Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Some buildings sit lightly on the land. Others appear to reject the ground entirely. Instead, clinging to cliffs, overlapping ledges, balancing on edges or precariously protruding with such unnerving confidence that they seem to disregard the logic of structure as we know it altogether.Gravity, as Sir Isaac Newton and any structural engineer worth their salt will insist, is non-negotiable. And yet, some architects are determined to see extreme sites and heights as something to conquer, treating sheer drops, unstable ground and sprawling tree canopies not as limitations but as opportunities to push the possibilities of engineering to the limit.While there are no green-faced witches in this ensemble, the buildings ahead are full of magic. Their gravity-defying success isnt an illusion; its precision. Behind each seemingly impossible structure is an architectural team whose calculated response to site conditions, material capabilities and the forces of nature at play have created some truly remarkable buildings.m.o.r.e. CLT CabinBy Kariouk Architects, Quebec, CanadaJury Winner, Private House (XS < 1000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Scott NorsworthyBalancing on a single steel mast, m.o.r.e. CLT Cabin strips the idea of a forest retreat down to its lightest possible touch. Instead of embedding into the terrain, it floats above it, avoiding excavation and erosion while creating a striking visual contradiction solid yet weightless, grounded yet airborne. The structures folded CLT panels push the material, acting as both skin and structure, to achieve its improbable reach. Below, integrated bat pods turn the mast into a refuge for endangered species, adding to the projects environmental goals. It is a cabin by definition, but in execution, it is something else entirely: a fascinating floating structure.Barcelona HouseBy Strom Architects, Barcelona, SpainPopular Choice Winner, House (L > 4,0006,000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Helena LeeSet high in the hills outside Barcelona, this house makes no effort to blend in. Instead, it pushes outward, extending over the slope with a six-meter cantilevered roof that seems more interested in the sky than the ground. Local restrictions forced a compact footprint, but the solution was to build downward rather than outward, embedding a lower level into the hillside while leaving the upper floor light, open and seemingly weightless. A wraparound infinity pool reinforces the illusion, its edge disappearing into the Mediterranean beyond. Concrete, local stone and oak cladding keep the structure grounded.Lambkill RidgeBy Peter Braithwaite Studio, Terence Bay, CanadaPopular Choice Winner, Private House (XS < 1,000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Peter Braithwaite StudioRaised above the rugged terrain of Terence Bay, Lambkill Ridge consists of two dark timber pavilions that are perched on stilts. They are mirrored in form and connected by a narrow boardwalk that hovers over the landscape. Designed as an off-grid retreat, by Peter Braithwaite Studio the structures lift occupants into the surrounding tree canopy, offering framed views of the barrens and distant ocean while allowing the forest floor to remain untouched. A sleeping pavilion and a living pavilion divide functions, while each features lofted spaces and sustainable systems that include passive solar heating and rainwater collection. Starkly geometric from the outside yet warm and textured within the buildings appear weightless in their wooded surroundings.Lakeside TeahouseBy Domain Architects, Jiaxing, ChinaJury Winner, Architecture +Renewal; Popular Choice Winner, Architecture +Adaptive Reuse; 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Chao ZhangSuspended over water, Domain Architectss Lakeside Teahouse appears to float between the past and present. The single-sided cantilevered corridor extends over a shallow pond, balancing on an irregular mix of local stone, gable walls, and slender concrete supports to minimize contact with the historic 1930s timber houses it connects to. The weight is carefully distributed to achieve maximum extension with minimal intervention, creating a passage that seems to hover in place. A fully glazed elevation enhances the illusion, while a fragmented array of steel posts and translucent polycarbonate tubes on the opposite side filter light and add an ephemeral quality to the structure.Hillside ResidenceBy Robert Mills Architects, NSW, AustraliaPhotos by Dan PrestonHillside Residence sits above a lush, sloping landscape, its terrace pushing beyond the structure to hover over the greenery below. Designed primarily across one level, the nature-clad building allows its occupants to live, work, and entertain within a space that feels like it truly belongs in that space. A monolithic concrete soffit defines the upper form with a chamfered edge, creating the illusion of levitation. Below, the generous cantilever doubles down on this effect, projecting outward in a way that suggests it is untethered.Chongqing Jiangshan Yun Chu Legend GalleryBy LWK + PARTNERS, Chongqing, ChinaPhotos by Guanhong ChenSitting on a triangular site at the highest point of a cliff, the Chongqing Jiangshan Yun Chu Legend Gallery takes full advantage of its setting, offering uninterrupted views of the Jialing River and the city below. Designed as a response to localized architecture, the structure takes inspiration from its surroundings with sweeping curves that cut across