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Behind the scenes: The science that confirmed Australia's first H5 bird flu case
When a suspected case of H5 bird flu arrived in Australia, CSIRO scientists knew the first hours would matter.
Three Games Are Confirmed For Xbox Game Pass This Week (September 8-10)
Two major titles and another "day one" indie launch
High Lead Levels Confirmed Near Hillsboro Airport: What the Science Means for Local Residents
A new study about lead near the Hillsboro Airport has tied elevated levels to aviation gas. Properties close to the airport do have high levels of lead but there
Frances Tiafoe Rises to the Occasion Again in New York to Reach US Open Quarterfinals
Frances Tiafoe is a quarterfinalist at the US Open once again after overcoming 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev 7-6 6-4 7-6 in one of the best performances of the tournament so far. With the win, Tiafoe confirmed his place in the last eight in New York for the fourth time in the last five years. The …
Scientists found a fungus never seen before growing in giant panda poop; DNA analysis confirmed it was a new species
Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of fungus after isolating it from the faeces of a giant panda. Named ‘Mucor melanoleucus,’ it belongs to a group of fungi commonly found in soil and decaying organic material.
iPhone 17 Prices Slashed Further Days Before iPhone 18 Release
The iPhone 17 Pro Max just got another discount, knocking hundreds off both Pro models. Here's every confirmed discount before the iPhone 18 release date.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Confirmed Starting XIs For Premier League Clash
The team news is in from north London as Xabi Alonso names his Chelsea XI to face Arsenal in the Premier League.
Rabies advisory issued in St. Johns County after infected raccoon found
The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County has issued a rabies advisory following a confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon in St. Augustine.
Confirmed: Barcelona starting line up to face Valencia
Barcelona are looking for their fourth consecutive victory this season as they take on Valencia at the Mestalla this afternoon.Ahead of this clash, Barcelona have unveiled their starting eleven that w...
Gianni Infantino: FIFA president confirms he will stand for re-election in March
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been under pressure to resign after trying to sell stakes in FIFA tournaments to private investors; however, he has confirmed he will stand for re-election in March 2027 as planned; opponents have until November 18 to declare their intention to stand
Confirmed lineups: Hamburger SV vs. Mainz 05
Looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat in Dortmund, Hamburger SV await the visit of FSV Mainz 05 at the Volksparkstadion from 15:30 CET this afternoon. With around an hour to go before ...
The Blood of Dawnwalker has sold 1 million copies in just 3 days
The Blood of Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves' vampire RPG debut, has sold more than a million copies, the studio confirmed on social media.
Rumor: New Smash Bros. game on the way, Nintendogs returning, more
A number of Nintendo rumors have come to light from malo932, who is building up some credibility when it comes to leaks. Most recently, malo932 indicated that we’d be getting presentations next week for The Legend of Zelda and Nintendo in general days before they were announced. That ultimately turned out to be true, as two Directs were confirmed yesterday....
The Blood of Dawnwalker Sells 1 Million Copies Days After Launch
Rebel Wolves' debut game is certainly off to a strong start. The Blood of Dawnwalker has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, the studio confirmed on social media, just two days after its September 3 launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game hit 1 million sales fast enough that most...
📋 Fluminense and Vasco confirmed for derby at the Maracanã
It’s Saturday (5) for a clássico valid for the 26th round of the Brasileirão at the Maracanã.Fluminense and Vasco face off starting at 9pm (Brasília time).It will be another reunion after more t...
Arsenal women Champions League fixtures confirmed
Arsenal Women’s 2026/27 Champions League fixtures are confirmed, with dates and kick-off times set for six league-phase matches across Europe.Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesArsenal Women now know ...
Liverpool hunt fifth sporting director since 2022
It has been almost public knowledge over the last year that Richard Hughes would be leaving for Al-Hilal and the announcement of his departure marks another moment of massive change at Anfield this summer. Liverpool replaced Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola at the end of last season before Michael Edwards, FSG's then CEO of football, resigned in July. Last month FSG confirmed it sold a minority stake in the club to Amit Bhatia's 1892 Holdings - a consortium that includes Jeff Bezos - and now the club are on the hunt for their fifth sporting director since 2022.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes steps down
Liverpool have confirmed the departure of sporting director Richard Hughes, will sources telling ESPN he is expected to take up a similar role at Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
UEFA Women’s Champions League
The Women’s First Team’s schedule for the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League League Phase has been confirmed. After securing qualification by overcoming St. Pölten in the third qualifying ro...
