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Amazon employee was laid off; founded wellness travel business
Rania Zheng struggled to relax while juggling motherhood and a career at Amazon. After her layoff, she went all in on her wellness-travel business.
My Science Job: Christian Thompson's resume includes designs for space gear
Christian Thompson, Quinsigamond Community College alum, struggled academically until a professor turned him toward manufacturing technology. He went on to design spacesuits at David Clark.
Elbit restructures its U.S. business as American defense demand accelerates
The Israeli defense group is placing its 3,300-worker American operation under Twenty-Six Defense as its U.S. business expands. The move follows more than $370 million in recent contracts from Customs and Border Protection and comes as Elbit seeks to expand manufacturing capacity to meet a record $32 billion backlog.
Kratom ban meets quiet compliance as retailers clear shelves
Kratom was classified as a Schedule I drug on Aug. 28, as Gov. Maura Healey's administration sounded the alarm about the unregulated products that can lead to dangerous health effects. Inspectors fanned out across the state as the order went into effect to check for compliance.
Seahawks news: Drew Lock speaks up on unexpected night amid Sam Darnold injury
The Seattle Seahawks raised their Super Bowl LX banner on Wednesday night. Then, they took on the New England Patriots in a rematch of the big game. Quarterback Sam Darnold exited with an injury in this game. But backup Drew Lock was ready to answer the challenge. Lock entered the game in the first quarter, and he went to work. He finished the game […] The post Seahawks news: Drew Lock speaks up on unexpected night amid Sam Darnold injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Twenty Thousand Breaths A Day: How The Environment Shapes The Health Within Us
Environmental quality is a personal health issue. And it should shape how physicians, communities, and policymakers respond.
Seahawks Get Concerning Sam Darnold Injury News Amid Patriots Game
After one series, there’s concern about Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. After a 3rd-and-6 play, Dre’Mont Jones sacked Darnold for a five-yard loss, but after the play, he limped off the field. When the Seahawks were on defense, Darnold went into the blue tent to examine him. In the very next series, backup Drew Lock […] The post Seahawks Get Concerning Sam Darnold Injury News Amid Patriots Game appeared first on HEAVY.
A.J. Brown leaving Seahawks game with ankle injury
Brown went into the blue medical tent.
Andoni Iraola dismisses injury worries over Bradley Barcola
Barcola went off against Atletico on the hour holding his left calf.
Denver scientists discover first adult T. rex trackway
A T. rex went for a walk 66 million years ago. Denver scientists just found the footprints.
Cancer center services moving to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
The changes are expected by early summer of next year.
The 2026 Big Ten College Football Playoff Picture: Week 2
The Big Ten went 16-2* in Week 1 thanks to a slate full of cupcakes. It's a bit tougher this week, so how are the conference's CFP prospects?
Guardians Minor League Recap: Huff Hits Twentieth
Minor League Recaps for 9/1/2026’s games
Is 'Practical Magic 2' worth watching? The sequel took 28 years to happen — and critics say the reunion is complicated.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as the Owens sisters alongside Joey King and Maisie Williams in the witchy cult classic's long-awaited sequel.
Dear Abby | Senior women's admirer lacks courage to confess
Dear Abby: I'm in love with an older woman. I'm 41, and she is about 35 years older. I have known her since I was a kid. She's the reason
UConn Student Justin Fargo Went from Family iPhone-Fixer to Small Business Cybersecurity Champion
'There is a massive shortage of security professionals, and the opportunity for information security-related roles is only increasing'
Guelph meat science faculty went from five to zero
Federal funding flowed to Protein Industries Canada and plant proteins after 2018 while a $32-billion meat industry went without its share.
Today’s Papers – Big Inter gifts, Juventus in trouble
La Gazzetta dello SportJuve, you need to get yourself blessed.Locatelli returns in 2027; stop for BogaAfter Yildiz and Thuram, the captain underwent surgery too (could be out for six months)Inter’s ...
Down with Politicians! A Reformed Critique of a Bad Idea
Calvin went so far as to characterize the work done by civic officials as a "sacred and noble calling."
2004-05 deja-vu - Can Moyes inspire another fine finish?
Deadline day may have left Everton fans feeling disillusioned, but the side is four games into the season and remains unbeaten, nine goals scored, including two in added time to secure a point. After what was a chaotic close to the transfer window, even by the Toffees' own standards, the performance against Manchester United ironically saw the summer signings playing a key role in the fight. Jack Grealish and Hayden Hackney came on from the bench to turn the game on its head, Tyrique George scored to equalise before the visitors went back in front, and it was Ainsley Maitland-Niles with a stunning strike to secure the draw in the final few seconds.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Handed Potential Trade Idea Involving Cowboys
Las Vegas Raiders‘ Maxx Crosby will have a chip on his shoulder when he takes the field in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens traded for the veteran pass rusher, but the deal fell through after he failed his physical.Crosby underwent surgery in Jan. 2026 to repair a torn meniscus […] The post Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Handed Potential Trade Idea Involving Cowboys appeared first on HEAVY.
WA's political leadership pipeline grows as 21 women complete Pathway to Politics
Twenty-one women from across WA have graduated from the 2026 Pathways to Politics for Women program at The University of Western Australia.
Macau wants to be a ‘business city,’ not just a gaming hub—and it’s spending $16 billion to help it get there
IPIM board president Alex Che Weng Keong says the casino hub can use its regulatory autonomy and Portuguese heritage to become a "tech city."
Five Plays: Ole Miss First Quarter
Louisville went down to Nashville and battled Ole Miss to the final second on the clock. There were a lot of questions that the Cards needed to answer quickly, with the main one being how Lincoln Kienholz would play in his first career start. But UofL came out with a great plan, and they took […]
Reaction: “Fabio looked dangerous from his first touch”
(in the mixed zone): “He had circulation problems (regarding the substitution of Konstantinos Karetsas, ed.). There had been no sign of it. He went to the hospital for further examinations. It would...
49ers catching early breaks — including avoiding Rams’ Aaron Donald
Kyle Shanahan went out of his way to avoid providing injury updates after the 49ers’ first practice in Australia, cleverly pointing out that they were a full day ahead of...
