Air mail delivery is an essential part of modern life. The history of this unique invention goes ... [+] back farther than you might think.gettyLong before the invention of modern aviation technology, societies relied on homing pigeons to send messages across long distances. A trained homing pigeon, for instance, could deliver a message over a distance of 100 miles in about two hours.A skilled horse rider might take a day or longer to cover the same distanceand that assumes there were no waterways or mountains to traverse.Homing pigeons were primarily used to transmit handwritten messages, taped to their legs and inscribed on rice paper, parchment or vellum. The messages were typically sent in waterproof capsules to ensure they were delivered intact.Tiny scrolls were carefully rolled, sealed in waterproof capsules, and strapped to a pigeons leg ... [+] with a lightweight bandallowing these birds to soar across vast distances and deliver critical messages with precision.gettyHowever, in the 900s A.D., the Arab historian al-Maqrizi described a peculiarand possibly groundbreakingapplication of pigeon post. He wrote that a powerful caliph of the Fatimid dynasty in northern Africa requested that 600 Lebanese cherries be couriered to him via pigeon post.Because pigeons are small animals, they can only carry up to a couple ounces of cargo taped to their legs. So, his officials coordinated the release of 600 pigeons from Baalbek, Lebanon, each carrying a small pouch containing a single cherry for the Caliph. The birds traveled over 400 miles to Cairo, making this possibly the earliest instance of airmail delivery.MORE FOR YOULater societies took note of the delivery. For instance, in the early 1900s, right around the time the Wright brothers were developing the worlds first airplane, German pharmacies were using pigeon post to distribute essential medicines.Heres a bit more detail on the fascinating bird species that enabled these first-of-a-kind deliveries.The Uncanny Genius Of The Homing PigeonHoming pigeons (Columba livia domestica) are a domesticated subspecies of rock pigeons known for their remarkable ability to navigate and return to a specific location over long distances. This skill has been invaluable to humans for thousands of years, particularly for delivering messages during times of war and in areas with limited communication technologies. Pigeons are equipped with an incredible sense of direction, allowing them to travel back home from unfamiliar locations.These birds use several mechanisms to navigate.They are believed to rely on the Earth's magnetic field, utilizing specialized receptors in their beaks to detect magnetic cues. Additionally, pigeons use the suns position and visual landmarks like rivers or mountains to guide their journey. Their exceptional sense of smell is also thought to help them recognize specific locations, making them highly reliable navigators over vast areas.Training homing pigeons for message delivery involves imprinting them to a particular loft or location. Once trained, pigeons can be taken to distant places and released, using their navigational abilities to return home. Messages, typically written on small pieces of paper, are attached to the pigeon's leg in a small canister or capsule. Their impressive speed, reaching 50-65 miles per hour, allows them to cover long distances efficiently, sometimes up to 600 miles in a single day.Historically, homing pigeons played a crucial role in wartime communication, particularly during World War I and World War II. Military forces relied on pigeons to carry critical messages when other communication lines were unavailable or unreliable. Some pigeons became famous for their bravery, even receiving medals for their service. Outside of wartime, pigeons were used in ancient civilizations like Egypt and India as a reliable method of communication.The ability of homing pigeons to deliver messages is the result of natural instincts and selective breeding. While all pigeons have an innate drive to return home, homing pigeons have been specifically bred for their enhanced navigational skills, making them the ideal choice for message delivery. Their unique abilities have made them one of the oldest and most fascinating methods of long-distance communication.Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.

