Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) vs. Cache-Augmented Generation (CAG): A Deep Dive into Faster, Smarter Knowledge Integration 0 like January 20, 2025Share this postAuthor(s): Isuru Lakshan Ekanayaka Originally published on Towards AI. This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.image sourceAs Large Language Models (LLMs) continue to grow in capability, integrating external knowledge into their responses becomes increasingly important for building intelligent, context-aware applications. Two leading paradigms for such integration are Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Cache-Augmented Generation (CAG). This article provides an extensive, step-by-step guide on both approaches, dives deep into their workflows, compares their advantages and drawbacks, and offers a comprehensive implementation guide for CAG with detailed explanations of every component.IntroductionRetrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)Cache-Augmented Generation (CAG)Detailed Comparison of RAG and CAGImplementing Cache-Augmented Generation (CAG)Deep Dive: Code ExplanationCase Studies and Real-World ApplicationsConclusionFurther ReadingIn natural language processing, enhancing the responses of language models with external knowledge is critical for tasks like question answering, summarization, and intelligent dialogue. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Cache-Augmented Generation (CAG) represent two methodologies to achieve this by augmenting the models capabilities with external data. While RAG integrates knowledge dynamically at inference time, CAG preloads relevant data into the models context, aiming for speed and simplicity. This article breaks down each concept, highlights their strengths and weaknesses, and provides a highly detailed guide on implementing CAG.Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) enhances a language models output by dynamically fetching relevant Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

Mondo has spent the past several years creating new 1:6 scale figures of the iconic heroes and villains of Batman: The Animated Series, and they're about to add another big gun to the lineup. Mondo's new Clayface figure is easily one of their most impressive releases to date.IGN can exclusively reveal the first images and details for Mondo's Clayface 1:6 scale figure. Get a closer look in the slideshow gallery below:Mondo Batman: The Animated Series Clayface Figure - Image GalleryThe Clayface 1:6 scale figure features a concept design by Alex Brewer, sculpting by Alex Brewer and Tommy Hodges, painting by Hector Arce and Mark Bristow, packaging art by Danny Haas, packaging design by Jordan Christianson, and photography by Ral Barrero.The Clayface figure includes a wide array of accessories and interchangeable pieces, including several alternate heads and various hands. One of the biggest selling points with this figure, however, is that is features a semi-seamless joint design, with the body covering up an internal, ratcheting skeleton. As is usually the case with Mondo's Batman figures, Clayface will be sold as both a regular version (priced at $260) and an exclusive edition figure (priced at $280) limited to 1500 units. The exclusive edition includes several additional interchangeable parts, including a stabbed portrait, an imitation Batman portrait, and a trapped Batman chest accessory. PlayYou can preorder the regular edition here and preorder the exclusive edition here. Both versions are expected to ship in July 2025.For more on Mondo's Batman: The Animated Series line, see the recent Poison Ivy 1:6 scale figure. And why not check out the Batman collectibles available on the IGN Store?Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket byfollowing @jschedeen on BlueSky.

2025 has barely begun but it already feels like a lot. Climate change-fueled wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles and parts of Southern California while unease grips the news. A moment of transition on at least one side of the pond for our U.S. readers breeds apprehension, and the rest of the year can look foreboding if you pay attention to the headlines.Its times like these where its nice to have a comforting movie, a piece of escapism, that can lift a mood and maybe rally your outlook for the days and months ahead. Here are some suggestions we think might appeal to anyone feeling glum right nowRaiders of the Lost Ark (1981)The 1930s were definitely not simpler times. The Great Depression reached it deepest crater in the U.S. and fascism was on the march in Europe, culminating in the start of the Second World War. But the entertainments, from Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals to old Saturday morning