Ronald.phillips

Large swaths of California's tech hub Silicon Valley remained without electricity after the latest atmospheric river brought heavy rain and high winds that toppled power lines. From a report: Almost one-third of the homes and businesses in Santa Clara County -- home to tech giants including Apple Inc. and Alphabet's Google -- were without power as of Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 180,000 customers in the San Francisco Bay Area were blacked out as of 10 a.m. local time. PG&E, the utility that serves most customers in the region, said the storm was stronger than forecast and resulted in hundreds of trees or limbs striking power equipment and disrupting electricity service. The utility has sent additional crews into the hardest-hit areas.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Microsoft warned an infamous hacking group that is tied to Russia's military intelligence agency GRU could be gearing up for more ransomware attacks both inside and outside of Ukraine. From a report: Microsoft calls the group Iridium, but it is perhaps best known as Sandworm. It has been accused of attacks on Ukraine's electric power grid and government agencies, the 2018 Winter Olympics and businesses across the globe. Now, it appears to be preparing for a renewed destructive campaign, the software company said in a threat intelligence report on Wednesday. Russian hackers have been accused of bombarding Ukrainian institutions with "wiper malware" and DDoS attacks, a campaign that began even before President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade more than a year ago. However, Ukraine's defenses have largely fended off a major cyberwar with the help of foreign tech companies including Microsoft. The ransomware attack on Polish and Ukrainian transport services in October, attributed to Sandworm, may have been "a trial balloon" for further attacks, the report said. Microsoft warned it was a potential precursor to further Russian hacks beyond Ukrainian soil.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

When walking out of James Gunn's 2014 film "Guardians of the Galaxy," the 10th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this author heard several other audiences members talking about the film's post-credits stinger. In the epilogue, the vaguely villainous Collector (Benicio Del Toro) sat destitute among the ruins of his collection or rare cosmic antiquities. Only a few of his beloved baubles has survived a cosmic blast, including a dog from Earth. The dog, wearing a Soviet space suit, was clearly salvaged from the 1960s Russian space program wherein canines were sent up in rockets to test their safety. The dog in "Guardians" is not Laika, but a fictional dog named Cosmo. The Collector had been keeping it in a cage on a distant planet for decades.

As Cosmo gives the Collector a sympathetic lick, a voice from off-screen (Seth Green) immediately points out how gross the dog is. A hard cut revealed the speaker to be none other than Howard the Duck, a spoof Marvel character created in 1973 by Steve Gerber.

Howard the Duck was conceived of as a wise-cracking, crass, hardboiled version of Donald Duck, meant to serve as an absurd counterpoint to the dignity of your average Marvel superhero. Infamously, in 1986, Willard Huyck adapted Howard to the big screen in a widely derided, openly annoying feature film. Because the "Howard the Duck" film bombed so hard, the character became a punchline, dismissed by many movie fans for decades. It seemed everyone hated him. That is, until Gunn dug him out of mothballs for a cameo.

Howard was rebooted in comic book form in 2014 by author Chip Zdarsky, the artist of "Sex Criminals." In an interview with CBR, Zdarsky admitted that Gunn's Howard cameo was directly responsible for giving his career a boost.

Not Brand Echh

It was unusual to witness people immediately begin to care about Howard the Duck as a result of James Gunn's film. It's like 28 years of Howard hate didn't happen. Prior to "Guardians," only a few comic book fans cared, while the rest of us still recalled the scar left by the 1986 film's massive failure.

Chip Zdarsky recalled the swift timeline of events that led to the 2014 Marvel Comics reboot of "Howard the Duck." Gunn's film opened, it was hugely successful, and Marvel almost instantaneously put several new "Howard" comics into production as a result. Zdarsky was called and immediately got a gig at one of the world's biggest publishers. In his words:

"I wouldn't be working at Marvel or DC if it wasn't for James Gunn. After he did 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' the weekend after it opened, a Marvel editor contacted me and said, 'Hey, did you watch Guardians of the Galaxy? James Gunn put Howard the Duck at the end! I think we have a shot at launching a Howard the Duck series now.'  That was my first gig at Marvel."

In 2014, Zdarsky was nominated for his first Eisner Award for his work on "Sex Criminals," and would be nominated for six more in the next five years. He would also would go on to write "Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man" in 2018, and create "Batman: Black and White" in 2020. He's also written for "Jughead," "Daredevil," and the new series "Public Domain." He even stepped in to write a revival of "Not Brand Echh," Marvel's MAD Magazine-like spoof comic.

