Submitted by WA ContentsRenewable Energy Research Center of IcelandIceland Architecture News - Jan 04, 2025 - 14:12 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Iceland is renowned for its utilization of geothermal energy and its strong commitment to renewable resources. This project involves designing a state-of- the-art Renewable Energy Research Center in Reykjavik. The center will serve as a hub for scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs dedicated to advancing renewable energy technologies, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation.The facility aims to not only drive technological advancements but also to demonstrate and educate the public about sustainable energy solutions. It will feature interactive exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives to engage visitors and promote awareness. Architecturally, the building should be a symbol of progress, reflecting the natural beauty of Iceland's landscapessuch as its volcanic formations, glaciers, and coastal vistas.The design should incorporate sustainable materials and strategies to shoot for a net-zero energy consumption building. By utilizing renewable energy sources like geothermal, solar, and wind power, the building will exemplify environmental stewardship. It should seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings, minimizing ecological impact while standing resilient against Icelands harsh weather conditions. The center will not only be a place of research and learning but also an iconic landmark representing Icelands commitment to a sustainable future.The project focuses on sustainable building design by envisioning a cutting-edge research center in Iceland that promotes collaboration, drives innovation, educates the public, serves as a landmark, and reflects the stunning natural beauty of Icelands landscapes.Location: Karsnes, Kpavogur, IcelandLanguage: EnglishRegistration deadline: Mar 14, 2025Submission deadline: Mar 16, 2025Requirements/Eligibility: The competition is open to all students and young architects from around the world. Eligible participants include students and designers in architecture and related fields who are approved by their local Ministry of Education. Participants can join either as individuals or in teams, with each team required to have at least one member aged between 18 and 35.Registration fee:Dec 10. 2024 - Jan 10, 2025, Early Registration - 29Jan 11, 2025 - Feb 8, 2025, Standard Registration - 39Feb 9, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025, Late Registration - 49Prizes1st Prize: $2,500 + Certificate + Publication2nd Prize: $500 + Certificate + Publication3rd Prize: $350 + Certificate + Publication3 Honorable Mentions: Certificate + Publication4 Special Mention: PublicationAll winning projects have the potential to be showcased on various websites, in magazines, and across architectural platforms. Additionally, they may feature prominently in national and international architectural exhibitions and events.Organizer: Design UnlimitedJury members: David Jaehning / Eva Chiu / Jochen Eisenbrand / Kristoffer Tjerrild Lund / Matt TurlockTimeline:Dec 10. 2024 - Jan 10, 2025, Early Registration - 29Jan 11, 2025 - Feb 8, 2025, Standard Registration - 39Feb 9, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025, Late Registration - 49Mar 16, 2025 - Submission DeadlineMar 17 - 31, 2025 - Jury ReviewApr 7, 2025 - Winner Announced* All times above are local time (CET) of the host city's competition and are subject to the latest information available on the official website.Top image courtesy of Design Unlimited.> via Design Unlimited

Submitted by WA ContentsThe Solar Biennale will be held from March 19 to 21, 2025 in SwitzerlandSwitzerland Architecture News - Jan 04, 2025 - 13:21 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The second edition of the Solar Biennale will return in March 2025, shining a light on the future of solar design. The Solar Biennale will take place from March 19 to 21, 2025 at mudac in Switzerland.The 2nd edition of the biennial continues to be stewarded by its visionary founders Marjan van Aubel and Pauline van Dongen, and curated and organized by the team at the museum, with a focus dictated by the local context, industries, and perspectives.The exhibition will showcase and celebrate cutting-edge innovations, designs, and artworks that harness and celebrate the power of the sun, highlighting its transformative potential for our world and its influence on culture broadly."We believe solar is the most natural and humane source of energy. Its the answer to the smaller question (How to power our life?) and the Big one (How to live it?). As designers, those are the exact questions we pore over every day. How to rhyme the purely practical with societal issues. How to make things and make them meaningful," said the Solar Biennale.Read more about the event at the Solar Biennale.Top image courtesy of mudac.> via Solar Biennalearchitecture event

