Congestion pricing gets results.Wheels UpThe wins keep coming after Manhattan initiated its congestion toll on cars early this month. Now, the latest data is showing a massive decrease in crash related injuries.New data from the first 12 days of congestion pricing shows that total injuries below 60th street the zone where congestion pricing takes effect, charging drivers up to $9 to enter dropped 51 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Total crashes, meanwhile, dropped 55 percent.The analysis comes courtesy of outspoken transit advocate Gersh Kuntzman and his team at Streetsblog NYC. He cautions that it's too early to take a victory lap, given that the figures do not account for variations in weather between 2024 and 2025, but they are promising. This is the latest indicator that the congestion pricing is working as intended kids are getting to school faster, the city is quieter, bridges and tunnels are seeing significantly less traffic, and the air is becoming abit cleaner. And these are just the knock-on effects of traffic reduction.The real winners are New York City's public transit riders, whom the congestion toll is meant to directly benefit via station improvements, critical infrastructure repairs, extended bus routes, and a resumption of the much-needed 2nd avenue subway extension project, which had been stalled for years.In other words, if the good news keeps coming, the initiative could become a compelling proof-of-concept for other areas of New York and more crowded cities around the country.Cutting EdgeThat's in a perfect world, of course. While adding friction for cars is looking like a major win for New York so far, it comes at a time when common-sense transit projects across the country are flailing. Some are way overbudget, outsourced to pie-in-the-sky tech startups, or falling to a busted legislative process.And that's even if a city ponies up the will to make affordable, car-free transit a priority at all.Going forward, there's very little evidence that investments in crucial infrastructure will be coming from the federal government Trump has already cut Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in favor of his Stargate gamble making state and local policy like the Big Apple's congestion pricing all the more crucial.While other cities spend taxpayer money to beautify parking lots, New City is leading by example and showing the rest of the country what people-first transit policy can do for their communities. In a country dominated by cars, this rare win for public transit is worth imitating.Share This Article

See at Peacock Watch the EPL in the US from $8 a month Peacock See at Peacock See more details See at ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming ExpressVPN See at ExpressVPN See more details See at Now Watch the Premier League in the UK from 15 with Now Now See at Now See more details See at Fubo Watch the Premier League in Canada from CA$30 per month Fubo Canada See at Fubo See more details See at Optus Watch the Premier League in Australia from AU$7 a month Optus Sport See at Optus See more details Table of Contents Manchester City hosts Chelsea on Saturday, with just two points separating the two Premier League powerhouses coming into this key clash.Currently in fifth place, City's recent resurgence was brought to an abrupt halt in midweek as they surrendered a two goal lead against PSG to lose 3-2 in the Champions League. CIty's alarming performance has seen Pep Guardiola dip into the transfer market, with January recruits Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all set to be named in today's squad for the home team.Meanwhile, Chelsea has been experiencing a rough patch of its own, slipping from title contenders to a team on the brink of losing its place in the top four. Monday's 3-1 win against the Wolves nevertheless gave Enzo Maresca's team a much-needed first EPL victory in six games, setting up an what could be an intriguing encounter at Etihad today.Manchester City vs. Chelsea takes place on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Etihad Stadium, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. GMTlocal time. That makes it a 12:30 p.m. ET or 9:30 a.m. PTstart in the US and Canada, and an 4:30 a.m. AEDTkickoff in Australia in the early hours of Sunday morning.Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match as it happens, wherever you are in the world. Noni Madueke scored Chelsea's third goal in the 3-1 win over the Wolves last weekend. Chris Lee/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesHow to watch Man City vs. Chelsea in the US without cableSaturday's Man City vs. Chelsea match is streaming onPeacock. You'll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live. CNET Peacock offers two Premium plans, and after the recent price increases, the ad-supported Premium plan costs $8 a month and the ad-free Premium Plus plan is $14 a month. See at Peacock How to watch the Premier League 2024-25 season from anywhere with a VPNIf you find yourself unable to view EPL matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the games -- that's where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it's also a great idea if you're traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.With a VPN, you're able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors' Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you're streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions. James Martin/CNET 2024 Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 25% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN isour current best VPN pickfor people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month.Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at ExpressVPN Livestream Man City vs. Chelsea in the UKSaturday evening's big game is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and UHD channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game. Now TV Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 15, or sign up to a monthly plan from 35 per month right now. See at Now Livestream Manchester City vs. Chelsea in CanadaIf you want to stream this EPL game live in Canada, you'll need to subscribe to Fubo Canada. The service has exclusive rights to every Premier League fixture once again this season. Fubo Fubo is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the EPL this season, with exclusive streaming rights to every match. It costs CA$30 a month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually. See at Fubo Livestream Man City vs. Chelsea in AustraliaFootball fans down under can watch EPL matches live on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League fixture of the 2024-25 season live in Australia. Optus With exclusive rights to stream all EPL matches live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.If you're already an Optus network customer, you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 a month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPNWith four variables at play -- your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN -- your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.If you don't see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the "search for city or country" option.If you're having trouble getting the game after you've turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs -- like Roku -- don't have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you'll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you're using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network's sports app, you'll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you're using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommendBrave.