the sky, like cliffs, riverbends, sunsets and mountains. Its shrewd and humble deference to nature is reinforced through a lightweight glass faade that becomes invisible at dusk, allowing the building to disappear into the natural environment. The entire second level is rotated, introducing a dynamic break in the volume, while an 18-meter-long overhanging observation terrace extends into the void, providing the sensation of entering the sky.Punta CasitasBy Yemail Arquitectura, Boyaca, ColombiaPhotographs by Mateo Prez.Three thousand fifteen meters above sea level, Punta Casitas embraces both the vastness of Lake Tota and the intimacy of being a small shelter. The compact wooden volumes stack vertically like the cabins of a ship, maximizing interior space while keeping the footprint minimal. A narrow deck, contained only by a tubular railing, projects over the void, reinforcing the sensation of hovering above the landscape. Inside, the architecture unfolds as a sequence of staggered levelseach showing a different view of the lake, the sky, or the mountains beyond. Built by local artisans using pinewood and traditional clay tiles, the project fits perfectly with the rugged beauty of its setting.Miyue Blue & White Cliffside ResortBy GS Design, Shenzhen, ChinaPhotos by AoxiangStacked against the steep terrain of Nanao, the Blue & White Cliffside Resort by GS Design turns its exposed hillside location into a paradise. The all-white composition, punctuated by rhythmic arches, amplifies the dramatic contrast between solid land and open sky. Rather than resisting the topography, the resorts stepped structure and cascading terraces engage with it to create platforms that extend outward and dissolve the boundary between structure and landscape. Inside, deep-set baths and cave-like alcoves frame the distant coastline, immersing guests in their surroundings.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Defying Gravity: 8 Electrifying Examples of Architecture on the Edge appeared first on Journal.

Team Ninja is has released a statement celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Ninja Gaiden franchise. In its statement, the studio is declaring 2025 to be the Year of the Ninja, since it will see the release of three titles in the series: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound.Celebrating the anniversary that took place over the weekend, the studio talks about how March 2, 2004 saw the release of the original Ninja Gaiden on Xbox.2025 marks the Year of the NINJA, and to kick things off, we released the graphical remaster Ninja Gaiden 2 Black in January, said Team Ninja in its statement. Coming later this year is Ninja Gaiden 4, a new mainline entry and collaborative effort with Xbox Game Studios and PlatinumGames. We will also bring you Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound courtesy of Dotemu and The Game Kitchen. Please stay tuned for new information regarding each of these exciting new titles.We cherish the distinct qualities of this series and the feeling of performing high-speed ninja abilities to defeat mercilessly oppressive enemies. The games we deliver will stay true to these qualities and provide a thrilling experience for both devoted fans and new players interested in cutting their teeth on the franchises signature ninja action.Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was stealth dropped alongside its announcement back in January. The game, available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, is a remastered version of the seminal Ninja Gaiden 2, this time around making use of Unreal Engine 5. Studio boss Fumihiko Yasuda revealed during the announcement that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is crafted to satisfy both those who played the original and newcomers discovering it as a current-generation action game.Ninja Gaiden 2 Black allows players to take on the role of series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, as well as other characters like Ayane Momiji and Rachel, as they take on the main story. It also includes features that we last saw in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Check out our review for more details about the remaster.Alongside the remaster, Team Ninja had also unveiled Ninja Gaiden 4. Slated for release in Fall 2025 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Ninja Gaiden 4 is being developed by Team Ninja as well as PlatinumGames. Its story will feature a new protagonist, Raven Clans Yakuma, who has to deal with the chaos that was left by the husk of the Dark Dragon. Ryu Hayabusa will also be featured in the story, and Team Ninja has said that he will play a pivotal role in the game.Xbox boss Phil Spencer had revealed back in January that talks with Team Ninja for the development of Ninja Gaiden 4 had started six or seven years ago.The third title in the franchise coming out this year on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch is Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. Developed by the studio behind metroidvania title Blasphemous, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound will be a sidescroller that puts players in the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa to take on demons in America.Happy 21st anniversary!#NINJAGAIDEN pic.twitter.com/6tX2agjs7s Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) March 2, 2025

