Image: SEGA, ParamountSonic 3 only recently arrived in cinemas but if you would prefer to watch it at home, you might want to read on...According to a listing on the online movie streaming service Vudu, Sonic the Hedgehog's third movie outing could be arriving digitally as soon as later this month.There's no update from Paramount just yet, but as noted by Comicbook.com, it "does tend to add its movies to the streaming platform after about 30 days".As for a physical release of Sonic's latest movie, a steelbook 4K Blu-ray and standard edition has already been confirmed, but no release date has apparently been locked for these items just yet.In its opening weeks, Sonic 3 has already banked more than $210 million globally - so it's off to a strong start. A fourth movie has also reportedly been greenlit. Is anyone surprised?Here's what the critics had to say...Shadow trumps SonicHave you seen Sonic 3 in cinemas or are you waiting for it to release in digital or physical form? Let us know in the comments.[source comicbook.com, via gonintendo.com]Share:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesSega President Shuji Utsumi On Sonic The Hedgehogs Next Major OutingIt must be a "great game"Sonic The Hedgehog 'Metal Sonic' First 4 Figures Statue Revealed, Here's Another LookIf you know, you knowAccessory Maker Genki To Discuss 'Switch 2' Info And Products At CES 2025Including what it's making for Nintendo's next-gen hardwareSamsung Reveals New Sonic-Themed MicroSD CardsShadow trumps Sonic

Founders Manjunath Marappan and Ashok Kanna (seated).Happy Hens FarmNot long ago, Manjunath Marappan says, all chickens in India were cage-free. These were birds like his grandmothers chickens, which pecked at worms and grains in the backyard.From the 1980s onward, Indias appetite for both eggs and chicken meat soared. (Eggs are generally considered meat in India, and thus not suitable for vegetarians.) Egg production was transformed, from a largely small-scale and outdoor activity to a much more concentrated, industrialized system. The chickens lost their freedom, packed instead into small, cramped spaces with limited space to move.Marappan believes that Indian consumers and farmers have also lost something in the process. Going back to the roots with egg production means better jobs, more dispersed opportunities, healthier food, and happier animals, he feels.Eventually he and his business partner, Ashok Kanna, decided to put their agricultural experience into a new venture. Following several years of research, Happy Hens Farm was born in 2015. From the start their chickens were free-range. The birds are happier in other ways as well; for instance, their wings and beaks are left intact. In 2024 the company received a Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming, a first in India.Now 12 farms, across several South Indian states, are part of the Happy Hens network. We have been a very organically growing company, Marappan says, finding farmers by word of mouth. These include many young people and women who can maintain small egg businesses alongside their other activities, Marappan reports. The farmers are a combination of seasoned farmers and newcomers, which means that the company and the farmers are trading knowledge in both directions.In addition to providing training and market support, the company supplies nutritious feed and mostly indigenous chicken breeds to the farmers. Strong, agile, not necessarily fast-growing breeds are especially suited to outdoors living, he says.MORE FOR YOUNaturally, there are some concerns about keeping free-range chickens. One is the sufficiency of land, though Marappan believes that in India, we have enough space to do farming. Certainly this type of egg production is not as intensive as industrial-scale barns. Marappan says that a free-range producer can keep up to about 3,000 chickens, compared to about 20,000 for a cage-free (indoor) farm. The numbers are higher for caged birds.Another concern is predation. Marappan is fairly relaxed about this too, saying that the main predators are not mongooses or snakes, but humans. He estimates that perhaps 1% of eggs overall are stolen.An additional health risk is that the Happy Hens Farm suppliers dont create controlled environments. So chronic respiratory disease, catalyzed by monsoons or temperature fluctuations, occurs occasionally. Marappan says that the company encourages certain precautions to reduce the risk.Why, with these potential hardships, would a chicken farmer decide to keep free-range eggs? For one thing, its less intimidating to start keeping some birds in a backyard, compared to the high capital costs of establishing an enormous operation. With a caged model, according to Marappan, large volumes are necessary to ensure profit. Instead, he says, a woman with 300 outdoor birds could earn about 10,000 rupees ($117) a month a decent income in India, especially if its supplementary. Consumers pay more for higher-welfare eggs: prices of cage-free eggs in India are up to 50% more than for caged eggs.Whats especially important about this income is that its consistent, Marappan emphasizes. He says that 100% of eggs produced are sold, and the company guarantees this. Happy Hens Farm is able to do this because theyve signed up to a cage-free credit program.This is how it works: Where they have customers in places where cage-free eggs are not available, such as hotels