"Disneyland will never be completed," Walt Disneyonce predicted. "It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." With the original Disney theme parkcelebrating its 70th birthdaythis year, there's a lot of new growth on the way -- both at Disneyland in California and at 53-year-old Walt Disney World in Florida.So what's coming next? From new rides to new lands to huge park expansions, here'severything new comingto Disney Parks and theDisney Cruise Linethis year and beyond. Disneyland's 70th birthday celebrationsKicking off in mid-May is Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration of its opening day on July 17, 1955."Celebrate happy" is the theme, and new events will include a Mickey and Friends cavalcade, projection shows at It's a Small World and Carthay Circle, outfits for Mickey and friends, the World of Color Happiness show and the first everaudio-animatronic of Walt Disneyhimself, as part of the "Walt Disney: A Magical Life" show inside the Main Street Opera House. The Paint the Night parade, Pixar Pals parade and Wondrous Journeys fireworks show will also be making their returns.The 70th celebration begins on May 16, 2025. Two more Avengers rides at California Adventure The Avengers Infinity Defense ride. DisneyDisney's California Adventure, already home to the Spider-Man Web Slingers and Guardians of the Galaxy attractions in the Avengers Campus area of the park, will be gettingtwo more Marvel attractions. Avengers Campus will double in size to make room for Avengers Infinity Defense -- a King Thanos ride where you'll travel the multiverse between Asgard, Wakanda and New York City to fight him -- and Stark Flight Lab, where you'll sit in a two-person pod and go on a flight with Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. Construction begins in 2025 on the Avengers Campus additions. Coco Ride at California Adventure Concept art for the new Coco ride. Disney/PixarDisney's California Adventure isn't just getting more Avengers -- it's also getting more Pixar.ACoco attractionwill be built in a yet-to-be-announced area of the park, but it sounds like it'll be a dark ride like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, filled with audio animatronics."The attraction will be filled with the characters -- and music! -- you know and love from the beloved movie, as you join Miguel on a trip to the land of the dead," Disney says.Work begins on the Coco ride in 2026, so it's still a ways off.Bluey is coming to both resortsMeet and greets with Blueyand her family will be coming to Disneyland and Disney World, as well as onboard Disney cruises, starting in 2025. Disney announced the news Thursday, following the reveal of a Bluey movie hitting screens in 2027."Bluey has become a household name for families around the world, and we are thrilled to bring her story to life in new ways," said Disney Experiences chair Josh D'Amaro. "We can't wait to watch our youngest guests and their families make memories with Bluey in our parks and on our cruises."Thehugely popularAustralian TV series about a family of dogs is a worldwide hit, with Disney to release the movie in two years' time. (In the meantime, you can watchBluey minisodesonDisney Plus.)Avatar comes to Anaheim An aerial shot of the Avatar-themed area coming to Disneyland Resort. DisneyTheworld of Pandora is expandingfrom Disney World's Animal Kingdom in Orlando to California Adventure in Anaheim. The area in California will take its design inspiration from thesecond Avatar film, The Way of Water, as well as the upcoming Avatar sequels.It'll likely be part of theenormous Disneyland expansioncoming to the theme parks that will push the boundaries past Downtown Disney and the nearby parking lots. While Disney was short on details and dates, the Avatar experience will be "dynamic, intense and emotional," with a dark boat ride much like Pirates of the Caribbean "taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora." Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Disney World's Magic Kingdom is getting a Villains Land. DisneyVillains Land, which will celebrate all the classic baddies from Disney films, is coming to the Magic Kingdomat Disney World in Florida, and it will be "dark and thorny," according to the Horizons Disney Experiences Showcase (part ofDisney's D23 expoin August) and info that Disney has released since. Villains Land was teased during D23 2022 ago and is now confirmed. It'll be positioned on the other side of Big Thunder Mountain -- aka, the edge of the current Magic Kingdom map -- and will stretch around to where the Haunted Mansion is. Two major attractions will be built in Villains Land, as well as dining and shopping "on an incredibly twisted grand scale." The land is already being constructed, but no word yet on when it'll open. A chilling trailer for the chaotic land on Instagram hints at elements in the land representing Maleficent, Dr. Facilier, Ursula, Gaston, Yzma, Queen of Hearts, Hades, the Evil Queen, Lady Tremaine, Captain Hook, Jafar, Kaa, Madam Mim, Cruella, Scar, King Magnifico and Mother Gothel. Pixar's Cars area taking over Rivers of America The new Cars rally race ride. DisneyThe Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom are being repurposed to insert a new area themed around Pixar's Cars movies. This expansion of Frontierland, which currently encompasses theTiana's Bayou Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attractions, will see it get a Route 66 companion. "To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world's most iconic racers," Disney said in a blog post Monday. The rally race ride will take you through mountains, geysers and trails, Disney said, adding that there will be a second Cars-themed attraction, too. Cars Land, which was added to Disney's California Adventure back in 2012, remains popular in the west, so it was only a matter of time before it was added to the east. Work is set to begin this year. Monsters Inc. Land at Hollywood Studios Disney's first suspended roller coaster will take you on a ride through the Monsters Inc. factory. Disney/PixarDisney World is getting another new addition at its Hollywood Studios theme park: a Monsters Inc.