In the absence of official numbers of Microsoft, Xbox Series X/S hardware sales have been the near-exclusive domain of speculation and estimates, though we do often get semi-official updates nonetheless.For instance, in its quarterly earnings report, Take-Two Interactive has stated that PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are estimated to have cumulatively sold over 94 million units worldwide as of November 2024. Based on officially revealed PS5 sales figures, that gives us an idea of where Microsofts current-gen hardware sales stand.As of September 30, the PS5 had sold over 65.5 million units worldwide. One would assume that it will have sold another couple of million units during the month of October (given that the final quarter of every year is usually PlayStations strongest). That would mean roughly 67-69 million units of the 94+ reported by Take-Two belong to PS5, which in turn would indicate that Xbox Series X/S sales stand at somewhere between 27-29 million units as of November.Thats not concrete math by any means, but even if you were to take the most conservative possible estimate for PS5 sales post-September, it wouldnt paint a great picture for Xbox sales.Analyst estimates last year suggested that Xbox Series X/S may have crossed 28 million worldwide shipments as of June. Meanwhile, the last time Microsoft shared official sales figures for Xbox Series X/S was in June 2023, at which time the console duo stood at 21 million units sold worldwide.

Grand Theft Auto V has now sold over 210 million units, with Red Dead Redemption 2 following with 70 million has Rockstar's next sequel awaits.Read More

In artificial intelligence and machine learning, high-quality datasets play a crucial role in developing accurate and reliable models. However, collecting extensive, verified dataparticularly in specialized domains like mathematics, coding, and scienceremains a challenge. Traditional data-gathering methods often fail to produce datasets that effectively train models for complex reasoning tasks. This gap highlights the need for new approaches to dataset creation and verification.Prime Intellect has introduced SYNTHETIC-1, an open-source dataset designed to provide verified reasoning traces in math, coding, and science. Built with the support of DeepSeek-R1, this dataset consists of 1.4 million structured tasks and verifiers. The objective of SYNTHETIC-1 is to improve reasoning models by supplying them with well-organized, reliable data, addressing the shortcomings of existing resources.SYNTHETIC-1 includes a range of task types, each designed to ensure quality and relevance:777,000 Math Problems with Symbolic Verifiers: These problems, sourced from the NuminaMath dataset, focus on high school competition-level questions. An LLM-based filtering process removes non-verifiable problems, such as those requiring proofs, and reformulates multiple-choice questions into direct-answer formats.144,000 Coding Problems with Unit Tests: Extracted from datasets like Apps, Codecontests, Codeforces, and TACO, these problems come with unit tests to verify solutions. The dataset initially contained Python problems, which were later expanded to include JavaScript, Rust, and C++, increasing the variety and depth of challenges.313,000 Open-Ended STEM Questions with LLM Evaluation: Using the StackExchange dataset, this subset covers a broad spectrum of technical and scientific topics. The selection process prioritizes questions requiring reasoning rather than simple information retrieval. An LLM judge scores answers based on their alignment with top-voted community responses.70,000 Real-World Software Engineering Tasks: These tasks, drawn from GitHub commits in the CommitPack dataset, involve modifying code files based on commit instructions. An LLM judge evaluates solutions by comparing them with actual post-commit code states.61,000 Code Output Prediction Tasks: Focused on predicting the output of code transformations on strings, this subset challenges models with increasingly complex string manipulation tasks. These problems are designed to be particularly difficult for modern AI models.The structured nature of SYNTHETIC-1 makes it a valuable resource for training models in structured reasoning. By including programmatically verifiable problems, such as coding tasks with unit tests, the dataset ensures clear correctness criteria. Additionally, open-ended reasoning questions verified by LLM judges provide challenges that push the limits of current AI capabilities. The datasets collaborative framework also allows for continuous improvement and expansion, fostering a shared effort to refine AI training resources.SYNTHETIC-1 represents a step forward in creating high-quality datasets for reasoning-based AI models. By addressing gaps in existing datasets, it provides a structured foundation for improving machine reasoning in math, coding, and science. The project also encourages ongoing contributions, making it an evolving resource for researchers and developers working to advance AIs capabilities in structured problem-solving.Check outtheDetails and Dataset on Hugging Face.