Two of Sony's biggest games from last year have got stealthy upgrades if you own the company's latest PlayStation 5 Pro here's what you can expect in Helldivers 2 and Astro BotTech12:39, 21 Feb 2025PS5 Pro is getting easier to recommendEver since it was revealed last year, Sony's PS5 Pro has felt like a tough sell. The PS5 is still a great console, and it's not immediately moving the needle to bigger resolutions like the PS4 Pro did.That being said, it's felt like a great console for future-proofing, with some fantastic games already being updated and more to come with the likes of Monster Hunter Wilds and GTA 6.Still, there have been games missing from Sony's own studios, but the company is seemingly rectifying that with updates for Astro Bot and Helldivers 2, two of its biggest titles of 2024.Astro Bot is adorable and imaginative in equal measure(Image: Team Asobi/Sony Interactive Entertainment)As covered in excruciating detail by the team at Digital Foundry, Astro Bot offers a "constant best resolution" now on PS5 Pro, while running at 60 FPS. The game already ran, well, pretty beautifully when it launched last year, but it now takes advantage of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution).According to the DF team, the game actually runs at a slightly lower resolution, but there's more detail at the cost of some less impressive screen space reflections.Helldivers 2 was a huge success for Sony(Image: Arrowhead Game Studios/PlayStation Publishing LLC)Over on Helldivers 2, Digital Foundry says it's "significantly improved" on PS5 Pro in performance mode. PS5 Pro players get more stability, with a "perceptible jump in image detail".Performance mode means the PS5 version ran at 1080p, but PS5 Pro will offer a 1440p resolution, but quality mode isn't as night and day. The PS5 Pro still has some frame-pacing issues as it 'brute forces' its way to a 4K resolution.It's commendable that Sony is pushing PS5 Pro updates on its older titles, and these two are some big gaps that needed filling. Here's hoping the likes of Destiny 2 are next.As I said of the PS5 Pro when I first tested it, much of its appeal will come down to the games themselves.Article continues below"There are some huge games slated for 2025, and if titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Grand Theft Auto VI, or The Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater remake can take advantage of the new hardware, Sony could be onto a winner. Still, it's a tricky proposition to spend so much on the potential of a device, so I'd recommend holding off for now."That recommendation is likely changing, however.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Season 2 Reloaded has arrived, and it's seemingly confirmed that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is getting another chance to kickflip into our livesTech10:49, 21 Feb 2025Will you be logging in?(Image: Activision)Call of Duty Black Ops 6 fans have a hefty Season 2 Reloaded update to chew through at present, but one of the most exciting reveals has little to do with the shooter series at all.One of the new maps, Grind, returns from Black Ops 2 and is centred on a skate park in Venice, California, and some less-than-subtle clues have suggested that the Tony Hawk Pro Skater remasters we reported on earlier this week are pretty likely after all.Here's what we know so far, including what Tony Hawk himself has said about the project which reportedly involves two fresh remakes or remasters.Tony Hawk Pro-Skater 3 launched in 2001(Image: Activision)Players heading to the skate park map will find a sign that says "03.04.25" in one of the skate shops, suggesting some kind of reveal is coming soon.The silhouette of a skateboarder can be seen on top, with US date formatting suggesting we'll get something new on March 4 so we don't have long to wait at all.Given the rumour earlier this week suggested that Microsoft will 'shadow drop' the remasters/remakes of THPS 3 and 4, that could even end up being the day we play them.Still not convinced? Here's what the skateboarding icon himself had to say.Content cannot be displayed without consentHawk himself dropped an 'eyes' emoji in response to CharlieIntel's post on X (formerly Twitter) about the project, which the official Xbox account responded to with another 'eyes' emoji.It's likely a tacit admission that the reports are on the money, and that we'll get something Tony Hawk related. After all, latest Call of Duty update lets you use a skateboard as a melee weapon.The news follows on from professional skater Tyshawn Jones appearing on the Breakfast Club podcast and pointing out he's in an upcoming remaster that hasn't been announced yet - oops."Im in a Tony Hawk coming out, thats cool, Jones revealed.They got a new one they remastering so thats about to come out, I was in the last one.Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 let you hang off of vehicles(Image: Activision)That last one was a pairing of the first two games remade for PS4, Xbox One and PC in 2020 before coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch in 2021.As for these titles, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is considered by many as the pinnacle of the series, bridging the gap between console generations when it launched in 2001. The fourth instalment, which launched a year later, introduced a more laid-back career mode and even Jango Fett from Star Wars as an unlockable character.Article continues belowNow, where's my Tony Hawk's Underground 1 and 2 port, Activision?For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