Liverpool confirm it: Two new stars to arrive
Liverpool have officially confirmed that two new stars will join the club. Deals have been finalised.Liverpool closed the transfer window without finalising all the business they wanted to get done. T...
Barcelona’s new captain hierarchy confirmed with one surprise addition
Barcelona have finalised their captaincy structure for the 2026/27 season, with Lamine Yamal making a major leap into the leadership group despite being only 19.According to Mundo Deportivo, Hansi Fli...
“Traitors” costars Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello are dating
The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star confirmed the rumors on Friday, two years after they famously flirted on the competition series.
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.
Measles cases top 3,000, CDC reports, the highest in more than 3 decades
A Pennsylvania coroner confirmed Friday that two infants died in the state’s growing measles outbreak.
DPH Confirms Additional Measles Cases in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed three additional measles cases associated with the measles case confirmed August 18, for a total of 8 cases associated with the current outbreak.
KATSEYE’s Sophia Laforteza Will Miss Group’s European Tour Leg
HxG confirmed Sunday that she will sit out the sold-out Wildworld Tour dates in Europe and the UK as she continues focusing on her well-being.
Lubbock Public Health confirms first human case of West Nile virus for the year
Lubbock Public Health has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year.
New measles cases associated with metro Atlanta day care outbreak confirmed, health officials say
Health officials have confirmed three new measles cases connected with an outbreak of the virus at a metro Atlanta day care.
Aaron Donald is ‘TBD’ for Week 1
Sean McVay confirmed that he expects every player on the Rams roster to travel to Australia for Week 1’s game against the 49ers next Thursday, which does include Aaron Donald. According to Ian Rapoport, Donald is still ‘TBD’ for his Week 1 availability against San Francisco. The Rams can carry Donald on their roster for […]
Celtic Confirm Bad News for Game Against St Mirren
Martin O'Neill has confirmed some bad news for Celtic heading into their game against St Mirren.
First human case of West Nile virus confirmed by Detroit Health Department
"30th Anniversary" Binder Collections Delayed Until December -...
TPCi has pushed back the release date for the 30th Anniversary Binder Collection from October 2nd to December 4th, as silently confirmed by Pokemon.com
Rúben Dias named Manchester City captain
Rúben Dias will wear the captain’s armband for Manchester City this season, taking over from Bernardo Silva.The Portugal international’s appointment was confirmed by City manager Enzo Maresca dur...
Liverpool deliver serious blow, midfielder will have to leave
Liverpool have dealt a serious blow to one of their own players. There's no real option here: he'll have to leave the club if he wants regular football.Liverpool confirmed their UEFA Champions League ...
Gael Monfils to Swap Baseline for Boardroom
Gael Monfils, one of the most beloved and electrifying showmen the ATP Tour has produced in the last two decades, has confirmed that his life after tennis will look nothing like the one he has led on court for the past 20-plus years. The Frenchman, who is set to retire at the end of this …
Philly health officials confirm 4 cases of West Nile Virus in the city
Officials with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health have confirmed four cases of West Nile Virus as the first cases of the year.
20-plus research facilities to close to get ‘costs under control’
Staff will be able to continue their research at other local facilities, the Forest Service confirmed.
22 cases now confirmed in growing measles outbreak
The total number of measles cases is nearly double the 12 initially identified cases.
Maresca on 'winner' Fernandez, Doku's fitness and a 'complete' squad
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Coventry City at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST). On the latest team news, Maresca confirmed Matheus Nunes is back and will be in the squad but Jeremy Doku remains out. On whether deadline day £125m signing Enzo Fernandez will be included, he said: "Enzo is ready."
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
Arbeloa on new signings, Tete and pressure of tough start
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 BST). All players are available except for Tom Cairney. Arbeloa confirmed deadline-day signings Hugo Larsson, Manuel Angel and David Affengruber will be in the squad but are not ready to start, adding: "Be patient with with these three players - they need to understand what we want from them."
Millwall confirm signing of new winger after delay
Millwall have completed the signing of Montpellier winger Yanis Issoufou after FIFA confirmed the player’s international clearance could be granted.The 19-year-old has joined the Lions on a long-ter...
Mike Elko confirms junior WR's 'explosive' preseason
Mike Elko confirmed on Wednesday that junior WR Terry Bussey was one of the best players this preseason ahead of Saturday's season opener.