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitterand join ourTelegram ChannelandLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our75k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/ByteDance Proposes OmniHuman-1: An End-to-End Multimodality Framework Generating Human Videos based on a Single Human Image and Motion SignalsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Fine-Tuning Llama 3.2 3B Instruct for Python Code: A Comprehensive Guide with UnslothAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Zep AI Introduces a Smarter Memory Layer for AI Agents Outperforming the MemGPT in the Deep Memory Retrieval (DMR) BenchmarkAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Anthropic Introduces Constitutional Classifiers: A Measured AI Approach to Defending Against Universal Jailbreaks [Recommended] Join Our Telegram Channel

SteelSeries has kicked off an impressive Valentine's Day Sale with a rare promotion: buy one gaming headset, mouse, keyboard, or other gaming accessory and get a second item for 50% off with coupon "VALENTINE50". The second item will be of equal or lesser value and does not stack with instant discounts. All orders over $49 ship free. The Nova Pro is our favorite gaming headset, and we also recently picked the Apex Pro Gen 3 as the best gaming keyboard.Featured in this articleAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming HeadsetAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis GameBuds Wireless EarbudsAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming HeadsetAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Gaming HeadsetAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro Gen 3 KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro Mini Wireless KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro TKL 2023 KeyboardAerox 9 Wireless MouseAerox 3 Wireless MouseAdd 2 To CartArena 9 5.1ch PC SpeakersArena 7 2.1ch PC SpeakersArena 3 2.0ch PC SpeakersNote that in all of my examples, I added two of the same item to cart to activate the discount. However, you don't need to buy the same item. For instance, you could add the Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset and the Apex Pro keyboard and get 50% off the keyboard (since it's the lower priced item).SteelSeries Wireless Gaming HeadsetsAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming HeadsetAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis GameBuds Wireless EarbudsAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gaming HeadsetAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Gaming HeadsetOf the headsets rounded up here, the Arctis Nova 7 is the best bang for your buck. In our Arctis Nova 7 review, Matthew Adler wrote that "SteelSeries continues to push the boundaries of what a headset is capable of. With the addition of simultaneous Bluetooth audio, you can enjoy music, podcasts, or just chat with your friends through Discord across multiple platforms without losing your game audio all with a single pair of headphones. The Arctis Nova 7s new design is sleek, lightweight, and still remains one of the most comfortable headsets Ive ever used."SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Review by Kevin Lee"SteelSeries Pro Wireless headsets have always been a bit of a unicorn in the gaming headset world thanks to their outstanding sound quality, uniquely removable batteries, simultaneous connection support, and other rare features. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless truly elevates this line of gaming headsets to another level: spatial sound and audio quality are fantastic, batteries can be hot-swapped for uninterrupted use, and you can make your gaming audio experience even more nuanced thanks to very noticeable changes in the equalizer and Sonar settings. The revised design accommodates all heads large and small comfortably, even for extended sessions. And to top things off, the more premium design and hybrid active noise canceling make the headset even more usable as a daily pair of wireless headphones."Gaming earbuds are few and far between, but SteelSeries has knocked it out of the park with their GameBuds, which debuted late last year. In our Arctis GameBuds review, Michael Higham wrote that "The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds take care of business from nearly every angle when it comes to being a versatile set of earbuds suitable for music and intense gaming sessions. Their physical design lets them fit securely into my ears while staying comfortable for hours on end. Impressive and balanced sound quality serves as the foundation while features like ANC, great battery life, and lag-free 2.4GHz connectivity round out the package."SteelSeries