LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: (L-R) Cynthia Littleton, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety and David J. ... [+] Lee, COO & CFO, WEBTOON Entertainment speak onstage during the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES on January 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Variety via Getty Images)Variety via Getty ImagesLast month, the giants of the tech world descended on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronic Show: Nvidia, Samsung, Sony and Webtoon? Yes, the entertainment platform best known for vertically-scrolling digital comics (including some that have been adapted into global hits like Tower of God and The 8 Show) was featured in the programming, including a showcase panel with the companys COO/CFO David Lee, who also sits on the companys Board of Directors.Webtoons majority shareholder and onetime parent company is Naver, one of the companies that dominates South Koreas software, connectivity, technology and entertainment industries. After a global expansion that saw its 2023 revenues rise 18.8% to nearly $1.33 billion, the company raised an additional $315 million in an IPO of 15 million shares last June that resulted in its listing on Nasdaq as WBTN. Since then, the stock has traded down as much as 40% from its initial price, although it has been bouncing back in the last several months.The companys consumer-facing business is fairly simple. Readers access a library of millions of episodes of vertically-scrolling comics through its mobile app. Webtoon also owns Wattpad, a platform for user-created prose fiction, and has launched Wattpad Webtoon Studios as an in-house production arm for live action and animated series, feature films, games and other media.Webtoon is surely a giant in the creator economy and an 800 pound gorilla in comics publishing, whose entire 2023 revenue in North America came not far above Webtoons global top line. But how do they fit in the tech picture?At our core, Webtoon is a technology company, using data and new technology to service creators and consumers, said Lee in an exclusive interview at CES. He ticked off several examples of how the company has been using sophisticated back end technology to help users navigate the plethora of content choices and help creators advance their careers and income through algorithmic reach. Webtoon also touts its data-driven approach as a differentiating capability in bringing its properties to media like film and streaming, where the risks and stakes are higher, because the companys granular metrics clearly identify how stories are connecting with narrowly-segmented fan audiences.MORE FOR YOULee then touched on the big theme of CES 2024: the seemingly inevitable advance of AI into consumer technology.We really believe that human creators are the very best storytellers, and sometimes great technology yes, AI provides great tools, said Lee. Our tools were developed to let human creators create better images faster, but in their own styles. Were not using technology that generates things solely for the sake of demonstration. Just because an AI can draw a thing or write a thing, its not informed by the creativity that comes from a human creator. Thats false promise.Lee said Webtoons AI investments are primarily on the back end, to aid in discoverability, and, secondarily, to help creators who face daunting workloads be more productive so they can increase their income and cut down on time spent doing lower-value tasks such as coloring.Lee acknowledged that many creators are highly skeptical of AI due to ethical concerns about how the models were built, as well as the potential threat to the creative industries.Changes always create understandable concern, he said. It depends on how the technology is used and built. We are careful in developing our AI to work in partnership with creators, using IP that is either fully owned, or provided by supportive creators, or owned by no one in particular in the public domain.He added that one of the main implementations of AI was to help prevent piracy, a growing concern that has long afflicted manga and is now encroaching on the webtoon industry. Piracy takes money out of creators pockets, and AI can help reduce that, Lee said.Webtoons emphasis on its technology and embrace of AI comes amid market turbulence that has impacted its stock price since the June, 2024 IPO. Shortly after US investors gobbled up the companys shares at $23, news started to emerge about declining webtoon consumption in key, highly-saturated markets in Asia, leading to a steady decline in price (hitting a low of $10.37) that only began reversing in December. As of this writing (February 7), shares are down sharply from recent highs above $13.50, currently trading at $11.38.Lee acknowledged the slide but said the purpose of the IPO was to bring an infusion of operating revenue to fund growth that will pay off in the long term.Its going to take some education to drive greater awareness of our business among investors, said Lee. Youre going to see us make great progress in that as we adapt more content and remain very focused on growing the core business, extending new partnerships and introducing new features.Lee noted that over 60% of the companys monthly active users are outside of Japan and South Korea, and that externalities like foreign exchange rates create bad optics that conceal underlying positives like consistent new user growth and lots of white space in new markets.Lore Olympus by Rachel Smyth is one of the top comics titles from mobile/digital comics platform ... [+] Webtoon.Rachel Smyth/WebtoonAs to the vulnerabilities Webtoon might face in a US political environment hostile to foreign companies or facing tariff barriers, Lee observed that people like a good story no matter where it comes from and that Webtoon is a Delaware corporation with headquarters in Los Angeles. Original content from English-language creators, including the companys breakout hit Lore Olympus by New Zealander Rachel Smythe, is a growth area not just for US consumers, but for consumers around the globe.The recent success ofTrauma Code: Heroes on Call, a top-five show on Netflix that accumulated 4.7 million views in its first week, and Sidelined: The QB and Me, which had a big debut on Tubi in November and is now scheduled for a sequel, shows the viability of the companys app-to-screen conveyor belt, according to the company.Webtoons ongoing success as a content company, a creator platform and a producer of successful global entertainment capitalizing on the popularity of South Korean K-pop, K-dramas and general K-culture is undeniable. Whether that translates to recognition of its innovations in the technology space and the commensurate valuations that come with being a player in the AI-driven tech industry remains to be seen.

