After roughly a decade in development, Lost Soul Aside is finally scheduled for a launch. Originally the passion project of solo developer Yang Bing, Lost Soul Aside has grown to become a major Sony-published title under the company's 'China Hero Project,' with Bing now the founder and CEO of Shanghai-based studio Ultizero Games.With a release date of May 30 on PlayStation 5 and PC closing in, IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Yang Bing to discuss the long road to launch. So many years of development went into this single-player action game, escalating from a solo creator's vision to a trailer reveal at Sony's State of Play. Through it all the hype has grown, with some calling Lost Soul Aside an exciting mix of Final Fantasy characters and Devil May Cry combat even from the moment Yang Bing's initial reveal video went viral in 2016.With the help of a translator, IGN asked Yang Bing about the early origins of Lost Soul Aside, its inspirations, what challenges the team has faced over the years, and much more.It's been almost nine years since the first glimpse of Lost Soul Aside, on your YouTube channel. How did you get started on this project, and how old were you at the time?Yang Bing: So I remember our first promotional video was released in 2016. I was born in 1990, so when the video was released, I was about 26 years old, so that was actually when the project started. I remember [Lost Soul Aside] probably started around, at the end of 2014, the beginning of 2015.Expect massive set-piece battles in Lost Soul Aside. Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment.What were the original inspirations behind Lost Soul Aside? Has that ever shifted over the course of development?Yang Bing: So personally, I have loved playing games since I was young. And of course, back at that time, I had some personal favorite genres. Later on, [my] passion towards games wasn't changed, didn't change a lot. So I wanted to develop something that I really like. And then the tools and game engines were relatively mature. So that was the beginning of [Lost Soul Aside].The overall style and then, the inspiration, has not changed that much. From the beginning, the beginning of 2016 until now, about like nine years or 10 years, it continues to feature a blend of fantasy elements with some realistic visuals, characterized by this real-life aesthetic. So this style has not changed. The combat style has also consistently leaned towards high speed and flashy action. So this is something that we have been sticking to for all these years. During this development process, we, of course, continued to see some new and excellent works, which maybe we got some influence through, [on] our thought along the way. So from the beginning, this personal trailer gradually evolved into a more mature and well-run version, I should say.How did the Sony collaboration come around? Can you describe what that first meeting was like, and how the partnership has been since?Yang Bing: Well, actually, back to 2016, I had some contact [with a] PlayStation colleague. That was, for me, a turning point, which I think is quite remarkable. So when I released this promotional video, I got a message from a colleague at PlayStation, who said that they wanted to discuss the project in detail and explore a potential collaboration. Back at that time, I was still in South Korea, and I felt really grateful for this opportunity. At the end of 2016, I went back to China and then immediately, I went to PlayStation, Sony in Shanghai, visited them, and met with them in person. And so from that time, we kind of started our collaboration. In recent years, the collaboration has been continuously deepening. Initially, it started with the Sony China Hero Project. And then, later on, we kind of joined this collaboration with Sony, and then Sony officially announced that it's going to be published by PlayStation.PlayWhat would you say makes Lost Soul Aside stand out from other games in its genre?Yang Bing: So the play will be very smooth, because we think that when the players play, they will likely be impressed by the overall operability of the game, including the combat experience and the interaction with the environment. It will be very smooth. And in order to achieve this kind of smooth feeling, we actually try our best, utmost, to ensure that the player's input receives immediate feedback. For example, all the weapons can be switched seamlessly.Additionally, the combat for this kind of skill combination can be combined seamlessly as well. All the skills can be canceled as well. We have spent a significant amount of time ensuring that everything flows as smoothly as possible. So, this is something that I think will impress players the most. And then, furthermore, the intent, our intention, is to shape the two main characters, the combination, Kaser and Arena. So we can provide players with the option like turning Arena into a weapon and other elements, to help Kaser fight in battle. [He] can provide some help during his journey. So I think that all these elements combining together can become a very outstanding and recognizable aspect for our game.Where did the concept for Arena, the transforming dragon companion Kazer has, come from?Yang Bing: So that kind of idea and thought actually started at a very, very, very early stage, even before this project started back to 2016. So, I remember I watched some YouTube video... there's a special effects creator who makes a segment featuring a crystal that can [transform] into various weapons, a shade, and many other things. Combined with my idea, I always thought about this idea, about a dragon [that] can transform, all kinds of shapes. Even before this game project has started, I had the idea about something like this.Other than this dragon, I was thinking that the protagonist has a companion, which at that time is somewhat similar to a dragon-like creature that can transform into a weapon, [to help] the character, assisting in the battle. So I always had this kind of idea from the beginning, I had the idea to incorporate [it] into this project. This idea that the protagonist has a dragon partner that can become a weapon, this idea actually, I had it since 2014.In Lost Soul Aside you play Kaser, who has help from a transforming dragon. Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment.What ideas and themes does Lost Soul Aside center on, that you want players to take away from this game?Yang Bing: So, the core theme primarily just revolves around Kaser, the protagonist, and his companion Arena, and they embark on various adventures together. And of course, during that process they face numerous challenges, including traps and a variety of formidable enemies. So the focus is on Kaser, who starts off as an ordinary individual, an ordinary person. And then after he meets Arena, and then later, they continuously establish some kind of relationship with other characters. So in this adventure, we want the players to experience the growth of the characters, transforming from ordinary people, or him from an ordinary person at the beginning, to a hero who can save the world by the end. Of course, saving the world was not his initial intention, but players can gradually and consciously embrace the idea of saving the world and defeating villains throughout the process.What's been the biggest challenge you've faced, working on this one game for so long?Yang Bing: So, well, it started from the idea, [my] personal idea, and then it's a promotion video, it's a conceptual idea. And then we have to accumulate experience and to enhance the development experience during all this process and all these years. So, I think this is very essential, for developing this kind of skill and type of project, this is one thing. And then the other challenge for me, I should say this because for me, I started from my personal ideas. I work. I used to work just by myself. And later on, I continuously [accumulated] knowledge on how to collaborate with other members as a team, with the help of Sony PlayStation, and now because we have established a team. So it requires everyone to come together to make the idea happen. So for me, this is constantly a learning process, and I need to overcome this challenge to make the project a successful one.You're planning to launch day one for both PC and PS5? What was the reasoning behind targeting both for the launch, over just PlayStation?Yang Bing: So, launch for PC as well. I think it's a very new experience for players and it would be quite intriguing for them, I think. So this is the final stage, and the final decision was made during the communication process between me and Sony. So I feel that everyone cooperated in a very good manner and harmoniously throughout all the process.After working on Lost Soul Aside for so long, are you excited for whatever comes next for yourself and Ultizero Games?Yang Bing: Well, so at this stage, and then both my team, and myself, and the PlayStation team, we're continuously communicating with each other about the follow-up plans. I'm sorry, I cannot provide a very clear answer at this moment.But you're excited to get Lost Soul Aside out there?Yang Bing: Yes.Lost Soul Aside launches on PS5 and PC on May 30, 2025.Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

Are you looking for the opportunity to win new games, consoles, and accessories? Look no further than IGN Rewards! Multiple new giveaways and deals are now available for members this February! If you're not familiar with IGN Rewards, it's a platform free for all registered IGN users. You can enter into new giveaways each month, claim exclusive discounts, and so much more!Note: Giveaways are exclusive to accounts based in the United States unless noted otherwise.Win a Switch Lite and More During the Rainbow Arts GiveawayWin a Switch Lite and More During the Rainbow Arts GiveawaySee it at IGN RewardsZiggurat Interactive is set to expand its Rainbow Arts inventory in 2025, and to celebrate, Rainbow Arts has teamed up with IGN Rewards for a major giveaway! Three winners will be chosen in this giveaway, with the Grand Prize receiving a Nintendo Switch Lite and four digital games across Switch and PC via Steam. The 1st Runner-Up will receive four digital games and loads of exciting merch, including a Limited Run SNES Reprint of Rendering Ranger: R2 - Standard Edition! Finally, the 2nd Runner-Up will receive four digital games and a selection of stickers. This giveaway is set to close on April 14 at 12:00 PM PST.IGN Plus Games: Nested Lands (Alpha Access)IGN Plus Games: Nested Lands (Alpha Access)See it at IGN RewardsIGN Plus members can score the opportunity to play Nested Lands during the Closed Alpha for a limited time. This RPG features a medieval setting where you're tasked with building a village, tracking social management, crafting, and more. This reward is available until March 6 at 12:00 PM PST.IGN's Great Civilizations SweepstakesIGN's Great Civilizations SweepstakesSee it at IGN RewardsCivilization VII is out now, and to celebrate, IGN Rewards is