Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the how-about-that department: Disney CEO Bob Iger says the company is shrinking the MCU with a new mission to drop the number of Marvel TV series to two a year and the film output to no more than three movies per year. The comment follows Iger conceding last year that Marvel had diluted audience's focus by making too many TV shows. From a report: Iger said this is part of Disney's overall strategy to reduce output and focus on quality, a strategy "that's particularly true with Marvel."

"We're slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four and reduce our film output from maybe four a year to two, or a maximum of three," the Disney CEO said during the company's quarterly earnings call Tuesday. "And we're working hard on what that path is." Iger says Marvel has "a couple of good films in '25 and then we're heading to more 'Avengers,' which we're extremely excited about," adding: "Overall, I feel great about the slate. It's something that I've committed to spending more and more time on. The team is one that I have tremendous confidence in and the IP that we're mining, including all the sequels that we're doing, is second to none."
Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the how-about-that department: The identity of the leader of one of the most infamous ransomware groups in history has finally been revealed. From a report: On Tuesday, a coalition of law enforcement led by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency announced that Russian national, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, 31, is the person behind the nickname LockBitSupp, the administrator and developer of the LockBit ransomware. The U.S. Department of Justice also announced the indictment of Khoroshev, accusing him of computer crimes, fraud and extortion.

"Today we are going a step further, charging the individual who we allege developed and administered this malicious cyber scheme, which has targeted over 2,000 victims and stolen more than $100 million in ransomware payments," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was quoted as saying in the announcement. According to the DOJ, Khoroshev is from Voronezh, a city in Russia around 300 miles south of Moscow. "Dmitry Khoroshev conceived, developed, and administered Lockbit, the most prolific ransomware variant and group in the world, enabling himself and his affiliates to wreak havoc and cause billions of dollars in damage to thousands of victims around the globe," said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey, where Khoroshev was indicted.
Posted by Black Convoy from TFW2005


Via Amazon Japan we have our first stock images of the highly anticipated Takara Tomy Mssing Link C-03 Bumblebee and C-04 Cliffjumper. As with Missing Link Optimus Prime, these molds are faithful to the original G1 toys but with new added articulation. See the images after the break and then join to the ongoing discussion on the 2005 Boards!

The post Takara Tomy Mssing Link C-03 Bumblebee and C-04 Cliffjumper Official Stock Images appeared first on Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
Posted by Black Convoy from TFW2005


We have quite an interesting finding here. Via Twitter user @JesseWittenrich we have our first images of the prototypes of four unreleased redecos of the Transformers G2 Flipchangers. These figures were originally planned to be released during G2 but the line’s cancellation resulted in the figure being held back. These molds were later redecoed and released in the Machine Wars line as Mirage/Prowl, Hoist/Hubcap, Skywarp/Thundercracker and Megatron/Megaplex. The images come from a private auction group on Facebook and we not only get images of these unreleased redecos, but information about the official names of two of them. The light green indy car mold was » Continue Reading.

The post Unreleased Transformers G2 Flipchangers Redecos Images appeared first on Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
Posted by Kenneth Shepard from Kotaku
One of 2023’s most criminally underrated games is getting a second chance. Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is Spike Chunsoft’s spiritual successor to its beloved murder mystery series Danganropa. It launched on Switch to decent reception last year, but several reviewers noted some technical trouble on Nintendo’s…

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the feed-and-speed department: Apple revealed its refreshed iPad Pro lineup at its "Let Loose" virtual event Tuesday, featuring a slimmer design, OLED displays, and the company's latest M4 chip. The new 13-inch and 11-inch models boast enhanced brightness, color saturation, and contrast, with the 13-inch model measuring just 5.1 millimeters thick, making it Apple's thinnest device ever.

