SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " shoot " 1,537 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
‘Our hearts are broken’: NOTO Arts & Entertainment District speaks out on shooting that left two dead
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Officials representing the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District have released a statement following a recent deadly shooting in north Topeka. Officials with the NOTO Arts & Entertainment...
Shooting at South Carolina tattoo business leaves man dead, deputies say
A man died after a shooting at a tattoo business in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, according to the sheriff's office.
GOP convention attendee calls for shooting Democrats during Cruz’s speech
Democrats condemned the calls for violence. The Republican senator did not address the outburst in the moment but later posted a clip in which it could be clearly heard.
‘Politics worthy of our country’: Cox declares Charlie Kirk Day a year after the activist’s death
The first anniversary of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting death in Orem is “Charlie Kirk Day” in Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox declared Thursday ahead of a memorial he is not expected to attend.
PS5 Heist Shooter Fairgames Makes Surprising Return Under New Name
You remember Fairgame$? With the dollar sign?
Charlie Kirk remembered at GOP midterm convention 1 year after shooting death
Thursday marks one year since conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an outdoor speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
What to Expect From Coby White This Season in Charlotte
Here is something worth knowing before worrying too much about what to expect from Coby White this season. In his 309 minutes with LaMelo Ball off the floor last season, Charlotte actually outscored opponents by 10.4 points per 100 possessions. What Charlotte Fans Should Expect From Coby White This Season The Hornets' true shooting percentage …
When the call involves a mental health crisis, Bridgeport sends more than police
The fatal police shootings of two Hartford men during separate mental health emergencies earlier this year put a spotlight on how Connecticut law enforcement agencies respond to people in crisis and the role mental health professionals can play in those encounters.
Mets Survive Marlins in Wild Shootout
Christopher Morel haunted his former team, while Francisco Lindor launched a crucial blast as New York withstood a furious late rally to outlast Miami in a high-scoring thriller and complete a three-game sweep.
Blazers’ Underrated Signing Could Pay Dividends
The NBL champion and Davidson sharpshooter heads to training camp on an Exhibit 10 deal, aiming to secure his NBA dream through Portland’s growing international pipeline.
Madison council rejects Willy Street business relief proposal
The proposal was tied to businesses still dealing with the aftermath of the Ruiz shooting.
New firearms business, shooting range opens today in Meyersville
Owner says new facility welcomes everyone from first-time shooters to experienced marksmen
Arrest made after quadruple shooting at sports bar
Memphis police arrested a man accused in a shooting at a sports bar last month.
Business owners near the University of Cincinnati push back on street closures meant to curb violence
Business owners in Cincinnati’s CUF neighborhood near the University of Cincinnati say evening street closures put in place following a series of shootings are hurting their bottom lines.
See how gerrymandering in 2025 changed Missouri’s congressional map
It was chaos in Missouri politics Tuesday as the fight for what map voters will use during the November 2026 election and beyond continues.
Shooting to the top with a new form factor? - Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 review
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 review: How does Samsung’s new foldable smartphone perform in everyday life? We evaluate the display, performance, camera, battery, and usability, and reveal exactly who the Fold8 is for—as well as where this foldable flagship still has work to do.
No Law Looks Like the Deus Ex Successor I’ve Been Waiting For - An Immersive Sim Shooter in a Cyberpunk City
No Law looks like the Deus Ex successor I’ve been waiting for.
Draymond Green's Klay Thompson Defense Reveals Miami Heat's Promising Plan
Draymond Green's defense of Klay Thompson offers a useful blueprint for Miami Heat expectations. Thompson's role should center on shooting gravity, off-ball movement, and complementary offense-not recreating his 2017 Golden State Warriors production. Green's Ray Allen comparison reinforces that approach after Thompson's move to Miami. What Did Draymond Green Say About Klay Thompson and the […] The post Draymond Green's Klay Thompson Defense Reveals Miami Heat's Promising Plan appeared first on S
Madison council rejects funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Madison council votes on funding tied to police oversight and business recovery after deadly shooting
The Madison Common Council is deciding Tuesday night on two money requests tied to the deadly police shooting on Williamson Street this summer and its aftermath.
