The Wicked movie was only half of the story from the hit Broadway musical. The conclusion — literally the entire second act of the show — is the basis for Wicked: For Good, featuring the same cast (including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande) and directed once again by Jon M. Chu.The first trailer for the movie features the song that gives the film its subtitle, and teases a larger role for Dorothy and the rest of her friends from The Wizard of Oz than existed in the first Wicked movie (and maybe even the Wicked stage play). It’s also got even more beautiful costumes for Glinda and Elphaba — Elphaba’s new cloak with those big lapels is really sharp.You can watch the trailer below:READ MORE: Why Are Trailers For Musicals Afraid of Their Music?There’s a new trailer for the film as well.UniversalUniversalloading...Here is the film’s official synopsis:Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reveling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard. As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Olivier award winner and Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. The aftershocks will transform Boq (Tony nominee Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives. As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.Well that was quite extensive. Wicked: For Good is scheduled to open in theaters on November 21.Get our free mobile appThe Best Food and Drink at Epic UniverseIf you visit Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, here are the foods and drink you have to try.

Playdate Season Two is here, bringing with it two new games for the quirky yellow handheld every week until July 3. And if the first two titles are any indication of what this season will be like, it's sure to be a great one. Season Two kicked off on May 29 with the arcade action game Fulcrum Defender — from the studio behind FTL: Faster Than Light and Into the Breach — and the delightfully chill Dig! Dig! Dino!. The two games couldn't be more different from each other, but they're both bangers in their own right. Panic also released Blippo+, which can only be described as a fever dream of cable TV, with the first drop of Season Two, and it is amazingly bizarre. Fulcrum Defender Subset Games "Survive for 10min!" sounded almost like a threat when I first started reading through Fulcrum Defender's How To Play guide. Between all the on-screen information you need to pay attention to, the many different types of enemies that'll be attacking and the various weapon upgrades you can earn over the course of a run, there's a lot to take in, and I braced myself for a tense and complicated playing experience. But, while that may be closer to the case on Hard Mode, I found that Fulcrum Defender wasn't all that punishing of a shooter on Normal Mode. It's a challenge, for sure, but one with a surprisingly achievable goal that I was able to enjoy without losing my mind. At least, not until crossing the 10-minute mark. After that, all hell breaks loose. In Fulcrum Defender, you're positioned at the center of a circular arena and have to fend off a continuous swarm of enemies. Your shield will take damage any time an enemy collides with it, and once enough have breached that zone, it's game over. To avoid that, you need to shoot them down one by one, using the crank to aim your weapon and the D-pad to shoot. Some enemies can be taken out in one shot, but others — distinguished by their filled-in appearance — require multiple shots. Over time, you'll earn weapon upgrades to build out a more powerful defense system, with options like large, guided projectiles and a flail that can knock out several enemies in one sweep. It's unexpectedly addicting. The music is beautiful and calming, giving the whole thing a pleasant atmosphere despite the fact that you're surrounded by enemies at any given moment and trying not to die. Once I realized it was absolutely possible to survive 10 minutes and even go beyond that, I got sucked into the loop of trying over and over to beat my high scores. I'd love to see a global leaderboard for this game at some point, because I just know I'd be floored by how long some players will be able to last. If you liked this one and want to know a little more about the making of it, be sure to check out our interview with Jay Ma, the co-founder of Fulcrum Defender developer Subset Games. Dig! Dig! Dino! Dom2D & Fáyer I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing right now than pretending to be a paleontologist and casually digging for bones. No thoughts, just dig. That's exactly what Dig! Dig! Dino! has going on, and it's awesome. You're working as part of a crew (made up entirely of anthropomorphic animals) at the site of some really unusual dinosaur fossils, and it's your job to dig up new bones and artifacts. Once you've got the entire skeleton of a particular dinosaur, you can scan it in the lab to reveal what it was like when it was alive. That information, coupled with the peculiar artifacts scattered around the site, paints a picture of some pretty strange activities that went on there long ago. For example, some of these dinosaurs seem to have had crystals growing out of their bodies, and it looks like they were warned about the asteroid extinction event. Fishy! The gameplay is extremely low stakes — this is one for when you just want to zone out playing something that'll