"The plan was different" – Freund explains Bayern’s stance on Boey
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has confirmed that Sacha Boey could stay at the club after all.The German champions were keen to offload the Frenchman this summer, but after a move fa...
Liverpool confirm Djylian N'Guessan signing
Liverpool have confirmed that promising forward Djylian N'Guessan will officially be a Reds player in January.The French youth international has come through Saint-Étienne academy and has already mad...
NVIDIA Confirms DLSS 5 for GeForce RTX 40-Series is Coming
NVIDIA has officially confirmed that the company is working to bring DLSS 5 neural rendering to the previous-generation GeForce RTX 40-Series "Ada Lovelace." Previously, it was believed that DLSS 5 technology would be exclusive to the latest GeForce RTX 50-Series "Blackwell" and future models,...
Jett Lawrence To Miss SuperMotocross Playoffs for Ankle Surgery
Three-time SMX champ goes under the knife Sept. 9 Photo by Honda. The reigning SuperMotocross World Champion won't defend his crown, after American Honda confirmed Jett Lawrence will sit out all three rounds of the 2026 SMX Playoffs. Lawrence will instead undergo follow-up surgery on the right ankle that has troubled him all year. The injury dates back to last December, when Lawrence hurt the ankle in training, keeping him out of the entire AMA Supercross Championship. He returned for the openin
Cyclospora season ends but health officials still investigate cases
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — While the official U.S. Cyclospora season concluded on Aug. 31, federal and state health agencies are still actively identifying and investigating cases. This has been the largest Cyclospora outbreak ever recorded in the United States, with over 11,400 confirmed illnesses reported across at least 20 states. Dr. Angela Walla, a […]
Iliman Ndiaye squad number confirmed
New signing Iliman Ndiaye is to wear the number 7 shirt at Manchester City. Men's Team Maresca nominated for Barclays Manager of the Month award The exciting Senegalese attacking winger joined City fr...
Ebola Outbreak 'Still Evolving' As Deaths Pass 3,000
More than 3,000 people have now died in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak out of 6,250 confirmed cases, the Africa Centres for
Farke on Rodon, bids for Okafor and facing Brighton
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST). Farke confirmed defender Joe Rodon will be out for eight to 10 weeks with a "serious hamstring injury", adding: "It is a big blow for us because he is a key player for us." The Leeds boss also said it is up to him to decide when the right time is for Gabriel Gudmundsson to return from injury.
Final Fantasy 7: Revelation Release Date Confirmed
Square Enix has announced a release date for Final Fantasy 7: Revelation, concluding its acclaimed remake trilogy.
Until Dawn 2 Reveals Release Date in New Trailer
Until Dawn 2 will release on PS5 this January, as confirmed by a new trailer for the game.
3 hospitalized in Kentucky measles outbreak, officials confirm
Kentucky has seen 38 total measles cases as of Sept. 2, with four confirmed in early 2026.
Illinois heath officials responding to measles outbreak in Douglas County
There have been at least four confirmed, linked cases of measles in Douglas County, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Xbox Network outage now fixed, Microsoft confirms
Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Network is experiencing a major outage which is preventing players from signing in to Xbox devices.
Samsung Updates Free Upgrade List With Millions More Galaxy Phones
Samsung has confirmed several Galaxy Z Fold 8 exclusive features are coming to millions of Galaxy phones in a new update.
Deco Leaves Barcelona Without Late Centre-Back or Striker Deal
Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed the club will make no further signings before the summer window shuts, ending speculation over a late defensive addition or another forward following the...
2 measles cases confirmed in Ontario County as regional infections continue to rise
Two related cases of measles have been confirmed in Ontario County as health officials continue to track an increase in infections across the Finger Lakes region.
'Agreed a £3m deal' - Anthony Joseph Drops Celtic Transfer News
Anthony Joseph has confirmed that Celtic have agreed the £3 million deal on what is deadline day for English clubs.
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University to close museum on Sept. 30
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will close its museum in Philadelphia on Sept. 30, 2026, NBC10 confirmed.
DLSS 5 Officially Goes Live September 3 With NBA 2K27, Exclusive to RTX 50-series "Blackwell" GPUs
NVIDIA has confirmed that DLSS 5 will officially launch on September 3 alongside NBA 2K27, and it will remain exclusive to GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs. When asked directly at a Gamescom technical briefing whether older cards would ever receive support, NVIDIA gave a flat answer: "It's RTX...