Key TakeawaysFrench prosecutors launched a probe into X on February 7 after lawmaker Eric Bothorel reported concerns about biased algorithms manipulating automated data processing.The cybercrime unit is conducting technical checks, while X has yet to respond.The European Union is investigating X under the Digital Services Act (DSA), demanding internal algorithm documents by February 15.With Musk publicly supporting Germanys far-right AfD party ahead of elections, concerns grow over Xs influence on political discourse.On February 7, French prosecutors opened an investigation on X based on the allegations that Musks platform has a biased algorithm that might be distorting the operation of an automated data processing system.The probe follows a report from French lawmaker Eric Bothorel, who contacted the J3 cybercrime unit of the prosecutors office on January 12 with reports about the same.The Paris prosecutors replied by email, saying that theyre analyzing it and carrying out initial technical checks.X has still not responded to a request for comment on this matter, and of course, this isnt its first case of this nature.Twitter (now X) has faced several allegations and criticisms about its content moderation policies since being taken over by Elon Musk for a whopping $44 billion.Musk, or shall we say Kekius Maximus, has been very public about his political opinions on X, which is why the platform has faced allegations about favoring political content that aligns with Musks views.Additionally, the surge of misinformation on X has alarmed a number of countries. Brazil, for instance, blocked the app for one month last year when X failed to stop misinformation by establishing systems in place for it.Musk later had to comply with a Supreme Court order for the platform to be available in Brazil again.Read more: Venezuela bans X for 10 days following public spat with MuskEUs X InvestigationCurrently, the European Union is also investigating X for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a law that requires social media platforms to follow certain guidelines to minimize the spread of harmful content.The EU has demanded internal documents about Xs algorithm operations by February 15. This is to ensure fairness on the social media platform as they suspect that far right posts and politicians are given greater visibility on X.More sauce? Elon was recently seen at a campaign event supporting Germanys far-right Alternative fr Deutschland (AfD) party, which sparked rumors whether he was actually using X to just further his personal agendas.Now, with the German general elections coming to a close, itll be interesting to see how the EU is able to take control of the situation in such a short span of time.Its no secret that X has one of the largest user banks, and the app can certainly influence and manipulate its audience by pushing content in unfair ways. When the future of a country is at stake, you know strict steps need to be taken.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Alpa is a tech writer and editor with a wealth of experience in alternative finance, fintech, cryptocurrency, app security software, and the medical industry. Shes passionate about breaking down complex topics and sharing informative content that provides value. View all articles by Alpa Somaiya 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.

Cutting corners: The artificial intelligence arms race among tech giants is reaching new heights as industry leaders unveil ambitious spending plans for 2025. This surge in expenditure comes despite recent developments suggesting that such massive investments might not be necessary namely, the sudden (and arguably too early to call) success of Chinese startup DeepSeek, which claims to have developed an AI model comparable to those of Google and OpenAI at a fraction of the cost. Amazon has set the bar exceptionally high, announcing an unprecedented investment of over $100 billion in infrastructure, primarily focused on expanding its cloud computing arm, Amazon Web Services. This massive outlay represents a significant increase from the company's already substantial $77 billion expenditure in 2024, which itself was more than double the $48 billion spent in 2023. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy justified this enormous investment by citing "significant signals of demand" in the AI space."The AI opportunity is as big as it comes, and that's why you're seeing us invest to meet that moment," Alphabet CEO Sundar PichaiGoogle's parent company, Alphabet, is not far behind, with CEO Sundar Pichai revealing plans to invest $75 billion in 2025, a 42 percent increase from the $53 billion spent in 2024. "The AI opportunity is as big as it comes, and that's why you're seeing us invest to meet that moment," Pichai said in explanation. He also addressed the DeepSeek development, suggesting that it would actually add to demand by demonstrating how new techniques could make AI more accessible and spur new lines of research.Microsoft has committed to spending $80 billion on expanding its Azure cloud platform. CEO Satya Nadella made this declaration at the World Economic Forum in Davos, underscoring the company's determination to maintain its competitive edge in AI. Microsoft's investment strategy is closely tied to its partnership with OpenAI, as it seeks to integrate advanced AI capabilities across its product lineup.Meta is also ramping up its AI investments. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pledged to spend "hundreds of billions" more on AI over the long term, building upon the $40 billion invested in 2024. Meta's AI strategy differs somewhat from its competitors, focusing on improving ad targeting on its social media platforms and enhancing user experiences across its suite of apps.The combined capital expenditure of these four tech giants Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta reached a staggering $246 billion in 2024, a 63 percent increase from 2023. Their collective spending is projected to exceed $320 billion in 2025. // Related StoriesThese enormous investments stand in stark contrast to the apparent approach taken by DeepSeek. The Chinese AI lab claims to have built a reasoning model with capabilities similar to those of Google and OpenAI's products but at a significantly lower cost. To be sure, there is skepticism about DeepSeek's claims, particularly regarding the cost of developing its model. Nonetheless, the splash it has made in the AI scene has raised questions about the necessity of the massive spending plans announced by the tech giants.However, the major players seem undeterred by DeepSeek's achievement. They continue directing their investments toward building and expanding data centers, acquiring specialized AI chips, and conducting extensive research and development in AI technologies. The companies are competing to create more advanced large language models and to integrate AI capabilities across their product lines and services.Beyond the public tech giants, significant investments are also flowing into AI startups. OpenAI's Sam Altman has formed a partnership with SoftBank and Oracle to invest $100 billion in AI-related U.S. infrastructure, with the potential to increase to half a trillion dollars over time.The scale of these investments reflects the tech industry's conviction in AI's transformative potential, despite the challenges posed by more efficient models like DeepSeek's."Could there be an AI winter at some point?" Rishi Jaluria, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said to the Financial Times. "Sure. But if you're in a position to be a leader, you can't take your foot off the gas."

Well Go USA EntertainmentTable of ContentsTable of ContentsSynchronic (2019)A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)Cosmos (2019)If youre looking for a good sci-fi flick to watch this month, there are three sci-fi movies on Amazon Prime Video you need to watch in February 2025. Each one is available with your base Amazon Prime subscription or a standalone Amazon Prime Video subscription, no channel add-ons are needed.These movies are ones you might not have had on your radar but that feature pretty big stars, including Anthony Mackie, Lupita Nyongo, and Jamie Dornan.Recommended VideosNeed more recommendations? Then check out thebest new movies to stream this week, thebest movies on Netflix, thebest movies on Hulu, thebest movies on Amazon Prime Video, thebest movies on Max, and thebest movies on Disney+.RelatedSynchronic (2019)SYNCHRONIC Trailer (2020) Jamie Dornan, Anthony Mackie Sci-Fi MovieThis sci-fi horror movie from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Daredevil: Born Again) stars Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan as Steve and Dennis, paramedics looking into a series of deaths that they can connect to a dangerous new designer drug. When Steve is accidentally pricked by a contaminated needle, he learns more about what the drug is and can do, including oddly warping your perception of time and displaying ghost-like figures from your past. Kids can travel through time once injected.As Steve tries desperately to survive, he decides to experiment further with the dangerous drug and encounters strange events throughout history. Synchronic beautifully ties in with other projects from Benson and Moorhead, including their highly revered film The Endless. The movie has garnered respectable reviews, with Empire Magazines Dan Jolin calling it a smart indie sci-fi which has much to say and some great ideas.Stream Synchronic on Amazon Prime Video.A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)A Quiet Place: Day One | Official Trailer 2 (2024 Movie) - Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph QuinnA follow-up to the hugely