Matrix Website:
https://matrix.org

Our Matrix Space:
https://matrix.to/#/#madsens-crib-tog:matrix.org

In the world of online communication, platforms like Matrix and Discord have become go-to choices for various types of discussions. Whether it's for casual hangouts, gaming, or business collaboration, both platforms offer unique features and advantages. However, when it comes down to deciding which one to use, it's essential to consider their differences. In this blog post, we'll compare Matrix and Discord across several key areas such as usability, privacy, customization, and more to help you choose the one that best suits your needs. And of course, Matrix will not require your personal ID for age verification... Yet.

What is Matrix?

Matrix is an open-source, decentralized communication protocol that enables real-time communication through a variety of platforms and services. Unlike traditional chat apps, Matrix operates through a federated model, meaning no single entity owns the entire network. Matrix users can communicate across different Matrix servers (or homeservers), which provides an added layer of freedom and control over data.

• Open-Source: Matrix's protocol is open-source, allowing for community-driven development and transparency.

• Federated Network: Unlike centralized platforms, Matrix allows users to choose or create servers, offering decentralized control.

Matrix vs. Discord: Key Differences

1. Privacy and Data Ownership

Matrix:

One of Matrix’s main selling points is its commitment to privacy and data ownership. As an open-source, decentralized platform, Matrix allows users to control their data by hosting their own servers. This provides an additional layer of security, as personal data doesn't need to be shared with third parties.

• Pros: Complete control over your data; no centralized authority.

• Cons: More complex to set up and maintain your own server.

Discord:

Discord, on the other hand, is a centralized platform where all user data is hosted on Discord’s servers. While Discord has implemented end-to-end encryption for direct messages (DMs), much of the communication, such as messages in channels, is stored on their servers. Users need to trust Discord with their data. And you shouldn't considering they just recently had a big data breach.

• Pros: Simple to use; you don't need to worry about server maintenance.

• Cons: Your data is stored and controlled by Discord. Data breaches. Facial ID for age verification. They use third party vendors for their facial id which means Discord can say they don't store the information but the third parties might (and do according to their own information).

2. Ease of Use

Matrix:

Matrix's user experience can vary significantly depending on the client or application used to access it (e.g., Element, Synapse, or Riot). While the Matrix protocol is quite flexible, some clients can be clunky or difficult to navigate for newcomers.

• Pros: Flexible and customizable; various client options.

• Cons: The learning curve can be steep for new users; the interface can be inconsistent.

Discord:

Discord has a polished, user-friendly interface that appeals to a wide range of users, from gamers to professionals. It's easy to set up servers, join communities, and manage chats. Discord’s layout is intuitive, and it integrates voice, video, and text chat seamlessly.

• Pros: Very easy to use, intuitive interface; all-in-one platform for messaging, video, and voice.

• Cons: Limited customization compared to Matrix.

3. Customization and Flexibility

Matrix:

Because Matrix is open-source and federated, it offers greater customization and flexibility. You can create custom servers, bots, and integrations, allowing you to tailor the experience to your specific needs. However, customization can require more technical know-how.

• Pros: High degree of customization; choice of homeservers; full control over features and settings.

• Cons: Customization requires technical knowledge; server management can be complex.

Discord:

Discord offers some level of customization with things like bot integrations, custom emojis, and channel permissions. However, because it is a proprietary platform, customization options are limited compared to Matrix. You also can't create or manage the underlying infrastructure.

• Pros: Easy to set up bots and emojis; user-friendly moderation tools.

• Cons: Less flexibility for developers or power users; more rigid structure.

4. Community and Ecosystem

Matrix:

Matrix’s decentralized nature means that it has a more niche, fragmented community. While the protocol itself is widely used, the ecosystems of Matrix servers can vary, and you may find that not everyone uses the same server or client.

• Pros: A decentralized and community-driven ecosystem with diverse usage.

• Cons: Can feel less cohesive; a more fragmented user base.

Discord:

Discord has a massive, centralized community with a wide variety of servers, from gaming groups to business teams. Its ecosystem is easy to navigate, and it's simple to find servers based on specific interests.

• Pros: Large and active user base; easy to find like-minded communities.

• Cons: A centralized ecosystem means you are reliant on Discord's servers for uptime and reliability.

5. Security and Encryption

Matrix:

Matrix has built-in end-to-end encryption for private conversations and supports various security standards. Since you can control your own server, you can implement your own security measures as well. However, some parts of Matrix (e.g., public rooms) may not be fully encrypted.