Ready to add a newMaxshow to your rotation?These days, it's Max -- not HBO Max -- that delivers HBO to the streaming masses. The service is home to popular shows like Succession, The White Lotus, Hacks and The Sex Lives of College Girls. There's no shortage of exceptional fare to explore.Max unites the HBO Max and Discovery Plus libraries. Here are the highly rated shows you shouldn't wait to watch, plus this month's new releases.Read more: Best Movies on Max What's new on Max in JanuaryNote:These descriptions are taken from press releases and lightly edited for style.Jan. 2Isadora Moon, season 1 premiere (2024- ): Kids series. It follows the delightful adventures of a half-vampire, half-fairy girl. Jan. 9The Pitt, season 1 premiere (2024- ):Drama series. Each episode follows an hour of Dr. Robby's 15-hour shift as the chief attendant in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital's emergency room. Jan. 15An Update on Our Family, premiere (2024- ):Docuseries. It explores the complex world of family vlogging.Jan. 16Harley Quinn, season 5 premiere (2019- ):Adult animated series. Season 5 finds Harley and Ivy in a new location: Metropolis -- the home of all things Superman, Lois Lane and the Daily Planet.Best HBO and Max original TV seriesThis list focuses on shows that have premiered a new season since 2023 (or are currently renewed for more seasons) and have a score of at least 70 on Metacritic.Drama Warrick Page/Max The Pitt (2025- ) A lot can happen in one day on the job in a hospital's emergency department. This new, modern-day medical drama fills it's 15-hour first season with what transpires during a single shift. Created by ER executive producer R. Scott Gemmill and starring ER's Noah Wyle as chief attendant Michael Rabinavitch, this compelling and realisticseries is worth checking out. Liane Hentscher/HBO The Last of Us (2023- ) This TV adaptation of a popular video game follows hardened survivor Joel (The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal) and spunky teen Ellie (Game of Thrones' Bella Ramsey) as they face human and not-quite-human dangers in a postapocalyptic world. Warner Media House of the Dragon (2022- ) Creating a show as beloved as Game of Thrones is tough to pull off, but HBO spin-off House of the Dragon soars to impressive heights. Set hundreds of years before fantasy series GoT, the prequel depicts how infighting and tragedy consume House Targaryen. Multiple players clamor for power, including Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke). Max The White Lotus (2021- ) What was initially a limited series was so good HBO renewed it for a second season. The satire about guests at a fancy resort gradually unveils the darker edges of its picture-perfect postcard. The White Lotus features an ensemble cast, including Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Steve Zahn, Molly Shannon and more hilarious people, who make this series soar. If that wasn't enough, a murder mystery with the big reveal waiting till the very end will keep you thoroughly entertained. Amanda Searle/HBO Industry (2020- ) If you're missing the competition and drama on display in Succession, you should pay attention to this HBO series. The first season follows young graduates, including Harper Stern (Myha'la from Netflix's Leave the World Behind), as they step foot into London's Pierpoint & Co. The early 20-somethings hope for permanent jobs at the leading international bank. Eddy Chen/HBO Euphoria (2019- ) Euphoria's second installment is on Max now. This visually stunning series has garnered its fair share of fans, and it's not hard to see why -- the absorbing performances, cinematography and exploration of mature topics make this show shine. If nothing else, stick around to see Dune star Zendaya, who plays teenager Rue. Seacia Pavao/Max Julia (2022-23) Following the life of television chef and cookbook writer Julia Child, this drama doles out a generous serving of humor and charm (and delicious-looking food, of course). Sarah Lancashire is endlessly watchable as the famed American cook, who paved the way for future cooking shows with her long-running series The French Chef. Two seasons are available on the streamer now. Animation Max Creature Commandos (2024- ) This engaging DC series from James Gunn examines the backstories of a ragtag team of monsters put together for dangerous missions. From Frankenstein's bride to a Nazi-targeting robot to a creature resembling both a human and a furry animal, the Creature Commandos are a motley crew worth spending violent, unhinged time with. The series is the first in Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe, and it's already renewed for season 2. Max Harley Quinn (2019- ) Harley Quinn is an adult-oriented animated series that centers on the baseball bat-wielding antihero. Kaley Cuoco voices the mayhem-prone Harley, who in the first episode breaks up with the Joker and tells him she's going to replace him as the top villain in Gotham. The hilarious, action-packed show also features characters like Poison Ivy, and four seasons are available to binge. It premiered on the DC Universe streaming service before moving to HBO Max. Max Scavengers Reign (2023) An unusual alien world and the humans stranded on it are the subject of this spectacular sci-fi series on Max. The story follows characters marooned on a peculiar planet that's home to fascinating creatures and landscapes. The world is beautiful but also poses dangers to the human guests, who seek out their ship and fellow crew members. An expansion of a 2016 animated short film, Scavengers Reign is a compelling, 12-episode saga you won't be able to quit watching. Comedy Atsushi Nishijima/HBO Fantasmas (2024- ) Viewers have former Saturday Night Live writer Julio Torres to thank for this quirky and captivating HBO comedy. In episode 1 of the surreal series, an Alf-like sitcom takes a turn for the awkward and the letter "Q" gets a life story. Torres, also known for the HBO show Los Espookys and A24 film Problemista, stars as a version of himself, and guest actors include Steve Buscemi, Julia Fox, Emma Stone, Aidy Bryant and Bowen Yang. HBO The Rehearsal (2022- ) Nathan Fielder, best known for his Comedy Central show, Nathan For You (and cringe comedy), writes, directs and stars in this new HBO series. In the show, the comedian goes to extraordinary lengths to let people rehearse moments before they happen. In the first episode, Fielder helps a man prepare for a confession to a friend, and builds an exact replica of the bar they're planning to meet at (the attention to detail is incredible). After planning for any outlandish thing that might happen, we see how the real exchange between the two friends plays out. Bizarre and truly fascinating, The Rehearsal should get some time on your screen. Max