Making Sense of Phoenix Suns' Biggest Storyline This Season
As roster shifts trade elite shooting for raw athleticism, Phoenix faces a high-stakes gamble on Miles Bridges to elevate their ceiling amidst looming threats of early-season regression.
Jamison Battle’s Preparation Could Earn Him More Raptors Minutes
Toronto has a reserve shooter worth examining closely, especially when his limited opportunities arrive without much warning.
Kids hurt, business damaged in drive-by pellet gun shootings
The children were targeted at a grocery store.
More evidence that mass shootings are suicidal acts
New research finds national peaks for suicides, gun rampages take place within days of each other in summer.
Peter Krause reflects on his decades-spanning television career: ‘I like to work’
From ‘Sports Night’ to ‘Six Feet Under’ to ‘9-1-1,’ Peter Krause has been busy for the past ... several decades. The veteran actor talk to EW ahead of his new show, ‘Line of Fire.’
Xbox Game Pass adds Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War today
Xbox Game Pass is adding Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War today, allowing players on the service to check out another entry in this popular shooter series.
Sigma's Lightweight 85mm f/1.2 Art Is Official, But Canon RF Shooters Are Out in the Cold
Sigma’s official 85mm f/1.2 DG Art lens hits E and L mounts for $1,599; utperforming Canon’s $2,799 RF lens in weight, bokeh blades, and edge resolution.
Phoenix family says call for help during son’s mental health crisis ended in fatal police shooting
Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers.
Phoenix family says call for mental health help ended in deadly police shooting
A Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers. Phoenix police say 20-year-old Jonathan Marquez Delgado was armed with a knife and ran toward officers. There are different accounts of what happened Sunday morning.
Phoenix family says call for mental health help ended in deadly police shooting
A Phoenix family says their call to police for help during their son’s mental health crisis ended with him being shot and killed by officers. Phoenix police say 20-year-old Jonathan Marquez Delgado was armed with a knife and ran toward officers. There are different accounts of what happened Sunday morning.
Nikon ZR Firmware Version 2.00 & future Open Gate Recording
Nikon has announced that firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon ZR will be released in October. This will include focus peaking display during recording in
Corewell and healthcare firm to build Sterling Heights rehab hospital
The 84-bed hospital will be dedicated to patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries, amputations and some orthopedic conditions.
‘Camp Rock 3’ star Malachi Barton reveals his surprising personal connection to Demi Lovato
Disney star Malachi Barton — and his mom — had a ‘special moment’ with Demi Lovato on the set of ‘Camp Rock 3.’
What worked at Bumbershoot's 2026 revival?
With an intentional, finely tuned lineup, organizers offered the clearest vision of what Bumbershoot can — and should — be.
Bumbershoot 2026 proves Seattle’s signature festival is in a really good place
With an intentional, finely tuned lineup, organizers offered the clearest vision of what Bumbershoot can — and should — be.
San Jose Police Arrest 3 Adults and 5 Teens in Connection with Fatal Shooting near World Cup Entertainment Zone
Six of the suspects, including a 17-year-old juvenile, were charged with murder, while two others, including an 18-year-old female, were arrested for being accessories after the fact. All are from San Jose.
How Clippers Sharpshooters Will Thrive With Darius Garland This Season
A full year of Darius Garland running the offense should mean more open threes for a roster that did not shoot enough of them last season.
Former Miami Heat Forward Approves Klay Thompson Signing
NBA veteran PJ Tucker breaks down why the sharpshooter’s elite floor-spacing is the perfect ingredient to unlock the Miami Heat's offense alongside stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Five iPhone 18 Pro Camera Features Seemingly Leak in Code
Apple is working on a broader set of Camera app improvements in iOS 27 it has announced, according to a new deep dive from MacRumors forum member "pdfu". iOS 27 beta code apparently points to five features that could arrive alongside new iPhone models this week or in a future software update: Exposure scopes: The Camera app can display a waveform or histogram to help judge exposure while shooting.