🚑 Valencia release Sadiq Umar’s medical update
Sadiq Umar will miss Valencia’s upcoming matches due to an issue in his right hamstring area. The injury occurred in last Sunday’s match against RC Deportivo de La Coruña, as the club confirmed i...
Aston Villa confirm double deadline day deal
Aston Villa have confirmed the signings of Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain and Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton.Senegal international Mbaye joins Villa for a fee of around £47m after an ...
Samsung Confirms Free Feature Upgrade For Millions Of Galaxy Phones
Samsung has confirmed several Galaxy Z Fold 8 exclusive features are coming to millions of Galaxy phones in a new update.
Chelsea Complete Striker Exodus As RB Leipzig Transfer Confirmed
Chelsea have finalised the departure of Marc Guiu to RB Leipzig.
‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company studio Bit Reactor was furloughed ahead of launch
Last week was meant to be a moment of triumph for Bit Reactor, the Maryland-based game studio founded in 2021 with ambitions to create a great new tactical combat game. On Thursday, August 27, Bit Reactor’s debut title, Star Wars Zero Company, released to stellar reviews. And, from the Gamescom show in Cologne, Germany, studio co-founder Greg Foertsch was giving interviews discussing what the studio’s next game may be. But for many developers on the game, launch has been bittersweet. Fans love it. Critics prefer it to most recent Star Wars games. Zero Company, which is out for PS5, Xbox Series consoles and PC, is the top-selling game on Steam. Much of the team that made it, however, is currently going without pay. They were furloughed, just weeks ahead of the game’s launch. A rep for Bit Reactor confirmed to Game File today that the studio had furloughed many of its workers prior to the game’s release. They said it was a difficult decision and one that had been made before it was clear how launch would go. The rep emphasized that the call to do this was Bit Reactor’s alone (meaning not from publisher EA nor Star Wars license holder Disney). While the rep declined to comment on the scale of the furloughs, a previously unreported lawsuit brought by studio co-founder Alison Kelly in 2024 noted in a filing from August 12 of this year that Bit Reactor “has furloughed most of its employees and terminated contractors…” One source told Game File the furloughs impacted 80% of the team; another referred to there only being a skeleton crew left on Bit Reactor’s active payroll, ready to address any of Zero Company’s post-launch bugs. The issue is that Bit Reactor, a studio formed in 2021, had run out of most of its money just ahead of the launch of its first game. Over the weekend, Zachariah Scott, a senior technical artist who worked at Bit Reactor from early 2023 until an acrimonious exit this past May, said on LinkedIn that the studio was “concealing the fact that the team was Furloughed weeks ago.” Reached by phone today, Scott told Game File that he spoke to nearly a dozen Bit Reactor workers over the weekend. “Everybody has essentially the same story, which is, ‘Yeah, I got furloughed three weeks ago.” The Bit Reactor rep told Game File that the studio hoped to bring furloughed workers back, suggesting that a successful launch of the game could be impactful. Scott told Game File that workers he spoke to were less confident that even if there were returns, that all who were furloughed would get their old jobs again. A heated dispute Bit Reactor’s mid-2026 was almost even more tumultuous. The lawsuit by co-founder Alison Kelly that first revealed the furloughs was initially slated to go to trial in June. The suit is a she-said/he-said about whether Kelly, until 2024 the chief operating officer of Bit Reactor, was a co-owner of the studio or whether it was solely owned by Greg Foertsch. In July 2024, Kelly sued, saying she was pushed out by Foertsch. She first sued in federal court and later refiled in Maryland’s Baltimore County, alleging breach of contract and that Foertsch had unjustly enriched himself. Kelly cited damages of over $20 million, on the basis of Bit Reactor allegedly being worth more than double that. Foertsch’s side has said Kelly was never a co-owner and has countered with claims about her job performance (which she has denied). The June trial was postponed until early 2027, as both sides have been deposing witnesses and filing more claims and denials along the way. Amid all of that, filings in the lawsuit reviewed by Game File paint a picture about Bit Reactor’s origins, early aspirations around tactics games, the team’s breakthrough in drawing the attention of Electronic Arts with the help of a pitch tied to one of EA’s non-Star Wars franchises, and early fractures among its co-founders. The real story about the company behind Zero Company
Northern Colorado health officials confirm first West Nile Virus case in Weld County
On Monday, health officials confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus found in Weld County this year.