Gaming KeyboardsAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro Gen 3 KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro Mini Wireless KeyboardAdd 2 To CartTWO (2) Apex Pro TKL 2023 KeyboardThe Apex Pro is SteelSeries' flagship keyboard lineup with all the features you'd expect in a premium keyboard at a price point that's generally lower than the competition (and even more so during this sale). In our Apex Pro review, Michael Higham wrote that "Rarely do I pull a piece of tech out of the box and become immediately enamored with it. As soon as I got my fingertips on the OmniPoint 3.0 Hall Effect switches, I knew I was in for a great typing and gaming experience in both my favorite competitive shooters and intense MMORPGs. Being able to customize their actuation and reset point is a novelty that could make a difference in gaming while offering the flexibility needed to adjust for a work-type setting. The OLED control panel is a nice cherry on top."SteelSeries Gaming Mice and SpeakersAerox 9 Wireless MouseAerox 3 Wireless MouseAdd 2 To CartArena 9 5.1ch PC SpeakersArena 7 2.1ch PC SpeakersArena 3 2.0ch PC SpeakersThe Aerox series of mice are Steelseries' lightest wireless mice. Starting at only 59 grams, that they weigh less than many wired gaming mice. A big part of that is due to the open air honeycomb-style shell. Of course these mice are still excellent, responsive performers. In our Aerox 3 review, Kennet Seward wrote that "The Aerox 3 Wireless is one of SteelSeries best gaming mice. Super lightweight, long lasting battery, a great optical sensor that allows for lightning-fast, yet accurate swipes theres just a ton of things to love."On the speaker side, the rarely discounted SteelSeries Arena 9 isn't cheap, but that's understandable considering the fact that they are one of the best PC speakers for gaming. Here you get six speaker cabinets including a dual-driver center speaker, two front speakers, two rear speakers, and a downward-firing subwoofer. Audio is where this speaker set really shines. Hear every footstep, an enemys heartbeat, and know exactly whats going on around you in the moment. Just be sure you place your speakers in the right place to squeeze every ounce of juice from these bad boys.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Thank your own personal deitypossibly Draculaits Friday! First up, on the Switch, weve got the magical Hogwarts Legacya spellbinding, open-world journey that lets you wander the hallowed halls of the weirdest fortress this side of Dracs digs in Castlevania. Im also all about PC freebies that are capstoned by BioShock Infinite C.E. (and Battlefield V almost qualifies at 95% off, too).Meanwhile, in Good Lord Youve Aged news, Im using NOS exhaust flames to light a 17th bday cake for Burnout Paradise. Full confession out of the way early: this series was perfected with Burnout 3, but Paradise was a highly brilliant open-world extension of. In addition to cleverly dividing cars and events into class disciplines (road rage, stunt, speed, etc.), I loved the iconic DLC car inclusions, like a Ghostbusteresque Ecto-1 and a truly McFly (read: hovering) DeLorean. This Day in Gaming Aussie birthdays for notable games.- Unreal II: The Awakening (PC) 2003. Get- Burnout Paradise (PC,PS3,X360) 2008. Redux- Devil May Cry 4 (PS3,X360) 2008. Get- Geometry Wars: Galaxies (Wii) 2008. eBay- Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 (Wii) 2008. eBay- Dead Space 3 (PC,PS3,X360) 2013. Get- PS Vita [2000 series] launch, 2014. Get- Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) 2018. GetTable of ContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchHogwarts LegacyYou know the drill. A Potterverse game like this comes along thats quite a phenomenal and surprisingly good open-world recreation of Hogwarts, then I make a pun with the word wizard in it. Its not a magical moment. The game is, though.Monster Boy Cursed Kingdom (-75%) - A$14.75The Legend of Legacy HD (-22%) - A$39Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble (-37%) - A$44NBA 2K25 (-45%) - A$22Expiring Recent DealsJoy Con Comfort Grips (-50%) - A$10FAR: Lone Sails (-90%) - A$2.25Yoku's Island Express (-80%) - A$5.40Worms W.M.D (-80%) - A$9NEO: The World Ends with You (-60%) - A$33.98Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch OLED + Mario Wonder: $539 $469 | Switch Original: $499 $448 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $448 | Switch OLED White: $539 $448 | Switch Lite: $329 $299 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $299See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCHumble Feb Bndl.Pay a cancellable 17 buck fee to forever own Immortals of Aveum, Trepang2, Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties, Fabledom, Griftlands, Tales & Tactics, Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master, and My Little Universe. Why not?BioShock Infinite C.E. - FREE w/PrimeThe Talos