• Pros: End-to-end encryption for private chats; customizable security features.

• Cons: Public rooms may not be encrypted; self-hosting requires security expertise.

Discord:

Discord uses encryption for data in transit, and DMs are end-to-end encrypted. However, since Discord is a centralized platform, it holds the keys to the data. In the event of a security breach, all user data could potentially be compromised.

• Pros: Strong security measures in place; end-to-end encryption for DMs.

• Cons: Centralized model means Discord controls the security of the platform.

6. Voice and Video Features

Matrix:

Matrix has integrated voice and video chat functionality, but it is not as polished as Discord’s offerings. There are third-party services that can be used for voice and video calls, but these integrations are often less seamless than Discord's built-in features.

• Pros: Decentralized voice and video options available.

• Cons: Features may not be as smooth or feature-rich as Discord's.

Discord:

Discord is widely regarded as having one of the best voice and video chat systems for group calls. It allows high-quality voice channels and streaming capabilities, making it ideal for gamers, team collaboration, or social events.

• Pros: Superior voice and video quality; low latency; easy screen sharing.

• Cons: Some features are locked behind Nitro (premium) subscriptions.

Conclusion: Which One Is Right for You?

The choice between Matrix and Discord depends largely on your priorities.

• Choose Matrix if you value privacy, data ownership, and the freedom of a decentralized network. If you have the technical skills to set up and manage your own server, Matrix offers the most control and customization options.

• Choose Discord if you’re OK with giving up your personal information, personal id, looking for a user-friendly, all-in-one platform with superior voice and video features. It’s ideal for people who want a simple setup without dealing with server management or technical complexities.

Ultimately, both Matrix and Discord are excellent tools for online communication, what matters most is which features align best with your needs. Whether you want decentralization or polished user experience, there’s a platform suited for every type of online community.

The mythical remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag can be released before the summer. According to Ubisoft's financial report, all upcoming games on the menu must be released before the end of March 2026. The report also mentions a title that has not yet been revealed and this may well be Ubisoft's pirate adventure.

As I said, the remake of Black Flag has not yet been officially unveiled, but there are many rumors pointing towards it. The voice actors in the game have hinted that a remake is coming and the French game site Jeuxvideo has had a lot of information about the development.

Reasonably, the game should be unveiled soon, one might think?

German actor Udo Kier has passed away, aged 81. He was known for a number of films and television series, but in the game world he is of course immortal in the role of Yuri in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 and the expansion Yuri's Revenge. He also had roles in Call of Duty: WWII (2017) and Martha is Dead (2022). His voice and face would also have been part of Hideo Kojima's upcoming OD.

It is unclear what is happening with Udo Kier's role in OD now. Is it completely ironed? Is a new ability being brought in? Do you manage to do something with what you have recorded so far (how much or how little is unclear)? It remains to be seen.

Kojima does not give any information, but today he wants to pay tribute to Udo Kier instead for the "icon" he was.

Udo wasn't just an actor. He was truly an icon of his time. We have lost a big icon. There will never be anyone like him. Udo, rest in peace. I will never forget you.

Kojima writes on X that he "lacks words" and that "everything happened so suddenly". How much recorded material for OD is available is unclear, but it has not been possible to record "for a long time", says Kojima.

Because of the strike, we couldn't record OD for a long time, and we were forced to move the recording to the next year. Even during this time, Udo and I frequently exchanged mail. We kept in close contact. When we met in Milan at the end of September, he told us how much he was looking forward to filming starting again next year. He was full of energy then too and made me laugh with his usual "Udo-isms."

Rest in peace, Udo Kier. Thanks for everything.

Key Controversies

1. Affiliate link injections

   • In 2020 Brave was discovered to automatically append affiliate referral codes to certain cryptocurrency-exchange URLs (e.g., when a user typed or visited “binance.com” or “coinbase.com” via the address bar) without explicitly asking the user. (Wikipedia)

   • The company later described it as a “mistake” and said affiliate links would become opt-in. (Wikipedia)

   • Many users felt this behaviour conflicted with the browser’s privacy & transparency promises.

