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Kash Patel’s push against Democratic lawmaker raises concerns within FBI
FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to post documents related to a Democratic lawmaker who has not been accused of wrongdoing, raising alarms within the Bureau.
Preview: Colorado’s Roundtrip Flight with Winnipeg Concludes Tonight
The Colorado Avalanche wrap up their season series against the Winnipeg Jets today!
Galaxy S26 Ultra display issues get Samsung’s attention, fix rolling out soon
It seems consumer reports have finally caught Samsung’s attention, with the representatives promising that a fix for Galaxy S26 Ultra display issues will be rolling out soon. A Galaxy S26 Ultra owner submitted a bug report through the official means. In a recent development, the user AnthonyHershko received an update from Samsung, promising that fixes […]
JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon rips into remote work again, WFH gurus disagree
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said remote work hinders training, hurts collaboration, and feeds distraction. WFH gurus said a balance is probably best.
Samsung Galaxy S26 problems and how to fix them
The Samsung Galaxy S26 aunch has been a bit rocky. Here are all the Galaxy S26 problems we know so far and some potential fixes.
Jarrod Bowen replacing Mo Salah is classic Liverpool
Jarrod Bowen to replace Mo Salah at Liverpool? It's a classic move from the Reds - and FSG.Mo Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an end to nine wonderful years at Anfield. H...
You're not alone: Most users are disappointed with the Galaxy S26 Ultra – here's what Samsung could ...
More was expected from the S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A37 vs A57: This is the one I recommend you get
Samsung’s Galaxy A37 and A57 look similar on paper, but one offers far better value. Here’s the smarter pick that's easy to justify.
Lewis Steele reveals Liverpool’s top target to replace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool Transfer News: Yan Diomande Heavily LinkedIn the latest Media Matters episode from Anfield Index, Dave Davis and Lewis Steele explored Liverpool’s forward planning, with Yan Diomande among...
Michigan cools off hot-shooting Alabama, outguns Crimson Tide into Elite 8
Alabama's high-octane offense kept things interesting for a half. But Michigan dominates both sides of the floor and ultimately took the game over.
Celtics Projected to Land Rising Alabama Star in Mock Draft
The Celtics are already loaded with forwards
Connecticut officer fired after shooting man in mental health crisis as others tried to de-escalate
Mayor of Hartford has fired a white police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a mental health crisis nine times
Bellonora McCallum rises from Raleigh roots to reshape sports representation
The Raleigh native balances life as a law professor, attorney and certified sports agent while opening doors for athletes of color.
Keir Starmer: Where Did It All Go Wrong? review – is the PM just useless at politics or is it something more sinister?
Westminster insiders try to get to the bottom of Starmer’s awful unpopularity and frequent blunders – but fail to consider less palatable possibilities
Officer fired after fatally shooting man in mental health crisis — as others tried to de-escalate
The mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, has fired a white police officer who fatally shot a Black man in a mental health crisis nine times. Mayor Arunan Arulampalam announced Friday that he terminated...
Opinion: An approach to mental health care that could make a life-or-death difference for Alaska youths
House Bill 232 creates a narrow, safeguards-driven path to counseling when parental involvement isn’t possible.
We run small businesses. This is what Trump’s tariffs did to us.
Layoffs, refunds, Graham Platner and the gold Trump coin, in readers’ eyes.
UAH Atmospheric and Earth Science graduate students earn top honors at 106th AMS annual meeting
Two Atmospheric and Earth Science (AES) graduate students from the at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, were recognized with top awards at the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) recently in Houston, Texas. The First Symposium on Tropical Meteorology and Climate was part of the AMS Annual Meeting, one of the premier gatherings of atmospheric scientists worldwide.
Understanding protein motion could greatly aid new drug design
For many of us, “protein” is the key element of a food order. However, beyond your preferred choice of meats or plant-based alternatives, proteins encompass a large class of complex biomolecules whose chemical structure is encoded in our genes. Proteins have critical functions in living cells: They help repair and build body tissues, drive metabolic reactions, maintain pH and fluid balance, and keep our immune systems strong.