Principle: Gold - FREE w/PrimeSurf World Series - FREE w/PrimeHelldivers 2 (-28%) - A$43.16Battlefield V (-95%) - A$2.99Expiring Recent DealsBattlefield 1 (-95%) - A$2.49Resi 4 Gold (-49%) - A$37.09Resi Village (-66%) - A$19.38Nioh 2 Complete (-50%) - A$36.47Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxAstral PurpleThe sexiest, most purple thing since Prince passed is now going for cheaper. I personally think its one of the best colours in the range. I mean, look at itits basically Grimace with buttons.Expiring Recent DealsWWE 2K24 (-59%) - A$24F1 24 Champ Ed. (-80%) - A$27.99Ninja Gaiden Black (-50%) - A$7.47XCOM 2 Col. (-90%) - A$13.02Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box? Series X: $799 $789 | Series S Black: $549 $545 | Series S White:$499 $498 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationAssassins Creed ShadowsPlayed about five hours of this the other day. Quite enjoyed it (stealth-centric ninja character only, though). Doesn't feel revolutionary, however, I definitely think it'll be worth a lookHollow Knight: Voidheart (-50%) - A$10.97Spidey Miles Morales (-18%) - A$77Yakuza: Like a Dragon Ledge Ed. (-50%) - A$23.97Judgment (-47%) - A$29Lost Judgment (-50%) - A$49.95Callisto Protocol (-81%) - A$19Expiring Recent DealsPS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from Feb 4 with this subscriptionPayday 3 [PS5]High on Life [PS4/5]Pac-Man World Re-Pac [PS4/5]Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $709 | PS5 Slim Digital:679 $678 | PS VR2: $879 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $939 | PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsBotanicals RosesValentine's Day isnt too far off. Make it nerdy, I say. Possibly with a handwritten card saying how you both click together or maybe something racier with the term "stud" used. Swish!Expiring Recent DealsBack to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

Apple has announced tax and price updates for the App Store and other digital storefronts in various markets, with some changes taking effect immediately. Some changes are scheduled to start in the coming weeks and months. February tax and pricing updatesApple has made tax and pricing updates in five markets that kick in today:Azerbaijan: value-added tax (VAT) introduction of 18%Peru: VAT introduction of 18%Slovakia: Standard VAT rate increase from 20% to 23%Slovakia: Reduced VAT rate introduction of 5% for ebooksEstonia: Reduced VAT rate increase from 5% to 9% for news publications, magazines, and other periodicalsFinland: Reduced VAT rate increase from 10% to 14% for ebooksLater this month, additional changes will take effect in Azerbaijan and Peru. Pricing for apps and In-App Purchases will be updated for the Azerbaijan and Peru storefronts if you havent selected one of these as the base for your app or InApp Purchase. These updates also consider VAT introductions listed in the tax updates section above.If youve selected the Azerbaijan or Peru storefront as the base for your app or In-App Purchase, prices wont change. On other storefronts, prices will be updated to maintain equalization with your chosen base price.Japan updates in AprilSeparately, Apple has detailed upcoming changes that will occur in Japan on April 1. As a result of last yearschange in Japans tax regulations, Apple (through iTunes K.K. in Japan) is now designated as a Specified Platform Operator by the Japan tax authority. All paid apps and In-App Purchases, (including game items, such as coins) sold by non-Japan-based developers on the AppStore in Japan will be subject to the platform tax regime. Apple will collect and remit a 10% Japanese consumption tax (JCT) to the National Tax Agency JAPAN on such transactions at the time of purchase. Your proceeds will be adjusted accordingly.Developers can read this entry from Apple for more details.Top iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

From 40 buildings worldwide,Tkina was the only New Zealand project to make the shortlist, earning 21% of moe than 3500votes.Studio Pacific Architectureproject lead Daryl Calder says the team is immensely proud to see Tkina recognised onthe international stage in the World-Architects Building of the Year poll. This recognition highlights the innovative design and the collaborative effort that brought Tkina to life, creating a landmark building that reflects Wellingtons creative spirit, forward-thinking visionand the deep connection to place enriched by the cultural narratives and guidance of manawhenua.The practicesproject director Stephen McDougall adds that Tkinas design is a reflection of Wellington itself practical, innovative and deeply connected to its surroundings. Tkinas carefully considered sustainability features and use of materials demonstrate a commitment to creating a building that not only serves its purpose but enhances the cityscape, says McDougall. We are grateful for the trust that Wellington City