Even though you know you should move on, you might boomerang right back to your ex after a ... [+] breakup. New research shines light on why you might be having trouble letting go.gettyAfter a break-up, youre likely surrounded by well-meaning friends offering advice like, You deserve better! or Just block them and move on. And yet, despite knowing all the logical reasons to let go, you find yourself reaching for your phone, wondering what theyre up to, or worse, sending that infamous Hey, how have you been? text.This phenomenon, where you keep gravitating back to an ex even when you know its probably not in your best interest, is known as the boomerang effect.A new study published this year in Personal Relationships examines why people engage in post relationship tracking behavior and try contacting or reestablishing relationships with their exes. Apart from grieving the very real sense of loss accompanying a break-up, researchers found that our beliefs about relationships and how we perceive our ex are powerful motivators behind this behavior.Here are the two key reasons why some people are more likely to experience the boomerang effect after a breakup, according to the study:1. You Believe That You Were Meant To BeAt the heart of the boomerang effect is the belief that the relationship was destined to succeed. These are called destiny beliefsthe idea that relationships are fated, that soulmates exist and that when you find the one, it should be effortless and enduring.Researchers suggest that those with strong destiny beliefs tend to idealize relationships, making snap judgments early on about whether someone is their perfect match. Once convinced that a partner is the one for them, they become deeply invested in the relationships longevity, often resisting any signs that it might be time to move on.Destiny beliefs might tap popular narratives, idealized views or romantic expectations that relationships are meant to last. These views are championed in so many forms of media, including movies, song lyrics, and books, and we tend to be inundated by such messages despite knowing sensibly that relationships do not operate magically, the researchers explain.This mindset explains why some people struggle more with breakups. For them, a breakup isnt just the end of a relationshipit feels like the death of a destiny. The loss isnt just about the person; its about the collapse of a future they believed was written in the stars.Even when faced with clear reasons the relationship wasnt healthyconflict, incompatibility or even betrayaltheir belief that the relationship was meant-to-be keeps pulling them back.Researchers found that these beliefs are associated with high levels of post-relationship contact and tracking (PRCT) behaviors. This includes constantly checking an exs social media, sending casual texts or finding excuses to accidentally bump into them. Its not just about missing the person; its about holding onto the belief that the relationship isnt truly over.In contrast, people with strong growth beliefs view relationships as dynamic. They believe that love isnt just foundits built through effort, communication and overcoming challenges together.While they may still grieve a breakup deeply, theyre less likely to engage in PRCT behaviors because they understand that not every relationship is meant to last forever. For them, a breakup signals that despite their efforts, the relationship had run its course.Challenges to destiny beliefs might trigger deep-seated insecurities and greater emotional response about ones value as a romantic partner, the power of ones attractiveness and what ought to be, rather than what one needs to earn or work toward in a partnership with another person (i.e., growth beliefs), the researchers write.2. You Believe That Your Ex Was The OneClosely tied to destiny beliefs is the perception of partner fit. This is the idea that your ex was the perfect match for you. When you believe that someone was your ideal partner, it becomes incredibly difficult to accept that the relationship is over.Researchers found that people with strong destiny beliefs who also perceived their ex as an ideal fit were the most likely to engage in PRCT behaviors. Its not just that they believed in soulmates; its that they believed they had already found theirs. This combination creates a powerful psychological cocktailthe breakup feels not just like a loss, but like a mistake that needs to be corrected.This belief can lead to persistent efforts to re-establish contact, even when the relationship ended for good reasons. Individuals might romanticize the past, focusing on the highlights while downplaying the conflicts and incompatibilities that led to the breakup.They may convince themselves that the relationship failed because of external circumstances rather than fundamental issues, fueling the hope that things could work out if they just tried again.Because those scoring high in destiny beliefs are oriented toward believing that relationship success is a by-product of finding the perfect fit, they will be far more reluctant to let go and thus will be motivated to engage in PRCT when perceived fit is strong, the researchers write.On the flip side, individuals with strong growth beliefs are less likely to be swayed by the perception of partner fit after a breakup. While they might have deeply valued the relationship, they recognize that compatibility is about more than just initial chemistry or shared interests. Its also about how well partners grow together over time.Understanding why youre drawn back to an ex is the first step in breaking the cycle. If you recognize yourself in these patterns, here are a few strategies to help you move forward:Challenge your beliefs. Reflect on the origins and consequences of your beliefs about love and relationships. Consider how this belief might be influencing your behavior.Reframe the relationship. Instead of focusing on what was lost, think about what you learned from the experience. Growth-oriented thinking can help shift your perspective from I lost my soulmate to I grew from this relationship.Set boundaries. Reduce or eliminate contact with your ex, at least temporarily. This includes digital spacesmute or unfollow them on social media to give yourself the emotional space needed to heal.Focus on the present. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment outside of the relationship context. Reconnect with hobbies, friends and goals that might have taken a backseat during your relationship.Breakups are never easy, and the emotional pull to return to a familiar connection can be overwhelming. However, understanding the psychological forces at play can empower you to make choices that support your long-term well-being instead of giving into your current grief. Remember, just because it feels like youre meant to be doesnt mean youre meant to stay and sometimes, the greatest growth comes from letting go.Do you adopt a growth-oriented mindset in your relationships? Take this science-backed test to learn more: Growth Mindset Scale

Key TakeawaysThe EUs Artificial Intelligence Act is one of the first comprehensive sets of regulations to prevent AI misuse, including AI-based discrimination, harassment, and manipulation.AI surveillance tools, such as mobile CCTV cameras with AI facial recognition, are banned for most uses, with exceptions only for severe security threats and requiring judicial authorization.The new AI laws, effective from August 2nd, aim to safeguard privacy and ensure AI is used ethically, with violations punishable by fines up to 1.7% of a companys global revenue.In case you didnt already know, AI can track your emotions through webcams and voice recognition systems, and it most probably does it without you realising it. Privacy? Whats that?The EU has taken steps to ban such activities through its Artificial Intelligence Act to protect netizens from AI misuse. Its among the first ones to establish a comprehensive set of AI rules against AI-based manipulation, harassment, and discrimination.Websites will also be prohibited from using AI technologies to trick people into spending money. This is usually done through AI-driven patterns silently stuffed in services.Simply put, they analyse your age, socio-economic conditions, and other factors to try and manipulate you into making financial commitments or purchase decisions.Among other things, social scoring is also banned under the AI Act. Social scoring is an evaluation done through the analysis of unrelated personal data, like financial habits, race, or other internet activity of a user. AI algorithms track this information and it often leads to discrimination or privacy breach.One of the most common use cases of emotion tracking is employers using voice recognition and webcams to track their employees emotions. The EU has, therefore, outlawed the use of mobile CCTV cameras with AI-powered facial recognition tech. Although certain exceptions have been granted, theyre not without very strict safeguards.The said exceptions will only be provided to cases that have severe security threats and will require prior judicial authorisation of the government.These policies are effective from 2nd August, which gives countries enough time to adjust their AI usage to conform to the new guidelines. AI breaches after the effective date shall be punishable with a fine which could range from 1.5 to 1.7 % of the companys global revenue.The Need For AI Laws TodayWith AIs rapid growth and our increasing dependence on it, it is important to keep a healthy balance to ensure global safety. AI recently crossed the red line, which should be really concerning given how AI has the potential to go against the interests of the human race if its given too much power.These European Unions developments draw a clear line between AI systems being used by humans for assistance and it being used to judge criminal risks or make discriminations.The United States has a rather lenient approach with light voluntary compliance policies that are more focused on human rights. China has taken an approach focused on social stability and state control with regard to AI use.Its nice to see countries becoming aware of AI security needs and taking steps to make it come true. That being said, some experts have also pointed out that the development of AI is so rapid that by the time these policies are enforced, AI systems might already be updated to cleverly bypass them.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Vlad is Tech Report's Executive Editor. With over a decade of experience in tech content, he's passionate about computer hardware, an advocate of online privacy, and strongly believes in the open-source, scarce-money nature of cryptocurrency.When hes not working, hes traveling with his partner and their cat, learning Python, or reading good books. He never owned a PC he did not build. View all articles by Vlad Melnic Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