Peacemaker (2022- ) Following the events of 2021's The Suicide Squad, this DC spinoff catches up with Peacemaker (John Cena), our towering, costume-clad protagonist who's just been released from the hospital. Peacemaker believes he's a superhero, but with his oft-repeated phrase about attaining "peace, no matter how many people I have to kill to get it," the title doesn't really suit him. The show establishes Peacemaker's next steps -- he isn't returning to prison, but instead taking part in a black ops mission that will (again) get his hands dirty. The show often lands its jokes, and you'll especially enjoy its entertaining supporting cast. Max The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021- ) Mindy Kaling co-created this dramedy about four 18-year-old girls who start their freshman year of college together in Vermont. With distinct personalities, the college newcomers navigate love and sex in their own ways. The show is funny, easily bingeable and bolstered by the chemistry between its female leads. A contemporary teen comedy showcasing messy experiences, relatable characters and raunchy jokes. Max Hacks (2021- ) The great Jean Smart rightfully takes the spotlight in this acclaimed comedy-drama series. Throwing iPads into swimming pools and delivering withering looks, Smart plays Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedy diva who must face the prospect of appealing to a younger audience or disappearing into obscurity. She's partnered with Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young and equally snarky comedy writer, to freshen up her material. Perfectly balancing its biting insight into how the comedy business treats women, with the warmth of an odd couple buddy comedy, Hacks is one of the best original series to come out of HBO Max. Ryan Green/HBO The Righteous Gemstones (2019- ) This outrageous series highlights a highly dysfunctional family of famous televangelists called the Gemstones. In the show's first season, a member of the family is blackmailed and ridiculous antics ensue. John Goodman stars as the family patriarch, Eli, and Danny McBride, Edi Patterson and Adam Devine also commit to the bit, pulling off an absurd and addictive black comedy. The third season of the show is out now, and HBO has renewed the series for a fourth. HBO Somebody Somewhere (2022-24) Like feel-good shows? Somebody Somewhere is a great option you may have skipped over. In the first episode, 40-something Sam, living in her Kansas hometown and dealing with a recent loss, strikes up a friendship with a co-worker. Authentic, funny, with glowing performances, the half-hour series is the perfect thing to wind down to. Max Rap Sh!t (2022-23) A half-hour comedy series from Issa Rae (the star and creator of HBO's acclaimed series Insecure), Rap Sh!t introduces two former friends from high school. Shawna is an aspiring, socially conscious rapper, and Mia is a make-up artist and single mother who works multiple jobs. By the end of the first episode, the young women (now in their 20s) have reconnected and filmed a mesmerizing rap video that takes off on the internet. The show's protagonists are phone-obsessed, constantly checking up on social media and recording videos, and it impacts the viewing experience in interesting ways. Jake Giles Netter/Max Our Flag Means Death (2022-23) In this comedy set on the high seas, Rhys Darby plays Stede Bonnet, an aristocrat who abandons his cushy life and family to become the captain of a pirate ship. Spoiler: He hilariously bumbles through the gig. Game of Thrones fans may spot Hodor actor Kristian Nairn hanging out among the crew, and the series also stars Taika Waititi as Blackbeard. Max Starstruck (2021-23) Starstruck is a classic screwball comedy, starring the lovably goofy Rose Matafeo. She plays Jessie, a twentysomething Londoner who parties it up on New Year's Eve, then later discovers she had a one-night stand with Tom Kapoor, a celebrity played by Nikesh Patel. Follow Jessie as she juggles odd jobs, from cinema worker to nanny, and her blossoming relationship with a film star that involves no high jinks whatsoever. Watch out for scene-stealer Minnie Driver as Tom's agent in this witty, neatly crafted comedy package. Max The Other Two (2019-23) The sibling rivalry is strong and primed for hilarity in this comedy from a couple of Saturday Night Live writers. Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider tell the story of Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Helne Yorker), siblings in their late 20s who struggle with the sudden rise to internet fame of their 13-year-old Justin Bieber-channeling brother. Molly Shannon is a treat as their mother, Pat, ushering her children through open doors to success. Once you get over the gimmicky premise, The Other Two's pop culture satire and surprisingly heartfelt storylines are a winning combination. Schitt's Creek fans should give this a look. HBO Succession (2018-23) This satirical show follows the family controlling the world's biggest media and entertainment company, whose members become embroiled in a battle to take over as their father's health declines. John P. Johnson/HBO Barry (2018-23) In Barry's opening scene, SNL alum Bill Hader casually leaves a hotel room that contains a dead body. The actor plays hitman Barry Berkman, who isn't happy with life or his unconventional profession, but his path is altered when he travels to Los Angeles and gets roped into performing in an acting class. Barry features plenty of violence and a deeply troubled protagonist, leaning into the "dark" part of its dark comedy designation. But it's also really funny, and there are four seasons to binge. At the very least, you'll want to tune in for truly great scenes between Hader and his acting teacher, played by Henry Winkler. Crime Macall Polay/HBO The Penguin (2024- ) Set between Matt Reeves' 2022 film The Batman and the upcoming sequel The Batman Part II, The Penguin stars Colin Farrell as the underestimated and ambitious Gotham gangster (though you'll barely recognize the Oscar-nominated actor). The thrilling, eight-episode season chronicles Oz Cobb's rise and is enhanced by other complicated characters, such as Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone and Rhenzy Feliz's Victor Aguilar. Michele K. Short/HBO True Detective (2014-) True Detective may be best known for its first season starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, but the anthology series continues to release intriguing new stories. The latest, which premiered in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, follows Jodie Foster and Kali Reis' characters as they tackle a chilling mystery in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska. It includes a new showrunner, Issa Lpez, who will helm an upcoming fifth edition.