Capcom has announced that it is investigating a key issue in Monster Hunter Wilds that could potentially stop players from being able to progress further into its story. Taking to social media platform X, the Monster Hunter Status account has posted that the bug involves an NPC that needs to be interacted with to progress the story has a chance of not appearing. For context, this happened in Chapter 5-2: A World Turned Upside Down.While the company has acknowledged the bug and is looking into it, it hasnt announced a timeline for when we can expect the issue to be fixed.Hunters, we are currently investigating the following issue, posted the Monster Hunter Status account on X. There may be cases where an NPC does not appear, disabling story progression in Main Mission: Chapter 5-2 A World Turned Upside Down. We are currently working on these issues and will provide further updates when we have them.Minor spoilers below: For some additional context, Chapter 5 of Monster Hunter Wilds takes place well into the later parts of the game. With the main story largely revolving around the first four chapters of the game, Chapter 5 and beyond take players higher up the Hunter Ranks and involves fighting High Rank monsters.Since its release, Monster Hunter Wilds has also been plagued with technical problems in its PC version. Capcom has acknowledged these issues, and has recommended that players try out a host of potential solutions, including updating GPU drivers and disabling any compatibility modes to try and alleviate issues.Despite issues, however, Monster Hunter Wilds has been incredibly popular. Its launch day alone saw concurrent players on the games PC version cross 1 million. The all-time peak concurrent players for the game has hit 1,384,608 over the weekend.While Capcom works on fixing these issues, the company has also revealed that the first major update for the game, appropriately dubbed Title Update 1, will be released in early April. The update will bring a new monster to the game Mizutsune as well as other features, including a Gathering Hub for multiplayer.For some additional context on Mizutsune, the monster first made its debut as one of the four cover monsters for the 3DS-exclusive Monster Hunter Generations. While it wasnt present in Monster Hunter World, it did return in Monster Hunter Rise. Since it is a post-launch addition to Wilds, Mizutsune will likely be a more challenging monster to fight than what the game has so far featured in its story.Leading up to the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto spoke about why the team hasnt remastered or remade any of the older mainline games in the franchise. In an interview, Tsujimoto spoke about the older titles being designed around the technical limitations of console hardware and Internet infrastructure of their times, and releasing them on modern platforms would essentially require remaking them from the ground up.Monster Hunter Wilds is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Check out our review for more details.Hunters, we are currently investigating the following issue.There may be cases where an NPC does not appear, disabling story progression in Main Mission: Chapter 5-2 A World Turned Upside DownWe are currently working on these issues and will provide further updates when we Monster Hunter Status (@MHStatusUpdates) March 2, 2025

Various opportunities are currently available for young architecture professionals who are looking to pursue research and curatorial work.Some current opportunities include the following:The Canadian Centre for Architecture:Curatorial Internships ProgramThe Curatorial Internships Program is designed to share the CCAs expertise with students and young professionals in architecture, design, the arts, the humanities, and cultural studies who are interested in exploring editorial and curatorial work in architecture. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the CCAs curatorial approach through a nine-month internship in Montral beginning in October 2025.Deadline to apply: March 10, 2025.Curatorial Photography Internship ProgramThe Curatorial Photography Internship Program is a new initiative designed to share the CCAs expertise with students and young professionals who are interested in exploring editorial and curatorial work in photography as a lens-based spatial practice. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the CCAs curatorial approach through a nine-month internship in Montral beginning in October 2025.Deadline to apply: March 10, 2025.Masters Students ProgramThe CCA Masters Students Program encourages students at Canadian universities to take up urgent questions with relevance to the built environment in Canada and beyond. Through a three-month collaborative project, participants actively engage with the CCAs Collection, participate in seminars and other pedagogical activities, and articulate their own understanding of architecture as a public concern.Deadline to apply: March 17, 2025.Gottfried Bhm Scholarship:Following its successful start, the Gottfried Bhm Scholarship is currently entering its second round. Architects and city planners in the post-graduate phase from around the world are invited to apply for the one-year residency scholarship in Cologne, Germany. With a monthly funding of 2,500 euros, free accommodation and individual professional support, the program offers ideal conditions for the development of innovative projects that combine architecture and urban planning.The deadline to apply is May 31, 2025.For more information, click here.The post Research and curatorial opportunities available for young architecture professionals appeared first on Canadian Architect.

