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Six decades later, Star Trek’s harshest critics still fail to grasp its fundamental premise
Image: Netflix/Everett Collection Although Patrick Stewart is now as inextricably linked to the Star Trek legacy as icons like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, his 1987 debut as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in The Next Generation was met with skepticism. The point of contention? His lack of hair. When a journalist pointed out that medical science...
Dev Corner 2601001: Thunder at Our Gates
A Fresh Start: Reintroducing Developer Corners Greetings, Generals! As we embark on a new year, our team is hard at work mapping out the future of Hearts of Iron IV. To better involve the community in our creative process, we are officially reviving Developer Corners. To provide clarity on how we communicate our progress, it...
Anime’s Global Dominance: A Potential Problem?
Visual by Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Assets courtesy of Mappa and CygamesPictures Japanese animation is currently navigating an unprecedented golden age, dominating cultural conversations both domestically and abroad. The current winter lineup is so densely packed with high-quality releases that keeping pace has become a challenge for even the most dedicated fans. Meanwhile, cinematic juggernauts like...
Twenty-Five Years Later, Hollywood Still Can’t Crack the Code on Gaming’s Most Iconic Hero
Image: Warner Brothers/Everett Collection Last week, the *Tomb Raider* community received a glimpse of its new future as Amazon/MGM revealed Sophie Turner as the legendary Lara Croft. The initial reaction was largely positive, with Turner’s aesthetic channeling the character’s definitive ’90s grit. However, not everyone was on board. GameStop’s social media arm—seemingly more focused on...
Billie Eilish Denounces Minnesota ICE Operation as “Kidnapping” While Accepting MLK Jr. Environmental Justice Award
Billie Eilish Reaffirms Stance Against ICE and Administration Policies at MLK Jr. Awards Billie Eilish at the “Avatar: Fire and Ash” World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety) Only a week after a Trump administration representative dismissed Billie Eilish’s critiques of ICE as “garbage rhetoric,” the Oscar-winning artist intensified her condemnation of the...
Two Decades Ago, a Disastrous Vampire Sequel Resurrected an Underrated Franchise
Image: Sony It is somewhat poetic that Underworld, the melodramatic saga of a blood feud between vampires and Lycans, debuted in 2003. This was the same year the Matrix sequels dominated the cultural zeitgeist, and Underworld often felt like a spiritual spin-off—specifically of that pivotal moment in The Matrix Reloaded where the Oracle mentions rogue...
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and the Evolution of Exceptional Post-Apocalyptic Narratives
Image: Sony Throughout 28 Years Later and its visceral follow-up 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the enigmatic hermit Dr. Ian Kelson (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes) occupies his days by meticulously constructing a massive ossuary—a grim monument dedicated to the millions lost to the Rage virus. Yet, when night falls, he retreats to his subterranean...
Steve Coogan Joins the Cast of the New ‘White Lotus’
The production team behind the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus has added another significant talent to its already impressive cast with the official signing of the versatile actor Steve Coogan. This news further highlights the creative team’s commitment to building a powerhouse ensemble for the highly anticipated third season which is currently set in...
“Marty the Magnificent” Earns $100 Million at the Global Box Office
The cinematic world is celebrating a significant milestone as the independent hit Marty the Magnificent has officially earned over one hundred million dollars at the global box office. This remarkable achievement marks a major victory for the creative team proving that original storytelling and character driven narratives can still find a massive audience in a...
After 37 Years, Iconic Mecha Anime Returns via New Movie Trilogy
Image: Headgear/J.C. Staff Following the initial reveal of the upcoming Patlabor film trilogy, the franchise’s official social media outlets have now confirmed the theatrical schedule alongside a compelling new trailer. The teaser for Patlabor EZY strikes a nostalgic chord by opening with vintage clips from the 1988 original anime before transitioning into its modernized visual...
Don Lemon Issues Response After DOJ Warning Following Nicki Minaj’s Calls for His Arrest
Don Lemon attends the ‘Heads of State’ world premiere at Alice Tully Hall, New York. (Photo: John Nacion/Variety) Don Lemon Defends Journalistic Integrity Amid DOJ Warnings and High-Profile Backlash Independent journalist Don Lemon is standing his ground after the Department of Justice issued a stern warning following his coverage of a Minneapolis protest. The controversy,...
Billboard Promotes Lyndsey Havens, Dan Rys, Shira Brown and Mary Rooney
Billboard has announced a series of high-level editorial and corporate promotions, signaling a new chapter for the publication’s leadership. On Tuesday, the company revealed that Lyndsey Havens has been elevated to Executive Editor, while Dan Rys takes on the role of Executive Editor, Business. Joining them in the executive ranks are Shira Brown, named SVP...