First West Nile virus case in Utah County confirmed as neuroinvasive
The Utah County Health Department confirmed the county’s first human case of West Nile virus this season.Health officials said the case is neuroinvasive, the mo
Chautauqua County Health Department Reports First Lab-Confirmed Measles Case
MAYVILLE, N.Y.
Samsung Confirms Free Feature Upgrade For Millions Of Galaxy Phones
Samsung has confirmed several Galaxy Z Fold 8 exclusive features are coming to millions of Galaxy phones in a new update.
State of Play Confirmed for 3rd September, State of Play Japan Show Straight After
See a new look at Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Microsoft says Windows 11 KB5120998 update resets mouse settings
Microsoft has confirmed that mouse settings are being reverted on Windows 11 systems after installing the KB5120998 August 2026 non-security preview update.
Atlanta police officers injured responding to mental health call
Atlanta police officers were injured while responding to a mental health call on Forest Park Road, the agency confirmed.
Atlanta police officers shot responding to mental health call
Atlanta police officers were shot while responding to a mental health call on Forest Park Road, the agency confirmed.
North Carolina: Rabid baby goats at a mobile petting zoo prompts health warning
On Friday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported confirmed multiple rabies cases in baby goats at a mobile petting zoo located in Iredell County. They were first notified of a potential rabies exposure among four baby goats at Farm Adventures in Harmony, North Carolina on August 27. The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered the pen where they were kept in late July. The NC State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed rabies viruses in three of the baby goats on August 28; a fourth goat was not tested but is also assumed to have been infected. Based on information gathered on August 28, it was determined that no other animals on the farm pose a risk of rabies exposure to people. Learn about rabies Anyone who had contact with baby goats from the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo either at their location in Harmony, North Carolina, or at an off-site event, between July 28 and Aug. 27, 2026, may have been exposed while the animals were infectious. Impacted individuals should contact their local health department to determine whether medications are needed to prevent infection. Individuals are encouraged to call before visiting an emergency department or urgent care clinic to determine if treatment is needed and where it can be accessed. Known potential exposure dates and locations include: July 28: Jurney’s Assisted Living, 1942 Van Haven Drive, Statesville in Iredell County July 30: Private event in Mecklenburg County Aug. 1: Community Connections Back-to-School Bash, Breeden Amphitheater, 333 S. Main St., Lexington in Davidson County Aug. 6: Brookdale Peachtree, 2806 Peachtree Road, Statesville in Iredell County Aug. 8: Private event in Watauga County Aug. 9: Private event in Burke County Aug. 15: Masonic Picnic Grounds, 201 Poplar St., Mocksville in Davie County Aug. 16: Private event in Durham County Aug. 22: Private event in Iredell County Aug. 23: Private event in Durham County Rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from wild animals to pets and people, primarily through a bite, scratch or when infected saliva touches broken skin or mucous membranes. Human rabies infections are extremely rare in the United States. No human cases have been reported in North Carolina since 2011. Rabies is almost always fatal in mammals, including people, unless medications to prevent infections are given before symptoms develop. Symptoms can begin weeks to months after someone is exposed. Early symptoms are flu-like illness including weakness, fever or headache as well as a prickling or itching sensation where someone was bitten or exposed. In 2025, over 4,000 animals were submitted to the NC State Laboratory of Public Health for rabies testing, and of these, approximately 6% tested positive. In North Carolina the disease most often occurs in wild animals especially skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Dolly Parton laid to rest in private Nashville funeral, family confirms
Parton was laid to rest Friday in a private Nashville funeral, her great-niece confirmed. Tennessee also moved to rename Nashville's airport in her honor.
Syria continues to normalize with international business fair as credit card payments are back
More than 60 countries attended the fair, including key regional allies Saudi Arabia and Iraq, while Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed that credit cards are available again.
Chelsea vs. Brighton, Premier League: Confirmed lineups; how to watch
2026-27 Premier League, Match 2
Xbox CEO says next-gen Project Helix will be a “family of devices,” hinting at another Xbox Series S|X-style lineup
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says the next-generation Project Helix will launch as a “family of devices,” suggesting a tiered lineup similar to the Xbox Series S and X. Microsoft has confirmed AMD-powered hardware supporting Xbox and PC games but has yet to disclose pricing, release timing, or disc-drive options.
