SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Social " 6,253 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Health warnings could reduce youth’s hours spent on social media
Pop-up messages that warn of the harms of social media could help reduce youth’s social media use, a new study found.
Scientists Put Caterpillars in an Ultraquiet Chamber to Learn How They Hear Without Ears
The research could do more than help unlock the mystery of caterpillar hearing. It could also help make microphones better.
National Values Show Generational Divide in WSJ-NORC Poll
Take our quiz, based on 1,862 survey responses, to find the new fault lines in U.S. values
Sampaguita Pictures actress Jean Lopez dies at 86
Photo from Instagram/@ barbicastelvi Veteran performer worked alongside many of Philippine cinema’s leading stars during the 1960s Veteran Sampaguita Pictures actress Jean Lopez, who appeared alongside some of Philippine cinema’s leading stars during the 1960s, died Sept. 1, her family said. She was 86. Her daughter Barbi Castelvi announced the death on social media, describing it as sudden and unexpected.…
OPS selected for science cohort
The Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) science consultants have selected Owensboro Public Schools for the second cohort of the RISE Leadership Academy.
UChicago Social Sciences Took a Stand Against AI and Devices. Why?
By banning artificial intelligence and digital devices in core classes, the University of Chicago's social sciences division aims to limit distractions and maximize participation in small, discussion-based courses.
Supreme Court Action Revives FCC Media Bureau’s Political Ad Guidance
Late this afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the Fourth Circuit’s decision setting aside the FCC Media Bureau’s guidance on entitlement
Former John Fetterman Aides Threaten to Expose Senator’s Internal Messages
The former aides started a social media account they said would publicize Senator John Fetterman’s communications, following a report detailing the Democrat’s disdain for doing his job.
The Most Political Moments at the Venice Film Festival 2026
George Clooney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Martin McDonagh, and other stars are spicing up the press conferences with comments on everything from humanitarian crises to AI to studio mergers.
Vote in HME Business Product of the Year Competition
Innovation is the lifeblood of the durable medical equipment industry. It’s not technology for technology’s sake — it’s improving the outcomes, quality of life, inclusion and everyday abilities for patients across the country. Here’s your chance to directly recognize innovations you think are moving the industry — and most importantly, its patients — forward. Voting…
How Medicaid ACOs Can Lead the US Towards Maternal Health Equity
A new study details how Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations can improve maternal healthcare quality and equity in the US by aligning performance mandates with innovative care coordination and social needs support among patients before, during, and after pregnancy.
Exclusive | DOJ Staff Were Told to Pause Antitrust Work With Canadian Government
The Justice Department said that an official who sent a “Pause on Canada” email had misunderstood a directive and that it continues to cooperate with the Canadian government amid a trade dispute.
Black Business Month Honoree
Official website of Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., representing California Senate District 39.
Democrats Assail Fetterman After WSJ Report
The Journal’s reporting showed the Pennsylvania senator shirks many of his duties.
Fetterman Quiet Quits: 6 Wildest Takeaways From WSJ’s Story
A stunning new report alleges the Pennsylvania senator rebuffed meetings with veterans and children’s hospital officials while making time for Fox.
Start Your EA SPORTS NHL 27 Season Now With EA Play
Get a taste of life on the ice with the EA Play 10-hour early access trial of EA Sports NHL 27, available now.
9 Fruits With the Most Carbs Dietitians Love For Energy and Fiber
These high-carb fruits provide energy for exercise, plus fiber and nutrients to boost health. Carbs are “the most efficient fuel source” for the brain and muscles, dietitians say.
Health warnings could reduce young people's social media use, study finds
Pop-up messages that warn of the harms of social media—such as mental health consequences—have the potential to reduce young people's social media use, a new Stanford Medicine study has found. The online ...
22 cases now confirmed in growing measles outbreak
The total number of measles cases is nearly double the 12 initially identified cases.