'I Don't Give A S*** About James Gunn'

As one might imagine, someone who writes and draws for "Howard the Duck" and "Not Brand Echh" has something of a sense of humor. Chip Zdarsky, feigning arrogance, declared openly that Gunn means nothing to him, saying sarcastically: "I don't give a s*** about James Gunn until he mentions my work, frankly. Once he does, he'll be my best friend." Zdarsky, of course, immediately walked that back because Gunn, after seeing that his film more or less relaunched "Howard," was careful to talk up the new books with enthusiasm on his Twitter account.

Naturally, Zdarsky was flattered, not being used to getting attention from high-profile Hollywood directors. The author became frank, saying:

"The funny thing is, I got that job and I wrote 'Howard the Duck' for a good amount of time. Then James was like one of the first [of the] higher ups people on Twitter to actually, like, go out of his way to publicly talk about Howard the Duck, and that he enjoyed it. I'm like, 'Oh, well, that's really nice.' So yeah, I actually owe my career to James."

Other authors present for the interview expressed a similar boost to their careers as well, all thanks to "Guardians of the Galaxy." Tom King said his work on "The Omega Men" was facilitated by the success of "Guardians," and Tom Taylor felt that his work on "Suicide Squad" was given exposure when Gunn directed a "Suicide Squad" movie. Gunn's films have been largely well-received, often praised for their quirky sense of humor. He also seems to be the tide that raises all ships.

Read this next: 9 Filmmakers Who Should Be Given Free Rein In The MCU

The post Howard The Duck Writer Credits James Gunn For Resurrecting The Character appeared first on /Film.

Users report that read speeds from SSD have dramatically reduced after the newest Windows 11 update (Windows 11 Version 22H2 - KB5023706). While the few reported events were thought to be localized to the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1 TB SSD, the issue is found to plague other manufacturers and can be fixed after uninstalling the update.

Windows 11 update slows SSDs during data transfers; Microsoft aware of the problem

The newest Windows 11 update, which has the codename "Moment 2," is downloading to PCs starting today, with updates to quality of life and the integration of the ChatGPT-based Bing Chat into the search bar on the user's taskbar. However, the drive speed issue is apparent and appears to be a known issue with this newest update.

In one of the "Known Issues" on Microsoft's support site, the following appears:

Copying large multiple gigabyte (GB) files might take longer than expected to finish on Windows 11, version 22H2. You are more likely to experience this issue copying files to Windows 11, version 22H2 from a network share via Server Message Block (SMB) but local file copy might also be affected.Windows devices used by consumers in their home or small offices are not likely to be affected by this issue.

— Microsoft

The few reports that have already been located on Reddit show that the SSD read speed dropped by half, if not more, in the few cases listed. One of the users has the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB SSD in their Lenovo Legion 5 laptop, while the other has the same SSD model in their HP Omen 16 laptop. The latter user noticed that the boot time, which initially took an estimated fourteen seconds, increased to thirty-one seconds. The former user uninstalled the Windows 11 Version 22H2 (KB5023706) update and found the problem had disappeared.

We tested the problem with the Team group A440 Pro 2 TB SSD, a main drive in one of our testing units. The transfer rate halted during file transfers for a few seconds and would resume. The problem is now confirmed to be focused on the ADATA SSD mentioned and correlating with Microsoft's known issues with the newest update.

Microsoft states, "To mitigate this issue, you can use file copy tools that do not use cache manager (buffered I/O)." They also give two "built-in" command-line tools to fix the error and mention that they are working on a complete fix. The two command lines are displayed below:

• robocopy \\someserver\someshare c:\somefolder somefile.img /J
• xcopy \\someserver\someshare c:\somefolder /J

Another issue mentioned is installing the newest "Moment 2" update. Reddit users display a "download error" when downloading the latest update. The code 0x80244007 appears, which has appeared in the past "when Windows tries to scan for updates on a WSUS server." Microsoft support reports that this issue occurs because the operating system cannot renew specific cookies needed for the Windows Update. Microsoft recommends installing the "update rollup 2883201."

The post Known Microsoft Windows 11 Issue Decreases SSD Speeds Amongst Other Issues by Jason R. Wilson appeared first on Wccftech.

This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3, "The Convert."

