Games

So, I was reading up on what Microsoft’s planning for the next generation of consoles, and apparently, they’re really focusing on how textures look. Jason Ronald, a VP at Microsoft, talked about this at GDC 2026. They’re using some advanced texture compression – even incorporating new tech with neural networks! But it’s not just that; they’re also going all-in on something called Zstandard. Basically, with the newest version of DirectStorage – which now supports Zstandard – we’re gonna be able to load game assets directly from the SSD super fast. It should make a huge difference in loading times and overall game performance, which is awesome!

On May 7th, Peacock will release all nine episodes of M.I.A., a new revenge thriller from the creator of Ozark. The series follows Etta Tiger Jonze, played by Shannon Gisela, as she seeks vengeance after her family’s drug operation is dismantled and her family is killed. Set in the vibrant and dangerous world of Miami, the show depicts her pursuit of those responsible. The first episode will also air on NBC on May 14th at 10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Now that Iron Man is gone and Captain America has retired, Thor is likely to become a central figure in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars movies. Chris Hemsworth has been with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a long time, and there are no current plans for his character to leave. He’s hinted that Marvel has a plan for Thor’s story even after the current saga finishes in 2027. This is fantastic news for fans who love the character and have been with the MCU since the beginning. However, if Hemsworth ever decides to move on, Marvel’s Kevin Feige and his team are prepared with a suitable storyline.

Wow, the season finale of that show – Season 2, Episode 8, ‘The Southern Cross’ – really stuck the landing! As a huge MCU fan, I’m seeing everyone online agree it’s one of the best finales they’ve ever done, and the ratings are definitely backing that up – it’s breaking records, apparently!

Fans of the original game will be happy to hear that squad sizes are no longer limited to just three players. There’s also a lot to anticipate, including the return of familiar Xenomorphs—and even The Queen—along with a new Specialist class that lets you customize your character with abilities borrowed from other classes.

In a recent interview with Game File, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the lengthy development of BioShock 4. He explained that it was challenging for both Take-Two and the game’s developer, Cloud Chamber, to land on the right vision for the next BioShock game. This led to wasted time and resources, as problems with earlier ideas weren’t discovered until much later in development.

2010 was a fantastic year for gaming, with huge titles like Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, Super Mario Galaxy 2, God of War III, Halo Reach, and Call of Duty: Black Ops. It’s easy to forget some games from that year, and R.U.S.E., a real-time strategy game by Eugen Systems and published by Ubisoft, is one of them. That’s not because it was a bad game – actually, it was quite good! It just didn’t get the same level of attention as those other blockbuster releases back in 2010. But now, it’s back!

Ahead of the fifteenth season, premiering on Hulu July 20th, Hulu shared a preview of what’s to come. It seems Bobby is finding that being a business owner is more challenging than he expected. The show will follow Hank and Peggy as they adjust to retirement and try to keep the peace on Rainey Street, while Bobby balances his friendships with the pressures of running his restaurant, Robata Chane – a German and Asian fusion eatery. Though Bobby’s a talented chef, owning a business is proving to be a new kind of challenge.

Fans can now experience the original Ben 10 series in a brand-new way! Dynamite Entertainment has released the first issue of a comic that revisits Ben’s discovery of the Omnitrix, but with a darker and more intense tone. It’s a fresh take on the beloved story, offering a familiar feel with higher stakes and a unique perspective. This Ben 10 is both new and nostalgic, sure to excite longtime fans.

Although it’s not a definite sign of a sequel, the game clearly has the potential to launch a new series following Diana’s story. That would be great, considering how immersive the world was and how fun the game played. However, Pragmata also stands perfectly well on its own. While a sequel could be enjoyable, the game is strong enough that it doesn’t need one—and I’d actually be more interested in seeing the developers explore fresh concepts.