The Witcher 3 turns 10 later this year, and in a recent interview, the voice of Geralt of Rivia himself Doug Cockle has reflected on why he thinks the game has endured for so long. Read more

SwordplayTurns out Final Fantasy 7 fans on PC really want to know what happens to you-know-who, as Rebirth sees triple the amount of players at launch than Remake on SteamDon't spoil it for them.Image credit: Square Enix News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 26, 2025 Final Fantasy 7 players have clearly been eager to find out what happens to fan favourite Aerith, as Rebirth sees way more players at launch on PC than Remake.Look, I won't spoil anything for anyone that hasn't played the original Final Fantasy 7 or its remakes, but most of us know what happens to Aerith, it's like the Darth Vader "I am your father" of video game spoilers. So, with Remake implying that things might be different going forward during its ending, there were a lot of questions surrounding whether or not she would survive in Rebirth. And it seems like now that the sequel has been released on PC, those that want to know and don't own a PS5 (or have just been holding off) have flocked to find out. Earlier today, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hit a concurrent player count peak of 39,857 players, just three days after it launched on the platform (via SteamDB).To see this content please enable targeting cookies. For comparison, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade launched on Steam back in 2022, and only had a peak of 13,803 players. There's a couple of reasons as to why the game didn't do all that well compared to Rebirth, one notably being that it had been released on the Epic Games Store half a year prior, so there might have been PC players who had already picked it up there. The other reason might be that the Steam Deck had only been released that year, so there's always the chance that a lot of players have picked up Rebirth because there are more that own a Steam Deck three years down the road.This will obviously be good news for Square Enix, given that last year it realised it really needs to take a multiplatform approach if it actually wants to make any money these days, and based on some comments from last month, we can probably expect the third and final part to come out on other platforms too.

Snake...Snaaaake!!!Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo have been re-released time and time again, and the next one getting a restock appears to be the famous Metal Gear character Snake.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

With the current quad-demic, there are precautions that you can take. For example, after respiratory ... [+] syncytial virus (RSV) cases jumped in December 2024, the New York City Health Department suggested that people mask up in crowded indoor places. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesThis is not how you want to go viral. The U.S. is currently going through surges of not one, not two, not three but four different viruses. Thats prompted folks to nickname the current situation a quad-demic, which may be a four-midable situation for those seeking timely healthcare in this country. So, you may want be four-warned and do what you can protect yourself.What Is The Quad-demicThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Respiratory Virus Activity Levels website shows that COVID-19, influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus have all been on the upswing since November 2024. For the week ending on January 18, 25.0% of reported influenza tests, 8.8% of reported RSV tests and 6.2% of reported COVID-19 tests came back positive. Meanwhile, heres the poop on norovirus: according to the CDC, for the week ending January 4, 2025, 27.91% of tests for this gastrointestinal virus came back positive, reportedly the highest that this percentage has been over the past five years.Now, its not super surprising that the activity of all four viruses have increased during the Winter months as that tends to happen every year. After all, the cold and dry air may make facilitate the transmission of respiratory viruses and keep people cooped up indoors close to one another, which makes it easier to pass all sorts of stuff to each other. Plus, norovirus is non-affectionately known as the Winter Vomiting Virus for a reason.This Winter, the levels of the three respiratory viruses may have started increasing a little later than usual. That could have compressed all of the surges in to the January timeframe. Although it remains a bit hard to tell what exactly is happening with each virus when since the U.S. government never really put in a comprehensive virus surveillance system thats significantly better than what was in place in 2020. As you recall, in 2020, the U.S. was kind of caught with its proverbial pants down when the COVID-19 pandemic started and had to rely on