WTF?! It's ironic how, in the information age, governments slap hefty fines on companies for not adequately securing user data but, in the same breath, demand that these companies give state agencies unrestricted access to the very same data. No matter what country you are from, warrantless mass surveillance is wrong. George Orwell's 1984 was a warning, not an instruction manual. The British government has ordered Apple to allow blanket access to user data stored online. The "technical capability notice" demands a backdoor into its encrypted iCloud services, which state agencies can use to access backups of any global customer without a court order. The UK Home Office issued the decree under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, aptly referred to as the "Snoopers' Charter."The UK's Investigatory Powers Act allows agencies to compel technology companies to assist in intercepting and obtaining communications data. While it is meant to expedite criminal investigations, the notice Apple received extends beyond targeted data requests. Instead, the government wants full access to all encrypted information. The demand challenges Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature, which ensures only validated users can access their data. Even Apple personnel cannot decrypt customer accounts.The Irish Sun asked Apple for comment, but a spokesperson said that the company could not legally reveal details of the notice. A representative for the UK's Home Office was equally reluctant to share."We do not comment on operational matters, including, for example, confirming or denying the existence of any such notices," the spokesperson said.Apple has consistently maintained a firm stance on user privacy, asserting that it will not create backdoors into its products. It prominently fought the US government over the same issue multiple times after receiving demands from the FBI insisting it crack the phones of suspected criminals.As it has in the past, Apple has indicated a refusal to comply with the order, suggesting it might withdraw certain security features from the UK market rather than compromise its global security standards. It is too early to tell if Cupertino's counterproposal will sway UK officials. However, it is most certainly to gain support from British iPhone owners, who will likely apply pressure against this invasion of privacy. // Related StoriesCritics argue that obliging Apple to create a backdoor could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading other countries to demand similar access. This situation has global cybersecurity implications and likely conflicts with other nations' privacy laws. Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch calls the order a severe threat to privacy rights and has called for its withdrawal."We are extremely troubled by reports that the UK Government has ordered Apple to create a backdoor that would effectively break encryption for millions of users," said Rebecca Vincent, Big Brother Watch's interim director of privacy. "[This is] an unprecedented attack on privacy rights that has no place in any democracy."Apple is not the first firm to face the UK's controversial stance on encryption. In 2023, encrypted messaging companies WhatsApp and Signal threatened to exit the UK market rather than compromise encryption protocols. This newest development against Apple could further strain relationships between the UK government and technology firms.Image credit: Electronic Frontier Foundation

The big picture: Openreach Limited is the organization responsible for managing the telephone and fiber infrastructure owned by BT Group. The company connects nearly all homes and businesses in the UK to broadband and phone networks, and is currently planning a significant upgrade to its internet performance. The question now is: when will customers be able to pay for a "real" 50Gbps internet connection service? Openreach and Nokia have successfully tested what the two companies call the first "live" 50Gbps-class broadband connection from a residential location in the UK. The test took place in Ipswich, Suffolk, where the infrastructure company achieved actual speeds of 41.9Gbps downstream and 20.6Gbps upstream.Currently, Openreach uses Gigabit Passive Optical Network technology for its fiber-to-the-premises internet service, which reaches over 17 million premises in the UK. A GPON network can provide up to 2.5Gbps downstream and 1.24Gbps upstream speeds on each trunk line, which is why internet companies are now deploying new XGS-PON kits to offer up to 10Gbps over their "dark fiber" infrastructure.Openreach plans to launch its first 1Gbps connections based on XGS-PON around April 2025, but this new test demonstrates how far internet connectivity could go in the (hopefully) not-so-distant future.The company used Nokia's 50G PON fiber kits linked to BT's fiber infrastructure. According to Director of Network Technology Trevor Linney, the trial and Nokia's XGS-PON-ready equipment should serve as proof that Openreach is actively working to enable a generational leap in internet connectivity for UK customers.Meanwhile, Nokia highlighted its ability to increase network capacity in a flexible and efficient manner. The company's kit can support PON connectivity technologies up to 10Gbps, 50Gbps, and even 100Gbps, should the need for such speeds arise in the future.Openreach stated that 50Gbps internet speeds would be beneficial in various use cases, including remote virtual and augmented reality, 8K video streaming, high-fidelity teleconferencing, and much more. Generative AI is also part of the equation, with the ability to better synchronize and train GenAI models over the network. // Related StoriesAccording to telecom analyst Paolo Pescatore, 50Gbps FTTP connectivity is likely still far off, but preparations should begin now. Users and companies are developing "insatiable" appetites for data consumption, Pescatore noted, so a robust and capable network will be essential moving forward.