The 98 Biggest TV Show Flops, Bombs and Misses in the First Half of 2026
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) In July, I updated my look at how the “streaming bubble” popped since 2023, showing the decline in streaming TV shows over time. But after compiling and analyzing and writing about over one hundred TV show flops in the first half of 2026—I counted 99 “nominees” and there are even more honorable mentions—I couldn’t have told you that the number of shows is going down. When it comes to scripted, English-language TV shows, it feels like we have as many bombs as ever. I don’t keep a specific count, but some streamers probably had as many flops as they’ve ever had.1 That’s right, it’s time for part two of my analysis of the biggest flops, bombs and misses on streaming in the first half of 2026. Two weeks ago, I took a look at films. Today, TV shows. If you want to read the full methodology for how I assemble this list, you can find it at the bottom of this article. In short, this list is… ...scripted and unscripted TV shows,...from the nine major streamers,...in the US (using US-only ratings),...excluding true crime, kids and foreign-language shows,...that got no/poor ratings,...from Jan-2026 to the end of June-2026. Reminder: this article does not represent my personal opinion—many of these shows are great!—but I follow the data, and a miss is a miss and a bomb is a bomb. Also, price matters. If a TV show costs north of $100 million, it needs to get lots and lots of streaming viewership to justify that budget. As with past editions, I ordered this list by streamer, going from best (fewest flops) to worst (the most misses)—taking the size of the flops into consideration—and like the last edition, three or four streamers vied to take the win/loss of having the most flops. (But the actual winner is no surprise.) I try to avoid tooting my own horn too much, but seriously, in just under 5,000 words (including the methodology section) I provide a mostly comprehensive overview of the eight major streamers (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and Apple TV) for the first half of the year, mentioning most of their hits and all their misses. It summarizes the entire first half of 2026! If you want to support this work, please subscribe. Subscribe Tubi Big Mood Boarders The Freak Brothers Twenty Twenty Six Honorable Mentions: Busted on Bodycam, Deestroying the Pitch, Destination World Cup 2026 I don’t think that Tubi spends all that much making or (mostly) licensing these original TV shows—Big Mood, Boarders and Twenty Twenty Six all come from the UK—but they’re not free and they didn’t chart anywhere. Winner: The Freak Brothers Have you even heard of this show? It’s an animated comedy...that’s on its third season! And Pete Davidson, Woody Harrelson, John Goodman and Tiffany Haddish all provide voice talent for it. Yes, animated shows don’t cost as much as live action shows, but cheap isn’t free! So a show with this level of talent needs to perform better. Disney+ Daredevil: Born Again Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Honorable Mentions: Behind the Attraction, Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, We Call It Imagineering Disney+ doesn’t make all that many original shows anymore. They had two flops, and one was animated. Their one not-a-miss show, Wonder Man, got just good enough viewership to not be considered a “miss”...but it’s since been cancelled. At this point, Disney has pivoted entirely away from making big budget TV shows for Disney+ to making...almost nothing for Disney+? Sure, Disney’s spending circa 2019-2022 was unsustainable, but now they’re pivoting too far in the other direction. At some point, Disney needs to stop shifting strategies so wildly. Really, Disney should have made fewer shows for Disney+ at launch and the shows they did make at that time needed to be made at more reasonable budgets. And they should adopt that strategy now. Winner: Daredevil: Born Again Daredevil, the Marvel Comics character, is on my personal Mount Rushmore of favorite superheroes, so it pains me to give him the win/loss today, but this show deserves it. I’ll repeat my hot take from last spring: “Based on his popularity, Daredevil should be in movies, and probably ones that cost a lot less than the MCU’s usual price tag. Disney/Bob Iger/Ike Perlmutter (who, based on reporting, made the decision) made a huge mistake selling TV shows to Netflix in the 2010s, thus limiting this character to the small screen. Daredevil could have anchored Marvel’s post-Infinity War plans, and if he did, the MCU would probably be in a better place than it is now.” HBO Max We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… What four streamers had the most misses... HBO’s strong start to 2026… The caveat to Peacock’s turnaround this year... Paramount+’s key man problem… What country isn’t delivering hits for Netflix or Hulu... The cavalcade of stars on a streamer where no one is watching their shows... Across nearly 5,000 words of analysis… And a lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you’d like to read more about why you should subscribe, please read this article about the Streaming Ratings Report, why it matters, why you need it, and why we cover streaming ratings best.
'Practical Magic 2' is charming but cursed by repetition
The Owens sisters are as bewitching as ever – multiple generations of them, in fact – in “Practical Magic 2,” even if the sequel might only truly cast a spell
New York Business Thought It Was Paying Its Bills Until $161K Went Somewhere Else
A New York employee thought they were doing exactly what they were supposed to do when an email instructed them to start sending business payments to a new bank account. Three transfers and more than ...
❌ Sent off after provocation: E. Mbappé loses his head
In the first leg between Lille and Real Betis, Ethan Mbappé initially shone with an assist for the opening goal. After that, however, things only went according to plan to a limited extent for the Fr...