in remote locations, they can arrange a kind of digital exchange. Happy Hens Farm would sell the cage-free eggs locally, but at the lower rate for conventional eggs. On its end, the hotel would buy the local (caged) eggs, but would pay Happy Hens Farm the difference in prices between caged and cage-free eggs. The egg producers get certainty about being able to sell all their eggs. And the egg buyers get a marketing boost from saying that they participate in a cage-free credit scheme.What Are Cage-Free Credits?Cage-free credits are still in their infancy. The Singapore-headquartered consultancy Global Food Partners launched its program, the only one of its kind, in 2020.Its essentially the first cage-free credit system that allows food and hospitality businesses to offset their use of conventional or caged eggs by buying incentives and supporting directly the local farmers who are doing higher-welfare certified cage-free production in their countries, explains Elissa Lane, the CEO of Global Food Partners.In some ways this is an extension of work related to farm animals that she did previously at Humane Society International. Egg producers were seeking support not just with the specific logistics of removing cages, but in related areas of biosecurity, animal welfare, and health. On the other side, because most global food companies have cage-free egg commitments, eggs were the area where they needed the most support. Businesses would often mention that Asian egg markets were particularly challenging.There are several reasons that cage-free credits have sprouted in Asia, rather than in the U.S., Europe, or Latin America. Food businesses have more leverage in those regions over producers, according to Lane, and theres also more demand for cage-free eggs in those regions. Another issue is the vast geography, with many dispersed and remote locations, stretching among Asian egg producers and buyers. In Asia overall, Lane comments, The cage-free movement is growing for sure. Its not a mature market yet. However, she sees progress in countries including China, Thailand, and Indonesia. Overall, there is a particular need for liquid and powdered eggs from chickens not kept in cages.Some companies credit purchases account for all of their cage-free eggs, Lane reports. But in most cases its between 20 and 50%. Suppliers set the price of a credit, which is equivalent to 1,000 shell eggs.Ten companies have publicly announced their use of such credits so far. These are mainly multinational companies headquartered in Europe or the U.S., such as Unilever and Krispy Kreme, that have global cage-free pledges.In Unilevers 2024 farm animal welfare report, the company states that it reached its goal of 100% cage-free eggs (encompassing shell and processed) in Europe and North America back in 2020. From a global perspective, the report states, To meet our target of transitioning to cage-free eggs by the end of 2025, we are currently prioritizing physical supply. In areas where we are experiencing availability challenges, we are planning to use egg credits as an alternative. The areas with the least progress are the Middle East/Turkey and Asia/Oceania; in both regions, cage-free eggs make up only 27% of 2024 sourcing.Its likely that more companies will turn to cage-free credits as the deadlines for their cage-free goals approach many in 2025. Lane says that there are enough farmers willing to expand, to meet all of the expected demand. The message is that it is still totally feasible to do in Asia.A sign for Cafe Coborebi in Tokyo, one of the few businesses in Japan promoting eggs from non-caged ... [+] chickens.Christine RoThe Limits And Future Of Cage-Free CreditsHowever, Lane cautions, cage-free production can be a disaster if good management isnt in place. Its not enough to simply rip out the cages. From nest boxes to lighting, Global Food Partners works with suppliers like Happy Hens Farm to ensure both the health and productivity of the hens.Lane hopes that while the program offers a tool now for businesses that want to be cage-free, in the future this will lead to economies of scale. Ideally there would be a shift toward physical cage-free eggs within three to five years of a business signing up; Global Food Partners and its clients develop a roadmap for this transition.The concept of these digital credits can seem a bit abstract, Lane acknowledges. But we are seeing the impact on the animal welfare and on farmers being able to go cage free. In Vietnam, for instance, it might be that without the cage-free credit program connecting them with willing buyers, farmers would have to keep more of their birds stuck in cages.Carbon offset programs have been justly criticized for not actually increasing carbon storage, instead justifying high-emitting activities in an example of greenwashing. If credit schemes similarly enabled humanewashing of animal products, this would not be progress. But supporters of cage-free credits argue that this type of exchange is different, as it directly spurs cage-free production. Some animal welfare organizations, like the Humane League, have embraced the concept.Lewis Bollard, who leads work on farm animal welfare at Open Philanthropy, is supportive of cage-free credits as a transitional step. He views this as a short-term solution in countries where theres very little cage-free production (though he stresses that the U.S. and Europe could