The latest news from games, film, technology and digital culture. The stories that matter, without the noise.
Just a few days ago, Playground Games unveiled a brief gameplay snippet that was met with a rather lukewarm reception. Enthusiasts were quick to point out the subpar video quality and the noticeably “barren” environments. Critics noted that the roads appeared devoid of traffic and vitality, making the world feel less immersive than what is...
Both presentations were originally scheduled for March 13. At the upcoming Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, two technical sessions from Bungie developers regarding the creation and long-term support of the shooter Marathon have been abruptly canceled. According to the event’s official itinerary, both talks were slated to take place on March 13. The first session...
Graphic: Polygon | Source images: Dragonsteel Books; Warner Bros. Pictures The prolific fantasy luminary Brandon Sanderson is officially ushering his expansive Cosmere universe into the cinematic spotlight following a monumental deal with Apple TV+. In a recent installment of his Intentionally Blank podcast, Sanderson revealed that while Mistborn has flirted with Hollywood before, this marks...
In February 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James initiated a high-profile lawsuit against Valve, targeting the randomized loot box mechanics found in flagship titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. According to reporting from Reuters, James alleged that these mystery boxes facilitate illicit gambling and pose an addictive risk to...
Valve contends that the prosecutor’s demands far exceed existing legal frameworks and could have a detrimental impact on both the player base and the wider industry. Valve has officially responded to the lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, which alleges that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2...
With hundreds of titles debuting on Steam weekly, it is easy to overlook some high-quality free-to-play gems. We have curated five of the most intriguing recent arrivals on Valve’s platform that you can experience without spending a cent. Whether you are looking for strategic combat or brain-teasing puzzles, your next favorite pastime might be just...
Sombr attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 1, 2026. Gilbert Flores/Billboard During a recent performance in London, rising pop star sombr abruptly halted his set to reprimand event security after a concertgoer appeared to lose consciousness in the crowd without receiving immediate assistance. The incident took place at the O2 Academy...
Tilly Norwood appears in the “Take the Lead” music video. (Credit: Tilly Norwood/YouTube) Tilly Norwood, the AI-generated persona developed by the production house Particle6 Group, was heralded as a disruptive force for Hollywood upon her introduction in 2025. Despite the bold claims, the digital figure has yet to secure a legitimate role in film or...
The company maintains that the future of next-generation gaming lies in a PC-first development philosophy. During the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft signaled a strategic shift, advising the developer community that the most effective way to “create for Xbox” moving forward is to “prioritize PC architecture.” Jason Ronald, Vice President of Xbox, also detailed a...
The baseline performance target for the new certification has been established at a native 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. At the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Valve detailed the technical requirements for its upcoming “Steam Machine Verified” compatibility tier. This program is designed to standardize the user experience for a new generation of Steam...