keep your hands busy. You're equipped with a shovel, a drill and a radar gadget for detecting items beneath the surface, and have no time-sensitive goals to hit. You only have so much energy, though, which will be consumed with each use of your tools. When you run out, the round is over. But you can visit each site as many times as you need to in order to find all of the dinosaur pieces hidden there, so it can be a really casual undertaking if you want it to be. It's a really nice time, with a fun story to tie it all together. You'll get a solid few hours of playtime out of this, too, and the simplicity of it all means you can put it down and come back to it later without having to rack your memory to figure out where you left off. I loved this one. Blippo+ Panic What can one even say about Blippo+? This bizarre "1-bit television" experience came as a bonus with the first Season Two games, and it is something. Panic first teased it back in December 2024 as a Steam title, but here it is for the Playdate now, complete with a roster of channels playing hallucinatory programs and Femtofax, an interactive message board of sorts where you can find affirmations, neighborhood drama, chatter among amateur astronomers and more. Panic describes it as being "comparable to an old episode of The Twilight Zone," but it's more like an old episode of The Twilight Zone if it were made by Tim & Eric and aired after midnight on Adult Swim. I think I am obsessed with it? I'm really interested to see where this goes. I would totally park my Playdate in a dock (but not the Stereo Dock </3) on my desk and leave Blippo+ running in the background all day if it has enough fresh material to sustain it. The song playing alongside the endlessly scrolling Blippo+ TV guide screen is already stuck in my head, and I don't hate it. The program guide with this week's schedule is online, if you're curious about what's going on right now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate-season-2-review-fulcrum-defender-dig-dig-dino-and-blippo-140036697.html?src=rss

A lot of games have been released for the Playdate since it launched in 2022, as a quick browse of itch.io or the Catalog shop will attest. But still, there’s something unique about the handheld’s seasonal format, which just kicked off its second iteration. When it first launched, the Playdate came with 24 games from notable indie developers that were steadily released on a weekly cadence, making a perfect introduction to the little yellow device and its crank. Now, a few years later, we finally have season 2, and it’s off to a solid start — and it even includes a bizarre mystery.Fulcrum Defender. Image: Subset GamesThe new season runs for the next six weeks and totals a dozen games, two of which will drop each week. The entire collection will run you $39. To start, we have a pair of very different games. Fulcrum Defender, from FTL: Faster Than Light developer Subset Games, is sort of like a modern take on Asteroids. You control a little ship in the middle and fire guns at little squares flying toward you. The twist is that you use the crank to rotate the ship around and aim your shots. There’s also something of a roguelike element, where you steadily unlock random upgrades like new weapons or a larger spread for your bullets. The goal is to last for 10 straight minutes.It’s a pretty challenging game — so far, I’ve only really had success on easy mode — but it’s also surprisingly chill, eliciting that sort of zen state that the best shooters and puzzle games can create. This is helped by its lo-fi soundtrack that pretty much demands you play with headphones on. It’s an absorbing game.Dig! Dig! Dino! Image: Dom2D and FáyerOn the other end of the spectrum is Dig Dig Dino!, developed by Dom2D and Fáyer, who brag that the game “is perfect to play while watching TV! No time pressure, no quick reflexes needed!” It’s a puzzle game where you travel to different dig sites to uncover dinosaur bones, artifacts, and trash. You only have a limited amount of moves per dig, but you can upgrade your capacity over time — while also getting new tools to smash rocks or dig deeper — letting you dig both more and for longer. It’s sort of like a really cute take on Minesweeper, one clearly designed for short play sessions. It’s not exactly difficult, but there’s still something satisfying about uncovering a large dinosaur bone when you’re just about to run out of moves.These two games do a good job of showing the breadth of games possible on the Playdate; one is meant for quick bursts, the other for longer, more focused sessions. But the launch week package is rounded out by something a whole lot weirder. It’s called Blippo Plus and, well, it’s a series of TV channels you can flip between using the crank. Some are nothing but static, while others have giant FMV videos of strange TV shows or commercials. One show, called Tantric Computing, is nothing but closeup shots of someone using a computer mouse. Another, Werf’s Tavern, is some kind of musical talk show. There’s also a messaging tool and some kind of fax service.What’s most interesting about Blippo Plus, though, isn’t just that it’s odd. It’s also a mystery that seems like it will evolve over the course of the season. Playdate maker Panic says that “Playdate season 2 owners should tune in weekly and make sure they are connected to WiFi when season 2 updates at 10 AM PT on Thursdays.” There are lots of other promising games planned for season 2, including the point-and-click adventure Shadowgate PD and whatever the heck Long Puppy and Tiny Turnip are.But an FMV mystery that unfolds over the course of weeks is something that’s pretty unique to this format — and further evidence that the Playdate exists in its own parallel universe.See More:

One of the many beautiful things about the indie gaming scene is that there's always something to check out. So if you don't fancy playing Elden Ring: Nightreign this weekend, there are plenty of other new options. To help you keep up with what's going on in the space, here's our weekly indie game roundup. As a heads up, we won't be publishing an edition of this roundup next week. Not because there won't be enough games to highlight. Quite the opposite: Summer Game Fest kicks off on Friday June 6. There will be literally hundreds of game announcements and updates. There's also the small matter of the Nintendo Switch 2's arrival in a matter of days. You can check out what to expect from SGF and find out how to watch the various showcases in our preview. We'll be bringing you news on titles of all shapes and sizes from Summer Game Fest Live, Xbox Games Showcase and other events. We'll also be on the ground in Los Angeles to go hands on with many of the newly announced games. Keep up with our coverage here on Engadget throughout SGF.  In the meantime, there are a host of new games to savor, as well as peeks at what's coming your way in the coming weeks and months. Let's get to it. Thinky Direct This showcase from Thinky Games was jam packed with captivating puzzle and mystery games. Two in particular caught my eye. The first is a very intriguing first-person archery puzzler. In He Who Watches, you'll walk on walls, rotate rooms and use a bow and arrow to solve puzzles. It reminds me of the shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. A demo is out now on Steam and the full game should arrive this fall. The other game that really stood out to me was Echo Weaver, a so-called "Metroidbraina." Unlike in many Metroidvanias, where you need to find power ups or new abilities to progress, here you'll move forward by acquiring knowledge, including figuring out your character's special abilities.  There aren't any procedurally generated elements here. As with the likes of Outer Wilds, each run is time-based. You can find ways to extend the limit or sacrifice some time to pass through a barrier. Echo Weaver is coming to Steam and Xbox (including Game Pass). There was lots of other interesting stuff in the first-ever Thinky Direct. I really enjoy the chill train puzzler Railbound and it was neat to find out that there's a level editor available in beta. Kiko's Apple Adventure is an adorable-looking block-pushing game in which the aim is to nudge apples onto rafts. It just arrived on Steam. The Button Effect features a museum with a lot of buttons, each with a purpose for you to find out. It seems like a certain Taskmaster task taken to new extremes. The first public demo just hit Steam. Nonolith is another compelling game that was featured in the showcase. In this puzzle platformer, you can copy and paste blocks to create openings, bridges and staircases. At first glance, it reminds me a little of Animal Well. Monolith is coming to Steam in 2026. New releases One thing definitely worth getting excited about this week if you own a particular yellow console with a crank owner is the start of Playdate Season Two. Every Thursday throughout the six-week season (which costs $39), two new games arrive on Panic's diminutive device.  The first batch includes the charming-looking Dig! Dig! Dino! and Fulcrum Defender. The latter of those is from FTL: Faster Than Light and Into the Breach studio Subset Games, whose co-founder Jay Ma went through hell to make Fulcrum Defender. One of the titles included in the season, Blippo+, is a full-motion video game. It will have weekly episodic updates for 12 weeks, extending far beyond the rest of the Season Two window. The first episode is out now. Trails is a lovely puzzle game that just landed on Steam. You'll guide sandships to their destination by drawing a path for them. You can't take a ship through the same square twice, and you'll need to make sure they don't crash into each other. There are obstacles, of course, and you'll sometimes have to collect and deliver cargo. I've enjoyed my time with Trails so far. Developer PurpleSloth gradually teaches you how to play through trial and error, and it adds new hazards and mechanics at a nice pace, though the puzzles do become quite tricky. You may have spent many pleasant hours cleaning grime off of various objects and iconic landmarks in PowerWash Simulator (which is set to get a sequel later this year). It's time to flip the script a bit in Spray Paint Simulator, from North Star Video Games and publisher Whitethorn Games. The concept is pretty similar, in that you'll complete jobs for clients by painting certain items or environments. There are no time limits here and a feature that lets you mask an area to ensure you get clean lines is a nice touch. If marking your territory on public or private property with sick, definitely-not-ugly tags is more your thing, there's a free spray mode that you can play alone or with a friend in co-op. Spray Paint Simulator is out now on Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. It's on Game Pass too. The game is also coming to Nintendo Switch on June 19. Eternal Evil debuted on Steam back in 2022, and two and a half years later, the survival horror game has made the jump to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It has mostly positive reviews on Steam and seems very much in the vein of the Resident Evil series (it even has a dual narrative with two characters to play). You'll take on vampires that get stronger as they feed in this game from solo developer Honor Games. How could I not include a game with a name like Trash Goblin? This is a cozy shopkeeping title from Spilt Milk Studios that just came out of early access on Steam. You'll unearth, restore and upcycle trinkets to sell to customers so you can upgrade your shop. It seems one you might chill out with. Elsewhere, To a T, a game we mentioned last week, is out now on Xbox Series X/S, Game Pass, PS5, Steam and the Epic Games Store. Cowboy-themed life sim Cowboy Country just landed on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch as well. Upcoming I've had my eye on Kingmakers for a while. It's a completely bananas-looking blend of third-person shooting and strategy game from Redemption Road in which you travel back in time to a medieval war, bringing modern weapons and vehicles with you. Publisher tinyBuild revealed during a showcase this week that Kingmakers will debut in early access on Steam on October 8. Really looking forward to that one. Beyond the Board is a moody-looking adventure that takes a rook... well, beyond a chess board. It takes inspiration from puzzle games like Limbo and Monument Valley, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that the story is told through visual storytelling and soundscapes rather than dialogue. This game from Fragile Shapes Studio doesn't yet have a release window, but you can check out a demo on Steam now. An extended demo for a fast-paced, melee-focused dungeon runner called Bloodthief dropped this week. It looks like a lo-fi, medieval spin on Ghostrunner (a series I enjoy but am quite bad at) but with vampires. So yes, I will be digging into this when I have a chance. The original demo is said to have 20 or so hours of gameplay and there's even more in the extended version, which will be featured in Steam Next Fest. Bloodthief, from developer Blargis, is slated to arrive later this year. I'm going to close this edition out with a game you'll probably never be able to play. Developer Kenney says that, a few years back, they helped a young Star Wars fan make a game based on The Mandalorian after a Make-a-Wish connected the pair. It's a heartwarming story, and the game looks quite charming based on the clip that Kenney shared on BlueSky. However, for legal reasons, it'll likely stay under lock and key, sadly.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate-season-two-spray-paint-simulator-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110035699.html?src=rss

This is a timelapse of how we made and edited the dancing animation from the reference. We used QuickMagic for the video mocap, then retargeted the animation in Cascadeur, used Animation Unbaking and Fulcrum Motion Cleaning tools to set up a solid base, then used AutoPosing to fix and edit the poses, and finally a touch of AutoPhysics to add secondary motion and bring the whole animation together Shoutout to @doridance1389 for the inspiration and amazing content! 0:00 Stress Intro 00:18 Import Animation 00:46 Retargeting 01:44 Animation Unbaking 02:41 Editing Timelapse 09:32 AutoPhysics 10:36 Timelapse 11:19 Final Result Learn more about Cascadeur license plans: https://cascadeur.com/plans Learn how to start using Cascadeur: https://cascadeur.com/learn Join our English-speaking community on Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/Ymwjhpn Follow us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CascadeurEN/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Cascadeur_soft #Animation #QuickMagic #Tutorial #mocap

Casa SA207 | © Diego Vázquez Mellado Casa SA207 by Vázquez Mellado is situated in the historic city of Querétaro, Mexico, on a narrow site measuring 8.70 meters in width and extending 37 meters in depth. The lot’s proportions posed a particular challenge, which the architects addressed by drawing inspiration from the traditional courtyard houses in Querétaro’s historic center. In these historic residences, the courtyard, or patio, serves as a passive climate moderator and a spatial and social nucleus. Casa SA207 revisits this typology through a contemporary lens, offering a nuanced response to privacy, density, and domesticity in the urban fabric. Casa SA207 Technical Information Architects1-3: Vázquez Mellado Location: Querétaro, Mexico Area: 362.47 m2 | 3,900 Sq. Ft. Completion Year: 2025 Photographs: © Diego Vázquez Mellado The patio is not just a spatial element but the heart of the home. It welcomes, shelters, and connects, offering a sense of peace and belonging within the density of the city. – Diego Vázquez Mellado Casa SA207 Photographs © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado © Diego Vázquez Mellado Spatial Organization and Domestic Hierarchies The project’s street-facing façade is entirely closed off, with no visible windows or apertures. This gesture reinforces privacy and anonymity within the city while turning the