serials, could be thrillingly simplistic and reassuring. George Lucas resurrected that certainty with gusto by way of the Indiana Jones character, and Steven Spielberg made it timeless when he directed Indys first and best three movies in the 1980s, beginning with Raiders of the Lost Ark.A deliberate throwback to 30s serials and the boys adventure literature that inspired them, Raiders is the action masterpiece that set the standard for the modern blockbusters pacing as Harrison Fords archaeologist circumnavigates the world in search of the Ark of the Covenant. Oh, and along the way he punches, shoots, and otherwise brutalizes a bunch of book-burning, cult-worshipping Nazis while doing so. Which is nice.The Sound of Music (1965)For the magic of pure escapism, there is no genre more transportive or joyful than a musical done right. The soaring crescendo of a beautiful song, performed exquisitely by gorgeous talent, is the stuff of Broadway and Hollywood dreams. And you get all three inside of the first few minutes of Robert Wises The Sound of Music, the rare adaptation of a Broadway show that improves on the stage version. All of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein songs are here, but in the movie Julie Andrews is belting the hills are alive right there atop the Austrian Alps!The unforgettable moment sets the stage for an epic 70mm spectacle that soars as Andrews wayward nun, Sister Maria, takes on the task of tutoring, caring for, and ultimately becoming a mother to seven precocious von Trapp children. The romance between her and the stern Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) is simultaneously schmaltzy and swoon-worthy, and her aural lessons sweeping. Oh, and this loose adaptation of the real-life von Trapp familys flight from the Nazis after the goose-steppers took over Austria includes a third act where the von Trapps outwit a bunch of fascists and leave one overeager young brownshirt humiliated. These are a few of my favorite things.The Blues Brothers (1980)On days like this, its nice to know folks like Jake and Elwood Blues are out there. Brothers who on the right occasion can be tapped to go on a mission from God. It is their destiny to spread the gospel of good music, better vibes, and feel-good cinema around the globe. Ray Charles, James Brown, Cab Calloway, and a showstopping Aretha Franklin (to name but a few) are likewise on hand to drop some jazz and R&B standards in between comedy hijinks undertaken by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd at the height of their cool.John Landis helms the first (and still best) film adaptation of an SNL sketch, which expands the concept of former castmates geeking out in sunglasses into an easygoing hangout movie where Aykroyd and Belushi slouch through the greater Chicago area. Along the way, they get a band together, piss off rednecks, and merrily lead local law enforcement through one of the greatest car chase sequences of all time. Wacker Drive might as well be renamed after them. Also, lest we forget, they happen to destroy a Neo-Nazi demonstration with the Bluesmobile, leading a couple of American fascists to chase them for the rest of the picture until the Blues boys trick the brownshirts into plummeting to their deaths. Good times all around.Read more Casablanca (1942)Pound for pound still the greatest movie made in Hollywoods Golden Age, Michael Curtizs Casablanca is a dizzying collection of all-time movie quotes courtesy of a screenplay by Julius and Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch. Heres looking at you, kid; everybody comes to Ricks; well always have Paris; of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine; round up the usual suspects; Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship; play it [again], Sam. And more!But beyond a witty and wistfully romantic screenplay, Casablanca is still a sweeping WWII melodrama about the problems of three little people, one of whom (Ingrid Bergman) thought her husband was dead in a concentration camp when she met Rick (Humphrey Bogart), only to find the hubby (Paul Henreid) returned to her when theyre all trying to escape the jackboots in Vichy-controlled Morocco. Also released during the war, and at a time when the Nazis still occupied Paris and North Africa, there is a pang of raw, tangible emotion as the cast of largely expat Europeans, including French actress Madeleine Lebeau, sing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, while drowning out the fascists at a nightclub. It will still put a lump in your throat to hear Lebeau shout, Vive la France! Vive la libert!The Producers (1967)Mel Brooks iconic movie musical about what might happen if you tried to make more money with a flop than you would with a hitand what could in turn happen if that flop became a smashThe Producers has faded into legend. Its a movie about every two-bit hustler and conmans worst fear: what if the bill came due? Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder make an iconic duo as the unscrupulous Broadway producers who try to schmooze, cast, and cajole their way into financial failure and instead end up in Sing Sing for their misdeeds. (Those were the days.)Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!The movie is best remembered though for making good on Mel Brooks lifelong pledge to make the world laugh at Adolf Hitler. The giggles we still get from Springtime for Hitler are proof he succeeded then and reassuringly now. Still, today you might get as much enjoyment out of Kenneth Mars aged Nazi raging at everyone laughing at his strongman idol.The Rocketeer (1991)Not a financial hit when it came out, Joe Johnstons The Rocketeer has stood the test of time as a bonafide cult classic due to its sincere optimism and sweet affability. We imagine one of James Horners most sentimental and Americana of scoresand this is the guy who won his Oscar for tearjerker compositions in Titanic!went a long to way cultivate that feeling. But the whole movie taps into earnest wholesomeness, perhaps even more so than its obvious Indiana Jones influences.This one adapts Dave Stevens 1980s comic book series of the same and conjures also the appeal of 1930s and 40s era comics and radio shows with its deliberately retro pulp hero in the art deco helmet and Golden Age Hollywood backdrop. There he battles Timothy Daltons pitch perfect Errol Flynn stand-in, who (surprise!) is actually a secret Nazi saboteur determined to steal Howard Hughes rocket. Luckily, all-American pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) and his best girl, movie starlet Jenny Blake (a va-va-voom Jennifer Connelly), stand in his way. They even get local wiseguy mobster Eddie Valentine (Paul Sorvino) in on the act. I may not make an honest buck, Sorvino seethes, but Im a hundred percent American. I dont work for no two-bit Nazi. Its a good sentiment.X-Men: First Class (2011)Another superhero movie thats a little more modern in setting and making, Matthew Vaughns X-Men: First Class feels strangely underrated these days. This might be because even in 2011, the superhero genre was pivoting to more outlandish interconnected fantasies. Yet one of the best things about First Class is that for all of its frothiness, it keeps one foot in something approximating the real-world, at least by way of 1960s Sean Connery James Bond movies.Set during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, First Class did the throwback to Marvel Comics glory days thing about 14 years before the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, and it did so with a real eye for detail when it came to imitating the pop culture of the era, if not the reality. It also is the best exploration of Charles Xavier and Magnetos frenemy-ship in any medium (here played young and maybe flirtatiously by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender).It also features an absolutely badass moment where Fassbender turns Magneto into a full-fledged antihero. Doing his best Connery impression, the Holocaust survivor walks into an Argentine bar and happily speaks German with some of the locals before being asked what his parents names were by some older clientele. They didnt have a name, Fassender smiles. It was taken from them by pig farmers and tailors. He then shows the serial numbers tattooed onto his arm to men who claim to be hiding out in South America simply for farming and making clothes. What happens next is immensely satisfyingInglourious Basterds (2008)You probably heard we aint in the prisoner-takin business; were in the killin Nazis business, Brad Pitt purrs with a dubious yet wonderful Appalachian accent. And cousin, business is a-boomin! Such is the pure dopamine-thrill of the so-called Basterds, the titular men on a mission in Quentin Tarantinos sixth motion picture. But despite that pride of title placement, you shouldnt be deceived. Theyre merely an ornate decoration on top; frosting on the cake.Inglourious Basterds is really a wide ensemble of lives and stories intersecting in Nazi-Occupied France circa 1944. The film follows soldiers, undercover film critics, an ingeniously played S.S. officer from hell (Cristoph Waltz), and finally a Jewish woman (Mlanie Laurent) who escaped the murder of her family and now lives in plain sight as a gentile movie theater owner in Paris. It is a fantasy about the restorative power of cinema and the fleeting beauty of escapism. Still, its also about killin Nazis. Lots of em. And sometimes with a baseball bat.