Pro-Iranian group claims credit for hack of FBI director's personal account
The group Handala posted online what appear to be years-old photographs of Patel, along with a work resume and other personal documents
NCAR Stories: A Shared Hub of Science Under Threat
With the Trump administration working to “dismantle” it as a source of “climate alarmism,” the future of the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) is in…
Michigan vs. Alabama odds, March Madness predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 picks from proven model
SportsLine's model has revealed its Alabama vs. Michigan picks for the 2026 March Madness Sweet 16 game on Friday
Science in images: Argentina’s experience in the Wiki Science Competition
The Wiki Science Competition in Argentina In recent years, Argentina has participated in two editions of the Wiki Science Competition (WSC), the international scientific photography competition sta…
One UI 8.5 brings major Linux Terminal upgrades to Galaxy devices
New updates to the full Linux Terminal experience on Galaxy devices have been added with One UI 8.5, a report indicates.
This April election could shake up the balance of power in Washington
Virginia's April 21 special election will influence power dynamics in Washington for the rest of President Trump's term.
The Galaxy S26 is a lazy product, but it is still the best at this one thing
Stripped of upgrades, the Galaxy S26 is still unmatched in one very specific area.
No One UI 8.5 in April? Galaxy S25 update roadmap takes unexpected turn
It turns out that Samsung has no plans to roll out the Galaxy S25 family’s One UI 8.5 update in April. This isn’t an official confirmation or a leak, but a fact supported by evidence, suggesting a delay in the major update rollout. Samsung enthusiast Alfaturk discovered a potential April 2026 security update for the […]
Carolina Complete Health and Centene Foundation Announce Investment and Groundbreaking of Major Affordable Housing Initiative in Northeast Winston-Salem with McCormack Baron Salazar
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2026 NFL Draft landing spots for Alabama QB Ty Simpson
Sick of empty VR app stores? Google's new AI tool lets you build VR apps in under a minute
Gemini's new Vibe Coding XR could finally solve the Android XR content problem.
How to share files from Galaxy phones to iPhones and MacBooks
Samsung introduced a major new feature to the Galaxy S26 series this week. Quick Share on these devices is now compatible with Apple’s AirDrop system, making it easier to share files wirelessly with iPads, iPhones, and Macs. So, how do you use it? Let’s take a look. Share files from Samsung Galaxy devices to Apple […]
Samsung phones get major Linux Terminal upgrades thanks to One UI 8.5
Exynos-powered Galaxy S26 phones offer Linux Terminal support, and it turns out One UI 8.5 brings a few welcome upgrades.
Singapore denies Malaysian scholar entry over political activism
Fadiah Nadwa Fikri urged some in Singapore to "adopt her brand of radical advocacy", authorities say.
Many of Trump’s remaining options in Iran risk heavy casualties with dubious chances of success
President Donald Trump is weighing several options for dramatically escalating the war against Iran should his latest push for diplomacy fail.
Michigan in familiar environs, wants different result vs. Alabama
CHICAGO -- Top-seeded Michigan occupies the same United Center locker room for the NCAA Tournament as it did during the Big Ten tournament two weeks ago.
UABTeach Program Achieves Record Retention and Largest Math & Science Teaching Cohort - Alabama Department of Labor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2026 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UABTeach program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, supported by The Alabama STEM Council via the Alabama Department of Workforce, is reporting strong student retention with a record number of STEM majors progressing toward graduation with the additional bonus of earning their teacher certifications. […]
Gala to benefit the San Francisco Community Health Center
Community health centers play a huge part in keeping the region safe and healthy. Some patients who really need help may fall through the cracks otherwise. That's where the San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC) comes in.
CSU Extension offers Ag Business Management workshop
Learn to create an enterprise analysis for alfalfa, barley, potatoes, quinoa, cow calf and forage cover crops
Democratic lawmakers highlight pay gap; business group raises concerns on wage transparency bill
Democratic lawmakers marked Equal Pay Day on Thursday by highlighting persistent wage disparities in Connecticut while backing legislation that would require employers to disclose salary ranges and benefits in job postings.
