Replacement of existing 1990s accommodation to contain two towers up to 30 storeysCartwright Pickards designs for the Cambridge road schemeCartwright Pickard is working up plans for a 2,300-bed student accommodation scheme in Manchester.The replacement of two existing 1990s student blocks on Cambridge road is being designed for Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Unite Students.Images released as part of a first round of consultation this week show two clusters of buildings arranged around central squares, with towers rising to 24 and 30 storeys.The existing buildings, which contain around 770 beds, will be demolished to make way for the new scheme, which will have an increase of 1,560 beds compared to the sites current accommodation.Cartwright Pickard is said to have looked at the potential for a refurbishment of the existing buildings but this was not considered viable given their current state and poor energy and thermal efficiency.The scheme will also include a gym, yoga studio, two games areas and potential wellbeing and retail spaces on Cambridge Street.The project team includes planning consultant Turley, structural engineer Waterman Group and landscape architect Reform.MMU, which is forecast to have more than 120,000 full time students by 2028-29 with demand for student accommodation rising at 2% a year, said it currently has a shortfall of around 3,200 student beds.Manchester has a significant undersupply of student accommodation, currently ranking second behind London as the city with the highest student-to-bed ratio.Other major student accommodation schemes in development in the city include the University of Manchesters 5,000-bed redevelopment of its Fallowfield campus, which is being designed by Sheppard Robson, Hawkins Brown and Simpson Haugh.

Plans and details for the 225 million five-year programme of works, which include major upgrades to indoor and outdoor public spaces, were put on public display this morning (30 January). A planning application is expected to be submitted this summer.The jointly designed scheme will see the Lakeside, Foyer and Conservatory spaces overhauled with accessibility, environmental and structural improvements, while removing more recent internal additions to the Grade II-listed centre, such as lighting.Complete restoration of the Conservatory glasshouse will open the space for the public full-time following the works, when new stairs and lifts will give access to upper levels of the Conservatory.AdvertisementA separate events space also features in the proposals, with a pavilion-like structure set to occupy a fourth floor level looking over the greenery.Currently, the Conservatory is only open on Sundays. The AJ understands about 20 per cent of the current glass roof is damaged and at the end of its lifespan. Glazing will be replaced and recycled as part of the job.In the Foyer, removal of a mezzanine would reveal the Barbican Centres iconic concrete columns and double-height main spaces, the plans suggest, while improving wayfinding and circulation.There will also be improved lighting, tech upgrades and better accessibility, include more toilets.In the Lakeside area, fountains will be upgraded to provide better cooling in summer and the brickwork will be replaced with new waterproofing underneath.AdvertisementPhilippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, said: The Barbican has always been about renewal, a beacon of an optimistic future in the wake of the Second World War. This project is rooted in the vision and ambition of its founders, to reimagine what an arts centre can be in the 21st century a vital, creative space for everyone.She continued: This consultation is vital to ensuring the plans reflect the needs of audiences, while celebrating the history and heritage of this special site.In December, the City of London Corporation approved an allocation of 191 million for the Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studios revamp of the Barbican Centre. The AJ understands about 20 per cent still needs to be found.Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio beat four other teams to land that major refurbishment job in 2022, when it was then valued at up to 150 million. Engineers Buro Happold and landscape designers Harris Bugg Studio are also working on the scheme.The Barbican Centre was designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon and opened in 1982. In 2001 it was Grade II-listed alongside the rest of the Brutalist estate.Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) completed a 12.6 million overhaul of the complex in 2006 before creating a 3.4 million street-level cinema complex. Ruff Architects carried out an environmental upgrade of the centres main art gallery in 2019.Three years ago Diller Scofidio + Renfros 288 million, 14-storey London Centre for Music on the Museum of London site was axed in favour of an upgrade to the Barbican Centre.Subject to planning permission, construction is expected to begin in 2027, with a first phase complete in time for the Barbicans 50th anniversary in 2032.