Exclusive: Two of gaming’s biggest names are making a big investment in gaming’s future
The first thing to know about the Nova Games Foundation is that it isn’t about The Game Awards. And it’s not about PlayStation. The ambitious new grant program is the brainchild of Geoff Keighley and Mark Cerny. Keighley is the host of The Game Awards, Summer Game Fest and Opening Night Live. Cerny is a game designer of some 45 years and the lead architect for the PlayStation 4 and 5. But this new thing, which they’re revealing through Game File, isn’t about their day jobs. It’s an unaffiliated, standalone philanthropic project. It’s a bet on the artistic future of video games and a way, they tell me, to give back. “I’m nearing the end of my career,” Cerny recently told me over email. “I’m not done yet, but paying it forward—in the best way possible—is very much on my mind these days,” The Nova Games Foundation is a university-affiliated fellowship program, intended to offer six-figure grants to 20 young game designers each year, potentially for decades to come. It will offer no-strings-attached funding along with mentorship from games industry leaders, a combination intended to aid the development of groundbreaking new games, Cerny and Keighley told me. Nova will begin accepting applications in December, from class of 2026 and 2027 students from 13 affiliated gaming programs at universities in eight countries. The schools working with Nova include the New York University and the University of Southern California in the U.S., along with Abertay University in Scotland, Cnam-Enjmin in France, TH Köln in Germany, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, Cerny and Keighley said. The plan: $100,000 per recipient, with about a quarter of Nova fellows eligible for up to $500,000 more for projects that are shaping up particularly well. Payments will be delivered based on development milestones, and recipients will own their games. Nova will help promote the work, and developers will be free to pursue the publishers and platforms of their choice. Nova can help introduce fellows to publishers, but won’t take a cut. “I’ve always wanted to give back, but given my role in the industry, I’ve never felt it appropriate to commercially invest in games,” Keighley told Game File. “I’ve never owned stock in a game company or taken a financial stake in a game. Nova is philanthropy: we aren’t taking equity or looking to recoup the grants. The return we’re hoping for is creative—helping new voices make games and find their footing. “Mark and I have each made multi-million-dollar donations to establish the foundation, and we intend to keep contributing. We hope others will join us.” Cerny and Keighley have already hired an executive director, John Maconga, and a head of grants, recent Game Developers Conference director Ashley Corrigan, to help launch the effort. They’re working to recruit game industry leaders to join the effort. Keighley says “dozens of leading game directors have already expressed interest in contributing their time.” To name one, they’ve already gotten Josef Fares, lead designer from It Takes Two and Spit Fiction studio Hazelight on board with a donation and pledge to help out. “I’m proud to support Nova because it gives the next generation of creators the freedom to explore their creativity and hopefully bring their unique visions to life,” Fares told Game File. A plan forged from a friendship Keighley and Cerny have known each other a long time. It’s been so long, Cerny isn’t even sure exactly when they met. “We travel in much the same circles and I’m sure first intersected in the 90s or early 2000s,“ Cerny said. Keighley thinks it might have been during his stint writing a column about the mid-’90s console 3DO for a gaming magazine while Cerny was working on games with Crystal Dynamics or on Way of the Warrior with Naughty Dog. They became genuine friends about a 10 years ago, Keighley said, as they bonded over a shared love of games and a hope to improve the industry. “About a decade ago, we started having dinner a few times a year in LA,” Keighley said. “Just to catch up on life and the industry. Those conversations continued over Zoom during COVID. Nova grew out of that friendship and a question we kept coming back to: ‘What could we do to help the next generation of game directors get started?’” Keighley credits Cerny with the idea to figure out a way to put their money and time back into the industry. At one of those dinners, Keighley proposed the idea of a fellowship program. He’d recalled applying for a Rhodes Scholarship when he was younger. “Spoiler: I didn’t get it,” he said. He’d admired the MacArthur Foundation’s so-called “genius grants.” He liked these kinds of programs that recognized people’s talents and gave them the financial boost and the freedom to realize their potential. With Cerny, he had pondered what a game industry version of that could be. Keighley liked the idea of centering the fellowship on students, drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Jenova Chen, the USC game design graduate who went on to lead the creation of gently moving, ambitious games such as Flower and Journey. Keighley also thought it could be useful to help promising graduates bridge the transition from student to professional. “Joining an established studio isn’t always possible—especially in today’s market—and even then, it isn’t the right path for everyone,” Keighley said. A fellowship, he realized, could give “graduates the time, resources and guidance to pursue a game of their own and not worry about the commercial viability.” As the idea took shape, Cerny also saw an opportunity to enable more games of a certain type: “The target with the grants is games as an artistic medium,” Cerny told me. “We like to say games with ‘artistic, literary and societal value.’” He added: “I’m a pretty big gamer myself, though I tend to gravitate towards the smaller and more unique or artistic titles, games like Neva, Abzu, Gorogoa, Stray or Outer Wilds. I was just playing and Roger on a flight to Japan, and was getting misty eyed to a degree that I was concerned that a flight attendant would ask me if I was OK. “So one fun benefit here is the games that will come out of the Nova Games Foundation – I can’t wait to play them myself.” Cerny believes it will also be useful for Nova fellows to hone their craft and team leadership skills. “We are looking for the next generation of visionaries,” he said. “The trick is that they will also need to have the executive function necessary to drive a small project to completion.” Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Going big with this Keighley and Cerny may have started Nova and may be the ones primarily backing it right now, but they’re dreaming of something that goes beyond them. “Mark and I may have helped get it started, but one of our measures of success is that Nova grows into something the entire games industry feels a sense of ownership in,” Keighley said. “Our ambition is to build a lasting endowment supported by people and companies across the industry, and an equally broad community of creators willing to give their time and experience to the next generation.” The industry has a lot of knowledge that it can pass to the next generation, Keighley said: “Nova can hopefully become a way to connect that generosity with talented young creators at the moment when it can make the biggest difference.” Cerny, who told me he believes Nova can mature “over the next 10 or 20 years,” sees an opportunity to give generations of game makers momentum. “The industry has changed immeasurably since I started in games in 1982,” he said. “These graduates have talent, training and tools that outclass what we had back in the day by an astonishing amount. But they face a tough road ahead getting traction in the industry, and many could benefit from our support. We want to be there to give it to them.” “There’s a personal side to this, too,” Keighley said. “I don’t have children, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I can do for future generations. Games have been my entire career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate, and helping someone else build a life in this industry feels like a meaningful way to give back.” Cerny’s oeuvre dates back to Marble Madness and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He has stood on stage multiple times to reveal the future of PlayStation hardware. He’s been an executive producer for a string of modern PlayStation classics such as The Last Guardian and Marvel’s Spider-Man. Nevertheless, of Nova, he said, “It’s certainly not like anything I’ve done before.” Nova Foundation applications will be due in December and the first wave of fellows will be announced in March 2027. A full list of participating universities and steps students and recent graduates can take to apply to become a Nova Fellow is forthcoming.
OpenAI's big math breakthrough claim sparks drama
The math community is heated over questions about credit and AI training data after a mathematician's allegations against OpenAI went viral.
Brentford's rise 'not finished yet'
From starting his coaching journey with MK Dons in 2015, it took the Ireland international 10 years to become a top-flight manager. "I went on a journey to try to be a head coach, but that wasn't straightforward," Andrews told The Football Interview. Playing his junior football in the Dublin District Schoolboy League, second tier Wolves identified Andrews as a target.
'Practical Magic 2' brings back the magic and the mess
The Owens sisters are as bewitching as ever – multiple generations of them, in fact – in “Practical Magic 2,” even if the sequel might only truly cast a spell
Mets Minor League Players of the Week: Week Twenty-Four
What minor league players put up the best numbers this past week, September 1st to September 6th?