Why Meta’s social media restrictions aren’t a cure-all for the youth mental health crisis
Janet Currie: The most powerful intervention would be increasing efforts to prevent serious childhood mental health problems from developing in the first place.
Apple's Foldable iPhone Runs Into Early Trouble
Scarcity could boost hype while limiting near-term revenue
Prostate Health: Latest Treatments, Screening Guidelines, More
September is prostate cancer awareness month, so board-certified surgeon Dr. Cedrek McFadden stops by TODAY to share the latest in prostate cancer treatments. He talks about different types of diagnosis, how family genetics come into play, when to get screened, and more.
Pinellas Community Foundation CEO speaks at business social
The organization is exploring local impact investing.
This Overlooked Type of Friendship Promotes Healthy Aging, Expert Says
In TODAY.com’s Expert Tip of the Day, a geriatrician reveals how this type of friendship can promote healthy aging, both for younger and older adults.
Volkswagen Aims to Revive U.S. Business
Plus, Ford Motor sets ambitious sales target for its new electric truck.
Can a Rock Club Survive in North Brooklyn?
A young person used to be able to stumble along Kent Avenue into live music. Now, nowhere can stay open.
Ted Cruz names ‘most powerful Democrat’ as he warns socialist rise has paralyzed bipartisanship
Sen. Ted Cruz claims Chuck Schumer is "truly terrified" of the extreme left, warning that progressive momentum is paralyzing bipartisan work.
Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson opens up on mental health struggle after injury setback: “I still have hope
After sustaining an injury in Switzerland last month, Jackson has brought her season to a close citing struggles with her mental health.
Why is a can of fish being sold at a Gen Z concert? Behind the popularity boom of tinned fish
The appeal of tinned fish does not only stem from its social media hype; the shelf-friendly protein has also gained popularity for being chock-full of nutrients.
KFile: Swing-seat Democrat deleted posts envisioning ‘a world without police and prisons’
William Lawrence, the Democratic nominee in one of the country’s most competitive House races in Michigan, deleted hundreds of old social media posts in which he embraced police and prison abolition, called for nationalizing fossil-fuel companies to end their production, attacked moderate Democrats and argued for a “fundamental overhaul” of the Constitution.
Commentary: Teen-safety settlement is Meta’s shrewd move to hurt competitors
The headlines this week wrote themselves: Meta, humbled at last, agrees to pay up to $17.1 billion and accept the strictest limits ever imposed on teenage social media use. A
Dreaming Is a Political Act: How Imagination Shapes What Becomes Possible | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
A look at why the social impact sector must invest in the imagination, dreams, and worldbuilding practices of young girls and young feminists.
The future of science without animal testing
Federal agencies, such as the NIH, FDA and EPA, and scientists are moving away from animal testing. Learn how non-animal testing methods are changing the future of research.
Behind Closed Doors, John Fetterman Shows Little Interest in the Work of a Senator
The first-term senator, poised to be a possible swing vote, churns through staff as he alienates fellow Democrats and defends Israel.
Study finds young women more likely than men to get health and wellness information from influencers
A recent Pew Research Center study found that young women are more likely than young men to get health and wellness information from social media influencers, with 57% of women ages 18 to 29 reporting they receive such information from influencers, compared with 47% of men in the same age group.
College football team to honor Dolly Parton throughout season-opener
The athletic director revealed the news on social media.
NEWS CENTER Maine
Through in-depth storytelling, through direct contact on digital on social platforms, through long-standing community service programs like Coats & Toys for Kids, Project Heat and Buddy to Buddy, NEWS CENTER Maine is dedicated to keeping Mainers connected. We can't do it alone, though. Only by listening and interacting with YOU can we continue to connect ALL Mainers.
Kevin O'Leary Says Zohran Mamdani's Biggest Advantage Comes Down to This 1 Hire
While the 'Shark Tank' star may disagree with the New York City mayor's politics, he says he supports one part of his strategy.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito speaks at 2026 Business Summit, talks new bill
Bill S.5243 proposes the automatic registration for a Trump Account when newborn babies are registered for a social security number.