a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University to start a website to keep track of COVID-19.Whats more striking are the combined activity levels of the four viruses. Remember none of these four viruses are nothingburger viruses. All four can cause symptoms bad enough to send you to the emergency room. For the week ending January 18, 5.2% of all emergency room visits were due to the flu, 0.9% because of COVID-19 and 0.6% because of RSV. Bad cases of COVID-19, the flu or RSV can end up killing you. Theres also the longstanding problem of possibly getting long COVID after a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. And most people who have had a norovirus infection will tell you that its not your run of the mill gastrointestinal infection. In fact, the runs and the vomiting that it can cause can be like nothing else youve experienced, leading to major dehydration that could require medical attention.MORE FOR YOUThe Quad-demic Is Further Clogging Up The Healthcare SystemThus, the quad-demic is likely putting a toll on the already heavily-constrained healthcare system. Even when there are no infectious disease epidemics going on, its probably not common for people to say, Looking forward to going to the ER where Ill be seen immediately and not have to wait at all. When you think of ERs throughout the country, the words ultimate efficiency and well-staffed dont often come to mind. Throw in several viral epidemics together and its likely that wait times for those seeking care at clinics, hospitals and emergency rooms have gotten even longer.Therefore, if you do require any type of healthcare service, its especially important now to plan ahead. Think about what setting would be most appropriate for your condition. If you have a non-urgent matter, consider contacting your regular doctor during business hours for guidance. That may spare you a lot of unnecessary wait time in a more urgent setting such as urgent care or the ER. If you do have a health problem that requires urgent attention, make that clearly known to the healthcare professionals at the clinic, hospital or ER as soon as you get there. You dont want to end up being lost in the viral shuffle.How To Protect Yourself Against The Quad-demicIts also a good idea to take proper precautions to keep yourself from being infected. This should apply everywhere but especially in waiting rooms, other healthcare settings and anywhere that may be prime areas for viral transmission. Dont listen to those politicians and such who have tried to politicize the heck out of proven infectious disease control measures. For example, N95 respirators are designed to block small particles like viruses. Wearing such face masks can effectively cut down respiratory virus transmission as long as the masks fit and are worn properly.Another useful measure is maintaining good ventilation with clean air. Remember back in 2020 when there was a push to install more air purifiers in indoor locations to cut down on SARS-CoV-2 transmission? Well, our society often has the memory of a goldfish when it comes to such things.Then theres the whole handwashing thing. If someone says they havent washed his or her hands in, oh, say like 10 years, you may want to stay far away from that person. Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently can cut down on not only viral infections but also bacterial and other microbial infections, as I have written previously for Forbes.You also want to frequently disinfect high-touch surfaces like that life-sized Jason Momoa statue that you keep in your closet. The challenge is that norovirus can be resistant to many standard household cleaners and may require bleach to get deactivated.Finally, getting vaccinated can protect you further, at least against getting worse outcomes. If you are six months or older, you can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for pregnant women, infants, children who at higher risk, adults who 75 of age and older and adults in the 60 to 74 year age range who have a higher risk of severe RSV disease. There is currently no norovirus vaccine on the market. But that may change in the near future.Oh, and one more thing. At this point, dont rely on the federal government to tell you when an infectious disease may be surging. As mentioned before, the past five years have shown major deficiencies in the existing infectious disease surveillance systems in the U.S. Throw on top of that the current pause on communication from federal health agencies being enforced by President Donald Trumps new administration that took office on January 20, 2025. Its not clear how current the CDC infectious disease data will be until there is more clarity on what will happen to CDC. Its not even clear what the the federal government will do to prevent and deal with infectious disease outbreaks at this moment like the current quad-demic and anything that may emerge in the near future. Consider yourself four-warned.