Admittedly, "The Mandalorian" season 3 got off to a not-so-perfect start, with certain viewers confused as to why Mando and Grogu were reunited given what happened in the season 2 finale. That all had to do with what transpired in "The Book of Boba Fett." Beyond that, the premiere episode was largely viewed as one of the weaker installments and, given the more than two year gap between seasons, that felt underwhelming to some. But with the third episode, this season feels like it's really getting its feet back underneath it, even though "The Convert" hardly focused on our main characters at all. Though we did perhaps learn something important about Grogu along the way.

"Chapter 19" primarily focused on Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi), who was last seen trying to procure Grogu for the Imperials. He is now part of the New Republic's rehabilitation program for former members of the Empire and is genuinely trying to do some good (or so it appears). Early on in the episode, he's shown delivering a speech on Coruscant about his previous research, which was largely focused on cloning. It is here where we just might have learned a little something about why the Empire wanted Grogu in the first place. To quote Pershing directly:

"Sadly, my research was twisted into something cruel and inhumane at the behest of a desperate individual intent on using cloning technology to secure more power for himself."

What's also interesting is that Pershing mentions the Kaminoans by name, and "Star Wars" fans will be familiar with them from "Attack of the Clones" (along with the animated "Star Wars" shows) as the creators of the clone army. It seems as though Moff Gideon wanted to clone Grogu. But why? To what end?

Could This All Be Even Bigger Than Grogu?

There's a whole lot an evil entity could do with clones of a Force sensitive being, that much is certain. None of it seems particularly good, and Dr. Pershing appeared dead-set on the idea that his research could be used for good in the right hands. In the wrong hands? That's another matter entirely. And there is also the question of whether or not it's even Moff Gideon at the top of the food chain here. Or is he working at the behest of someone higher up the remnants of the Imperial ladder?

I admit I'm getting into reckless speculation territory here, but we know that Grand Admiral Thrawn is still out there thanks to Ahsoka Tano name-dropping him in "The Mandalorian" season 2. Presumably, he is going to show up in either this series or "Ahsoka," if not both. We also know that "The Mandalorian" and its spinoffs are building to a big crossover event. With Thrawn in the mix, it's hard not to think of "Heir to the Empire," author Timothy Zahn's beloved Star Wars Expanded Universe/Legends book series that served as a follow-up to the original "Star Wars" trilogy (where Thrawn first came to be).

Doing a loose adaptation of those novels would ignite sections of the fanbase like wildfire (myself included). More to the point, those books utilized cloning technology so Thrawn could try to get the Empire back in position as the dominant force in the galaxy. So, perhaps he's the one behind all of this cloning business. Maybe he's the one who really wants Grogu. And maybe, just maybe, this is all teeing up the ball for something much, much bigger.

"The Mandalorian" season 3 returns with new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

Read this next: The Biggest Questions The Mandalorian Season 3 Needs To Answer

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3 Hints At The Empire's Plans For Grogu appeared first on /Film.

This post contains spoilers for the latest episode of "The Mandalorian."

Talk about a change of pace. After easing viewers back into the flow of things during its first two episodes of the new season, episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" season 3 begins innocently enough with an extended aerial battle between Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin and Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan and a fleet of TIE Interceptors. But then it does something altogether unlike "The Mandalorian" as we've come to know it over the years. We suddenly shift gears completely and proceed to spend the bulk of the hour without any of our usual heroes. In fact, we follow one of the earliest antagonists established in the series: the sinister Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi), one of the main architects behind Moff Gideon's (Giancarlo Esposito) attempts to kidnap and experiment on little Grogu.

If such a dramatic change in perspective and setting wasn't jarring enough, then the rather bold choice to avoid any subsequent action at all and instead zero in on the worldbuilding, politics, and moral ambiguity that defines this tumultuous period of time bridging the prequel and original trilogy timelines comes across as even more daring. (The script is credited to writers Noah Kloor and Jon Favreau.) If anything, this storyline hardly feels of a piece with a traditional episode of "The Mandalorian." In fact, it more closely resembles "Andor," the exceedingly well-received prequel series that — if we're all being honest with ourselves — many fans never really thought was a promising idea in the first place.

Yet that's precisely why this hour of "The Mandalorian" stands heads and shoulders above the previous two. By taking its cues from "Andor," "The Mandalorian" goes to places it typically shies away from ... and it's all the better for it.