Meta Settlement Funds Could Be a Boost for Youth Mental Health
This is an exclusive BHB+ article. Social media has long been criticized for its potential role in the deterioration of children’s and young people’s
Fact Check Team: Why can't you stop scrolling? The science behind social media 'addiction'
Social media is designed to keep users engaged. But does that mean the platforms are designed to be addictive? That question is part of a major legal fight.
Frederick County Health Department Earns National Model Practice Award
A Frederick County approach to bringing health and social services directly into the community has earned one of the nation’s highest recognitions for
Gloria Steinem in Her Own Words on Women's Rights, Abortion Politics and Being Called the B-Word
In interviews and emails, Gloria Steinem shared with Associated Press reporters over the years her thoughts on social changes she had witnessed as a leading voice for women, the importance of abortion rights and the correct way to respond when being called the B-word. The author and feminist icon ...
Fact Check Team: Why can't you stop scrolling? The science behind social media 'addiction'
Social media is designed to keep users engaged. But does that mean the platforms are designed to be addictive? That question is part of a major legal fight.
Kalshi Won’t Take Bets on Supreme Court Case Threatening Its Business. Polymarket Might.
A Kalshi spokesperson says the platform won’t offer a market predicting whether the Supreme Court will hear a case regarding sports prediction markets or a market on the decision in that case.
Free Play Days – EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves
This weekend, Polterguys: Possession Party is available this weekend for XBOX Game Pass members, while WWE 2K26 and Wildgate are free for all. Jump in!
Free Play Days – EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild, and Under The Waves
This weekend, Polterguys: Possession Party is available this weekend for XBOX Game Pass members, while WWE 2K26 and Wildgate are free for all. Jump in!
Gloria Steinem On Breast Cancer Journey, Health History Before Death at 92
Gloria Steinem was open about the health challenges, procedures and diagnoses she endured as a young woman and later in life, including cancer and a chronic pain disorder.
Dolly Parton’s Cousin Richie Owens Discusses Her Health Struggles, Burial: EXCLUSIVE
Richie Owens, who is also the Parton family historian, shared the country music icon wanted a simple, private burial.
Student explores link between social media use and mental health in youth
The American Psychological Association estimates that teens are spending an average of five hours a day on social media. At Kennesaw State University, one student is examining whether this prolonged use can also impact their mental health. Through KSU’s First-Year Scholars Program, Chance Lundy, a Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College student, studied the relationship between frequent social media use and suicidal ideation among adolescents.
A ‘Social Network’ follow-up and a ‘Hunger Games’ prequel headline fall movies
Audiences can also catch “Practical Magic 2,” “Sense and Sensibility” and a transformed Tom Cruise on the big screen.
LSU’s AD shares ideas to save college sports from financial ruin: ‘It’s not sustainable, the cliff is coming.’
LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry shared his thoughts on how the college sports world can save itself from a potential financial crisis.
Vintage Fashion: How to Run a Successful Business Today
It’s easier than ever to shop for secondhand clothing, but harder than ever to sell it. Vogue Business asked four vintage fashion businesses — from New York to Tokyo — what it takes to stand out.
Smart Toilets Are Already Using AI to Analyze Your Poop
While companies promise they can help users monitor gut health, experts suggest that smart toilets provide little in the way of benefits to the average person.
Democratic socialists are pushing their influence deeper into politics
The movement has more success nationally than in Georgia. But its members are working to push Democrats to the left at a moment when they are gaining momentum.
Soft opening announced for new Henderson sports, entertainment complex
Henderson Sport and Social offers indoor soccer, bowling, and an arcade without requiring families to walk through a smoky casino.
Soft opening announced for new Henderson sports, entertainment complex
Henderson Sport and Social offers indoor soccer, bowling, and an arcade without requiring families to walk through a smoky casino.