The M4 chip, which powers the new iPad Pros, delivers a 50% faster CPU and improved efficiency compared to the previous-gen M2 chip. Apple has also introduced updated accessories, including a redesigned Magic Keyboard with an aluminum palm rest and function key row, and the Apple Pencil Pro with squeeze gestures, Find My location tracking, and haptic feedback. The switch to OLED technology ensures consistent display quality across both iPad Pro sizes, addressing the previous disparity between the 12.9-inch Mini LED model and the smaller, traditional-screen version.

The base storage for both models is now 256GB, with prices starting at $999 for the 11-inch and $1,299 for the 13-inch. Both are available for preorder today and will be available in stores next week.
Posted by Willa Rowe from Kotaku
After a short technical test, Supergiant Games started this week with a bang by releasing Hades II into Early Access. The sequel to the studio’s 2020 action roguelite has been eagerly awaited by fans of the original, but it turns out the audience for Hades 2 is much bigger than anybody was expecting. Not even 24 hours…

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Posted by John Walker from Kotaku
Money is imaginary, and yet we imagine the worst possible version. As we all agree to pretend that swapping numbers on a computer, or paper and metal in person, makes sense as a transaction for goods, we also for some reason pretend that said goods get more expensive. As a result of this, Games Workshop is putting its…

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by Ethan Gach from Kotaku
Just days after Redfall’s one-year anniversary, Microsoft has announced it’s shutting down the studio behind it, Arkane Austin, and ending all further development on the vampire shooter. That includes its promised Hero DLC which some fans already paid for in the $100 Bite Back edition of the Xbox console exclusive.

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the tough-luck department: Wesley Yin-Poole, reporting for IGN: Microsoft has closed a number of Bethesda studios, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush and The Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, and more in devastating cuts at Bethesda, IGN can confirm. Alpha Dog Studios, maker of mobile game Mighty Doom, will also close. Roundhouse Games will be absorbed by The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios.

On Redfall, the disastrous vampire co-op game will now not receive promised updates as Microsoft has ended all development on the game. Microsoft said Redfall will remain online to play, and it will provide a "make-good" offer for those who bought the Hero DLC. In an email to staff sent by Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, Microsoft blamed the cuts on a "reprioritization of titles and resources."
Posted by Black Convoy from TFW2005


Cowabunga! We can share for your our first in-package images of the new Transformers Collaborative Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Transformers Party Wallop toy! This new collaboration brings us a transformable TMNT party wallop which includes 1 of 4 different heads to create a Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo, or Raphael plus several accessories. While this figure is scheduled for release in August this year, it seems some samples are out. See the images after the jump and then sound off on the 2005 Boards!

The post Transformers Collaborative Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Transformers Party Wallop In-Package Images appeared first on Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
Posted by Black Convoy from TFW2005


Third party company Dreamstar Toys have updated, via their Weibo account, images of the color prototype of their upcoming DST-02 Constructicons & Prowl (IDW Devastator / Prowlstator). This is a new stylized design of the Contructicons and Devastator based on their look and configuration of the first run of the IDW comics which includes Prowl as part of the combination. We also have images of the gray prototype of DST-02-01 Scrapper in robot mode. According to the images shared, there are plans to release at least 8 robots, so we may have some extra members. Considering this project is based on the » Continue Reading.

The post Dreamstar Toys DST-02 Constructicons & Prowl (IDW Devastator / Prowlstator) Images appeared first on Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.
Posted by Kenneth Shepard from Kotaku
Xbox is shutting down four studios in its first-party stable, specifically ones that fall under the Bethesda/ZeniMax umbrella. The brutal cuts will affect Redfall developer Arkane Austin, Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks, and Mobile Doom developer Alpha Dog Games. ZeniMax subsidiary Roundhouse Games will be…

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by John Walker from Kotaku
Hades 2, surprise-released into Early Access May 6, has no shortage of challenges. Even with the help of the mighty Olympians and a strike of luck with loot during runs, bosses are likely to put a stop to your ventures until you’ve familiarized yourself with their attacks.

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by Kenneth Shepard from Kotaku
It is prime time to be a hater right now. The Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef has been a spectacle to watch unfold over the past few days. Lamar is dropping some of the harshest disses of his career, while Drake says “nuh uh” over a beat. I finally understand why Ancient Rome held gladiator fights.