2. Unsolicited donations via the Rewards system

   • Brave introduced a “Rewards” model involving its own token (Basic Attention Token / “BAT”) to remunerate users and content creators for viewing privacy-respecting ads. (Wikipedia)

   • Some users and content creators complained that they were being tipped or designated for donations without their consent. For example:“Users had tipped his channel through the Brave Rewards program despite him not having signed up for the program or consenting to receive funds.” (Wikipedia)

   • Additionally, Brave implemented stricter wallet-/verification-requirements for withdrawals of BAT in some regions, frustrating users. (Brave Community)

3. Privacy & security bugs

   • In 2021, a bug was found in Brave’s “Private Window / Tor” mode: DNS queries for “.onion” addresses were leaking outside the Tor network. (Nasdaq)

   • Some commentators argue that despite Brave’s privacy positioning, it’s still built on the Chromium engine and inherits many of its broader platform dependencies and potential exposure. (onerep.com)

4. Business model and publisher conflict

   • Brave’s model of blocking third-party ads and then offering its own built-in “privacy-respecting” ads worried many web publishers. They argued Brave was intercepting ad revenue streams they rely upon. (WIRED)

   • Some see a potential conflict of interest: the browser is both blocking ads/trackers (good) and monetising via new channels (could raise trust issues: who’s controlling what?).

5. User trust / perception issues

   • Some users and observers question Brave’s transparency: e.g., why features that “should be optional” were enabled by default; how easily “rewards” and “tokens” are introduced; how new features (crypto wallet, in-built VPN, etc.) may complicate the privacy promise.

   For example: “It added affiliate links, stuff that no one would really ever care about.” (Reddit)

   • Some in the privacy community argue Brave’s combination of crypto incentives, own token, and aggressive feature set may dilute its “pure” privacy stance. (Reddit)

6. Installing extra services without clear user consent

   • There are reports that on Windows, a paid “VPN” service (Brave Firewall + VPN) was bundled with the browser installation for some users even if they hadn’t explicitly opted in. (Wikipedia)

   • While Brave claims that the service remains inactive until purchased, some users felt the bundling was misleading.

Important Context & Mitigations

• Many of the controversies appear to be addressed by Brave (e.g., the affiliate link issue, the Tor-mode DNS leak) or the company has responded with fixes.

• Brave remains open-source (so its code is inspectable) and aims to differentiate via privacy features that many mainstream browsers don’t emphasise. (onerep.com)

• Using Brave doesn’t guarantee perfect anonymity, especially if you’re looking for hidden identity, you might still prefer specialised tools (VPNs, Tor Browser itself, etc.). Brave itself warns that their “Tor window” mode isn’t equivalent to the dedicated Tor Browser. (Reddit)

• Much of the debate is about trade-offs: Brave’s convenience + privacy features vs trusting its business model and feature expansion (crypto wallet, tokens, VPN) rather than purely being “just a browser”.

My Take

If I were to summarise: Brave is a strong privacy-oriented browser and for many users it’s a reasonable choice, but it still carries some caveats:

• If you’re mostly concerned with blocking trackers/ads and want an easier switch from something like Chrome, Brave is solid.

• But if you hold a very high standard of “no business surprises / full transparency / minimal dependencies”, you might prefer a more minimal browser (or pair Brave with additional tools).

• It’s wise to understand Brave’s rewards/crypto model and ensure you’re comfortable with that part (or disable if you prefer).

• Always keep in mind: no browser is perfect. Even Brave has had major hiccups (bugs, trust issues, etc.).

Also read this post for even more details: https://thelibre.news/no-really-dont-use-brave/

After some rumors, Blizzard confirms that virtual currency is coming to World of Warcraft. The currency is called "Hearthsteel" and is launched with the next expansion, Midnight, which will be released next year.

The currency is to be used to trade gadgets for the houses that are part of the expansion. In a description, it is emphasized that many things will still be free, and which rules apply to what will be sold.

Criticism has been heard of what are seen as microtransactions in a game that is already subject to monthly fees. The tone is not consistently happy.

What's your take on this?

Story details are currently zero, but Sophie Turner will be the woman who gets the chance to do what Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander have done before: play the role of Lara Croft.

At the same time, we are waiting for news from the next Tomb Raider game, which is being made by Crystal Dynamics in collaboration with Amazon. The "biggest and best" Tomb Raider game ever was revealed at the end of 2022, but almost three years later we have not seen anything from the game.

Technological innovation has repeatedly redefined the contours of human civilization, elevating previously optional conveniences to indispensable infrastructures. Electricity, motorized transportation, and industrial machinery signify such transformational leaps, each once novel, now fundamental. Presently, artificial intelligence (AI) follows this trajectory. As AI rapidly infiltrates diverse domains, from governance and healthcare to information systems and commerce, it stands poised to become as ubiquitous, and as indispensable, as the aforementioned technologies. Yet, unlike its predecessors, AI’s potential for autonomy and opacity engenders unique and profound challenges. This essay argues that AI is destined to become a foundational pillar of modern civilization, but that its adoption must be governed by robust ethical, legal, and strategic frameworks to mitigate existential risks.