Report: 30% of game devs believe AI will play an "extremely important role" in QA testing94% of respondents say AI tools had already been incorporated into their studios News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on March 3, 2025 According to a new study from Modl.ai, 30% of game developers believe that artificial intelligence will play an "extremely important" role in QA processes.Conducted in September 2024, the Danish AI firm surveyed 303 US-based game developers across various departments including QA, production, art, programming, game and level design, audio, and studio leadership.Of those surveyed, 94% think that AI had already been incorporated into their studios to support processes such as test scripts, automated bug reporting, and playtesting automation.The report suggested that the use of AI for "repetitive, tedious, and data-heavy tasks" could allow developers to focus on "creative and exploratory" QA work where "human involvement really makes a difference."This is particularly pertinent as 77% of respondents said they felt as though they conducted "less QA than they should have" due to time and resource constraints.Nearly half of those surveyed said that AI was most useful for faster bug detection, as well as automated bug reporting and 24/7 testing capabilities.As for the cost-effectiveness of AI in QA, 15% said it was "very cost effective" followed by 40% believing it was "somewhat cost effective" and 34% remaining neutral on the subject.However, skepticism remains around using AI in QA processes, with the majority of developers citing "lack of human intuition" as their main concern alongside a "potential for inaccuracies" and "inconsistent results.""AI complements human expertise; it doesn't replace it," said Modl.ai CEO and co-founder Christoffer Holmgrd."QA processes are an integral part of game development, so as you start using AI, the tools will have to focus on human-AI collaboration. Developers must consider their concrete workflows and where the AI tools fit."

TechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.GTA developer Rockstar acquires Video Games Deluxe to expand into AustraliaGTA developer Rockstar acquires Video Games Deluxe to expand into AustraliaThe two studios previously collaborated on Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files.Chris Kerr, News EditorMarch 3, 20251 Min ReadLogo via Rockstar / Photograph via UnsplashGrand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games has acquired Australian studio Video Games Deluxe.The Sydney-based studio will be renamed Rockstar Australia.Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive shared the news on its website and noted the two studios have previously collaborated on multiple projects."Video Games Deluxe has worked with Rockstar Games on some of its most memorable titles, including the 2017 re-releases ofL.A. Noire, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and most recently, on upgrades to Grand Theft Auto: The TrilogyThe Definitive Edition for iOS and Android, Netflix, and modern consoles," reads a press release.Video Games Deluxe founder Brendan McNamara previously worked with Rockstar on the original iteration of L.A. Noire during his time at Team Bondi."It's been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games this past decade," said McNamara. "We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible."Rockstar and Take-Two are currently preparing to launch GTA VI in fall 2025.The long-awaited sequel will arrive more than a decade after the launch of GTA V, which remains a huge earner for Take-Two thanks to multiplayer component GTA Online.GTA V has sold over 210 million copies worldwide.In its latest fiscal report, Take-Two said it expects the launch of GTA VI to become a major "inflection point" for its business.About the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, andPocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Today, 10 minutes agoAndrew WebsterThe Electric State is getting a prequel.But itll be a video game. Netflix is continuing to push its gaming efforts towards tie-ins with its streaming offerings, and the latest example is Kid Cosmo, a puzzle game that launches for subscribers on March 18th, just a few days after The Electric State premieres.Jan 24Jay PetersNetflixs cloud plans include co-op and party gamesIllustration by Alex Castro / The VergeNetflix plans to offer couch co-op and party games that it will stream over the cloud to TVs, co-CEO Greg Peters said as part of the companys Q4 2024 earnings announcements this week. The company has offered cloud gaming as a beta to a subset of subscribers since 2023, so this news from Peters indicates that the company is going to continue to invest in it.Peters didnt say exactly when the co-op and party games might be available. But he did say that we think of this as a successor to family board game night or an evolution of what the game show on TV used to be.Read Article >Dec 20, 2024Andrew WebsterSquid Game: Unleashed is a fun game and a terrible adaptationImage: NetflixIn Squid Game, schoolyard games are turned into nightmares, as players compete to survive and if theyre lucky earn a massive cash prize. But in Unleashed, a new mobile spinoff thats part of the streamers fledgling gaming efforts, those games are fun. Its a strange experience that sands off much of the appeal of Squid Game in service of making a multiplayer party game.Unleashed is sort of like Fall Guys but in a Squid