Padres Got a Surprisingly Strong Start From Pivetta
The San Diego Padres gave Nick Pivetta a surprise start yesterday, and it went better than expected.
A university professor spent 100 days living in a 100-square-foot habitat 22 feet beneath a Key Largo lagoon — and when he finally surfaced, he measured half an inch shorter after spending the entire mission under elevated pressure
Joseph Dituri went into the water at 73 inches tall. He came out, 100 days later, at just over 72. The final measurement came on a Key Largo dock in June
Sporticast: An NFL Safety’s Journey From Truck Hits to Trucking Biz
On the 585th Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams speak with Antoine Bethea, a former All-Pro safety, about his business journey since retiring from the NFL. Bethea was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. He went on to play 14 NFL season with the Colts, San …
Remembering ‘Superstar’ Bill Dundee and his unlikely Owensboro furniture business
For a time, Owensboro wrestling fans could buy furniture from “Superstar” Bill Dundee — and have him help deliver it.
Adventist Health Launches Epic System with Expanded AI Integration
ROSEVILLE, CA — Adventist Health has announced that they have completed the largest technology implementation in its history, connecting all 27 hospitals and more than 440 clinics across California, Oregon, and Hawaii through a single electronic health record system. The health system went live with Epic on August 30, marking what Adventist Health describes as […]
A British Carmaker Fitted Anti-Lock Brakes to a Road Car in 1966 and All-Wheel Drive 14 Years Before the AMC Eagle. Then It Went Bust, and It Just Came Back With 940 Horsepower
Legendary British automaker Jensen is seemingly back from the dead, and is bringing a 940 horsepower V8 muscle car with it. The manufacturer, which went bust
Port of Grandview works to attract new businesses with active marketing and land development
The BriefThe Port of Grandview is actively marketing the community to attract new business development, with efforts including attendance at trade shows and conventions like Food Northwest in Portland.The Port reports strong demand for business property, with several prospective clients currently seeking space to build in Grandview.The Port recently acquired 45 acres for its new Woodworth Road Business Park, with planning underway to support the community's continued growth.GRANDVIEW — The Port of Grandview is capitalizing on strong interest in the community by actively marketing Grandview to businesses seeking locations for expansion and growth. The Port's efforts are paying off, with increased development activity and growing demand for available business property.Grandview's appeal stems from multiple factors. The community's available land and central location between the Tri-Cities and Yakima make it an attractive option for businesses looking to establish or expand operations. The Port has recognized these advantages and is taking a proactive approach to market the community directly to potential clients.Port Executive Director Randy Tucker says the Port has been actively attending trade shows and conventions to promote Grandview as a business destination. These events, including Food Northwest in Portland, provide opportunities to connect with companies actively seeking new locations."Say, hey, locate your business here and bring your customers here. And it's worked out pretty good for us," Tucker said.The Port's marketing strategy is generating results. The Port reports strong demand for business property, with several prospective clients currently looking for space to build in Grandview. This interest reflects the effectiveness of the Port's outreach efforts and the community's appeal to businesses in various industries.To support this growth, the Port recently acquired 45 acres for its new Woodworth Road Business Park. Planning is underway to determine how the property can best support Grandview's continued development and attract additional businesses to the area.The combination of available land, strategic location, and active marketing positions Grandview as an increasingly attractive option for businesses seeking to relocate or expand. As the Port continues its efforts to promote the community, Grandview appears poised for continued economic growth and development. News Three Queens Fire approaching 10,000 acres, now 11% contained Robert Desaulniers, Josh Culbreth News Two injured after rear-end crash leads to rollover near Grandview Robert Desaulniers News Grandview High School temporarily enters secure and teach for possible altercation between students Robert Desaulniers News Port of Grandview pursues economic growth with new business park development William Albert, Apple Valley News Now News Driver dies in fiery crash in Columbia Park Friday Erin Wencl COPYRIGHT 2026 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
“Adults ”cast break down filming that wild season 2 foursome scene involving a possum: ‘Oh God, this is scary’
The intimate scene between three characters and an animal intruder involved “a lot of moving parts,” says star Owen Thiele.
Over 20 dogs neglected at a LI boarding business: police
MANORHAVEN, N.Y. (PIX11) — An alleged case of animal neglect is being investigated after police went to the business on Saturday night, according to officials. At 10:44 p.m. on Saturday, police fou…
I Went Eyes-On With the Aurzen Zip Pro Foldable, Portable Projector. It's Ready to Shine Your Entertainment Anywhere
It has the same fun, foldable design as Aurzen's other Zip, but now it's larger and far more capable.
Cowboys RB Handed First Career Fine in League Discipline
Malik Davis went from an undrafted afterthought to the Dallas Cowboys‘ primary backup running back this summer. He signed with the team in 2022 and built momentum last season by appearing in 10 games, rushing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He took the next step during this year’s preseason, securing the definitive No. 2 […] The post Cowboys RB Handed First Career Fine in League Discipline appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
Nathan Fielder drops trailer for mind-bending Elizabeth Holmes documentary filmed in secret over 3 years
“To this day, I don’t quite know what I went through,” Fielder said of filming “You Can See Everything.”
Stephen A. Smith blasts Clemson after blowout loss against LSU
Stephen A. Smith went off on Clemson during Monday's edition of First Take.
The ‘Lanterns’ Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Crashes After ‘Political’ Accusations
Lanterns had a very high Rotten Tomatoes audience score until it sunk after a certain episode went too political for some.
How Dallas County went from Republican stronghold to Democratic strong
Dallas, the city that welcomed Ronald Reagan’s GOP in 1984, has undergone a dramatic political transformation, with Democrats now controlling every major elected office in Dallas County.
Sunday No Huddle (9/6/26)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In the first Sunday No Huddle of the football season, WCIA’s Courtney Layne Brewer and Robert Rosenthal of IlliniBoard.com break down what went right and what went wrong in Illinois’ opening win against UAB.
🎥 Shock in Itaquera! Corinthians beaten by bottom side Chapecoense
Chapecoense had only two wins in the Brasileirão - against Santos and São Paulo.And a total of zero away victories.Then they went and stunned Corinthians right at the Neo Química Arena this Sunday ...
