Preconditioning is good Cold-weather range hits arent as bad for EVs with heat pumps Heat pumps can mitigate range loss and are standard on newer models. Kristoffer Teague, Inside Climate News Jan 6, 2025 10:17 am | 27 Audi equips the e-tron with heat pumps. Credit: Jonathan Gitlin Audi equips the e-tron with heat pumps. Credit: Jonathan Gitlin Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAndrew Garberson has a message for drivers in cold-climate states like Minnesota: Yes, you can still drive an electric car.Public scrutiny over how well EVs perform in cold weather has grown in recent years following high-profile incidents, like one in Chicago last winter, when several Tesla drivers found themselves stuck in line for hours, waiting for their turn at public charging stations as temperatures dipped below zero. Many drivers reported that the cold had not only sapped their batteries of power but also made charging them a major hassle.Cold weather temporarily reduces the available energy of EV batteries and slows their ability to chargethough theyll function normally again in warmer conditions. Heating the cars cabin during winter also requires energy from the battery, meaning less fuel for travel.Research has found that freezing temperatures can reduce the average driving range of an electric vehicle anywhere from 25 percent to 41 percent, depending on the circumstances. So, a car that can drive 100 miles on a single charge when its 70 Fahrenheit outside may only be capable of going 59 to 75 miles in freezing temperatures.But Garberson, who lives in Iowa and works as the head of growth and research for the EV advocacy group Recurrent, said incidents like the one in Chicago have been overblown in the media and that drivers shouldnt avoid buying an electric car just because they live somewhere with cold winters.I drive an EV every day, and my winter is almost as harsh as yours [in Minnesota], he said. The anxiety around winter and reduced range, while its not inaccurate, is just a bit overhyped.EVs arent the only cars to suffer performance issues under frigid conditions. Conventional gasoline cars lose between 10 percent and 20 percent of their driving range when the temperature drops from 77 Fahrenheit to 20, according to the US Department of Energy.If drivers are properly prepared, most EVs should hold up fine in cold situations, Garberson said. Drivers can take certain steps to ensure their commute goes as smoothly as possible, he added, such as preconditioning their batteries before charging thema setting on most modern EV models that warms the battery to an optimal temperature, allowing for faster charging.Recurrent also reviews EV models every year to see how much cold weather impacts their range, which could help shoppers choose which model would work best for their needs, Garberson said. This year, the organization looked at 13 popular models, analyzing real-world driving data from over 10,000 vehicles. It found that those models lost 21 percent of their range on average when temperatures drop to 32 Fahrenheit. But the loss varied drastically by model and year.The Tesla Model X had the smallest range loss, with an 11 percent decrease, while the Volkswagen ID.4 had the largest at 37 percent. The biggest factor, Garberson said, was whether the vehicle had a heat pump, which is more efficient than conventional heating systems and therefore reduces overall power use. Studies show that the power needed to heat the cars cabin is a big reason for range loss.The EV models that did not utilize a heat pump, including the ID.4, saw their batteries reduced by an average of 28 percent, compared to an average of 13 percent for cars with heat pumps, Recurrents analysis found. Overall, heat pumps added roughly 10 percent extra range to cars during freezing conditions, the report said.Garberson said cars built in 2020 or later are more likely to have heat pumps installed than older models. Many popular models now have them or will soon have them, he added, noting that Ford added heat pumps to its 2024 F-150 Lightning and is adding them to its Mustang Mach-E in 2025.A lot of the [car companies] have added heat pumps because theyve realized how important it is for people in northern climates, Garberson said. So thats my No. 1 piece of advice, is just do a little bit of research about the technology in the car because it can make a 10 to 15 percent difference in overall range.Ingrid Malmgren didnt know her Tesla Model Y, which she bought in November 2022, had a heat pump when she decided to take her family on a four-hour road trip from her Vermont home to Quebec City, Canada, last February. The day they left, she said, the high was 7 Fahrenheit.Im not gonna lie, I was nervous about it, said Malmgren, who works as the senior policy director for Plug In America, another EV advocacy organization. But it was a complete non-issue. We charged once along the way.Malmgren said her experience is a common one for first-time EV buyers. A recent Plug In America survey of more than 3,000 EV owners found that 70 percent of the respondents worried about battery range before buying an electric car. The survey, however, also found that only 35 percent remained concerned after owning an EV.What weve found with our Plug In America survey is that a lot of people have concerns about cold weather operation of electric vehicles, she said. But once they get in an electric vehicle, once they start driving an electric vehicle consistently, they find that these