Apple is launching a brand new Home product soon. Ive been calling it HomePad, and these are five of the core features it will bring with it.7-inch square displayOriginally, Mark Gurman reported that the HomePad would have a roughly 6-inch screen. More recently though, in his big overview of 2025 products, Gurman bumped the expected size to 7 inches.The device reportedly looks a lot like a square iPad, and is somewhat equivalent to two iPhone 16 Pro Max models placed side by side. Smaller than some might want, but that should help keep the cost lower.Brand new OSApples HomePad will come with a brand new operating system, likely dubbed homeOS.Gurman says the interface looks like a blend of the Apple Watch operating system and the iPhones recently launched StandBy mode.It will also dynamically adjust based on how close or far away you are. For example, from far away it might display status update-type info, but if you get close it would change to offer controls.Unsurprisingly, based on Gurmans StandBy reference, the HomePad is expected to support widgets. Youll reportedly be able to add these to the Home Screen, just like you can on iPhone and iPad.Its unclear yet if third-party widgets will be supported, but theres a good chance they will be. Apple has already built tech into macOS that lets you run iPhone widgets there, so extending that feature to the HomePad seems like a no-brainer.Accessories for fitting in anywhereOn its own, the HomePad will look like a simple smart display. But Apple is building various bases and attachments that will make it fit into the different spaces of your home.Gurman writes:Apple has designed different attachments for the device, including ones that affix the screens onto walls like a classic home-security panel. There will be bases with additional speakers that can be placed in the kitchen, on a nightstand or on a desk.These additional accessories seem like another attempt at keeping the HomePads cost from ballooning (assuming theyre separate purchases). Importantly though, they also acknowledge the reality that different home spaces will require different HomePad setups.AI-infused SiriApples current Home products, the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K, dont support any Apple Intelligence features. This means theyre all stuck with the old Siri.But HomePad will offer the new, AI-infused Siri thats more powerful already (mainly thanks to ChatGPT) but will get substantially more so with iOS 18.4.Siri will be able to perform hundreds of new in-app and cross-app actions, understand your personal context, and more. If it works as expected, there should be far fewer times Siri has to say, Im sorry on the HomePada too-frequent occurrence on HomePod.Apples HomePad is expected to offer a lot more functionality than whats outlined above, including serving as a smart home controller, FaceTime device, and more. But the five features Ive mentioned provide a solid overview of what to expect from HomePads core functionality.Are you interested in buying the HomePad? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.Best HomeKit smart home accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

About the roleWe are seeking 7 months maternity cover, (March 17th 2025 - October 16th, 2025) for a proactive and detail-oriented Operations Lead to oversee the smooth functioning of our company operations. This remote position is integral to ensuring our team remains aligned and efficient across the various projects and time zones we work across.The period of employmentWorking hours:Key ResponsibilitiesProject Scheduling and PlanningManage project schedules, ensuring alignment with agreed timelines and deliverables.Track and organize incoming project requests from prospective clients.Draft, review, and finalize client contracts and agreements.Act as a liaison between clients and internal teams, ensuring clear communication and expectations, where required.Executive Assistant (EA) roleOversight of the calendar and scheduling for the company founders, including meetings, events, and deadlines.Organize and prioritize email correspondence, ensuring timely responses and follow-ups.Schedule, organize, and take minutes for weekly company planning meeting, ensuring actionable follow-ups are tracked and communicated.Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking flights and accommodations, as required.Handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.Payroll AdministrationOversee US payroll processes and compliance.Manage Employer of Record (EOR) relationships and direct invoicing for individual contractors.Ensure timely and accurate payments to team members and contractors.Finance ManagementHandle all outgoing client invoicing, and ensure timely payments.Track and manage company-wide finances, including budgets, expenses, and invoicing.Co-ordinate regularly with the company accountant to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.Monitor and forecast financial performance to support decision-making and price planning.Manage compliance-related paperwork and ad-hoc financial requests from the team.Recruitment and OnboardingSupport recruitment efforts for new hires and contractors, ensuring alignment with company needs and culture.Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes to ensure smooth transitions for staff and contractors.Maintain up-to-date employee and contractor records.Human Resources (HR)Develop and maintain HR policies, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and best practices.Track and manage all team leave, including vacation, sick days, and other time-off requests.Provide HR support and act as as the first point of call/resource for all team members.Team Culture and EngagementOrganize team-building activities, including virtual Happy Hours, guest speakers and other events, as required.Responsible for organizing the annual team trip (takes place across Thanksgiving in November), including: researching and budgeting locations, flights and hotels for the team, finding and booking restaurants and orgainzing the schedule/booking activities.Coordinate thoughtful gestures such as birthday gifts or acknowledgments for special occasions.Foster a positive and inclusive company culture, supporting team morale and collaboration.Social Media and CommunicationsPlan and oversee the creation of quarterly newsletters to share company updates and highlights.Develop and maintain an ad-hoc social media schedule across Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).Special ProjectsYou'll take on a mix of one-off projects and ongoing improvements, spotting ways to make our business work better.These tasks might touch on project management, extensive researching, writing/editing, triaging information, and ensuring action is taken.Qualifications and SkillsProven experience in operations, project management, or a related field.Strong organizational and multitasking skills with exceptional attention to detail.Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.Proficiency in financial management, payroll systems, and HR tools.Familiarity with social media platforms and content planning.Ability to foster positive team dynamics and maintain a collaborative remote work culture.Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote environment.The remit of this role is not guided by clearly deinfed processes, proactivity is key. What We OfferWe are offering $40 per hour.Flexible working hours and fully remote work environment (to note, this is a contractor role).We are open to reducing the responsiblities to fit the role into a shorter work week (20-40 hours), dependent on applicants experience.A supportive, inclusive team culture that values creativity and innovation.Paid time off and holiday benefits, pro-rated to the length of term of the Maternity contract offered.How to ApplyPlease submit your resume and a brief introduction explaining your interest in the maternity cover contract to: [emailprotected].