go 100% cage-free).Compassion in World Farming has a cautious perspective. A spokesperson states: The introduction of cage-free credits is a fairly new concept, and it remains to be seen whether credits speed up the physical transition to cage-free production, particularly in areas where cage-free is difficult to source. We require businesses to be transparent in their reporting of their cage-free progress. They must specify the proportion of physical cage-free eggs they produce/supply and the proportion covered by credits, along with year-on-year progress towards physical cage free and away from credits. Currently, we do not consider a company 100% cage free if they are using credits.Indeed, accurate labelling is essential. Lane stresses that a company using cage-free credits is not allowed to claim that their supply chain is fully cage free. Instead, they can say that they support the production of cage-free eggs, or that their cage-free commitment is fulfilled. The distinction may be subtle to many individuals, who simply want the comfort of knowing that the egg theyre currently eating did not come from a confined chicken.It will also be important to ensure that companies paying for cage-free credits are not using it as a convenient way to lag on cleaning up their supply chain. The credits represent a hybrid approach, according to Lane. Her consultancy encourages businesses to buy physical cage-free eggs wherever possible; and credits are just one component of their suite of support. In their experience, companies do want physical cage-free eggs where possible, because the companies can then make stronger claims about animal welfare. In the future, Global Food Partners is open to possibly expanding the model to other types of animals, including broiler chickens and fish.Back in South India, Marappan of Happy Hens Farm acknowledges that this is not a long-term solution in itself, but calls it a solution that builds capacity for a long-term vision. In the short time that cage-free credits have existed, they appear to be incentivizing some higher-welfare egg production.This article is part of a series on cage-free transitions in animal agriculture around the world. The first article explores delay in implementing the European Citizens Initiative on banning cages.

She looks real. But are you sure?gettyAI-generated user accounts are flooding Instagram and Facebook, according to their parent company, Meta. The company is rolling out a wide array of AI products, including one that helps users create AI characters on Instagram and Facebook. Meta hopes to attract a younger audience, in a face-off with key competitors like TikTok and Snapchat. Connor Hayes, vice president of product for generative AI at Meta, tells Londons Financial Times, We expect these AIs to actually exist on our platforms in the same way that [human] accounts do. The new developments from Meta join an online tool called AI Studio, launched in July to allow users to make their own chatbots. You can clone yourself, or create an artificial persona online, using text-to-video software - and building an artificial presence has never been easier.Meta Follows a Trend: Creating the AI InfluencerAitana Lopez is an international model based out of Barcelona. Fluent in Spanish, she travels the world, according to her Instagram account - where she has nearly 350,000 followers. Aitana earns between $3,000-10,000 per month from her brand deals, according to Euronews. Shes active on Fanvue, a competitor to OnlyFans - where digital creators can monetize their content online. Aitana, as the first two letters in her name suggest, is not real - and neither is her backstory. She was developed by Rubn Cruz, the designer and founder of agency, The Clueless.Aitana enjoys coffee, sunshine and snow.INSTAGRAMKimochii is another AI-created influencer. Shes the brainchild of a gentleman who decided to remain anonymous on Business Insider, as he explained his conflicted ethics and parental impulses around his AI avatar creation. Fired by his company, he turned on his coding skills - and built a female influencer on Instagram. I find interacting with followers weird, says Kimochiis creator. So I try to avoid it.Jenny Dearing is another entrepreneur capitalizing on the AI-influencer trend. The co-founder and CEO of 1337 (pronounced leet, in a throwback to eighties gaming and hacker culture), her company launched last year with $4 million in seed capital. Users can suggest what 1337s artificial influencers do and say, rather than just allowing AI to completely run the show. Today, we have a rare opportunity to combine human interaction with early-stage AI, Dearing tells TechCrunch. In a world oversaturated with influencers who are often either too commercial or too impersonal, 1337 introduces diverse, AI-driven entities that engage users in entirely new, dynamic ways. The companys business model allows for revenue share and brand partnerships, not unlike other creator platforms.MORE FOR YOUHow Much is Too Much AI? Meta Bets You Dont KnowHayes says that hundreds of thousands of characters have already been created using Metas AI character tool, but most users have kept their creations private. Meanwhile, TikTok is rolling out a suite of products called Symphony, enabling brands and creators to use AI for advertising. Users can create videos using AI-generated avatars, similar to services already offered by