Effingham, Illinois
We are thrilled to pull back the curtain on Effingham, a vital new urban addition to the forthcoming Illinois DLC for American Truck Simulator. Nestled in the heart of the Prairie State, this city serves as a pivotal junction for long-haulers, and our team has been working diligently to recreate its unique ambiance and signature...
Ex-Nintendo President Doug Bowser Joins Hasbro Board Following Retirement
Following a storied tenure at the helm of Nintendo’s North American division, Doug Bowser—the man whose name was a delightful coincidence for Mario fans everywhere—has officially embarked on his next chapter. After announcing his retirement from Nintendo last autumn, Bowser concluded his nearly seven-year run as President and COO on December 31. While he was...
HBO’s latest Game of Thrones spin-off revives a brilliant element we didn’t know we missed
Image credit: Max The moment showrunner Ira Parker decided to depict Ser Duncan the Tall in a state of explosive gastrointestinal distress in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a singular realization struck me: the era of the gritty, unrefined commoner has officially returned. While Game of Thrones and its successor House of the Dragon...
Billboard Names Leila Cobo and Jason Lipshutz Co-Chief Content Officers
Billboard Appoints Leila Cobo and Jason Lipshutz as Co-Chief Content Officers Jason Lipshutz and Leila Cobo | Jenny Regan; José “Chepe” De Villegas In a significant leadership expansion, Billboard announced on Tuesday (Jan. 20) the promotion of Leila Cobo and Jason Lipshutz to the roles of Co-Chief Content Officers. The veteran journalists will now co-manage...
Six decades later, Star Trek’s harshest critics still fail to grasp its fundamental premise
Image: Netflix/Everett Collection Although Patrick Stewart is now as inextricably linked to the Star Trek legacy as icons like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, his 1987 debut as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in The Next Generation was met with skepticism. The point of contention? His lack of hair. When a journalist pointed out that medical science...
Dev Corner 2601001: Thunder at Our Gates
A Fresh Start: Reintroducing Developer Corners Greetings, Generals! As we embark on a new year, our team is hard at work mapping out the future of Hearts of Iron IV. To better involve the community in our creative process, we are officially reviving Developer Corners. To provide clarity on how we communicate our progress, it...
Anime’s Global Dominance: A Potential Problem?
Visual by Paulo Kawanishi/Polygon | Assets courtesy of Mappa and CygamesPictures Japanese animation is currently navigating an unprecedented golden age, dominating cultural conversations both domestically and abroad. The current winter lineup is so densely packed with high-quality releases that keeping pace has become a challenge for even the most dedicated fans. Meanwhile, cinematic juggernauts like...
Twenty-Five Years Later, Hollywood Still Can’t Crack the Code on Gaming’s Most Iconic Hero
Image: Warner Brothers/Everett Collection Last week, the *Tomb Raider* community received a glimpse of its new future as Amazon/MGM revealed Sophie Turner as the legendary Lara Croft. The initial reaction was largely positive, with Turner’s aesthetic channeling the character’s definitive ’90s grit. However, not everyone was on board. GameStop’s social media arm—seemingly more focused on...
Billie Eilish Denounces Minnesota ICE Operation as “Kidnapping” While Accepting MLK Jr. Environmental Justice Award
Billie Eilish Reaffirms Stance Against ICE and Administration Policies at MLK Jr. Awards Billie Eilish at the “Avatar: Fire and Ash” World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety) Only a week after a Trump administration representative dismissed Billie Eilish’s critiques of ICE as “garbage rhetoric,” the Oscar-winning artist intensified her condemnation of the...
Two Decades Ago, a Disastrous Vampire Sequel Resurrected an Underrated Franchise
Image: Sony It is somewhat poetic that Underworld, the melodramatic saga of a blood feud between vampires and Lycans, debuted in 2003. This was the same year the Matrix sequels dominated the cultural zeitgeist, and Underworld often felt like a spiritual spin-off—specifically of that pivotal moment in The Matrix Reloaded where the Oracle mentions rogue...
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and the Evolution of Exceptional Post-Apocalyptic Narratives
Image: Sony Throughout 28 Years Later and its visceral follow-up 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the enigmatic hermit Dr. Ian Kelson (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes) occupies his days by meticulously constructing a massive ossuary—a grim monument dedicated to the millions lost to the Rage virus. Yet, when night falls, he retreats to his subterranean...
Steve Coogan Joins the Cast of the New ‘White Lotus’
The production team behind the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus has added another significant talent to its already impressive cast with the official signing of the versatile actor Steve Coogan. This news further highlights the creative team’s commitment to building a powerhouse ensemble for the highly anticipated third season which is currently set in...
“Marty the Magnificent” Earns $100 Million at the Global Box Office
The cinematic world is celebrating a significant milestone as the independent hit Marty the Magnificent has officially earned over one hundred million dollars at the global box office. This remarkable achievement marks a major victory for the creative team proving that original storytelling and character driven narratives can still find a massive audience in a...