New year, new phones. Samsung is ready to unveil its newest lineup of smartphones during its winter Unpacked event. It's just two days away, and there's a slew of announcements to look forward to. In particular, we're looking to see the debut of theGalaxy S25, as well as additional expansions and updates forGalaxy AI.Samsung sent out invites for the event in early January, teasing what's to come. Here's everything to know about the upcoming keynote presentation, including how to tune in and how tosave on your S25 preorder. This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products. How to watch Samsung Unpacked 2025Samsung Unpacked takes place this week on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET). It'll be held in San Jose, but you can also catch a livestream on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom and Samsung's YouTube channel. CNET will also be hosting a live show, during which you can follow along with our experts.Samsung typically hosts Unpacked twice a year: once in January or February, during which it unveils the latestGalaxy Slineup, and again in the summer, when it debuts the next version of itsfoldables. Last year, it hosted itsJuly Unpacked event in Paris, just ahead of the Summer Olympics, and unveiled theGalaxy Z Fold 6andZ Flip 6. There was also, not surprisingly, abig focus on Galaxy AI.What can we expect with the Galaxy S25?We're expecting three devices: the baselineGalaxy S25, the S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra. All three devices could have a more rounded design, similar to Google's Pixel phones, according to leaker Ice Universe.Korean site Hankyung has also reported that all three Galaxy S25 devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. There's also hope that all phones will support Qi2 wireless charging. Additionally, analyst Ross Young has shared a list ofrumored colors for the latest Galaxy S lineup, which includes silver, blue, and mint.The S25 Ultra is rumored to have a 6.9-inch display and a new 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, according to several leaks.There have been rumors floating around about a slimmer version of the S25, with a tipster flagging an entry for the Galaxy S25 Slim on Geekbench. This coincides with rumors about a thinner version of the iPhone that could drop later this year, but it's not clear if or when either of these devices could actually become available. If the Galaxy S25 Slim is real, it may be a while before we see it out in the real world.And finally, there have been conflicting rumors over whether the S25 series will cost the same as last year's lineup or get a price hike, so we'll just have to see what's in store. Watch this: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025: Everything to Expect 04:10 What's next for Galaxy AI?One of the key focuses of Samsung's January Unpacked invite is, not surprisingly, AI.The company notes, "The next evolution of Galaxy AI is coming and it's going to change the way you interact with the world every day. The new Galaxy S series is about to set the bar once again for mobile AI experiences now and into the future."Samsung says the next iteration of Galaxy AI will be more natural and intuitive, and that the latest Galaxy S series will again lean into mobile AI advancements. This could include an update to the Bixby virtual assistant, especially in light of Apple supercharging Siri to be more conversational and helpful to users.AI has been a key focus for every big phone-maker, from Samsung to Apple to Google, over the last few years. From helping users draft text messages to summarizing emails to simplifying photo editing, these companies have championed mobile AI as a way to make your life easier. So far, the advancements have arrived to lukewarm reception, as a CNET survey in August last year found that a quarter of smartphone ownersdon't find AI features helpful. That could change as phone-makers continue to tweak their offerings to better suit what people want, and as consumers become accustomed to the proliferation of AI-backed features across their devices.Will there be any other hardware -- or surprises?If there's one thing about a tech event, it's that there's usually some sort of surprise or tease to an upcoming launch. After all, last year's January Unpacked event is where we got a first look at the Galaxy Ring, which eventually came out in July. It's possible we could get a peek at the next generation of the device, which could feature upgrades like more accurate sensors and longer battery life. But given how relatively new the ring is, we'd likely have to wait a while before that next version becomes available.Mixed reality could also make an appearance. Samsung unveiled its Project Moohan headset in December, which the company plans to launch later this year. So it's possible we could get an update on where things stand there.How to save on the Galaxy S25Ahead of this year's January Unpacked event, Samsung is offering customers a $50 credit toward the latest Galaxy device during preorders. You can also get up to $900 in additional credit for trading in an eligible device, the company says, as well as another $300 instant credit by reserving and preordering. The offer lasts through Jan. 22 and can be found here.See at SamsungCNET, as always, will be on the ground covering Unpacked on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Photos From the Galaxy Z Flip 6's Cameras See all photos