Soft opening announced for new Henderson sports, entertainment complex
Henderson Sport and Social offers indoor soccer, bowling, and an arcade without requiring families to walk through a smoky casino.
Soft opening announced for new Henderson sports, entertainment complex
Henderson Sport and Social offers indoor soccer, bowling, and an arcade without requiring families to walk through a smoky casino.
Creator Economy class talks social media business amid expansion
The Center for Creator Economy, SU’s program that teaches students social media, sets itself apart by teaching behind-the-scenes strategy.
Business school teaching case study: Can you put a price on impact?
Brazilian cosmetic company Natura attempts to put a monetary value on the social, human and environmental effects of its activities
Hegseth Extends Mideast Deployments Into 2027, Escalating Strain on Troops
The move is part of an open-ended military strategy designed to give President Trump options in the Iran war.
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.
Ted Cruz Is Testing the Waters for a 2028 Run—and Taking Swipes at JD Vance
The Texas senator is making trips to Iowa, promoting his book and hitting the podcast circuit as he considers joining the race to succeed Trump.
Cape Girardeau coffee shop closure highlights small business struggles
The owner of The Groundabout announced on social media Monday that all four of its shops are closing, including its cafe on Broadway in downtown Cape Girardeau. Other downtown business owners said the closure reflects a troubling trend and pointed to a lack of foot traffic in the area.
Rep. Jeff Crank leads resolution against Democratic Socialists of America
Colorado leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America called U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank's anti-socialism resolution a “waste of time."
Judge Rejects DOJ Request to Break Up Google’s Ad Business | What’s News for Sept. 2
Plus, the Trump administration backs OpenAI in a copyright suit and our inside look at an uber rich divorce
Driscoll offers no reason for his exit as Army secretary but says Wednesday is his last full day
Dan Driscoll has announced that his last full day as U.S. Army secretary is Wednesday, but his social media post offered no explanation for why he is stepping down after 18 months as the service's civilian leader.
NBA reportedly strips Clippers of 5 first-round draft picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention probe
The NBA has stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks and fined owner Steve Ballmer $30 million at the conclusion of it’s probe into alleged salary cap circumvention with Kawhi Leonard, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
SPIRITED AWAY: LIVE ON STAGE Joins Fathom Entertainment’s Studio Ghibli Fest 2026
GKIDS and Fathom Entertainment have announced that SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage will join this year’s Ghibli Fest lineup. Coming to US theaters in its original Japanese with English subtitles for two nights only on October 1 and 8, the live theatre capture was filmed during the hit production’s 2022 run. Presented by Toho Co., […]
These Russian Mathematicians Taught AI Models How to Talk to Each Other Without Using Words
A startup called Mostik has a wild new approach to combining the capabilities of AI models.
Ace Combat 8 reveals live service online multiplayer modes that include PvE, PvP, PvPvE battles, and a hangout space
Bandai Namco has revealed the full scope of its Ace Combat Online online modes, including PvP, PvE, and a social space for player avatars.
Is the Secret to a Healthy Relationship a Good Fight?
Conflict can actually deepen relationships, so Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Fighting,” stops by TODAY to talk about how to improve connections through productive fighting. She discusses misconceptions about conflict, how to “argue nicely,” and more.
Genome Duplication Is a Radical Evolutionary Gamble
By doubling their entire genome, organisms can evolve extremely rapidly — or they can lose it all. New studies reveal how to survive the high-risk, high-reward evolutionary event.
How Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations Advance Maternal Health Care Quality: Drivers of Change and Challenges From the Perspective of ACO Leaders, Clinicians, and Care Coordinators
In the wake of a US maternal health crisis, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) may be a key opportunity to improve maternal health care.
From Sardines to Dry Scooping: Fact-Checking Health Trends
It’s hard to know what advice on social media is legitimate, especially when it comes to health and wellness. NBC news medical reporter Dr. Akshay Syal joins TODAY to break down social media health trends, including dry scooping a pre-workout powder, eating more sardines, drinking tart cherry juice for sleep and more.