offering one lucky IGN reader to chance to win an all inclusive trip to Washington D.C., Tokyo, Berlin, or Rome! Not only that, but ten lucky runner-ups will receive a game prize pack so you can jump in and enjoy Civilization VII for yourself. This giveaway is set to end on March 3 at 12:00 PM PST, so don't miss your chance to enter!Win an Arcade1Up PAC-MAN Deluxe At-Home Arcade MachineWin an Arcade1Up PAC-MAN Deluxe At-Home Arcade MachineSee it at IGN RewardsArcade1Up and IGN have teamed up to give away one PAC-MAN Deluxe At-Home Arcade Machine to a lucky IGN reader. This full-size cabinet features a 17-inch LCD screen, authentic light-up marquee, and more. 14 games are included, with Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Galaga, and more all present! This giveaway is set to end on March 14 at 12:00 PM PST.Win a Switch OLED from Luck Be a LandlordWin a Switch OLED from Luck Be a LandlordSee it at IGN RewardsIGN and developer TrampolineTales have teamed up to give away one custom Luck Be a Landlord Nintendo Switch OLED. Luck Be a Landlord is a roguelike deckbuilder that features a virtual slot machine you'll use to earn your rent money. This giveaway includes one Nintendo Switch OLED and a custom Luck Be a Landlord skin. Don't wait to enter, though, as this giveaway is set to close on March 20 at 12:00 PM PST.IGN Plus Games: EvilVEvilIGN Plus Games: EvilVEvilSee it at IGN RewardsFinally, IGN Plus members can score a free Steam key of EvilVEvil for PC! This cooperative shooter throws waves of enemies at players in a wide variety of environments, making for an action-packed experience that you don't want to miss. You can control numerous vampires and utilize their abilities to work together and stop the enemies before you. Keys for this reward are limited, so don't wait to claim yours!About IGN RewardsIGN Rewards is a free platform that allows IGN readers to access free giveaways, discounts, and offers. You'll only need to create an IGN account to be eligible for the program. If you'd like to further your IGN Rewards experience, you can check out IGN Plus, where you can earn monthly games, ad-free browsing, and so much more.

With the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple has completely revamped the Photographic Styles feature which was first introduced with the iPhone 13. However, despite the new iPhone 16e having almost the same hardware as its more expensive siblings, the device seems to lack the latest-generation Photographic Styles.iPhone 16e and Photographic StylesBased on Apples official webpage that compares different iPhone models, only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro feature the latest-generation Photographic Styles. iPhone 16e gained a lot of camera features that werent available on the now-discontinued iPhone SE, but it looks like the phone wont have the new Photographic Styles.The iPhone 16e specifications mention support for Photographic Styles without including latest-generation, which suggests that the phone has the same old photo filters as the iPhone 13.For those unfamiliar, Apple introduced Photographic Styles with the iPhone 13. Unlike simple filters applied to a compressed image, this feature modifies the tone, contrast, and warmth of the image during capture. As a result, these adjustments are made more intelligently, specially when it comes to skin tones and the sky.The original version of the Photographic Styles introduced with iPhone 13With the iPhone 16, Apple has made this feature much better. The iPhone now stores the color, light and shadow data for each photo, so that users can apply and edit Photographic Styles after the photo has been taken. This also enables many more possibilities when it comes to editing photos.Theres no word on why the iPhone 16e lacks the new Photographic Styles, as the phone has the same A18 chip and 48-megapixel main camera as the base iPhone 16. It could be a marketing decision, similar to not enabling ProRAW image capture on non-Pro iPhones.In addition to the A18 chip and 48-megapixel camera, the iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, and a USB-C port. It also features Apples first custom 5G modem for better energy efficiency.Pre-orders for iPhone 16e begin on Friday, February 21. The first orders will arrive next week, on February 28. Pricing starts at $599 for 128GB of storage. There are 256GB and 512GB options available, in white and black.Add 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

Want a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence? Before today, that would set you back about $800. After Apples latest iPhone announcement, however, the cost to access Apple Intelligence on iPhone is 25% less. There are just two very minor caveats.Apple Intelligence is a suite of various features powered by artificial intelligence. Apple provides its AI tools with privacy in mind, using a stateless server system called Private Cloud Compute. This privacy-centric approach is unlike other modern AI systems that retain data on the server and use it for training models.Top Apple Intelligence features include Writing Tools for improving or changing your writing style, Clean Up for removing unwanted subjects from photos, and Genmoji for creating custom emoji characters based on your description.Visual IntelligenceVisual Intelligence is another component of Apple Intelligence. Most of Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac for now. So far, Visual Intelligence has been exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro with no support on iPhone 15 Pro or iPad, where Apple Intelligence is also available.Thats mostly because of marketing and product differentiation. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have a new button called Camera Control. Pressing and holding the Camera Control is how you activate Visual Intelligence. Once invoked, Visual Intelligence lets you use your rear-facing camera to aim at an object to reference in a ChatGPT query or Google visual search. More recently, Apple added the ability to add events to your calendar based on things like concert posters and board messages.Thats where the first minor caveat for Apple Intelligence on the new iPhone 16e arises. iPhone 16e has no Camera Control like the other iPhone 16 models, but Apple still supports the Visual Intelligence feature. The easiest way to invoke Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16e is to assign it to the Action button. The downside, however, is that doing this pretty much rules out using the Action button for anything else, like launching the Camera or muting your iPhone.Fortunately, theres another way to access Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16e without using the Action button, but it requires a few more steps. Rather than squeezing a physical button, Visual Intelligence can also be invoked through Control Center. For now, iPhone 16e is the only product with Visual Intelligence in Control Center. Maybe well see this come to the iPad in the future. I wouldnt wait around for Visual Intelligence to come to the iPhone 15 Pro.Glowing Edge LightVisual Intelligence aside, theres one more extremely minor difference between Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro compared to iPhone 16e. Before today, each iPhone with Apple Intelligence featured the Dynamic Island, Apples adaptive interface around the camera sensor near the top of the display. iPhone 16e features the less modern notch design.For that reason, the Apple Intelligence feature for Siri that Apple calls Glowing Edge Light appears a little differently on iPhone 16e than other Apple Intelligence iPhones. Instead of creating a uniform rainbow glow effect around the perimeter of the iPhones display, the Glowing Edge Light wraps around the notch on the iPhone 16e.Functionally, the Glowing Edge Light has no practical utility other than signaling that your iPhone is using the Apple Intelligence version of Siri rather than classic Siri. How the Glowing Edge Light appears is even more trivial unless you care about perfect symmetry in which case youll need to hand over another 200 to 400 dollars.Aside from these two minor differences, Apple Intelligence should work exactly the same on iPhone regardless of which model you buy.Best Apple accessoriesFollow Zac Hall on X, Threads, and Bluesky, and listen to Runtime with co-host Sophia Tung on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.Add 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

What's the worst that could happen?President Donald Trump is running out of patience with Boeing, which was supposed to deliver two new Air Force One planes by the end of his predecessor's term. And guess who he's turning to to speed things up? Elon Musk, who Trump has "empowered" to take measures to get the beleaguered aerospace company to stop dragging its feet, .Trump's pick for the task isn't surprising, since he's asked the world's richest man to do everything short of fixing the White House's plumbing in his ostensible mission of making the federal government more "efficient." If Musk can fly a rocket, Trump reportedly told associates, per the NYT,he can probably fly an airplane.But the lengths that Trump is letting Musk go here are alarming. According to the NYT, Musk has questioned the amount of time needed to flight test the planes, and is also considering lowering the security clearance required to work on the new jets, which are armed with a bevy of sensitive systems to protect the president."The [safety] requirements could be scrubbed down and more risk can be assumed," Biden-era Air Force secretary Frank Kendall told the NYT. "But you can also go too far. You do need to have the basic command and control capabilities and communications capabilities on the airplane."Trump originally commissioned the new Air Force Ones in 2018 as part of a $3.9 billion Air Force contract which he was heavily involved in negotiating, to havethem be delivered by 2024.It hasn't quite worked out that way. Three years behind schedule, Boeing is now hinting that it likely won't be able to finish building the presidential jets until the end of Trump's second term. All the while, the aerospace company has been mired in bad press and investigations from the questionable construction of its aircraft, which have been involved in deadly crashes, to its disastrous Starliner spacecraft.That's where Musk comes in. He has promised he can get at least one of the planes wrapped up within a year a huge turnaround.Does that sound unrealistic to you? It certainly does to some of the officials working on the project, according to the NYT. But making far-fetched promises is Musk's bread and butter, like his decades-long insistence that Tesla is about to achieve fully autonomous driving, which it hasn't. While he's been able to successfully string his companies' investors along so far, this is an entirely different matter. Trump's time in office is limited. For once, Musk is not beholden to his own timeline, but someone else's.To achieve that optimistic timeline, Musk and Boeing want to quickly bring