2023 is already off to a strong start in terms of game releases. PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch all received notable new exclusives, while multiplatform AA games and indies helped add even more depth and flavor to Januarys game lineup. From rhythm-based action games to engaging strategy RPGs to highly polished retro throwbacks, the best games of this month were extremely varied in the experiences they offered too.

The Elder Scrolls VIisnt coming anytime soon, despite how badly we all want it. EvenAvowed the next closest thing to an Elder Scrolls game were likely to see isnt out until mid-February. If you need something to tide you over, a new mod for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowindadds ahuge amount of content to the game that makes it worth firing up this 22-year-old gem.Abecean Shores, a section of the much-larger and still unfinished Project Cyrodiil, is now available. If you recognize the name, then youll probably be able to guess the setting: the shores of Cyrodiil, the Imperial homeland and the setting forThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The mod creators have added a truly ridiculous amount of content intoMorrowind, including more than 160 new quests, according to PCGamesN.Recommended VideosThe factions you know and love are still present, including the Thieves Guild, Fighters Guild, and Mages Guild. The mod also introduces a few extra factions in the form of the Itinerant Priests and the Kingdom of Anvil.Project Cyrodiil: Abecean Shores | Release TrailerThe nearly three-minute long trailer shows off quite a few details. Its designed to work seamlessly with the vanilla version ofMorrowind, so you can travel back and forth from the expansion to the base game at nearly any time or level. The entire tileset has been rebuilt from scratch, so while the mod clearly shows the games age, it also looks better than it did when it first released two decades ago.Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming You can download this mod from Nexus Mods, but it isnt quite a standalone; youll need a few other mods running alongside it for everything to go smoothly.RelatedAbecean Shores is a work of art in many ways, but it also reflects the incredible amount of effort and dedication that went into creating something so massive and a community that will do whatever it takes to keep its favorite series alive.Editors Recommendations

The actor stars in director James Mangolds biopic, which follows the singer-songwriter during his rise to stardom as a folk-rock revolutionary.