Game wrapper. You compete against 31 other players across three random games pulled from the show, like red light, green light or racing across a bridge made of glass. Slowly other players die off, and by the end one wins a whole bunch of money.Read Article >Dec 9, 2024Lewis GordonMonument Valley 3 comes to Netflix with an iconoclastic edgeImage: NetflixTucked away in a leafy part of south London, the historic Oval cricket stadium peeking above nearby houses, some 30 developers at Ustwo Games have been striving to solve one of the defining creative conundrums of modern entertainment: how do you balance the familiarity of a beloved franchise with freshness? The problem is exaggerated with Monument Valley, the acclaimed puzzle series that debuted in 2014. The architectural puzzles of the first entry already felt crystalline; the minimalist aesthetic was already fully formed. Can such a refined formula even be evolved?Monument Valley 3, which arrives on mobile devices via Netflix on December 10th, answers that question confidently: yes, and then some.Read Article >Nov 19, 2024Jay PetersNetflixs Squid Game mobile game is coming out soon.Squid Game: Unleashed, a multiplayer battle royale game, will be released for Netflix subscribers on December 17th, nine days before the launch of season 2 of the show.Honestly, I dont think Unleashed looks very good. But Netflixs mobile games lineup has certified bangers like The Rise of the Golden Idol, so if Unleashed is a bust, theres other things to play.Nov 4, 2024Jay PetersNetflix is removing nearly all of its interactive titlesIllustration by Alex Castro / The VergeNetflix will delist just about all of its interactive shows and films as of December 1st, the company confirms to The Verge. Netflixs Interactive Specials page lists 24 titles, but only four will remain: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls, and You vs. Wild.The removal of the titles marks a disappointing conclusion to Netflixs earliest efforts into interactive content. The company first launched the interactive titles in 2017 with Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, and I remember being wowed (and horrified) by paths in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.Read Article >Oct 22, 2024Jay PetersNetflix is getting a daily word game from TED.Slide rows of scrambled letters to spell words in this thought-provoking word puzzle game from TED, according to the App Store description for the new game, TED Tumblewords. Seems like the game is trying to be Netflixs Wordle.The new game is set to launch on November 19th on Android and iOS, though youll need a Netflix subscription to be able to play it.Images: NetflixOct 22, 2024Ash ParrishNetflix closes AAA game studio before it ever released a gameIllustration by Nick Barclay / The VergeThe first cracks are starting to show in Netflixs push into gaming. First reported in Game File and confirmed by Netflix, the streaming company has quietly closed of one of its studios, the first in the three years since the company began its foray into gaming.According to Game File, the shuttered studio was known as Blue. In 2022, Netflix announced it hired former Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny to run the studio. Since then, Blue had brought on a number of game industry veterans with experience working on high profile franchises including Halo and God of War. Reportedly, Blue was developing a multi-platform AAA game for an original IP but was closed before the game could be announced or released.Read Article >Jul 29, 2024Andrew WebsterI think this game is about sports.Just in time for the summer Olympics, Netflix has launched a multiplayer athletics competition with the very on-the-nose title of Sports Sports. Its available on mobile now (so long as you have a Netflix subscription, of course).Jul 23, 2024Andrew WebsterNetflix has a new gaming boss after hiring former Epic execIllustration by Nick Barclay / The VergeTheres a new name in charge of Netflixs ongoing gaming efforts. As Variety reports, the streamer has hired Alain Tascan as the new president of its gaming division, after he previously served as executive VP of game development at Fortnite maker Epic Games. The news comes as the game divisions former boss, Mike Verdu, moved into a different role at Netflix focused on a new team on the cutting edge of game innovation.In his previous role at Epic, which he held since 2018, Tascan was in charge of the companys first-party output, which included not only Fortnite and its various modes like Lego Fortnite but also other live-service games like Rocket League and Fall Guys. In a statement, Tascan explained that he took the role at the streamer because I firmly believe that Netflix is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of gaming.Read Article >Jul 2, 2024Antonio G. Di BenedettoNetflixs latest game is a mobile take on MinesweeperNetflix is launching Minesweeper as part of its selection of subscriber-only games, and its available now on Android and iOS.The classic puzzle game that most people know from Microsoft Minesweeper, available in Windows 11 and versions dating back to 1990, has a fresh coat of paint with colorful graphics and new modes. Netflixs take on Minesweeper looks a whole lot like, well, Minesweeper, but it adds a Journey Mode that takes players to different levels across world stages as well as unique daily challenges.Read Article >Jun 25, 2024Ash ParrishNetflixs June line-up of games: very cozy with a hint of thirst.There are a bunch of new games available on Netflix today! Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is out now, as is The Case of the Golden Idol. If you like those Netflix interactive fiction games, then Netflix Stories: Perfect Match will be right for you, or just play some Hearts. Also, while not available today the streamer has announced that Thirsty Suitors is coming to the platform soon.Jun 12, 2024Richard LawlerNetflixs gaming boss is moving to another role at Netflix in gaming.About three years after becoming VP of Netflix Games, Mike Verdu gave this statement to GamesIndustry.biz:I am so proud of what weve accomplished, and excited to start a new team at Netflix on the cutting edge of game innovation.He will apparently stay on as VP until a replacement is found and then work on new technologies (maybe something in the cloud?) in game development.Netflix games boss Mike Verdu moving on to new role[GamesIndustry.biz]Jun 5, 2024Ash ParrishThe future of Netflix games could look like reality TVImage: NetflixNetflix is continuously adding to its diverse portfolio of games, announcing a new slate of titles set to launch on the platform this summer and beyond. And while the serious gamer might be enticed by the pending arrival of The Case of the Golden Idol or Dont Starve Together games that have enjoyed success on other platforms its interactive fiction games that are the most exciting both for Netflix and its gaming community.Expanding the worlds of beloved Netflix series and films is our greatest opportunity in games, wrote Leanne Loombe, head of external games at Netflix, in a recent blog post.Read Article >Jun 4, 2024Ash ParrishOn a multi-national TV and movie streaming service there lived a hobbit.Thats not quite how J.R.R. Tolkien started The Hobbit, but thatll be how it goes when hobbit life simulator Tales of The Shire arrives exclusively on mobile via Netflix. Netflix also announced a ton more games joining the service this month and beyond including several games based on Netflix shows, The Case of the Golden Idol, and Dont Starve Together.May 23, 2024Ash ParrishThe sequel to Animal Crossing-like Cozy Grove hits Netflix in JuneImage: NetflixCozy Grove: Camp Spirit, from Spry Fox games, will soon be added to Netflixs ever-expanding lineup of games. Camp Spirit is the follow-up to Cozy Grove, an Animal Crossing-inspired crafting and survival game, but with ghosts instead of dog musicians and tanuki low-interest home loan providers.In Camp Spirit, youll fulfill the wishes of dearly departed bears. (For a studio called Spry Fox, its kinda hilarious that nearly all of its games focus on bears.) Youll also work on improving your haunted island, turning it into a lively community for the deceased.Read Article >May 7, 2024Ash ParrishNetflix has a good case of Mania.Every week in May, Netflix will release a new game starting today with Sonic Mania Plus. On May 14th go back in time with Braid, Anniversary Edition which includes a brand-new Netflix exclusive level. Paper Trail comes the week after on May 21st and finally Netflixs own choose-your-own romance game, Virgin River launches May 29th. Katana Zero is also coming in May with a release date coming soon.Five New Games Join Netflix in May[Netflix]Mar 5, 2024Ash ParrishNetflix continues run of excellent indie games with Hades in MarchNetflix continues to strengthen its lineup of games with Hades launching on iOS mobile on March 19th. The launch comes with a fancy new trailer highlighting how mobile controls will work for the escape-from-hell roguelike and you can pre-register for the game here.Hades represents the latest in a handful of popular games Netflix is adding to its growing roster. You can already play Oxenfree II, Kentucky Route Zero, Before Your Eyes, and Spiritfarer, while Katana Zero, Sonic Mania Plus, and Braid are due sometime this year. Late last year, Netflix added the Grand Theft Auto trilogy, which became its biggest gaming launch despite Netflix not sharing what biggest gaming launch meant in hard numbers. Netflix is also working on direct streaming of its games to TVs and PCs, testing the program in the UK, Canada, and to select users in the US.Read Article >Feb 20, 2024Andrew WebsterUbisoft turns Rainbow Six teeny tiny for new game on NetflixThe typically gritty world of Rainbow Six is getting a colorful makeover. Ubisoft just revealed the franchises latest spinoff, a mobile game called Rainbow Six: Smol that shrinks down the tactical action and adds a whole lot of goofy personality. The game is available now through Netflix games on both iOS and Android.We saw an opportunity here to widen the audience a bit, with a more approachable take on the Rainbow Six universe, creative director Renaud Foresti tells The Verge. The game features what Foresti describes as the pillars of the franchise which include the Operator characters and destructible environments to open up new strategies but introduces a top-down viewpoint and a cutesy art style. You can get a taste for it in the trailer above.Read Article >Jan 23, 2024Andrew WebsterGTA is Netflixs biggest gaming launch so far.Its not clear how many people have downloaded the mobile GTA trilogy via Netflix, but in todays earnings report it says the release is ...our most successful launch to date in terms of installs and engagement, with some consumers clearly signing up simply to play these games.That said, gaming remains a relatively minor part of Netflixs business. Despite claiming that engagement tripled last year, the company said that games are still small, and certainly not yet material relative to our film and series business.