house inward. At the rear of the property, the architects introduced a direct connection to a neighboring public park, anchoring the residence within both private and communal realms. The courtyard, centrally within the linear plan, acts as a fulcrum that mediates light, views, and circulation. It is both the spatial heart and the conceptual axis of the home. The house is organized into a two-level scheme, with the ground floor dedicated to shared family life and the upper floor reserved for private functions. The spatial strategy intentionally encourages daily activity and interaction on the ground level. The living and dining rooms are placed at the far end of the house, adjacent to the public park. These areas are balanced by a kitchen and TV room positioned toward the front of the lot. Both rooms are oriented toward the central courtyard, promoting visual connectivity and natural ventilation. On the upper level, bedrooms and a modest study are distributed linearly. These spaces are compact by design, reinforcing their function as retreats for rest and contemplation rather than prolonged daytime activity. The reduced footprint of the upper floor emphasizes the hierarchy of domestic life envisioned by the architects: a house where familial engagement and collective routines unfold at ground level and where privacy is quiet and unobtrusive. The courtyard acts as the project’s spatial and psychological anchor. Its tall enclosing walls and dense vegetation cultivate a sense of introspection, calm, and disconnection from the surrounding city. It is not merely a source of daylight or ventilation but a place of stillness, where time slows, and attention turns inward. Materiality and Constructive Logic The project is defined materially by the use of clay brick, chosen for its durability, thermal properties, and ability to age gracefully over time. This decision reflects a clear commitment to low-maintenance living and constructive honesty. The brick’s modularity also provides flexibility for future adaptations without disrupting the architectural language of the house. One of the project’s defining features is the 6-meter-high wall that borders the courtyard. This vertical surface acts as a visual barrier while allowing the interior spaces to remain open to the patio without compromising privacy. The wall also contributes to a sense of enclosure and sanctuary within the house, allowing residents to draw their curtains or leave them open without concern for external views. Throughout the project, the material palette is restrained, composed primarily of exposed brick, wood, and concrete. This simplicity reinforces the architectural clarity of the design and allows spatial relationships to take precedence over decorative elements. The detailing is modest and measured, aligning with the overall ethos of the project. Reflections on Typology and Contemporary Living Casa SA207 thoughtfully explores the courtyard as an enduring architectural typology. By foregrounding the patio not just as a design feature but as the organizing principle of the entire house, the architects offer a model for contemporary living that prioritizes inwardness, serenity, and slow rhythms. The house precisely negotiates the tension between urban density and domestic refuge, creating a spatial narrative grounded in tradition and responsive to present-day needs. The project demonstrates how compact urban living does not necessitate compromise in spatial quality. Through careful program, form, and material orchestration, Casa SA207 invites reconsidering how architecture can shape the conditions for a more deliberate and connected way of living. In its restraint, the house resists spectacle and offers a quiet, rigorous architecture rooted in site, culture, and human experience. Casa SA207 Plans Ground Level | © Vázquez Mellado Upper Level | © Vázquez Mellado Roof Level | © Vázquez Mellado Section | © Vázquez Mellado Elevation | © Vázquez Mellado Casa SA207 Image Gallery About Vázquez Mellado Vázquez Mellado is a Mexican architectural design studio based in Querétaro. They are known for their thoughtful reinterpretation of traditional typologies through contemporary forms and materials. Led by Jorge and Diego Vázquez Mellado, the firm explores spatial intimacy, privacy, and material honesty across residential and cultural projects. Credits and Additional Notes Lead Architects: Jorge Vázquez Mellado, Diego Vázquez Mellado Collaborators: Elvia Torres, Adelfo Pérez, Norma Velázco, Jorge Uribe Landscape Design: Matorral Estudio

Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 Stellar Blade can be pre-ordered on PC, however as per sony's longstanding policy: People are complaining, and it seems the Stellar Blade X account did not know this was going to happen:   Last edited: Friday at 1:42 PM NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin Seems Sony fucked ShiftUp over here ? (Bad communication)  dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 One day Sony will pull out their head from their own ass. NovumVeritas said: Seems Sony fucked ShiftUp over here ? (Bad communication) Click to expand... Click to shrink... They f-ed Arrowhead too because if i remember correctly Arrowhead never fully implemented PSN account into Helldivers 2 but sony still region locked that game while it was hot.  Trick_GSF Member Nov 2, 2017 1,644 This thing is so, so dumb.   