Netflixs Squid Game is making an appearance in Black Ops 6.The crossover with the hit series will add new limited-time modes, operators, and weapon blueprints to the game in 2025. Surprisingly, the show is not only coming to multiplayer, but to Zombies and Warzone as well. Be on your toes and look out for any suspicious people playing ddakji or offering you a choice between bread and scratch-offs. That is, unless you wish to participate yourself.Heres when Squid Game is releasing in Black Ops 6, and what we do and dont know about the collaboration so far.When is Squid Game coming to Black Ops 6?Squid Game is coming to Black Ops 6 on Friday, Jan. 3, according to the Call of Duty X account.An official release time has not been announced, but Black Ops 6 updates usually occur between the hours of 9 11 a.m. PST. Heres when that is in your time zone:9-11 a.m. PST for the West Coast of North America12-2 p.m. EST for the East Coast of North America5-7 p.m. GMT for the U.K.6-8 p.m. CET for Western Europe/Paris2-4 a.m. JST on Jan. 4 for Tokyo4-6 a.m AEDT on Jan. 4 for the East Coast of AustraliaWhat to expect in the Squid Game collabWhat we know about the Squid Game collab so farNew limited time modes added to multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone in-season according to a Call of Duty blog post. In the collaboration trailer, there appears to be a Red Light, Green Light game that takes place on Red Card, and ddakjis may have replaced dog tags in Kill Confirmed. The trailer also shows that Red Light, Green Light will make an appearance in Warzone as the animatronic girl guards a few chests.New operators dressed in iconic Squid Game fashion have been confirmed. Play as the one of the workers, the Front Man, a VIP, Players 115 and 006, and even the robot girl from Red Light, Green Light. New weapon blueprints are coming as well and a few can be seen in the collaboration trailer. There arent many iconic weapons from the series, so these could be the MP5s that the workers are holding or entirely new skins.What we dont know about the Squid Game collab so farWere not sure what the limited time modes will entail, but the trailer does seem to showcase Red Light, Green Light across multiplayer and Warzone. As for Zombies, VIPs are watching from the balconies and theyre thrilled to see you take on the horde, but that is all we know about Zombies so far.How long the collaboration will last. Black Ops 6 season 1 is expected to end on Jan. 28, 2025, and the Squid Game collab is listed as one of the Season 1 Reloaded events, so we can assume that the collab will end either before the 28th or on the same day.

Sony just revealed the first set of PlayStation Plus games in 2025 available for all subscribers, regardless of what service tier they're signed up for. Up this month are Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. I can't say it's the most exciting set of games, but at the very least The Stanley Parable is a classic, albeit an old one the game was first released way back in 2011 as a mod for Half-Life 2. The game then got a proper full release in 2013, and the Ultra Deluxe version was released for modern consoles in 2022.Original creators Davey Wreden and William Pugh put together the Ultra Deluxe edition, with an expanded script and a number of other new changers that the developers weren't exactly forthcoming about: "Everything you remember has been recreated, yet it's different somehow. We've been here before, haven't we?" Broadly speaking, though, the game expands on the original with more choices, more dialog and more choices for the player to navigate. If you haven't given the game a shot, you now have no excuse not to check it out.Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is another oldie released originally in 2010, but updated for the PS4 in 2020. That's the version available here, with full career modes for either a racer or cop, depending on which side of the law you feel like being on. This version also includes multiplayer modes and all the DLC that was released for the original game.Finally, the newest game in the batch is Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, a live service game that went through multiple delays, got largely negative reviews and reportedly cost Warner Bros. some $200 million. Adding insult to injury, developers announced that the current season of content would be its last, though there are no plans to shut the game down yet. Given that it only came out this past February, that's a pretty short lifespan. I'm not sure that I'd want to jump onto the sinking ship at this point, but at least you can give it a shot without shelling out the $70 it still costs.All these games are available as of January 7 to PS Plus subscribers, and you have until then to add December's games to your library.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/the-first-playstation-plus-games-of-2025-include-the-stanley-parable-and-suicide-squad-172531311.html?src=rss