Tinker, Tailor, Imperial, Spy

Much like the original "Star Wars" trilogy, "The Mandalorian" has always been a show of broadly-sketched notions of good and evil. Despite Mando's gruff bounty hunter background, meeting an innocent baby Yoda marks a shift in his otherwise ruthless demeanor as he's finally given a reason to care about someone outside himself. The villains haven't exactly been very subtle or complicated either, symbolized by Moff Gideon's single-minded desire to exploit Grogu for his nefarious purposes. What you see is, for the most part, pretty much what you get.

At least, that was the case until this latest episode of "The Mandalorian," which keeps viewers firmly rooted in the struggles of one individual, Dr. Pershing, adjusting to a whole new reality as a rehabilitated Imperial. Under the Amnesty Program, former members of the Empire deemed worthy of redemption have undergone significant retraining so that they may become contributing members of the New Republic. But similar to "Andor" focusing heavily on the loathsome Syril Karn (Kyle Soller), episode 3 uses Dr. Pershing in Coruscant to explore the cogs within the machine of this new galactic government. While both characters have their own very distinct motivations and ambitions, their roles in each respective series closely mirror one another — showing how much their ties to the Empire can't be easily shaken.

Unexpectedly enough, "The Mandalorian" shows a willingness to tackle nuanced shades of grey like "Andor" did. By posing the question of whether good intentions can make up for past crimes, viewers are challenged to reckon with a point of view that isn't easily defined. We know that his past actions can't exactly be seen as justified, but isn't he right that cloning and other technological advances could have positive results in the right hands? That, however, is only the beginning.

Out With The Old, In With The New (Republic)

Despite taking place during one of the most fascinating moments in "Star Wars" history, "The Mandalorian" has never seemed all that interested in truly exploring this chaotic time period. The ramifications of a galaxy recovering from the Empire's downfall and the enormously complex process of building something new out of its ashes are almost mind-boggling, but so far we've only received hints and teases of the surviving Imperial stragglers and the New Republic's presence, appearing only on the distant outskirts of Mando's adventures when he happens to run into bothersome New Republic pilots or the occasional Stormtrooper.

That is until season 3 episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" fully commits to its worldbuilding in a way we've rarely seen before. Here, the show takes its biggest risk yet. After the good doctor's TED Talk early on, his subsequent interactions with Coruscant's high society adds a fresh new context: The disinterested upper class hardly see any difference at all between how The New Republic runs things and how the Empire used to do so. Although the oppressed masses under the thumb of Palpatine and Darth Vader would likely disagree, even that notion is further complicated after Pershing's attempts to continue his genetic research with the help of fellow reformed Imperial Elia Kane (Katy O'Brian).

Encouraged by what he presumes is a likeminded "The ends justify the means" approach, Dr. Pershing eventually accepts Elia's help in breaking into an old scrapyard for necessary equipment. When it turns out that Elia was setting him up the whole time, Pershing's arrest and punishment uncovers the hypocrisy at the core of the New Republic. They do away with all traces of the Empire publicly when convenient (such as those Star Destroyers), but secretly employ the same torture methods.

Converts To The Cause

The parallels between this last episode of "The Mandalorian" and "Andor" don't stop there. If Pershing and Syril are two sides of the same coin, then the brutally efficient methods of Elia can't help but call to mind Stellan Skarsgård's Luthen Rael, a shadowy Rebellion operative who compromises all of his morals in service of a greater cause. Though we have yet to see exactly why Elia turns so decisively on Pershing — whether stemming from a personal grudge dating back to their shared history on Gideon's starship or because of her staunch adherence to the New Republic's new vision for the galaxy, simply trading one regime for another — the episode ends this storyline on a  wildly disturbing note. Though we've been conditioned to view Pershing as a villain, Elia takes on an even more frightening aura when she personally tortures her would-be friend.

While we have two seasons of evidence suggesting that this episode of "The Mandalorian" is likely to remain an outlier and not necessarily an indication of a marked change in storytelling priorities, the results are nonetheless encouraging. No show can afford to stagnate by relying on what's worked in the past. As much as audiences clearly can't get enough of the antics between Mando and Grogu, it speaks volumes that Favreau and the creative team had the creativity and presence of mind to sideline our two main protagonists and relegate them to bookends of the episode, using the rest of the precious screen time to bring up some (relatively) weighty themes — ones that "Andor" definitively proved could be both entertaining and meaningful.

"Star Wars" need not be boxed into any one mode of storytelling. But for one episode, at least, "The Mandalorian" channeled the best of "Andor."

Read this next: Andor Character Guide: Meet The Cast Of The Rogue One Prequel Series

The post The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 3 Feels Straight Out Of Andor appeared first on /Film.