Space Marine 2 dev making new AAA game and it might be TransformersGameCentralPublished February 21, 2025 12:40pmUpdated February 21, 2025 12:40pm Transformers badly needs a new big budget game (Hasbro)Hasbro has signed up Space Marine 2 developer Saber Interactive to make a game based on a tentpole IP and were going to bet its not My Little Pony.Toy firm Hasbro is one of those companies, like Disney, that you really feel should have had more involvement with the games industry from the beginning. It did have its own publishing division for a while it bought MicroProse and what was left of Atari but it didnt last for long and was never very successful.Nowadays, they, like Disney, just farm out their various licences to other companies, and while thats generally not been that successful the obvious exception is Larian Studios making Baldurs Gate 3 although theyve since made it clear they want nothing more to do with Dungeons & Dragons, or licences in general.Hasbro will now need to find other developers to make future entries and while theyve announced nothing so far, they have revealed that theyve signed a deal with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 maker Saber Interactive for a AAA game based on one of Hasbros tentpole IPs.Theres no indication of which IP is involved but Hasbro hasnt been shy about talking about their Dungeons & Dragons plans in the past, so if it was that theyd probably just say outright. That doesnt rule it out entirely though and while Saber dont have the experience to make something like Baldurs Gate 4 they could conceivably be making some sort of D&D related action game.We have many new digital collaborations in the works, but Im especially excited to announce this one today, being a personal fan of many of this teams games, said Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in an earnings call with investors.Hasbro and Saber Interactive will be collaborating on an all-new video game partnership developed by the team behind 2024s megahit, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Combining high-octane single-player action and amazing multiplayer with Sabers Swarm tech, this new AAA title, based on one of our tentpole IPs, is sure to be a hit.That doesnt give much away but it does imply that whatever the game is its something at least in the same ballpark as Space Marine 2. (It also suggests that Space Marine 3 isnt going to happen anytime soon.)In terms of what IP could be involved, the front rumours are Transformers, G.I. Joe, Power Rangers, Dungeons & Dragons, and Magic: The Gathering.Hasbro has recently started a new line of indie-esque, faux retro games, which has so far included G.I. Joe and Power Rangers games, which may imply they dont feel those properties deserve a AAA budget at the moment.Magic: The Gathering is certainly popular enough but creating an action game out of the genre-defining trading card game is fraught with potential problems, including whether the core audience would even be interested in such a thing.As fans, wed like to think that makes Transformers the most likely IP, especially given a planned title by Quake Wars developer Splash Damage was recently cancelled and there hasnt been a big budget game since the Activision games of the Xbox 360 era.More TrendingThere were hints that those titles, which are now out of print because Activision no longer owns the licence, were being brought back but despite some evidence to that effect nothing has materialised.After the failure of the recent Transformers One movie (which is actually surprisingly good) Hasbro vowed to give up funding movies itself and simply licence out its IP, as it does with games.Given its many movie failures, it implied that gaming would be an increasing focus in the coming years and it seems whatever Saber Interactive is working on may be the first clear evidence of that.For the record though, the other properties which Hasbro owns include M.A.S.K., Monopoly, Furby, Nerf guns, Mr Potato Head, Play-Doh, Twister, Battleship, Cluedo, Ouija, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, and PJ Masks. Does a Magic: The Gathering action game make sense? (Wizards of the Coast)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Rocksteady working on Batman Beyond game as PS5 exclusiveGameCentralPublished February 21, 2025 11:11amUpdated February 21, 2025 11:47am Batman Beyond would make a great video game (Warner Bros.)New job ads reveal Rocksteady is working on an open world brawler, with a rumour suggesting its based on the Batman Beyond cartoon.After an entire wasted decade, in which most of the founding members left the company and the only game the studio made was the disastrous Suicide Squad, its fair to say that developer Rocksteadys reputation is not what it once was.Given the current norms of the industry, many worried that the studio would face closure but thankfully that hasnt been the first choice of owner Warner Bros. Rocksteady did suffer layoffs but they are known to be working on a new game, one that is single-player and allegedly Batman-related.However, whether its a new game in the Arkham series or something related to the new DC cinematic universe is unknown. Although a new rumour suggests that it is in fact based on late 90s animated series Batman Beyond.Known as Batman of the Future in Europe, the show was set within the wider DC Animated Universe but featured an aged Bruce Wayne mentoring a teenager named Terry McGinnis, who becomes the new high-tech Batman.The original show won several awards at the time and has a very distinctive art style and a completely new set of villains, so its strange that, apart from comics, its never been adapted into any other medium beyond a terrible, low budget scrolling beat em-up in 2000.There have been several rumours of a movie version (the cancelled Batgirl film seemed to take several cues from the series, including Michael Keaton as an older Bruce Wayne) and a video game adaptation from Gotham Knights maker WB Games Montral.Warner Bros. have explored and then cancelled several different superhero games over the years, so even if this rumour, from leaker Lunatic Ignus, is true theres no guarantee the game will ever be finished.For the record though, he suggests that the game will adapt the general premise but not the art style. Its also claimed the game will be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, in the manner of the Spider-Man games.Whether that is true remains to be seen but Rocksteady definitely is working on a new single-player game and based on their most recent job ads its not just the rumoured directors cut of Hogwarts Legacy.More TrendingThe ad for a Game Director calls for someone that has experience across multiple genres, particularly third person action, melee brawlers, and open world traversal games.So unless the students of Hogwarts have taken to using fists instead of wands that really does sound like a new Batman game.Whether its Batman Beyond is impossible to tell but Rocksteady has featured the costume, and several other elements from the DC Animated Universe, in their previous games, so we know theyre fans or at least some of them were before the madness of Suicide Squad tore the company apart.Beyond the uncertainty of the rumour though the other problem is that, no matter what theyre working on, theyve only just started, so itll be lucky to be released before 2030. There have been some comic books but thats all really (DC Comics)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

At the beginning of the year, Samsung announced a refresh to its flagship lineup of smartphones at its Unpacked event, introducing consumers to the new Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25. They are finally available on Samsungs website and the tech company is offering a generous trade-in deal. Customers can save up to $1,200, which includes up to $900 in instant trade-in credit and up to $300 in Samsung Credits, knocking off a considerable percentage from the upfront price.See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.comSee Galaxy S25 Series at Samsung.comSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraThe premium Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in a handful on options with varying storage capacities. Samsung has dropped the 128 GB model of the previous generation, now breaking down the phone into a 256 GB option ($1,300), a 512 GB option (1,420), and full 1 TB option. However, right now Samsung has reduced the price of the 512 GB model and the 1 TB model down to the price of the version preceding it, essentially offering customers a free storage upgrade.Additionally, youll receive between $60 and $100 in Samsung credit which can then be put toward accessories such as the Galaxy Buds or Galaxy Watches, which are also up to 40% off when pre-ordering the new phone. So yeah, its discounts and free credits out the wazoo. That means the 1 TB version is essentially $300 off.Now pair all of those savings with trading in your old phone which can get you as much as $1,200 toward the new Samsung S25 Ultra. Insane.What You GetThe S25 Ultra is Samsungs new flagship smartphone with all the bells and whistles. Powered by Galaxy AI, a number of features are seeing some vast improvements over its predecessor.The camera makes use of a 50MP Ultra Wide lens to capture the full breath of whats in front of you. And using Galaxy AI, the camera is able to sense your environments lighting to capture accurate skin tones and textures to bring every portrait to life without any extra editing needed. Recording video is effortless with Night Video and Audio Eraser. You can now capture vibrant videos even in lowlight settings and minimize any unwanted noises while shooting thanks to Galaxy AI.The screen measuring in at 6.9 inches is capable of sharper visuals and brighter colors than ever before.Across the whole family of Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, and S25 smartphones are a set of color variants exclusive to ordering from Samsungs website. You can secure the S25 Ultra in Titanium Jadegreen, Titanium Black, or Titanium Pinkgold. Go ahead and save up to $,1200 on your new phone.See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.comSee Galaxy S25 Series at Samsung.com

Emerging Architecture: Discover the Work of Five Leading Studios in the City of Crdoba, ArgentinaSave this picture!Casa Chacarera / Tectum arquitectura . Image Federico CairoliIn the architectural production of Argentina in recent years, numerous offices have emerged that, through their practice, explorations, and works, have gained relevance within the contemporary discipline. It is important to highlight that many young architects, even with nascent careers in terms of built work, have managed to establish themselves, demonstrating a unique voice and a defined imprint in their work.Argentina concentrates in Buenos Aires, its capital, the largest number of significant universities, which has led to many of the most well-known architectural practices developing in this city. However, intending to decentralize the focus and highlight other schools and studios, this time we emphasize the architectural production of five studios based in the city of Crdoba, located in the central part of the country, in the province of the same name.Save this picture!As the second most populated city in the country, Crdoba is home to two main universities: the National University of Crdoba and the Catholic University of Crdoba, both with a long history in the training of architects. Prominent figures such as architect Jos Ignacio "Togo" Daz, among others, have emerged from their classrooms. Unlike Buenos Aires or other Argentine cities, Crdoba is characterized by its close connection to the immediate natural landscape, as its urban center is immersed in a setting of hills, mountains, and rivers. This context has influenced the practice of Crdobas architects, fostering a unique relationship with the environment and architecture that engages in dialogue with the landscape. Related Article Estudio Rare: An Architecture of Experimentation Through Art Below, discover five young Crdoba-based studios that, through their work, are developing a local architectural language with a defined identity, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally.Tectum ArquitecturaSave this picture!Save this picture!Founded in 2010 by Manuel Gonzlez Veglia, an architect graduated from the Universidad Catlica de Crdoba, and engineer Nicols Gordillo, and currently partnered with architects Toms Bressan, Agostina Ramello, and Guadalupe Gonzlez, Tectum Arquitectura considers the execution of a project from its conception to its materialization to be essential. This approach ensures a carefully managed process while optimizing costs and timelines. Moreover, with a focus on enriching the experience of inhabiting space, their works intervene sensitively in the landscapewhether in a natural setting or an urban environmentinnovating thoughtfully through materiality and spatial configuration.Balsa Crosetto PiazziSave this picture!Save this picture!Recently selected to participate in the upcoming Latin American Architecture Biennial in Pamplona, Balsa Crosetto Piazzi is a Crdoba-based firm founded in 2015 and led by Juan Manuel Balsa, Roco Crosetto Brizzio, and Leandro Piazzi. In addition to their work in academia and research, the studio develops projects of various scales, with a particular focus on materiality and the craft of construction. Their works establish a close relationship with the landscape through the use of local techniques and materials. Likewise, geometry, shaped by programmatic needs, is a constant in their design approach.Save this picture!Esteras PerroteSave this picture!Save this picture!Led by Luca Esteras and Gonzalo Perrote, both architects graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Crdoba, Esteras Perrote was founded in 2021. The studio's practice focuses primarily on intervening in a highly specific territory, bringing a unique vision and spatial creativity to each project. By combining research, design exploration, and technical and construction execution, Esteras Perrotes works offer programmatic solutions closely tied to an understanding of the site and its relationship with the immediate landscape.Save this picture!Plano Compartido Save this picture!Save this picture!Paula Albrieu and Juan Barrionuevo founded Plano Compartido in 2020. Both architects, graduates of the Universidad Nacional de Crdoba, lead a studio that approaches design through a comprehensive and interdisciplinary process, assembling specialized teams that share their vision of what architecture should be. Aware that architecture is always in dialogue with its natural surroundings and landscape, they develop proposals that innovate both spatially and constructively, creating high-quality spaces.Save this picture!3164.estudioSave this picture!Save this picture!31 64 Estudio was founded in 2024 by its three partners: Ignacio De Biasi, Mariano Pognante, and Francisco Taravella. The firm is distinguished by a particular interest in the lasting impact of its projects over time, combining precise construction techniques with the sensitivity required to design for a specific user in a given context. Its name refers to the geographic coordinates 31 south and 64 west, fostering a continuous and inevitable reflection on territory and context.Save this picture!Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorPaula PintosAuthorCite: Pintos, Paula. "Emerging Architecture: Discover the Work of Five Leading Studios in the City of Crdoba, Argentina" [Arquitectura emergente en Crdoba, Argentina: Cinco estudios destacados en la escena actual] 21 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027208/emerging-architecture-discover-the-work-of-five-leading-studios-in-the-city-of-cordoba-argentina&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Jinji Lake Pavilion / BIGSave this picture! StudioSZ Photo / Justin SzeremetaChinaArchitects: Bjarke Ingels GroupAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1200 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2025 PhotographsPhotographs:StudioSZ Photo / Justin SzeremetaMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. BIG Bjarke Ingels Group has completed the 1,200-m2 Jinji Lake Pavilion in Suzhou, China. Situated on the Jinji waterfront, the pavilion offers a space for public gatherings and hospitality and is one of the eleven permanent pavilions developed as part of the City's initiative to create a vibrant and welcoming promenade.Save this picture!Designed by BIG and Arts Group, the new Jinji Lake Pavilion merges the traditional Chinese courtyard typology with the offerings of a modern public space. Four distinct buildings are interconnected to form a gathering space for visitors and locals, as well as a resting point for walkers along the 13-km Jinji Laketrail.The pavilion is BIG's first completed building in Suzhou, with the neighboring Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art scheduled to follow later this year.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!"Nestled under the grand camphor trees along the lake, the Jinji Lake Pavilion provides a tranquil space for the community. It is envisioned as an extension of the surrounding canopy of foliage. A stylized roof of pixelated leaves gracefully drapes toward the ground, providing a protective canopy over the junction of paths and framing spectacular views of the lake. Perforated plates cast dappled shadows, imitating the pattern of leaves while providing optimal thermal performance, blending poetic beauty with functionality."- Catherine Huang, Partner, BIGSave this picture!The pavilion's generous glass facades allow views of the landscape from the inside, while the polished steel surfaces mirror light and greenery, creating a subtle connection between the pavilion and the waterfront park. The pixelated roof further breaks down the scale of the structure, blending it with the textures of the surrounding environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!"The Jinji Lake Pavilion is conceived as a family of public rooms arranged under a single unifying canopy. Evoking the architecture of traditional Chinese teahouses, the glazed ceramic tiled roof is replaced by actual glass tiles, taking the concept of lightness and transparency to another level, and blurring the distinction between indoor and outdoor - garden and architecture. Like a little sister to the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art, the Jinji Lake Pavilion seeks to reimagine the future architecture and landscape of the Lake District rooted in the rich heritage of Suzhou's Chinese garden architecture."- Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIGSave this picture!The pavilion's roof is lifted on each side, creating generous double-height entrances that guide visitors into the central courtyard, where a tree serves as a tranquil focal point at the heart of the space. From the courtyard, guests can access the four sections of the pavilion, each housing its own function: a coffee shop, a boutique, a restaurant, and a visitor center. Drawing the surroundings inside the pavilion, the roof structure features two layers of perforated shading elements an outer layer integrated into a glass assembly and an inner layer forming the ceiling. Together, they provide glimpses into the sky and allow daylight to come through the perforations, casting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Suzhou, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsGlassSteelMaterials and TagsPublished on February 21, 2025Cite: "Jinji Lake Pavilion / BIG" 21 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027184/jinji-lake-pavilion-big&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Stack CommerceShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more multi-functional EDC toolredefines what a pen can do and is 40 percent off this week.Constructed from a state-of-the-art metal alloy, the ForeverPen is engineered to leave a permanent mark on almost any surface. Whether youre jotting down notes, doodling a picture, or even marking precise lines on wood for your DIY projects, this pen easily handles it. Its innovative design ensures you can write endlessly without ink refills or charging.Ideal for artists, hobbyists, and artisans alike, the Inkless Marvel fits snugly in your pocket or conveniently attaches to your keychain. Its compact yet durable form means youre always ready to capture inspiration on the fly. Sketch a quick illustration during a brainstorming session or mark wood for your next home improvement projectthe possibilities are limitless.Inspired by ancient metal-point techniques and reimagined for the modern era, the Inkless Marvel is more than just a pen. Its a versatile multi-tool that combines practicality with futuristic design, ensuring you never must deal with the hassle of dried-out ink again.Get the ForeverPen for just $23.99 (reg. $40) to experience creativity without limits!StackSocial prices subject to change.ForeverPen Tiny Inkless Pen & Multi-Tool $23.99See Deal

Nature, Published online: 21 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00552-yObjects that could strike will be spotted more regularly as new asteroid-hunting telescopes come online.

Nature, Published online: 21 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00538-wCan mindfulness, meditation and other tools to boost well-being make a difference? Adam Levy investigates.