Arcads.ai - where AI-generated actors can turn your script into a complete video ad campaign, for a fee. Artificial actors mimic simple videos that look like UGC (user generated content). The vids feature seemingly simple production values (but surprisingly elaborate edits, b-roll, smash-cuts and a steady stream of AI-generated eye candy, using a wide array of artificial avatars).Metas rules state that AI-generated content should be labelled clearly on all of its platforms. Yet even with the labels, many are troubled by the potential risks: using deepfakes and artificial chatbots as a source of disinformation, relationship deceit, fraud...or worse. A lawsuit claims that a fourteen-year-old boy committed suicide due to generative AI, according to various reports. GenAI models are prone to misinformation. Could an influx of human-looking AI accounts expose users to harmful, inaccurate or violent posts? Emarketer.com speculates that if Metas platforms are overrun by AI bots, users might leave for other social media services.Dead Internet Theory?The appeal of the square flashlight (the one filled with bots and sitting in your pocket - or maybe even your hand right now) is addictive. Why dont we just look away? The appeal, the entertainment, the interaction online is amusing - not to mention the shopping, the FOMO, the need for constant stimulation. B.F. Skinner would be proud. But when, exactly, is too much...too much?Maybe we are inching closer to the dead internet theory. Some believe we are already there. The dead internet theory essentially claims that activity and content on the internet, including social media accounts, are predominantly being created and automated by artificial intelligence agents. Taking the scenario one step further, what happens when the accounts that are interacting also appear to be managed by artificial intelligence agents?Elon Musk has said on X that the small fee for users is designed to curb the relentless onslaught of bots. Disinformation campaigns online have been well-documented over the last 10 years. The dead internet theory is a reminder to be skeptical, and careful, online. But, as Yogi Berra famously said: In theory, practice and theory are the same. In practice, they are not.Artificial intelligence is redefining how we think about social media engagement, influencers, connection, communication, branding ...and more. Meta sees the opportunity around AI, and the floodgates have been opened. Nothing since the printing press has the potential to change the way we communicate and interact - AI stands alone in that regard. AI-generated avatars will have an even more profound impact on Instagram, Facebook and other social media platforms. Metas initiatives are redefining the online conversation, once again, and we are all part of the experiment.

While SpaceXs Starship megarocket tends to get all the attention these days, the spaceflight companys trusty Falcon 9 rocket quietly continued its work throughout 2024, performing a record 135 launches over the 12-month period, beating its 2023 record by 38.Most Falcon 9 launches lift off from Floridas Space Coast, but a growing number of them also get underway from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.Recommended VideosIt was one of these West Coast launches that gained widespread attention last year for the striking scene captured by a camera as the Falcon 9 rocket roared skyward.Please enable Javascript to view this contentLaunching a shade after 8:15 p.m. PT on a June evening, the rocket can be seen rising above a vast blanket of cloud against a dramatic orange backdrop.RelatedSpaceX boss Elon Musk shared a video of the stunning launch, noting that the footage had not been modified, though it does appear to have been slowed down.Unmodified video https://t.co/vrIwDt2O5r Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 3, 2024The Falcon 9 was embarking on the NROL-186 mission to deploy next-generation spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).When the Falcon 9 left the launchpad, there was low cloud cover in the area and it was beginning to get dark as the sun hung low over the Pacific Ocean. The launch site looked rather gray, in fact, and gave no indication of the breathtaking scene that would appear above the clouds just seconds later.A YouTube video showing the early stages of the Falcon 9s flight reveals that the gorgeous orange glow only lasted for about eight seconds before rapidly fading away as the rocket gained altitude.With 2025 set to be an even busier year for SpaceX, theres a chance that rocket fans might be treated to a few more launches similar to the spectacular one that gained so much attention back in June.Editors Recommendations