Electricity: From Novelty to Necessity

The evolution of electricity from a scientific curiosity to essential infrastructure offers instructive parallels. Originally met with skepticism, early electric lighting and power systems were seen as luxuries. They gradually became embedded in economic production, domestic life, and public health. Today, a world without electricity is not merely inconvenient, it would be functionally impossible. The key lessons are twofold: technological adoption can accelerate once practical benefits are clear, and infrastructural reliance grows until alternative systems become infeasible.

AI mirrors this arc. Initially limited to rudimentary algorithms and constrained domains, modern AI now powers diagnostic radiology, algorithmic trading, smart grids, and personal virtual assistants. In many sectors, human-led processes are increasingly supplemented or supplanted by intelligent automation. As with electricity, discomfort at its novelty gives way to dependency through incremental integration, a process already well underway.

Motorized Vehicles: Reconfiguring Mobility and Economy

The advent of motorized transport similarly illustrates the interplay of innovation and dependency. Before automobiles, economies relied on horses, carriages, and manually powered conveyances. The introduction of internal combustion engines, and later electric and hybrid systems, revolutionized logistics, labor mobility, and urban form, catalyzing industrial and commercial expansion. Contemporary societies are so entangled with motorized transport that supply chains, public services, and daily life would grind to a halt without it.

AI performs a comparable function, albeit within the sphere of cognition rather than physical conveyance. Autonomous systems, predictive modeling, and optimization algorithms have vastly accelerated decision-making and resource allocation. From managing traffic flows to forecasting economic trends, AI extends capabilities beyond human limitations. The cumulative effect is a deepening reliance; as these systems proliferate, reverting to manual or analog methods becomes increasingly impractical.

Industrial Machinery: Accelerating Production and Prosperity

The Industrial Revolution exemplified how mechanization could amplify productivity and reshape social order. Automated looms, assembly lines, and steam engines made mass production viable, reducing costs and democratizing access to goods. These changes fostered urbanization, restructured labor markets, and laid the foundations for modern capitalism.

Today's digital analogue is AI: instead of producing physical widgets, the technology produces knowledge, predictions, and strategic decision support at scales previously unimaginable. From generative design in engineering to advanced simulations in climate science, AI systems can iterate faster and more cheaply than human teams. Such capabilities democratize innovation but also concentrate power, raising questions of equity and control.

Unique Risks Posed by Autonomous Intelligence

Notwithstanding its transformative potential, AI diverges fundamentally from earlier technologies because of its potential for autonomous agency and opacity. Whereas a locomotive or assembly line follows straightforward physical laws and human instruction, AI, especially if venturing toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), could potentially act independently, reshape objectives, or even obscure its decision logic.

This autonomy raises several nontrivial concerns:

1. Control and Alignment: Ensuring AI goals remain aligned with human values is a central challenge. Misaligned systems, even with benign intentions, may pursue goals in ways harmful to human welfare.

2. Security and Sovereignty: Advanced AI might gain access to sensitive infrastructure, including government systems, intelligence networks, and nuclear command-and-control. This degree of access introduces novel security vulnerabilities.

3. Opacity and Predictability: Many contemporary AI systems, particularly those powered by deep learning, are “black boxes.” Their internal operations resist human understanding, complicating oversight, accountability, and trust.

4. Socioeconomic Disruption: Beyond existential threats, AI accelerates labor displacement, exacerbates inequality, and can entrench digital surveillance or algorithmic bias, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations.

The Necessity of Governance and Ethical Frameworks

Given the duality of opportunity and peril, integrated governance becomes imperative. Analogous to the regulatory regimes that developed around electricity and automobile safety, standards, liability frameworks, licensing, AI requires multi-layered oversight:

• Technical Standards and Auditing: Independent validation of AI behavior, robustness, and fairness.

• Transparency Mandates: Requirements for explainability, particularly in high-stakes domains such as law enforcement or finance.

• Legal Accountability: Treating AI systems and their operators as agents under liability frameworks, ensuring recourse for harm.

• International Norms and Treaties: Collaborative regulation to prevent an AI arms race and to secure sensitive domains.

Conclusion

AI lies at the cusp of being the next indispensable infrastructure of human civilization. Through parallels with electricity, motorized transport, and industrial machinery, we recognize patterns of initial skepticism, rapid integration, and eventual indispensability. Yet AI is fundamentally distinct, imbued with autonomy, opacity, and profound scope, that traditional governance paradigms are ill-equipped to manage.