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Image: Rockstar GamesDec 23, 2023Richard LawlerPerformance testing Grand Theft Autos latest remastered re-release.Rockstars attempt at launching Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Definitive Edition in 2021 went so poorly that the PC version was removed from sale for a while. Now, the bundle (GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas) is available on mobile devices and for no extra cost if you have Netflix.So how does it run? Digital Foundrys iOS analysis is here, finding that despite an uneven framerate and iffy gamepad support, it probably offers the best portable experience at the moment.Dec 14, 2023Andrew WebsterHow to easily find the GTA trilogy (and other games) on NetflixGrand Theft Auto: Vice City. Image: Rockstar GamesNetflix just released its biggest games yet. The Grand Theft Auto trilogy which includes GTA III, Vice City, and San Andreas is now available on both iOS and Android, and the games are all free to play if youre already a Netflix subscriber. But while the streaming service has offered mobile games for a while now (and added some excellent titles to its library), actually finding games you want to play can be a bit fiddly. In the mobile Netflix app, every game is confined to a single row, which means lots of scrolling around icons that dont seem to be in any particular order.Its definitely easy to miss things. So heres a handy trick for finding all the games Netflix offers and it works on both Google Play and the App Store.Read Article >Dec 13, 2023Sean HollisterNetflix will have 86 games by years end, nearly 90 more in dev, 10 of those in-house.Netflix blog:By years end, well have 86 games available all included with every Netflix membership without ads, in-app purchases or extra fees. And with nearly 90 more games in development, were just getting started.Axios reports 10 are developed in-house, and that its going to be a while before Netflix streams games broadly (as opposed to download). One of the upcoming games is Sonic Mania:Netflix is bringing the excellent Sonic Mania to mobileAsh ParrishDec 13Nov 29, 2023Ash ParrishNetflix gets its biggest games yet with GTA trilogy in DecemberImage: NetflixNetflix is adding the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy The Definitive Edition to its ever expanding, ever impressive roster of games just in time for the holiday need-a-20-minute-break-from-the-family season.Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy The Definitive Edition (which were going to call the GTA Trilogy for simplicitys sake) is a remaster of GTA III, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: San Andreas. Players can pre-register for the games starting today on iOS and Google Play. It will be available both in the Netflix mobile app and offered separately to Netflix subscribers in the App Store and Google Play.Read Article >Nov 13, 2023Andrew WebsterNetflix says the cloud will let it expand beyond mobile gamesA mobile version of Hades is coming to Netflix in 2024. Image: Supergiant GamesAs Netflixs foray into cloud gaming expands, so, too, will the kinds of games the company offers. We feel like there is a real big opportunity with cloud to create a certain type of game experience that really is tailored to Netflix on TV, says Leanne Loombe, Netflixs head of external games.Netflixs cloud gaming efforts are still very early and follow nearly two years of releasing games exclusively on mobile. Right now, only two titles are available as part of a cloud beta test on TVs and PCs, including Oxenfree. But as the service grows to include more titles, Netflix says that the kinds of games offered will differ based on platform meaning there will eventually be titles on Netflix designed to play only on your television or PC and not a smartphone. No specifics were announced but think console-style games that dont translate well to a touchscreen.Read Article >

The Blue Ghost spacecraft has landed on the moon, making history as the first private lander to successfully achieve this feat according to its creator, Firefly Aerospace. The Texas-based commercial aerospace firm announced on Sunday that its lander had softly touched down on the Moons surface in an upright, stable configuration.This is technically the second private spacecraft to land on the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander, which touched down last February, was the first US spacecraft to land on the Moon since the 1972 Apollo 17 mission, but its mission was cut short after it toppled over.Having nailed its own landing, Blue Ghost will now spend a full lunar day (about two weeks) performing research operations, including lunar subsurface drilling, sample collection, X-ray imaging, and dust mitigation experiments. These experiments aim to provide environmental data and test technologies that will help NASA again land crewed astronaut missions on the Moon. Blue Ghost is also expected to capture high-definition images of a total eclipse on March 14th, which will see Earth blocking the sun when viewed from the Moon.With the hardest part behind us, Firefly looks forward to completing more than 14 days of surface operations, again raising the bar for commercial cislunar capabilities, said Firefly Aerospaces Chief Technology Officer