-themed area, to replace the current Muppets area (with the Muppets to replace Aerosmith theming in the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster).Revealed alongside Mike Wazowski himself, Billy Crystal, the land will let you stroll through Monstropolis from the Pixar movies. A new ride will also take you through the Monsters Inc. laugh factory aboard one of the doors to the human world -- aka a suspended roller coaster. "The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley," D'Amaro said at D23 in August. "You'll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We're doing that, too. And you're going along for the ride." Work on the Monsters Inc. land will begin in 2025. Watch this: Disney Parks Announcements at D23 03:24 Tropical Americas at Animal KingdomDisney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World is replacing its DinoLand USA area with Tropical Americas. While this had been previously announced, Disney confirmed a few more details: Pueblo Esperanza will feel like you're walking through a real village and will have a huge quick-service dining location, a fountain and a carousel. Tropical Americas will also have a new Indiana Jones ride through a Maya temple and an Encanto-themed attraction where you'll explore Antonio's rainforest room inside the Casita. Construction began this fall, and it'll open in 2027. The Tropical Americas area will replace DinoLand USA and feature an Encanto ride, an Indiana Jones ride and a carousel. Disney Four more Disney Cruise Line ships Yes, four. In addition to the Disney Wish, which launched two and a half years ago, the Disney Treasure, which set sail in December, and the Disney Destiny, which is set to embark this year, Disney is adding four more cruise ships to its ocean vacation lineup. The ship names and destinations have yet to be revealed, but they'll be setting sail between 2027 and 2031. Everything else new at Disney World and Disneyland Mando and Grogu are joining in the Millennium Falcon fun. DisneyDisneyland's Tiana's Bayou Adventureis now open as of Nov. 15, with Critter Country being rethemed to "Bayou Country." The area still includes the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, as well as Pooh Corner and the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree. Two merchandise stores, called Ray's Berets and Louis' Critter Club, are also open. Disneyland and Hollywood Studios will be getting Mandalorian and Grogu missions added to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run ride in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.Epcot will be opening a "Reimagined Test Track" (now sponsored by GM) in 2025, which will celebrate "the past, present, and future of automation." Animal Kingdom will be replacing its old It's Tough to be a Bug show inside the Tree of Life with a Zootopia-themed show. Zootopia: Better Zoogether will feature Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde taking you through several different areas from the city, and will open next winter. Magic Kingdom and Epcot are getting two new lounges: A Pirates Lounge and a Spaceship Earth lounge, respectively. They'll open in 2025.Magic Kingdom will be getting a new nighttime parade in 2025.Magic Kingdom is also getting a new show: Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After.

Dry January is here again and with it, the hunt for cocktail alternatives. Happily, recipes for tasty mocktails are not in short supply in 2025. With the right ingredients, you can even turn your nonalcoholic drink into something of an elixir, also known as a functional beverage. This type of drink has health benefits beyond hydration -- and tastes much better than plain water.We've assembled a list of mocktail ingredients that can maximize the health benefits of your beverages. Whether you're giving up alcohol for January or you're soberyear-round, these mocktail drink components can potentially aid everything from your immune system to your stomach.1. Ginger Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Ginger has several health benefits, especially for your gut. Gingerol, a component of fresh ginger, helps your body digest food faster and can provide nausea relief. Johns Hopkins Medicine points out that ginger can also cut down on the amount of bloating and gas you experience. Plus, ginger contains many anti-inflammatory compounds.Of the more than 400 natural compounds in ginger, some of them keep oral bacteria from growing. While a ginger mocktail can't replace your mouthwash, using this ingredient may be better for your teeth than many sugar-rich mixers.Ginger is famously used to flavor mule drinks, but it can also be paired with a lot of ingredients. Consider adding a dash of ginger to your mocktail along with some of the following:HibiscusLimeLemonCucumberMintCranberry2. Elderberry Madeleine_Steinbach/Getty ImagesElderberries are dark purple berries that grow on several continents. Before you add them to your mocktail, it's essential to know that they shouldn't be eaten raw. They must