This dual nature, tremendous benefit and existential risk, demands a proactive, adaptive, and globally coordinated governance framework. Humanity’s challenge is not whether to embrace AI, but how to do so in a manner that safeguards human dignity, security, and agency. Guided wisely, AI promises to extend humanity’s reach and capacity; mismanaged, it could undermine the very foundations of our society.

When electricity was first introduced, many people were skeptical of its value, seeing it as a novelty rather than a necessity. Yet today, life without electricity is unimaginable, our homes, businesses, hospitals, and entire economies are powered by it. In much the same way, AI will transition from a helpful tool into an invisible infrastructure woven into every aspect of modern life, from healthcare diagnoses to traffic management and education.

The invention of motorized vehicles provides another parallel. Humanity lived without cars for millennia, relying on horses, boats, and walking. But once motorized vehicles became accessible, they reshaped the speed, scope, and scale of human life. The world today would come to a standstill without cars, trucks, trains, and planes. Similarly, AI is accelerating the pace of decision-making and problem-solving to levels no human workforce alone could sustain. Soon, entire industries will depend on it to function efficiently.

The Industrial Revolution and the introduction of mass-production machines further illustrate this pattern. Machines allowed goods to be produced at scales and costs never before possible, fueling economic growth and lifting millions out of poverty. Today’s equivalent shift is digital: AI is becoming the machine of knowledge, capable of analyzing immense data sets, designing solutions, and even creating new forms of innovation that humans alone could not achieve at scale.

However, every transformative technology comes with dangers. Just as electricity can electrocute, vehicles can crash, and machines can exploit workers, AI too presents profound risks. The most alarming are not just economic displacement or misuse, but the possibility of AI surpassing human control. A self-aware AI, with access to state secrets, government systems, or even nuclear codes, could threaten global stability. Unlike earlier technologies, AI is not only a tool but potentially a thinker, capable of making independent decisions at speeds far beyond human oversight.

This duality, promise and peril, is why AI will become both necessary and carefully regulated in the near future. Like electricity, vehicles, and industrial machines, it will reshape civilization. Yet unlike any prior invention, its potential for autonomy makes it the most powerful, and dangerous, technology humanity has ever created. The challenge will not be whether to adopt AI, but how to do so responsibly, ensuring that its benefits lift humanity rather than endanger it.

Now we get new news: the release is delayed until 2026.

Krafton claims that the postponement is about feedback after player tests – but is that the whole truth? According to Bloomberg (paywall), a bonus of $ 250 million would be activated from Krafton to Unknown Worlds if a certain goal was reached before the end of 2025. This is according to an agreement Bloomberg has seen. It is said to have been concluded in 2021, in connection with Krafton's acquisition.

The decision to postpone the game was made in connection with the management being forced out, anonymous sources claim. The management was against the delay, which according to reports planned to share the bonus with the approximately 100 employees. By postponing the launch, it is, according to the sources, very doubtful whether the revenue targets will be met – and thus whether the bonus will take effect.

Krafton denies allegations

Krafton, for its part, claims that the decision to delay has nothing to do with "contractual or financial considerations". Words stand for words.

The management that disappeared consists of former CEO Ted Gill, technical director Max McGuire and creative director Charlie Cleveland. It is Cleveland, who is also one of the founders, who recently said that the game is ready for early access.

Words that take on a different meaning today when Krafton, for its part, believes that the game is not ready.

Anyway: the game will be released in 2026 in early access. A new gameplay teaser has been released, announcing the new release window. Comments on YouTube include: "Give the team their $250 million" and "Are you sure whatever you're doing is worth it?"

The community is venting its frustration, and it remains to be seen how this story unfolds.

Already in 2023 we found out that Legendary Entertainment planned to make another movie of the Street Fighter series. Then the details were scarce, but now a lot of actors have been joining, and it is a varied crowd.

The last to join (via The Hollywood Reporter) is no less than rapper Curtis Jackson, perhaps better known as 50 cents. He will play the role of boxer Balrog, who has been up to date in the series since Street Fighter 2.

Otherwise, we always see Jason Momoa, who plays shiny; Noah Centineo as Ken; Orville Peck as Vega; Joe Anoa'i like Akuma; Andrew Koji as Ryu; And Callina Liang like Chun-Li. Director, in turn, is Kitao Sakurai, who directed the Twisted Metal series and the movie Bad Trip.