Health influencers talk social media and mental health
In this week's STATus Report, influential health communicators Jessica Knurick, Morgan “Dr. Noc” McSweeney, and Jessica Malaty Rivera chat about the mental health impacts of social media.
Samsung’s next big update, One UI 8.5, is now in beta on these older Galaxy devices
Samsung has officially expanded its One UI 8.5 beta to a bunch of new Galaxy devices, while also bringing new versions to others.
UCSB professors honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Professors Shelly Gable, David Morrison, Javier Read de Alaniz and Kelly Caylor have joined the esteemed ranks of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
One UI 8.5 Beta Program is expanding to more Galaxy devices
After releasing One UI 8.5 beta to the Galaxy S25, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung is expanding it to more Galaxy devices.
Billy Goat Hole Ramp at Dauphin Island Back in Business
Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Samsung Brings One UI 8.5 Beta Programme to More Galaxy Devices
Samsung is expanding the One UI 8.5 beta programme to additional Galaxy devices. Introduced with the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z
Billy Goat Hole Ramp at Dauphin Island Back in Business
Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Exclusive: Kamala Harris to appear at Democratic events through the South in April
As speculation continues about what Kamala Harris will do next, she has at least the first part of an answer: a swing through four Southern state Democratic Party events in April.
Samsung opens One UI 8.5 beta program for Galaxy S24
Samsung has opened the One UI 8.5 (Android 16 QPR2) beta program for the Galaxy S24 series. Here are the changes the update brings.
Better Business Bureau: Data breaches are increasing
BBB of the Mid-South President and CEO Randy Hutchinson shares ways to protect investments and avoid scams each week.
Democrats hope GOP health care cuts will put Alaska, and the Senate, in play
Republican Dan Sullivan lost a bid to stave off Medicaid cuts last year and is now facing a barrage of critical ads.
BBC Sport weekly quiz: How many Premier League Golden Boots has Mohamed Salah won?
How much attention have you paid to what's happened in the world of sport over the past seven days?
Here’s the changelog for the first beta version of One UI 8.5 for the Galaxy S24 series
The changelog for the first beta version of One UI 8.5 (Android 16 QPR2) for the Galaxy S24 series has been leaked.
Capital & Main Wins Five Best in Business Awards from SABEW
An investigation into California’s failure to protect underage farmworkers was among the five entries that won awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing.
Scientists open a million-year-old time capsule beneath New Zealand
Deep inside a cave, scientists uncovered fossils from 16 species, including a newfound kākāpō ancestor that may have been able to fly. These remains reveal that New Zealand’s ecosystems were constantly disrupted by volcanic eruptions and rapid climate shifts. Long before humans, waves of extinction and replacement reshaped the islands’ wildlife. It’s a rare window into a missing chapter of natural history.
US oil prices rise as investors assess Middle East de-escalation
U.S. oil prices rose in early trade on Thursday, recovering some of the previous day's losses as investors assessed prospects for de-escalation in the Middle East and Iran reviewed a U.S. proposal to end the war, which has disrupted energy flows from the Gulf.
The T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra "On Us" Deal Explained (No Trade-In or Port-In Required)
Samsung's new flagship phone was released on March 11 and is now shipping.
James Talarico Responds With ‘Love’ To Hegseth Pastor’s Criticism
James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, said, “You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you.” The pastor said he was calling for Mr. Talarico’s religious conversion.
South Florida car business hit by global conflict after missile damage in Dubai, as shipping disruptions mount
New images out of the region show destruction tied to escalating tensions involving Iran, and for one Miami Lakes-based company, the fallout is both immediate and costly.
High-stakes Senate race in Texas sees proliferation of AI-generated attack ads
Campaigns are beginning to use phony AI-generated images in television ads to sharpen their attacks and, critics say, mislead voters.