Orlando Magic's Biggest X-Factor Next Season
Jalen Suggs holds the key to Orlando's championship aspirations. Success hinges on his ability to anchor a physical defense while recapturing the elite shooting stroke that vanished.
Photos: Scenes from Bumbershoot 2026 Day 2
Seattle’s most storied music festival returns to Seattle Center. Here're some photos to check out from Day 2.
Louisville football outlasted by Ole Miss in season-opening shootout
Jeff Brohm's Louisville Cardinals dropped a back-and-forth Week 1 college football game against Pete Golding's Ole Miss Rebels on Sunday in Nashville.
Louisiana Tech joins rare 80-point club in 2026 opener
Many teams are capable of scoring 80 points in their season openers. However, very few do. Teams will pull starters, pull second-stringers, throw in the scout team, and drain clock in effort to prevent the scoreboard from looking too ugly. Oftentimes, the scoring threshold teams to shoot for lies within the 70s. The 80s are […]
Which Phoenix Suns Guard Should Take Starting Spot?
Jalen Green offers explosive athleticism and scoring upside, but Collin Gillespie’s record-breaking perimeter shooting and half-court stability present a compelling case to reshape Phoenix’s projected backcourt.
Police investigate shooting at East Hartford business
Police are investigating a shooting at a business in East Hartford early Sunday morning.
Victim in critical condition after shooting at East Hartford business
An investigation is underway following an overnight shooting in East Hartford on Sunday.
Letitia James’ Times Square shooting probe draws GOP criticism over New York’s mental health crisis
Saritha Komatireddy proposes a new Office of Civil Commitment after the Times Square fatal stabbing, saying New York fails mentally ill people.
DLSS 5 Testing Ends in a Melted RTX 5090 Connector, Power Shoots Past 600 W
DLSS 5 seems to be contributing to increased power draw, and we have our first victim here. Videocardz reports a new melted-connector case on an MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Gaming Trio OC, which surfaced during DLSS 5 Neural Rendering testing in NBA 2K27, currently the only officially supported game. A...
How Christian Braun Can Bounce Back for Nuggets This Season
Braun's new contract kicks in this season, and Denver needs the shooting and defense from 2024-25 to come back with it.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Just days before two teenagers carried out a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials warned the parents of one of the shooters that their son was making concerning comments about school shootings on the dark web, according to new details included in a recently filed lawsuit.
Nets’ G Saraf Feels Like the ‘Game Has Slowed Down'
After a turbulent rookie year, Brooklyn's former first-round pick eyes the backup point guard role by refining his shooting and leveraging late-season momentum to outpace training camp rivals.
It's 'Put Up or Shut Up' Time for Orlando Magic
With a new head coach and sharpshooter Desmond Bane on board, Paolo Banchero faces immense pressure to transform Orlando's inconsistent offense into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat.
Photos: Scenes from Bumbershoot 2026 Day 1
Seattle’s most storied music festival returns to Seattle Center. Here are some photos to check out from Day 1.
Photos: Scenes from Bumbershoot 2026 Day 1
Seattle’s most storied music festival returns to Seattle Center. Here are some photos to check out from Day 1.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just days before two teenagers carried out a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials warned the parents of one of the shooters that their son was making concerning comments about school shootings on the dark web, according to new details included in a recently filed lawsuit. […]
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
The parents of Caleb Vazquez are suing Park Mental Health Treatment of San Diego, claiming it did not act on FBI warnings about their son’s online activities relating to school shootings. The facility disputes responsibility for the teenager’s actions.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just days before two teenagers carried out a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials warned the parents of one of the shooters that their son was making concerning comments about school shootings on the dark web, according to new details included ...
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack. The
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just days before two teenagers carried out a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials warned the parents of one of the shooters that their son was making concerning comments about school shootings on the dark web, according to new details included in a recently filed lawsuit.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just days before two teenagers carried out a mass shooting at a San Diego mosque, federal law enforcement officials warned the parents of one of the shooters that their son was m…
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack.