Virginia Tech news: James Franklin blasts 'un-American' flag thrown
The James Franklin era at Virginia Tech has begun. Franklin got to enjoy the Enter Sandman entrance for the Hokies for the first time as the head coach. His team was also dominant, winning 73-3 over VMI. In the third quarter, Marcellous Hawkins Jr. scored on a two-yard run, putting the Hokies up 58-0. Hawkins then went up to one of the members of […] The post Virginia Tech news: James Franklin blasts 'un-American' flag thrown appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Notre Dame football pregame injury update on Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
With “KVA” apparently sidelined, Notre Dame figures to lean more on the three-man rotation of Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed
MAC Responds to Controversial Michigan-Western Michigan Finish
The Michigan Wolverines avoided disaster Saturday night with a last-second Hail Mary win over Western Michigan. Yet the final play itself is not what has college football fans talking today.The referees decided to put one second back on the clock after the initial Hail Mary attempt that went out of the end zone as time […] The post MAC Responds to Controversial Michigan-Western Michigan Finish appeared first on HEAVY.
That Was Less Than Fun, Jays Lose
Jays 1 Royals 6 This one, well, it was a great game to watch. Right from the first inning. Brett Bateman was hit by a pitch to start the game, but Nathan Lukes hit into a double play, and Vladimir Guerrero grounded out. And the bottom of the inning went single (roller down the first […]
Halloween: The Game Appears to Patch Out a Sex Minigame — and Players Think They Know Why
Halloween: The Game developer IllFonic appears to have patched out a sex mini-game after a gameplay clip went viral.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: What Arteta and Havertz said
Arsenal have come from behind to beat Chelsea in a Premier League game for the first time since October 2011 (5-3), ending a run of 14 without a victory when trailing the Blues (four draws, 10 losses). Arsenal have won their opening three games of a top-flight campaign while also conceding fewer than two goals (one) for the third time since 1924-25, when they finished 20th and in 2003-04, when they went the whole season unbeaten.
Qinwen Zheng Shocks Madison Keys in US Open Third Round
#121 Qinwen Zheng defeated #24 Madison Keys 1-6 7-6(3) 7-5, in a stunning third-round comeback at the US Open, rallying from a 0-5 deficit in the deciding set, and saving match point along the way, to book her spot in the Round 16. Keys, a former US Open finalist, had the match firmly in hand, …
German far-right party set for strong win in regional election but uncertain of governing
Alternative for Germany, or AfD, went into the vote seeking an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern on its own. That would overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties’ refusal to work with AfD.
Buckeye mom's soul food business blows up on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook
Buckeye's TammysTasteBudz went viral on social media, letting Tammy Bouie quit her job to sell soul food full-time, honoring her late mother's legacy.
Wim Wenders Revisits Berlin Film Festival Comments About Politics
Wim Wenders Revisits Berlin Film Festival Comments About Filmmakers & Politics
The Big Ten Just Stole a Win From Western Michigan
I still can’t believe what happened at the end of Michigan-Western Michigan . Western Michigan got screwed. There’s really no other way I can describe watching that ending. The Broncos went into the Big House as massive underdogs, held No. 16 Michigan to seven points for essentially the entire game and took a 12-7 lead…
Wim Wenders clarifies that he does not believe film-makers should stay out of politics
Director’s controversial comments earlier this year warned of films that ‘enter the field of politics’
In 2019, scientists shut off rain inside Arizona’s Biosphere 2 rainforest for 9.5 weeks; carbon storage fell about 70% before the forest recovered
Researchers turned off the water supply to the tropical rainforest inside Arizona's Biosphere 2 in 2019, and watched the ecosystem respond to an artificial drought. The experiment lasted four months in total, which included the recovery period, while the forest itself went without rain for about 9.5 weeks.
German director Wenders clarifies views on film and politics
German director Wim Wenders clarified his views about the relationship between filmmakers and politics on Sunday after he caused an outcry at the Berlin film festival earlier this year. Speaking in Venice, where he is presenting a new film about Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the "Paris, Texas" director said he had been misunderstood.
German director Wenders clarifies views on film and politics
German director Wim Wenders clarified his views about the relationship between filmmakers and politics on Sunday after he caused an outcry at the Berlin film festival earlier this year.
German director Wenders clarifies views on film and politics
German director Wim Wenders clarified his views about the relationship between filmmakers and politics on Sunday after he caused an outcry at the Berlin film festival earlier this year.
Wim Wenders Clarifies Stance on Filmmakers and Politics After Berlin
Wim Wenders has clarified his much-discussed statement about filmmakers' role in politics at Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
Scientists uncovered a bizarre crocodile cousin from 215 million years ago that started life walking on all fours, then changed its entire stance as it grew — by adulthood it was standing upright and striding around on two legs
A crocodile relative in ancient Arizona underwent a radical transformation during its lifetime, shifting from four-legged crawler to upright biped—a developmental puzzle that rewrites what scientists thought possible for reptiles.
Wim Wenders stands by Berlin politics comments: “Filmmakers are ...
"Filmmakers are not working with the mindset of politicians," said Wenders.
[Science Through Covers] Alpine plants in the Bernese Alps face extinction as warming intensifies
Twenty-one-year Science study links higher mountaintop temperatures to rising local extinctions above the treeline
White Sox Minor League Update: September 5, 2026
The South Side affiliates went 1-for-5 on the day, with the Barons snagging the lone win in their doubleheader opener
Tennessee rolls through Furman 56-9
That’ll do. It took a little while, but the Tennessee Volunteers got things going in a big way on Saturday in their season opener against Furman. The Vols bowled over the Paladins 56-9 on a steamy day inside Neyland Stadium. Faizon Brandon got his Tennessee career started off on the right foot, as he went […]
Seahawks’ Leonard Williams Gets ‘Tough Road’ Message From NFL Legend
The Seattle Seahawks have spent an offseason hearing about how difficult it is to stay on top after winning a Super Bowl.Leonard Williams went looking for answers from people who have lived it.The veteran defensive lineman said he spoke with his father-in-law, Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, along with former Seahawks stars Richard […] The post Seahawks’ Leonard Williams Gets ‘Tough Road’ Message From NFL Legend appeared first on HEAVY.
Manager delighted with another Premiership win
It was a tough top-of-the table clash in Paisley between Celtic and St Mirren, and it was the league leaders who went home with all three points thanks to a 2-1 victory.Goals from Liam Scales and Yang...