Prime Video announces a special preview of the 5th episode of the animated anthology series from Tim Miller, Secret Level. This action-packed installment, from the visionaries at Blur Studio, delves into the grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, bringing to life the story of Metaurus, seasoned Ultramarines Bladeguard Sergeant.The episode displays the signature cinematic storytelling of Blur Studio, effortlessly combining stunning visuals with the brutal and intricate lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Fans are rewarded with an intense opening battle that captures the grandeur, chaos, and heroism synonymous with this legendary franchise.This Secret Level episode reclaims the master showmanship that makes Blur Studio well-known in depicting beloved universes, and certainly offers a stunning new view from both the lifelong fans and even the new additions to the grimdark future world of Warhammer 40,000.The post Secret Level: Warhammer 40,000 Opening Battle by Blur Studio appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Costcos Board of Directors is standing up for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program. As a result, Trump loyalists are vowing to boycott the retailer, while some are applauding the brands commitment to inclusivity.Last week, the company urged shareholders to reject a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research, which describes itself as a conservative think tank. The proposal called for an end to Costcos DEI programs, arguing that such initiatives are discriminatory.Its clear that DEI holds litigation, reputational and financial risks to the Company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders, the group wrote in a proposal. The push comes after the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in 2023, essentially paving the way for DEI programs to be banned in the workplace, as well.However, Costco didnt bend to the groups proposal. Our Board has considered this proposal and believes that our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary, the board wrote in response.It continued, Our success at Costco Wholesale has been built on service to our critical stakeholders: employees, members and suppliers. Our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion follow our code of ethics.After the statement emerged, the MAGA backlash was swift. Pro-Trump filmmaker Robby Starbuck called for conservatives to boycott the retailer. For now, I suggest conservative consumers find other places to spend their money if Costco is so dedicated to doubling down on DEI, Starbuck posted on X (formerly Twitter). If theyre smart, Costco will do right by their shareholders and change before we turn our attention to them.A post from X user AJ Huber, which shared Costcos statement and called for a boycott, quickly went viral. Hell no! Absolutely not! the user wrote in a post that has been viewed over 96.7K times at present. Boycott Costco! Cancel your membership! Nothing can stop We The People to Make America Great Again!While the backlash was widespread, others applauded the move. In a post with 50.4K views, Nadine Smith, a civil rights activist, wrote, If you crumble when your values are tested, they werent values, they were marketing campaigns. Well done, Costco! Many other social media users shared that they would be joining for the first time or renewing their Costco memberships.In its decision to uphold DEI practices, Costco set itself apart from a number of companies, like Ford, Lowes, Boeing, Caterpillar, Harley-Davidson, Polaris, John Deere, Jack Daniels, and Molson Coors, that all decided to ditch the programs in 2024.A major retailer, Walmart, also turned its back on DEI. Walmart said it was willing to change alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America, in a statement to FOX Business. The statement continued, Weve been on a journey and know we arent perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone.

The cheese-loving English inventor Wallace and his loyal dog Gromit have been stars since the beginning.In the 35 years since Nick Park introduced the world to his stop-motion creations and their eccentric, unapologetically British existence, theyve won Oscars, appeared in commercials, video games, animated series and even the occasional bit of (unofficial) protest art. Feature films, however, have been few and far between. Part of the reason is the difficulty: Even a 30-minute short can take upward of two years. Besides, why mess with a formula thats produced only classics?After working on the pairs first feature, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, which was released in 2005 and won an Oscar, and Early Man, Park even doubted that hed dabble in the form again. But sometimes inspiration requires a little more breathing room: Thats how the second Wallace & Gromit feature film, Vengeance Most Fowl, came to be. It debuts on Netflix worldwide, except in the U.K., on Friday.The seed of an ideaGnomes have always been part of Wallace and Gromits world. After The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Park started kicking around an idea about a smart gnome, Norbot, built to help Gromit in the garden.There was something a bit missing, Park said. We tinkered around with the story on and off for years and it seemed to be lacking the more sinister element thats often in Wallace & Gromit. Why do the gnomes go wrong? Who was the motivated villain?Five years ago, the solution came to them: Feathers McGraw, the conniving penguin with a penchant for heists and simple disguises, who turned their lives to chaos in The Wrong Trousers.He was the answer to everything, Park said. The story got bigger and more exciting. Suddenly it became a feature-length film.The problem with Feathers McGrawOver the years, Park and his co-director Merlin Crossingham often heard fan requests to bring Feathers back.Wed been very noncommittal about it because characters havent in the past come back, Crossingham said. But when we did drop a little teaser trailer, we were completely bowled over by the response. At that point, we were still making the film and it kind of gave us a boost and that confidence that it was the right thing to do.They needed it too since Feathers McGraw, like a true diva, was by far the most difficult puppet to animate, direct and light this in a movie that has chase sequences, special effects and an army of evil gnomes. The simplicity of his design, and the fact that he doesnt speak, gave them no room to hide. In fact, in their world-class group of animators at Aardman, Park said only five volunteered to work on Feathers.All the filmmaking tricks have to come together very well to make Feathers have that screen presence that we needed from him, Crossingham said.Keeping the Britishisms alivePart of the charm of the Wallace & Gromit films is their unabashed Britishness, which the filmmakers have had to fight (politely) to preserve as their audience has become more and more global. While Netflix was largely supportive, they did have a bit of a back and forth over the turn of phrase Flippin Nora! (They ultimately kept it.)A lot of the stuff in the films is inspired by stuff we grew up with, the design of things, little products, Park said.He was particularly happy to include a high-speed barge chase on the canals and a joke about police at the Yorkshire border melding uniquely British references with big Hollywood movie tropes.I think all of it is a sort of a lovely homage to Britishness and not in a patriotic way, just kind of laughing at ourselves culturally, Crossingham said.Stop-motion animation in a CGI worldThe starting point for all scenes was always the traditional: In camera, stop-motion animation like theyve been using since 1989. It is, Crossingham said, fundamentally vital to the films to see the thumbprints on the characters and know that theyre handmade.There have always been limitations, and the option to use more digital assistance, but its only been in recent years that computer graphics have caught up enough to blend in. Effects like fog and steam are possible in stop-motion, but, they explained, they never look quite right.The main thing we required was that if we were going to use a digital technique, could we force it to look right for our film rather than it just being bolted on and feeling like an accessory that was a bit of an unwelcome guest, Crossingham said. The visual effects department at Aardman worked very hard to get that stylizing so that it felt right in Wallace and Gromit, in which and the sets and the props are characters in themselves.The tension between embracing technological innovation like artificial intelligence and preserving the old ways that still work was not just something they were thinking about off-camera. Its at the heart of the film too, as Wallaces well-intentioned invention turns against him (and wreaks havoc on the town).Its a bit meta, Crossingham said. I think theres something that resonates with audiences with stop-motion that they can tell its handcrafted, they can tell thats the human touch.Park said he used to worry about the future of stop-motion, wondering how much time they had left. Recently, though, hes seen a resurgence.As long as were telling good stories, entertaining and compelling stories with compelling characters, well keep going, he said.By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