Linus815 Member Oct 29, 2017 24,097 sony is so ass   Dest Has seen more 10s than EA ever will Coward Jun 4, 2018 16,028 Work Sony has gotta figure this shit out   Audiblee Member Mar 14, 2025 1,551 What is the reason it's blocked? Because PSN isn't in those countries?   senj Member Nov 6, 2017 8,698 It's a hell of an act, what do you call it? "Sony's PC Publishing Strategy"  super-famicom Avenger Oct 26, 2017 30,601 New Pope is furious   NeoRaider Member Feb 7, 2018 9,166 Audiblee said: What is the reason it's blocked? Because PSN isn't in those countries? Click to expand... Click to shrink... But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game.  Jawbreaker Member Oct 25, 2017 8,998 New York City Classic. Hope this can serve as a catalyst for breaking down the region blocks.   NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin dex3108 said: They f-ed Arrowhead too because if i remember correctly Arrowhead never fully implemented PSN account into Helldivers 2 but sony still region locked that game while it was hot. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah I remember that. People were pretty angry about this. Sony is so out of touch on PC..   Audiblee Member Mar 14, 2025 1,551 NeoRaider said: But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game. Click to expand... Click to shrink... What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused.   senj Member Nov 6, 2017 8,698 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Nobody knows. There does not appear to be any good reason.   Arubedo Unshakable Resolve Member Dec 24, 2018 1,219 Sony are the dumbest PC publisher i've ever seen, what even is the point region locking the games when they removed every PSN account restrictions?   cowbanana Member Feb 2, 2018 16,364 a Socialist Utopia At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 NovumVeritas said: Yeah I remember that. People were pretty angry about this. Sony is so out of touch on PC.. Click to expand... Click to shrink... i mean they show it constantly, even with pricing. Their games are late and almost full price if not full price at PC release. Even if there was no region lock i get brand new games for 30-50 euros like Expedition 33 and Mafia The Old Country, while their late releases are 50-80 euros.  nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 30,114 cowbanana said: At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol. Click to expand... Click to shrink... oof the first? sony game with denuvo   SirKai Member Dec 28, 2017 10,174 Washington This continues to be the biggest Sony Playstation fumble in years. They've made the PSN linking optional and STILL region lock their PC releases! I genuinely, fully, do not fucking understand it.   jitteryzeitgeist Member May 26, 2023 9,180 A quiet place Sony can't be stopped. SirKai said: This is the biggest Sony Playstation fumble in years. They've made the PSN linking optional and STILL region lock their PC releases! I genuinely, fully, do not fucking understand it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I can wrap my head around most corporate decisions and at least see the weird MBA bro logic behind them. Nothing Sony is doing makes any fucking sense, even with that mindset.  Kneefoil Member Oct 25, 2017 4,953 I'm guessing region availability is limited to countries with PSN accounts because of this completely optional thing.   NovumVeritas Member Oct 26, 2017 11,131 Berlin dex3108 said: i mean they show it constantly, even with pricing. Their games are late and almost full price if not full price at PC release. Even if there was no region lock i get brand new games for 30-50 euros like Expedition 33 and Mafia The Old Country, while their late releases are 50-80 euros. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah. The price point for this game is also really hilarious. It has the same price when it was released new on Playstation 5. It's fucking dumb. Also using Denuvo and doing this PSN crap, Sony doing everything this will go wait for sale direction or it will bomb.   Polk Avenger Oct 26, 2017 6,011 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I wonder if that's just default settings for Sony PC releases and nobody bothered to change that.   harinezumi Member Oct 27, 2017 20,530 Buenos Aires, Argentina   J-Skee The Wise Ones Member Oct 25, 2017 13,287 NeoRaider said: But PSN isn't even required for few months now... And this is a 3rd party game. Click to expand... Click to shrink... They publish it, so they treat it like everything else. It's a smaller that no one really cares about, but Midnight Murder Club is also like this.   Raysoul Fat4All Ruined My Rug Member Oct 26, 2017 3,459 HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA! A year has passed, GoT and Helldivers 2 are still region locked. Then this happened.  dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Polk said: I wonder if that's just default settings for Sony PC releases and nobody bothered to change that. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's not, they are aware because it was 170 regions up until few months ago when they unblocked 40 countries.  andshrew Member Oct 27, 2017 2,897 Audiblee said: What is the reason then? I guess I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Sony really messed up with all the drama around this last year, so the assumption would be Sony legal say these are the countries we do business in (ie. countries where PSN is available); and those are the only countries we will now sell in whether or not a PSN login is required.  