concerns go away.The vast majority of the EV owners who remain concerned about range own EVs built before 2020 and live in rural areas, Malmgren added, where charging infrastructure is scarcer and drivers typically travel longer distances.The survey also ranked owner satisfaction for different EV models, including for the cars battery range. Out of the 14 different EV models included, Rivans R1T truck received the highest satisfaction rating for range performance from the survey respondents. Teslas Model Y sedan received the second-highest rating.Charging speed may be another factor prospective EV buyers want to consider. Garberson said newer models can typically charge faster than older models. His 2021 Hyundai Kona can charge in 30 to 40 minutes, he said, while his wife, who drives a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, can charge her car in 12 to 14 minutes. Some used EVs that were built a decade or more ago, while cheaper, may take even longer to charge or require multiple charges a day, he added.The most important thing to consider is your driving habits, Garberson said, adding that most drivers wont even notice when their EV loses range during cold weather.The average daily driving distance, its like 30.2 miles, he said. So it doesnt matter what EV you have. Any difference in range and cold conditionsor hot conditions, for that matterisnt going to be something that materially impacts your daily driving.This story originally appeared on Inside Climate News.Kristoffer Teague, Inside Climate News 27 Comments

All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall takes place in a flooded future New York CityShutterstock / MunimaraIf you are emerging from post-holiday stupors in desperate need of fresh horizons and new worlds to explore, then I have some great new science fiction for your bedside table. We have some big names in the mix Nnedi Okorafor and Cory Doctorow and a real mix of genres, from literary adventures with Eiren Caffall and Erika Swyler, to good old space opera and even some romance.And if you dont have time to fit a whole novel into your hectic January schedule, why not dip into our selection of the best ever science fiction short stories, chosen for you by New Scientist staff.Death of the Author by Nnedi OkoraforTipped by our sci-fi columnist Emily H. Wilson as one to watch out for, this new novel is from the author of our brilliant Christmas short story, Abracadabra. It follows sci-fi author Zelu as she decides to pen a novel about androids and AI after the extinction of humanity. But as she writes, the lines between the story she is creating and reality begin to blurAdvertisementAll the Water in the World by Eiren CaffallEmily also alerted us to look out for this in 2025 and it does, indeed, sound wonderful. It is set in a world where the glaciers have melted and the storys protagonists have remained behind in a flooded New York City, living on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. Their task? To preserve the exhibits and artefacts. Caffall was inspired to write her story by curators in Iraq and Leningrad who worked to protect collections from war.We Lived on the Horizon by Erika SwylerAnother tip from Emily, this follows a bio-prosthetic surgeon and her personal AI in a city where, over generations, an elite class has evolved from the descendants of those who sacrificed the most to found humanitys last stronghold. The city is run by an artificial intelligence that rewards sacrifice, but when a brutal murder takes place, the AI erases the event from its data.The Time of the Fire by Emma KavanaghThis eco-thriller features two parallel versions of its world. In one, Robyns father has died suddenly and a freak forest fire is threatening the Californian town of Destino. In the other, Robyn wakes to find her father is still alive and there is no sign of the fire. But she knows that in the first world, her own, it is still spreading fast and she needs to find answersA forest fire threatens a California town in The Time of the Fire by Emma KavanaghAlamy Stock PhotoPicks and Shovels by Cory DoctorowThis is the latest in Doctorows Martin Hench series, about the adventures of the forensic accountant. Here, it is 1986, and Hench is hired by a Silicon Valley start-up, Fidelity Computing, to investigate former employees all brilliant young women who have launched a competitor. He quickly switches sides after becoming more sympathetic towards the group he is investigating. But do they realise the depth of the evil they are up against?Aerth by Deborah TomkinsThis sci-fi novella follows Magnus, who decides to leave his planet, Aerth, as it is moving into an ice age and with a strange virus infecting the population. He becomes an astronaut and travels to the newly-discovered planet Urth, but it is hot and crowded and there seems to be no way home again.Space Oddity by Catherynne M. ValenteThis sequel to the Hugo-nominated Space Opera sees the return of the Metagalactic Grand Prix, a mix of gladiatorial tournament, beauty pageant, concert extravaganza and continuation of the wars of the past. Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes finished 10th in the last contest and are preparing for the new one the fate of the Earth is set to be threatened once again.The Ancients by John LarisonThis sounds great set on a far-future, climate-changed Earth, the novel follows three intertwined stories. There is a young boy and his sisters, who wake to find themselves alone in an abandoned fishing village and set out across the wilderness to find their people. There is also their mother, who has been captured by raiders and, separately, a young scholar at the centre of power who must decide who to support.The Garden by Nick NewmanI have yet to read this so cant vouch for how much science fiction lies within, but it is pitched as a horror story and a meditation on love at the end of the world, so Im hoping it shades into the post-apocalyptic as it sounds great. It is set in a place and time unknown, where two elderly sisters live a secluded life in a walled garden until a nameless boy is found hiding in their retreat and the outside world begins to intrude.Shadow of the Eternal Watcher by Josh MendozaIn this slice of space opera from filmmaker Josh Mendoza, a has-been detective is framed for murder. As he tries to clear his name, he finds he is being hunted by a cabal of interdimensional invaders.Here Beside the Rising Tide by Emily JaneA slice of sci-fi romance to round out January? Dont mind if I do. This follows romance author Jenni, who returns to the childhood beach home where she used to spend her summers, and where her best friend Timmy disappeared. Today, 30 years on, a boy emerges from the sea. His name is Timmy, he says; he is out to save the world. And there are terrors in the deepNew Scientist book clubLove reading? Come and join our friendly group of fellow book lovers. Every six weeks, we delve into an exciting new title, with members given free access to extracts from our books, articles from our authors and video interviews.Sign upTopics:

Disney and partners have settled with Fubo to relaunch the Venu sports streaming service.Venu's launch was delayed due to an antitrust suit filed by Fubo.Disney will merge Hulu + Live with Fubo, creating a major digital TV service.Remember Venu, the sports streaming service co-owned by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery?Unless you spend a lot of time focused on the sports media business, you probably don't. That's because the service never launched: It was supposed to go live last fall, but got derailed by an antitrust suit filed by Fubo, a small streaming service.Now it's set to launch again after Disney and its partners have essentially paid Fubo to drop the suit. Hearings in the case were supposed to start Monday.Part of the payment will be cash, but there's a more eye-popping, and confusing part of the deal: Disney is going to combine its Hulu + Live streaming service its cable-like package of TV channels with Fubo's similar service into a new company, which doesn't have a name yet.The combined company should have around 6 million subscribers, making it the second-largest all-digital TV service after YouTubeTV, which has some 8 million subscribers. And it would become the sixth-largest pay TV service, period.(Important note: This deal does not affect Disney's much bigger Hulu subscription on-demand service the one most people think about when they think of Hulu. That one had 47.4 million subscribers as of last September; Hulu + Live, which costs much more, has 4.6 million subscribers.)We can get into a few more details in a moment. But to me, the biggest takeaway is this: It's a reminder that Disney, which is launching its own stand-alone ESPN streaming service this fall, isn't fully confident about that service's prospects. That's why it wanted to be in Venu to be part of a bigger sports streaming service, in case a meaningful number of people wanted streaming sports from ESPN and other networks as well.And now that Venu is (very likely) to launch this year, it means that by next fall, ESPN watchers will have a lot of options: They can pay for stand-alone ESPN; they can pay for it as part of a sports-streaming package along with other channels like ABC, TNT, and Fox; or they can pay for it as part of a very big bundle of channels, delivered by a variety of traditional and digital pay TV companies.Onto the details: The new, unnamed Disney/Fubo joint venture will be 70% owned by Disney, which will also control its board. But Fubo's existing management team will run the service. The deal also allows Fubo to create a new "skinny" bundle of networks including ESPN and ABC. And people who are already paying for Fubo or Hulu + Live TV via existing apps will be able to keep doing that.Fubo also gets cash as part of the deal. Disney, Fox, and WBD will collectively pay the company $220 million, and next year Disney will lend the company $145 million to help pay down Fubo's other debt obligations. Fubo will get a $130 million fee if the deal doesn't get regulatory approval.Fubo shareholders like the deal, pushing the stock up some 172% to around $4 on Monday. (Fubo had a brief pandemic-fueled run in 2021 when its shares zoomed up to $49, but since then, the market has mostly ignored it.)So, when will Venu launch? No one is saying, but my hunch is this spring.Remember that Venu was originally supposed to launch in the fall of 2024 when college and pro football kicked off. But Disney is already planning on launching "Flagship" its ESPN-only service next fall for the same football-related reasons, and it wouldn't make a lot of sense to launch both services at the same time.So I would expect Venu to go much earlier once the joint venture, which has been mostly mothballed for months, is ready for prime time. Some big sports dates coming up to keep in mind: The Super Bowl is February 9; college basketball's big tournament kicks off in mid-March.