Nvidia DLSS 4 tested: ray reconstruction upgrades deliver radical enhancementsThe new transformer model shows night and day improvements.Image credit: Nvidia/Remedy/CD Projekt RED Face-off by Alex Battaglia Video Producer, Digital Foundry Published on Jan. 25, 2025 With the arrival of the new RTX 50-series line of graphics cards, Nvidia has released DLSS 4. While multi frame generation features are exclusive to the new GPUs, the existing DLSS super resolution and ray reconstruction technologies are upgraded with a far superior transformer model, which can be used on any RTX card, going all the way back to the 2018 Turing offerings. There are big improvements across the board and we'll be looking at each component DLSS 4 offers, starting today with ray reconstruction. To what extent is quality improved? If the model is indeed more complex than the older convolutional neural network offering, what's the performance impact on legacy RTX cards?I started my investigation into DLSS 4 by looking at ray reconstruction because it's a highly challenging technology - and thus far, Nvidia has no competition. The idea is simple: for ray tracing, hardware constraints mean we can't trace unlimited rays. Therefore, there's a lower resolution RT image that must be 'denoised' to produce something akin to a standard resolution image. But here's the thing: if using DLSS upscaling, the denoised image is then upscaled to your output resolution - and RT effects will present poorly compared to the rest of the frame. Ray reconstruction denoises and 'upscales' RT to your desired resolution simultaneously - and while the first-gen effort was highly impressive, there were a number of issues and failure points.This was especially obvious in Cyberpunk 2077 where you could find severe issues with smudging and ghosting on mid-distant moving objects or objects that were indirectly lit; you could find examples of oversharpening and 'stylisation' occurring, giving an oily and runny unstable look - and there could be issues with how art was displayed, particularly obvious in skin rendering. The good news is that the transformer model is a generational improvement in every respect, with only one or two outstanding issues I'd like to see resolved.DLSS 4 ray reconstruction - the Digital Foundry deep dive. Watch on YouTubeAs is often the case for image quality comparison analysis pieces, video is far more illuminating than text, so check that out above if you have the means. However, kicking off with stylisation concerns, normal map detail is more accurately presented with the new tech, offering an immediate quality mode upgrade. With the CNN model, ray reconstruction even had problems resolving straight lines - not an issue now. The video showcases how the transformer model not only resolves more detail but does away with the CNN model's 'interpretation' of the original art. It's fundamentally different - and better - in Cyberpunk 2077 to the point where there's a case that the original art was never properly represented in many respects until now.The new ray reconstruction transformer model more properly respects other elements of game rendering, such as sub-surface scattering - an effect typically used to produce accurate-looking skin shading. With the old CNN version, it looked as though sub-surface scattering was invisible when ray reconstruction was active, giving peoples faces a papery and craggy look, almost ageing them. This is gone with the new model - less of the detail on the skin is visible with pin-point precision, while shadowed regions have a reddish glow to them now as light permeates through the skin's surface.The last - and arguably biggest - improvement with the transformer model comes from a heavy decrease in ghosting. Now, the CNN model had the propensity ghost in all games. Combine this with what I call stylisation artefacts along with the lack of sub-surface scattering and NPCs could look pretty poor. The difference is stark with the new DLSS: while some of the lighting detail is a little unstable, the cumulative effect of all the improvements is such that ray reconstruction in performance mode can even improve on the quality CNN mode, despite the huge gulf in native rendering resolution.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. While the improvement is huge, there are still some issues I'd like to see addressed. For example, glass reflections look much the same. After the camera sits still for a while, both the old and the new models don't know when to stop aggregating temporal data, so after sitting for a while without moving, objects in motion can smear and can look almost transparent in glass reflections and only moving the camera again makes them stop ghosting. Beyond that, there are two regressions I have found in my testing. One of them can be found in Alan Wake 2, specifically with the TV screens in the game. If the camera sits still, you can see the images being overly accumulated, leading to obvious smears and ghosts and other strangeness- much like the glass reflections. This does not happen with the old CNN model.The other regression I have seen - at least in the performance mode - is a kind of vertical striation showing up in some parts of the image at times when the camera is still... but that's about it. Further testing may show more issues to address, but right now, the aggregate improvement to quality is remarkable and obviously outweighs the negatives.With that increased quality in mind, the question is the extent to which this new technology may not run as well on older RTX GPUs bearing in mind the higher computational cost. Looking at the RTX 5090 as a reference point, the cost of ray reconstruction using the transformer model is not a big deal all the extra quality at the same input resolution as before, with a mere seven percent measured decreased average frame-rate over the course of the benchmark using ray tracing set to psycho at 4K quality mode.RTX 2080 TiRTX 3090RTX 4090RTX 50904K Super Res CNN100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%4K Super Res Transformer92.1%93.5%95.3%96.0%4K Ray Reconstruction CNN100.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%4K Ray Reconstruction Transformer64.7%68.7%95.2%93.0%On RTX 4090, I actually saw a better result, with the same settings seeing only a five percent decrease in performance with ray reconstruction in quality mode 4K while using the transformer model. Performance only starts becoming very important when going down to Ampere and Turing cards, based on my testing. On the RTX 3090, using the transformer model reduces average frame-rate by more than 31 percent over the course of the benchmark. On RTX 2080 Ti, it was even worse: a 35 percent reduction in average frame-rate over the course of the benchmark. So, it appears the transformer model for ray reconstruction is quite a lot heavier on Ampere and Turing GPUs. Unfortunately, reducing output resolution does not really seem to help. As the table above indicates though, thankfully the performance hit using the super resolution transformer model is nowhere near as impactful.In summary, the transformer model has massively increased image quality in nearly all the core areas I tested. It has boosted it so much that in Cyberpunk 2077, if you put the transformer model in performance mode next to the balanced and quality mode of the CNN model, one can easily see many areas in the image where the lower resolution transformer image just looks better. There is far less ghosting, more coherent detail, and no stylisation.Not every game and every aspect of image quality with the new transformer model will necessarily look better in performance mode than the CNN model in quality mode, but first impressions with Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 certainly suggest this is the case. As always though, more testing is going to be needed, so look forward to further coverage of DLSS 4.