10. "Longlegs""Longlegs." NEON IMDb Rating: 6.7/10Synopsis: "In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree."Where to stream: Available to rent or purchase digitally 9. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"Proximus in "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." 20th Century Studios IMDb Rating: 6.9/10Synopsis: "Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he's been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike."Where to stream: Hulu 8. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"Jenna Ortega in "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." Warner Bros. IMDb Rating: 6.7/10Synopsis: "After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife."Where to stream: Max 7. "Civil War"Cailee Spaeny and Kirsten Dunst star in "Civil War." A24 IMDb Rating: 7.0/10Synopsis: "In a dystopian future, four journalists travel across the United States during a nationwide conflict. While trying to survive, they aim to reach the White House to interview the president before he is overthrown."Where to stream: Max 6. "The Substance"Demi Moore in "The Substance." Christine Tamalet/Mubi IMDb Rating: 7.4/10Synopsis: "A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself."Where to stream: Prime Video with MUBI 5. "Alien: Romulus"Cailee Spaeny as Rain in "Alien: Romulus." 20th Century Studios IMDb Rating: 7.1/10Synopsis: "While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe."Where to stream: Hulu 4. "Joker: Folie Deux"Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in "Joker: Folie Deux." Warner Bros. IMDb Rating: 5.2/10Synopsis: "Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital."Where to stream: Max 3. "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga"Anya Taylor-Joy in "Furiosa." Warner Bros. IMDb Rating: 7.5/10Synopsis: "The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max."Where to stream: Max 2. "Dune: Part Two"Timothe Chalamet in "Dune: Part Two." Warner Bros. IMDb Rating: 8.5/10Synopsis: "Paul Atreides unites with the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future."Where to stream: Max 1. "Deadpool & Wolverine"Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Jay Maidment/Marvel Studios IMDb Rating: 7.6/10Synopsis: "Deadpool is offered a place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by the Time Variance Authority, but instead recruits a variant of Wolverine to save his universe from extinction."Where to stream: Disney+

Jennifer Love Hewitt, 45, is speaking out against ageism in Hollywood.She told Fox News fans have a "hard time" accepting that she no longer looks like she did in her 20s.Age-based discrimination isn't just a problem in showbiz; it's prevalent in other workplaces, too.Jennifer Love Hewitt is speaking up about the unrealistic expectations that come with growing up in showbiz."I feel like fans pick this you at this age that they love that they think represents you, and you're never supposed to grow beyond that," Hewitt, 45, told Fox News Digital, recalling a quote that she heard Taylor Swift use in her documentary."For me, it was like me in my 20s. People seem to have a really hard time accepting that I'm just not, that I don't look that way anymore," she said.Hewitt is best known for starring in the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" thriller franchise in the late 1990s and rom-coms such as "Heartbreakers" in the early 2000s.Hewitt said she thinks aging is nothing to be ashamed of."I'm kind of going with it. Age is age," Hewitt said. "I think women really come into this, like, acceptance of themselves and like this comfortability in their 40s that is beautiful.""Whatever it is, you just want to have the freedom to be whoever you are at that age," she continued.In December 2023, Hewitt took to the "Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum" podcast to address claims that she was trying to hide her real appearance after she posted a selfie with a filter."A bunch of people were like, 'Jennifer Love Hewitt is unrecognizable. She's unrecognizable, so she's gone to filters because she doesn't want us to know how bad she actually looks now in her 40s,'" Hewitt told the podcast's host, Michael Rosenbaum, recalling the criticism she received. "This is crazy, right?"Hewitt isn't the only female actor who has spoken up about ageism in Hollywood.In March, Kirsten Dunst told Marie Claire she took a two-year break from acting because she was typecast and only offered "sad mom" roles.In an interview with Variety in September, Kathy Bates said she was able to have a long acting career only because she didn't fit societal standards of beauty."I have to say I give an inner wink when I see friends who have been beauty queens who are no longer working because of ageism, and in my case, I've been able to continue working for many years because I don't look like that," Bates said.But ageism isn't just a problem in Hollywood; it's prevalent in other workplaces, too.A study of 913 women published in Harvard Business Review in June 2023workplace age discrimination at every age bracket.Discrimination against older workers cost the US economy an estimated $850 billion in GDP in 2018, per a 2020 report from the AARP formerly the American Association of Retired Persons and the Economist Intelligence Unit.A representative for Hewitt did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