Justin Trudeau, 53, announced that he's stepping down as the leader of Canadian's Liberal Party.The party will choose a new leader. Once that happens, Trudeau will step down as prime minister.Trudeau has served since 2015 but faced repeated calls to step down in recent weeks.Justin Trudeau on Monday announced that he would step down as prime minister of Canada once his party chooses a new leader."This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election," Trudeau said at a press conference in Ottawa.The Canadian leader said that he would step down as Canada's Liberal Party, and that he would cease to be prime minister once his party selects a new leader "through a robust, nationwide, competitive process."Trudeau, 53, has been Canada's prime minister since 2015. His nine-year-long tenure as premier is coming to an abrupt end following weeks of turmoil within Trudeau's own party, the Liberal Party.He faced repeated calls from party colleagues to step down after the Liberal Party lost three by-elections last year. In December, Trudeau's deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced her sudden resignation from his cabinet.Freeland, who was also the finance minister, said Trudeau had offered her another cabinet position, but she decided to step down because it was "the only honest and viable path for me." She had clashed with Trudeau over his push for increased spending and how Canada should handle the incoming Trump administration.In November, President-elect Donald Trump said he planned to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico.Since then, Trump has continued to taunt Trudeau by referring to him as Canada's "governor" and has joked about making Canada the 51st US state."The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau," Trump said of Freeland's resignation in a Truth Social post last month.Shortly after Freeland's resignation, opposition politician and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh said his party would bring a vote of no confidence against Trudeau when parliament sat again in January.Singh's party entered into a confidence-and-supply agreement with Trudeau's minority government in March 2022, but withdrew from it in September."I called for Justin Trudeau to resign, and he should," Singh wrote in an open letter on December 20.Canada's next general election must be held by October 2025.

Copper cookware looks classy in almost any kitchen.I'd display copper cookware by hanging it from a rack. Bri Macdonald Nothing exudes class quite like copper cookware. At my local Williams Sonoma, I found a large selection of copper pots and saucepans, as well as accessories like kettles, roasting pans, and serving plates perfect for creating a matching set.I like to hang copper cookware from a pot rack so guests can see the beautiful details on display. The cookware in the Tucci by GreenPan set comes in a nice variety of eye-catching shades.The pots and pans in the Tucci by GreenPan set look pretty and durable. Bri Macdonald As an avid follower of culinary content creators, I often find myself captivated by Stanley Tucci's delightful cooking videos on social media. So, I was excited to stumble upon his collection with GreenPan, which seems designed to last.The pots and pans have tight-fitting glass lids and stainless-steel handles designed for comfort and control while cooking. This cookware also comes in various colors to add a fun, vibrant pop to the kitchen counter. Well-designed kitchen tools can enhance functionality and aesthetics, and, in my opinion, this collection is worth checking out. I fell in love with the SMEG four-slice toaster.The SMEG four-slice toaster combines functionality and style. Bri Macdonald Who doesn't want a dash of retro charm in their kitchen? SMEG appliances are known for their classic designs, making them functional and stylish additions to any space.I love the SMEG four-slice toaster because it has a large enough opening to perfectly toast a large piece of sourdough. It also comes in pastel colors that can beautifully complement a kitchen design. I noticed an impressive selection of cutting boards at my local store.The cutting boards on display looked like they were made to last. Bri Macdonald A high-quality cutting board is an essential cornerstone of any well-equipped kitchen.The cutting boards available at my store looked like they were designed to endure the rigors of daily use while retaining their timeless appeal. I recommend curating a collection of various sizes and styles to accommodate different entertaining needs. A diverse selection ensures you're ready for anything, from casual get-togethers to elegant dinner parties that call for beautifully arranged cheese boards. The selection of liquid soaps would elevate any guest bathroom or kitchen.Williams Sonoma had tons of soaps to choose from. Bri Macdonald There's something charming about having gorgeous scented soaps by the guest-bathroom sink or kitchen counter.They're not just practical their lovely packaging and heavenly fragrances add a little