The latest news from games, film, technology and digital culture. The stories that matter, without the noise.
When Disney’s chief creative officer Jared Bush initially introduced Hexed at the 2025 D23 expo, the premise centered on a socially awkward boy uncovering latent magical abilities that upended both his life and a hidden supernatural realm. However, the debut trailer this past June revealed a significant pivot: the protagonist is now a teenage girl....
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles. (Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard) In a charming continuation of their wedding weekend festivities, Taylor Swift honored tradition by tossing her bridal bouquet to the crowd of single guests. Now, the lucky recipient has stepped forward to share her excitement. Ashley Smith—sister of...
When it comes to retail, “the market” serves as a convenient scapegoat for any pricing strategy. GameStop leaned into this logic over the weekend, mandating that its physical locations adjust price tags for the upcoming Pokémon 30th-anniversary pre-orders. By establishing a high baseline for this commemorative TCG set, GameStop has effectively triggered a ripple effect,...
New Details Emerge From Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Romantic Wedding Ceremony Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce captured at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. (Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard) Fresh insights from the highly anticipated Fourth of July weekend nuptials of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have surfaced, with attendees describing an afternoon defined by profound emotion...
Last week, Sony sent shockwaves through the gaming community with the announcement that it would phase out physical disc production for PlayStation titles starting in January 2028. The reception was overwhelmingly hostile; social media users decried the move as a significant erosion of consumer ownership, while industry veterans lamented the potential end of a fundamental...
The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater sailing during a 2012 outdoor music festival. John Atashian/Getty Images The Hudson River sloop Clearwater—the iconic vessel championed by folk legend and activist Pete Seeger—found itself abruptly ejected from the New York Harbor’s 4th of July tall ships parade. Event organizers cited the ship’s sails, which featured advocacy banners, as...
In a major strategic pivot, Xbox has announced it will part ways with four of its prominent development studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. This restructuring coincides with a massive workforce reduction, with plans to cut over 3,000 roles across the organization in the coming months. CEO Asha Sharma unveiled...
In a move described as the most sweeping structural overhaul in the company’s history, Xbox is parting ways with five of its development studios while preparing to reduce its workforce by over 3,000 positions in the coming months. The studios affected—Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, and Arkane Studios—face varying futures, ranging...
Image: Particle6 Last autumn, the AI “talent” agency Xicoia introduced Tilly Norwood, a synthetic performer that immediately provoked significant backlash from the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA. In a defensive bid to address the criticism, Xicoia founder Eline van der Velden released a music video featuring Norwood as a pro-AI anthem. The reception was, predictably, underwhelming. Regardless...
Image: Lucasfilm / Disney Regardless of polarized opinions surrounding the Star Wars sequel trilogy, there is no denying that the narrative timeline left ample room for exploration. Lucasfilm has expertly tapped into these unexplored corners, delivering a wave of novels and comics that further flesh out the arcs of characters like Kylo Ren, Poe Dameron,...