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by safety consultancy Project Four revealed that the BSR has approved 11 applications out of 130 since it started assessing schemes in October 2023.But the Health and Safety Executive, which oversees the BSR, later confirmed that nine of those projects approved were in flight schemes submitted before the new regime came into force. According to the AJs sister title Construction News, these were taken over by BSR from two private building control firms: AIS Surveyors, which went into liquidation; and Assent Building Control, which failed to sign up to the new register.Out of the rest of the 130 applications considered by BSR, seven were rejected and 11 deemed invalid. A further nine were withdrawn and the BSR requested more information on 13, while 79 remain under review.AdvertisementSince last April, construction on a higher-risk building (HRB) cannot start until the BSR approves detailed construction plans, at a stop point known as gateway two. A building is classed as an HRB when it is at least 18m or seven storeys tall, with at least two residential units.More on this topicBuilding Safety Act impacts: We really need to talk about gatewaysA BSR spokesperson told Construction News that new-build applications in particular contain a lot of detail often thousands of plans and drawings.They added: However, sometimes this is not the pertinent detail and frequently [an application] does not include any accompanying explanation as to how these plans, drawings or reports demonstrate compliance with the building regulations.The regulator has received many more applications to perform building work on existing HRBs. Out of 1,449 applications, the BSR has only approved 249 17 per cent. It has rejected 66, deemed 403 invalid and asked for more information on 189. The BSR is currently determining 452 applications to make changes to existing HRBs.The FOI response also revealed how long the BSR has taken on average to determine applications, amid criticism the body is taking too long to process applications.AdvertisementThe average time taken to determine an application is 18.4 weeks. Applications to start construction on existing HRBs took the longest, at 18.8 weeks. Applications for new HRBs were determined within 16.3 weeks.The BSR takes longer on average than the timescales within which it should determine applications, at eight weeks for existing HRBs and 12 weeks for new-build HRBs.Project Four managing director Max Meadows said it was great to have some clarity from the BSR on gateway two sign-off.But he added: Were finding our review periods for [gateway two] are significantly higher than the average duration noted lets hope approvals and review period figures improve to keep construction moving.The BSR spokesperson said: [What] BSR would like to see is much more interpretation of how the raw information supports the application. This is particularly true for structural and fire requirements where BSR has found many applications lack clarity on how the requirements of the building regulations have been reached.Commonly we are told further information or analysis can be provided later on. However, the whole ethos of the BSR regime is that this information should be part of the [gateway two] package and BSR therefore cannot approve on that basis.2025-01-30Richard Waitecomment and share

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The iPhone 16 Pro, Google Pixel 9 ProandSamsung's Galaxy S25 Ultraare all among the best phones you can buy right now and all offer a huge lineup of amazing flagship features. From lightning-fast performance and big, vibrant displays to camera setups that give professional cameras a run for their money, these elite handsets represent the pinnacle of today's mobile technology. It's no surprise then that they come with sky-high prices to match their flagship status. That means they're out of reach for many of us -- or are simply unnecessary for those of us who simply want an all-around device for everyday use.Read more: Best Phone to Buy in 2025Whether you're looking for the best phone out there or a more affordable option, like theGoogle Pixel 8A, you'd think the vast number of choices would make shopping simple. But the reality is that sometimes all the options make it more confusing.In this articleTo help you cut through some of the jargon and spend your money sensibly, I've put together tips for buying a phone. How to buy a new phone: Top phone-buying tips Know what you care about most: Is it screen size? Camera quality? Battery life? This will help narrow down your choices. Phones like the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, for example, pack incredible cameras that almost rival the quality you'd get from a mirrorless camera. If you're keen on photography and always want to carry a superb camera for when inspiration strikes, then spending money here is a good idea. If not, you can likely save yourself a bundle.Don't discount the midrange: Features of last year's flagships always trickle down to this year's midrange handsets.Shop the sales: Look for deep discounts and promo deals around major holidays, especially Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday. And find out what your grace period is in case you need a quick return or exchange.Last year's phones:They can often be a great deal, too. Wait for this year's launch to get last year's phone for less, when stores and carriers may be trying to offload their existing stock.Hold the phone at a store first: You may love or hate the way it looks and feels in person.Check if you're already invested:Have you already bought a lot of iPhone apps and iTunes movies? Stick with an iPhone if you still want access to them. Likewise, if you've invested in loads of Android apps, you'll want to stay on that side of the fence. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms.Buy a case and screen protector: You'll protect your phone from costly damage and will increase the phone's resale or trade-in value for when you're ready to move on. If you're careful with how you use your phone, it should last for years. Andrew Hoyle/CNETSmartphone performance vs. budget In general, performance lines up with cost. The very latest, greatest technology usually comes at a premium. Flagship phones pack the best cameras, the most powerful processors and may even sport cutting-edge tech like foldable displays. The high prices mean that these phones are worth considering only by those who want the absolute latest tech in their pockets. Not everyone needs such top tech, however, or may simply be unwilling to spend the $1,000 or more typically required to get it. Luckily, the midrange sector of the phone world has been one of the fiercest battlegrounds for companies to compete in, resulting in some amazing phones that won't break the bank. Features like wireless charging and cameras with multiple lenses that were once the domain of flagships are now commonplace on midrange phones. Even budget phones will still offer decent camera quality and enough power for you to enjoy all of your everyday web browsing, WhatsApp-ing and Instagramming.Screen sizeAll phones have gotten steadily bigger over the last few years, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max measuring a whopping 6.86 inches and the Galaxy S25 Ultra coming in at a chunky 6.9 inches. Small phones aren't that common anymore, with almost no phones measuring under six inches in size.Apple killed off its iPhone Mini line, making the 2022 iPhone SE the smallest iPhone you can currently buy. On the Android side, the Google Pixel 8A's 6.1-inch display makes it one of the better smaller phones, but even then, it's hardly what you'd call tiny. Andrew Hoyle/CNETSoftware support periodA phone remains safe to use only as long as it receives security updates from the manufacturer to protect it from hackers. In the past, this was a bigger concern since most phones were supported for just two or three years, leaving them with a short shelf life. Today, however, extended support has become a competitive feature, with Google now offering an impressive seven years of software and security updates on its latest phones.It means the most recent Pixel 9 Pro will still be safe to use in 2031, while Samsung has promised a similar support period for its Galaxy S24 and S25 lines. Samsung's Galaxy S20, released in 2020, received its final security update in 2024, however, so it's important to confirm how long your phone of choice will be safe to use, especially if you're buying an older phone on the used market. A longer support period not only gives you better value for money over the lifetime of the device, it's also better for the planet, as it keeps older, but still usable phones out of landfill and reduces the number of new devices being made and shipped. Camera performance Camera features have been a major point for bragging rights in recent phones, with manufacturers always wanting a bigger, more exciting number, be it the number of megapixels or quantity of actual camera lenses. Three rear cameras are now common -- a regular lens, an ultrawide lens and a telephoto lens -- with even budget-focused phones packing multiple cameras. Read more: Best Camera Phone to Buy in 2025This is great, as more lenses mean more shooting options when you're out and about. But that doesn't mean that any multilens camera is as good as another. As with processor performance, the more you spend, the better the results you'll typically get, with the absolute best cameras around usually being found on the most expensive flagships. Andrew Lanxon/CNETLook out for features like optical (rather than digital) zooms, night mode for better low-light images, and optical image stabilization. Sometimes these features might not be clear, and it's not possible to judge a camera's performance just by looking at the specs. If you really care about your phone's photography skills, then take some time to look at the reviews and see how its camera performs before you spend your money. Battery life Most phones, from the budget end through to elite flagships, can last most of a day on a single charge. Bigger phones might have bigger batteries, but they also have bigger screens and often more powerful processors, so they suck that extra juice down quickly. Few phones will give you more than a day of use. Here are some things to keep in mind: Always plan on giving your phone a full charge overnight.Look for features like fast charging, that allow your phone to take on a lot of power in a short space of time. Some phones, like the OnePlus 13, support 80W fast charging that will take it from empty to full in around 30 minutes. Check to see if your phone comes with a compatible fast charger though, as an old USB plug likely won't offer the power output required.Your battery will last longer if you avoid more demanding tasks such as gaming or video streaming. Keeping the screen brightness down will help too and if you're really trying to eke out that last few percent to help get you home, turning off Wifi and Bluetooth can also help. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Processor performance Top-end phones pack powerful processors along with 12GB of RAM or even more. It's enough to make these phones run any task without breaking a sweat, but you don't need to spend flagship level money to get great performance. Most decent midrange phones offer enough power to handle all of your everyday needs. You'll still be able to play almost any game from the Google Play store and edit your high-resolution photos in apps such as Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom. There's little you could throw at most midrange phones that they wouldn't be able to handle. As you move into the budget end of the spectrum, that's when you'll start to notice some slowdown with things like gaming. More demanding 3D games might look more stuttery and may even unexpectedly quit. However, basic tasks such as sending emails, listening to Spotify and browsing Instagram shouldn't be a problem. 4G or 5G?5G is the latest standard that promises lightning-fast mobile data speeds when you're out and about. While 5G coverage still isn't everywhere yet, it's widespread enough that you should absolutely look toward a 5G phone. And that's easy, as almost all of them are, from top-end flagships down to entry-level budget phones.The only reason you should consider buying a 4G phone now is if you're looking at the used market and you've found a good deal on an older-generation model that will tide you over for a couple of years. Andrew Hoyle/CNET How much phone storage do you need? Most phones, even the budget ones, come with at least 64GB of storage, of which 10 may be taken up by preinstalled apps and the phone's operating system. If you don't plan on recording video, and gaming isn't your thing, 64GB might be enough, but otherwise you should consider 128GB to be a safer minimum. Andrew Hoyle/CNETHigher-end phones -- particularly those that can record high quality 4K video -- offer capacities of 256GB or more. With that much space, you'll barely need to think twice about having to clear out old files. If the phone supports microSD cards then it's a different matter, as you can pick up 32GB microSD cards (or bigger) for very little money these days and popping one into your phone will dramatically increase the amount of storage you'll have access to. Unfortunately, expandable storage is a very rare feature on phones these days. However, most phones will support external storage over USB-C, so if you're going on holiday and want to shoot a lot of high-resolution video, taking a small SSD drive to offload your footage to might be a good idea. Bonus features Many of these features are now common on phones at various price points and are worth keeping in mind when you're shopping. Fingerprint scanner or face unlock:A scanner may be on the back or even invisibly built into the display. Biometric security, as it's called, is more secure than having to remember a PIN.Water-resistant: Do you often take calls in the rain? Look for a phone with at least an IP67 rating to keep it safe from water and spilled drinks.Wireless charging: This is available on many phones, with some now offering faster wireless charging speeds, as long as you use a compatible charging pad.

Nintendo announces bad news if you use Japanese eShop with a foreign card or PaypalPayment methods no longer accepted "to prevent fraud".Image credit: Nintendo / Eurogamer News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 30, 2025 The Japanese Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store will stop accepting card payments and Paypal from foreign accounts next month.Nintendo made the announcement today, and said the decision had been taken "in order to prevent fraudulent use". As of 25th March, overseas customers who wish to continue using the Japanese eShop or My Nintendo Store will need to use an alternative payment method.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTube"Thank you very much for your continued patronage of our products," Nintendo wrote in a statement on its customer support website."For customers who have previously used overseas-issued credit cards or PayPal accounts opened overseas, we ask that you please use other payment methods, such as credit cards issued in Japan, from now on."The removal of foreign cards and Paypal payments makes for a significant barrier for anyone wishing to make purchases from the Japanese eShop - for instance to buy a game not released elsewhere.Nintendo may be looking to cut down on the number of people with multiple accounts on their console, with the ability to then browse different country's eShops and compare prices, ahead of the launch of Switch 2.An easier option than obtaining a Japanese credit card remains the ability to purchase pre-paid Nintendo eShop vouchers - although these will need to also be for use in Japan.Yesterday, it was reported that Nintendo had failed to stop a supermarket named Super Mario from officially registering its name.