Xando Member Oct 28, 2017 37,627 Don't understand why they don't learn. Like why even walk into this PR mess with every game   P40L0 Member Jun 12, 2018 9,582 Italy super-famicom said: New Pope is furious Click to expand... Click to shrink... Dead! 🤣   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,859 Peru Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Xando said: Don't understand why they don't learn. Like why even walk into this PR mess with every game Click to expand... Click to shrink... Because there is actually no PR mess. Nobody questions them from outlets, people who can't play game kinda don't have anywhere big to complain for Sony to notice so they simply don't care.  Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,737 Melbourne, Australia Sony you buffoons. My god   OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 HardRojo said: Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not sure how you got that from the title though.   Letters Prophet of Truth Avenger Oct 27, 2017 5,199 Portugal What possible reason could there be for this decision? What's the problem with people buying from other random regions? Or lying about location when creating PSN accounts? Does it devalue the data they sell on people or what? I'm genuinely curious about the reason from their point of view for such an unpopular decision. Kneefoil said: I'm guessing region availability is limited to countries with PSN accounts because of this completely optional thing. Click to expand... Click to shrink... How nice of Sony to avoid making players feel sad or upset because of missing out on this one costume.  Last edited: Thursday at 1:04 PM Fulcrum Member Nov 7, 2022 2,088 I didn't know it required PSN. Guess I won't be buying it on PC. Maybe I'll grab it on PS5 sometime.   Arubedo Unshakable Resolve Member Dec 24, 2018 1,219 Fulcrum said: I didn't know it required PSN. Guess I won't be buying it on PC. Maybe I'll grab it on PS5 sometime. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It doesn't require PSN tho.   HardRojo One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 28,859 Peru Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The title doesn't mention Sony at all, so my first thought wasn't Sony's policies. It's just as I said, the title should reflect the fact that it's because of Sony.   dex3108 Member Oct 26, 2017 24,745 Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I agree with that post, you should have added "devs apparently weren't aware how dumb Sony is"  OP OP Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,215 HardRojo said: The title doesn't mention Sony at all, so my first thought wasn't Sony's policies. It's just as I said, the title should reflect the fact that it's because of Sony. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Ok fair enough, I just assumed it was obvious since it's a Sony-published title.   Sabretooth Member Oct 27, 2017 5,673 India What are those unknown country codes? What shadow nations is Sony hiding from us   Fulcrum Member Nov 7, 2022 2,088 Arubedo said: It doesn't require PSN tho. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Oh, I misread. Guess I'll find out when it releases.  Mobius and Pet Octopus Member Oct 25, 2017 16,813 Jaded Alyx said: Not sure how you got that from the title though. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's how you said it was blocked when it's actually the product doing the blocking.  Catchphrase Member Nov 28, 2023 2,322 Sabretooth said: What are those unknown country codes? What shadow nations is Sony hiding from us Click to expand... Click to shrink... AN is Atlantis, clearly   sderttreds Member Jan 6, 2023 1,249 oh what, sony is the publisher? won't really trust them with steam release   chrominance Sky Van Gogh Member Oct 25, 2017 16,264 HardRojo said: Title needs an update to sound less clickbaity, made me think countries were blocking the game for some reason and hides the fact that it's Sony's actual policies causing this, something we've known for a while now and shouldn't be hidden in the title. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I sort of get where you're coming from, and someone who isn't aware of Sony's policies around this could definitely be confused. At the same time: did people actually think 130 countries all decided, independently or in concert, to block Stellar Blade? How often do 130 countries agree on ANYTHING?  Greywaren Member Jul 16, 2019 13,085 Spain Reset the "Sony fucks things up for no reason" clock once again.   Acidote Member Oct 26, 2017 5,834 cowbanana said: At least they spent big bucks on Denuvo to watch their abysmal launch numbers on Steam, lol. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Thanks, I didn't notice that. Removed from the wishlist.   Raysoul Fat4All Ruined My Rug Member Oct 26, 2017 3,459 Title should be "In a very baffling decision, Sony doesn't want these countries to play Stellar Blade on PC"   jitteryzeitgeist Member May 26, 2023 9,180 A quiet place chrominance said: How often do 130 countries agree on ANYTHING? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Just about every nation on earth agrees on one orange, bloated, stupid thing being awful, but that's about it. 