Days Gone studio says it 'still plans on creating cool sh*t' after Sony pulls plug on latest gameAmid claims teams learned projects were canned "at the same time as everyone else".Image credit: Bend Studio/Sony News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 20, 2025 Days Gone developer Bend Studio says it "still plans on creating cool shit", following Sony's decision to cancel its unannounced live-service game - amid claims Bend and the similarly affected Bluepoint only found out about the cancellations "at the same time as everyone else".Word that Sony had cancelled two more first-party live service games - this time in development at its Bend and Bluepoint studios - emerged via by Bloomberg last week. Sony, of course, announced plans to invest heavily in live service titles back in 2022, under the watch of then-PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, but the company has cancelled numerous live service games - including a co-op Spider-man from developer Insomniac, Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer game, and a Twisted Metal project at Firesprite - since Ryan's departure last year.As for the latest casualties of Sony's apparent strategic rethink, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier claimed Bluepoint had been developing an unannounced live service God of War game. And while no details of Bend's canned project were shared, the studio previously said it was working on a new IP which would include multiplayer and "[build] upon the open-world systems of Days Gone". It's unclear, however, if this is the same game that's now been axed.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubeRegardless, Bend has now broken its silence following the news, thanking fans for their support and offering assurances it's not done yet. "I'll keep this short," Bend community manager Kevin McAllister wrote in a message shared on social media. "Thanks for the love and support everyone, especially to those that have reached out. P.S. We still plan on creating cool shit."As to what's next for Bluepoint and Bend, that remains uncertain. According to journalist Jeff Grubb in his latest Game Mess Mornings video show (thanks VGC), both teams have had little time to process the news. "The two studios found out at the same time as everyone else," Grubb told listeners, "so people will be going into work today wondering, 'Hey, okay, what are we doing next?'. And what they're going to have to do next, very likely, is pitch something to Sony, and the landscape of that has changed pretty drastically."A couple of years ago," he continued, "you'd bring to PlayStation your pitch, that is: 'It's a live service game, we know you want to hear that'... And now they have to go back to the drawing board, and come up with a pitch that PlayStation wants to hear, when no one really knows what they want to hear, and so it's a rough situation."Following last week's cancellations, Sony told Bloomberg "neither of the two affected PlayStation studios will be shut down", adding that the "highly accomplished teams" would be "working closely with each studio to determine what are the next projects".Sony's continuing shift away from live service titles follows the high-profile failure of last year's Concord, which was pulled from sale just two weeks after its launch amid low player numbers. Back in 2023 it was reported the company was "uncomfortable" about former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan's decision to focus heavily on live service games.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide While trash-talking may be okay in Call of Duty again, hacking definitely isnt. After starting the cycle with plenty of momentum, hackers have managed to infest all areas of the Call of Duty universe much to the annoyance of fans. Whether its casual or competitive matches, theres a high chance youve encountered someone armed with unusually fast reactions or the ability to see through walls.With Season 2 on the horizon and fans hoping Treyarch can turn the situation around, Call of Duty publisher Activision has revealed it has swung the ban hammer once again, banning hundreds of thousands of cheaters ruining the action for everyone wanting a level playing field to battle on.Call of Duty bans arent enough to stop hackersBefore the second post-launch season begins, a much-needed community update from Activision and Call of Dutys developers revealed it had banned over 136,000 Ranked Play accounts since the competitive mode launched.Over 130,000 cheaters disappearing from Call of Duty servers is certainly a step in the right direction but its nowhere near enough to significantly reduce cheaters cropping up in almost every single game mode.In addition to the huge ban wave, Activision also shared that Season 2 will feature improved detection systems and a major kernel-level driver update aiming to detect and remove any cheaters as quickly as possible.Season 