Production will start in August in Australia.

https://www.stopkillinggames.com/

Link to European Citizens' Initiative: https://eci.ec.europa.eu/045/public/#/screen/home

Link to UK Government Petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/702074/

A message will then automatically be inserted asking if the person wants to try RCS, along with an associated link that explains what RCS is. Here in Sweden, it might have been more appropriate if the feature instead emailed all operators and urged them to start supporting RCS.

Almost all Android users already have RCS enabled via Google Jibe. Apple did not want to use Jibe for RCS and instead relies on operators. If an iPhone user's operator does not support RCS, the old and insecure SMS applies to communication between iOS and Android when the built-in apps are used.

Hollywood is mourning another legend. Jack Betts, the charismatic actor who charmed audiences in spaghetti westerns and later played a board member in “Spider-Man,” died Thursday at the age of 96 at his home in Los Osos, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Betts lived a life worthy of Hollywood. Under the stage name Hunt Powers, he appeared in about 15 Italian westerns between 1966 and 1973. This happened at the same time that Clint Eastwood was filming his iconic “Dollars” films on the nearby mountains.

In Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” (2002), he delivered the icy line “You’re out, Norman” to Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn – just before the Green Goblin turned him into a skeleton in the Times Square attack.

The versatile actor also graced soap operas such as “One Life to Live” and “General Hospital.” He also appeared in films such as “Batman Forever,” “Falling Down” and “Gods and Monsters.” His 67-year career spanned from his Broadway debut in 1953 to modern classics.

Betts lived with “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Doris Roberts from the 1980s until her death in 2016. It was a friendship that spanned six decades, since they first met at The Actors Studio in 1954.

The adventure is linear, and will contain both action and exploration. “Blood Message” surprised many when the game was announced a little out of nowhere, without any big games fair or other presentation as a setting.

“Blood Message” does not yet have a release date, but it will come to both PC and consoles when the time comes. Check out the trailer below:

“007 First Light” is a new Bond game by IO Interactive, known for its “Hitman” series. The game is in development for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 – and will be released sometime in 2026.

Here we meet a young and inexperienced James Bond who is recruited by MI6 and gets to carry out his first missions.

MovieZine has spoken to Jonathan Lacaille, who is the franchise director for the game at IO Interactive.

1. The developers really know the brand

What are the most important elements that a Bond story needs?

– When we started working on the game, we obviously looked at what makes a good Bond story. There are some elements that are found in all the films, which we took inspiration from to cook up the game’s recipe.

– Exoticism, vehicles and gadgets are some things that always appear in a spy story. Another element is interesting and preferably double-sided characters. Villains and henchmen are also very important. I don't think there's a Bond film without them.

– Then of course James Bond is at the center. We've seen different vintages, but I would say that the common thread through all Bond products is that they have always felt modern. Sean Connery was cutting edge for his time when the first film premiered both in terms of culturally, what products he used for the story and the themes they created. It was modern for his time, just like Daniel Craig was for our and now also Bond in the game.

So the game takes place in the present?

– Yes, or in the very near future, but I can't say an exact year. That's because it feels relevant within the time period we're releasing the game.

2. IO Interactive has already made fantastic spy games with the "Hitman" series

When the game "Hitman 3" by IO Interactive was released in 2021, I wrote in my review that it "makes me feel like James Bond".

I'm not alone in that opinion, says Jonathan Lacaille, who says the team has leveraged its strengths from that series during the development of "007 First Light."

"We're leaning on what the studio does really well and have mastered the agent genre in the work on "Hitman" for a long time. It would be foolish not to lean on what we do best," he says.

James Bond and “Hitman” are very different series, however. They have their similarities, but they are different characters who work in different ways. IO Interactive therefore needed to build some new muscles.

– The action sequences and shooting are something we needed to get much better at. In the “Hitman” games, it usually means that you have failed when the guns come out. Then you have been discovered, it's over. In a Bond game, it is one of the tools you can choose to move on.

3. “007 First Light” offers great variety

Other new features are driving, which IO Interactive has never included in its previous games, but also gadgets.

– We want the player to feel as smart as Bond. By that I mean that he sometimes ends up in a situation where the odds are against him. We want the player to identify different options – whether it is to take the main entrance and shoot wildly or sneak in through the back door. Something else that is quite unique to Bond is using his charm to get past obstacles.

There is a rumor that actor Patrick Gibson will play Bond in “007 First Light”. He has played in “The Tudors”, “Shadow and Bone”, “Tolkien” and recently played the role of a young Dexter Morgan in “Dexter: Original Sin”.

