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Orlando Magic's Nikola Vučević Draws Flattering Comparison for Sean Sweeney
The veteran center praises new head coach Sean Sweeney’s collaborative style, drawing a high-stakes parallel to the coach who sparked the best seasons of his storied career.
Disney Entertainment TV Comms Chief Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Departing
She has been with the company since 2017.
Tiny image sparks big backlash in Nikon photo contest
Dr Ning Xu denies he broke the rules of Nikon's annual Small World In Motion contest.
Rutgers WR KJ Duff Listed On Prestigious Watch List
The Scarlet Knights top weapon finds himself on the Biletnikoff watch list once again.
Nikon unveils Z5IIC camera, aimed at making photography less intimidating
If you're interested in seriously upgrading your Instagram posts, this camera may help.
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: A pageant finale, concerts, comedy show and New River Day
CONCERTS THIS WEEKEND: Niko Moon plays Friday in Danville and Kathy Mattea performs Sunday in Rocky Mount
Top Science Photography Award Winner Stripped For AI Use
Following the incident, Nikon said in a statement that it plans to 'revisit rules and evaluation procedures for future competition entries.'
NBA announces MVP finalists, award announcement
The NBA announces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama as finalists for the 2025-26 MVP award
Nikola Jokić bluntly says Nuggets are 'far away' from a title: 'If we were in Serbia, we would all get fired'
Timberwolves eliminate Jokic's Nuggets from NBA playoffs
The Minnesota Timberwolves knocked Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets out of the NBA playoffs with a 110-98 win Thursday to claim their first-round series 4-2.Sixth-seeded Minnesota will play the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals after completing an upset defeat of third-seeded Denver, who won the 2023 NBA championship.
Hurricanes 6, Canucks 3
Nikolaj Ehlers, Logan Stankoven, and Nicolas Deslauriers each had two goals to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Tuesday night. The win gives Carolina eight wins in their last nine games and they also have a 2-1-0 record during this road trip. Deslauriers scored the […]
Sports media race-baiters are already taking Nikola Jokic criticism too far
Nikola Jokic deserves some criticism after Denver's playoff loss, but the gloating and forced LeBron comparisons reveal more about sports media.
Did the Orlando Magic Really Improve This Offseason?
A new head coach and Nikola Vučević’s return headline Orlando’s summer, but a bolstered Eastern Conference and lingering shooting woes threaten to stall the young roster’s ascent.
Winning Nikon Small World in Motion video disqualified for AI use
New winner is Nguyen Nam Nhat of Vietnam for video of a roundworm and single-celled Dileptus.
Mayday
Kenneth Branagh as Nikolai Ustinov, left, and Ryan Reynolds as Troy, in a scene from "Mayday."
Nikola Jokic celebrates latest achievement involving his horse
Nikola Jokic may not have won anything with the Denver Nuggets this past season, but the three-time NBA MVP had a huge reason to celebrate this summer. Through his star horse “Delicious Gar” from his Dream Catcher stable, Jokic won…
Aryna Sabalenka upset at China Open
WTA World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka exits the China Open early in a straight set loss to Czechia's Nikola Bartunkova.
Four Red Bulls injured
Veratschnig, Redzic, Aguilar and Omoregie all outSome bad news during the international break: following the injury to Damir Redzic announced yesterday, our Red Bulls face three further absences.Nikol...
Milana ‘Mim’ Bizic of Aleppo honored by Tesla Science Foundation
Milana “Mim” Karlo Bizic took her then-11-year-old son Nick on vacation on July 1, 1981, for his birthday. There were two sites she wanted him to see — Niagara Falls and the statue of Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla. “I wanted him to experience the world’s wonder of Niagara Falls but
Nikola Jokic Gives Update Every Nuggets Fans Needed Amid Contract Talks
Jokic says he's staying in Denver, and he explained exactly why he's willing to wait one more summer to make it official.
Heat’s Nikola Jovic believes he’s ready for bounce-back season: ‘I had to grow up’
Heat forward Nikola Jovic put in work this summer.
Can Nikola Jovic Replicate Miami Heat Record-Breaking History?
After Bam Adebayo eclipsed Kobe Bryant’s scoring mark, Miami Heat's Nikola Jovic claims he can top the new record as he enters a high-stakes, championship-or-bust season.
These Oshkosh residents want you to log off and talk politics — in real life - Wausau Pilot & Review
by Miranda Dunlap / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch May 13, 2026 Click here to read highlights from the story Oshkosh resident Nikolas DeGroot started
Orlando Magic Receive Shockingly Low Grade for Offseason
Despite hiring Sean Sweeney and reuniting with Nikola Vučević, analysts remain skeptical. A dismal D+ grade questions if relying on internal growth can finally spark a deep postseason run.