Post Match Reaction: Dortmund Complete the Comeback in Hoffenheim
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Alexander Zverev Has a Highway to the US Open Semifinal
The bracket gods have been extraordinarily generous to Alexander Zverev at the 2026 US Open. Lorenzo Musetti, who held a 3-2 head-to-head advantage over him and was seeded 13th, went out to Australian wildcard Dane Sweeny before they could meet. Alex de Minaur, the sixth seed and one of the most annoying players to play …
Analysis: Tigers continue impressive start
Hull entered the third round of fixtures as one of only four Premier League clubs with a 100% record after two games. The majority of Hull's attacks on Saturday went through Mohamed Belloumi on the right wing and he almost gifted a third win from as many matches to the Tigers here with a stunning effort. The Algerian winger, 24, has shown in the opening weeks he has the quality to make an impact in the Premier League after starring in their promotion campaign.
I Went Shopping for My Ultimate Smart Home of the Future at IFA 2026
Turns out I need a lot more money than I actually have.
Cynthia Chestnut says Gwen Graham LG pick drove her endorsement of Byron Donalds over David Jolly
'You chose to go backward, not forward.'
🚨 Inter comeback against Napoli, winner in stoppage time!
The last two Scudetto winners went head-to-head on Saturday night in Milan. Inter, the defending champions, hosted Napoli at San Siro (Matchday 3 of Serie A). This top-of-the-table clash lived up to a...
Postgame Quotes: "Feels Great to Have Won Here!”
Manging Director for Sport Lars Ricken (in the mixed zone): “Wherever Dortmund plays, things never get boring! It was the same thing against Hamburg. After we went down two-nil, it was tough to imag...
Reactions: “Where Dortmund play, there’s always drama!”
Managing Director for Sport Lars Ricken (in the mixed zone): “Wherever Dortmund play, things happen! It was the same against Hamburg. After it went to 2:0, you couldn’t necessarily expect that any...
FC Twente chief responds to Barcelona interest in Ruud Nijstad
The teenager has plenty of admirers.
Spalletti names the “strongest” player in the Juventus squad
Luciano Spalletti has admitted that Kenan Yildiz is the best player at Juventus right now, with the Bianconeri waiting for their star man to return to action after he underwent surgery a few days ago....
Two UConn students went to Africa to help others. How they did it, in a nation that can lack some resources.
The students gained an even deeper understanding of the community they were preparing to serve.
They paid $470,000 for a ‘boring’ business. Within days, almost everything went wrong
After one couple’s new business turned into a nightmare, here’s how they turned it around.
Rutgers Called Out by NJ State Government Over UMass Upset
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights opened the 2026 season with a nightmare. The team not only lost to UMass, but did so in blowout fashion by a final of 37-21.UMass has been one of the worst teams in FBS over the past decade and just went 0-12 last season. That made the Week 1 showdown a […] The post Rutgers Called Out by NJ State Government Over UMass Upset appeared first on HEAVY.
OPS selected for science cohort
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) science consultants have selected Owensboro Public Schools for the second cohort of the RISE Leadership Academy.
Mark Cuban and Healthcare Competition: News Article
Payton Herres successfully underwent heart transplantation surgery as a preteen. A year later, she began taking everolimus—a vital medication used to
UA Foundation Adds Analytics, Strategy Leaders
Gwendolyn Gruenig is the new Chief Data and Analytics Officer and Stephanie Monahan is Director of Strategic Initiatives at UA Foundation.
‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison has emergency bypass surgery after 'simpler procedure' takes a turn
Rick Harrison went in for a "simpler procedure" before doctors determined the "Pawn Stars" star needed emergency bypass surgery, his family says.
The Fierce Battle For Kids’ Eyeballs...Plus Two “Devils” Face Off
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) During the week of this report, Spider-Man: Brand New Day hit theaters and went on to become one of the biggest films of all time. So, you know what that means! It’s time for a poll! Recently, Project Hail Mary came to Prime Video and became a top five film for them, but didn’t smash streaming records, a feat I cautiously thought it could accomplish. Can Spider-Man 4 do better? To set the stakes, some of the biggest films of all time do just okay on streaming. Wicked, Top Gun: Maverick, and Barbie come to mind... But unlike those films, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a Sony film which means it’s headed to Netflix, the world’s largest streamer. Now, per friend of the newsletter and my go-to Netflix expert, Kasey Moore of What’s on Netflix, Sony films usually appear on Netflix 120 days after they premiere, which means Spidey 4 would land on Netflix on, checks notes, 28-November, one of the two biggest streaming weekends of the year! But Sony occasionally delays its biggest hits for a bit longer, to give them more time to make money on PVOD, so Spider-Man: Brand New Day might not swing onto Netflix until late December or even February 2027. Loading... Okay, on to this week’s issue. Since The Super Mario Galaxy Movie made its way to Peacock, I’m looking at the true workhorse of streaming viewership: kids films. And the surprising film that bested most Netflix animated movies. All that, plus Hulu has a new show that might be a hit (for them…?), two “Devils” square off on streaming, Zendaya tries to find some streaming magic, Netflix’s I Will Find You continues to do well, House of the Dragon tries to break into the season three top ten, some big NBC sports and summer programs, what friendly neighborhood Spider-Man character actually generates the most viewership on streaming, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of July 27th to August 2nd, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - As The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Hits Peacock, How Have Kids Films Fared in 2026? Like Mario hopping on a Koopa, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie landed on Peacock on 30-July. (Yeah, I kinda forced that Mario reference.) How did it do? Great, just like the first film. It got 13.0 million hours on its opening, and that’s good enough to take second place among Peacock films on the Nielsen charts all time: As I mention all the time, Peacock just isn’t the world’s biggest streamer—in fact, nowhere close—so its films struggle to put up numbers like Netflix (or even Prime Video and