popular movies A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, A Quiet Place: Day One serves as a spin-off and prequel, telling the story prior to the arrival of blind creatures taking over New York City. Lupita Nyongo stars as Sam, a terminally ill woman who comes face to face with Death Angels creatures with an acute sense of hearing.Filled with horror, terror, and fantastic special effects and soundtrack, our reviewer says A Quiet Place: Day One is shockingly tense and praises the emotionally cathartic and narratively satisfying conclusion that makes it a prequel not only deserving of existing but worth watching.Stream A Quiet Place: Day One on Amazon Prime Video.Cosmos (2019)COSMOS | Official Trailer | Sci-Fi Movie, Blackmagic Pocket CameraCosmos represents the feature film debut of Elliot and Zander Weaver. Set in space, the story centers around three young astronomers who discover radio signals coming from a water hole. They later learn these signals are a response to a message beamed into space way back in 1974 and set out to investigate more.What was the message, who was it from, and what did it mean? Cosmos, which has drawn comparisons to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, sets out to explore this in an intriguing fashion. If youre looking for an under-the-radar hidden gem, this might just be it.Stream Cosmos on Amazon Prime Video.Editors Recommendations

As a professional wrestling simulator, the WWE 2K series is already a complete package. It doesnt just offer a massive roster of wrestlers and arenas, but a long list of match types too. Ladder matches, TLC, backstage brawls you name it, and its there. What more is there to add in a game that already has it all?WWE 2K25 has a few answers this year, including a new kind of battle: underground matches. During a recent hands-on preview, I gave the option for a spin in a series of hard-hitting matches. While it certainly isnt a game-changer, it might just be the best new mode for casual players who want to make a complex battle system just a bit easier to pick up and play.Recommended VideosThe hook of underground matches is simple: The ring has no ropes. Players battle on a flat canvas that only has its corner turnbuckles in place. A few onlookers stand directly at ringside, though the match still happens in a normal arena full of fans. There are no pinfalls or submissions. Players only win by knockout after taking down their opponents health, similar to the way backstage brawls work. It makes WWE 2K feel more like a standard fighting game.While thats just a slight rule change, it does create some fun moments that change the flow of battle. Fights feel more physical since theyre more about staying close to my opponent and slugging it out rather than running the ropes are climbing turnbuckles for high-flying spots. In one match, I pitted Ethan Page and The Rock against one another in a hard-hitting and bloody slugfest. Its not quite a UFC fight, but its the closest the 2K series has ever come to reaching that tone.RelatedThe lack of ropes opens the door for some fun spots. In one match, I controlled Jade Cargill through a Liv Morgan beatdown. The crowning moment of that clash came when I suplexed Liv directly off the apron and onto the crowd, who scattered out of the way. Moments like that make underground matches feel both physical and personal like backstage brawls, but without the cartoon gimmicks.This feels like the best mode for those who just want to experience WWE 2K in a casual setting. No one has to learn how to execute pinfalls, climb turnbuckles, bounce off ropes, or anything like that. It just requires players to understand how basic attacks and holds work. Theres more nuance to it, but one could focus on three buttons and still hold their own fairly well. Its the series own version of Final Destination, no items, the Super Smash Bros. Melee ruleset that the pros swear by.Thats not a reason to buy WWE 2K25 on its own, but its part of a wider suite of updates that feels substantial. There are Bloodline Rules matches, intergender clashes, a new open-world mode, online play in MyGM, and so much more coming in this years entry. I imagine that underground matches will become the most substantial part of my multiplayer rotation, though. Its the ideal way to beat up your buds.WWE 2K25 launches on March 14 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC if you buy one of its special editions. Those who opt for the standard edition will get access one week later on March 7.Editors Recommendations