Because J-House is close to the sea on its western side, which is also exposed to harsh sunlight and monsoon rains, the architects installed deep, shaded verandas on this faade, creating a buffer from the elements. Each apartment has a slightly different version for an individual feel, but all are enclosed with adjustable, weather-resistant aluminum panels, perforated with a pattern that recalls traditional jali or mashrabiya screens. This feature provides privacy while filtering light and airflow, says Malik. It also ensures the verandas are usable throughout the year, and reduces the need for artificial lighting and cooling.The same panels appear inside the bungalows, too, allowing light to flow uninterrupted through the voluminous rooms. Used as stair banisters and folding screens, they can divide or open up a space as residents desire, and present a dynamic visual contrast against concrete and sustainable, locally sourced oak, teak and limestone. The interior architecture echoes Modernist design, with geometric planes creating eye-catching perspectives and interplays of light and shadow.Malik says calls J-House a contemporary interpretation of indigenous wisdom.Photo: Bharath RamamruthamWith its contemporary take on traditional style, J-House is intended as a model for more harmonious urban living. Mumbais high-rises are often criticized for their density, lack of light and poor air circulation, but J-House shows that they can be airy, light-filled, and environmentally sensitive without sacrificing space efficiency, argues Malik. It redefines this typology by fostering connections between the building and its surroundings, between public and private realms, and between residents and nature. It also stands as a testament to the enduring power of timeless architectural principles, offering a vision for the future that prioritizes human well-being.This project took six years to complete (2015-21), with a built up area of 40,000 square feet.Photo: Bharath Ramamrutham

Modder UndergroundMarvel Rivals may have banned mods, but we spoke to the modders making new skins anyway"When I received the news that mods were no longer working, my world stopped for a moment"Image credit: Leonaura Article by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Jan. 25, 2025 Marvel Rivals continues its upward momentum weeks after launch, seemingly providing a cocktail of powerful IP and engaging gameplay that folks are going bananas over. As is tradition, this popularity combined with a dedicated PC playerbase and a distinct cast like has attracted modders like bees to a field of flowers.Days after the game's launch, we saw a vast selection of custom skins and recolours flood modding websites, which the player base gorged itself on. In response, Netease banned the practice, stating outright that the use of such mods could result in a ban. So now some time has passed, how has the Marvel Rivals scene reacted to this stance? Is Marvel Rivals still a hub for mods, and does the future look bright for Marvel Rivals mods? We reached out to creators of some of the most popular cosmetic mods to find out.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. These creators are Svanax, the creators of many goth reskins of Marvel Rivals heroes, as well as Leonaura who has recreated popular characters from other IPs into Marvel Rivals, including but not limited to Batman, Leon Kennedy, and Kamen Rider. Through online DMs, we threw them a few questions on how they got into Marvel Rivals modding, the Marvel Rivals modding community, and their thoughts on the Netease ban on Marvel Rivals ban.VG247: So what's your background in video game modding?Svanax: "I actually had no prior experience with modding before diving into Marvel Rivals. Id thought about modding skins for League of Legends in the past, but honestly, I was too lazy to follow through. That changed with Rivals, since you dont get free skins, which motivated me to create my own. That said, I do have a background as a game developer, which definitely helped me get up to speed quickly when I started making mods."Leonaura: "This January marks 6 years since I began my journey in the video game modding scene.""I started Street Fighter V in January 2019, with a swap mod (a mod that swaps models) from Ryu to Ken (i.e. using Ryu with Ken's moveset). With that mod I learned how to edit hex code and learned how game structures work in Unreal Engine in the latest versions.""I have a lot of love for Street Fighter V, and continue to actively make mods for the game, which I post on StreetModders, where the largest number of fighting game mods are concentrated. The last mod I posted was on January 9th.""Along the way, in addition to Street Fighter V, I've made mods for a few other games: Final Fantasy VII Remake (my Marlene with beard mod is one of my favorites), Sifu, Silent Hope, Devil May Cry V, Street Fighter 6, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin, The King of Fighters XV, and Dead or Alive 6. I'm also very proud to have been able to make mods for one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy VIII, although I've never published those mods. I was involved in the FFVIIR and One Piece Odyssey modding communities for a while, in their early days, but as much as I'd like to, I'm no longer actively involved in either of those games.""Marvel Rivals is the latest game I've successfully modded, and it's been a breath of fresh air among other types of titles, as well as my first successful attempt at modding a game in Unreal Engine 5." Overwatch characters in Marvel Rivals has a particular humour to it I can't help but like. | Image credit: LeonauraVG247: How hard would you say it is to create Marvel Rivals mods, compared to other titles?Svanax: "Since I usually work with game engines, it wasnt all that difficult for me to pick up modding. My knowledge initially came from just two tutorial videos on how to mod in the early days of Rivals, and from there, I taught myself Blender. My first attempt was a basic recolor, which took about four hours and only required modding textures and a small amount of Unreal Engine 5 knowledge.""For someone whos just a casual player, Id say the difficulty is much higher. You need a solid understanding of how games work, along with some experience using Blender and a photo editing software of your choice. That said, with the number of tutorials available on YouTube now, you could probably create your first basic mod within half a day if you follow along carefully."Leonaura: "I have to admit that it's nice. I've loved Marvel Rivals since day 1, and being a part of developing mods for a game with such a large fan and user base is a wonderful experience. I really enjoy testing my mods, taking screenshots, and sharing my progress in mod development. Out of everything I've created since 2019, I'd say my Marvel Rivals mods are among the best I've ever made. People often mention Vegeta, CJ, or Big Smoke mods (they're my most downloaded mods on Nexus), but I've created others like Leon (RE2R), Spirit Spider, various Kamen Riders, Sigma (Talon), Widow (Noire), and Hanzo (Scion) from Overwatch, and many others. Some of those are among my favorites.""Creating mods for MR isn't that far off from doing it for other games, though it's tricky. Luckily, it's easy to find help from other modders and users. There's always someone friendly willing to help you out with kind words if you need it. Even those who stream our mods are nice, and we really appreciate them taking the time to showcase our creations. It's nice to see them supporting your work."VG247: What are your thoughts on the Marvel Rivals modding scene?Svanax: "The Marvel Rivals modding scene is incredibly welcoming. The modders are generally very supportive and friendly. Theres even a dedicated Discord server where people offer help almost 24/7. Its a collaborative space where everyone helps each other out. Known bugs are documented, and tutorials on how to fix common issues are regularly posted, making it easier for new modders to get started and for experienced creators to troubleshoot quickly.""That said, the mod users can sometimes be less nice. While many are appreciative, there are definitely moments where they can be quite annoying, especially with repetitive or unreasonable requests."Leonaura: "Every single person who has been involved in Marvel Rivals modding is wonderful, and I'm really glad to be a part of it all."VG247: A short while ago Netease announced an outright ban on the use of cosmetic Marvel Rivals mods. What was your reaction to mod ban? Marvel Rivals pays its way through skins, so the anti-mod stance isn't entirely surprising. | Image credit: NetEase Games, VG247Svanax: "My reaction to Netease's decision to ban custom skins was pretty tame. I had a feeling that something like this would happen eventually, especially with some people pushing boundaries with NSFW mods. The sales might have also played a part, and it seemed kind of inevitable.""As for me, Im not planning to stop modding, but I am taking a break for now. I need to test the mods myself, and Im not sure what the future holds. For example, theres the possibility that theyll start banning people who edit their files. If it turns out that mods are still safe to use and/or Netease allows them, Ill probably return to working on my original skin line and expand into other characters I havent redesigned yet."Leonaura: "I think it was to be expected that NetEase would block (because there is no ban at the moment) the use of mods in the game for all users. From day one, I understood that something like this could happen, given the characteristics of being a completely online and free video game. It is not the first online video game that includes mods (and that surprises a lot of people), but taking into account the characteristics of the game (F2P, with a constantly rotating store, with emphasis on the battle pass...) it was to be expected that they would do what they have done.""Since I found out that I could be part of MR, I have been modding the game, almost 12 hours a day, for the last month. When I received the news that mods were no longer working, my world stopped for a moment. I didn't even feel like playing.""Now, I continue to dedicate hours a day to playing and modding, and I enjoy every moment very much. I am very grateful to Marvel and NetEase for what they have created. We needed a game as fun as this one."VG247: Is this a sentiment shared in the modding community?Svanax: "Yes, the mods patch was pretty much common knowledge among the modding community.""However, some modders, like myself, are taking a more cautious approach and waiting to see how things play out. Others are still creating skins, but the uncertainty around Neteases stance on mods is definitely making some modders more careful with their approach.""I think everyone understands the risks theyre taking if Netease decides to ban modding altogether, so at the end of the day, its up to each creator to decide what they feel is right for them."VG247: Would you recommend Marvel Rivals for aspiring modders? With new characters coming all the time, there's rich grounds for a modding space here, if bans can be avoided. | Image credit: NetEaseSvanax: "I definitely recommend starting to mod with Marvel Rivals if you're specifically interested in creating mods for it. The community is very supportive, and there are plenty of tutorials available to help guide you along the way.""However, if youre just looking to learn modding in general, Id suggest starting with a game that has more certainty around modding policies, like League of Legends. As for the future of the modding community, its really hard to predict.""But one thing I know for sure is that if modding gets banned, the community will likely find a workaround, just as they always have."Leonaura: "That depends. It's risky to do so, but anyone can be a part of this. Anyone who wants to join has to keep in mind that Marvel Rivals modding can end at any time. I think all of us who create mods for the game are aware of that. It's not a question of if it will happen or not, but when.""What is important is that you support the game, and enjoy playing it. In my opinion, the best mods are not the ones that are technically better, but the ones that are made with love and passion for the modding scene and for the game. That's the most important thing."

