loungecontains a hunter green L-shaped sofa, a 19th-century American hooked rug, and a mushroom-shaped concrete table with a red slate top. Above the sofa, an Adirondack frame holds an antique painting of a fisherman. Nubby TextilesBecky Luigart-StaynerKeith and Cass employed a color-coding system for the lodges upstairs bedrooms. Guests who stay in the red room are treated to traditional handmade beds, classic nature scenes, and charming textiles, including red-and-white striped duvets and curtains of an embroidered fabric reminiscent of a folksy sampler pattern. Its very Americana, Keith says of the space. Handcrafted FurnitureBecky Luigart-StaynerBecky Luigart-StaynerIn the green room, the walls are washed in a custom sage milk paint to complement the painted bed by Country Bed Shop, which Keith calls an interpretation of American country furniture. On the window, shorter curtains keep the space simple. It makes the room not look so fancy and formal, says Cass. Patterned linen bedding and traditional brass swing-arm sconces provide the finishing touches.A pair of low-post beds flanks an antique carved wooden shelf in the blue room, while the custom lampshades match the blue milk paint on the walls. A large bird etching continues the nature thread. Flea Market FindsBecky Luigart-StaynerThe owner of the lodge found the 19th-century animal watercolor studies at a French flea market, and Cass culled from the 50 or so works to curate the collection that hangs in the mustard-yellow guest room. Gingham curtains complement the harvest gold linens and striped duvet that dress the bed. Tour More Country Houses Across Mississippi:

According to Mark Gurmans Power On newsletter, Apple is not working on a new version of its AirPort wireless router. However, they are working on something else that could potentially serve as a wireless access point, so dont give up hope quite yet.Earlier this month, we got some new information regarding Apples in-house wireless networking chip, dubbed Proxima. So far, we know this chip will go in a number of home related products, including the Apple TV and HomePod. Itll also show up in iPhone 17 and Mac models later on.One interesting thing about this new chip is that its apparently sophisticated enough that Apple could choose to turn it into a wireless router:The Proxima chip is so sophisticated that it couldtheoreticallyturn a home device like an Apple TV box or HomePod into a wireless access point. Google has released products like this before, including a mixed Wi-Fi router and smart speaker.Gurman notes that the wireless features of these upcoming Apple TV and HomePods wouldnt be a highlight at all, if Apple even chooses to enable wireless access point functionality at all.Either way, its cool to know that it is possible. If Apple wanted to, we could have an Apple-designed wireless access point, similar to the AirPort Express, in our lives once again. Many have dreamed of this, especially since Apples AirPort lineup was discontinued so long ago. Apple released the last AirPort device in 2013.What do you think of the possibility of new Apple wireless access points? Let us know in the comments.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloombergs Mark Gurman laid out a couple updates on Apples developments on health features for AirPods. Weve heard reports on this matter in the past, but this provides a little more insight.According to the newsletter, Apple is working on a wide variety of health features, including a heart-rate monitor, a temperature sensor, and new sensors thatll track a slew of physiological measures. Apples primarily focused on developing the heart rate sensor at the moment.In internal testing, Apple is noticing more accurate heart-rate info off of the Apple Watch, but Gurman reports that AirPods arent too far off. We dont have details on the other health features, nor a precise timeline, though Gurman says well see it roll out over the coming years.Apple is also working on cameras for AirPods. This project was previously cancelled, but got revived with Apples sudden interest in developing products for the era of AI. Gurman notes that this is a priority project for both AI teams and AirPods teams, but its still a couple years away:In fact, its now seen asa priority for theteams within ApplesAI and AirPods hardware development groups. That said, I wouldnt expect the technology to hit the market for a couple more years assuming it doesnt get canceled again.Apple released a new firmware update for AirPods Pro 2 earlier this year, enabling hearing health features and the ability to use AirPods as an FDA-certified hearing aid. With the release of these features, its obvious that Apple is moving in a more health-oriented direction, so introducing AirPods health features for users without an Apple Watch is a probable move.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is working on a new smart home doorbell, to compete with the likes of Ring. Itd offer advanced facial recognition, and integrate wirelessly with smart home locks.Apple already offers many third party HomeKit locks on its online store, but doorbells with facial recognition would be a new venture. Gurman reports that the doorbell will be able to automatically unlock your home by just scanning your face:The idea is that the doorbell could automatically unlock the door for a homes residents by scanning their face just like Face ID lets them into their iPhone.This doorbell will potentially be able to integrate with many of the third party HomeKit locks on the market, although that isnt quite clear. Gurman says Apple may partner with one specific lock maker, and instead just offer a complete package with one purchase.This smart home doorbell is still in early stages, and wont come to the market before the end of next year at the soonest, according to the report. This doorbell will also take advantage of Apples new in-house networking chip.Apple is expected to expand its reach in the smart home market significantly next year, with the release of a new smart home control device, which can reportedly attach to your walls and potentially a speaker base. Think of it as a Google Nest Hub of sorts. Well also be getting a refresh to the Apple TV and HomePod mini next year, as part of these efforts.Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Two US navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea on Sunday in an apparent case of friendly fire, the US military said, marking the most serious incident to threaten troops in more than a year of the country targeting Yemens Houthis.Both pilots were rescued alive after ejecting from their stricken aircraft, with one suffering minor injuries. But the incident underlines just how dangerous the Red Sea corridor has become amid the ongoing attacks on shipping by the Iranian-backed Houthis despite US and European military coalitions patrolling the area.The US military had conducted airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi at the time, though the militarys Central Command (Centcom) did not elaborate on what their mission was.The F/A-18 shot down had just flown off the deck of the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier, Centcom said. On 15 December Centcom acknowledged the Truman had entered the Middle East, but hadnt specified that the carrier and its battle group was in the Red Sea.The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18, Centcom said in a statement. The incident was being investigated.From the militarys description, the aircraft shot down was a two-seat F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet assigned to the Red Rippers of strike fighter quadron 11 out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.It wasnt immediately clear how the Gettysburg could mistake an F/A-18 for an enemy aircraft or missile, particularly as ships in a battle group remain linked by both radar and radio communication.However, Centcom said that warships and aircraft earlier shot down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile launched by the rebels. Incoming hostile fire from the Houthis has given sailors just seconds to make decisions in the past.Since the Trumans arrival, the US has stepped up its airstrikes targeting the Houthis and their missile fire into the Red Sea and the surrounding area. However, the presence of an American warship group may spark renewed attacks from the rebels, like what the USS Dwight D Eisenhower saw earlier this year. That deployment marked what the navy described as its most intense combat since the second world war.On Saturday night and early Sunday, US warplanes conducted airstrikes that shook Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, which the Houthis have held since 2014. Centcom described the strikes as targeting a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility.Houthi-controlled media reported strikes in both Sanaa and around the port city of Hodeida, without providing any casualty or damage information. In Sanaa, strikes appeared particularly targeted at a mountainside known to be home to military installations. The Houthis later acknowledged the aircraft being shot down in the Red Sea.The Houthis have targeted about 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023.The Houthis have seized one vessel and sunk two in a campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate US- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included western military vessels.The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.The Houthis also have increasingly targeted Israel itself with drones and missiles, resulting in retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789kWatch on YouTube Well folks, we're back with another look at some of the best best games that we (that is, our video team) played in 2024.This time, it's Zion's turn to reveal the goods, and what a selection of games. There are some truly excellent titles here; a couple of smaller, more niche curios (one for my fellow horror fans, too!), but all of them are well worth recommending.Tomorrow, we'll be back for the final time to check out the lovely Alex's picks, and we're confident that those, too, shall be absolute bangers. So please come back and join us for that, and be sure to let us know what your top five games of the year are, if you haven't already! But what are yours?"A unicorn is worth more than riches"See AlsoShare:03 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesToby Fox Shares Another Development Update On Deltarune Chapter 3, 4 & 5"Progress has still been steady"46 Games You Should Pick Up In The Nintendo Switch eShop Holiday Sale (Europe)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher'Switch 2' Is Projected To Be The "Clear Winner" In The Next Console GenerationWhile either Sony or Microsoft will "struggle mightily"