Legacy sequels are big business right now, and the "Willow" Disney+ series seemed poised to potentially be a successful part of that trend. Unfortunately, the series has been canceled by the House of Mouse after only one season, according to Deadline. The show's eight-episode first season ended just about two months ago, but the streaming service has decided not to move forward with any more installments.

Based on the 1988 film of the same name from director Ron Howard, "Willow" followed up on the story of a sorcerer named Willow (Warwick Davis), who found himself charged with the task of taking down an evil tyrant. The series takes place many years after the events of the film and follows several new characters, along with some old familiar faces. However, it seems that there just wasn't enough there to grab audiences' attention. 

The "Willow" series received generally favorable reviews from critics (you can read ours here!), only to be review-bombed by "audiences" almost everywhere because a small subsection of homophobic viewers were upset about the show's focus on a queer couple (a princess and a female knight). Sadly, because of that, it's difficult to tell how audiences actually felt about the show. Still, if the streaming metrics were low, then the series never stood a chance.

Could We Ever Return To Tir Asleen?

Notably missing from the "Willow" series was Val Kilmer, who played the roguish but heroic Madmartigan in the original film. Unfortunately, he had to sit out filming due to health concerns, although there were hints that he could have potentially appeared in future seasons. Warwick Davis reprised his title role as Willow, and was joined by franchise newcomers Ellie Bamber, Ruby Cruz, Erin Kellyman, Amer Chadha-Patel, and Tony Revolori as a crew of young people who set out on a dangerous quest to mirror Willow's own when he was younger.

It's not a massive surprise that the series was canceled, given both its confusing fan reception and the greater state of things at Lucasfilm, where "Willow" originates. After all, the company is currently extremely busy with all of its "Star Wars" shows and future movies, and spreading themselves too thin with another franchise is risky. That being said, the series did well enough with critics and has a loyal fanbase, so it's possible we will see some kind of "Willow" follow-up in the future -- just maybe not as another season of a TV series.

"Willow" was show-run by Jonathan Kasdan (who also wrote the pilot) and Wendy Mericle. George Lucas, who wrote the story that the franchise was based on and executive produced the original film, was involved in spirit only, as he gave Kasdan his blessing to do more with "Willow" years ago. Both "Willow" the film and the series are available to stream on Disney+.

Read this next: Every Main Character In Willow, Ranked Worst To Best

The post Disney+ Cancels Willow TV Series After Just One Season appeared first on /Film.

The stakes could not be higher for cyber defenders. With the vast amounts of sensitive information, intellectual property, and financial data at risk, the consequences of a data breach can be devastating. According to a report released by Ponemon institute, the cost of data breaches has reached an all-time high, averaging $4.35 million in 2022. Vulnerabilities in web applications are often the

Despite the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree release date still being a pipe dream, we’re seeing plenty fan-made Elden Ring DLC mods coming directly for FromSoftware’s biggest game to date. While the open-world game just turned one, it’s still feeling fresh thanks to a litany of excellent modders, and this DLC-sized piece of work is no exception. Oh, and there’s also a cheeky bit of Bloodborne in there too.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Elden Ring builds, Elden Ring bosses, The best Elden Ring classes

This post contains spoilers for "The Mandalorian" season 3, episode 3 "The Convert."

After the major Mythosaur reveal in episode 2 of the latest season of "The Mandalorian," it became clear that the path ahead for Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) has been forever altered. Episode 3, titled "The Convert," picks up directly after Bo valiantly rescues Din from drowning in the Living Waters, and the duo -- with Grogu tagging along -- cannot seem to catch a break as they are soon attacked by what seems to be a horde of mysterious TIE fighters.

This is when the episode makes a hard pivot, landing us directly in the heart of Coruscant (!), where Dr. Penn Pershing (Omid Abtahi) is fresh off the New Republic reintegration program and is now part of their Amnesty program. This is where things get interesting — we see the New Republic stumbling its way to stability, eager to shed any and all remnants of Imperial authority, no matter what the cost.

Pershing has made appearances throughout the first two seasons of "The Mandalorian," where we saw him working for Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), as he was exclusively tasked with using cloning and genetic engineering to exploit Grogu's Force-sensitive genetic makeup. Although Pershing had been carrying out Imperial orders for the most part, he always came off as a conflicted figure, desperate to hold on to a semblance of morality within the bounds of his position. Not only did he attempt to protect Grogu from intrusive experimentation that could've led to the child's death, but he also aided Din and Cara Dune (Gina Carano) in targeting Gideon's cruiser, where Grogu was being kept hostage.