Image: Nintendo LifeIf you've played a handful of video games, chances are you've lost yourself in the side content more often than the main game.Sidequests are a procrastinator's dream. Don't want to finish the main story? Worried about missing some fantastic rewards or lore dumps? Well, thank goodness there are tons of people across the world that need help rescuing their pets, doing their shopping, or trying to tell their neighbour that they're in love with them.You can't be a hero without helping a few people along the way, and so, with the help of the lovely Nintendo Life readers, we've compiled a list of the very best sidequests you can experience on the Switch.To put a definition to that term, sidequests are optional quests that are not required to beta the game so, while storylines such as Kasumi's Social Link in Persona 5 Royal (which is required for the extra plot added in the rerelease) and Michelle and Kai in Dragon Quest XI (an incredible questline which is actually part of the main story) aren't included here.We may well return to this piece at a later date after all, Xenoblade Chronicles X is on the horizon so let us know if you think we've missed any superstar side content in the comments.From the Ground Up - Tarrey Town (Breath of the Wild)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo SPDRelease Date: 3rd Mar 2017 (USA) / 3rd Mar 2017 (UK/EU)When Breath of the Wild gave me the chance to buy a house, I stumbled over my own feet. Of course we want to own property in this beautiful new version of Hyrule. Then, just one quest later, I was thrilled to be given a bigger task I could help to build an entire town.From the Ground Up is the quest that kicks off this chain of events, which sees you team up with Hudson (of Bolson Construction) to build a village. Over the course of the quest, you need to collect wood and materials, and gather up helping hands from across all of the villages in the land. As the town expands and the music changes, there's a real sense of relief and progress. And it's all topped off with a heartwarming wedding. Breath of the WIld is a special game, but it's a true testament to this quest that it stands out among the many, many other moments.Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.Cyan's Nightmare (Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster)Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: Square EnixRelease Date: 19th Apr 2023 (USA) / 19th Apr 2023 (UK/EU)No one should have to experience what Cyan goes through in Final Fantasy VI. He loses his wife, child, and the entire kingdom of Doma to Kefka, who mercilessly poisons the water supply one of the most evil acts of the entire game. And yet Cyan still pushes on, struggles against all odds to save the world and keep hope alive.In the World of Ruin, sleeping in Doma will unlock the Dreamscape dungeon, which is a dreamlike manifestation of Cyan's memories. You have to relive moments of his trauma and defeat the Wrexsoul possessing Cyan's spirit. Doing this helps the bushido come to terms with himself, and he rejoins the party with renewed vigor. As a character with an already standout development arc, Cyan's final chance here is beautiful a moment of relief and reprieve, and it pushes him to fight for a better world again.Amnesia (NieR:Automata)Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: PlatinumGamesRelease Date: 6th Oct 2022 (USA) / 6th Oct 2022 (UK/EU)What can I say about NieR:Automata's sidequests? Just like the main story, every single sidequest puts you through moments of beauty, joy, pain, and loss. There's a mix of hopelessness and hopefulness that forces you to experience every aspect of the human condition. From Emil's Memories to The Wandering Couple, rarely can you predict what's going to happen.Despite having eaten fish and defeating a robot dojo master, I wasn't prepared for Amnesia. Only doable during 9S'ss route, Amnesia sees you helping a Resistance Member to find out who murdered her friend. And my goodness. Whatever you want to happen, whatever sliver of hope you want to see at the end of this quest, put it to one side. Amnesia is one of the most devastating questlines I've ever played through. I won't say anything else you have to experience this for yourself.Rebuilding Colony 6 (Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 29th May 2020 (USA) / 29th May 2020 (UK/EU)Before Tarrey Town, there was Colony 6. Xenoblade Chronicles' game-spanning quest sees you slowly rebuild and restore Colony 6, which has been raided and destroyed by the Mechon prior to the events of the game. It's as simple as collecting materials throughout the game (and having enough money) and delivering to the reconstruction efforts.While the rewards are worth it, the true magic is seeing the community reunite as people flock to the Colony to help rebuild it and, ultimately, make a life there. Characters you meet during the story will take a shine to the place, and eventually, business start thriving. And you get to see the town go from rubble to a thriving location, and that alone is worth the time and effort it takes to bring the town back to life. Rebuilding your life and community are key to the Xenoblade series, for me but thank goodness Definitive Edition makes this quest much easier.Anju & Kafei Quest (Majora's Mask)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EADRelease Date: 26th Oct 2000 (USA) / 17th Nov 2000 (UK/EU)Available On: NSO + Expansion PackZelda gets a lot of love on this list, and with good reason. But while modern Zelda is the clear standout, Majora's Mask takes the credit for having some of the best Zelda sidequests of all time. The inhabitants of Clock Town and their human struggle makes Majora's Mask for me. And no more is the game's philosophy captured better than through Anju & Kafei.The doomed lovers' story evolves over the whole three-day, time loop period of Majora's Mask, and as long as you follow through with the events of the quest, you can grant these two the hope and joy they truly deserve. Link can defy fate for these people, and in turn, it makes an otherwise bittersweet quest end on a beautiful note.Investigate the Doomed Commercial Area (Disco Elysium)Publisher: ZA/UM / Developer: ZA/UMRelease Date: 12th Oct 2021 (USA) / 12th Oct 2021 (UK/EU)Good lord, I could easily put every single quest from Disco Elysium here. Who doesn't want to build a nightclub in the middle of a church? Is that traffic jam really as