These Oshkosh residents want you to log off and talk politics
Nikolas DeGroot started informal in-person gatherings about shared issues in local parks and makes sure conversations stay respectful.
DXC Technology announces Americas market president
Ashburn-based DXC Technology named Jonathan Nikols president of the Americas, overseeing sales across North, Central and South America.
Nikon Made a $1,400 Full-Frame Camera for Gen Z and I Might Be Too Old for It
The Z5IIC targets screen-first creators by ditching the viewfinder, but taking this fun-sized full-frame camera into bright sunlight reveals the trade-off.
Politics in the Park conversations in Oshkosh aim to build community
This story was produced and originally published by Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. On a late April evening, in an Oshkosh park bordering the shores of Lake Winnebago, Nikolas ...
Niko Kovac calls them “finishers”
With the score 1-0 in the home game against the newly promoted team, Kovac brought on Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer, and Carney Chukwuemeka just over an hour into the match; Maximilian Beier and Ramy ...
Disney Entertainment Television Communications Head Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Exits Company
Bulochnikov-Paul, executive vice president of communications for Disney Entertainment Television, is departing The Walt Disney Company after eight years.
Tri-State Rodeo celebrates 78 years with musical talent and bull-riding entertainment
This year’s rodeo event has new additions to its event list like musical performances from artists like Niko Moon Wednesday night, following the Jim Baier Chute Out.
Disney Comms Executive Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Departing
She has been with the company since 2017.
Race to Erase MS Gala Honors Disney's Naomi Bulochnikov
Ty Dolla $ign, Richie Sambora and Rachel Platten performed at the 33rd Race to Erase MS Gala, which raised more than $1.8 million.
Orlando Magic Shockingly Drop in Latest Power Rankings
Despite a revamped coaching staff and Nikola Vučević’s return, national analysts remain skeptical. Explore why Orlando’s postseason aspirations failed to impress experts following a quiet, developmental offseason.
You might not miss what Nikon removed from its cheaper full-frame Z5 IIC
The 24.5-megapixel camera ditches some of the Z5 II’s premium features but shaves $450 off the original’s price.
Red Bull hands F1 test to protege as it assesses Racing Bulls driver line-up
Nikola Tsolov has completed his first F1 test, driving for Racing Bulls at Imola, while Liam Lawson was on Pirelli tyre test duty for Red Bull at Mugello
Napo Pharmaceuticals, a Jaguar Health Family Company, Sponsoring Intestinal Failure Panel Discussion at Pediatric Gastroenterology Conference in Abu Dhabi
Participants in the panel discussion include Dr. Christos Tzivinikos, and Pravin Chaturvedi, PhD, Napo's and Jaguar's Chief Scientific Officer and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board.
Top Science Photography Award Winner Stripped For AI Use
Following the incident, Nikon said in a statement that it plans to 'revisit rules and evaluation procedures for future competition entries.'
Prize-winning image which sparked backlash was AI-generated, Nikon rules
The camera-maker says it is now re-evaluating the rules and procedures of its Small World in Motion contest.
Relive: Niko Kovac’s press conference before the Stuttgart match
On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will visit VfB Stuttgart. Ahead of the match, head coach Niko Kovac provides an update on his team’s squad situation and answers questions from the journalists...
Top Science Photography Award Winner Stripped For AI Use
Following the incident, Nikon said in a statement that it plans to 'revisit rules and evaluation procedures for future competition entries.'
Olympiacos Eyeing OFI Goalkeeper as Panathinaikos Complicates Move
Olympiacos face a strategic battle for OFI Crete's Nikolaos Christogeorgos, as a complex resale clause grants fierce rivals Panathinaikos the power to hijack the deal.
Pacers' Ivica Zubac Gets Unique Compliment from Nikola Jokic
Indiana Pacers star center Ivica Zubac has received an interesting compliment from Nikola Jokic.
UConn football 2026 season preview: WR & TE
Over the 2026 offseason, the UConn football team lost one of the most productive receivers in the country to the NFL and the rest of its depth here hit the transfer portal. Skyler Bell racked up a career-high 1,278 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last season, good enough to be a Biletnikoff finalist and the […]
Nikon microscopic video competition winner disqualified for using generative AI
Nikon says it’s revisiting its competition rules after the original winner’s video was too good to be true.
Nuggets president: 'Everything's on the table,' except trading Nikola Jokić, after disappointing playoff exit
Denver had high hopes this season, but lost in the first round
Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Departing As EVP Comms Disney Entertainment TV
Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, EVP Communications, Disney Entertainment Television, is leaving after eight years at Disney.
Svechnikov scores 2 goals to lead the Hurricanes to a 4-2 win over the Capitals
Eric Robinson and Mark Jankowski also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won six straight.
Contest-Winning Microscope Thrown Out for Using Generative AI
Ning Xu's winning entry to Nikon Instruments' Small World in Motion competition was ineligible due to AI, a spokesperson for the contest told Gizmodo.
Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2
The Carolina Hurricanes won their first game of the season as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night. Shayne Gostisbehere fired in the game-winner with Andrei Svechnikov screening in front of the net with just 2 minutes and change left. The Canes improved their record to 1-1-1 this season while the […]
Nikon’s Small World photomicrography competition winners
The 52nd annual Nikon Small World competition honours the world’s most remarkable images captured through a microscope
PM Pashinyan’s party wins Armenia election, preliminary results show
Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party wins 49.81 percent of the vote, the Central Election Commission says.
What role should the Supreme Court play in American politics?
A wide-ranging new book by Nikolas Bowie and Daphna Renan examines how America’s highest court often gets in the way of democratic politics.
AMP Sports Launches The Dark Side Podcast with Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champions Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II
SEATTLE – September 8, 2026 –Sinclair’s AMP Sports today announced the launch of The Dark Side, a new podcast featuring Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champions Derick Hall and Byron Murphy II, alongside KOMO News Sports Director Niko Tamurian. Each week, The Dark Side will go beyond traditional game analysis, with Hall and Murphy offering a...
Hurricanes @ Jets: Preview and Game Thread
The Carolina Hurricanes (6-1-1) begin their annual “State Fair road trip” with a match against the Winnipeg Jets (4-1-2) on Saturday afternoon. The Canes have won six games in a row and have looked good doing it. Sebastian Aho with 13 points (6G 7A), Andrei Svechnikov 11 points (6G 5A), and Mark Jankowski are each […]
Washington Huskies Forward Leads Serbia to Championship of International Tournament
Huskies forward Nikola Dzepina will face another potential UW recruit, Urban Kroflic, in the championship game of the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.
Disney TV Communications Head Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul Exits Disney TV
Disney TV head of communications Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul announced her exit from the company after eight years.
Canine cancer patients contribute to next-generation minimally invasive cancer therapies for dogs and humans
Oncologists at Purdue University pioneer protocols for tumor ablation, a less invasive cancer treatment more effective than surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, benefiting dogs and humans alike.
Mid-America Science Museum celebrates scientist’s 170th birthday with Tesla Fest Saturday
Mid-America Science Museum will host their annual Tesla Fest on Saturday in celebration of Nikola Tesla's 170th birthday.
Coach Kovac extends contract with Dortmund until 2029
Coach Niko Kovac has extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 30, 2029, the Bundesliga club said in a statement on Tuesday. "Together, we've set a clear course for development and laid important foundations for the future.
Backed by Trump, Opposed by Putin, and Fighting for His Political Life
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia is seeking re-election as his country weighs questions of war and peace, of autocracy and democracy, and of subjugation and independence.
Kleppinger Intern puts political science studies into practice in Harrisburg
Political science student Nikolas Papoutsis spent this summer learning about legislation and government affairs with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, supported by the Kleppinger Internship Program.
Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History?
The NBA Draft is where franchises, like the Denver Nuggets, are built. Few organizations have found greater value in the later stages of the draft than Denver. The team famously selected three-time MVP Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Now, the choice is regarded as the greatest second-round pick in […] The post Who Are the Best Draft Picks in Denver Nuggets’ History? appeared first on The Lead.
Winner of Nikon microscopy photo contest faces criticism over AI usage
The organizers of a highly regarded scientific photography contest are reviewing this year’s winning entry following criticism over the use of AI.
Celtic to open talks over sixth summer signing
Niko Sigur playing for Hajduk Split in white kit
Contest-Winning Microscope Video Is Full of AI Confabulations, Scientists Say
The winner of Nikon's 2026 Small World In Motion contest said he used AI to post-process real video.
Nikon Small World 2026’s Winners Turn Science Into Abstract Art
Nikon Small World 2026 has finally unveiled its 20 stunning winners. Here's a quick look at the stories that made it possible.
Tesla Science Center to dedicate new visitor center after Wardenclyffe fire
Nikola Tesla’s historic Shoreham lab will mark a major step in its recovery Saturday with the dedication of a new visitor center nearly three years after a devastating fire.
Tri-State Rodeo celebrates 78 years with musical talent and bull-riding entertainment
This year’s rodeo event has new additions to its event list like musical performances from artists like Niko Moon Wednesday night, following the Jim Baier Chute Out.
Nikolaj Ehlers saves Carolina, beats Montreal 3-2 in Overtime
The Canes finally win an Eastern Conference Final game at home, series is tied 1-1.
MBB Summer Preview: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Howdy, y’all! We are back again with another summer basketball preview, and today we’re taking a look at the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota finished last season at 15-18 with an 8-12 conference record, good for 11th in the Big Ten in head coach Niko Medved’s first year. They’ll be going into the season without two […]
Nikon revokes first prize in Small World in Motion video competition over AI use
The winner of a prestigious scientific photography competition has been disqualified after organizers concluded that his use of generative AI broke the rules.