be cooked to reduce toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides that can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems, dizziness and weakness. However, once your elderberries are cooked and safe to consume, they offer a number of potential health benefits and a tart flavor profile.Mount Sinai says that elderberry may help with congestion and is often used to treat cold and flu symptoms. It may also lend itself to upper respiratory health. These berries are packed with everything from vitamin C and vitamin A to potassium and fiber. If you don't want to buy and cook the actual berries, you can also get elderberry in liquid, syrup, capsule or gummy form.Elderberries are tart but can be countered with other ingredients to round out the taste. These berries are often paired with:BlueberryLycheeMintGingerApple juiceSpearmint3. Coconut waterCoconut water comes from the center of a coconut. It's not only sweet and perfect for a mocktail, but it's very hydrating. Coconut water is full of electrolytes, including sodium and magnesium. These electrically charged minerals help your body hold onto water and can rehydrate you after a workout or if you're sick.While the data is currently limited, some older studies suggest that the potassium found in coconut water may be enough to help you manage high blood pressure. Potassium also helps your body remove excess sodium and reduce pressure on your blood vessels.Coconut water would be great in a mocktail with other ingredients like:Pineapple juiceOrange juiceMintLimeRaspberryBasil4. Pure cranberry juice Westend61/Getty ImagesPure cranberry juice is different from cranberry cocktail because it doesn't contain any added sugars. While this makes the drink quite tangy, it has several health benefits that make it a good addition to your next mocktail. For one, pure cranberry juice is beneficial for your urinary tract system. Cleveland Clinic says that while cranberry juice can't cure a urinary tract infection, it can help you prevent one in the first place. Cranberry stops E. coli from binding to your bladder, which often leads to a more serious infection.Additionally, the A-type proanthocyanidins found in pure cranberry juice can reduce harmful microbes in your colon and improve your digestive health. This type of juice may also prevent bacteria from forming in your mouth.The next time you're brewing up a new mocktail recipe, consider combining your pure cranberry juice with some of the following:Orange juiceMintRosemaryElderflowerApple juiceGinger5. Raw honeyIf you're looking for a way to sweeten a mocktail without sugar, consider raw honey. This is honey that is taken directly from a bee hive, filtered and bottled. It doesn't go through the pasteurization (heating) process that regular honey does. While raw honey may contain bacteria, it remains safe for most healthy adults, and it has a lot more nutritional value than regular honey.Raw honey is full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and riboflavin. It's a good source of antioxidants, which help protect your body's cells from being damaged by free radicals. Raw honey also has some antibacterial properties.You may want to add raw honey to your drink along with these complementary ingredients:TangerineSageAgaveBlackberryMintLemon6. Green tea Susan Walker/Getty ImagesAs it turns out, green tea isn't just good for breakfast. You can also add it to a mocktail at any time and enjoy a caffeine boost along with a host of potential health benefits. According to Cleveland Clinic, green tea can help you with everything from inflammation to high cholesterol. The amino acids found in green tea can even aid in brain health, improving your memory and concentration.Green tea is rich in L-theanine, which may help some people prevent Type 2 diabetes. This amino acid is also known to decrease stress and anxiety, making your mocktail experience all the more relaxing.If you're not drinking right now, green tea makes a great base for a variety of mocktails. The refreshing beverage can be paired with ingredients such as:Passion fruitCoconut waterBasilPineapple juiceHoneyBlueberries7. Tart cherry juiceTart cherries don't taste as good as sweet cherries when eaten raw, but they can be turned into a healthy juice chock full of nutrients. Tart cherry juice contains iron, zinc and calcium and also has anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its anthocyanin compounds.If you decide to mix up a cocktail after a workout, adding tart cherry juice could help you recover more quickly. It can reduce your muscle pain and aid with blood flow. You may also want to indulge in a cherry-flavored mocktail in the evening. Tart cherry juice has been shown to increase sleep time by increasing your melatonin production.You can pair tart cherry juice with sweet ingredients to balance its sharp flavor. Try adding some of these to your next drink, too:HoneyMaple syrupPineapple juiceVanillaOrange juiceChamomile teaThe bottom lineMocktails offer a way to socialize or wind down at home without consuming alcohol. They allow you to recreate some of your favorite cocktails with nutrient-rich ingredients, and you may even create something better than your go-to Paloma. The healthy ingredients in this list are just the beginning. You can play around with myriad whole foods, ranging from grapefruit juice to muddled blueberries, until you find the perfect recipe.