Matt Bryant 62 yardsIn 2006, Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant made a 62-yard field goal. Drew Hallowell/Contributor/Getty Images Team: Tampa Bay BuccaneersYear: 2006Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FloridaElevation: 36 feetConditions: 89 degreesGame Context: WithStephen Gostkowski 62 yardsPatriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a 62-yard field goal against the Oakland Raiders. Jessica Rinaldi/Contributor/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Team: New England PatriotsYear: 2017Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, MexicoElevation: 7,200 feetConditions: 63 degreesGame Context: Gostkowski extended the Patriots' lead over the Oakland Raiders to 17 with a 62-yard kick that comfortably soared through the sticks.Brett Maher 62 yardsBrett Maher kicked a 62-yard field goal against the Eagles in 2018. Richard Rodriguez/Stringer/Getty Images Team: Dallas CowboysYear: 2018Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TexasElevation: Approximately 550 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: As time expired in the first half, Maher booted a 62 yarder to put the Cowboys up six against the Philadelphia Eagles.Brett Maher 62 yardsCowboys kicker Brett Maher kicked a 62-yard field goal against the Jets in 2019. Al Pereira/Contributor/Getty Images Team: Dallas CowboysYear: 2019Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New JerseyElevation: 7 feetConditions: 64 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly sunny, 7 mph windGame Context: Maher knocked a long ball through the uprights just before halftime to close the gap between the New York Jets and his Cowboys.Matt Prater 62 yardsMatt Prater kicked two field goals against the Vikings during their 2021 matchup. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin Team: Arizona CardinalsYear: 2021Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, ArizonaElevation: 1,070 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: Prater put the Cardinals up one against the Minnesota Vikings as time expired in the first half.Harrison Butker 62 yardsIn 2022, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailed a 62-yard field goal against the Buffalo Bills. Nick Tre. Smith/Contributor/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Team: Kansas City ChiefsYear: 2022Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MissouriElevation: 843 feetConditions: 66 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, 15 mph windGame Context: Butker nailed a 62 yarder with room to spare to tie the game for the Chiefs as time expired in the first half against the Buffalo Bills.Matt Prater 62 yardsCardinals kicker Matt Prater kicked a 62-yard field goal in 2023. Mike Christy/Contributor/Getty Images Team: Arizona CardinalsYear: 2023Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, ArizonaElevation: 1,070 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: Prater's big boot helped the Cardinals stretch their lead over the Dallas Cowboys to 11 as they headed into the locker room for halftime.Tom Dempsey 63 yardsSaints kicker Tom Dempsey's field goal record stood for more than 40 years. Bettmann/Contributor/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Team: New Orleans SaintsYear: 1970Location: Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LouisianaElevation: 16 feetConditions: 65 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 mph windGame context: With his Saints down a point against the Detroit Lions and mere seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Dempsey hit a 63-yard field goal to give New Orleans the win and smash the previous NFL record of 56 yards.Jason Elam 63 yardsBroncos kicker Jason Elam ended the half with a 63-yard field goal. Vincent Laforet/Staff/Getty Images Team: Denver BroncosYear: 1998Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, ColoradoElevation: 5,280 feetConditions: 51 degrees Fahrenheit, partly cloudy, 10 mph windGame Context: Elam ended the first half with a then-record-tying 63-yard boot to put his Broncos up by 17 points over the Jacksonville Jaguars.Sebastian Janikowski 63 yardsIn 2011, Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski scored a 63-yard field goal against the Broncos. Doug Pensinger/Staff/Getty Images Team: Oakland RaidersYear: 2011Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, ColoradoElevation: 5,280 feetConditions: 75 degrees Fahrenheit, light rain, 6 mph windGame Context: Janikowski nicknamed "Seabass" among fans of the franchise sent the Raiders into halftime with a 16-3 lead against the Denver Broncos after nailing a 63 yarder in week one.David Akers 63 yards49ers kicker David Akers scored a 63-yard field goal against the Green Bay Packers. AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps Team: San Francisco 49ersYear: 2012Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WisconsinElevation: 640 feetConditions: 70 degrees Fahrenheit, overcast, 7 mph windGame Context: Akers launched a 63-yard blast off the crossbar and through the uprights to give his 49ers a 16-7 lead over the Green Bay Packers heading into halftime.Graham Gano 63 yardsIn 2018, Panthers kicker Graham Gano scored a 63-yard field goal against