The Newest Federalism and Population Health
American federalism involves decentralized policymaking across federal, state, and local governments.
Delaware signs maternal health bill requiring hospital discharge plans
Delaware lawmakers and maternal health advocates gathered at Josie’s Grace in Newark to celebrate the ceremonial signing of legislation designed to strengthen protections for pregnant patients experiencing labor symptoms.
Pangram Has Emerged as the Gold Standard of AI Detection. Should You Trust It?
Meet the AI police who can make or break careers—in publishing and beyond.
Inside a Conservative Operation to Hijack Your Social-Media Feed
A service run from Latvia offers payment for short, social-media-friendly clips designed to look like grassroots GOP support.
27% of U.S. adults turn to AI for personal, emotional, social queries
More than a quarter of U.S. adults turn to chatbots for personal or emotional discussions, including for entertainment or social advice, a new survey found.
Five moments that shaped Taylor's legendary career
From writing a letter to her idol as a 10-year-old to messaging a promoter on social media, here are five sliding doors moments that helped shape Katie Taylor’s career.
Wellness Briefing: Life Time launches LT Social as gyms enter their entertainment era, plus news
Glossy interviews Life Time's VP of marketing about LT Social, the company's new collection of expansive entertainment programming.
Sean Ono Lennon Confirms Birth of Baby Boy, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s First Grandchild
The couple shared the happy news on social media
House adopts Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank’s resolution condemning socialism, mostly along party lines
The House on Tuesday approved a resolution sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank to condemn socialism in a largely party-line vote that the Colorado Republican characterized as a chance for lawmakers to “stand firm” against an ideology making inroads among Democrats. The nonbinding resolution, HR 1490, also included a call for the “enactment” of GOP-led […]
Dark matter surprise has scientists scrambling for explanations
UCLA's Alvine Kamaha and her colleagues on the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment observed an event that could be interpreted as a signal from WIMPs.
Cleveland Clinic survey highlights social media's influence on men's health
Seventy-four percent of men rarely or never trust health information shared by influencers, yet 39% admit they tried a new diet or wellness trend after seeing it on social media.
JD Vance and Abdul El-Sayed Really Don’t Like Each Other
The vice president called the Michigan senate hopeful “evil” on Monday, but El-Sayed is giving as good as he’s getting in this feud.
Apple Teases 'Huge Launch' Next Week
In his first memo to Apple employees as CEO today, John Ternus teased a "huge launch next week that's going to be phenomenal". In a social media post today, Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak teased that Apple has "more to say" on Wednesday, September 9, which is when the company will be holding its next special event, starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Hello, indeed. More to say September 9.
Nestle Inks $1 Billion Deal to Sell Health-Supplements Brands to Private Equity Firm
Nestle will sell its mainstream vitamins, supplements and minerals business to Yellow Wood Partners, the latest move to tighten its portfolio and focus on core categories.
Nestle Inks $1 Billion Deal to Sell Health-Supplements Brands to Private Equity Firm
Nestle will sell its mainstream vitamins, supplements and minerals business to Yellow Wood Partners, the latest move to tighten its portfolio and focus on core categories.
Whistleblower Raises Alarming Possibility About Mail Ballots
An unnamed federal official warned that the Postal Service’s moves to comply with a Trump executive order could “derail” the midterms.
Johnson quells House GOP rebellion to advance anti-socialism resolution
A group of House Republicans threatened to upend Speaker Mike Johnson's plans this week in protest of his handling of federal spending.
Democratic socialists' next hurdle: Winning over Black voters
DSA officials say their organizing is centered on economic concerns, from housing costs and food prices to stagnant wages.
Sonos Ace Ultra, Beam Ultra, Sonos Fabric, and a New App: Everything Sonos Just Announced
Sonos is cramming AI into its software because it’s “very hot these days.” The new features, which include agentic automation, are opt-in.