Council and Willis Bond placed in Studio Pacific Architecture and for the collaborative effort that brought this project to life. Its a great privilege to have led the design of this project, helping to create a versatile building capable of hosting international conferences and exhibitions, positioning Wellington as a leading destination for globalevents.Wellington mayor, Tory Whanau, says the Council is absolutely thrilled that Tkina has been named runner-up at the awards. This is a significant achievement for our city and our architectural community. This iconic structure will undoubtedly serve as a landmark for our city, continuing to attract visitors and exhibitions from all around theworld.TheWorld-Architects Building of the Yearwas awardedto Sanjay Puri ArchitectsNokha Village Community Centre Community Center in India.The Building of the Year poll on World-Architects was open for the month of January, asking visitors to select their favorite building from the 40 Buildings of the Week featured in 2024. The Nokha Village Community Centre tallied approximately 23% of the roughly 3,500 votes cast. The three runners-up are: Tkina, Sidera | CIA Conad Headquartersin Forli, Italy, by tissellistudioarchitetti and Initiative Rising Star - School Buildings for Hopley, Zimbabweby Engineers Without BordersGermany.Readour review ofTkina by Guy Marriage published in the July 2023 issue ofArchitecture NZ magazine here.

The Treasury Department granted Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency access to its payment systems this week, a decision that drew large amounts of criticism from federal employees, lawmakers and citizens.An agreement following a lawsuit brought by a group of federal employee unions has temporarily stopped the sharing of sensitive data with DOGE until a judge can hear legal arguments, according to Reuters.Two members of DOGE have already received "read-only" access to the Treasury's spending on tax refunds, federal grants and programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more. Plaintiffs argue Musk and DOGE illegally searched them. The nongovernment advisory group, created via an executive order by President Donald Trump, also gained access to the Social Security numbers of most taxpayers in the process.This has triggered much chatter on social media platforms like X and TikTok about the importance of freezing your credit, with countless American's Social Security numbers potentially at risk amid government watchdog and politician claims that DOGE is bypassing established cybersecurity practices and regulations.As a cybersecurity editor, I'm in favor of Americans freezing their credit, no matter the reason.But there's also the elephant in the room that has to be acknowledged: your Social Security number may already be compromised. Why your SSN may be already compromisedThere hasn't been a data breach related to DOGE's activity -- not yet anyway. But there are countless others that have exposed the personal identifiable data of everyday people. Last year, there were at least 196 data compromises and more than 860 million victim notices sent by companies, according to new research by the Identity Theft Resource Center. The hacks of background search company National Public Data and UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Change Healthcare exposed the personal information of hundreds of millions of people alone.If a cybercriminal gets their hands on your Social Security number, they can cause a lot of damage. For example, they can take out lines of credit in your name or file taxes on your behalf to steal your tax return.Cybercriminals are also known to craft targeted phishing scams via telephone, text or email to strip you of your hard earned money or sensitive information. Some bad actors have even adopted the use of AI to help expedite efforts and create new swindles like deep fakes.How can I protect my identity if my SSN is exposed?There are many steps you can take to protect your identity if you fear your Social Security number has been exposed in a data breach or if you want to be proactive.Freeze your credit reportsFreezing your credit reports with each of the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) prevents anyone from opening lines of credit in your name. This includes you. So if you want to take out a mortgage, car loan or apply for a new credit card while your credit is frozen, you must "thaw" or unfreeze your credit reports first.Freezing your credit is completely free. I actually did it myself last year, and found the process to be quite easy. You can also freeze your children's credit reports, though it will require some extra steps.Sign up for identity theft protectionIdentity theft protection services help monitor your personal data on the dark web. They also monitor your credit reports and bank accounts if you are too lazy to do it yourself, which I really like.Most plans come with identity