Disney+). So this is a solid debut for that streamer. And as we saw last time, The Super Mario Bros. Movie had a HUGE second life on Netflix when it moved streamers. This chart doesn’t even show how long the first Mario lasted on Netflix: a whopping, KPop-esque 31 weeks. For NBCUniversal, though, the big win was the second Mario movie grossing $429 million in America and over $1 billion globally. But yeah, to add a very strong streaming performance only makes its success even greater. Illumination pretty clearly has another hit franchise on their hands. This is a good time, though, to check in on kids films so far in 2026. We’ve had a few big, big titles, a rare Netflix success, and some disappointments. Let’s start with the top animated films since November of 2025, over their first four weeks on the charts, along with a few of the “best all time” animated films: (As a reminder, if a film doesn’t make the Nielsen top ten lists, I don’t have data for it, so it gets a “zero” in terms of viewership. Now, it had some viewership, but I don’t know what it is, so it gets a zero.) I added a few titles to get an idea of what the best of the best looks like in terms of animation. And you can see, through four weeks, Zootopia 2 can now claim “one of the biggest streaming films of all time” titles. GOAT too did surprisingly well, besting Netflix’s biggest films (Swapped and In Your Dreams) through four weeks. When I’ve talked about how films can have varying performances on streaming compared to their box office, this is what I mean. Goat just managed to gross even $103 million at the box office—so it’s popular, but just barely—but did very well on streaming. Of course, what set Encanto and KPop Demon Hunters apart from the rest was their absolutely insane longevity. Here are the kids film charts through eight weeks to show that: And really KPop Demon Hunters just kept going, and no 2025 or 2026 kids films have had that sort of longevity. I can’t wait to see the sequel in theaters. Film - Two Devils and a Drama As I wrote last week, in the past, theatrical-first film flops weren’t eligible for “Miss of the Week” or “Miss of the Year” honors/dishonors, but since so many more films go to theaters first these days, I’ve made them eligible now! But it’s complicated. You see, this is a Streaming Ratings Report, emphasis on streaming, which makes analyzing this week’s two biggest streaming misses—The Drama on HBO Max (A24’s dramedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) and Prime Video’s The Devil Mouth (a killer shark movie starring young attractive people)—somewhat tricky. The Drama isn’t eligible for Luminate, but The Devil’s Mouth only had 1.5 million hours in its first week: The Devil’s Mouth notched 5.2 million hours according to Nielsen. Meanwhile, The Drama missed the charts entirely. Not great! But Prime Video is a much bigger streamer than HBO Max. That said, HBO Max titles are on Prime Video, but I think Prime Video prioritizes their original/exclusive titles, which helps boost their viewership. Complicating this further, The Drama made $48 million in the US—while A24 sells foreign distribution; the $57 million of overseas grosses helps A24 sell overseas rights for money in the future—off of a $28 million budget (which seems low for Zendaya and Pattinson, so they might have backend). The Devil’s Mouth, though, had zero dollars at the box office. The other stats for The Devil’s Mouth are bleak, and by “bleak”, I mean horrendous: a 4.7 on 15K reviews on IMDb (yikes) and a 46 on Metacritic (double yikes). The Drama, though buzzy online, only has a solid (but far from elite) 7.1 IMDb score on 121K reviews and a 59 on Metacritic (which is far, far lower than I’d have guessed). So which film is the “Miss of the Week”? I’m giving it to The Devil’s Mouth for one simple reason: it’s a horror film. And almost all horror films, even poorly reviewed horror films, should get a shot in theaters to at least try to recoup some of their budgets. The Drama made money at the box office and The Devil’s Mouth didn’t. It’s just like the situation last issue with Obsession and Masters of the Universe. Sure, Obsession didn’t pop on the streaming charts, but at least it already made it money at the box office. And as we’ve been seeing for years now and we’ll see all fall, theatrical films just do better on streaming. After all, the big “devil” winner this week was actually The Devil Wears Prada 2 with 14.8 million hours according to Nielsen. That’s right, The Devil Wears Prada 2—one of the box office success stories of May—came to streaming and parlayed its $220 million box office into 14.8 million Nielsen hours. Disney also put out a datecdote that it had 15.2 million “views” globally in five days, but again we don’t have a lot of great context for what that means. Here’s how it stacks up to other Hulu films, since I’m categorizing this mainly as a Hulu title (though it was also on Disney+): Share Quick Notes on Film We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Whether Hulu has a new hit show on its hands... The top first and third seasons of all time and which shows are climbing those charts… What version of Spidey is the most popular... What sport and TV show are performing better on NBC than the NBA... All the flops, bombs and misses... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! Next week, wow, things stay so busy. One of streaming’s biggest shows of all time, Ted Lasso, returns along with new YA-ish shows from Hulu (The Shards, from Ryan Murphy) and Prime Video (Sterling Point). The Challenge moves to Paramount+, plus My Life with the Walter Boys returns to Netflix and Futurama returns to Hulu. And Netflix has a new horror film, The Last House. Lots to talk about! All month, things stay busy. We’re talking Reacher on Prime Video! Outer Banks and Tires on Netflix! Lanterns on HBO Max! UFC 330 on Paramount+ and the MLB Field of Dreams game on Netflix. And a ton of smaller films come to streaming. Long term, the VMAs are back on 27-Sep! I feel like I haven’t heard much about this show in past years, but I’m seeing more news coverage and buzz for this show than in past years. I’m curious to see how it does.
On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Marlins series preview
The Cubs reunite with old friend Owen Caissie.
Georgina Rodriguez Means Business in Dramatic Gucci Pumps in Venice
Georgina Rodriguez went formal at a photo-op outside the Hotel Excelsior during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Friday in Venice, Italy.
‘Practical Magic’ star Alexandra Artrip addresses being recast in sequel after Evan Rachel Wood’s comments
‘Practical Magic’ star Alexandra Artrip, who played Antonia Owens in the 1998 film, addressed the ‘negativity’ surrounding her recasting in the sequel.