the New York Giants. Streeter Lecka/Staff/Getty Images Team: Carolina PanthersYear: 2018Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaElevation: ApproximatelyConditions: 88 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, 6 mph windGame Context: Gano'sBrett Maher 63 yardsIn 2019, Cowboys kicker Brett Maher scored a 63-yard field goal. Tom Pennington/Staff/Getty Images Team: Dallas CowboysYear: 2019Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TexasElevation: Approximately 550 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: Maher set Dallas' franchise record with a 63-yard shot that put the Cowboys up 20 at halftime against their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, during week seven.Joey Slye 63 yardsThe Patriots' Joey Slye kicked a 63-yard field goal in 2024. Michael Zagaris/Contributor/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images Team: New England PatriotsYear: 2024Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CaliforniaElevation: 72 feetConditions: 76 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, 4.7 mph windGame Context: In a week four matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Slye set a Patriots record when he scored the team's first points of the game to conclude the first half. The San Francisco 49ers went on to win the game 30-13.Matt Prater 64 yardsIn 2013, Broncos kicker Matt Prater kicked a 64-yard field goal. Justin Edmonds/Stringer/Getty Images Team: Denver BroncosYear: 2013Location: Empire Field at Mile High, Denver, ColoradoElevation: 5,280 feetConditions: 13 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny, 3 mph windGame Context: Prater helped the Broncos come within 1 point of the Tennessee Titans heading into halftime with a 64-yard strike that broke Dempsey's longstanding record.Brandon Aubrey 65 yardsBrandon Aubrey kicked a 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens in September 2024. Ron Jenkins/Stringer/Getty Images Team: Dallas CowboysYear: 2024Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TexasElevation: Approximately 550 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: Aubrey's near-record-breaking kick game in the first quarter of the Cowboys game against the Baltimore Ravens, to give his team their first points of the game. The Cowboys later lost the game 28-25.Justin Tucker 66 yardsJustin Tucker holds the record for longest field goal in NFL history. Nic Antaya/Contributor/Getty Images Team: Baltimore RavensYear: 2021Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MichiganElevation: Approximately600 feetConditions: IndoorsGame Context: Tucker drilled a game-winner off the crossbar and through the uprights from 66 yards out to lead his Ravens past the Detroit Lions and beat Prater's record by a full 2 yards.On January 30, 2025, The Baltimore Banner reported that Tucker had been accused of sexual misconduct by six massage therapists. When reached by Business Insider for a comment, a representative for Tucker shared his statement on X denouncing the allegations as "unequivocally false."

BioWaresDragon Age: The Veilguardhas been out for less than a yearless than half a year, evenand already, EAs looking to wipe its hands of the game. The fantasy-RPG drew in 1.5 million players, half of what the publisher was expecting. Since no DLC was confirmed ahead of release and the game was one of two sizable misses for its recent financial quarter, EA split up the games team: some are working at other internal EA studios, others have been laid off entirely. As the fifth Mass Effectenters pre-production, the fantasy series is effectively on ice, not unlike its sibling franchise almost a decade ago. The entire situation hasnt exactly beengreatfor fans of the franchise, the game, and BioWare overall. Further complicating issues is howEA is talking about it.Veilguardwasnt the publishers biggest dud this past quarter, it wasEA Sports FC 25,whose developer seems to have faced no reprisals for missing sales targets. In the eyes of CEO Andrew Wilson,Veilguard failed to resonate with a broad audience because it lacked live-service elements. Prior iterations of it were more focused on live-service, but Anthems failed rework was enough for BioWare to strong-arm EA into letting the next Dragon Age be a strictly single-player affair. That the studio pivoted the project from a multiplayer affair into whats on storefronts now has been considered an impressive feat by staff, particularly when other comments indicate Veilguarddidnt get as much resources as EAs sports games. BioWare/EA Compared to earlier Dragon Agegames, Veilguards 1.5 million straddles an odd line: Dragon Age: Originssold 3.2 million copies in a handful of months, and 2011s Dragon Age IIsold over two million copies within two months. The biggest outlier is 2014s Dragon Age: Inquisition,which performed above expectations and as of late 2024, has