Nintendo Switch 2 launch game predictions from Mario Kart to Smash Bros.Michael BeckwithPublished January 3, 2025 1:00am Is it ever possible to predict Nintendo? (Metro/Nintendo)With an official reveal just around the corner, what can be predicted about the launch line-up of games for the Nintendo Switch 2?The Nintendo Switch 2 should be out at some point in 2025 but, like anything to do with Nintendo, theres no guarantee that it actually will. It does look very likely though, with a barrage of recent leaks seeming to make it very clear what the console looks like.That still leaves some questions about when precisely the console will launch, and what that new mystery button does, but, for me, the most interesting question is what the Switch 2s initial wave of games will be.Despite all the hardware leaks we know absolutely nothing for certain about any of the games. Its a fact that increasingly seems to be forgotten, by Microsoft and Sony, but Nintendo will be well aware that its games that sell consoles, especially when customers have to consider potentially expensive new ones.Trying to predict Nintendo is always an exercise in futility, but Im going to have a go at it anyway and guesstimate the sort of games we could see during the Switch 2s launch period, combined with some pie in the sky wishful thinking, and the odd whisper of a rumour.Mario Kart 9 and Donkey Kong Could we finally see a new Mario Kart in 2025? (Nintendo)Obviously, Nintendo will want one of its main franchises represented at launch. The question is which one. Its far too soon for a mainline Legend Of Zelda, given Tears Of The Kingdom took six years to make and only came out in 2023, so does that mean a certain plumber will take the spotlight?Mario has always been the traditional focus for Nintendo launch titles and the franchise is hotter than ever thanks to 2023s animated movie. Its also been over seven years since the last 3D platformer, Super Mario Odyssey, and you just know Nintendo has been plugging away at a new one ever since.In fact, theres long-standing rumours, since before the pandemic, that the same team is working on a Donkey Kong game, perhaps one that co-stars Mario (both characters debuted in the original Donkey Kong coin-op, way back in 1981). Theres nothing to substantiate this but Nintendo has recently remastered Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is out in January.An even bigger pull would be a new Mario Kart. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was among the first Switch titles and it remains one of Nintendos best-sellers. Getting people to drop Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for a newer entry may be difficult, especially with how rich in content it is, but the right gimmick and promise of new tracks could be enough.Importantly, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a light remaster of the original Wii U game, which means theres never been a brand new Mario Kart on Switch. Combine that with faint rumours of Mario Kart 9 nearing completion and it being a launch title does seem very believable.Pokmon Legends Z-A and Gen X Next to Mario, Pokmon is Nintendos biggest seller and we already know that Pokmon Legends: Z-A is coming in 2025, which makes it seem very likely itll be a cross-gen game for both consoles especially as backwards compatibility is the only thing Nintendo has confirmed about the Switch 2.The game was announced this past February, so we could very well see it arrive early in 2025, which would line up nicely if the Switch 2 does launch in March or April.Admittedly, Nintendo has never launched a console alongside a new Pokmon game before. Not unless you count racing spin-off Pokmon Dash, which arrived alongside the Nintendo DS in Japan and Europe. Plus, theres yet to be any gameplay footage for Legends Z-A, making it unclear if Nintendos being typically secretive or if it needs more than a few months to finish it.The Pokmon Dash example may suggest its more likely well see a Pokmon spin-off rather than a traditional role-player at launch but theres also the question of when the next mainline entry will be.Pokmon Scarlet and Violet was released in 2022 but there was only three years between that and Sword and Shield, which makes 2025 a real possibility for Generation X of the series.Although developer Game Freak has admitted that theyve been churning games out too quickly lately, and quality has been suffering as a result, so perhaps not.Metroid Prime 4: BeyondBetween its 2025 release window and that new trailer in June, theres great suspicions that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch both for Switch and Switch 2, as another cross-gen release.Metroid Prime 4 has been so hotly anticipated (the thing was announced in 2017!) that it being a launch title would guarantee Metroid fans old and new would put money down for the new console. And bounty hunter Samus has made new fans for herself on Switch, thanks to Metroid Dread and the first Metroid Primes remaster.Metroid isnt in the same tier of recognisability as Mario and Pokmon though, so unless Nintendo has plans to really push the brand in the coming years or is making a Zelda-esque gamble (remember, Zelda games werent huge sellers until Breath Of The Wild), its unlikely Metroid Prime 4 will be positioned as the Switch 2s main launch launch title if thats when it comes out at all.Nintendo Switch 2 remasters and remakes Will 2025 finally be the year we get that Twilight Princess port? (Nintendo)Remakes and remasters remain hot commodities at the moment and if Nintendo doesnt have something brand new ready for a major franchise on the Switch 2, a fancy enough redo of a beloved classic could offset any disappointment and still generate a lot of hype.There has been chatter of two Zelda games Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker getting Switch remasters for years. Theyve been re-released a lot over the years though, so theyre not the most exciting prospect.Alternatively, with a remaster of the first Metroid Prime already out, Nintendo completing the trilogy ahead of Metroid Prime 4 (which has also been