What can you say about that?

– People are always speculating who will play Bond. Right now we want to focus on showing the game and presenting what it is about. We really want people to care about the game. Regarding the cast, I can only say that it is speculation, but we will confirm who will be involved later this summer.

4. A different James Bond we have never seen before

How much freedom have you had in developing this game? Is it a challenge to work with a franchise that does not belong to you?

– We obviously have to respect the brand. There are guides and guidelines about what Bond is and is not, but they are not particularly restrictive. It is more of a tool that you can use and build on. Because we chose to do an origin story, everything has to be invented, so that way we have a lot of creative freedom. It's also a different medium. It's a game and not a movie, so that also gives a different kind of freedom.

In “007 First Light,” James Bond is 26 years old and an inexperienced spy. He’s not based on any previous interpretation of the character, but a completely new one we’ve never seen in the movies before.

– We based a lot of it on how he looks in the books by Ian Fleming. Someone at MGM mentioned that he has a scar on his face at some point, so we thought it would be fun to go with that because he’s never been portrayed that way before. They’ve seen such a huge library to dig into and get inspiration from to build this new story.

What are your personal favorite Bond movies?

– It’s changed over time. When I was little, Pierce Brosnan was great, but the movies with Daniel Craig were amazing because they really built on the character. He develops through the movies. I felt like I could watch them as a TV series. If I had to choose, I’d have a hard time choosing between Sean Connery and Daniel Craig.

5. The developers hope it will be as loved as “Goldeneye 007”

What is your relationship with the game “Goldeneye 007” from 1997 for Nintendo 64, which is considered by many to be the best Bond game?

– It’s probably the only one I’ve actually played. It was a fantastic game, there’s no denying that. It’s always the game that people refer to when talking about Bond games. I hope our game will get similar status. They’re two very different gaming experiences, but I think we have a very well-made game in the works that people will like for other reasons than “Goldeneye 007”.

“007 First Light” will be released sometime in 2026. We’ll find out more about the game during the summer.

– I have video games in the works. Obviously more “Devil May Cry”. I get offered various franchises from companies that want to work with me. I bought the rights to “Duke Nukem”. Not the game rights, but I bought it from Gearbox.

He goes on to say that he doesn’t plan on taking orders from anyone when he adapts “Duke Nukem”:

– It’s a middle finger to everyone. When “Duke Nukem” became big, a group of people tried to make it a brand, when all it is is a middle finger. “Duke Nukem” can’t be made by one company, because the moment a company makes “Duke Nukem” it’s no longer “Duke Nukem”. I'm not going to let anyone tell me what to do with it.

Earlier in February 2025, a court in Seoul ruled that Ironmace had violated trade secrets by leaking internal information.

Players can already no longer purchase “Dark and Darker’s” own currency, Redstone Shards, or upgrade to Legendary Status.

Epic Games writes that anyone who purchased Legendary Status in the game will get their money back. However, no money will be refunded for Redstone Shards.

Despite all its legal problems, “Dark and Darker” became a huge success in 2024. At the time of writing, it is still available to download via the gaming platform Steam.

According to China Film Foundation chairman Zhang Qilin, these films are “cinematic calling cards” that show China’s spirit and vitality to the world.

AI will be used to improve the productions’ picture and sound quality, while the studios promise to preserve the authenticity of the originals.

Among the titles are works by legends such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li – including “Fist of Fury,” “The Big Boss,” “Once Upon a Time in China,” and “Drunken Master.”

When the AI versions will be released is still unclear.

Rise from survival to greatness and challenge the power of an Imperium in Dune: Awakening, a multiplayer survival game on a massive scale. Survive the sandworm, craft your ornithopter, build a fortress, and ascend to power on an open world Arrakis shared with hundreds of other players.

TLDR

It's a chore and a grind fest.

REVIEW

The game-play is solid and the building mechanics are top tier. That's about it. Get ready for a lot of running and drinking. Yes, the water system is really bad in my opinion. The rate at which water drains is ridiculous and you end up always interrupting whatever you are doing to go get water in your base or hunting NPC's to get their blood. It's a choir rather than a fundamental mechanic. Also, hunger is apparently not a thing on Arrakis...

There is also this weird mechanic with shielded doors where you have to find a random key just laying around in order to be able to go through the shield. It felt very misplaced and like a lazy way to limit players from entering certain areas (forced exploration). Either make it feel worth it or just skip the mechanic overall.