theft protection insurance and white glove restoration services. The latter means a dedicated restoration specialist will handle most of the grunt work in restoring your identity, including filing disputes with credit bureaus and contacting different financial institutions.Individual ID theft plans cost anywhere from $7 to $15, but there are plenty of family options and even packages catered to couples available as well. If you're just interested in keeping an eye on your credit report, you could also consider a credit monitoring service. Protect your personal data and get peace of mind withCNET's top pick for identity theft prevention software. See at Aura Lock your Social Security numberYou can lock your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration over the phone or by creating an E-verify account.Locking your SSN prevents bad actors from collecting government benefits and applying for work in your name. Similar to freezing your credit, you must remove the lock on your SSN in order to perform these actions, however.Don't carry around your Social Security cardYour Social Security card should be kept in a secure place, ideally a safe that only you know the combination to. Never carry it around with you unless it's absolutely necessary.Don't overshare your SSN eitherBe cautious about who you disclose your SSN to. Your SSN is a requirement when you apply for a job or file a tax return. But it's okay to ask anyone asking for your SSN why they need it. Some common tasks like getting your driver's license or applying for subsidized housing won't require you to share your SSN.

Football Manager 25 cancelled, as Sega shifts focus to FM26Refunds offered for anyone who pre-ordered twice-delayed project.Image credit: Sports Interactive News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Feb. 7, 2025 Sega and Sports Interactive have scrapped Football Manager 25, and will now refocus on getting ready for the series' next release.The announcement this morning, made as part of Sega's latest financial results, is a surprise move for the annual sporting franchise. But it follows repeated delays for FM25 - which had been billed as the biggest leap forward for the series in a generation.Previous setbacks saw FM25 delayed twice, with its most recent postponement meaning it was set to arrive at an awkward moment, mid-football season. It would also have meant Sports Interactive needing to sell two entries in the series - FM25 and the expected FM26 - within the same calendar year. Now, FM25 is no more - something Sports Interactive has today issued an apology for, and said that anyone who had pre-ordered the game would now be automatically refunded. "For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support we're very sorry to have let you down," a statement from Sports Interactive reads. "We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal."As previously announced, there will be no update to the series' most recent entry, FM24, with fresh player data. This would be a "substantial undertaking" that would "divert critical resources away from the development of the next release which requires our full focus", Sports Interactive said today, and the cancellation of FM25 has not changed this.Sports Interactive had previously said it would update fans in January 2025 - a deadline it says it was forced to miss by a week due to compliance with Sega being a publicly traded company."We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision. Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement."Sports Interactive blamed the decision on "a variety of challenges that we've been open about to date, and many more unforeseen"."As we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we would not achieve the standard required, even with the adjusted timeline," the statement continues."Whilst many areas of the game have hit our targets, the overarching player experience and interface is not where we need it to be. As extensive evaluation has demonstrated, including consumer playtesting, we have clear validation for the new direction of the game and are getting close however, we're too far away from the standards you deserve."We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line - but that's not the right thing to do. We were also unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year."Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so."Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager."Last year, Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell sat down with Sports Interactive boss Miles Jacobson for an in-depth chat on the studio's plans for the future of the Football Manager franchise, and to hear why "FM25 is not a continuation of FM24". The chat covers discussion on the state of Game Pass, AI and the Premier League - plus detail on why some past Football Manager features had to go.

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