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Soulslike prince Lies of P added difficulty settings after its own developers struggled to beat it: “Most couldn’t even make it halfway”
Lies of P introduced difficulty settings after internal testing showed that many developers found the Soulslike action game too demanding to complete. The decision matters because it marks a shift towards making a genre known for its punishing challenge more accessible without removing its core combat experience. According to the developers, most staff could not…
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My favorite feel-good show is back
The Verge’s David Pierce welcomes the return of Ted Lasso for a fourth season, describing it as a reliably uplifting programme and noting that it has received generally positive reviews. He characterises the new season as a soft reboot, arguing that criticism of its lack of conflict and persistent optimism is, for him, a strength…
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The ornithological artist drawing 1,000 birds by hand – all for an app that wants you off your phone
Ornithological artist Keith Hansen is hand-painting roughly 1,000 bird species recorded in the US and Canada for Flock, an app designed to encourage people to leave their screens and go birdwatching. The project matters because it combines detailed natural-history artwork with technology intended to build interest in birds and conservation rather than maximise users’ time…
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Tencent’s cyberpunk rival to Grand Theft Auto is in trouble as its developer lays off 80 people
Tencent-owned Lightspeed LA has laid off around 80 staff after changing the creative direction of Last Sentinel, an ambitious cyberpunk open-world game positioned as a potential rival to Grand Theft Auto. The cuts suggest the project has encountered serious development problems and cast doubt over how closely its eventual form will resemble the game originally…
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These devs have been building the perfect platformer for 22 years, and the Steam apocalypse won’t stop them now: “Video games have always been about a small team of sickos doing something”
The article profiles a small development team that has spent 22 years working towards what it considers the ideal platform game. It presents their persistence as significant because they intend to continue despite uncertainty and disruption affecting Steam, underlining the resilience of long-running independent projects. The developers argue that games have often been created by…
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Newly discovered Demon’s Souls prototype footage reveals a scrapped first-person mode
Newly uncovered 2007 presentation footage shows that FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls originally included a selectable first-person mode, later removed before release. The discovery offers fresh insight into how the influential PlayStation game evolved, including design ideas that anticipated mechanics and enemies used in later Souls titles. Dataminer Lance McDonald found the footage, images and slides from…
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Best Solar Generators for Off-Grid Trips, RVs, and Home Backup
WIRED recommends choosing portable solar generators by brand rather than focusing on individual models, highlighting Jackery as a reliable, easy-to-use option for camping, RV travel and home backup. The guide matters because these battery systems, paired with portable solar panels, can provide independent electricity where mains power is unavailable or disrupted. Jackery performed consistently well…
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WhatsApp Gets a Handy @all Feature for Group Chats
WhatsApp is gradually introducing an @all mention for group chats, allowing users to notify every member, including those who have muted the conversation. The feature is intended for urgent updates such as changes or cancellations, but its design also reflects concerns that it could be misused for spam. In groups with more than 32 members,…
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Spokane Shows What the New Era of Wildfires Looks Like
Wildfires near Spokane, Washington, have destroyed entire neighbourhoods and forced hundreds of people into emergency shelters, illustrating the increasing scale and severity of modern fire seasons. The crisis matters because it has displaced vulnerable residents, including older people and carers, while emergency officials warn that such events are likely to begin earlier, last longer and…
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Nitecore’s latest power bank is the lightest and most compact yet
Nitecore has launched the NB10000 Gen 4, a 10,000mAh power bank aimed at backpackers, cyclists and endurance athletes who prioritise low weight and small size. The Verge found it to be the lightest and most compact power bank in its capacity class, though its £84-equivalent price and some unnecessary design choices limit its appeal. The…