Shea Ferring. We want to thank NASA for entrusting in the Firefly team, and we look forward to delivering even more science data that supports future human missions to the Moon and Mars.Blue Ghost was launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 15th, alongside Resilience another private lunar lander built by Japans iSpace aerospace firm. Resilience is taking a longer, more energy-efficient route to reach the Moon thats aided by gravity propulsion, and isnt expected to arrive until early May.Blue Ghost arrived at its lunar destination after traveling 2.8 million miles over 45 days while downlinking more than 27GB of data. It then spent two weeks orbiting the Moon prior to landing on March 2nd, touching down just 100 meters away from its target location within the 300-mile-wide Mare Crisium.This incredible achievement demonstrates how NASA and American companies are leading the way in space exploration for the benefit of all, acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro said. We have already learned many lessons and the technological and science demonstrations onboard Fireflys Blue Ghost Mission 1 will improve our ability to not only discover more science, but to ensure the safety of our spacecraft instruments for future human exploration both in the short term and long term.See More:

It looks like we'll finally find out more about the return of Call of Duty Warzone's much-loved Verdansk map on March 10.Activision first confirmed Verdansk would be making a return to Warzone last August, but at the time the publisher would only commit to a vague "spring 2025" window and not a specific date. Now, however, players visiting the Call of Duty shop get a pop-up that reads: "The Verdansk Collection," and a countdown that looks set to explore a week today, on March 10, 2025 (thanks, InsiderGaming). The official Call of Duty shop teases Verdansk's return to Warzone. Image credit: Activision Publishing.Accompanying the pop-up is a simple, tri-color sketch that shows an alpine scene of snow, pine trees, a dam, and a crashed plane a familiar sight for anyone who spent time in Warzone's original sandbox before it was superceded by Verdansk '84 in Season 3, and then replaced completely by Caldera in 2021. Right now, the only way to revisit it is to play Call of Duty Warzone Mobile.It'll be exciting news for fans who were told back in 2021 that "current-day Verdansk is gone and it's not coming back."Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Season 2 is now live. It adds five Multiplayer maps Bounty, Dealership, Lifeline, Bullet, and Grind the return of the fan-favorite Gun Game mode, and new weapons and operators. And don't forget the super expensive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover event.Warzone, however, received less content than originally planned as the team works to address some of the more severe issues currently afflicting the game, including gameplay tuning, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements.Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.

Xbox 360 recompilation has begun with an unofficial PC port of Sonic Unleashed.Sonic Teams 2008 platformer launched on Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo Wii, before a PlayStation 3 version released in 2009. Sega never released a PC version.Now, 17 years later, fans have taken it upon themselves to make a PC port of the Xbox 360 version of their own, dubbed Sonic Unleashed Recompiled. Theres even a trailer.PlayThis is not a simple port or the game running on PC via emulation. Rather, its a from the ground up PC version of Sonic Unleashed, which even includes enhancements such as high-resolution support, high framerate support, and mod support. It also runs on Steam Deck.Its worth noting that to play Sonic Unleashed Recompiled on PC, you need to own a copy of the original Xbox 360 game. This is because the port recompiles the original Xbox 360 version game files into a playable PC version through the process of static recompilation.Its a big moment for console recompilation. 2024 saw a number of classic Nintendo 64 games recompiled to work on PC, and now it looks like the Xbox 360 floodgates are open.That's it, Sega just lost the easiest 40-60 bucks ever, one YouTube commenter said. All we just wanted was a native PC port of Sonic Unleashed. Now we have, and it is 100% free and open source.Years of modding Unleashed's assets to Generations, and improving Xbox 360 emulation led to this breakthrough.This is genuinely a huge moment for Sonic fan projects, said another. We now have an incredible native port of an incredible 17 year old game. Sonic Unleashed is the game that made me a Sonic fan and now I get to experience it in native HD 60fps with mod support. I'm really thankful for this.Added another commenter: Genuinely one of the biggest moments in the Sonic the Hedgehog fan base ever. One of the most beloved games finally being available on PC. Whether official or not, I'm happy that it's here, and I'm happy that more people can play this legendary game.Thank you to all who were involved in the development of this, you are parts of history now.While enthusiasts point to fan work like this breathing new life into games thought consigned to history or unsupported on modern platforms, publishers may take a dim view as recompiled PC ports threaten official PC ports that may be in the works. The question now is, how will Sega react?Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.