Sony's PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90
Sony’s PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90 Sony won’t license disc pressing to anyone else, Microsoft does, and a former PlayStation boss thinks that’s the whole problem. When Sony DADC chief Dietmar Tanzer spoke with an Austrian broadcaster in July about PlayStation disc production at the Thalgau plant, a number of press outlets misunderstood the report, writing that production would fall to a tenth of current levels. It won’t. Sony DADC confirmed to Game this week that the figure is a 10 percent decline, not a decline to 10 percent. “To clarify and avoid any misleading information: in that statement Dietmar anticipated an overall product volume decline by 10 percent, not a decline down to 10 percent,” a spokesperson with Sony DADC told Game. That figure covers 2028. Tanzer didn’t put a number on the years after, and the spokesperson declined to comment further. What we do know is that on July 1, PlayStation announced that physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028 and that the transition has no impact on games that have already released in disc format or will be releasing in disc format prior to that month. “So, there will be reorders going to the market after January 2028,” the Sony DADC spokesperson said. “For details around that I would ask you to liaise with the PR team from PlayStation, as we can’t speak or comment on their behalf.” PlayStation officials did not respond to questions about reorders or other disc-related matters. But I did recently speak with Shawn Layden, Game Industry Strategic Advisor and former chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios, who called a future without physical PlayStation discs “depressing, but solvable.” then added, “I think.” The chief hurdle to third-party manufacturing of collector’s editions or any other version of a PlayStation game disc is that Sony owns the proprietary process to press those discs, Layden said. “And unless they decide or determine a way to license that to some of these bespoke disc manufacturers, there’s no way to make it happen,” he said. Layden was careful to add that he understands the concept but doesn’t have “line of sight on the particulars.” “Depressing but solvable, I think.” — Shawn Layden Microsoft already licenses replication to outside plants. Xbox discs are pressed by manufacturers Microsoft certifies as Authorized Replicators, a term defined in its publisher agreements, with the approved list set at the company’s sole discretion and Microsoft retaining the right to halt manufacture. The structure is still in place today: publishers select an Authorized Replicator in Partner Center and submit a bill of materials created with a Microsoft representative. Sony, by contrast, presses PlayStation discs through Sony DADC, its own manufacturing subsidiary. No one I spoke with said they were in discussions with Sony about doing that, and PlayStation hasn’t responded to questions about whether it would be open to a licensing deal. There is an obvious reason Sony might not want to. Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed it out on the day of the announcement: it’s a platform-led decision, he wrote, designed to cut costs, eliminate the resale market, and drive all revenue through the PlayStation Store. The math is not subtle. On a $70 third-party game sold through the PlayStation Store, Sony keeps $21. Sold at retail, Ahmad says, it earns about half that. Licensing disc replication to an outside manufacturer might not be worth it. And even if it were, it seems unlikely that such a deal would come from boutique companies like iam8bit, which sells collector’s editions of video games. “We would absolutely love to find a way forward to continue making physical PlayStation games,” said Jon Gibson, co-owner and co-creative director of the company. “We are big believers in giving humans the option to truly own media. If we can play a role in helping make that a reality for the future of PlayStation games, count iam8bit in!” If it were to happen, it would most likely be with a company like Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions, a Memphis-based manufacturer of optical discs and vinyl records that also runs third-party logistics, fulfillment and distribution for packaged media. The company, which was formed in 2025 when Los Angeles private equity firm Variant Equity Advisors purchased Vantiva’s Supply Chain Solutions division, traces its lineage back to Technicolor. When it sold the division, Vantiva described the business as having served video game creators for more than 25 years. Conectiv is also buying, not shrinking. Last month it acquired SDS, the distributor for Universal and Warner Bros. home entertainment, consolidating those studios’ packaged-media pipeline from pressing plant to retail shelf. I reached out to Conectiv and its CEO, but haven’t heard back. Layden pointed to music and books in our discussion about the ongoing value of physical media. “No one ever saw the comeback of cassette tape,” he said. “And vinyl didn’t so much come back. The flame went down, the fire’s dying, but the ember was always there, and it just kind of came back. Much like the book business. We thought we’d all be on Kindles right now. “I believe that physical media is crucial and important. One of the things that makes us gamers, one of the core game mechanics, going back to the beginning of time, is collecting stuff. “Did you get all the diamonds in Crash Bandicoot? Did you get all the stars in Mario? And we like to collect our games. And we have a game shelf. And we put all our boxes up there. And if you’re super hardcore, when you buy a game, you buy two copies, right? One stays in the shrink wrap, and you play the other one. What happens to that important cultural part of the gaming world? You know, we buy the steelbook and the three-disc Final Fantasy set and the figurine and, you know, you can’t download any of that. “What happens to that?” And Layden believes it shouldn’t have been a revenue question for PlayStation. “This was a core thing to the experience of our most devoted fans,” he said. “Yeah, it’s fan service. Why would we take that away? Well, we can’t afford to. It’s already 120 bucks, you know, limited edition special purchase onyx box version of whatever, and those sell at a higher rate than the box selling at $69.99 does. So yeah, the market has said they will continue to buy them. You’re just saying you just don’t want to make them anymore.” Layden said he was recently talking with someone about these sorts of business decisions and how they’re made. Too often, he said, it’s all about the financials and nothing else. “OK, we can do this and save this much money, or we can invest this to look at that outcome, or we can do this and have this happen over there, or move this team to Sri Lanka,” he said. “But each one of those, someone also has to have a ledger there saying, ‘OK, what is the brand impact from that move?’ “Iif you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” — Shawn Layden “If we do that, dollars and cents work out. I get it. That’s just math. But what’s the brand impact? Are people going to say, ‘Good move, you guys?’ Or are they going to say, ‘We hate you guys. Quit doing that.’ And sometimes they say, ‘We hate you.’ Then you take a note and say, OK, how much of that can we live with? How much ‘we hate you’ is OK. And when does it go over the line? “I see a lot of companies making decisions which, objectively speaking, I don’t know what the dollar end of that was for you, Mr. Company, but your brand value just dropped 30 percent. So I hope it was worth it.” Of course, shifting to a digital-only model for games raises other issues beyond simply wanting to collect. The biggest is ownership. Layden pointed out that once you go to a streaming-only or download-only model, it’s just a digital footprint on a hard drive. “What does ownership mean anymore?” he said. “It’s a genuine question. Well, in fact, it’s not even a question anymore. It’s like you are shifting the model from ownership to accessibility. “And what’s always been true, which people forget, is you’ve never been able to sell your iTunes library. And you can’t sell your PlayStation download library. So if you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” The touching tribute found in the credits for Star Wars Zero Company. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Interview and Hands-On with a Minoan Masterpiece Star Wars Zero Company hands-on: Attack Astromechs, permadeath, and delightfully fatal Rube Goldberg tactics Control Resonant opens up as you get stronger — and as characters start trusting you
Steelers mock draft update: Pittsburgh rebuilds in five-round mock
In our latest Steelers five-round mock draft, we have updated our picks after the Steelers trade and went to Texas for the first two picks.
10 Literary Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels That Offer Hope for the Future
During graduate school, I finished the novel that found me an agent—but when my agent submitted it to publishers, all twenty of them turned the manuscript down. Truthfully, it was closer to a colle…