The Icebreaker breaks the bank $2,100 mechanical keyboardhas 800 holes, NYC skyscraper looks No, four figures does not get you a numpad. Scharon Harding Dec 23, 2024 1:09 pm | 9 Credit: Serene Industries Credit: Serene Industries Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFor $2,100, you could buy over a dozen upper-quality mechanical keyboards. Alternatively, you could buy just one mechanical keyboard kit. Costing the same as a desktop computer, The Icebreaker keyboard commands one of the highest price tags you'll see for a keyboard, and that's more due to its appearance than its capabilities.The Icebreaker, spotted by Tom's Hardware, became available for preorder on Thursday. The prohibitively priced peripheral is the primary product from Serene Industries, which founder Denis Agarkov describes as an outlet for creativity, love of materials, experimentation, and an endless exercise in learning new things."In a February interview with Design Milk, Agarkov said that the profile view of New York Citys Flatiron skyscraper inspired the keyboards design. The building opened in 1902 and measures 285 feet tall with a steel frame and distinct prism shape. The Flatiron Building. GettyThe Flatiron Building. Getty The Icebreaker tries to match the Flatiron's shape. Serene Industries The Icebreaker tries to match the Flatiron's shape. Serene Industries Another angle. Serene Industries Another angle. Serene Industries The Icebreaker tries to match the Flatiron's shape. Serene Industries Another angle. Serene Industries In turn, the Icebreakers profile view shows a sharp wedge shape thats uncommon, but not unheard of, in keyboards striving for a striking appearance."Viewed from the right angle, it seems to be as flat as a sheet of paper," Agarkov told Null Society in January ahead of the keyboard's launch.Serene heavily advertises the aluminum build of the keyboard, saying that it's a "fully CNC'd, solid block 6061 aluminum" alloy chassis. The Icebreaker isnt an outlier in using aluminum; numerous companies sell aluminum alloy keyboard cases for a few hundred dollars. An alternative to cheaper plastic, aluminum is popular for keyboard durability, weight, and custom touches around details like the case's finish and color. The Icebreaker case, being a unified block rather than a top and bottom piece fused together, makes for a unique, massive (17.71.70.9 inches) look.The keycaps, which Serene sells separately for $415, are fully aluminum with about 800 micro-perforations that make up the legends," Serene's website says, "allowing the LED light to pass through. A close-up of the porous keycaps. Credit: Serene Industries The holes are 400 microns in diameter, per the company's Instagram page, which suggests that users can feel the holes with their fingertips. Using tiny holes to construct key legends is something I havent seen in mechanical keyboard kits before. It gives the Icebreaker's keycaps a digital vibe that seems tedious and costly to make, contributing to the keyboard's price. Despite the openings' tininess, I'm still worried about dust and debris with a keyboard littered with holes.What's interesting about the typing feel of this keyboard is the use of low-profile keycaps despite the keyboard supporting full-height mechanical switches. I'm curious if the pairing results in the keycaps feeling too thin or unstable while typing.Other Icebreaker specs include a silicone dampener integrated into the bottom lid both supporting the PCB and doubling as non-slip feet, per Serene. The keyboard's underside. Credit: Serene Industries There's also a 4,000 mAh battery and 1/4-20 threads for professional accessory mounting, such as Picatinny rails. One could also use the threads for mounting the keyboard onto monitor arms and hand grips.And like many high-priced keyboards to come out in the past couple of years, the Icebreaker includes a rotary encoder dial. The dial is programmable, like the rest of the keyboards keys, with the Via configurator.The Icebreaker starts at $1,500 with a clear-colored base, hot-swappable switches, and USB-C cable connectivity. It goes up to $2,100 if you get in black and with Bluetooth connectivity or Hall effect switches, which actuate through the use of magnets. Notably, the Bluetooth version of the keyboard only seems to have one Bluetooth channel, compared to cheaper wireless keyboards that let you pair and toggle across multiple, simultaneously paired devices.The lavish side of mechanical keyboardsUltimately, the keyboard's unique construction, design cues, and lack of mass production contribute to a four-figure price tag that'll shock those not accustomed to the overly luxurious side of mechanical keyboards. Agarkov told Null Society that one of the biggest challenges with making The Icebreaker was "balancing the design with practical considerations.""For instance, the keyboard is intentionally heavy and large, which, funny enough, was a point of confusion for the manufacturers," he added.As you may have determined by now, The Icebreaker's price is more about style and clout than advanced features or high-end typing. In fact, you dont even get a numpad or switches at this price. For comparison, Angry Miaom is no stranger to outrageously priced keyboards, but as of this writing, its only keyboards with MSRPs over $1,000 are split keyboards: Angry Miaos Afa Blade Limited Edition keyboard kit costs $2,049 and uses aluminum, stainless steel, glass, carbon, and aluminum alloy. Credit: Angry Miao Still, The Icebreaker is an example of how dedicated, artistic, and daring mechanical keyboard enthusiasts can be and how much time, effort, and expense can impact crafting a one-of-a-kind keyboard thats sure to get people talking.In the world of mechanical keyboards, unreasonable luxury is par for the course. For the avid collector out there, The Icebreaker can make for one expensive trophy.Scharon HardingSenior Technology ReporterScharon HardingSenior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Toms Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 9 Comments