One PieceNetflixNetflix shows are known for their very long gaps between seasons, though I suppose thats not exclusive just to that service in this day and age of streaming. But now we have news that yet another Netflix hit series is probably going to have at least two years between seasons, if not more.That would be One Piece season 2, and thanks to some Netflix-leaked information, we have confirmation that the show is coming in 2025, but thats all we have, and it would seem to reinforce the idea that its coming later in the year, if not right at the end.Garp actor Vincent Regan previously said it was targeting a Christmas 2025 release, but other sources ended up saying 2026 was more likely. Now, Netflixs own TUDUM site, when talking about a separate LEGO collaboration, said that new episodes would arrive later in 2025, the article now being taken down but archived here. Given that this is an official Netflix site, yes, we should put a lot of stock in that.One Piece season 2 debuted on Netflix on August 31, 2023. It does not seem likely at this point, given all this information, that it will debut before that in 2025, making it a full two year wait between seasons. Sometimes Netflix series get away with a year and a half gap, but if that Christmas 2025 date comes to pass, that would be 2.3 years, thereabouts. I also think its possible that with Netflix taking down that 2025 date, they are not actually willing to commit to that yet, and it may actually be 2026 after all. Either way, thats not great news for those hoping for a sooner return.One PieceNetflixMORE FOR YOUWe have gotten a ton of non-season 2 date-related news about the cast coming for the next season. What we know so far is:Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss ValentineDavid Dastmalchian as Mr. 3Clive Russell as CrocusBrendan Murray as BrogyWerner Coetser as DorryCallum Kerr as SmokerJulia Rehwald as TashigiRob Colletti as WapolTy Keogh as DaltonKatey Sagal as Dr. KurehaMark Harelik as Dr. HirulukSendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari CobraCharithra Chandran as Nefertari Vivi (Miss Wednesday)Joe Manganiello as Sir Crocodile (Mr. 0)Lera Abova as Nico Robin (Miss All Sunday)Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss GoldenweekMark Penwill as ChessAnton David Jeftha as KuromarimoRigo Sanchez as Monkey D. DragonYonda Thomas as IgaramJames Hiroyuki Liao as IpponmatsuThis isa genuinely huge list of additions. Granted, the anime and manga have tons of characters, but the show is trying to condense some of these storylines onscreen. Plus these join a bunch of returning characters, 12 in all if the current list is accurate. I am really, really curious to see how these are going to all fit into eight episodes. Eight!Well see how they do it, but yes, this is going to be something to behold, thats for sure. No wonder its taking this long.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Facepalm: Apple's much-hyped Siri integration with ChatGPT may have added a ton of useful functionality, but it's apparently done little to improve the digital assistant's knowledge of sports. A damning report highlights just how abysmally Siri performs at recalling simple facts like past Super Bowl winners. According to the report from One Foot Tsunami's Paul Kafasis, when asked "Who won Super Bowl?" for each number from 1 through 60, Siri correctly provided the winner for only 20 out of the 58 Super Bowls that have been played so far. That translates to a success rate of just 34%.The details get even more embarrassing. Kafasis found that at its worst, Siri missed an incredible 15 Super Bowl winners in a row from Super Bowl XVII through XXXII. And in a baffling mishap, it erroneously credited the Philadelphia Eagles with a whopping 33 non-existent Super Bowl wins.Kafasis documented every single one of Siri's wrong answers in a downloadable spreadsheet, which you can find on his blog.Another report by Daring Fireball's John Gruber corroborated these findings. It found that AI assistants and search engines from Google, Anthropic, and DuckDuckGo fared far better when asked similar Super Bowl trivia questions. Gruber even found they could all handle not just past results, but smartly dodge trick questions about future Super Bowls that haven't happened yet.Siri's poor performance doesn't stop at sports trivia either. Daring Fireball posed a more obscure question "Who won the 2004 North Dakota high school boys' state basketball championship?" Incredibly, both Kagi and ChatGPT provided the fully correct answer, with the latter earning bonus points for including a link to video of the championship game. Meanwhile, Siri once again got it wrong.What makes all this particularly damning is that Siri's essentially powered by the same ChatGPT that fares perfectly fine when used without Siri. // Related StoriesThe blog also points out that the old pre-AI versions of Siri at least acknowledged limitations on such queries and provided relevant web links. But new Siri powered by Apple Intelligence with ChatGPT integration lies with confidence a hallmark of unrefined AI making it worse than its predecessor.Both blogs conclude that Apple has more work to do in this area. As Gruber bluntly states, Siri with ChatGPT is currently "a massive regression" over the old Siri when it comes to handling simple factual prompts.