A celestial game of hide and seek will take place in the night sky on Jan. 13, and lucky space fans across most of the US can witness the fun. Mars will look reddish and bright as the moon passes in front of it, obscuring the planet for over an hour in some areas. This is known as an occultation. "An occultation is when one celestial object passes directly in front of another, hiding the background object from view," NASA said in a skywatching guide.The timing of Mars' disappearing act will vary depending on your location. It'll be visible from the contiguous US. The Astronomical League published a map with viewing timesfor major cities across the country. Set a reminder to catch both the disappearance and reappearance of the only planet in the solar system where we have rovers exploring the surface. Enlarge Image A NASA view of Mars shows the planet's bright ice cap. NASA/JPL/USGSThe Astronomical League suggests using binoculars for the event and starting your viewing 10 minutes ahead of time so you can spot Mars before the moon covers it up. You may have to hunt around to find the planet when it returns to the sky."Mars' time and position of reappearance is difficult to judge since the planet lies concealed behind the moon beforehand," the league said.The moon will be full during the Mars occultation. January's full moon is popularly known as the Wolf Moon, so you can imagine the Wolf Moon gobbling up Mars and then spitting it out again.January is full of good skywatching events, including a parade of planets and the fiery show of the annual Quadrantids meteor shower.This is a particularly fun month for viewing Mars. The red planet reaches opposition when it's opposite from the sun, with Earth in the middle by the evening of Jan. 16. It's the closest Mars will be to Earth this year, so the planet can appear a little brighter than usual. Look to the east after sundown and to the west near sunrise to find Mars.As the moon does its sleight of hand on Jan. 13, be sure to wave goodbye and then wave hello again to NASA's Perseverance and Curiosity rovers far away on the red planet. They'll be hard at work exploring Mars while you're enjoying the magic show from Earth.

Naughty Dog was sold to Sony because the "stress of ballooning budgets was enormous" says co-founder"Looking back, it was the right call."Image credit: Naughty Dog / Universal / Eurogamer News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 4, 2025 Naughty Dog co-founder Andrew Gavin has opened up about why the studio was acquired by Sony back in 2001.In a lengthy post on LinkedIn, Gavin cited the spiralling costs of game development as one of the reasons the studio was sold, saying "a systemic issue in the AAA space" wherein developers "almost never have the resources to fund their own games [...] gives publishers enormous leverage".Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Announcement Trailer.Watch on YouTube"Why did we sell Naughty Dog? It's a question I've been asked countless times. The answer is simple: budgets were skyrocketing," Gavin - who worked at Naughty Dog for almost 20 years before leaving in 2004 - said (via Gameranx)."When we started Naughty Dog in the 1980s, game development expenses were manageable. We bootstrapped everything, pouring profits from one game into the next. Our early 80s games cost less than $50,000 each to make. Rings of Power ('88-91), saw budgets rise to about $100,000, but yielded slightly more than that in after tax profits in 1992."In 1993, we rolled that $100k from Rings into a self-funded Way of the Warrior. But Crash Bandicoot ('94-96) cost $1.6 million to make. By the time we got to Jak and Daxter ('99-01), the budget busted the $15 million mark."By 2004, the cost of AAA games like Jak 3 had soared to $45-50 million - and they have been rising ever since," Gavin added. "But back in 2000, we were still self-funding every project, and the stress of financing these ballooning budgets independently was enormous."It wasn't just us. This was (and still is) a systemic issue in the AAA space. Developers almost never have the resources to fund their own games, which gives publishers enormous leverage. Selling to Sony wasn't just about securing a financial future for Naughty Dog. It was about giving the studio the resources to keep making the best games possible, without being crushed by the weight of skyrocketing costs and the paralysing fear that one slip would ruin it all."Looking back, it was the right call."Gavin ended by admitting that "AAA games have only gotten more expensive since then", citing costs for today's big-budget games "easily" top "$300, $400, or even $500 million"."Would we have been able to keep up? Maybe. But selling - to the right party - gave Naughty Dog the stability it needed to thrive and to continue making the kinds of games we'd always dreamed of!"Several months after studio lead Neil Druckmann confirmed Naughty Dog had a number of games in the works, the team has lifted the lid on its next, all-new title: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PS5."Set thousands of years in the future, Intergalactic puts players into the role of Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago," teases the blurb."Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit," reads the game's official blurb."