rumoured) makes a lot of sense.Barring that, Nintendo could catch us all off guard with something obscure. Its willingness to remake niche titles like Famicom Detective Club and Another Code means anything is on the table. Or if its feeling especially spicy, it could give Ocarina Of Time fans that high-definition remake theyve all been dreaming of.Or theres the Breath Of The Wild remake that was rumoured but was probably just a result of confusion relating to a tech demo Nintendo was allegedly showing developers.A more like remaster though is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Not only is a new entry nowhere near release but its very hard to imagine how it could top Ultimate. However, a Deluxe edition of the game, featuring all the DLC, would make total sense as the Switch 2 equivalent of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.Nintendo Switch 2 third party support Snipperclips was a charming puzzle title and one of the very first Switch games (Nintendo)As appealing as the thought of the Switch 2 launching with a surplus of first-party titles is, the reality is that the initial batch of games will mostly come from third parties. This has been the case since the days of the GameCube, where the only first party launch title was Luigis Mansion.Theyre not all going to be major releases though, but given how well the original Switch has done, publishers are not going to need much convincing to support the new format especially if it can run PlayStation 4 era games.But I wouldnt be surprised if we saw something from Ubisoft, EA, or Sega launch as a timed Switch 2 exclusive. Theres certainly bound to be one solid title from a smaller, independent studio too, as demonstrated by the Switch arriving with Snipperclips and Blaster Master Zero.GTA and Resident Evil on Nintendo Switch 2 Dont act like Rockstar wouldnt re=release GTA 5 again if it could run on Switch 2 (Rockstar)While no one seems to be able to agree on precisely how powerful the Switch 2 will be, itll certainly have more horsepower and, according to one report, will apparently be capable of running visuals comparable to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.This should allow for a number of PlayStation 4/Xbox One era games that had to skip the Switch to finally become accessible to dedicated Nintendo customers. Think titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Red Dead Redemption 2, but perhaps without the compromises those games required to run on the original Switch.Getting such a title on Switch 2 around launch could be the simplest and most effective way of demonstrating how the console is substantially more powerful than its predecessor. Something like Resident Evil or even GTA 5 would not only attract those who never played them, but even get established fans to double dip.Its relatively easy to predict which are the most likely too, based on which publishers Nintendo gets on best with. Some kind of Elden Ring Deluxe release seems almost a shoe-in, while Cyberpunk 2077 is probably something Nintendo themselves are keen to get on the system.Its more a question of what they can get working on the new hardware but Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth are bound to be in Nintendos sights, as well as Ubisoft titles such as Star Wars: Outlaws.EA has already tested the water, with remasters of the MySims games from the Wii. Theyve been surprisingly successful too, which almost guarantees a follow-up.Nintendo Switch 2 sports/party games Nintendos going to want to have something that brings family and friends around the Switch 2 (Nintendo)Local play with friends and family has always been a big part of the marketing for the Switch, with promotional images featuring smiling groups enjoying games together.Not to mention weve seen Nintendo launch at least one sports/party related game alongside its last several consoles. There was the original 1-2-Switch, the Wii Us Nintendo Land, and of course Wii Sports, which came packaged with the Wii.Its very likely Nintendo will have something of a similar vein prepared for Switch 2, that could also double as a tech demo. Probably not another 1-2-Switch sequel, although stranger things have happened.Its too soon for a new Mario Party, but another Mario sports spin-off could be possible. Or much like how Wii Sports saw a pseudo revival in Nintendo Switch Sports, maybe Wii Party could make a comeback as Nintendo Switch 2 Party?Xenosaga remasters on Nintendo Switch 2 Before Xenoblade, there was Xenosaga (Bandai Namco)This may seem like an extraordinarily odd pick for a Switch 2 launch title, and thats because it is. But it is my personal dream choice, and I dont think the possibility is entirely unfounded.The series was originally developed by Monolith Soft (the Xenoblade Chronicles studio) when it was under Bandai Namco. Monolith Softs a Nintendo subsidiary these days, with the Xenosaga IP remaining with Bandai Namco.However, Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a strong working relationship, as evidenced by Bandai Namco getting to make their own Pokmon spin-offs, co-develop Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and remaster both Baten Kaitos games for Switch which were also Monolith Soft titles.More TrendingCombined with how the story DLC for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 explicitly tied the series to Xenosagas overarching plot (Bandai Namco is