simple as it seems? What about Harry's desperate attempts to sing Karaoke, where he can then attest his appreciation for all-around good boy Kim Katsuragi?But I'm a disaster detective, after all, so the Doomed Commercial Area quickly became one of my favourite activities in the game. Ignoring Plaisance's ridiculous levels of superstition will lead you to an entire new section of Martinaise. Stumble through a gym, unplug a fridge, meet a dice maker, and uncover the story behind Fortress Accident. It's a microcosm of the beautiful, messed-up tapestry of the town, and interlinks with the game's many incredible storylines, enriching the world and its characters perfectly.Return to Crookback Bog (The Witcher 3)Publisher: CD Projekt Red / Developer: CD Projekt RedRelease Date: 15th Oct 2019 (USA) / 15th Oct 2019 (UK/EU)There are many reasons that The Witcher 3 is heralded as the gold standard for sidequests, and picking just one was impossible. But as much as we resisted, we really had to go with the obvious one here. The Bloody Baron is a pivotal character in the early stages of Geralt of Rivia's adventure, and after telling The Witcher everything he knows about Ciri, he asks for help in saving his wife and daughter.Choosing to follow the Baron to Crookback Bog will unravel mysteries about the Ladies of the Wood, the Baron's wife, and a host of orphans and their lives are in your hands. All of them. There are no easy decisions, not black and white villains or heroes; this is a masterclass in quest design, choice-driven narrative, and emotional payoff.Olimar's Shipwreck Tale (Pikmin 4)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EPDRelease Date: 21st Jul 2023 (USA) / 21st Jul 2023 (UK/EU)Gavin swings into Alana's article...Having wrapped up the main game, I launched straight into Olimar's Shipwreck Tale with a certain cockiness. After an interminably slow, tutorial-laden opening, I'd burned through Pikmin 4, adored it, and felt I was pretty proficient, so I fired up this extra quest without worrying much. I was busy opening paths and making slow-and-steady progress, but around day seven I realised I was way below the two-per-day ship part average I needed to repair the S.S. Dolphin before the 15 days were up.Getting out of this bind meant strategising to the absolute max and making use of every. single. second. And I squeaked it, finding all 30 parts and wrapping up one of the most exhilarating (and nail-biting) adventures I've had in a Pikmin game.Aaaand he's off again!The Madonna of Sasau (Kingdom Come Deliverance)Publisher: PLAION / Developer: Warhorse StudiosRelease Date: 15th Mar 2024 (USA) / 15th Mar 2024 (UK/EU)With the sequel on the horizon (perhaps we'll see it on Switch 2 eventually?), it's time to sing the praises of Kingdom Come Deliverance's worldbuilding and sidequests. The Madonna of Sasau, which was added through the four DLC pack, A Woman's Lot, is an easy highlight, examining the Sasau Monastery and the character of Johanka.This quest can take some dark turns as you attempt to help Johanka with her dreams, which involve the Virgin Mary. The quest is an examination of religion and morality and is heavily dependent on your choices. Getting the best possible ending requires taking specific steps, and depending on how things play out, you can either be heartbroken or relieved. The Madonna of Sasau runs the full gamut of emotions, and is quite possibly the best part of Kingdom Come Deliverance.Daniela (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)Publisher: Konami / Developer: KonamiRelease Date: 21st Oct 2008 (USA) / 6th Feb 2009 (UK/EU)The Castlevania series isn't really known for sidequests, but Order of Ecclesia bucks the trend in many different ways. In fact, populating the village of Wygol in and of itself is a great quest that requires you to seek out missing residents, but Daniela might be my favourite villager.Once you save Daniela from the Giant's Dwelling, she'll want Shanoa to help restore her memories. To do this, you need to revisit a handful of locations and draw them in Daniela's sketchbook. For series fans in particular, Daniela's story adds to the Castlevania lore in a fun way. Also, she has a pet cat called Ink, which is just perfect. Thank goodness for the Dominus Collection for letting me replay this gem on Switch.Chocobo Hot & Cold (Final Fantasy IX)Publisher: Square Enix / Developer: Square EnixRelease Date: 13th Feb 2019 (USA) / 14th Feb 2019 (UK/EU)Whenever I replay Final Fantasy IX, I'm not simply just excited to re-experience my favourite Final Fantasy story with my favourite Final Fantasy characters, oh no. I'm also excited to spend time with everyone's favourite yellow bird, Choco the Chocobo.Chocobo Hot & Cold is part digging minigame, part GeoGuessr, and part adorable quest to guide Choco to Chocobo Paradise, this long quest is stuffed full of rewards, and also leads to some of the game's greatest challenges (I see you, Ozma). It's the least narrative-heavy quest here, but it's a sheer delight to play through every single time. Even if I keep missing the correct dig spot in Chocobo Forest by mere inches.Under Suspicion (Yakuza Kiwami)Publisher: SEGA / Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku StudioRelease Date: 24th Oct 2024 (USA) / 24th Oct 2024 (UK/EU)The Yakuza/Like A Dragon series is defined by its side content, but the Switch has been lacking a considerable amount of Kazuma Kiryu. At least until last year's Yakuza Kiwami port. There may be no Cabaret Club or Real Estate management, but there are plenty of other bonkers sub-stories.Under Suspicion is a pretty good summary of what to expect from Yakuza in general weird. Picking up a bag for a suspicious man, who insists you shouldn't look inside, is anything but innocent. But not in the way you might expect, particularly if you've never played these games. If you do look, well, you're in for a shock and some docked pay. If you don't, take the money and remain blissfully ignorant.Finding the 28 Unown (Pokmon Legends: Arceus)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Game FreakRelease Date: 28th Jan 2022 (USA) / 28th Jan 2022 (UK/EU)Catching 'em all is the thesis of Pokmon. But often, that task is pretty daunting. Especially if you're like me, a collector who grew up playing collectathon platformers and who wants to catch everything. No way I have the time to catch 800 'mons anymore! Legends: Arceus makes that task easier, but there's also a smaller task you