Elden Ring Nightreign has removed one of Elden Ring's most iconic featuresPraise the message!Image credit: FromSoftware News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 4, 2025 Elden Ring Nightreign will not include the game's signature in-game messaging system because there will be "no time" to read or write messages.Whilst Nightreign's announcement trailer featured plenty of familiar elements like sites of grace and Evergaols - as well as enemies from Dark Souls like The Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 - Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki has confirmed the studio is pulling its in-game communication because with sessions around 40-minutes long, there simply isn't any time to waste.Elden Ring: Nightreign reveal gameplay trailer.Watch on YouTube"You can still see the ghosts of other players, but the ability to leave messages has been removed," Ishizaki told IGN Japan via machine translation."The reason we removed the message feature is that in this game, where each session is about 40 minutes long, there is no time to write your own message, and no time to read messages written by others.""The concept was to make a 'condensed RPG'. RPGs have their ups and downs, and players sometimes gain and sometimes lose," Ishizaki added. "I think the best part of RPGs is that all of these experiences ultimately come to fruition. In order to create a harmonious experience that allows players to experience the true essence of RPGs, each game took place over three days."Interestingly, this means defeated foes will not revive during the match - not even when you rest at a site of grace - and although ashes will make an appearance in Nightreign, how they're "handled" will differ from the original Elden Ring game.The interview also revealed that Miyazaki was involved "up until the creation of the initial concept" for Nightreign, but he has since stepped aside for the new director, who has been at FromSoft since 2011."Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign is a very exciting game that will excite players," Ishizaki concluded. "It will provide a sense of accomplishment and joy that is different from previous titles, so please look forward to it."ICYMI, a network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign will take place in February, with registration beginning on 10th January.

Life comes at you slow.Reformatted and revised with a couple of new additions. Enjoy!If you're looking for a change of pace and some welcome distraction from everyday life, few mediums offer such engrossing, ongoing escapism as video games. Even the best books have an ending, but some games can go on almost indefinitely and come to form a calming part of our daily routines.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

PCs have been through a number of evolutions in terms of form factor, transforming from big, heavy, and quite ugly beige boxes that took up a lot of desk space to something no bigger than a hardback book that packs enough power to handle all but the most demanding of workloads. And when gaming PCs came along, with increased power and cooling demand, they were even bigger and bulkier.But it doesn't have to be that way. Mini gaming PCs are now very much a thing, so your gaming rig need not be a huge, noisy box.What is the best mini gaming PC right now?I've researched the current mini PC offerings on the market, examining specs, and paying close attention to user reviews, and my top pick for the best mini gaming PC is the TOPGRO T1-Pro. This is the closest to a full-sized gamig PC that you can get, but in mini form, and on top of that it's been built with expansion in mind. Sort by All The best mini gaming PCs of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon The TOPGRO T1-Pro mini gaming PC has it all. It features a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, a high-performance GeForce RTX 4060 mobile graphics card, 32GB of fast DDR5-5200 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 NVMe storage. There's also Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.There's loads of room for expansion, too, with the system taking up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. All this hardware needs space to breathe, and the system is equipped with fans that can go from whisper quiet when workload is low to full-on maximum cooling when needed.Mini gaming PCs don't get much better than this one. Yes, it commands a serious price tag, but this is a system that delivers.TOPGRO T1-Protech specs: 13th Gen Core i9-13900H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile| 32GB DDR5-5200 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD| 4 x USB 3.0 and 2 x USB2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Pros Powerful Easily expandable Excellent reviews Cons Expensive The TOPGRO T1-Pro mini gaming PC has it all. It features a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor, a high-performance GeForce RTX 4060 mobile graphics card, 32GB of fast DDR5-5200 RAM, and 1TB of M.2 NVMe storage. There's also Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet.There's loads of room for expansion, too, with the system taking up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. All this hardware needs space to breathe, and the system is equipped with fans that can go from whisper quiet when workload is low to full-on maximum cooling when needed.Mini gaming PCs don't get much better than this one. Yes, it commands a serious price tag, but this is a system that delivers.TOPGRO T1-Protech specs: 13th Gen Core i9-13900H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile| 32GB DDR5-5200 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD| 4 x USB 3.0 and 2 x USB2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G mini PC is proof that performance can be packed into a tiny package. This mini gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD--this is a system built on performance.A lot of effort has been put into cooling this system: there are dual fans and as many as seven heat pipes (three for CPU and the remaining four for GPU), liquid metal is used as a thermal compound due to its high performance, and there are dual air outlets.There's also no shortage of ports, from USB-A and USB-C to 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports. Everything you need to game and win.