One UI 9 leak reveals new looks for Now Bar, widgets, and more
A One UI 9 leak has revealed that Samsung is working on a few design changes that will affect widgets, Now Bar, and more.
Samsung price hikes on Galaxy A37, A57 start at $449, make Pixel 10a worth a look
Samsung just announced its new mid-range Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 phones and they’re coming to the US, but with...
A Critical Political Season Could Decide if Alaska Is a Failed ‘Petrostate’
A governor who spent two terms cutting services to preserve Alaskans’ oil-funded annual checks is leaving office. Voters must now decide what comes next for the state’s faltering fiscal model.
Google confirms Android Auto fixes for Pixel, Galaxy users facing connection problems
Some Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy users have been running into problems with Android Auto as of late, but fixes...
Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Official CAD Renders & Rumors
Samsung is planning a second book-style fold for later this year, specifically to compete with the upcoming iPhone Fold. Apple is said to be launching a
Opinion | When faith becomes a weapon in Alabama politics
Wes Allen’s attack on John Wahl reveals a dangerous tactic—using faith as a political weapon rather than a guiding principle.
Biden admin’s top civil rights lawyer joins NAACP as Trump attacks on voting rights escalate
The former assistant attorney general for civil rights under President Joe Biden, Kristen Clarke, is joining the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) as general counsel, according to the organization.
Sibanye Lawyer Assassination Alarms South African Business
The assassination this week of a labor lawyer working for Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. in downtown Johannesburg has prompted a protest from South Africa’s business fraternity.
My time with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has been plagued by one issue; these cheap contemporaries fix it
The battery problem
Palace Theatre to feature family entertainment with the two Kennys
After years of talking about performing a double header, two of the area’s nationally recognized entertainers will bring their acts to the Historic Palace Theatre on April 4. Ventriloquist and comedia...
Samsung Unveils Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, Packing Pro-Level Features at Awesome Price
Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G feature a sleek design, powerful camera, and upgraded Awesome Intelligence to give users the confidence for everyday use
Samsung launches Galaxy A57 and A37 in Europe
After numerous leaks, Samsung has officially refreshed its mid-range lineup with the announcement of the Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G devices.
Inside the impact of NIL and revenue sharing on college hockey
Can competitive balance survive in the sport with the widest variety of athletic programs?
Samsung’s Galaxy A57 gets thinner, faster, and more expensive
Samsung’s 2026 midrangers have arrived.
Obelisk Infotech Launches AI-Driven SEO Automation to Help Businesses Scale Digital Growth
PUNJAB, INDIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 25, 2026 / As more businesses move online and competition across digital channels continues to grow, the need for smarter and more scalable marketing strategies has become increasingly important. Obelisk Infotech, ...
Day in the life of Liz Plosser; former Women's Health editor-in-chief
Liz Plosser, the former editor-in-chief of Women's Health, starts her day with a precise alarm and has a tinned fish wrap for lunch every afternoon.
New Galaxy S26 update that brings AirDrop expands globally
Samsung has released a new software update for the Galaxy S26 series outside of South Korea. It brings AirDrop to the new phones.
Grifols Plans IPO of U.S. Biopharma Business
The Spanish pharmaceutical company is looking to raise money to bolster its balance sheet and fund investments.
Seven foods to add to your diet for better hormone health, according to a doctor
You may have heard about hormone-balancing diets and certain dishes to tweak hormone levels. But is there such a thing as a hormone-balancing food?
Mohamed Salah: Who is the Premier League's greatest forward?
As Mohamed Salah announces he will leave Liverpool this summer, BBC Sport asks you to rank the best forwards in Premier League history.
Epstein accountant, lawyer explain finances in Congress testimony
Jeffrey Epstein's longtime lawyer Darren Indyke and accountant Richard Kahn manage Epstein's $630 million estate without salaries.
When her Akron home burned, it took her business with it
A fire destroyed Louise Bane’s Akron home and the catering business she built inside it — showing how setbacks can upend small operations.