Parents of San Diego mosque gunman say a mental health facility failed to heed FBI warning
Federal law enforcement warned the parents of Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers involved in a San Diego mosque shooting, about his concerning online comments days before the attack.
Why the new Trump order to shoot wolves is both illegal and a dreadful precedent for endangered species
On September 4, Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections of gray wolves and Mexican gray wolves. In the Oval Office he stated to an Arizona ranc…
DLSS 5 was launched in Medal of Honor European Assault using the PCSX2 emulator on an RTX 4070 Super.
On Reddit, enthusiasts demonstrated the DLSS 5 upscaling technology in the classic shooter Medal of Honor: European Assault,...
Early morning shooting near a sports bar sparks safety and business concerns
Local business owners express concern over safety and economic impacts following a shooting on Cesery Boulevard.
Shooting threat ends Jacksonville high school football game early
An apparent shooting threat cut short a high school football game in Jacksonville on Sept. 4. Here's what we know.
Islamic Center shooter’s parents suing mental health provider for negligence, wrongful death
They claim the facility missed several red flags, leading to the death of their son and three others at the mosque.
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
Tim Schafer Calls Double Fine Leaving Xbox A 'Creative Awakening': 'Asha’s Not Going To Shoot My Dog'
The CEO said he had a bad feeling once Phil Spencer retired
Zooey Deschanel says “New Girl ”stars were ‘forced to drive home’ after long shoots: ‘The hours were insane’
The “Elf” star shared that she would have to call her mom to keep her awake during late night drives.
Man sentenced to prison following shootout inside Montgomery business
A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a 2024 shootout inside a Montgomery package store.
Richmond Police Officer Shot During Mental Health Crisis Call
The officer is in stable condition and expected to survive. It was the second shooting of police in Contra Costa County that evening.
Playing Mass Effect-inspired RPG Exodus was an uncomfortably familiar space trip, despite some brilliant zero-G fights
Action-RPG Exodus shows flashes of real creativity, but risks coming off as a less characterful Mass Effect shooter. Here's our hands-on impressions.
Bumbershoot 2026: Lineup, schedule, tickets and what else to know
SEATTLE — One of Seattle’s biggest festivals of the summer, Bumbershoot, is back this Labor Day weekend at Seattle Center. Hometown indie-rock heroes Death Cab for Cutie are headlining the
Bumbershoot 2026: Lineup, schedule, tickets and what else to know
Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to at this year’s Bumbershoot, and other information you should know.
Man fatally shot in front of South Side business
CHICAGO — A man is dead, and an investigation is underway following a shooting in front of a South Side business on Thursday afternoon. Chicago police said the incident unfolded just after 6 p.m. i…
2 people killed and suspect is dead in downtown Minneapolis shooting
The five wounded by gunfire included two Minneapolis police officers
2026 US Open disruption caused by embarrassing social media influencers
The U.S. Open had an unusual disruption Tuesday when influencers were reportedly warned for staging a photoshoot with lights during Naomi Osaka's first-round match.
Islamic Center of San Diego shooting suspect's family sues mental health facility
The family of 18-year-old Caleb Vazquez, one of the teens accused of the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, filed a lawsuit against Park Mental Health Treatment, where Vazquez was being treated.
No Democrat has won a Kansas Senate seat in a century. Can a megachurch pastor change that?
Adam Hamilton has spent decades trying to bring people to Jesus as founder of the nation’s largest United Methodist church. Now he wants to bring Kansas voters to the polls as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
Rohnert Park police arrest minor accused of shooting at a local business with BB gun
The shooting shattered a large glass window on a building on Hunter Drive.
Mosque shooter's parents sue mental health organization after Islamic Center killings
The parents of one of the shooters involved in the deadly San Diego Islamic Center killings have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the mental health organization that had been treating their 18-year-old son, Caleb Vazquez.
Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White Shares Moment With Angel Reese
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White helped Angel Reese work on her 3-point shooting during the first day of Team USA's practice for the FIBA World Cup.