NvidiaTable of ContentsTable of ContentsPricing and availabilitySpecsPerformanceWait and seeNvidia made some stark claims with the announcement of its RTX 50-series GPUs. It promised double the performance with the best graphics card Nvidia has ever released, the RTX 5090, and it said outright that the more modest RTX 5070 could equal the performance of the last-generation king, the RTX 4090. That seems dubious, even with the hype surrounding the new hardware.We cant officially confirm or deny such claims until the embargo lifts on reviews for these new cards, but for now, lets consider how the RTX 5070 lines up with the 4090, to give us an idea about what to expect.Recommended VideosThe Nvidia RTX 4090 debuted in October 2022 with an at-the-time eye-watering price tag of $1,600. Its remained at around that level ever since, with some shortages spiking the price over $2,000 at times, depending on the version. As of late January 2025, however, the card is sold out almost everywhere, with only overpriced versions around $2,500 still available new, and second-hand versions selling for around $1,600.Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming The RTX 5070 is set to go on sale some time in February though more likely toward the end of the month than the start. Nvidias suggested retail price for the card is $550. Thats $50 less than the RTX 4070 Super debuted at, but depending on stock and early interest, prices for the card may be higher in the short term after release.Jacob Roach / Digital TrendsNvidia RTX 5070Nvidia RTX 4090CUDA Cores6,14416,384RT CoresUnknown quantity, 4th generation128, 3rd generationTensor CoresUnknown quantity, 5th generation512, 4th generationMaximum clock2.51GHz2.5GHzMemory size12GB GDDR724GB GDDR6XMemory bus192-bit384-bitMemory speed28Gbps21GbpsMemory bandwidth672GBps1,008GBpsTBP250W450WOn paper at least, it seems almost comical that Nvidia claims the RTX 5070 can match the RTX 4090s performance. It has a third less memory bandwidth, half the physical memory, and barely a third of the CUDA core count with comparable boost clock speeds.Thats because Nvidias claims are largely based around the enhanced support for AI-driven upscaling using the latest generation of Tensor cores. Nvidias new RTX 50-series supports multi frame generation, which can construct up to three AI-generated frames around a single GPU-rendered frame. The RTX 4090, on the other hand, is restricted to just single AI frame as part of its support for DLSS 3. That does give its fps a big boost in compatible games, but potentially leaves the last-generation kingpin behind in raw numbers even if there are concerns over the viability of such high numbers of AI constructed frames.Putting aside our sceptics hat for a second, though, its fair to say that the RTX 5070 uses substantially less power than the RTX 4090, therefore outputting far less heat in turn. That will make it far better suited to small form-factor gaming PCs especially if its new architecture, process node, and indeed, DLSS 4 support, can help it close the performance gap with the 4090.Until we can test the RTX 5070 ourselves, we cant say for sure just how good this next-generation card is or how it stacks up against the RTX 4090. We can use Nvidias slides and claims to give us a rough ballpark, but with the DLSS-heavy marketing, we should be aware of the upscaling involved to reach some of these numbers.NvidiaNvidias graphs do tell us more than they might initially appear to, though. While the big claims of double the performance of the RTX 4070 would put the RTX 5070 in the realm of the RTX 4090, we should instead focus on the left two results on the above graph.In Horizon Forbidden West and Resident Evil, where DLSS 3 and no DLSS were used, respectively, we see much more modest performance improvements from one generation to the next. In reality, the RTX 5070 may be less than 20% faster than the RTX 4070. If thats the case, it would take a huge uplift from DLSS 4 and multi-frame generation to even approach 4090 performance, let alone match it.Well have to wait and see for real-world testing to settle this performance debate, but at first glance, it seems very unlikely the 5070 can match the 4090 in most games. Even then, itd be with heavy multi-frame generation, which can introduce latency issues and visual artifacts which are unlikely to be to everyones tastes.We only have a month or so to wait to see just how good the RTX 5070 really is. Its likely to be faster than the RTX 4070 and the new DLSS features make it far more capable in select scenarios. Its not likely to measure up to the RTX 4090, though. If youre using that last-generation king card already, beware the FOMO of a new generation. Youre likely still sitting on one of the fastest graphics cards in the world, and it will do for quite some time.Editors Recommendations