3 will also include further improvements to Ricochet anti-cheat with the team teasing a multitude of new tech to win the ongoing battle against hackers negatively impacting the multiplayer and battle royale experiences.Is the tide turning?All of the talk from Activision and the developers sounds like a promising step in the right direction. However, with faith in Treyarch at an all-time low, actions are going to speak much louder than words. If all of the measures work as intended and the game-breaking bugs are removed, Season 2 could swing the momentum back in Activisions favour.Fixing the flaws combined with a wealth of fresh content has the potential for Season 2 to be one of the strongest Call of Duty updates ever seen. Only time will tell if Black Ops 6 and Warzone can recover and reach its full potential once more.For more Call of Duty, check out the best Jackal PDW loadout along with the best keyboard and mouse settings to keep you shooting straight.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):ShooterSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Meta, Google, TikTok, and X have each pledged to European lawmakers that they will do more to prevent and remove illegal hate speech on their platforms. The European Commission integrated a revised set of voluntary commitments into the Digital Services Act (DSA) on Monday that aim to help platforms demonstrate their compliance with DSA obligations regarding illegal content moderation.Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Dailymotion, Jeuxvideo.com, Rakuten Viber, and Microsoft-hosted consumer services have all signed the Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online Plus which is not a terribly named streaming service but an update to a 2016 Code. The revised code commits signatories to transparency around hate speech detection and reduction, to allowing third-party monitors to assess how hate speech notices are reviewed by the platforms, and to review at least two-thirds of hate speech notices within 24 hours.Hatred and polarisation are threats to EU values and fundamental rights and undermine the stability of our democracies. The internet is amplifying the negative effects of hate speech, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said in a statement. We trust this Code of conduct+ will do its part in ensuring a robust response.These EU Codes of Conduct are voluntary commitments and companies face no penalties if they decide to back out of the agreement, as Elon Musk did with X (then known as Twitter) in 2022 when he withdrew the company from the Code of Practice on Disinformation.

Seriously ThoSure, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed...but what does that tell us about GTA 6?Right, everyones fired off their hot takes - now its time for the real work to begin.Image credit: Rockstar Games/Nintendo. Article by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 20, 2025 Ive been staring at the moon for so long that the man in its taken out an injunction.Im no longer allowed to come within landing distance of his little ball in the sky. I may never find out if its made of cheese. Its a necessary sacrifice.Because I think the moon might have something to say about GTA 6. Some lunar leaks, some interstellar info to convey about what wont just be the biggest game of 2025, but the biggest event human history has ever seen. Scratch that, that the universe has ever seen.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The kind of s**t thatd make Doctor Manhattan stop, draw in breath, and start thinking about making sure he was there to witness it firsthand. Its much, much, bigger than the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal which happened last week, or so the fellow GTA superfan Ive employed to keep an eye on everything else happening in the world while I continue to stare at this moon tells me.However, I drag my eyes away for a few minutes, because what if - I ask myself, in a voice thats some weird, monstrous amalgamation of every GTA protagonist ever - the Switch 2 reveal has anything to tell us about GTA 6?Unlikely, yes, but thats what they - our mysterious, mischievous masters at Rockstar would want us to think. Its a Nintendo console launch, no secrets about GTA 6 hidden here, just a bit of Mario and some Joy-Cons, yes? No, I say, I will not write you off without thorough interrogation, like Trevor Phillips did to Mr K in the GTA 5 mission By The Book. I will hook a car battery up to your nipples if needs be, Nintendo! Now, TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW!Things start off pretty un-GTA 6. Theres a Nintendo logo. Hang on a minute, theres a little R in a circle near the top of the last O. Rockstars logos an R, albeit a with a different font. It could still be a message that the developer is here, in the background of this Switch reveal, its hand on Nintendos shoulder like Roman teaching Niko how to perfect his bowling stance. Cousin, this is no time for bowling, the Switch 2 reveal is on. | Image credit: Rockstar GamesWell have to watch on. Theres a Nintendo Switch. GTA 5 isnt on Switch, except when it was thanks to modders. Maybe GTA 6 will be coming to the original