more people onto the project. And to do that, they're considering removing the requirement for a top-level security clearance known as "Yankee White." We've already seen how risky the loosening of these protocols can be in Trump's administration; at Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the vetting was so poor that it hired a 19-year-old high school grad, who was fired for leaking company secrets at his old job.Musk's other brilliant plan, according to former Air Force assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics Andrew Hunter, is to simply do the bare minimum."The idea was that we could just strip out a lot of the military stuff, just give the president a good-looking new airplane to fly in with commercial capabilities and maybe some minimal military upgrades," Hunter told theNYT.It makes for a hell of a risk. By expediting the production of an extremely advanced aircraft that he'll be flying in all the time, Trump could be putting himself in harm's way.Share This Article

Job Title: Email CopywriterCompany: Sweat Pants AgencyAbout Sweat Pants Agency:Sweat Pants Agency is a leading digital marketing agency specializing in eCommerce. We work with a diverse portfolio of clients and strive to help them achieve their growth goals through innovative marketing strategies. Our team is comprised of industry experts who are passionate about what they do and are dedicated to delivering exceptional results.Role:We are seeking a talented Email Copywriter to join our team. As an Email Copywriter, you will be responsible for creating persuasive and engaging email copy that converts subscribers into customers. You will work closely with our marketing team to develop email campaigns that align with our clients' brand voice and objectives. Responsibilities:Collaborate with the marketing team to develop email marketing strategiesWrite compelling email copy that drives engagement and conversionCraft subject lines that capture attention and encourage opensOptimize email content for deliverability and click-through ratesConduct A/B tests to improve email performanceMonitor industry trends and best practices in email marketingRequirements:Proven experience as an Email Copywriter or similar roleExcellent writing skills with a keen eye for detailStrong knowledge of email marketing best practicesProficient in using email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp, Klaviyo)Familiarity with marketing automation and email personalizationAbility to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environmentStrong organizational and time management skillsIf you are a creative thinker with a passion for writing and a knack for storytelling, we would love to hear from you. Join us at Sweat Pants Agency and be part of a dynamic team that is transforming the world of digital marketing.RequirementsProven experience as an Email Copywriter or similar roleExcellent writing skills with a keen eye for detailStrong knowledge of email marketing best practicesProficient in using email marketing platformsFamiliarity with marketing automation and email personalizationAbility to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environmentApply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

Looking for the most recent Strands answer?Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.Todays NYTStrandspuzzle might be tricky. If you need hints and answers, read on.I go into depth about therules for Strands in this story.If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visitCNET's NYT puzzle hints page.Read more:NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So FarHint for today's Strands puzzleToday's Strands theme is:Together for the present.If that doesn't help you, here's a clue: Celebrate your marriage date.Clue words to unlock in-game hintsYour goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:MITE, DRAM, MORE, NOME, SINE, FIRS, HENS, HAND, DRONE, FIVE, SENT, RITE, TIED, SIFTAnswers for today's Strands puzzleThese are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you've got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:GOLD, FIRST, PAPER, DIAMOND, FIFTIETH, SIXTIETHToday's Strands spangramToday's Strands spangram is ANNIVERSARY. The completed NYT Strands puzzle for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, #354. NYT/Screenshot by CNET

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.Today's Connections puzzlecould be tricky. But if you watch a certain Netflix show involving deadly children's games, you might see a connection that will lead you to solve the usually difficult purple group. Read on for clues and today's Connections answers.The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Warning.Green group hint: Overnight.Blue group hint: Not a night owl.Purple group hint: Netflix game you don't want to play.Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: Alert.Green group: Spend the night (at).Blue group: Associated with early morning.Purple group: Cookie cutter shapes in Squid Game.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is alert. The four answers are alarm, flare, signal and SOS.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is spend the night (at). The four answers are bunk, crash, sleep and stay.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is associated with early morning. The four answers are dew, rooster, sunrise and worm.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is cookie cutter shapes in Squid Game. The four answers are circle, star, triangle and umbrella.