Interestingly, Pershing's storyline reintroduces an Imperial torture device that Dune had briefly referenced before: the almost-mythical Mind Flayer.

What The Heck Is A Mind Flayer?

Dune, a former Rebel Alliance shock trooper, brings the Mind Flayer up while conversing with Greef Karga (Carl Weathers), believing that her mind would be uploaded to the device if she surrenders. Karga counters by saying that no such device actually exists, as it is wartime propaganda to make the Empire seem more ruthless. While it is not surprising that a fascist regime could be utilizing fear-based propaganda to further its stronghold, it turns out that this device actually exists. What's worse, the New Republic seems to be using a tweaked version of this torture device to overwrite Imperial indoctrination by dubbing it the Six-O-Two Mitigator, now presented as a "non-invasive experimental treatment" to soothe the mind.

The term Mind Flayer has an obvious "Stranger Things" connection, as the psychic tentacled humanoids serve as primary antagonists in season 3 of the Netflix sci-fi horror. The concept of mind flayers can be traced back to the tabletop role-playing game "Dungeons & Dragons," wherein these creatures possess psychic abilities that allow them to control sentient beings. The D&D mind flayers, also known as Illithid, are not to be messed with — they devour human brains and emerge as Lovecraftian entities bent on using fear and psychic manipulation to control others. While such a creature might seem alien to "Star Wars," this is not the case -- we saw a similar, psychic being in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," where rebel leader Saw Guerrera uses a Mairan named Bor Gullet to extract information out of defected pilot Bodhi Rook.

Although semi-sentient, Mairans are instrumental in reading minds and torturing subjects, used extensively by the Imperials and Partisans. Near-insanity is the likely outcome of such an invasive torture method, which ties back to the menacing Lovecraftian D&D entities.

Dr. Pershing Pays A Hefty Price

Episode 3 of "The Mandalorian" season 3 takes the time to flesh out what life is like under the New Republic, especially in an ecumenopolis like Coruscant. The Amnesty rehabilitation program seems like a step towards genuine integration, allowing those with murky Imperial pasts to step into a new existence by making themselves useful to the New Republic.

Pershing, who aided Imperials with his groundbreaking research on genetics and cloning, wants to use his gifts for good. Dissatisfied with the inventory work he's been assigned, he hopes to help the new regime, even if it means breaking the rules and pushing the bounds of legality. This makes him the perfect target for Elia Kane (Katy M. O'Brian), a former Imperial communications officer who used to work for Gideon (and still seems to be committed to her Imperial values).

After Kane frames Pershing, the latter is hooked to a machine, which he immediately recognizes as a Mind Flayer. Although the Mon Calamari doctor assures Pershing that the device is simply meant to refresh his mind and soothe his anxieties, Pershing knows that this is a mind-wiping device, meant to evoke a clean slate effect. This is a deeply ironic turn of events, considering how Pershing previously states that Imperial technology can still be used for good instead of being scrapped, which is exactly what happens in a rather twisted, semi-unjustified way. Granted, Pershing seemed genuinely eager for salvation, but is it so easy to shed off a past steeped in heinous crimes and indirect bloodshed?

It is also eerie how the New Republic is following in the footsteps of the Empire when it comes to Imperial methods of torture and indoctrination. Even under a free, democratic regime, hypocrisy and corruptive countermeasures are rampant.

Injecting Nuance Into The Narrative

"The Mandalorian" seems to be inching towards the complex moral setting of more grounded "Star Wars" shows like "Andor," where "good" and "bad" are not set moral boxes, leaving ample space for murky grey areas to exist. While "Andor" deftly explored the uglier aspects of the Rebellion, the latest episode of "The Mandalorian" -- directed by Lee Isaac Chung ("Minari") -- allows glimpses into similar moral quandaries that plague the New Republic.

We've seen Imperial torture devices before, including the one in Fortress Inquisitorius, used to torture and kill numerous Jedi for various purposes. To see the New Republic scrapping all Imperial tech on paper while indulging in similar torture methods under the guise of peaceful rehabilitation treatments is a way scarier prospect than any tentacled Mind Flayer exercising control on sentient beings for nefarious ends.