Niko Tsakris flashes class as San Jose rekindle winning ways
By Ben SteinerIf absence makes the heart grow fonder, then Niko Tsakris's return to the scoresheet must have felt pretty sweet on Wednesday night.Guiding the San Jose Earthquakes to a 3–2 win over C...
Glasner on Milenkovic, City Ground plans and Coventry
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Coventry City at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 BST). Nikola Milenkovic will miss the game, while fellow defender Jair Cunha trained on Thursday and "looks OK", though Glasner added that it was a "very light session". Glasner described planning approval for the development of the City Ground as "great news for the club, the city and the supporters".
Peek into hidden worlds revealed by the 2026 Nikon Small World contest
This year’s photomicrography contest captured the wonders of the very small, from flying ink droplets to the most adorable jumping spider you've ever seen.
Niko Kovac admits Borussia Dortmund struggled after Champions League night
Niko Kovac believes Borussia Dortmund felt the effects of their Champions League commitments during the early stages of Saturday's 3-0 victory over Paderborn. Dortmund came into the fixture just four...
Tri-State Rodeo celebrates 78 years with musical talent and bull-riding entertainment
This year’s rodeo event has new additions to its event list like musical performances from artists like Niko Moon Wednesday night, following the Jim Baier Chute Out.
Hay Festival Dallas expands with books, music, politics
Hay Festival Dallas returns Oct. 15-18 at Wild Detectives and Texas Theatre. Participants include Bun B, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Richard Ford.
SEC football recruiting rankings after Niko Kampas' commitment
Updated 2027 SEC football recruiting rankings after Niko Kampas commits to Tennessee.
Artemis II's Nikon Z9 Was Way More Important for Science Than Expected
The Nikon Z9 did some stellar space science.
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
Who Kovač is planning to use in Saturday's Super Cup
Head coach Niko Kovac provided a squad update after the game: “Maxi (Beier, editor’s note) took a knock to the knee in the last game against Arsenal, so we didn’t want to take any risks.” Carn...
First Champions League home game
What’s on today:11 a.m.: Final training session at the BVB training ground2 p.m.: Press conference with Niko Kovac and Waldemar Anton at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK8 p.m.: Villarreal FC press conference at SI...
Niko Kovač extends contract as Borussia Dortmund coach to 2029
DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund has handed coach Niko Kovač a contact extension through June 2029 as a reward for stabilizing the team.Dortmund announced the deal on Tuesday before the Champions League match at Bodø/Glimt — itself a measure of the Berlin-born Croatian coach’s success since taking over when Dortmund was 11th in the Bundesliga in January 2025.
Armenia signs strategic partnership deal with US as election approaches
PM Nikol Pashinyan, who deepened ties with US, faces challenge from pro-Russia parties in upcoming parliamentary polls.
Madison Keys makes unexpected decision after premature Italian Open loss
American tennis star Madison Keys lost her Round of 32 match at the Italian Open on Sunday. She fell in three sets to lucky loser Nikola Bartunkova, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6. Barunkova is another in the long line of high quality…
Championship leader endures Madrid nightmare race as rivals pounce
Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic took advantage of a well-timed Safety Car to make his pit stop and rejoin at the front, using track position to secure victory in the Formula 2 Feature Race in Madrid. It was a race to forget for championship leader Nikola Tsolov, who finished well outside the points.
Niko Tsakiris grows into starring role for San Jose Earthquakes
By Charles BoehmThe term ‘statement game’ is probably overused in sports these days. It was nevertheless quite difficult to avoid the phrase after Niko Tsakiris tore San Diego FC apart in last wee...
Serbian club Crvena Zvezda pursued Nikola Vucevic before Magic return
Serbian club Crvena Zvezda pursued Nikola Vucevic before Magic return
Bartunkova beats Muchova to reach China Open semifinals
BEIJING (AP) — Nikola Bartunkova reached her first WTA 1000 semifinal after beating fellow Czech Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-0 at the China Open on Thursday.Bartunkova stamped her authority on the quarterfinal by racing to a 5-0 lead against her seventh-seeded opponent.
All Eyes Are on Nuggets After Nikola Jokic Turned Down Contract Extension
The Nuggets haven't extended Nikola Jokic and the rest of the league is well aware.
Top Science Photography Award Winner Stripped For AI Use
Following the incident, Nikon said in a statement that it plans to 'revisit rules and evaluation procedures for future competition entries.'
Meet DFP Spring Fellow, Niko Dawson, Washington University in St. Louis -
Nikolas Dawson (he/they) is a second-year political science PhD student at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in formal theory and American politics. His fields of study include political behavior, elites, and minority politics (broadly [...]
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