even mentioned in the credits), it really feels like Monolith Soft has every intention of revisiting the Xenosaga series. Especially since itd be easier to push nowadays, thanks to Xenoblades increased recognisability over the years.Id argue its a matter of when, not if Xenosaga remasters happen, but I must admit the odds of it launching alongside the Switch 2 are very slim. Even more so now that a remaster of Xenoblade Chronicles X is coming out for Switch in March.Having that and Xenosaga within the space of a few months is hard to believe, especially when Monolith Soft is likely also busy supporting Nintendo on other projects. If anything, its more probable that well see Xenoblade Chronicles X double as a Switch 2 launch title instead.With any luck, Nintendo will prove me right/wrong sooner rather than later. And in the meantime, feel free to share your own predictions and dream picks for launch titles in the comments. Im getting something Xeno related in 2025, but I wouldnt say no to more (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Domus Maya House / Studio Kyriakos MiltiadouSave this picture! Creative Photo RoomHousesNicosia, CyprusArchitects: Studio Kyriakos MiltiadouAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:220 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Creative Photo RoomManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: El Greco Gallery, Il Bagno Lead Architect: Kyriakos Miltiadou More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The house is located in the south-eastern suburbs of Nicosia, on a plot of a new urban neighborhood. To the south lies the familiar urban chaos of the city composed of scattered residential buildings in an inhomogeneous arrangement. To the north, the vast agricultural fields highlight the extensive horizon offering unobstructed views of the trapezoidal hill of Aronas. The program is typical: a two-story house with 3 bedrooms and a guest room for a young family of four. This house is the result of a design process that seeks to reinterpret the courtyard typology found in traditional residences in Cyprus, through the contemporary ways of domestic living.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The proposal consists of two main elements: a rectangular prism and a vertical wall that surrounds and embraces the prism. The prism with a plan of 12X10 meters, is elaborately sculpted in relation to the vertical and horizontal axes. By removing pieces from its solid mass, a blank space emerges, around which the functional units of the house are arranged. Like a three-dimensional canvas, the void introduces unexpected views of the horizontal landscape and fragments of nature inside the house. It collects natural light from above, offers cross ventilation and negotiates the limits of the public and private spaces of the house. In functional terms, the residence is developed on two levels. A living room, a kitchen and a small guest room are located on the ground floor. The first floor comprises two individual bedrooms with a shared bathroom and one ensuite bedroom.Save this picture!The vertical wall, 3.5 meters high, is placed at a distance of 3 meters from the street occupying the entire width of the plot. It operates as a strict and rigid boundary that embraces the prism and opposes the discontinuous and noisy urban neighborhood. Three openings on the surface of the wall control the views enjoyed by the house. Behind the wall, there is a hidden central square. This is an inner courtyard that welcomes guests and dwellers, opening up to social life. In the center of the square, an olive tree has been transplanted from the village, raising memories of loved ones.Save this picture!Upon the external white walls, the intense Mediterranean light is reflected, projecting and highlighting special moments from the family's everyday life. Horizontal seating surfaces of exposed concrete run through the interior and exterior spaces of the residence, underling the continuity between inside and outside and encouraging unexpected social encounters. When the wall intersects with the prism, small courtyards are generated with unique characteristics of micro-environment. Cypriot vegetation has been planted in all outdoor spaces. Over time, nature will erode the monolithic structure of the house, claiming its presence in the everyday life of the family.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The wall and the prism ultimately operate as a unified synthetic gesture. Their synergy generates a dialogue rich in contradictions between solidity and porosity, privacy, and exposure, desire, protection and intimacy. Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on January 03, 2025Cite: "Domus Maya House / Studio Kyriakos Miltiadou" 02 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025262/domus-maya-house-studio-kyriakos-miltiadou&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

A Walk On The Wild Side is started by talking to the painter in the back corner of Gallopolis in Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age. He will ask you to defeat a Spizfire using the Pep Power Wild Side in order to inspire him.

A new year has just started, and a new anime season is also starting soon. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 is one of the most-awaited for this season, alongside Sakamoto Days, My Happy Marriage Season 2 and Solo Leveling Season 2.