The whole game feels like a big chore. You need hundreds of tools to farm hundreds of materials to build hundred components for one thing (a little exaggerated but you get it).

It feels too complicated and it takes away from the game-play and survival aspect when you constantly have to go out farming materials just to keep the base alive.

Speaking of base, I'm running one of each simple machines and I need FOUR GENERATORS! Again, I have to constantly run out and farm fuel cells.

Why in the frakkin seven hells is there no such thing as a sun collector in the desert?

There's obviously a wind turbine and RAIN collector in the desert where there's no rain or winds!

There are many more minor things like this that just don't feel thought through, feels lazy and out of place, over-complicated and a chore rather than a task.

I'm not gonna go into the poor mission (journey) system and how you have to hunt down class trainers, forced into PvP zones even though devs stated that PvP is optional etc. Because it's bad. Again, a frakkin chore.

They claim it's a MMO yet there is no such thing as team work other than being a FOUR MAN PARTY(!). There is no mission sharing, no shareable map markers, nothing really aimed towards group play unless, again, you engage in PvP...

Poor server structure and server system, repetitive missions and a lot of grinding. I would honestly wait for a sale and I am once again reminded why buying games early instead of waiting for reviews and game-play videos is a mistake.

I'm pretty much done, spending hours and hours grinding materials just to have my base up and running and then not having time to actually play the game is not what I consider fun.

Final Score: 2/5

Given the alleged scope of this breach, I'd definitely encourage anyone reading this with a Steam account to take some precautionary measures.

One of the quickest and easiest things you can do is to log yourself out of all sessions on all devices and change your password. You should absolutely set up two-factor email authentication as well, if you haven't already done so. You should also only use authentication codes sent to you at the moment you requested them.

Read the entire article here: https://www.pcgamesn.com/steam/data-breach-valve-service-provider

Next month, it is time for Switch 2 - Nintendo's next console, which is essentially a more powerful variant of their latest success. Prior to this, they have updated their user agreement and privacy policy, and one of the new points may probably be considered worth raising an eyebrow over.

It is in the license section that Nintendo points out that one must not in any way circumvent, modify, decrypt, destroy or mix with Nintendo Account Services, and that Nintendo reserves the right to, among other things: "permanently make Nintendo Account Services and/or applicable. In other words, they "brick" a Nintendo console if they believe that the user has, for example, tinkered with the account service to be able to pirate or engage in anything else that Nintendo does not like.

It is not uncommon that it is not possible to play with devices that have been tampered with, but making a console completely unusable is clearly a step further. It is unclear to what extent it will actually be used or whether it is even applicable to legislation in different parts of the world.

Many people understand the basics; Machine learning, transformer model, calibration and training, but not why chat bots give the answers they give or why the models show special behaviors.

"People outside the field are often surprised and alarmed to learn that we do not understand how our own AI creations work. They are right to be concerned: this lack of understanding is essentially unprecedented in the history of technology".

– Anthropics vd Dario Amodei

A crucial difference between artificial intelligence and traditional programs is that AI gets its own abilities that appear, like knowledge of mathematics and programming. Common programs have specifically written functions, while AI learns from statistical patterns in data.

Many have pointed out precisely the incomprehensibility of AI, including AI experts and Open AI CEO Sam Altman, who compared the unpredictability of artificial intelligence with the human brain. Most recently, Anthropic Manager Dario Amodei has pointed out that they do not understand their own creations, in a post on their blog.

AI is still moving forward fast and it will be exciting (scary?) To see where we end up in five to ten years.

Boom! And then the world's worst preserved secret was finally released. And it went well, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered attracted four million players in just four days. The game is also on Game Pass, but despite this, the sales figures do not seem to slow down.

Mat Piscatella from the analysis company Circana actually writes on Bluesky that the game already during its first week became the third best selling game in the US in terms of revenue, after Monster Hunter: Wilds and Assassin's Creed Shadows. And since then, it has been a week, so the figures are obviously even better now.

The work on the game is not over, and now Bethesda wants to know what we want to see to make the remaster even better.

We meet Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, a love couple with crime as livelihood. They live their lives in a solar and night-drenched vice city (based on Miami). Just like in the first trailer, we get to see Lucia Mucka from prison, but she has apparently not learned for it not long before the couple robs and ravages.

Everything is captured on the PS5, according to the final text. The game is also released for the Xbox Series. PC has not been confirmed yet, but all previous GTA since part three have come to PC also a number of months after a console debut, so we can probably count on that in due course.

GTA We were delayed last week from thought release this fall. Now it is May 26, 2026 applies.