Holiday skiers at Utahs Park City, the biggest U.S. ski resort, reported on social media that they were encountering long lift lines and some closed trails on Tuesday as a strike by ski patrol workers entered its fifth day.Nearly 200 ski patrol and safety workers are on strike over demands for higher pay at Park City Mountain Resort, which is owned by Vail Resorts Inc, demanding an entry-level base wage of $23 an hour, up from the current $21, according to an emailed statement from the ski patrol union.This week is the busiest ski week of the year.Park City remained open on Tuesday, and many of the ski patrol were still working, Vail Resorts said in an emailed statement. The company said it does not disclose staffing figures. Vail Resorts said its common for some trails and lifts to be closed at this time of year. Thats especially true this year, given the resort has received less snow than in the recent past.The union, the Park City Professional Ski Patrol, said in its email that there are typically 120 people on patrol, but that on Tuesday there were between 30 and 35.The union, in a post on social media, said Vail Resorts had flown in scabs from other resorts to work at Park City.Sara Huey, a spokesperson for Vail Resorts, said in an email that the company had met 24 of the unions 27 demands since the ski patrols contract expired in April. She provided no specifics on the demands the company had not met.Huey said Vail had increased ski patrol wages by more than 50% during the past four ski seasons, pushing the average hourly wage to over $25.The 7,300-acre ski resort did not sell same-day lift tickets on Monday, but resumed the same-day tickets on Tuesday, Huey said.Vail Resorts operates more than three dozen ski resorts, including Vail and Breckenridge in Colorado, Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada, and Stowe in Vermont.Reporting by David Gaffen in New York, Heather Timmons in Washington and Brad Brooks in Colorado; Editing by Leslie Adler.

Apple's iPhone SE line has existed since 2016 as an entry-level option, but a couple of leakers with poor accuracy suggest a new name is coming for Apple's 2025 budget model.iPhone SE 4 is rumored to resemble iPhone 14There is no doubt that an iPhone SE 4 is due in early 2025. It is rumored to have the iPhone 14 design, but with a single rear camera.Apple's naming scheme for the iPhone SE hasn't changed in its eight years and likely won't because of simple brand power. Yet two leakers think Apple might try to utilize a stronger brand to promote the budget model. Rumor Score: B#$&(*it Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The nominees for the2025 Crateurs Design Awards have been announced ahead of a special ceremony to be held in Paris on Saturday, January 18th.Joining the previously announced Andree Putman Lifetime Achievement Awardrecipient Norman Foster and Le Prix Charlotte Perriand Award winners fromSANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa) were the 14 category nominees (three of which are for Architecture). The CDA says each uniquely elicits the "global outlook of creativity, blending tradition with innovation" with Lina Ghotmeh's critically popular new workshops for theHerms brand outside of Paris leading the field as perhaps the best-known example.Others,includingPhilippeStarck, Studio MK27, and Sumayya Vally, will look forward to hearing their names called live from theShangri-La Paris hotel. A look back at the 2024 edition of the Crateurs Design Awards can be found here.The 2025 CDA nominees are:

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The US has issued sanctions on organizations in Russia and Iran for attempting to interfere with the 2024 presidential election. The Treasury Department said on Tuesday that the groups tried to stoke socio-political tensions and influence voters.One group, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, has ties to Russias Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and built a server to host its own AI tools to avoid foreign web-hosting services that would block their activity. The organization then used these tools to quickly create disinformation that it spread across dozens of fake online news outlets, while also providing US-based companies with money to maintain its AI server and operate a network of at least 100 websites used in its campaign.Additionally, the Russian organization manipulated a video to produce baseless accusations concerning a2024 vice presidential candidate. In October, the US accused Russia of creating a video that attempted to smear Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate, Tim Walz.RelatedThe Treasury Department also sanctioned the Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for planning to interfere with the election since at least 2023. In the weeks leading up to the election, the US Department of Justice indicted Iranian nationals accused of waging a cyberattack against President-elect Donald Trumps campaign, while OpenAI reported banning ChatGPT accounts linked to an Iranian influence operation.The Governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns, Bradley Smith, the Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in the press release.