can take on to fill out that Pokdex.So, who tried to catch all of the Unown in Gold & Silver? How about, rather than leaving it to chance to get the 'I' or the 'X', finding all 28 different 'symbols' of Unown in the wild? Finding all of them takes advantage of Hisui's map and exploration, and rewards you with the chance of catching a shiny Unown, the modern Pokmon fan's dream. It's a fun little quest that encourages you to dig deep across the regions of Hisui.An Off-Seer's Anguish (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 29th Jul 2022 (USA) / 29th Jul 2022 (UK/EU)Xenoblade Chronicles 3, more than any other game in the series, is about the cycle of life and death. Off-Seers the role of Noah & Mio for their respective nations are vital to this cycle, sending off the souls of the deceased by playing music. Noah, in particular, takes this role seriously despite his doubts about the conflict that Aionios is wrapped up in.Which makes him the perfect lead for An Off-Seer's Anguish, which examines the burden of being thrust into this role through Url, a young boy who struggles to send the souls. Searching across Millick Meadow and Alfeto Valley for the boy, Noah decides to help Url tap into his emotions and help him come to terms with his role. It's a short, sweet, and lovely quest, one that understands the humanity of the characters of Aionios, and give more context for the lives and struggles of the people living there.Potential Princess Sightings (Tears of the Kingdom)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: NintendoRelease Date: 12th May 2023 (USA) / 12th May 2023 (UK/EU)I think Tears of the Kingdom does sidequests a little better than its predecessor. I know, that's a dangerous thing to say. Especially given that some of the best like Mattison's Independence and Master Kohga's quest are reliant on having played BOTW for impact.But I'm a sucker for stories that span the "globe" (or, in this case, Hyrule), so Potential Princess Sightings and its 12 interlinking quests stand out. Link becomes an investigative reported at the Lucky Clover Gazette and, along with new fan favourite Penn, follow various leads on Zelda's current whereabouts. Of course, all of these leads are false, but it allows us to view Hyrule in a new light, understand the press system, and fall in love with Penn and his antics.Buy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)USAUKJPNCANPhysicalDigitalStandardCollectors EditionWe're only picking one sidequest per game, so there's bound to be other ones we've missed. Let us know your favourites by voting in our poll and sharing your thoughts in the comments below!What's your favourite sidequest from a Switch game? (34 votes)Daniela's Quests (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia) 0%Investigate the Doomed Commercial Area (Disco Elysium)3%Cyan's Nightmare (Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster) 0%Chocobo Hot & Cold (Final Fantasy IX) 0%The Madonna of Sasau (Kingdom Come: Deliverance) 0%From the Ground Up - Tarrey Town (Zelda: Breath of the Wild)21%Anju & Kafei (Zelda: Majora's Mask)12%Potential Princess Sightings (Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)18%Amnesia (NieR:Automata)3%Olimar's Shipwreck Tale (Pikmin 4)18%Finding the 28 Unown (Pokmon Legends: Arceus) 0%Return to Crookback Bog (The Witcher 3)3%Rebuilding Colony 6 (Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition)9%An Off-Seer's Anguish (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)12%Under Suspicion (Yakuza Kiwami) 0%Other (comment below!)3%

Image: ConcernedApeStardew Valley is perhaps one of the best-supported indie games of all-time with Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone now working on the title for over 12 years. While there have been questions raised about the farming and lifestyle sim's future now that the creator's attention has (mostly) shifted to his new project, what is the actual plan?Speaking to NPR, Barone mentioned how he doesn't want to "definitively say that the book is ever closed" on Stardew because he might one day "have a desire to come back and maybe add a thing or two":Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kWatch on YouTube "You know, maybe even 50 years from now, I might add something...I like creating things. I don't think I'm ever going to retire. I think it would be funny to release an update when I'm, like, 90 years old if I live that long. Let's hope.In saying this, he does feel a game "can have too much content", and while he wants Stardew to be the best experience it can be, if there is any point he feels like "it's starting to become kind of overwhelmed with content to the point it's detrimental to the game's entertainment factor", he would consider stopping.So, there you go - while Stardew Valley just got a huge update not long ago, there could still be more to come. And to be fair, there have already been multiple updates since Version 1.6 arrived on Switch last year.In an interview with Nintendo Life, published earlier this month, Barone mentioned how he felt he could continue to work on Stardew for the rest of his life, and just wants to "keep it alive" as he doesn't want to see it fizzle out. "I feel like I could work on it for the rest of my life"Kicking off 2025 with some bug fixesBack to the farm we goDo you think Stardew should continue to expand and grow, or should work on it stop at some point? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.[source npr.org, via eurogamer.net]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:02 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Three More TitlesIncluding a special Super Famicom release...Sega Launches Its Own Free Account Service With Unique Member RewardsSign up! Y'know, if you wantCeleste Dev Makes "Difficult Decision" To Cancel New Game EarthbladeFollowing "a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste"Opinion: My Daughter Made Me Realise That Mario Wonder's Difficulty Options Need WorkYoshi or Nabbit, make your choiceStardew Valley Creator Releases New Patch For Nintendo Switch VersionKicking off 2025 with some bug fixes

HiMade a video about niagara fluid collision and fracture, but it is in ukr languageYou can turn on automatic eng subtitles, but if this is not enough - plz write, I will add them manuallyNiagara Fluid and Chaos Fracture Collision #UE5 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

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