In time for the holidays Flu surges in Louisiana as health department barred from promoting flu shots Flu is rising around the country, but Louisiana is well ahead of the curve. Beth Mole Dec 23, 2024 12:35 pm | 37 A masked person stands by a sign advertising flu shots. Credit: Getty | Noam Galai A masked person stands by a sign advertising flu shots. Credit: Getty | Noam Galai Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFlu season is ramping up across the US, but Louisianathe state that has reportedly barred its health department from promoting flu shots, as well as COVID-19 and mpox vaccinesis leading the country with an early and strong surge.Louisiana's flu activity has reached the "Very High" category set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the latest data. The 13-category scale is based on the percentage of doctor's visits that were for influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in the previous week. Louisiana is at the first of three "Very High" levels. Oregon is the only other state to have reached this level. The rest of the country spans the scale, with 13 jurisdictions at "High," including New York City and Washington, DC. There are 11 at "Moderate," 10 at "Low," and 19 at "Minimal." Map of ILI activity by state Credit: CDC Last week, NPR, KFF Health News, and New Orleans Public Radio WWNO reported that the state had forbidden the health department and its workers from promoting annual flu shots, as well as vaccines for COVID-19 and mpox. The policy was explicitly kept quiet and officials have avoided putting it in writing.In a response to Ars Technica, health department spokesperson Emma Herrock did not deny the claim or dispute any of the outlets' reporting. Instead, Herrock provided a statement confirming that the department's policy had shifted, specifically, it moved "away from one-size-fits-all paternalistic guidance" and to the stance that "immunization for any vaccine ... are an individuals personal choice." Discussions and decisions about vaccines should be between an individual and their health provider, the statement read.The statement seemed to offer an assurance that other vaccines were not subject to the new restrictions. "Changes regarding seasonal vaccines like COVID and influenza do not change the Departments policy or messaging regarding childhood immunizations," it read.This flu season, the health department has reportedly canceled standard vaccination events and clinics. On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.While Louisiana is seeing an early surge in influenza, the rest of the country is on an upward trend in what appears to be a normal-looking season so far. Nationally, the percentage of doctor visits that were for ILIs is 3.8 percent, with the upswing in ILI activity similar to what was seen in the 20192020 flu season at this point in the year. At the peak of flu seasons, the percentage of visits for ILIs usually tops out around 7 percent to 8 percent. US ILI activity charted by week across several flu seasons Credit: CDC Two children died last week of flu, bringing the season's total pediatric deaths to four. In the 20232024 season, 206 children died with influenza-associated disease. Most of the deaths occurred in early 2024.COVID-19 is also ramping up a winter wave. While standard disease burden indicatorshospitalization and deathsare low, they're trending positive. Wastewater surveillance, meanwhile, is showing a steep incline, with levels of the virus being detected at "moderate" levels.Beth MoleSenior Health ReporterBeth MoleSenior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technicas Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 37 Comments

EarthA large number of damaging and deadly hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires, floods and droughts this year were photographed from land, air and space 23 December 2024 Hurricane Milton churning in the Gulf of MexicoCIRAThe ominous swirling grey of Hurricane Milton is captured in the Gulf of Mexico in this shot from the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere. In October, Milton became one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, with winds hitting 285 kilometres per hour. Once it made landfall as a category 3 storm in Florida, it caused storms and flooding that wrecked homes and power lines. It killed at least 35 people, 32 in the US and three in Mexico.The Fagradalsfjall volcano in

Academic anxiety can exacerbate dermatological conditionsThomas Lohnes/Getty ImagesEven if you dont wear your heart on your sleeve, your skin may betray your mental state.There is a very strong connection between the brain and skin, and a connection between stress and skin diseases, says Gil Yosipovitch at the University of Miami, Florida. This is evident, he says, in his encounters with patients: I always ask, for instance, does anything aggravate your itch? And many patients will tell you its stress. This observation is also borne out in clinical studies.On a physiological level, it all comes down to hormones. Psychological stress, whether it be chronic or acute, causes our bodies to produce hormones called glucocorticoids, which keep us more alert and provide energy for the fight-or-flight response in dangerous situations. But they also harm the skin in two ways.Anxiety-induced acne and eczemaFirst, they can diminish the functioning of the epidermis. This top layer of skin locks in moisture and serves as the first layer of defence between our bodies and the environment. Consistently high levels of some of these hormones, like cortisol, can also cause inflammation. Second, glucocorticoids decrease the production of antimicrobial proteins in the skin.The combined effect is skin that is dry or inflamed, is prone to infections and heals more slowly, leading to a heightened susceptibility to clinical skin conditions. There is a direct connection between stress and a tendency to get sick, says Peter Elias at the University of California, San Francisco.In a review of 21 studies, Yosipovitch

Heavy smoke rises from a wildfire in Irvine, California, in September 2024Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty ImagesAn alarming trend of wildfires in the western US lofting smoke higher in the atmosphere is set to worsen. As fires grow larger with climate change, they are more likely to produce towering storm clouds that can send smoke all the way to the stratosphere.These really large wildfire-plume rise heights are the ones that are burning the most area and probably producing the most smoke, says Derek Mallia at the University of Utah, who presented the research at the American Geophysical

Nature, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08546-ySteering perovskite precursor solutions for multijunction photovoltaics

Nature, Published online: 23 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08538-yTotal synthesis of twenty-five picrotoxanes by virtual library selection