MITHRIDATE Boutique | Vincent WuThe MITHRIDATE Boutique in Guangzhou, China, exemplifies a bold fusion of fashion and architecture. Designed by SLT Design, this retail space transforms shopping into an immersive theatrical experience. Aligning with MITHRIDATEs philosophy of Fashion for Art, the boutique becomes a sanctuary for self-expression, championing authentic style freedom. Through intricate spatial storytelling, SLT Design creates an environment that seamlessly blends reality and illusion, inviting visitors to discover their inner sphere.MITHRIDATE Boutique Technical InformationArchitects: SLT DesignLocation: No. 417, Linjiang Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, ChinaArea: 159 m2 | 1,710 Sq. Ft.Completion Year: 2024Photographs: Vincent Wu, Free Will PhotographySLT design, resonating with MITHRIDATEs vision of discovering a clear self, has crafted a captivating space inspired by the idea of the Sphere. This environment seamlessly merges reality and illusion, capturing the brands essence and atmosphere. SLT Design ArchitectsMITHRIDATE Boutique PhotographsFacade | Free Will PhotographyInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Free Will PhotographyInterior | Vincent WuInterior | Free Will PhotographyMITHRIDATE Boutique Spatial Narrative: A Theatrical JourneySituated along Linjiang Avenue on the Pearl Rivers north bank, the boutiques facade and interiors offer a harmonious dialogue between its urban context and the brands avant-garde identity. The design team completed the 159-square-meter space in November 2024. MITHRIDATE Boutiques facade acts as an urban proscenium, framing the space as a stage within the bustling cityscape. The light grey linear stonework evokes the elegance of theater curtains, offering a glimpse of the immersive world within. Upon entry, visitors step across the metaphorical fourth wall, transitioning from observer to participant in a realm where reality and illusion blur.The boutiques interiors unfold as a carefully choreographed sequence of scenes. A muted sand palette forms the backdrop, reminiscent of time-worn theater woodwork, while midnight blue accents punctuate the space with dramatic flair. Flocked metallic wave panels add texture and intrigue, echoing the allure of partially drawn curtains. Mirrors strategically placed throughout the boutique extend and distort perspectives, reinforcing the theme of spatial transformation. This design invites visitors to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the lens of theatrical performance.The Design Grammar: Elements of PerformanceAt the heart of the boutique lies the elevating platform motif, a recurring element that embodies the theatrical ethos. Reinterpreted in various forms, this concept manifests as display pedestals, resting seats, and cashier counters, unifying the space through a cohesive visual language. The semicircular display area, guided by a ceiling track, integrates curved fixtures that evoke theater steps, reinforcing the stage-like ambiance.The material palette underscores this narrative. Blue-toned marble, meticulously arranged, recalls classic theater flooring, while sleek, mirrored metal elements enhance the boutiques avant-garde aesthetic. Contrasting texturesdeep blue curtains delineating zones and sandstone-colored drapes softening nichescreate a dynamic interplay of forms and materials. Lighting, props, and flooring converge to establish a powerful central showcase where MITHRIDATEs intricate prints and innovative techniques come to life.Fluidity defines the boutiques functionality. A ceiling track system, mobile mirrored cabinets, and versatile hanging rods allow for adaptable displays that seamlessly transition between everyday and formal wear. This flexibility ensures the space remains as dynamic as a theatrical performance, catering to diverse needs while maintaining a coherent design language.The Inner Sphere: A Reflection on DesignThe boutique culminates in an intimate area shrouded by deep blue curtains, symbolizing the inner sphere of self-discovery. Circular light films highlight key zones, while inlaid marble flooring anchors the space in sophistication. Adjustable metal panels and curved rods suspended from the circular ceiling track create a flexible layout, transforming the area from open to enclosed. This adaptability reinforces the boutiques theatrical essence, where spaces shift and evolve, mirroring the fluidity of performance.Strategically positioned as a behind-the-scenes experience, the VIP area offers exclusive clientele a retreat for reflection and exploration. The design balances exclusivity with accessibility, ensuring that every visitor feels part of the narrative. SLT Designs meticulous attention to detailfrom rhythmic spatial sequences to material contrastsguides customers through a journey that is as emotional as it is aesthetic.MITHRIDATE Boutique Image Gallery Vincent Wu Free Will Photography Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Free Will Photography Free Will Photography Vincent Wu Free Will Photography Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Free Will Photography Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Vincent Wu Free Will Photography Free Will Photography Vincent Wu SLT DesignAbout SLT DesignSLT Design is a multidisciplinary design studio known for its innovative approach to blending architecture, interior design, and artistic expression. Led by Chen Ling and supported by a talented team, including Shanshan Jiang, Yifei Ouyang, Haomin Gu, and Yuelin Ma, SLT Designs work emphasizes storytelling and spatial narratives. With a philosophy of creating immersive and transformative environments, the studio has garnered acclaim for projects that resonate with its clients ethos. Their design for the MITHRIDATE Boutique showcases their expertise in fusing theatrical inspiration with avant-garde functionality, setting a new benchmark in contemporary retail design.Notes & Additional CreditsDesign Team: Chen Ling, Shanshan Jiang, Yifei Ouyang, Haomin Gu, Yuelin MaClient: MITHRIDATE

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