Although the New Republic does not intend to kill Pershing, it does seem like they intended to wipe his mind completely to make way for easier "rehabilitation." These manipulation tactics are uneasy to witness, especially when contrasted against the veneer of progressive freedom and prosperity that Coruscant seems to embody. When Kane steps in and increases the electrical surge of the device, she effectively kills Pershing or completely fries his mind, at best.

Losing one's mind and sense of self is undoubtedly more of an unbearable punishment than death, and while Pershing's arc is somewhat tragic, it is tough to argue that he did not absolutely have it coming. An Imperial scientist deft at exploiting Force-sensitive beings for purposes of war, torture, and information retrieval must have participated in several heinous Imperial-sanctioned orders, and irrespective of whether he was truly unwilling to stoop so low, he did aid their dastardly cause.

New episodes of "The Mandalorian" season 3 air every Wednesday on Disney+.

Read this next: The Biggest Questions The Mandalorian Season 3 Needs To Answer

The post The Mandalorian's Mind Flayer Is Scarier Than The One In Stranger Things appeared first on /Film.

Trying to describe "Mrs. Davis," the new Peacock TV series from creators Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof, will be a tough hill to climb for any pop culture critic. I feel like I've settled on "The Lonely Island riffing on Neal Stephenson," but there's also shades of Chuck Jones, early Kurt Vonnegut, Lindelof's own "The Leftovers," and even the classic Vertigo comic book "Preacher." It's goofy until it's sincere, outrageous until it cuts to the bone, frustrating until it's ... Well, until it's not.

One thing is for sure: it's the most audacious science fiction TV show I've seen since the early episodes of HBO's "Westworld," and the two episodes that screened at the SXSW Film Festival make a hard sell for the Peacock streaming service. What was once a footnote in the streaming wars has increasingly distinguished itself by taking big swings, and this is certainly a big swing. I can safely say that I have never seen a show that feels quite like "Mrs. Davis," and I'm fascinated to see how audiences respond to something that coils itself around a half dozen different genres and tones, refuses to answer questions until it's ready to do so, and then readily engages in one of Lindelof's pet themes: faith versus science. But with more outlandish comedy.

Maddening, Addictive

A full review of "Mrs. Davis" will run closer to release, from a critic who has had a chance to see the full season. But I felt the need to sound the alarm here. Fans of Lindelof's previous work, including "Lost," "The Leftovers," and "Watchmen" will find some of his recurring interests at play here, but Hernandez is the showrunner, and it's clearly her vision that will throw folks expecting something familiar for a loop. Her show is funnier by default than Lindelof's other work, a bit more barbed and a whole lot sillier — there are times when "Mrs. Davis" feels like Monty Python's take on the Chatbot plaguing modern institutions, or "Hot Rod" if the characters were staring down a impending dystopia with no easy escape.

What you need to know: Betty Gilpin (outstanding, as always) plays Simone, a nun in an alternate 2023 where life is dominated by an all-powerful artificial intelligence named Mrs. Davis, which has quietly taken over the world by making life easier for everyone. Simone, whose intense (and bizarre!) backstory is drip-fed throughout the two episodes I have seen, finds herself in conflict with Mrs. Davis. Chaos ensues. Satiric scabs are pulled. Surreal imagery is employed. There is more than one grisly beheading. Quite frankly, it's as maddening as it is instantly addictive.

Getting Away With Something

There's a messiness by design inherent in the first episodes of "Mrs. Davis," which makes my comparison to clockwork precision of the excellent first season of "Westworld" a strange one. But the two shows can't help but feel spiritually connected — they're both sci-fi visions that feel like someone is getting away with something. When "Mrs. Davis" rewrites the rules of its entire universe in episode two, I found myself feeling something I wish I felt more often these days: like I had the rug truly and properly pulled out from under me. This show is downright dizzying.

Will it stick the landing? That's a conclusion I'll let the /Film critic who reviews the whole season make. But I do know that Hernandez has me in her grasp, and that while she's operating in Lindelof's playground, she is absolutely not playing by his rules. As Peak TV gasps for air, "Mrs. Davis" sprints into the room with an adrenaline needle sticking out of its chest, screaming. Let it in, I say. 

"Mrs. Davis" will debut on April 20, 2023 on Peacock. 

Read this next: The 20 Best Female Friendships In TV History, Ranked

The post Mrs. Davis is the Most Audacious New Science Fiction Series Since Westworld [SXSW 2023] appeared first on /Film.