Switch? As a launch title. I know, its a console thats literally having its replacement revealed right here and will therefore soon be a bit out-of-date, but this is Rockstar, and you have to expect the unexpected.The Switch splits into three bits. GTA 5 had three protagonists. GTA 6 has two protagonists, Switch 2, hang on, SWITCH 2 PROTAGONISTS. Does that confirm it? Yes. No. Maybe. Well have to watch on. The Switch starts spinning, and some weird chips come off it. It reminds me of a car spinning out of control, with tyre smoke coming off of its, well, tyres. GTA has cars. With tyres that smoke. Ive spun out while driving around Los Santos more times than I can count.This is promising. We must watch on. Its growing some new ports. THE PORT OF LOS SANTOS, WHICH PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN GTA 5S MERRYWEATHER HEIST. Especially if you choose the freighter option. Ports confirmed in GTA 6? That first trailer sure had a lot of water, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here.Then there are lines, which give way to a stand. People do lines in pretty much every GTA game. Drugs confirmed in GTA 6? Stand. You can stand in a GTA game. Your character can literally stand, and there are also things like bus stands. Its fake America, so no ones gonna be using them because they all have great massive SUVs and Ford Mustangssorry, Vapid Dominators, but theyre there. I tried outrunning the cops on a bus once. It ended badly. | Image credit: VG247/Rockstar GamesThen, it jumps. You can jump in GTA games. Kind of. Its more of a weird forward fall unless youre actually next to a ledge, but its something. Ooh. The Switch is turning black. Like the black screen some GTA 5 players on PC were once greeted with on loading up the game due to an issue. GTA 6 coming to PC at the same time it hits Switch 2, maybe? They are very similar platforms, in that they both play video games, and have computery bits inside.It zooms in on one of the controllers, and a kinda flesh-coloured bit starts protruding from it. I cant even begin to recall every single instance in GTA games when a flesh-coloured thing has protruded. Or been implied to protrude. There are just too many. The other one has something blue protruding from it. There are also too many times in GTA when its been implied that something protruding got blue - if you see what theyre clearly implying here - to count. Good, the old Rockstar sense of humour in GTA 6, confirmed.Ah, now the Joy-Cons seem to be sliding around like computer mice. Its a bit like theyre having arace. Races, of course, have always been a big thing in GTA - especially with online lately, an entire generation of YouTubers having been weaned from the teat on endless playlists where youre driving about on a Hot Wheels track in the sky, doing jumps, getting the boost, crashing into people, having them scream into a camera rather than leaving you a message that you should probably call the police about.More races in GTA 6 maybe? Against giant mice? No, thats absurd. Two Joy-Cons. Maybe multiplayer races in the singleplayer bit? Singleplayer races in the multiplayer bit? A LAN Party mode? Just a s**t tonne more online races for you show off whatever the GTA 6 equivalent of the chrome-wrapped Adder will be early in its lifespan? All I know is, my minds certainly racing. This flying car is also racing. Will it be in GTA 6? | Image credit: Rockstar GamesThe Joy-Cons join with the screen to make one device. Three becomes one? Cant be the protagonists again. Hang on. 2 become 1. Are the Spice Girls recording new music for GTA 6s soundtrack? Surely not. Rockstar does love its 90s and early 2000s pop tunes, though. Will the entire GTA 6 soundtrack - aside from that one Tom Petty song, obviously - be performed by the Spice Girls? Even the heavy metal, rap, and country stations? Are we gonna be able to rob a store while blasting a version of Wannabe where the Yo, tell me what you want, what you really really want is preceded by a death growl from the depths of Emma Buntons soul that perforates every single eardrum within a fifty mile radius?Sorry, Ive gotten lost in thought. Theres now Mario Kart on the thing. GTA Onlines very Mario Kart-style races getting an actual Mario Kart crossover confirmed? Mario as the guy who runs all of GTA 6 onlines races? It wouldnt be the first time a guy with Italian ancestry has featured prominently in a GTA game. Is Mario mob-affiliated? Has he brought his crime family down from Liberty City to Vice City, making the same trip Tommy Vercetti did all those years ago?S**t, is Mario the bad guy? Will GTA 6s tale of Bonnie and Clyde-style lovers revolve around them building up to one final big stick-up on the overall-wearing king of Vice running things like a mustachioed Scarface, with a mushroom-fueled drug empire and trophy wife named Peach that he married after taking out the King Koopa who used to rule the streets?2025, the Switch 2 reveal says. S**t, thats when GTA 6 is coming out! Its all true, it has to be! Thank you, Nintendo! Thank you for all of this GTA 6 info, I howl at the moon.The man in it looks down and sighs. He picks up a phone made of cheese, and calls his lawyer.