UMass Chan junior faculty receive child health research grants from Hood Foundation
Silvia Galván Peña, PhD, and Jin Zhang, PhD, are two of five recipients of a 2026 Hood Foundation Award.
Cordova students will compete in Alaska Science Olympiad
Students will be traveling from Cordova, Keni, Minto, Nome, Palmer, Seldovia and Utqiagvik to compete with counterparts in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 review: Balancing the scales of justice
Season 2, which premieres Tuesday on Disney+, is a greatly entertaining blend of crunchy action and compelling narrative, writes our reviewer.
Why your brain may be sabotaging your balance as you age
Balance problems in aging and Parkinson’s may come from the body working too hard, not too little. Scientists found that the brain and muscles become overactive during even minor disturbances, yet this actually weakens balance recovery. At the same time, muscles can stiffen against each other, making movement less stable. This unexpected pattern could help predict who is more likely to fall.
Democrat Emily Gregory wins Special Election for HD 87 in Palm Beach County
Campaign messaging escalated in the final stretch, with disputes over residency and political tactics.
Mohamed Salah's Remarkable Career At Liverpool, Broken Down In Numbers
A by-the-numbers look at Mohamed Salah's time at Liverpool after he announced he will be leaving the club at the end of this season.
Marvel Rivals Devs Won't Introduce Original Characters Anytime Soon, Because There Are Simply Too Many Marvel Characters Already
NetEase Games isn't worried about balance in Marvel Rivals as its roster expands with more playable heroes, but don't expect to see any original characters anytime soon.
Gulf State Park brush fire causes closure of Fort Morgan East at Highway 59
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. -- A brush fire at the Gulf State Park has caused closures in the area.
Democrats’ long-shot bid to flip Alaska’s Senate seat
Democrats are hoping for an upset in Alaska’s Senate race. U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. We discuss the major issues at play, plus why Republicans are backing an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Alaska Public Media Washington correspondent Liz Ruskin.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Andre Iguodala says winning NBA Finals MVP with Warriors meant ‘nothing' to him
Former Warriors forward Andre Iguodala revealed why winning NBA Finals MVP with Golden State in 2015 wasn't as meaningful to him as one might think.
Anthropic’s Claude can now control your Mac, escalating the fight to build AI agents that actually do work
Anthropic has given Claude the ability to control a Mac, marking a major step in the AI agent race and raising new questions about automation, reliability, and security.
Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox
Alinea Analytics estimates show that Marathon has generated gross revenues of $55M via 1.2M copies sold on Steam, PS5, and Xbox: Looking at the split between Steam, PS5, and Xbox, Steam is clearly the main platform for Marathon, accounting for a little under 70% of the audience (800K copies sold). Meanwhile, PS5 takes about 19% (217K) and Xbox (including console, PC, and cloud) accounts for a bit over 11% or 133K. Marathon is technically a first-party Sony title, so seeing the home console struggle to break 20% of the volume is a notable data point for the ongoing platform-agnostic debate. PlayStation Studios online games will almost certainly continue being multiplatform (despite Sony reportedly pulling back on PC releases). Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe As for Marathon, the consensus among hardcore players who pushed through the awkward onboarding phase – myself included – is that it’s fantastic. The gunplay, aesthetic, and presentation are among the best in the shooter genre. A great game doesn’t always equal an immediate hit, though, as shown by our estimates. Things are looking lukewarm right now. But this might be one of those marathon-not-a-sprint situations. Had to, didn’t I? Why wasn’t Marathon a hit on the same level as Arc Raiders? One topic that came up in a lot of conversations at GDC this year was why Marathon hasn’t hit the same stratosphere as Arc Raiders. On paper, they’re both extraction shooters, and Marathon has the Bungie pedigree – the house that built the gold standard for gunplay in Halo and Destiny. Marathon’s neon-futuristic aesthetic also distinguishes itself from the gritty realism of Tarkov or the post-apocalyptic hope of ARC Raiders. But vibes can only get you so far for first impressions if the onboarding feels like a brick wall. Marathon is a sweaty PvP-focused experience with a first-time user experience and UI that I can only describe as dreadful. Players are dropped into a complex ecosystem