Beyond: Two Souls TV series announced, produced by the game's starPage turner.Image credit: Quantic Dream News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 30, 2025 A TV series based on Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls is in development, with Elliot Page's production company attached.Despite the swathe of film and TV projects based on video games in the works right now, this one is something of a surprise. First released for PlayStation 3 way back in 2013, Beyond: Two Souls is another stylish but somewhat nonsensical narrative adventure by the maker of Heavy Rain and, later, Detroit: Become Human. The top five emotions in Beyond: Two Souls.Watch on YouTubePage starred in the game as Jodie, a girl with special powers and a mysterious connection to a ghostly presence, alongside Willem Dafoe, who plays a creepy government researcher/father figure.Behind the scenes, Page's time working on the project was notable for the legal action lodged in response to Beyond: Two Souls' gratuitous shower scene. Upon the game's launch, it was discovered that Quantic Dream had made a detailed nude model of Jodie's character for use in this scene (to the apparent surprise of Page, as the scene itself does not show any actual nudity). The model was quickly found within the game's files and then spread online, prompting Page to explore the possibility of a lawsuit. Sony, the game's publisher, later sent takedown notices to websites hosting images of the character model."Filming the game was one of the most challenging and fulfilling acting experiences of my career," Page said in a fresh statement to Deadline, which was first to report news of the game's TV adaptation. "The story's rich narrative and emotional depth offer us a fantastic foundation. We want to create a unique vision of the characters and their journeys that resonates with fans and newcomers."Beyond: Two Souls writer and director David Cage said he was "absolutely thrilled to collaborate again" with Page. "I know that Elliot has all the talent and instinct to make it something really unique on TV," he added."Beyond has epic scope, preposterous premise and high-octane action," former editor Oli Welsh wrote in Eurogamer's Beyond: Two Souls review. "But perhaps what David Cage and his dream need are limitations - limitations that Sony's blank cheque has singularly failed to impose on this sprawling, over-reaching game."

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereHelldivers 2 had its first and only collaboration at the end of 2024, and it was with the fairly deceased PlayStation IP, Killzone. Since then, fans have been wondering if more collaborations will happen for HD2. Arrowhead are open to the idea of more crossovers, but they want to avoid repeating the sins of Call of Duty. This means not all partnerships will be entertained, no matter how desirable. For example, the Helldivers 2 CEO has just shut down the idea of a Star Wars crossover while giving the thumbs up to other licenses.Helldivers 2 CEO reveals crossovers they want while rejecting Star WarsOn the Helldivers Discord, Arrowhead CEO, Shams Jorjani, has been responding to fans. In wake of Pilestedts announced sabbatical, Jorjani assured fans that HD2 is in good hands while also discussing how long the game can last before support ends. Away from reassuring the community about the future of Helldivers 2, Jorjani also briefly discussed crossovers because it continues to be a hot topic amongst the fanbase.The biggest crossover Jorjani is not interested in is Star Wars. The galaxy far, far away is easily the biggest sci-fi universe, and seeing Stormtroopers in HD2 is understandably appealing on paper, as evidenced by mods. However, even though Star Wars has been part of Fortnite and is now coming to Destiny 2, Jorjani has no interest because it wouldnt fit the aesthetic of Helldivers 2.While giving the thumbs down to Star Wars, Jorjani also swiped left on Starcraft, as well as Destiny because its a bit too sci-fi. Although these rejections make it seem as though Helldivers 2 is not interested in a partnership, there are a couple of properties Jorjani would swipe right for in theory.These properties include Alien and Warhammer 40K. For Alien, Jorjani has an interest in the colonial marines, while for Warhammer the interest is with the imperial guardsmen. The CEO also has an interest in the Orbital Drop Shock Trooperfrom Halo, and this would be amazing judging by Halo HD2 mods.None of these desirable crossovers are planned, but, in another message, Jorjani said GW [Games Workshop] would love a cross over. While both Arrowhead and GW would love to team up, the unfortunate news is that no collaborations are planned right now as time and resources are finite, and Arrowhead are currently busy with other ideas. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Image credit: Helldivers DiscordImage credit: Helldivers DiscordWe dont officially know what Arrowhead is busy with currently, but the HD2 one year anniversary is set for February 8th. Leaks suggest an unavoidable massive battle is coming to Super Earth, while another leak has shown an armor customisation system currently in-development.For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield.Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereRockstar Games GTA 6 still doesnt have a solid release date, but its already one of the most anticipated games of all time. With the game predicted to be the biggest entertainment launch ever and publishers terrified of its release, the new Grand Theft Auto game is a behemoth.Nevertheless, some gamers are expecting GTA 6 to have a 60FPS mode, despite Rockstars history of targeting 30FPS on console. With no PC port announced at the time of writing, the new Grand Theft Auto will only be playable at the lower framerate, and an ex-Rockstar animator doesnt see any other option.GTA 6 60FPS is not realisticIn a now-delisted interview with Kiwi Talkz, ex-Rockstar animator Mike York explained that its unrealistic to expect a 60FPS experience on Xbox Series and PS5 consoles. With the level of simulation, animation quality and more, Rockstar may not be able to get a locked 60FPS experience for players.I dont know if theyll be able to pull off 60fps, York explained (via GamesRadar). I dont think so. I think theyre gonna be shooting for 30fps and a locked 30fps, meaning it never dips below that.York explained that Rockstar will aim to get the game up to a high of 40, 41, 52, whatever to make sure the game is always locked at 30FPS. However, a 60FPS mode is essentially out of the question. With the rise of 40FPS options thanks to the prominence of VRR screens, we could see a 40FPS mode for the game, but thats not confirmed.I dont think itll get the 60fps raw out the gate on a base console. PS5, for instance. Maybe PS5 Pro, or whatever, but I still dont think so.EX-ROCKSTAR ANIMATOR MIKE YORKYork explained that even the release of the PS5 Pro, which is still CPU bottle-necked, and the rise of AI upscaling likely wont give players the performance overhead to get a proper 60FPS on console. Instead, theyll have to wait until the release of the games PC port. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now I dont think [the] initial release itll come out at 60fps unless its getting those 60fps by [using] an AI upscaler thing like the PlayStation is doing, unless something is coming in and helping it get those 60fps, the animator said. I dont think itll get the 60fps raw out the gate on a base console. PS5, for instance. Maybe PS5 Pro, or whatever, but I still dont think so.With experience on GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, Yorks experience does speak largely of the current aims of Rockstar. Instead of a wavy 60FPS, the studio is aiming for a rock-solid 30FPS that doesnt drop a beat.For more Grand Theft Auto coverage, read about the amazing Vice City remake and how perfect it is on Steam Deck.Grand Theft Auto 6Platform(s):PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Action AdventureSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Dead EndFollowing a Secret Level short and a Metroidvania reveal, it could be game over for the mysterious Pac-Man movie as director Justin Baldoni faces legal troublePac-Man's rebirth has hit a snag.Image credit: Prime Video News by Fran Ruiz Contributor Published on Jan. 30, 2025 You might want to buckle up for this one, because it's a doozy. The long-in-the-works Pac-Man movie might be in trouble due to director Justin Baldoni's ongoing legal battle against Blake Lively following accusations of misconduct during the production of 2024's box office hit It Ends With Us.The romantic drama was a box office hit last year with $351 million earned in cinemas across the globe on a measly $25 million budget. But real-life drama soon hit the success story, as co-star Blake Lively accused director and co-lead Justin Baldoni of creating and fostering a hostile work environment, as well as sexual harassment. Now, this is affecting the development of Pac-Man's big-screen debut.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The Hollywood Reporter has released an extensive article that goes into the whys and hows surrounding both this long-gestating project and Baldoni and Lively's ongoing battle. The complete thing is worth a read if you're interested in the whole story, but we've collected the key Pac-Man-related points here."According to a text he sent his PR team on Aug. 18, Baldoni suggested sharing the news that he would next direct a Pac-Man movie, something he hoped would help him move towards the future," THR states. We knew he and his Wayfarer Studios had been attached to the project since 2022, yet it was unclear whether he'd direct the movie himself. "It is among at least a trio of projects that are now in doubt as friction with Lively turned from internet curiosity into a full-fledged legal war."Bandai Namco, the rights owner, is yet to respond to a request for comment from THR. We also know that Christopher Yost (Thor: Ragnarok, Netflix's Cowboy Bebop) was writing a script, though its current status is unclear. Following the release of the video game anthology series Secret Level on Prime Video (now renewed for a second season) last year and the inclusion of a horror-adjacent Pac-Man short, we have to wonder if the pitch for the movie was moving along those lines too. In early December, we also received the sudden announcement of a mature Metroidvania reinvention of the IP called Shadow Labyrinth directly influenced by the short."No new projects have materialized for Wayfarer amid the Lively battle, though the company is said to be interested in pursuing a new deal of some sort, as a show of good faith that people would still like to do business with them," concludes the THR piece. For now, let's consider the Pac-Man movie frozen but holding on for dear life, with or without Baldoni.