extra magic to a space. Plus, they make the sweetest gifts. I think the KitchenAid stand mixers are must-buys for anyone wanting a functional yet stylish space.The KitchenAid stand mixers can make dough, whipped cream, and more. Bri Macdonald For anyone who loves baking, the KitchenAid stand mixer simply cannot be beat. This mixer, which comes with a steel bowl and various attachments, can make dough, whipped cream, and other recipes.Its aesthetic appeal is undeniable and it looks adorable nestled in the corner of a countertop. The mixer also comes in various colors to match any kitchen decor. I'm a big fan of the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine.The Breville Oracle jet espresso machine is an efficient, refined appliance. Bri Macdonald Perfecting your morning routine begins with crafting the ideal cup of coffee. For me, this is where the Breville Oracle jet espresso machine comes into play.I love how its sleek design marries functionality with refinement. It's an efficient yet attractive countertop appliance that I look forward to using each morning. High-quality linen tablecloths and napkins can transform an ordinary dining experience into an extraordinary one.I love the variety of linen tablecloths and napkins at Williams Sonoma. Bri Macdonald As a designer, I think investing in high-quality linen tablecloths and napkins is nonnegotiable. My mom still uses linen napkins she bought from Williams Sonoma two decades ago.These linens, which come in neutral tones and classic stripes, exude timeless elegance that can be dressed up for special occasions or kept casual for family dinners. The Aarke carbonators are my go-to for all things bubbly.The Aarke carbonators have sleek yet simple designs. Bri Macdonald As a soda-water drinker, I've experimented with just about every fizzy-beverage option cans, machines, you name it. However, when it comes to aesthetics and elegance, my favorite is the Aarke carbonator.This appliance's sleek yet simple design truly stands out. It also comes with glass bottles that are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to a space.

Supermassives games have always been cinematic, from the persuasive performances of slasher-horror Until Dawn to the chillier atmosphere of interactive ghost story Man of Medan. This time around, with sci-fi horror Directive 8020, the studio wears its Hollywood influences even more brazenly on its sleeve.The Earth is dying, and humanitys last hope is a planet called Tau Ceti F. Yet as the crew of colony ship Cassiopeia survey the promising planet, they soon discover that they arent alone. Stalked by a horrifying alien organism that can chillingly mimic its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit these predators and return home, with each former friend and crewmate now a potential threat. In other words, its a playable blend of Alien and The Thing.You have a cast of varied characters, and an alien monster that can infiltrate that setup. We lean into the systems that weve already built [in previous games] of choices and decisions, to create that element of surprise and the feeling of not knowing who to trust, says Will Doyle, the games creative director.Theres agency over your characters movement as well as their choices. Dropping the slow, cinematic shuffling of Until Dawn, Directive 8020 instead plays like something closer to Dead Space, allowing players to sprint, strafe, lash out and roll defensively as they flee their horrifying alien attackers. [But] these people arent action heroes. We didnt want you to be able to beat the creature easily, says Doyle. You can fend it off with some tools; you can distract it; but youre never able to pull out a gun and shoot it.The lead role of pilot Young is played by Lashana Lynch of No Time to Die fame. Everyone on board the ship lives or dies based on her read: your decisions. Mercifully, you can enlist some help and play cooperatively. Up to five people can connect online and take control of different characters something that the team implemented after seeing how many people chose to play Until Dawn by passing a controller around groups of friends.Every successive time you see a monster in a movie, it diminishes its fear factor a little bit, reckons Doyle. Without spoiling anything, we change the appearance and look and shape of our creature quite a lot There is this constant feeling of threat that you really arent safe anywhere in this game. With our previous games you can sometimes tell when youre in danger, just by the structure, so weve shaken it up a lot. Now, danger and death lurks around every corner.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion

There was a long-running joke that Bethesdas Skyrim had become so ubiquitous that it would run on anything. Starting life on the humble Xbox 360, it found its way on to Nintendo Switch, virtual reality headsets, PS5 and even Amazons Alexa. After more than 13 years, its sequel is still nowhere to be seen, so role playing game veterans Obsidian are offering fans an alternative in the form of Avowed.Im taken aback by just how fun and breezy it is, given that it has been spun off the somewhat stuffier computer RPG Pillars of Eternity. Entering the games colour-saturated world, Eora, I explore a luscious overgrown cavern with my alarmingly athletic mage, and find myself leaping across chasms and climbing rock faces without breaking a sweat.Where Skyrims dull colour palette and clunky combat betray its 2011 origins, Avoweds kineticism and vibrance make first-person spellcasting feel fun. As I unleash bursts of acid at a horde of charging skeletons or fling a barrage of ice missiles at an apocalyptic cult, chopping and changing between spells is as easy as holding down a trigger and pressing a button, and each attack is animated in an explosion of light and colour.I think players are going to be really pleased with how fun the combat feels, moment to moment, says game director Carrie Patel. We wanted to take the momentum and sense of impact from more action-forward games, and add that player-driven progression and choice from our RPG roots.Refreshingly jovial Avowed. Photograph: ObsidianI am accompanied through my demo by a sneering, sarky companion called Kai, and armed with a classic wheel of dialogue choices. There is more than a touch of Mass Effect here, with the actor who voiced Garrus in Biowares sci-fi epic offering up a similarly endearing companion in Kai. Players will see the effects of their choices play out in front of them, even in the early hours, says Patel. Later in the game, the choices youve made along the way are going to affect which characters are willing to trust you.Where Bethesda approaches fantasy with a furrowed brow, Obsidian opts for a more irreverent tone. Its banter levels land somewhere between Guardians of the Galaxy and 2023s Dungeons & Dragons film which will be off-putting for people for whom the Avengers style of dialogue has not so much soured as entirely curdled. Its the companions and their personalities that will make or break it.Were really excited for players to meet the companions that we built for them, says Patel. We had a lot of fun building these characters out and trying to develop interesting moments between them. As you move through the world, theyll talk to each other, giving you time to get to know them, and also to see them get to know each other.In many ways what I see here is less Diet Skyrim and more Skyrim Zero not so overindulgent and without the dodgy aftertaste. With its elements of Uncharted and Mass Effect, its a refreshingly jovial take on the familiar fantasy setting.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotion

Like many great things, Date Everything! started off as a joke. Envisioning a game where a lonely remote worker starts chatting up their furniture, Final Fantasy voice actors Ray Chase and Robbie Daymond soon became obsessed with the concept. What if there really was a game where you could date literally everything?Now boasting more than 70,000 lines of dialogue and 100 dateable inanimate objects, their weird game about hitting on household appliances has become a reality. Partnering with Team 17 and fellow voice actor and producer Amanda Hufford, they have brought their silly concept to life, a game that they describe as wholesome, flirty and fun.Within seconds, Im flirting with a dishwasherYou may be wondering how this all works. Well, when the player slips on their Dateviators VR glasses that transform inanimate household items into talking, dateable beings once lifeless furniture and appliances suddenly get a whole lot chattier and, within seconds, Im flirting with a dishwasher.We knew what we wanted to make sure that it felt wholesome, that it was sexy but never vulgar, says Robbie Daymond, Our mantra was, we want to make something where you wouldnt be embarrassed if anybody walked in on you playing it.With dateable characters ranging from tables and microwaves to fireplaces and TVs, each potential lover is brought to life by a different voice actor. From the wonderfully unhinged microwave who thinks hes fighting an interdimensional war, to the art of the pickup line spouting fratboy fireplace, every appliance is distinctly, endearingly weird.No need to be embarrassed Date Everything! Photograph: Sassy Chap GamesIts also doing things differently when it comes to paying its actors fairly. One of the superpowers we have is that we know a lot of people in the industry, says Daymond. We have a good relationship with [actors union] SAG, and we were able to make a contract that gave residuals back to the actors who worked on it. Thanks to a combination of clever writing from TV writer Logan Burdick and brilliant voice acting throughout, even in my brief demo, I felt compelled to meet the next endearingly unhinged appliance just to see what would happen next.It sounds like a product of the pandemic, but actually the premise for Date Everything came about in 2018, when Draymond wondered if anyone would relate to the boredom and social deprivation of remote working. Im really excited that something this surreal exists, reflects Burdick. I think its incredible that everyone took a chance on it.