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99Gtech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor| 64GB RAM | 1TB M.2 2280 storage |USB-A and USB-C, 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports | OS Pros Powerful Close to silent Quad display support No bigger than a book Cons Plastic case is a bit on the flimsy side The MINISFORUM Neptune HX99G mini PC is proof that performance can be packed into a tiny package. This mini gaming PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD--this is a system built on performance.A lot of effort has been put into cooling this system: there are dual fans and as many as seven heat pipes (three for CPU and the remaining four for GPU), liquid metal is used as a thermal compound due to its high performance, and there are dual air outlets.There's also no shortage of ports, from USB-A and USB-C to 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports. Everything you need to game and win.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99Gtech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor| 64GB RAM | 1TB M.2 2280 storage |USB-A and USB-C, 2.5 Ethernet and mic/headphone ports | OS Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less For $600, you get this mini gaming PC that has an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 32GB of DDR4, and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD--that's a lot of hardware packed into a small footprint. There's also room for upgradesthe side panel is held in place using magnetic latches, allowing access to the RAM slots (which supports 64GB), the M.2 slow (which supports 2TB), and space for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD up to 2TB.The system features a control dial that allows the user to choose between three different performance settings, a handy touch because this way power consumption and noise can be kept to a minimum.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03tech specs: Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel UHD Graphics | 32GB DDR4 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD | 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C | Windows 11 Pros Tiny Powerful enough to drive two 4K displays Cons Not fanless, so may become a little noisy when pushed with heavy workloads For $600, you get this mini gaming PC that has an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 32GB of DDR4, and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD--that's a lot of hardware packed into a small footprint. There's also room for upgradesthe side panel is held in place using magnetic latches, allowing access to the RAM slots (which supports 64GB), the M.2 slow (which supports 2TB), and space for a 2.5-inch SATA SSD up to 2TB.The system features a control dial that allows the user to choose between three different performance settings, a handy touch because this way power consumption and noise can be kept to a minimum.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03tech specs: Intel Core i9-11900H | Intel UHD Graphics | 32GB DDR4 RAM | 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0 SSD | 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A and 1x USB 3.2 Type-C | Windows 11 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro is built around the Intel Nuc form factor a 7.6 x 7.4 x 4.9-inch box packed with high tech components. There's an AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with built-in AMD Radeon 680M GPU. There's also 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD.Multiple displays are no problem for this gaming PC, and it's capable of support quad displays (one over HDMI and DisplayPort, and two on the USB 4 ports). There's also a built-in OCuLink port, a connector system that allows users to connect PCIe devices to a system using an external cable, and this would allow an external graphics card to be added to the mini gaming PC, giving it a great deal of expandability.GMKtec Nucbox M7 Protech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H | MD Radeon 680M GPU | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 and 2 x USB 2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Pros Familiar Intel Nuc form factor OCuLink port for external GPU Quad display support Cons Fan can get loud under load The GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro is built around the Intel Nuc form factor a 7.6 x 7.4 x 4.9-inch box packed with high tech components. There's an AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H with built-in AMD Radeon 680M GPU. There's also 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD.Multiple displays are no problem for this gaming PC, and it's capable of support quad displays (one over HDMI and DisplayPort, and two on the USB 4 ports). There's also a built-in OCuLink port, a connector system that allows users to connect PCIe devices to a system using an external cable, and this would allow an external graphics card to be added to the mini gaming PC, giving it a great deal of expandability.GMKtec Nucbox M7 Protech specs: AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H | MD Radeon 680M GPU | 32GB DDR5 RAM | 2TB PCIe 3.0 M.2 2280 SSD | 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 and 2 x USB 2.0 | Windows 11 Pro Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best mini gaming PC? Best mini gaming PCPriceProcessorGraphicsRAMStorageTOPGRO T1-Pro$1,500Intel Core i9-13900HNvidia GeForce RTX 4060 mobile32GB DDR5-52001TB M.2 SSDMINISFORUM Neptune HX99G$800AMD Ryzen 9 6900HXAMD Radeon RX 6600M64GB DDR5-48001TB M.2 SSDACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03$600Intel Core i9 11900HIntel UHD Graphics32GB DDR41TB M.2 SSDGMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro$550AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HAMD Radeon 680M32GB DDR52TB M.2 SSD Show more Which is the right mini gaming PC for you? Choose this mini gaming PCIf you wantTOPGRO T1-ProThe best of the best. This is the closest you're going to get to a full-size desktop PC in mini PC format.MINISFORUM Neptune HX99GA mini gamin PC for under $1,000.ACEMAGIC i9 11900H AD03A good middle-of-the-road system. And if you want more, the unique magnetic latch system makes upgrading the system a snap.GMKtec Nucbox M7 ProA budget system with a twist. The built-in OCuLink port allows the use of external PCIe devices, such as a graphics card. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a mini gaming PC In many ways, choosing a mini PC is much like a regular PC. There are all the usual performance, price, and support for all your peripherals to keep in mind. But if you are after a mini PC, then the mini part does come into play, so there is a size issue to bear in mind. The good news is that mini PCs come in a range of sizes, from systems that can fit in the palm of your hand to systems so small you could fit several of them in the palm of your hand.Do you need a mini gaming PC? This is the top question when choosing a mini gaming PC. Do you actually need one, or would a full-size gaming PC be more apt for you?Performance: Pretty standard PC consideration here. This is normally a case of more speed, more spend.Budget: Small doesn't always mean cheap, but you can save money by choosing a mini PC that suits your needs.Upgradability: How much upgradability do you want your mini gaming PC to have? Show more How did we choose these mini gaming PCs? There are a lot of mini PCs on the market from a variety of different vendors, and I've tested and used mini gaming PCs from all the vendors listed here, I've based my selections on my experience using these brands, as well as current model user reviews.Product specs and price also come into play, but being able to draw on dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of other people's views allows me to get a broad sense of how well-received a selected mini gaming PC is. I've paid particular attention to reports of performance, stability, how quiet or noisy the PC is, and weeded out many that seemed to have a poor lifespan.What we're left with is the best of the best, in a broad selection of categories that are applicable to mini gaming PCs. Show more FAQs on mini gaming PCs What is a mini gaming PC? A mini PC is a compact yet fully functional computer that offers many, if not all of, the capabilities of a desktop PC, but is packaged into a smaller form factor. Mini PCs are designed to save space and can be used for a variety of tasks, from basic computing to more demanding applications such as programming or even gaming.A mini gaming PC takes this one step further, and is a system that's built with gaming in mind. Show more What are the advantages of using a mini PC? People often choose to invest in a mini gaming PC for these reasons:Space-saving:The top benefit of going for a mini gaming PC is that it takes up significantly less space than traditional desktop PCs.Portable:Mini gaming PCs are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for users who need computing power on the go.Energy efficiency:Most mini gaming PCs consume significantly less power than a similarly-specced desktop system, which can lead to cost savings on electricity.Quiet:While a mini gaming PC isn't going to be fanless, these systems are far quieter than a standard desktop system. Show more Are mini gaming PCs upgradeable? It depends on the model. Most mini gaming PCs allow for upgrades -- sometimes very easy upgrades -- to components like RAM and storage. There's also a system with an OCuLink port that allows the use of an external graphics card.On the whole however, like laptops, mini PCs are better aimed at those situations where you buy the PC with the spec that you need rather than relying on an upgrade down the line. So if you want the maximum upgradability possible, a regular desktop gaming PC might be better for you. Show more Other mini gaming PCs worth considering Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

Answers for today's NYT Mini Crossword are just ahead.New York TimesIn case you missed Fridays NYT Mini, you can find the answers here:Wondering what material Frostys pipe is made from? Not sure what a GameCube successor might be? Dont worry, because I'm here to help you with the answers for today's NYT Mini crossword.The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper's larger and long-running crossword. Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.Unlike its larger sibling, the NYT Mini crossword is free to play on the New York Times website or NYT Games app. However, youll need an NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives.MORE FOR YOUTo help you avoid getting stuck and having to reveal missing letters, here are the NYT Mini Crossword answers for Saturday, January 4 (spoilers lie ahead, of course):NYT Mini Crossword Clues And AnswersNYT Mini Across Answers1 Across: Baby polar bear CUB4 Across: Arctic ___, big-eared critters in white winter coats HARES6 Across: Material for Frosty's pipe CORNCOB8 Across: "I'm fr-fr-freezing!" BRR9 Across: Poem of high praise ODE10 Across: Frosty, e.g. SNOWMAN12 Across: Pigs' digs STIES13 Across: Someone who might give bro hugs? SISNYT Mini Down Answers1 Down: Noses for many a 10-Across (but not Frosty's!) CARROTS2 Down: Caterer's coffee dispenser URN3 Down: Turns into BECOMES4 Down: Don't confuse them with antlers HORNS5 Down: CRUSH, SPRITE, SQUIRT and STARRY, in a Connections category SODAS6 Down: Network that's aired the Grammy Awards since 1973 CBS7 Down: ___ & Jerry's BEN11 Down: GameCube successor WIICompleted New York Times Mini crossword for Saturday, January 4New York TimesIt took me 1:48 to complete today's NYT Mini.Not a bad time for a Saturday Mini! Ill take that.I initially thought 4 Across was foxes and had never heard of a CORNCOB being used as Frosty the SNOWMANs pipe, so those slowed me down a bit. But getting CARROTS quickly was a big help in unlocking many of the answers.The only reason I was able to get 5 Down so quickly despite only being familiar with one of those as SODAS is because that was a group of words in Connections a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, BRR and the Nintendo WII seem very much like filler answers to make the rest of the grid work but now Ive got a sudden urge to play bowling on Wii Sports.Make sure to follow my blog for more coverage of the NYT Mini and other word games, as well as video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! Its fun there.