Updated through the day
The day’s games and tech news as it lands: launches, updates, outages, deals and the stories behind them, newest first. Page 4 of 14.
Technology Industry
CISA told organisations on 21 October to patch two critical PHP flaws, dubbed PHP2Shell, immediately or take systems offline. They allow unauthenticated remote code execution on PHP servers.
Cloud Gaming
Xbox Insiders can now buy Cloud Playtime, packs of ad-free streaming time without a Game Pass subscription: 10 hours for US$3.99, 25 for US$7.99 and 50 for US$11.99. A wider rollout is planned for November.
RPGs
EA says it is closing BioWare and its Edmonton workspace and ending early development of the next Mass Effect, as part of a restructuring that also pauses a Sims project and shrinks the skate. team.
NASA / Space Technology
NASA's CHAPEA Mission 2 crew marked a year inside a 3D-printed mock Mars habitat in Houston on October 19, living with 45-minute communication delays and limited supplies. They leave on October 31 after 378 days.
Google / Android
Google is rolling out Personal Intelligence for Gemini on Android Auto from October 20, letting the assistant answer from your Gmail, Calendar, Photos and Maps. It's opt-in, for adults with personal accounts, and not available in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Nigeria.
The Witcher
CD Projekt's patch 5.01 for The Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2 fixes an issue that could affect save files, sharpens the image, and adds Bloom, Light Shafts and Depth of Field options.
Microsoft / Windows
To mark 25 years of Xbox, eligible Windows 11 PCs bought from participating US retailers between November 2 and December 31 come with 25 Xbox games. Microsoft is also pointing PC players to Advanced Shader Delivery for faster first loads.
Pokemon
Pumpkaboo's Sweet Surprises! runs in Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 2 until 4:59 a.m. on November 1, local time. Players collect pumpkin candy while camouflaged and trade it for decorations that bring Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist to town.
Apple
iPhone Duo pre-orders opened on 16 October from US$1,999, and US delivery estimates slid to late January within half an hour. Here's what the foldable offers and what it costs you.
NASA / Space Technology
NASA's Anil Menon and CSA's Joshua Kutryk will install the seventh and eighth roll-out solar arrays on October 29 and November 5, lifting station power by up to 30 percent ahead of its eventual controlled deorbit.
Gaming Culture
Rep. Ritchie Torres wants the FTC to write rules so buying a game means owning it, with offline modes after servers shut down. The bill has been announced but not yet passed.
The Legend of Zelda
Ocarina of Time launches on Switch 2 on 5 November, listed at US$59.99 on the eShop, and Nintendo's new trailer confirms voiced cutscenes, an orchestral score and an ocarina you can play through the microphone.
Microsoft / Windows
The 16 October Windows Insider builds give Xbox mode's Gaming Task View quicker access to Exit to Desktop and Power Options, a small fix for a common couch-gaming annoyance.
Anthropic / Claude
Anthropic reports that Claude designed quantum circuits using fewer qubits and gates than the best published versions across eight tasks, with caveats it states itself.
Retro Gaming
Konami's 2D return follows Rose Belmont through a burning Paris, with Arcana boss powers and distinct digital editions.
Retro Gaming
Digital Eclipse and Atari revive different parts of Toy Story gaming history on October 15, with an archival collection and a separate 3D adventure.
Gaming Communities
Jackbox returns on October 15 with five new games using phones as controllers, covering cards, wordplay, debates, trivia and photos.
Cozy Games
Gameloft Brisbane takes Bluey and Bingo on a photography adventure through their home city, with a scrapbook, puzzles and an optional second player.
Simulation Games
Flight Simulator 2024 gets free championship-style air racing with Reno and Roswell tracks, while a separate 40-aircraft pack is paid.
Free-to-Play Games
Digital Extremes is opening a one-time community operation on Eris, while a related Tau prologue remains available permanently.