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Posted by from MMO Champion
Dragonflight Patch 10.2.7 - Dark Heart Live This Week

Dragonflight Patch 10.2.7 Dark Heart goes live this week!

What's New?

Dark Heart Content Update Notes

The War Within Prologue

Draenei And Troll Heritage Armor Sets

New Dragonflight Quests

Hunter Pet Stable Update

WoW Remix: Mists of Pandaria

Dark Heart Content Update Notes

Here are the official content update notes for Dragonflight Patch 10.2.7 Dark Heart.



The War Within Prologue

Khadgar has summoned us and Alleria Windrunner to investigate a mysterious figure called the Harbinger, who possesses a powerful relic called the Dark Heart.

Draenei And Troll Heritage Armor Sets

Draenei and Troll characters level 50 and above can start new questlines to unlock their heritage armor sets:

Draenei - Seek out the Magically-Sealed Parcel in Stormwind to begin the quest "An Artificer's Appeal".

Troll - Seek out Zi'guma in Orgrimmar who will offer the quest "Return to the Echo Isles".



New Dragonflight Quests

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Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the bad-management-meets-bad-software department: The Register provides a retrospective look at how Microsoft "absorbed the handset division of Nokia" ten years ago, only to kill the unit two years later and write it off as a tax loss. What went wrong? "It was a fatal combination of bad management, a market evolving in ways hidebound people didn't predict, and some really (with a few superb exceptions) terrible products," reports The Register. From the report: Like Nokia, Windows Mobile's popularity peaked in 2007, then started to drop away. The iPhone was the tech item of choice for fashionistas, Blackberry was seen as essential for serious business, and Android -- with Google as its new owner -- was gaining traction. Microsoft by that time had a new CEO in Steve Ballmer, who completely and famously failed to see the shifting sands in the mobile market. He dismissed the iPhone as a threat to what he thought was Windows Mobile's unassailable market position, and was roundly mocked for it. So the scene was set for a mobile standards war, and Steve Ballmer staked his professional pride on winning it. Microsoft recruited Nokia to help out. [...]

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Posted by Moises Taveras from Kotaku
Folks, it finally happened…sort of. Nintendo formally (and remarkably casually) acknowledged its successor to the Nintendo Switch, stating that it will be announced “within this fiscal year” as part of an investor meeting this week, meaning we’ll hear about it before April 2025. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa…

< This article continues on their website >
Posted by from MMO Champion
Patch 10.2.7 Extended Maintenance

Blizzard has announced an extended maintenance for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight in both North America and Europe. Patch 10.2.7 maintenance will last approximately 8 hours in North America, from 7:00 AM PDT until 3:00 PM PDT.

Posted by from MMO Champion
Cataclysm Classic Hotfixes - May 6, 2024

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Cataclysm Classic

Account wide achievements that reward titles now grant them at an account level.

Fixed an issue that prevented players from receiving daily Random Battleground rewards.

Smoke Bomb will now properly cancel Stealth, Prowl, and Shadowmeld from enemy players.

Fixed an issue that would prevent Warden Stillwater from spawning during the Lawn of the Dead quest.

Fixed an issue where Death Knights in Blood Presence could be incorrectly, critically hit by all melee attacks.

Reduced the cost of all honor and arena gear from Wrath of the Lich King, to better match honor gain while at level 80 compared to level 85.

Holidays

Made some improvements to the Children's Week Quests The Banshee Queen, Malfurion Has Returned!, and The Fallen Chieftain to more consistently grant quest credit.

Warlock

The Warlock Demon Soul ability will now work with the Incubus pet.

Fixed an issue where Warlock Demonology pets were not properly updating from Mastery.

Fixed an issue with the incorrect tooltip on Demonic Pact. It should correctly read that it grants the Warlock 2% increased personal spell damage.
© Z-R0E