Sony responds to Marathon reboot director's $200m wrongful dismissal lawsuit, alleges 'disturbing communications' with female employeesIncluding "sexually charged games of 'Truth or Dare'".Image credit: Bungie News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Feb. 20, 2025 Following former Destiny 2 and Marathon reboot director Christopher Barrett's decision to sue Sony and Bungie for $200m USD, claiming wrongful dismissal, the companies have filed a response outlining Barrett's alleged 'disturbing communications' with female subordinates - including "sexually charged games of 'Truth or Dare'".Barrett's departure from Bungie was first reported last March, amid word of a leadership shakeup at the studio. However, it was later claimed Barrett was fired from his role following an internal investigation into accusation of inappropriate behaviour filed by "at least eight" female employees. Things took further turn in December, when Barrett filed a lawsuit against Bungie and Sony, claiming the companies had "deliberately destroyed [his] reputation by falsely, and publicly, insinuating...he had engaged in sexual misconduct."Barrett's list of accusations was long, but core to his argument was the claim his firing was a "premeditated scheme" concocted so Bungie and Sony could avoid paying him "nearly $50m... owed under his employment agreement". He additionally claimed he "did not do anything remotely resembling gross misconduct or 'Cause' as defined in the Retention Agreements... and there could not have been any credible allegation he did because [he] had a spotless twenty-five year track record at Bungie."And now (via Game File's Stephen Totilo), Sony has filed its first substantive response, denying Barret's claims and detailing the events allegedly leading to his dismissal. "Multiple female, subordinate employees individually reported to Human Resources that Barrett engaged in inappropriate behaviour and disturbing written and verbal communications," it wrote, "which made them uncomfortable and fearful of retaliation if they failed to engage or reported Barrett.""The investigation revealed that Barrett's misconduct with each employee was consistent: he targeted a lower-level, female employee he wasn't working with directly, initially engaged in friendly conversation, and progressively pushed boundaries with the employee by making subtle references to her physical appearance or expressing his interest romantically."Barrett attempted to create an unprofessional level of intimacy with his victims," Sony continued in its court submission. "He requested to follow personal Instagram accounts and would express anger to the women if they failed to respond to his messages. He would bring up inappropriate topics like their body, their relationships, his marriage, or his desire to date them. He would demand that they participate in sexually charged games of 'Truth or Dare' and 'Ask Me Anything'. He texted them at all hours of the day and night. He offered to buy them gifts. He often referenced his wealth and his ability to advance their careers."Sony's filing also includes several examples of Barrett's alleged misconduct, including an incident where it's claimed he FaceTimed one female employee late at night while drunk despite requests to "recognise 'boundaries'", eventually moving to his bedroom and telling her, "I can't believe I am lying in bed while talking to [VICTIM 1]".Barrett also allegedly contacted a second employee via Instagram direct message, telling her, "You are the holy grail. I hope you find a person worthy of your attention." After the employee responded saying she had a boyfriend who treated her very well, Barrett is said to have told her, "He better[.] Cuz I would hit on you if he wasn't." It's claimed he later made further contact, writing, "You want to be worshipped, I think? Why are you against that actually happening?".Other incidents detailed in Sony's filing includes a "virtual game of 'Truth or Dare' initiated by Barrett", and a Microsoft Teams exchange in which he allegedly asked a female member of staff, "Are you still in PJs? [Is] it like a button down top and bottoms? Sweat pants? Lulu lemons?".Sony adds, "Barretts predatory behaviour caused victims to seek guidance from other Bungie employees on how to manage Barretts constant boundary-pushing given that he was a long-standing, senior member of the company. Multiple victims reported to Human Resources during the investigation that they were afraid for their jobs during these encounters."In response, Barrett's lawyers told Game File, "Sony continues to disingenuously cherry pick text messages and alleged conversations and make unsupported and conclusory statements to defame Christopher and justify terminating him to avoid paying him what he was owed under his employment agreements. It is telling that Sony does not include the full text messages as exhibits, or the full content of these conversations, and nothing in Sonys response provides a legitimate legal or factual basis to terminate Christopher for cause."Christopher is confident that when all the evidence is presented, it will be clear that Sony engaged in a scheme to strip him of his role and the equity awards he earned for his 25 years of loyal service to the company."As well as denying inappropriate behaviour during his time at Bungie, Barrett's original filing argued his former employers' actions had "irreparably harmed [him] financially, physically, and emotionally". As such, he is seeking $200m in damages - including $46K (plus interest) owed under his employment terms - and is requesting to be reinstated as game director on Marathon.

Almost two years after the acclaimed first season of HBO's live-action The Last of Us adaptation drew to a close, its long-awaited second season finally has a release date - with episode one set to air in the US on Sunday, 13th April. Read more