where the UI, though visually striking, is functionally uninformative, forcing users to manually hover over nondescript, identical icons just to identify basic gear or weapon mods. This lack of clarity is compounded by punishing mechanics like a severe heat gauge for movement and a scarcity of vital resources, all without a clear tutorial or a low-stakes mode to learn the ropes. Most people – even top streamers and veteran shooter players – have no idea what’s going on in Marathon at first. Arc is on the complete other end of the spectrum. As we covered here and here, Arc Raiders offers a more collaborative, approachable loop where players often work together toward shared goals. And the objectives are instantly clear. To many players, this contrast only emphasised Marathon’s issues, especially during the testing period. Players understand the Arc Raiders loop within 30 minutes, while Marathon acts as a massive filter, chewing up newcomers and spitting them out before they can experience the depth of Bungie’s signature gunplay. What I’m getting at here is that the poor first-time user experience of Marathon’s Server Slam likely stifled launch sales, while the opposite was true for Arc. Let’s look at the pre-launch copies sold for each game during their respective Server Slams (launch-aligned) : Looking at the trajectory: Arc Raiders saw a massive 80% jump in copies sold during its three-day Server Slam (day -13 to -11). Players jumped in, realised the water was fine, and immediately opened their wallets. Marathon, meanwhile, saw a 49% increase in the four days following its Slam (Day -7 to -3). At the time of each game’s respective launch, Arc Raiders had nearly double the Steam footprint of Marathon – and word of mouth only continued to grow. Bungie could have had more time to fix the onboarding process had the beta happened earlier. But Marathon launched three days after the beta finished. These factors limited the launch sales quite a bit, I reckon. Marathon has found a niche audience, though Despite the friction-heavy start, the data suggests that those who survived Marathon’s onboarding are loving life. We’ve been tracking cross-platform DAUs, and while there’s the expected post-launch leakage, many players are sticking with it. After peaking at 478K total DAUs on its first Saturday, Marathon has settled into a respectable rhythm, holding 345K DAUs as of yesterday and averaging 380K DAUs across the weekend. Steam continues to do the heavy lifting here, consistently accounting for the lion’s share of the daily players. Players have been putting in the hours, too: On Steam, Marathon’s average playtime has climbed to 27.8 hours, significantly outpacing the console averages on PS5 (16.5h) and Xbox (17.3h). Even more telling than the averages: 22% of the Steam audience has surged past the 50-hour mark, and nearly 7% have already logged over 100 hours. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe This data suggests that once the Bungie magic clicks, it hooks players deeper than the average extraction shooter. There’s also started to be a shift in the game’s discourse. Marathon launched as one of those games that’s cool to hate. But as Marathon’s 100-hour club grows, we’re seeing conversations around its mechanical merit outweigh the negativity. Several high-profile creators, who were initially vocal critics, have spent the last week coming around on the mechanical depth of the endgame. It’s a subtle but positive signal; the hate train is losing steam, and a new narrative about the game is emerging. Bungie faithfuls unite Another interesting metric in Marathon’s first few weeks is who, exactly, is playing. Bungie leans heavily on its prestige as the “makers of Halo and Destiny,” in its marketing, and that message has clearly hit the mark. On Steam, the gravity (hammer) of Bungie’s previous work is unavoidable. A staggering 78.2% of Marathon players also played Destiny 2. The trend carries across other platforms, with 74.2% of PS5 players and 82.7% of Xbox players also having played Destiny 2. The Halo legacy lives on, it seems. More on that in a bit. While Destiny 2 went free to play, these numbers still represent a high-intent migration of a fanbase that trusts Bungie’s specific brand of kinetic gunplay and cryptic world-building. The Xbox data adds another layer of legacy. About 85.7% of Marathon players on Xbox have played Halo Infinite, while over half of the Steam audience has spent time in Halo Infinite and 36.1% in the Master Chief Collection (a paid collection of the old Bungie-made legacy games). Interestingly, we see a 55.9% overlap with ARC Raiders on Steam. Overlap is even higher there on PlayStation (60.5%) and Xbox (66.5%). And there’s also significant crossover with Helldivers 2 on all platforms, too. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe Bungie has found some of its fans with Marathon, and the challenge now is keeping this engaged in a high-stakes PvP environment when they’ve spent the last decade primarily enjoying the power fantasies of PvE. On that note… Go the full 26 miles? Or cut and run? Time for some could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. These things would have improved Marathon’s performance at launch: A more robust onboarding process, perhaps in the form of a short single-player/PvE campaign. We know Bungie fans love this stuff. A traditional arena-based mode akin to Destiny’s Crucible could have been a bridge for the cautious players who’d have been otherwise deterred by the Server Slam. It’s also a great palate cleanser after getting merked. Introducing a dedicated PvE environment would have similarly diversified the conversation and lowered the barrier for the Bungie faithful who found the pure PvP extraction loop too abrasive. PvE is safer than PvP these days. There’s an argument that a thin PvE mode would have just felt like a budget Destiny, potentially hurting the brand more. But given how dire the FTUE is, I think it would have been a net positive. Any kind of tutorialised loop that demystifies the stakes, really. While there is merit in a studio sticking firmly to a singular creative vision, and going all in on the hardcore extraction loop. Less forgiving is the technical reality is that the user interface and first-time user experience (FTUE) were not at a commercial standard for launch. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe In a landscape where player time is oversaturated and the most contested currency, a flawed FTUE is a critical failure point. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as Marathon has an incredible, unique gameplay loop, suggesting that financial success is still attainable if Bungie can pivot effectively. Bungie and PlayStation now face a difficult strategic crossroads, though – one within a challenging games market. They could: Double down on Marathon with a long-term Rainbow Six Siege- or No Man’s Sky-style recovery plan, which is something I heard Last Stand Media’s Chris Maldonado mention last week. While this could be a sunk-cost fallacy in action, it could eventually yield the audience the game’s mechanical depth deserves. Shift focus toward the inevitable Destiny 3 or another project, mitigating the escalating opportunity cost and cutting their losses, so to speak. Doing both is an expensive proposition, given the high overhead and burn rate of operating out of Bellevue, Washington. With Sony recently demonstrating a lower threshold for underperforming studios and projects, the margin for error has vanished. Whatever happens, the next six months will determine whether Marathon becomes a cornerstone of Sony’s live-service portfolio or a cautionary tale of vision exceeding accessibility. I’m hoping it’s the former, because Marathon rocks. As always, hit subscribe to get updates on Marathon and other relevant games. Subscribe Want to get your hands on our data for yourself – for free? We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply to this email, and we’ll set you up. The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
DCCC reaches voters at the pump in 4 Florida congressional districts
The campaign will reach people in districts represented by Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills and Maria Elvira Salazar.
Preview: Two injured forwards return for Avalanche in Pittsburgh
The Avs look to get revenge against Pittsburgh tonight.
Palantir Will No Longer Profit Off of New Yorkers’ Health Data
After The Intercept exposed Palantir’s deal with New York City Health + Hospitals, the public health care system didn’t renew the contract.
Oklahoma’s governor picks energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill US Senate seat through end of year
Oklahoma’s governor on Tuesday appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to serve in the US Senate through the end of the year and finish the term of Republican Markwayne Mullin, the new homeland security secretary.
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A57 suffers from one common flagship disease
The Galaxy S series problems are contagious.
Energy executive Alan Armstrong picked to fill Mullin's Senate seat through end of year
The choice by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who had pledged to pick a “conservative voice” to fill Mullin's seat, elevates to the Senate the chairman and former CEO of Williams Companies, a major pipeline operator based in Tulsa.
Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Official CAD Renders & Rumors
This is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. After a pretty huge upgrade last year, for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung doesn't appear to be making any massive