reportedly sold 12 million copies in the past decade. All three games had a healthy two or three-year gap between them, and Inquisitions big success was thanks to key factors like releasing close to then-new consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and having a massive marketing push behind it. But numbers are all that matter to EA, and there was no world in which Veilguardwas going to be a big moneymaker unless it came out a few years after its predecessor. In an ideal world, everyone at BioWare likely wouldve preferred a single-playerVeilguardrelease much sooner than it had. Starting out as a live-service project did it no favors, as those types of games have notoriously become timesinks. Theyre also not what a studio like this is known for, hence longtime fans crying foul when co-op was introduced into Mass Effect 3andAnthemwas revealed. Between the two, audiences especially didnt take to Anthem,which has since gained a reputation for what it couldve been rather than what it was. Whatever potential it had, it always feels like it wouldve been better served as a solo game with co-op as a bonus rather than a co-op game that happens to let players go solo. Not every game can hit that balance, but those that do have been all the better for it. Years later, it remains frustrating that Borderlands is one of a handful of titles, franchise or otherwise, that fully understands this. Publishers want ongoing multiplayer games for the revenue, but sacrificing single-player has proven to be an uneven tradeoff. Single-player games arent continuous money drivers like a Fortnite or Grand Theft Auto Online, but theyre something arguably more important: reliable. Online games live and die on post-launch changes and players willing to stick with it, and should one of those pillars fall, the game is a goner. Look no further than the deluge of live-service titles cast aside or shut down in the past two years, from the soon-to-end MultiVersusand Resident Evil Re: Verse toBlue Protocol, Marvels Avengers,and countless others. Take a gander at PlayStation actively torching various projects it had in production before Concordwas violently (and maybe a bit unfairly) rejected. By comparison, single-player titles have nowhere to go but up, since they almost always grow in recognition over time. Theyre easier to recommend and go back to, as made clear when players saw Suicide SquadandSkull & Bonesand turned their gaze back to Batman: Arkham KnightandAssassins Creed IV. Why didInquisitionsell 12 million copies? It probably has something to do with its characters and story more than its four-player co-op, which many likely never touched except out of curiosity.The games industry needs single-player games, and by extension, EA needs what BioWare brings to the table withMass EffectandDragon Age. Trying to take over long-dominated territory is no easy feat, something EAs explicitly run into as its pulled four developers to make aBattlefield that can stand besideCall of Duty. By all means, give the next Mass Effecta multiplayer, since that series co-op actually has some strong legs. But its the not the main attraction, and its not where BioWares talents shine brightestand letting developers do what theyre best at is how a Larian or Capcom continue to thrive instead of gutting studios by the dozens. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

It always sucks when something thats pretty good and was clearly well made just doesnt hit the way it seems like it shouldve. This is particularly true when it comes to movies; think of a film you saw that was surprisingly enjoyable and how it didnt really get a fair shake for whatever reason. Plenty of examples come to mind for me, but one of the first is Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. Originally released on February 7, 2020 under its initial (and funnier) title, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),the films a bit of a tangled knot. You may remember it first seemed like a solo vehicle for Margot Robbies Harley post-Suicide Squad 2016,then somewhere along the line, it also may have become something for the popular, usually women-starringB-list superhero team, and then ended up beingkind of both? Maybe an odd hybrid is always what it was fated to be, since the DCEU had a weird air about it post-Joss Whedons Justice League, and it seemed Warner Bros. decided to just let these movies do their own thing. Aquamanand the originalShazamare clear examples of that freedom, but they came with less substantial baggage than Harley,whose main title character was mid-transformation into a big name solo brand during the 2010s. After spending most of her lifetime as Jokers girlfriend (and sometimes Poison Ivys ahem, roommate), DC decided Harley could start being her own person outside of her paramours sometimes exhausting orbit. And what makes you find yourself again like a breakup? Whatever else you can say about Birds of Prey, its clearly having a ball letting Harley grieve, then get over her pretty explosive split with Joker. Thereve been plenty of franchise movies thatve functioned as soft reboots, but not quite in this way where Robbies giving 110% into being Harley as she comes into her own while fending off a laundry list of people she pissed off under her exs protection and are now looking to settle some scores. For as much as WB has tried to distance itself from some of the earlier DCEU films, the first Suicide Squadmovie has left a long shadow casting-wise, with Robbie and fellow co-stars Viola Davis and Joel Kinnaman getting to stick around longer than most stars under James Gunns new creative regime. Even Will Smiths Deadshot has left a mark on Squad-adjacent media, despite not having shown up in the movies in nearly a full decade.When alls said and done, Robbies Harley is the most everlasting character of the DCEU, and her casting is arguably up there alongside the late Arleen Sorkin in terms of her importance to the harlequins history. Lets face it, Harley probably wouldnt have her own ongoing show or feature prominently in several major video games if not for her live-action outings. But good onscreen presence and chemistry with an equally good cast can only take you so far, and inBirds of Preyscase, it didnt go far. The film was released shortly after the covid-19 pandemic was declared an international public emergency, which left movie theaters and studios scrambling to figure out what to do. WB opted to put the film on VOD a month after release, but the film was damaged even before that: along with general ol misogyny at a woman-fronted superhero flick, folks had been burned by DC movies too many times, and the first title mightve been a bit much. Worse, it landed just ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog,which won audiences over once its online fanbase bullied the filmmakers into a more faithful redesign. Things werent exactly in its favor, which is something of a trend with every handful of superhero movies this decadefor everyThe BatmanorDeadpool & Wolverine,theres two or threeBlue Beetles or The Marvelsthat got burned by universe (or its own genres) troubles.The initial days of the pandemic broke the movie system, and that pain is still felt, even now. AfterBirds,WB opted to split the difference by giving its movies simultaneous releases in theaters and its then-new streaming service HBO Max. While understandable at the time, and gave movies like Wonder Woman 1984and the 2021Mortal Kombatsome streaming bragging rights, it also pissed off several filmmakers. Christopher Nolan, dissatisfied with the lack of filmmaker input in this decision, famously ended his longtime partnership with the company and jumped over to Universal, where Oppenheimerbecame a box office success and anticipation builds for his take onThe Odysseyin 2026. Audiences have returned to theaters in recent years, but studios still play some underhanded tricks, like insultingly short (and underpromoted) theatrical windows or canceling already finished movies. Warner Bros./DC In some ways,Birds of Preywas lucky to hit in 2020 and avoid a potentially worse fate as WB seemed on the verge of active collapse. Even so, its hard to not want better for itits gleefully violent energy remains as fun now as it did then, and its characters all bounce off each other so well, you cant help but want more of their misadventures. As is, its an interesting cultural artifact because of how it came about and lived and also a great ad for bodegas and breakfast egg sandwiches. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Eevee and its evolutions have long been some of the most popular critters in the series, and this is especially true for the Pokemon TCG. While Pokemon TCG Pocket doesn't have a card quite as sought after as Prismatic Evolutions' Umbreon in the physical card game, it does still boast some standout Eeveelutions. However, one Eeveelution in Pokemon TCG Pocket reigns supreme, and it may be hard for any future Eeveelution card addition to beat what this one offers.

The Gears of War series has needed to reinvent itself for some time now, but not so much in a way that it forgets who it is. Gears of War 4 and Gears 5 both made attempts at innovating the series, but the main issue with each of those games is that they might have put their foot a little too far forward, with Gears 5 doing the most damage in that regard. In other words, the Gears of War series is in need of some balanced renovations a remodeling that is still housed within the framework of the series' past and yet has a new coat of paint slapped on it to make it feel new again. That's where Gears of War: E-Day comes in, as it has the opportunity more than ever to change everything for the series in a way that previous installments have been unable to.