A modder named SnooOranges3876 has released a plugin for Steam Deck titles that lets players adjust graphics on the fly, improving appearance and performance, and the best part is that its both free and easy to use. Called LetMeReShade, this plugin allows players to adjust illumination, contrast, colors, and much more on the fly. It can be particularly beneficial to older titles, too.The plugin is available through GitHub. It circumvents the often-complicated install processes for ReShade mods and instead lets players quickly apply those mods to games. In the example video, SnooOranges3876 is seen changing shaders inCyberpunk 2077 andHeavy Rain,with several other titles likeAlan Wake andMonster Sanctuary as potential options.LetMeReShade - A Decky Loader plugin for injecting reshade in your steam games.When asked what the benefit of installing the plugin is, SnooOranges3876 said, ReShade enhances game visuals by adding post-processing effects such as improved colors, contrast, sharpening, ambient occlusion, and global illumination. It allows real-time customization through an overlay UI, enabling players to tweak settings or use community presets. While primarily used for visual upgrades, it can also include performance optimizations, such as adaptive sharpening.Recommended VideosOnce installed, players can access an in-game overlay where different settings can be enabled or disabled with a few clicks. Just be aware that it isnttotally without cost; youll feel a performance hit with this enabled on most games. Users on the subreddit suggested finding a title that runs easily at 60 frames per second on high settings and then locking it to 40fps after enabling the plugin.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe Steam Deck continues to grow in popularity despite competitive hardware like the ROG Ally entering the market, and much of that growth is due to community support with unofficial mods like this one. LetMeReShade isnt available on the official Deck Loader plugin list, but you can still get your hands on it and install it manually through Github.Editors Recommendations

You shouldnt pass up any discount when youre shopping for gaming laptop deals on a premium device, as any form of savings is already a huge bonus. Thats exactly why youre going to want to take advantage of Dells offer for the Alienware m18 R2. This configuration that usually sells for $2,400 is currently $400 off, slashing its price from $2,400 to $2,000. Its still not in the budget territory, but for serious gamers, its going to be worth every single penny. You need to complete the transaction immediately though, as the bargain may be gone as soon as tomorrow.If you want a gaming laptop that will be able to play the best PC games at their highest settings without any issues, you should set your sights on the Alienware m18 R2. Its equipped with the 14th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, along with 32GB of RAM thats the sweet spot for high-end gamers, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. The gaming laptop also features a 1TB SSD for ample storage space for your favorite games, and its got Windows 11 Home pre-installed.The Alienware m18 R2 trades a bit of portability not only to pack all that power under its hood, but also to house a relatively large 18-inch screen. With QHD+ resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, youll be able to fully enjoy the graphics of the video games youll be playing, which will make the extra size and weight worth it. The gaming laptop also has customizable AlienFX lighting zones for style, the Alienware Command Center to tweak every aspect of its performance, and the Alienware Cryo-tech system for advanced cooling.RelatedFor the ultimate gaming experience on a laptop, we highly recommend going for the Alienware m18 R2, especially now that its on sale from Dell. This configuration with an original price of $2,400 is $400 off, so youll only have to pay $2,000 for this beast of a machine. Youll have to hurry with your purchase if youre interested though, because theres no assurance that this offer for the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop will still be available if you check back tomorrow.Editors Recommendations

A World War II betrayal, the legend of Leonardo, audiobooks to love and more.

Released 40 years ago, this thriller stars Harrison Ford as a detective whose case leads him to become immersed in an Amish enclave, and is at once a deftly observed depiction of a way of life and a work of Hitchcockian suspense.

Football Manager Managing is even harder Football Manager 25 canceled in a refreshing show of concern for quality Developer's big overhaul of long-running franchise is a brave, long process. Kevin Purdy Feb 7, 2025 2:47 pm | 1 Credit: Sports Interactive Credit: Sports Interactive Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThere are only two licensed professional sports games included in Wikipedia's "List of video games notable for negative reception." Do not be fooled, however: WWE 2K20 and eFootball 2022 are just the outliers, arriving so poorly crafted as to cause notable outcry and an actual change to development plans. Most licensed professional sports games come out yearly, whether fully baked, notably improved, or not, and fans who have few other options to play with their favorite intellectual property learn to make do with them.Not so with fans of Football Manager, a series that can be traced back in some form to 1992 that has released a game almost every year, minus one ownership shift in the early 2000s. Sports Interactive, the company behind the franchise, released a statement on Thursday (in British time) that says that "following extensive internal discussions and careful consideration," Football Manager 25is canceled. The game was "too far away from the standards you deserve," so they are focusing on the 2026 version.Trying not to make the same bloody game every yearFootball Manager 2025was already delayed twice and is now quite lateas we are now midway into the European football (or what Americans call soccer) season. The game was intended to be a major overhaul.Miles Jacobson, head of developer Sports Interactive, told Eurogamer last fall that the 2025 version was the "first chapter in the new book of Football Manager." Lots of existing modes would be tossed out, including international management and "touchline shouts," or phrases you can yell or calmly administer to your team during the matches you don't actually control. The game was moving from a proprietary engine to Unity. The team reimagined and redesigned more than 500 screens full of data. Perhaps most importantly, 2025 was the year the franchise landed the official license for the Premier League.With all that, there have been a lot of scope changes. "I've de-scoped something today," Jacobson told Eurogamer in September, "that at the time of the [June] dev blog was still in scope. And we re-scoped something last week, and we up-scoped something last weekit's a very fluid process!" The reason for these changes? "It's our ambition," Jacobson said then. "I know that some people will find that difficult to believe because, 'Oh, they only work on iterations, they're making the same bloody game every year.'"The developer's statement notes that preorder customers are getting refunds. Answering a question that has always been obvious to fans but never publishers, the company notes that, no, Football Manager 2024 will not get an update with the new season's players and data. The company says it is looking to extend the 2024 version's presence on subscription platforms, like Xbox's Game Pass, and will "provide an update on this in due course."Releasing the game might have been worseFans eager to build out their dynasty team and end up with Bukayo Saka may be disappointed to miss out this year. But a developer with big ambitions to meaningfully improve and rethink a long-running franchise deserves some consideration amid the consternation.Licensed sports games with annual releases do not typically offer much that's new or improved for their fans. The demands of a 12-month release cycle mean that very few big ideas make it into code. Luke Plunkett, writing at Aftermath about the major (American) football, basketball, and soccer franchises, notes that, aside from an alarming number of microtransactions and gambling-adjacent "card" mechanics, "not much has changed across all four games" in a decade's time.Even year-on-year fans are taking notice, in measurable ways. Electronic Arts' stock price took a 15 percent dip in late January, largely due to soft FC 25sales. Players "bemoaned the lack of new features and innovation, including in-game physics and goal-scoring mechanisms," analysts said at the time, according to Reuters. Pick any given year, and you can find reactions to annual sports releases that range from "It is technically better but not by much" to "The major new things are virtual currency purchases and Jake from State Farm."So it is that eFootball 2022, one of the most broken games to ever be released by a brand-name publisher, might be considered more tragedy than farce. The series, originally an alternative to EA's dominant FIFA brand under the name Pro Evolution Soccer(orPES), has since evened out somewhat. Amid the many chances to laugh at warped faces and PS1 crowds, there was a sense of a missed opportunity for real competition in a rigid market.Football Manager is seemingly competing with its own legacy and making the tough decision to ask its fans to wait out a year rather than rush out an obligatory, flawed title. It's one of the more hopeful game cancellations to come around in some time.Kevin PurdySenior Technology ReporterKevin PurdySenior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 1 Comments