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Pushing ButtonsFree weekly newsletterKeza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gamingPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionWhen I started working with the team, I was a little sceptical, chimes in the games quiet coder, Jack. But being able to play it and see that the amount of care and attention that was given to each character really impressed me. A lot of games are mainly doing just the same thing in a subtly different way. This is not a generic game, and nowadays thats something very important.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6's Squid Game crossover is here, and one player has completely betrayed his comrades with a sneaky soundboard prank that'll have you frozen just to be safeTech14:50, 06 Jan 2025Call of Duty is getting a Squid Game crossoverCall of Duty fans were treated last week to a crossover event with the Netflix smash hit Squid Game, and while there are skins and the controversial inclusion of a new event pass, the big draw is the new 'Red Light, Green Light' mode that made Season 1 so memorable.The concept is simple run from one end of the football pitch from the Red Card map to the other, but with the challenge of doing so when the creepy animatronic girl isn't looking. If she catches you, it's game over.One Black Ops 6 player has managed to surprise his fellow contestants in the mode, though, and it's well worth a watch.WARNING THE BELOW CLIP CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGEContent cannot be displayed without consentAs shared by BlackOps6Hub on X (formerly Twitter), one streamer has put the "Green Light" song onto a soundboard so he can trigger the sound at will.That means as contestants wait to step forward, it lulls the already tense entrants into thinking it's safe to step forward.As you can see in the video, it works a charm, causing multiple rivals to be mowed down. Perhaps even more enjoyable is the accompanying voice chat.Squid Games has come to Warzone, too(Image: Squid Games)While some players are mad, one certainly has a sense of begrudging respect for the sound, saying "you're smart as f***".Others seemingly think it's a glitch on the behalf of the game, but the result is the same instant death for anyone caught moving.It's yet another example of Call of Duty players being a resourceful bunch. Earlier today we reported on users submitting information requests to get access to their in-game matchmaking skill ranking which would otherwise be kept away from public view.Don't fall for this prank(Image: Squid Games)We expect the Squid Games mode to stay live until late in January when Season 2 of Black Ops 6 and Warzone arrive, so be sure to check it out while you can just be wary of the soundboard prank.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Call of Duty players are so desperate to find their matchmaking ranking that they've started using personal information access requests to Activision-BlizzardTech14:23, 06 Jan 2025Black Ops 6 is Call of Duty at its best(Image: Grab)Call of Duty fans are a dedicated bunch, but one of the most contentious topics in recent memory has been the inclusion of Skill-based Matchmaking (SBMM).While some like to play against players they're (at least theoretically) equivalent to in skill, others say it makes each match feel less enjoyable and more of a slog.Black Ops 6 has been a hit, but the debate has reared its head again after one content creator revealed a method to get some extra information about your own matchmaking status.As shown by TheXclusiveAce above, you can head to Activision's Privacy Page and request your information via your Activision account (thanks, IGN).If you were expecting a throwaway number with very little information, you might be pleasantly surprised. as TheXclusiveAce reveals, each multiplayer match is logged. it includes hits landed, streaks, and even the amount of time you spent moving.As far as matchmaking skill ratings, TheXclusiveAce cross-references the relatively arbitrary number of 400 with his kill/death ratio to help extrapolate some of the data contained.The video suggests that your skill does in fact correlate with that of your lobby, meaning if you're in a higher-skilled lobby and struggle in a match, you may find a loss of skill rating puts you in an easier lobby next time.Article continues belowWe're not sure it'll help you much while playing 'Red Light, Green Light' in the game's current Squid Game crossover, but TheXclusiveAce's video is well worth a watch if you're at all interested in the machinations running behind the scenes of one of the most popular shooters in the world.Now, if someone can reverse engineer a fix for those pesky hackers in Warzone, we'll be flying. Last month, Activision's anti-cheat team admitted it 'missed the mark' amid rising complaints of cheaters in the battle royale.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED