10th of Feb - 16th of FebFor the first week, the group decided on the type of game, which engine to use, the type of art style, camera angles and whether or not it should be locked.We agreed on using Unity as the engine after testing out Godot, and that the game should be both a puzzle and combat, inspired by games like Zelda and Pokemon. Pixel art will be the primary style as it is easiest to manipulate and looks aesthetic. A top-down camera perspective was also agreed upon, wi

This story was first published in Switchboard, a newsletter from Polygon that delivers all the latest Switch 2 news, reporting, and rumors directly to your inbox.Sign up hereto get it weekly.In the lead-up to Nintendos reveal of the Switch 2 in January, some game writers fretted that the company behind the Game Boy, Wii, and Nintendo DS mightbe playing it too safe with its next-gen console. All indicators pointed to a more powerful Switch that was, well, just a more powerful Switch.At Polygon, reporter Ana Diaz wrote ahead of Switch 2s reveal of her one desire from Nintendos next-gen plans: I hope that at least one thing about the Switch 2 is weird. Whether a wonky gimmick to the hardware or at the very least an adorable jingle, Diaz pleaded, I just want to believe that Nintendo can still make something that is at least a little bit goofy.In a similar piece for Kotaku, John Walker praised Nintendos bizarre innovation and its track record of being utterly impossible to guess what the company might create next, given the complete surprises of, say, a two-screen clamshell touch-screen portable gaming device, or a gesture-led under-TV console that shines best when the whole family is prancing around together.The Verges Andrew Websterwent so far as to call theSwitch2boring. (He framed that as a positive.)While the original Switch was a demonstration of Nintendos ability to surprise and swerve, the hybrid console was also lacking in some of the personality that made the 3DS, Wii, and even the Wii U appealing. There were no cute Miis, and no earworms to shop to.But the Switch was weird too, and its successor has ample room in which to get a little funky.Remembering the bizarre innovation of the Switch eraThe Nintendo Switch came on the tail of Nintendo doubling down on creativity. During Wii and DS/3DS era, there were dozens of wild experiments that took advantage of motion control and touchscreens, resulting in inventive oddities like Lets Tap, a game built around never directly touching a Wii Remote; Elite Beat Agents, a musical cheerleading rhythm game; and WarioWare: DIY, a microgame-making toolkit.Ahead of the Switch launch, some critics of Nintendo unifying its console and handheld gaming business into a machine that could accomplish both at the same time would put its game designers into a tighter box.But the original Switch fostered wild swings, too, mostly notably in 2018 with the release of Nintendo Labo, a series of build-it-yourself, cardboard-based peripherals that let players drive, fish, and experience lo-fi virtual reality. Two years later, there was Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, a real-world racing game that let Switch owners turn their console into a controller for an RC car and terrorize their pets.Thanks to the detachable Joy-Con controllers, game designers at Nintendo realized you could strap them to your thigh, giving us Ring Fit Adventure, an inventive fitness role-playing game. That idea was later applied to a Wii Sports sequel, albeit less successfully.On the software front, Nintendo has been exploiting the detachable, motion-controlling Switch Joy-Cons to great (and weird) effect. Even many years into the systems lifecycle, we got great experiments like Everybody 1-2-Switch, which integrated smartphones to let up to 100 people play that party game, and WarioWare: Move It!, a microgame collection that explored butt-wiggling as a game mechanic.Nintendo also continued to innovate outside of the Switchs boundaries during the handhelds eight years on the market. In the off years, when it wasnt pumping out Switch variants like the Lite and OLED model, it released interesting hardware: the Super NES Classic Edition retro console, Lego Super Mario sets, and Game & Watch handhelds featuring The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. Sure, those were less weird than they were shrewd business decisions, but those non-Switch hardware releases helped Nintendos Switch-era output be anything but stale.Where Switch 2 can get weirdWeve already seen one potential gameplay-changer from Switch 2: the Joy-Cons new mouse mode. Nintendo has a brief history with mouse controls dating back to the Super NES with Mario Paint, but I expect the company to go further with its new control scheme. While a mouse controller could certainly be additive for first-person shooters and DIY games like Super Mario Maker, but the potential for creativity is what excites me most: Nintendos game designers are probably already making hundreds of WarioWare microgame prototypes using mouse movement.Another rumored feature may be a longshot, but a recently published patent from Nintendo indicates that the console can be rotated, meaning the Joy-Cons can be attached in an upside-down position. While the main purpose of that patent seems to benefit players who might want the systems ports to be on the opposite side, Nintendo could exploit this functionality for gameplay, la WarioWare: Twisted! or Pokmon X and Y.Switch 2 has other hardware features that set it apart from the original Switch, including a new C button that might be used for a new social space and a second USB-C port. The latter may be used for something as dull as charging the Switch 2 or for connecting a set of USB-C headphones, but it opens up opportunities for Nintendo to invent weird little attachments.We cant discount all the other uses that Nintendo might have for its detachable Joy-Cons. Those tiny controllers are packed with haptics, motion and IR sensors, bigger buttons, and (hopefully) more reliable joysticks. While I dont expect Nintendo to release Labo 2, its barely scratched the surface when it comes to jamming Joy-Cons into other things to make funky controllers.But yes, like Ana, I desperately want the conservative era of Nintendo to end in one regard: Switch 2 better have a silly little jingle or some catchy, endlessly looping tunes for its version of the eShop.

February is finally behind us, and with it, the year marches onward with a new slate of exciting movie releases to look forward to. Weve got Bong Joon-hos satirical sci-fi thriller Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson, Steven Soderberghs spy thriller Black Bag starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, the monster horror film Death of a Unicorn starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, and a lot more!You dont have to leave the comfort of your home to enjoy some good movies, though, as weve once again gathered up a list of this months best new streaming picks for you to choose from. Weve got a Gen X classic starring John Cusack and Jack Black, an underrated schlocky mashup of two of the most terrifying movie monsters of all time, a beautiful romantic sports drama, and some other excellent films.Here are the best movies new to streaming services you should watch this month!Editors pick: High FidelityWhere to watch: HuluGenre: Romantic comedy-dramaDirector:Stephen FrearsCast:John Cusack, Jack Black, Lisa BonetIf ever there was a generational classic, High Fidelity is it. Stephen Frears adaptation of Nick Hornbys novel tapped into the zeitgeist of the waning 90s counterculture, and while it wasnt a runaway commercial success, it catapulted the profile of nearly everyone attached to it. John Cusacks turn as Rob Gordon, the lovelorn proprietor of an independent record shop in downtown Chicago, is easily one of his most iconic. Jack Blacks breakout performance as Barry, Robs outgoing and comical employee, set the course for the then-little-known musician and actors eventual stardom. As if all of that werent enough, Lisa Bonet delivers a standout performance as a talented musician and eventual fling of Robs whose down-to-earth wisdom sets him on the course for what is eventually the films heartwarming resolution. High Fidelity is a classic for all these reasons and more, and if you somehow havent seen it yet, take this as your opportunity to do so. Toussaint EganNew on NetflixSicarioGenre: Action thrillerDirector:Denis VilleneuveCast:Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh BrolinLong before we embarked on his nearly decadelong Dune odyssey, director Denis Villeneuve directed this much smaller masterpiece of paranoia and tension. Sicario follows a cop named Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) who gets caught up in the U.S. governments crusade against Mexican cartels. What she finds is Matt (Josh Brolin), a relaxed governmental operator with a limitless budget and no oversight; Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro), a veteran of the Colombia cartel with a grudge and an itchy trigger finger; and a whole host of legally dubious and incredibly violent covert ops.Its an excellent setup, and a fascinating story in itself, but the real highlight of Sicario is the way Villeneuve and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins use the premise to create some of the most memorable and thrilling set-pieces of any movie in the 2010s. Midnight shootouts, apartment brawls, and car chases pop up all over the movie, but few moments in any movie have ever been as outstanding as Sicarios border crossing sequence, which is reason enough to watch this movie if you havent. Austen GoslinNew on HuluAlien vs. PredatorGenre: Sci-fi actionDirector:Paul W.S. AndersonCast:Sanaa Lathan, Raoul Bova, Lance HenriksenLets start with the most important information first: Most of the Alien franchise, and the first Predator movie, are now on Max. So, is Alien vs. Predator on this list because I secretly think its the best movie in either franchise? No. I do, however, think its a tremendously fun and very overlooked entry in the mid-tier horror canon of the 2000s. This movie is silly and schlocky, playing fast and loose with franchise canon, in a way that blockbuster IP movies rarely get to be anymore. There are probably four to five movies in these two franchises that you owe a rewatch to before you get to Alien vs. Predator, but my point here is that one way or another, you should make it to this movie, which also happens to be directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, making it great timing for his upcoming In the Lost Lands. They dont make em like this anymore, and were much worse off for it. AGNew on MaxLove & BasketballGenre: Romantic sports dramaDirector:Gina Prince-BythewoodCast:Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Alfre WoodardIm not all that into sports movies, nor am I particularly what one would call an enthusiast of romance. But something about Gina Prince-Bythewoods Love & Basketball tugs at my heartstrings. Maybe its the decade-spanning story of Quincy and Monica, two childhood enemies turned friends who bond through their shared aspiration for basketball greatness. Maybe its the supporting cast, featuring Dennis Haysbert and Harry Lennix, who bring dimension and depth to their depiction of two middle-class Black families in the 80s and 90s. Whatever it is, Love & Basketball is an astoundingly moving and thoughtful love story that never fails to have me cheering by the end. TENew on Criterion ChannelThiefGenre: Crime thrillerDirector:Michael MannCast:James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert ProskyMichael Mann is one of American cinemas preeminent auteurs, a director responsible for some inextricably memorable, visually remarkable, and fascinating crime dramas with films like 2006s Miami Vice, 1995s Heat, and 2004s Collateral. His 1981 debut, Thief, starring James Caan (The Godfather) as a professional safecracker and ex-con attempting to escape a life of crime and build a family with his wife stands as one of the many jewels in Manns long and storied career, packed with all the defining idiosyncrasies that he would go on to hone in the decades to come. From the films beautiful score by Tangerine Dream to its stunning nighttime cinematography of Chicago courtesy of Donald Thorin, Thief is a masterful neo-noir thriller charged with an overwhelming sense of inimitable style, character, and smoldering cool. TE

Side Quest, formerly called Mere Mortals, will premiere on March 26 on Apple TV+. It's the spin-off/expansion series for Mythic Quest, a comedy show on the streaming service about a video game studio developing an MMORPG of the same name. All four episodes of Side Quest will be available on the service on the same day the season four finale of Mythic Quest drops on the platform. Side Quest will revolve around the lives of the fictional studio's employees, as well as the players and fans impacted by the Mythic Quest game.The show will take on an anthology format, with a bunch of actors taking on leading roles for each installment. It was created by Mythic Quest writers Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney, who also served as executive producers. Burch plays the character of Rachel in the original show. Charlie Day, Megan Ganz and Rob McElhenney, who created the Mythic Quest series, served as executive producers for the spin-off, as well. Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft produced the show for Apple TV+.In addition to announcing the show's premiere, Apple has also released the official trailer for the show, which gives you a pretty good idea of its tone and what you can expect if you watch it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apples-mythic-quest-spin-off-side-quest-debuts-on-march-26-160057451.html?src=rss

As Engadget celebrates its 21st birthday this weekend, we're rounding up all of the recently published reviews from the last few weeks. It's already a busy time for the reviews team, even though spring is still officially a few weeks away. The latest entries include a new iPhone, the latest from NVIDIA and those Beats workout earbuds the company teased months ago. Pour a couple bevvies for the weekend and make one a double, because we're old enough to drink now. iPhone 16e Apple's new "budget" phone has arrived, providing the most affordable gateway to Apple Intelligence. While the iPhone 16e offers solid performance, expected long battery life and a great display, there are some caveats that you might not be able to live with. "In my week or so with the iPhone 16e, I felt the drawbacks of the camera the most I can live without MagSafe and the Dynamic Island," Cherlynn writes. "But what the iPhone 16e does offer is fast performance, a clean design, long battery life and, most crucially, cheaper access to Apples ecosystem." NVIDIA GeForce 5070 Ti If you're in the market for a new 4K gaming GPU, the RTX 5070 Ti is a a nice upgrade over the regular 5070. However, finding one, and doing so for a decent price, is another thing entirely. "I knew it would be a tad faster than the 4070 Ti Super, but with the addition of multi-frame generation, it's also a far more capable 4K card," Devindra says. "And it's definitely more future-proof than the 5070, since it has 16GB of VRAM like the 5080." Sony A1 II With A1 II, Sony had to live up to its own high standards. And while the camera may be the company's best mirrorless option yet, it's not a huge leap over the A1. "The innovation that Sony is known for is lacking here, and on top of that, the A1 II is very expensive," Steve explains. "The A1 II is only a mild upgrade over the A1 and when it comes to video, its lagging behind the Nikon Z8 and Z9 as well as the Sony R5 II." Steve also took the DJI Flip for a spin. He gives the creator-friendly drone high marks for 4K video quality, battery life and a people-safe design. The drone's obstacle detection isn't the best though, and it struggles in windy conditions. Lenovo Legion Go S While Lenovo has already teased a new version of the Legion Go gaming handheld for later this year, the company introduced the more streamlined Legion Go S in the meantime. There are some things to like here, including a more portable design, an 8-inch 120Hz display and handy controls. For now, the price is the main problem. "The issue is that Lenovo hasnt fully rolled out all of its variations," Sam writes. "So even if you arent holding out for the SteamOS variant, youd be silly not to wait for less expensive versions to come out with starting prices closer to $600 (or even $500 for the one with Valves platform)." Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 After an initial tease months ago, Beats finally debuted its updated Powerbeats Pro workout earbuds. The hook design remains, but there are significant upgrades both inside and out, including Apple's first dance with heart-rate tracking in an audio product. "On the whole, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are a substantial upgrade over the original," I explain. "Theyre more comfortable and have a host of new features that help it match todays earbuds." I also reviewed the Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 earbuds in the last month. This set offers the best sound quality I've experienced on wireless earbuds, thanks in part to the company's use of five drivers in each one. However, the Rex5 is expensive at $449 and it's far from a complete package in terms of features and noise-canceling performance. Other notable reviews and a look ahead Managing editor Cherylnn Low spent more time living with the Kindle Scribe 2 and updated the review with some long-term observations about the tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 was wrapped around the wrist of buying advice senior report Amy Skorheim as she put yet another incremental update from the company through its paces. My review of the Technics AZ100 earbuds that one a Best of CES award from Engadget is coming soon. As I suspected during my brief hands-on in Las Vegas, the improved sound is the star of the show here, but I won't spoil the rest of the review with more observations. MWC 2025 is happening next week, so whatever is announced during the show will certainly be on the upcoming review agenda. For now, you can check out our preview here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-iphone-16e-nvidia-rtx-5070-ti-sony-a1-ii-and-more-130054263.html?src=rss

ChatGPT can already generate text and images, and it seems video will be added to the list eventually.

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

A typical RV has to plug in at a campground to run the power inside. But Airstreams newest Basecamp 20Xe trailer is designed to power itself in remote locations: If you want to spend a week in the wilderness, you can theoretically use an induction stove, keep your laptop charged, turn on the air-conditioning, and have hot water for the showereven if youre nowhere near any utilities.[Photo: Airstream]Over the past several years, weve seen a growing demand from our customers for what we call energy independence, says Bob Wheeler, Airstream president and CEO. The flexibility to not have to go to a campground with established power and energy supplies, to give them the freedom to camp anywhere they want. The phenomenon was really exposed during the pandemica significant shortage of campground and campsite availability.A different electric Airstream model, the Trade Wind, has a smaller battery and works well for a weekend of use, but the company got feedback from customers who wanted to be able to stay off-grid longer. The new Basecamp has four times more power, with a 10.3-kilowatt lithium battery, 600 watts of rooftop solar, and the option to plug in an additional portable 300-watt solar panel if youre parked under a tree and want to stretch the attachment into the sun. (The Basecamp will start at $76,900.) The flat solar panels on the roof, custom-made for Airstream, are also designed to work efficiently even in partial shade.[Photo: Airstream]All the plugs inside run directly off the battery, including the optional AC (in a small size, so it runs efficiently) and microwave. The heat and hot water also use the battery, though if someone wants to camp in cold winter weather, they might want to add an optional propane tank.How long the power lasts depends, of course, on how much power someone uses and how sunny it is outside. But theoretically, if youre using those larger capacities very infrequently, you could be out there indefinitely, says Bryan Melton, vice president at Airstream. The bigger limiting factor is access to water, though the trailer is designed to use water efficiently. The shower recirculates water until its heated up, and the unit also has an option for a composting toilet. [Photo: Airstream]One thing the battery cant do: help the vehicle in front of it tow the trailer when it moves (which would save gas, or conserve battery power if an EV is doing the towing). Although the company released a conceptual design in 2022 for a solar-and-battery-powered trailer that could propel itself, that version isnt there yet. Its likely to come later. Were watching for the right opportunity to do something that has at least some of those features, Wheeler says. Lightship, a startup competitor with a luxury electric travel trailer, does offer that option.

An accepted fact of childhood: Monopoly is a slow game that requires consecutive snow days to successfully finish. And, by god, no matter what you do, do not end up as the banker, the most tedious and thankless of jobs.[Photo: Hasbro]Though they wouldnt put it in those terms, the folks at Hasbro likely know thats how a lot of players feel. So today the company is announcing a new set that bridges the gap between Monopoly Junior and the classic version for ages 8 and olderspeeding things up by ditching the banker and paper currency entirely in favor of an app.Kids dont carry cash these days . . . [but] they probably do have a mobile device, says Brian Baker, SVP of board games at Hasbro, who adds that children are also observing a lot of tap-to-pay in the world. That led the team to consider how they could combine modern technology with intuitive behavior to completely reinvent the experience, Baker says.[Photo: Hasbro]Banking on App BankingMonopoly turns 90 this year, and Monopoly App Banking officially hits stores in August. Though Hasbro has released a cashless version of the game before (the Monopoly Electronic Banking edition, which utilizes a calculator-looking device to help automate finances), this is the first time an app has been brought into the ecosystem.Heres how it works: After downloading the app, players put a smartphone or tablet into a standdubbed the phone throne in-house at Hasbroand it stays there all game. Baker says the idea was to keep the focus on the board, rather than having to pass the phone around. Whereas board games like Monopoly usually involve combing through a dense list of instructions before playing (and eventually arguing over them), this box contains just some quick-reference cards.The app kicks everything into gear quickly, directing players to select a token and its associated credit card, and snaps a photo of each player to indicate whose turn it is. Players roll physical dice, and then scan a QR code representing the space theyve landed on. The app handles the property auctions and transactions and does all the basic accounting, speeding things up immenselyand provides a real-time leaderboard in a game whose player standings are often nebulous, lest everyone sit around and count money for five minutes.Is Monopoly App Banking reductive to kids learning basic accounting skills the way many of us no doubt did via the classic game? Maybe. But to Bakers earlier point, its hands-down more reflective of the online banking ecosystem were all accustomed to today, which runs on apps.Another thing youll find in this version: an infusion of new life into old hubs like free parking, jail, and the railroads, thanks to built-in interactive mini games.There are some spaces where, if you land on them, nothing really happens, Baker says. And if youre an 8-year-old kid, you can get bored really, really quickly.Take the railroads. When you land on one now, the app turns it into a high-speed train that brings the player on board; you tap your card to stop the train, and wherever it lands, thats where you move.[Photo: Hasbro]Marvin Gardens vs. a Chocolate FactoryTo young players, the new elements will likely feel organic; theyre not just gimmicks for gimmicks sake. Baker says thats thanks to FunLab, Habsros in-house testing center in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The lab gives the company an opportunity to converse with players and their parents, as well as to observe how they interact with various concepts at the earliest stages of product development.To wit: I remember watching a mother struggling to put together Hungry Hungry Hippos out of the boxit comes in nine partswhile her child was screaming, Baker says. And the painful part of it was, after she finally got it together and they got to play, she had to take it apart to put it back in the box. It doesnt fit back in. So Im happy to report that the new Hungry Hungry Hippos requires no assembly out of the box, and when youre done playing, it fits back in.In the case of Monopoly App Banking, Baker says the team needed to test and understand the role of the mobile device at the tableparticularly because of the notion many people have that when a family is doing an activity together like playing a board game, smartphones should be put away.We really wanted to make sure that we used FunLab as a way to kind of validate the idea that we can use technology for good and not evil, and there is a place for a mobile device at the table if thoughtfully integrated, he says.Another place you can see FunLabs work: the properties on the board.If you asked a kid, Hey, what property would you dream of owning? I guarantee you theyre not going to say Marvin Gardens, right? Theyre going to be like, I want a chocolate factory or I want to buy a time machine, Baker says. It was really fun to just kind of take the guardrails off and let the kids guide us in the creation of this product.On the board youll find soccer fields and water parks, an infinite-pizza generator, and more. What you wont find is anything an 8-year-old kid would deem too complicated, oversimplified, or unnecessary.Those kids, Baker says, dont pull any punches. Theyll tell you exactly what they think.[Photo: Hasbro]The Sand Timer TestAre apps the future of Monopoly, if not board games at large?Baker says Hasbro has been trying to honor the boundary between tech that is intrusive and tech that is complementary. Take the standard board game sand timer. How many times have you nearly come to fisticuffs over someone cheating the clock with it?There are easier ways to do that, and the best technology sometimes is in your pocket, Baker says. A part of our innovation road map at Hasbro when it comes to board games is exploring new technology and then thoughtfully applying it to the experience.As for what the rest of this 90th-anniversary year holds for Monopoly, in January Hasbro announced expansion packs. And, according to Baker, the company plans to continue developing intellectual property partnerships, such as those that brought about the recent hit Pokmon and Harry Potter editions of the game. Monopoly is, after all, big businessand you wouldnt want anyone getting bored with it. Especially younger kids.The Monopoly game is the biggest product that Hasbro sells, Baker confirms. I can say confidently that this is by far the most innovative version of Monopoly weve ever created. . . . Were super proud of that.

We asked 2 of the most qualified connoisseurs of the independent magazine world for their favourite indie mags.