EA Motive's New Iron Man Game Footage Leaks, EA Says "That Didn't Go As Planned"
Unfinished gameplay footage from EA Motive's long-quiet Iron Man game leaked online on Friday, and EA just came forward and confirmed it's real. The roughly two and a half minute clip, watermarked "AUG26 TEST", spread first on ResetEra and then across Reddit and social media. The footage shows...
Upcoming Iron Man Game Footage Leaks, EA Remains Cool: "That Didn't Go As Planned"
Unfinished gameplay footage from EA Motive's long-quiet Iron Man game leaked online on Friday, and EA just came forward and confirmed it's real. The roughly two and a half minute clip, watermarked "AUG26 TEST", spread first on ResetEra and then across Reddit and social media. The footage shows...
Former detainees with medical conditions detail fear of getting tuberculosis in Colorado ICE facility
Colorado health officials have sued to get more access to information around a confirmed tuberculosis case at the Aurora Immigration Processing Center.
When the Nation's Top Health Official Becomes the Outbreak's Biggest Obstacle
RFK Jr. cast doubt on confirmed measles-associated deaths during Pennsylvania's worst outbreak in decades.
Hampton Bays Movie Theater Shopping Center Sold
The shopping center that for decades was home to the Hampton Bays UA movie theater has been sold, it’s longtime owner confirmed.
GTA 6: With 30FPS Seemingly Confirmed, Is 60FPS Actually Realistic?
Expectation management.
DPH Confirms Four Additional Measles Cases in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed four additional cases of measles in the metro Atlanta area.
Photos: SUV crashes through doors of business in Rocky Ridge Plaza
Friday morning an SUV crashed through the doors at SwimRite, located in Rocky Ridge Plaza.The fire department confirmed there were no injuries.
Rabid bat found in unincorporated St. Charles, state health officials confirm
KANE COUNTY, Ill. — Health officials in Kane County have confirmed that a bat located in unincorporated St. Charles last week has tested positive for rabies. According to county officials, the Illi…
Florida health system settles Medicare Advantage fraud claims for $542M
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Villages Health System self-reported the upcoding and fully cooperated with an investigation. The incidents occurred between 2020 and 2024.
The Witcher 3 Remastered Resolution And Frame Rate For Switch 2 Revealed
Mouse & gyro controls also confirmed
The Witcher 3 Remastered details Nintendo Switch 2 frame rate and resolution, physical release teased, mouse controls supported, mods confirmed
During a live stream event today, CD Projekt Red detailed the frame rate and resolution for The Witcher 3 Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 and commented on other aspects like a physical release teased, mouse controls, and mods. The game is said to run at 720p in handheld mode while 1080p is the target when docked. For frame rate, it’s...
Iceberg lettuce cyclospora outbreak linked to more states, health officials warn
Parasitic illness cases linked to recalled iceberg lettuce have now been confirmed in 20 states, federal health officials said Thursday.
A tragic Pennsylvania death is drawing attention to a growing health threat
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed that one of two measles-related deaths involved an infant as the state’s outbreak grows.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Will Have RPG Mechanics Like Eating, Exercising, and More
Some of the first gameplay details for Grand Theft Auto 6 have been confirmed, and it seems like Rockstar is embracing a more RPG-y style this time around.
Stan Wawrinka Finally Gets His US Open Farewell
Swiss tennis legend Stan Wawrinka will get his final Grand Slam bow at Flushing Meadows after all. The three-time major champion and 2016 US Open winner has been awarded a men's singles main draw wild card for the 2026 US Open, the USTA confirmed, after Patrick Kypson withdrew from the tournament with an injury. It …
West Nile virus confirmed in Wayne County resident, health officials say
Dolly Parton’s musical will still hit Broadway after her death: ‘Dolly’s wish’
‘Entertainment Weekly’ confirmed that Dolly Parton’s ‘DOLLY: A True Original Musical’ will open as planned as was the late singer’s ‘wish.’
Apple Maps Ads Are Here, and There's No Way to Turn Them Off
Ads in Apple Maps are live in the United States and Canada, which means iPhone and iPad users will see them when searching for locations and when viewing Suggested Places. Apple announced plans to bring ads to the Maps app in March, and said the feature would roll out starting in late summer. Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that ads began showing up for users over the last few days, with ad placement to ramp up in the coming weeks.