Last Half of Darkness is a point-and-click horror adventure game first released in 1989, and now has been faithfully recreated with new graphics, an improved story, and modern mechanics by the same solo developer that first made it. Bill Fisher of SoftLab Laboratories and later William R. Fisher III Studios first released Last Half of Darkness in 1989 on the DOS platform to somewhat middling reviews, but the series established a fan base and Fisher went on to create several more games in the franchise.Given the graphical quality of 1989, the original title isnt quite as scary as it might once have been. The new version takes full advantage of all of the tools available to game developers now to create a much more atmospheric and unsettling experience. Strange monsters appear and disappear in puffs of smoke. Gargoyles line the tops of statues, their stony gaze perpetually watching. Eerie noises echo through the ruins in the shadows.Last Half of Darkness (35th Anniversary Edition)Last Half of Darkness is the definition of a labor of love. At the same time, it appeals to fans of puzzlers and horror alike. There are numerous Myst-like puzzlesthroughout. Youll need to search for specific items, explore the building to find alternative paths, and solve intricate puzzles to move forward. Fisher doesnt say much about the story, with the games blurb only giving a few sentences: Your aunt sure was a strange one. She was some sort of witch or something. A good witch though, practicing only good spells and magic. In fact, she was working on a potion just before she was killed. Now the secret will go to the grave with her unless you can find the missing ingredients.Recommended VideosLast Half of Darkness is scheduled to release on Steam on February 7. If you want to play the original titles, those can still be downloaded for free from Fishers website.Editors Recommendations

I was impressed by the hybrid's smoothness and efficiency. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV also has a luxurious cabin, and well well-designed tech features. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Although impressive, the plug-in hybrid drivetrain comes with a hefty $10,000 price premium over the standard GLC, which delivers superior internal combustion-only fuel economy and similar acceleration compared with the PHEV.The base rear-wheel-drive version starts at $49,250, while the range-topping, high-performance version starts at $86,050.The GLC is handsomely styled.The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The GLC's front and rear facia incorporate the latest look of Mercedes' C-Class sedans, evolving the overall shape that made the first-generation variant so popular with consumers.The second-gen GLC is longer, lower, and boasts a slightly wider track than the vehicle it replaced.The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The new GLC's 0.29 drag coefficient means it's also more aerodynamic than the outgoing model.Under the hood is a four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 23.3 kWh battery pack.The GLC350e's turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The 350e is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with a 134-horsepower electric drive motor to produce 313 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in total system output.Power gets to the pavement through a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.The GLC PHEV is good for 25 MPG of fuel economy in combined driving when using just the internal combustion engine. Factor in the hybrid system, fuel economy increases to 64 MPGe, according to the EPA.The GLC has 54 miles of all-electric range. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The GLC can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes using a DC fast charger at a rate of 60 kW.With a standard household level 2 AC plug, the 350e can charge from 10% to full in under three hours.The GLC350e drives like a refined luxury SUV.The GLC's front seats. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The overall driving experience was pleasant and civilized.The steering was precise and well-weighted, and the front coil suspension and rear air suspension combined to deliver a soft and smooth ride.With the ICE and electric drive systems operating in harmony, the 350e felt smooth and effortlessly powerful. While I did detect some hesitation when switching between various EV, hybrid, and ICE driving modes, the hybrid system was fairly seamless in operation.Despite its 313 horsepower and 406 lb ft. of torque, the PHEV GLC wasn't any quicker than the standard GLC 300, which has 255 horsepower under its hood. Both can do 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.That's because of the GLC350e's weight.At 5,500, the PHEV battery and electric drive system add roughly 1,000 lbs of heft to the ICE GLC, which negatively affects the vehicle's performance and efficiency, especially when in ICE-only mode.The GLC's cabin is stylish and high-tech. The cabin of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The GLC shares much of its cabin design with the current C-Class sedan and the new CLE Coupe and Cabriolet.That's a good thing because it looks terrific. The interior blends modern tech and design like the metal weave center console, massive LED displays, and LED ambient lighting with callbacks to classic Mercedes-Benz design with the vintage turbine design air vents and find wood trim.The only real complaint I had, and one that I have with most modern Mercedes cabins, is the touch controls that look great but can be fussy and imprecise to use while driving.In front of the driver is a stylish, leather-wrapped, heated flat-bottom steering wheel.The GLC's steering wheel and configurable digital instrument display. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Also, in front of the driver is a highly configurable 12.3-inch high-definition digital instrument display.The GLC's 16-way power, two-tone front seats were very comfortable.The GLC's brown and black faux leather front seats. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The sienna brown and black seats were upholstered in a material called MB-Tex, which does a fair approximation of real leather.The focal point of the GLC's center stack is a large 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen.The GLC's 11.9-inch infotainment screen comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider The screen is equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system that's pretty well sorted at this point. It's responsive and easy to navigate, and the graphics look terrific. The system's overeager voice assistance is also far less intrusive than in past iterations.The system's built-in navigation maps look spectacular, and the image quality of the GLC's surround-view cameras is equally impressive.The rear cabin is as pleasant as the front seats.The GLC rear seats. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider Passengers riding the split rear bench seat are treated to the same upholstery and ambient lighting, and a solid 37.4 inches of legroom.The SUV boasts a solid 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.GLC350e Plug-in Hybrid's cargo compartment. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider With the seats folded, the cargo capacity expands to around 56 cubic feet. There is a small underfloor storage hook for tools and an emergency tire inflation kit.The biggest difference between the 350e and the internal combustion-only models is a slight hump in the rear cargo floor and the storage bag for its charging cables, both of which eat into capacity. The GLC comes standard with a host of safety tech, including adaptive high beam assist, blind spot assist, and active parking assist.The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider However, you'll need to pay for the $1,950 Driver Assistance Package to get Mercedes' outstanding Distronic adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other high-tech features.My Verdict: GLC 350e is the ideal gateway for someone looking for the benefits of an EV without the range anxiety.The GLC 350e is a great choice for consumers looking for a compact luxury SUV but hesitant to go all-in on the full EV experience. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider As a plug-in hybrid, the 350e is at its best if the consumer is committed to or able to keep its battery pack charged.Without the benefit of juice from its battery, the 350e is effectively a GLC 300 with 1,000 lbs of extra weight, worse fuel economy, and a $10,000 price premium.Keep the battery charged, and you have something special.The 350e PHEV's 54-mile all-electric range means it'll be a de facto EV on most daily commutes, while the turbocharged engine guarantees range anxiety-free road trips.At the same time, the SUV delivers the world-class tech and luxury experience expected of a vehicle carrying the vaunted three-pointed start.It's the best of both worlds.

Mel Gibson has said he wants to "fix" the problem of stars leaving Hollywood."A lot of people have left, and I don't blame them," Gibson said in a recent interview.He was recently named one of President Donald Trump's "special envoys" to Hollywood.Mel Gibson has said he wants to help solve the problem of people leaving Hollywood as part of his role as one of President Donald Trump's "special envoys."Ahead of his inauguration, Trump named Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight as ambassadors to Hollywood, tasking them with bringing business back to the film industry.Discussing his new role with Fox News's Sean Hannity on Saturday, Gibson said he was "ready, willing, and able to be of service" to Trump before sharing his thoughts on the trend of Californians ditching the Golden State."A lot of people have left, and I don't blame them," Gibson said, adding that many had left for the reasons that Hannity said led him to move out of New York which included crime, schools, high taxes, and regulations."It didn't suit them anymore," Gibson said. "Even people who were liberal, it didn't suit them anymore. But if everybody leaves, what's going to happen?"The Oscar winner, known for his roles in "Lethal Weapon" and "Braveheart," said that despite the trend, he has chosen to stay in California. Gibson's home was recently destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires.The actor, 69, said that going forward California needed to "be competitive" with the rest of the world to keep people from packing their bags.People "are going somewhere else because it's more cost-effective. There's just a lot of prohibitive regulations and things in the way that I think could be lifted," he said. "But I think it can be fixed."As Business Insider previously reported, between 2021 and 2022, just over 817,000 people left California the most of any state in that period.Actors, executives, and producers are among those to have decided to leave the Golden State in recent years including Gibson's fellow Hollywood ambassador Stallone.The "Rocky" actor said in an episode of "The Family Stallone" filmed in 2023 but aired in 2024 that he and his family had "permanently" vacated California and were headed to Florida.It's not hard to see why Florida is an appealing alternative to California for some. The state hasno personal income tax, while corporate income taxis also relatively low.In the interview with Fox News, Gibson said he would look to focus on tax incentives in his new role, as those offered by California Gov. Gavin Newsom may not be "enough.""I know Newsom gave some tax incentives, but maybe not enough because it's still not working. There are other things that offset that," he said.Expanding on the state of the film industry, Gibson said that on one occasion, it had been cheaper for him to fly a whole film crew to Europe, provide accommodation, and shoot for three days than it was to "shoot for one day just down the road.""There's something wrong there," he said.