Marine Science Career Accelerator Helps Student Careers
New, hands-on program aids students in bridging the gap between the classroom and the workforce by offering professional certifications and field experience
Pages - Maryland Department of Health recognizes National Preparedness Month with social media campaign
An official website of the State of Maryland.
gamescom 2026’s Steam wishlist winners
gamescom wrapped up last weekend, and it was bloody fantastic. It really felt like the industry had a spring in its step again. The show itself was BUZZING, with 368K attendees (+3% over last year), maxed-out exhibit space, and Opening Night Live pulling over 78M online views (+7.5%). Let’s have a look at the games at the event that brought in the most new Steam wishlists between August 23 and 30. One quick thing before we start, and stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but wishlists are NOT a barometer for launch sales (they’re bookmarks, not baskets is what we always say over here at Alinea). With that aside, wishlists are a nice gauge of hype, so let’s dive in. Witche(r)s and Warlocks take the top two spots The biggest game of the event (by new wishlists, anyways) wasn’t a game at all. It was an expansion. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, nabbed 451K Steam wishlists by the end of the weekend. It’s a big example of something we bang on about constantly: proven IP with built-in fandom is the most powerful force in this market. But said IP can also ripple into other external success stories (more on that later!). Anyway, Songs of the Past debuted at Opening Night Live, and it’s the first Witcher 3 expansion in over a decade, landing next year after a full Witcher 3 remaster (free for existing owners!) arrives next month. The Witcher 3 has sold around 66M copies, and I’ll be one of those owners jumping back in to refresh myself on the core game (like there isn’t enough to play!), then play the expansion next year. This is all part of CDPR’s plan. The studio is clearly whetting everyone’s appetite for The Witcher 4 in 2028 via a classic bridge strategy. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Releasing a free 4K remaster next month – followed by a proper expansion in 2027 – keeps IP top-of-mind across a huge gap between content (games-wise, anyway). It kind of echoes Capcom’s evergreen catalogue strategy. And outsourcing co-development to Fool’s Theory (a studio led by trusted Witcher 3 veterans) keeps CDPR’s internal headcount focused on The Witcher 4. #2 by wishlists between Aug 23 and 30 went to another giant IP: Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast and developed by Invoke Studios (a team of ex-Far Cry, Watch Dogs, and Splinter Cell devs). It’s due to launch in 2027, and it looks brilliant so far. It’s a dark-fantasy open world with third-person spell-slinging. It’s a very Witcher-ish aesthetic. As you might expect, 48% of Warlock’s Steam wishlisters have played Baldur’s Gate 3, and 46% have played The Witcher 3. One to watch. For sure! Mash-ups: Anime GTA (!?) and a city-builder for kids (and adults) Ananta took #3 with 302K new wishlists. It’s an open-world game that looks like GTA and Persona had a baby. It was published by NetEase, developed by Naked Rain, and got a trailer at Opening Night Live. I got hands-on at the show, and it wears its influences openly; there’s literal web-slinging (very Spider-Man) and a LOAD of mini-games (Like a Dragon). It’s free-to-play and out in January. For Ananta, Naked Rain is taking the free-to-play, cosmetics-only route. That’s certainly a choice for a single-player open-world game. Without gacha mechanics driving high ARPU, Ananta is betting purely on top-of-funnel reach and long-term retention. This puts pressure on skin appeal when there’s no multiplayer lobby to flex in (although, co-op is reportedly coming later). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Then there’s Lego Skylines (273K wishlists between Aug 23 and 30), which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a cosy Lego twist on the city-builder genre, as shallow or as deep as you fancy (five min quick sesh or ten-hour no-lifer session; latter for me). There’s some family-friendly stuff in there like couch co-op, which is only really viable on console. Iceflake Studios, which Paradox acquired back in 2020 is developing this one. So Paradox is probably looking for a family-friendly onramp to its rad Cities: Skylines games. The overlap there is plain, with 33% of Lego Skylines wishlisters having played Cities: Skylines and 16% Skylines II. There’s no doubt plenty of parents here (and uncles, ahem) planning to indoctrinate the next gen of city-builders. I’ll definitely be playing with my youngest nephew. This one could be big and educational. I’m very curious to see more. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Mature IP, new and old, rounds out the list As for the rest of the list of gamescom games by new wishlists between Aug 23 and 30: Heroes of Might & Magic III Remake got 189K new wishlists. It remakes the iconic 1999 turn-based-strategy classic in full 3D and 4K. It follows this year’s Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era (~1.8M copies sold, as per our estimates), and around a quarter of the III Remake wishlisters have played Olden Era, including 7% of them this month. Wardogs – a $40 PvP shooter – added another 146K to an already massive pile (nearly 1.6M total). It’s published by Team17 and made by Bulkhead. It plays somewhere between the tactical squad stuff of … Squad and the all-out-chaos battlefield of … Battlefield. It’s up to 100 players, and it’s out in about 10 days. It’s already pre-sold over 500K copies on Steam ($16.6M), boosted by a pre-order-only beta. It sold another 70K copies during gamescom, too. Afterworld managed 121K new wishlists. It’s a Paradox-made post-apocalyptic grand-strategy game, and it was announced at the show. It’s a departure from Paradox’s usual historical stuff, and the studio’s first new setting in over a decade. The Paradox purists are into it, with over half its wishlisters having played Hearts of Iron IV (19% this month) and 41% Crusader Kings III (17% this month). Metro 2039 got 110K during the show, tunnelling its total past 1.3M. Nearly 40% of wishlisters have played 2020’s Metro Exodus, the previous mainline title in the series. The Metro novels are Russian, dev 4A Games is Ukrainian, and it’s set in Moscow, so it’s unsurprising that – after the US (17.3% of wishlisters) – the next two countries are Russia (12.7%) and Ukraine (10.0%). The Blood of the Dawnwalker drew in (the blood of) 108K new wishlisters, now totalling an impressive 1.7M (at a $70 price point, though). It’s an open-world dark-fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century Europe (with vampires!), made by some former Witcher devs at Rebel Wolves. Again, it shows. Over half of Blood of the Dawnwalker’s wishlisters have played The Witcher 3, and its #2 market is Poland, home of Rebel Wolves. That’s that hometown-hero effect we keep banging on about again! And Blood of the Dawnwalker plays very well, by the way. While it looks like a Witcher clone on the surface, it actually brings a lot to the table mechanics-wise. I love the whole time-as-a-currency spin on RPG gameplay. It gives the game a different, refreshing pace. Essentially, you start Blood of the Dawnwalker with a pool of 480 action points spread across 30 days and 30 nights. As for how the game performs, we’ll be posting some numbers next week, so hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready. Subscribe The Witcher’s legacy ripples Make no mistake: on a high level, this was The Witcher‘s gamescom. The #1 game by wishlisters was a Witcher 3 DLC. Warlock is clearly Witcher-inspired – as is Blood of the Dawnwalker, which was made by ex-Witcher devs. There was a lot of other cool stuff on the floor that we’ll no doubt be covering in subsequent newsletters, though! As always, wishlists went through the roof for sequels, remakes, DLC, and licensed IP. As always, though, these wishlists will likely convert to about 5% to 10% of launch-day buyers, with the probable exception of The Witcher DLC – the exception that proves the rule. Either way, we’ve got a nice, diverse list here – one that is very Witcher-y, Paradox-y, and – if you’re a fan of great games on Steam – a bloody good list. We even got a bunch of new IP to get excited for. Great gamescom! Even if we are still processing that unfathomable number of mini Kölsch beers! One more thing: GTA 6 broke the internet (again) Move aside, Spider-Man and The Odyssey (I love you both, really). But the decade’s defining entertainment zeitgeist is round the corner. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Rockstar dropped an extended look at GTA 6 last week. It was INSANE, the most impressed I’ve ever been by a showcase like this. You can see the budget seeping through every second of the extended look, and this level of game is unobtainable for any other publisher. Everyone’s going nuts, and rightly so. GTA 6 is out in holiday 2026, and it’ll be the biggest entertainment release ever, full stop. For those without a PS5 or Xbox Series console, a $500-$900 console is a big ask in this economy, but GTA will pull a lot of last-generation-console fence sitters over the current-gen fence either way: The autumn timing puts GTA 6 on (digital) shelves for the holidays, meaning a PS5 or Xbox (let’s be honest, mostly the former) will be on many a Christmas and Hanukkah list. Demand will outweigh the struggling supply, though, and PS5 Pros are already sold out and being sold at a markup via scalpers. Every console that isn’t on a shelf is a sale deferred or lost, and worse, it hands scalpers the margin. GTA has cultural clout that reaches everyone. It’s been a mainstream fixture since 2001’s GTA III and its clout has only grown exponentially since then. There’s a touchpoint for every generation alive. The FOMO-word-of-mouth double punch does the rest. Loading... It’ll reactivate the lockdown cohort, the millions who picked up gaming in 2020-21 and churned. GTA 6 will bring them back. Remember when College Football 25 brought a bunch of US gamers to current-gen consoles? GTA will do that globally. Once they’re back (or upgraded), and all GTA’d out, the fresh current-gen-console folks will check out the rest of the current-gen catalogue they missed. GTA Online, if not free to play, will also lead to a boost for PS+ and Xbox Game Pass, another boost for the ecosystem players. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Even some of the smug PCMR 60FPS crew won’t be able to resist their FOMO and will bite the bullet on a console to play this one early (then double dip). The consoles cost the same as a decent stick of RAM these days anyway lmao… Don’t get me wrong, though. GTA 6 is no silver bullet for the mature console market, but it does prime the current gen for a couple of strong swan-song years. And it’ll also give the consoles more users from which to maximise ARPU. ‘’We are in the latter half of the lifetime cycle of [the PS5],’’ said Sony President and CEO Hiroki Totoki in a Wall Street Journal interview. ‘’That means we do not need to aggressively sell the console today; rather than that, we are focusing on the current revenue from the current user base.’’ The biggest, best premium games always arrive late in a console cycle, so getting more players aboard now, ahead of that content storm (the new current-gen-only Call of Duty included), is a clear win for the platforms. On the Netflix thing, though: let’s all chill out a bit, like. Half my LinkedIn feed was going bonkers treating the reveal debuting on Netflix like it’s the future of entertainment. It wasn’t. It was a six-hour head start, and Netflix left that detail out of the “first-of-its-kind partnership” press release. The extended look hit Netflix at 3pm ET on 27 August, then went up on YouTube and Rockstar’s site for everyone six hours later. And it was all over social immediately, anyways. This reveal was going to reach an untold number of people whether it debuted on Netflix, YouTube, a Times Square screen, or a group chat. The last trailer did nearly half a billion views in a day with no gatekeeper at all. Netflix just stood next to that audience for six hours, borrowing it. It’s was a tidy deal for Netflix, sure. But every outlet on earth was breaking the thing down frame by frame by the evening anyway. Anyway. I’m hype. And we’ll be covering some GTA numbers on the newsletter soon. So hit subscribe below to get that in your inbox when it’s ready! Subscribe The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Venice Film Festival turns to politics as Hollywood retreats
Hollywood is struggling with an industry crisis and has largely withdrawn from this year's Venice Film Festival, making way for a programme steeped in global politics and social upheaval, the event's director said on Tuesday.
Times Square stabber had mental health history with police before deadly attack
Jarring video circulating social media shows the woman swinging two large knives before police shot and killed her in the middle of Times Square.