Casa Sofia | © Zaickz Moz Casa Sofia, a recent project by AMASA Estudio, addresses the layered complexities of architectural intervention within Mexico City’s Colonia Roma, a neighborhood celebrated for its early 20th-century character but increasingly shaped by speculative pressures and fragmented land use. Just six blocks from Parque México, the house occupies a site caught between cultural significance and economic inertia. Originally built in the 1940s, the building underwent a series of unsympathetic interventions over the decades, most notably its conversion into office space. By the time AMASA Estudio began its work, the house had stood empty for over a decade. Casa Sofia Technical Information Architects1-7: AMASA Estudio Location: Colonia Roma, Mexico City, Mexico Area: 215 m2 | 2,315 Sq. Ft. Completion Year: 2024 Photographs: © Zaickz Moz, © Gerardo Reyes Bustamante The integration of contemporary elements can return life and functionality to the historic constructions of the area. – AMASA Estudio Architects Casa Sofia Photographs © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz © Gerardo Reyes Bustamante © Zaickz Moz © Zaickz Moz Contextual Framework: Urban Fabric, Zoning, and Speculative Vacancy The architects were tasked with renovating and negotiating the tensions between preservation and contemporary inhabitation. Zoning restrictions in the area often preclude new development, inadvertently incentivizing abandonment and deterioration. Within this context, AMASA’s approach reclaims architectural value by demonstrating how adaptive reuse, when carefully considered, can simultaneously address housing shortages and preserve urban identity. Rather than erasing the building’s history, the project adopts a regenerative approach, rethinking the building’s typology and embedding flexibility into the spatial program. In doing so, Casa Sofia becomes a case study of how small-scale interventions can challenge speculative dormancy and reintroduce vibrancy to historic neighborhoods. Architectural Strategy: Inversion, Layering, and Programmatic Flexibility The architectural response centers on spatial inversion and vertical stratification. While the original commission envisioned a straightforward single-family restoration, AMASA Estudio identified the need for a more complex program to ensure viability and relevance. The result is a tripartite configuration: a ground-floor apartment, a flexible garage/commercial unit, and a redefined primary residence beginning on the first floor. This inversion of the conventional domestic hierarchy, placing private spaces on the middle floor and public functions at the top, is more than a pragmatic solution. It reflects a critical rethinking of domestic routines in dense urban contexts. The reallocation of living functions enables three degrees of occupancy: short-term rental, residential use, and commercial potential, each with independent access. At ground level, the vestibule becomes a threshold of coexistence. To the left is a compact yet complete one-bedroom apartment; to the right is a hybrid space adaptable as a garage or storefront; and ahead is the entrance to the main dwelling. The logic of flexibility is woven into every decision, resisting fixed-use zoning and instead proposing an architecture open to evolving modes of urban living. On the second floor, the public realm unfolds in an open-plan configuration that deliberately contrasts the spatial enclosure below. A continuous space integrates living, kitchen, and dining functions, culminating in a terrace that extends the domestic interior outward. This gesture, a horizontal void defined by operable walls, foregrounds the importance of architectural porosity in temperate climates. Light, Circulation, and Spatial Atmosphere Natural light is not merely admitted but orchestrated. A circular skylight punctures the ceiling above the staircase, casting vertical illumination along the building’s spine and subtly guiding the eye upward. It introduces a moment of tectonic tension, where the logic of light meets the logic of circulation. This vertical axis becomes the fulcrum of the spatial experience. The spiral staircase, painted in a distinct green hue, is not hidden but celebrated as an expressive sculptural form. It mediates the transition from compression to expansion, from the seclusion of bedrooms to the openness of the social level. Light enters primarily from above and laterally through folding window panels that open completely to the terrace. The absence of interior partitions on the upper floor allows light to wash uninterrupted across surfaces, emphasizing material textures and the gradient between inside and outside. In contrast, the lower levels, shaded and defined, offer a more intimate atmosphere, underscoring the designers’ sensitivity to light as both a spatial and emotional element. Casa Sofia Restoration Ethos Rather than defaulting to nostalgic restoration, the architects embrace a contemporary material palette rooted in coherence and restraint. The project does not attempt to replicate the past but defines a new architectural narrative grounded in contrast and continuity. The use of a singular green tone for all metalwork, staircases, doors, railings, and furniture introduces a unifying chromatic identity. This bold yet controlled gesture resonates against the subdued gray plaster walls, creating a dynamic interplay between reflection and shadow. The palette is neither flashy nor muted; it is precise, allowing light to animate its surfaces without overwhelming the space. Importantly, the intervention avoids decorative mimicry. Structural upgrades, new spatial logic, and minimalist detailing coexist with the building’s historical shell. This architectural restraint makes the original form legible while enabling new uses to emerge organically. AMASA Estudio’s broader practice often grapples with similar conditions: the friction between permanence and transformation, especially in urban areas burdened by regulatory inertia and socio-economic flux. Casa Sofia embodies this approach, presenting architecture not as a static form but as a series of spatial and material negotiations between past and present, regulation and imagination, economy, and poetics. Casa Sofia Plans Ground Floor | © AMASA Estudio First Floor | © AMASA Estudio Second Floor | © AMASA Estudio Section | © AMASA Estudio Isometric View | © AMASA Estudio Casa Sofia Image Gallery About AMASA Estudio Credits and Additional Notes Lead Architects: Andrea López, Agustín Pereyra Design Team: Cesar Huerta, Gerardo Reyes Client: ECOBIART Inmobiliaria Construction: Erik Cortés Ortega Structural Engineering: Juan Felipe Heredia Installations Engineering: Germán Muñoz Lighting Design: Andrea López, Agustín Pereyra