It's official — the prolific auteur and cinema-obsessed filmmaker, Quentin Tarantino, has set what he claims will be his final feature film. According to sources at The Hollywood Reporter, QT's 10th feature will be entitled "The Movie Critic." The mag expects that the filmmaker's new script could be sent out to studios and other potential backers as soon as this week, and filming will likely begin this year.

Details are still as sketchy as Stuntman Mike but allegedly, the film will be set in late '70s Los Angeles and revolve around a female protagonist. What /Film does know is that late last year, Tarantino revealed to critic Elvis Mitchell that the film will be an entirely new and original story.

To be fair, that's not exactly a surprise — a precious few of Tarantino's prior works can be said to have been adaptations of existing material, despite the director always wearing his cinematic influences generously on his sleeve. Even those that might fit the bill — "Jackie Brown," "Inglourious Basterds," and "Django Unchained" — only do so thanks to their titles and tone being inspired by prior films of the same or similar names. If the director's filmography can tell us anything, it's that when it comes to Tarantino, expect the unexpected.

Who Is 'The Movie Critic?'

Currently, we can only speculate on who and what "The Movie Critic" is about. Given the title and the fact that the script features a female lead, The Hollywood Reporter thinks the film may complete Tarantino's unofficial trilogy of revisionist history (following "Inglorious Basterds" and his most recent film, "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood") by telling a story about Pauline Kael. Kael was one of New Hollywood's most prominent and respected film critics in addition to being an essayist and novelist and happened to work for Paramount Pictures for a short time in the early '70s. Certainly, that bit of historical trivia could be an attractive starting point for Tarantino to spin a wild tale.

Tarantino himself has become a bit of a "movie critic" on his own over the years, particularly very recently, as his 2022 book "Cinema Speculation" is a nonfiction collection of essays about a number of movies he saw in his youth, his varied thoughts on them, and so on. Tarantino also co-hosts the "Video Archives Podcast" along with Roger Avary, a fellow filmmaker and one-time employee of the now-defunct Manhattan Beach video store of the same name. In revisiting some of the duo's favorite picks from their clerking days, Tarantino continues to dabble in as much discussion and analysis about movies as he does making them.

Even though Tarantino, with these side projects and other future endeavors he claims he'll take on, is far from being retired completely, he's made it clear that this film will be his last. Whether "The Movie Critic" is a wry put-on of a title that conceals something different altogether or a literal reference to a real-life figure (or perhaps even both), it's going to be exciting to see what the filmmaker brings for what he claims is his grand finale.

Read this next: 13 Tarantino Projects We Never Saw But Wish We Could've

The post Quentin Tarantino's Final Movie to Be Called The Movie Critic, Filming Starts This Year appeared first on /Film.

This post contains major spoilers for the season finale of "The Last of Us."

The moral dilemma centered in the ending of "The Last of Us" has solidified it as one of the most debated (and celebrated) video games for almost a full decade. With the season finale of HBO's adaptation, that legacy has found a second life, continuing to live on with brand new audiences.

After bonding with Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) from summer to spring on their quest to find the Fireflies, their relationships are tested even further right at the end. Ellie's immunity — the reason Marlene (Merle Dandridge, who is reprising her role in live action) sent her on this journey in the first place — is key to creating a cure for the Cordyceps infection, but the procedure is sure to be fatal. In one of the most provocative scenes of this story, Joel goes on a merciless, murder spree to save his surrogate child (a scene that I'd argue works better in live-action).

Is saving one life worth the damnation of the rest of humanity? Does Marlene's ends justify the means? Is Joel a heroic man and loving father, or is he a broken, violent man with selfish intentions? "The Last of Us" hasn't been afraid to imbue most of its story with darkness and light in equal measure, but in its final moments, it crucially robs us of any closure. Like any good work of art, it raises more questions than provides clear answers.

So, how does creator and showrunner Neil Druckmann feel about Joel? During the official HBO "Last of Us" podcast, for perhaps the first time, Druckmann admits there's a personal boundary that Joel crosses.

One Last Chance To Do The Right Thing

Even after all the violence he commits, Marlene gives Joel one more chance to do the right thing in the parking structure. She begs him to see her perspective, that the entire future of humanity is at stake. But for Joel, stubborn and set in his ways as he is, his decision has already been made. "He shot her [Marlene]. She already can't chase him," Neil Druckmann said. "He's got the car, and he still goes back for her because he can't even take the chance that she will regroup, change her mind, and come after him."

No matter how deplorable, Druckmann always tries to make an effort to empathize with his characters and avoid casting judgment on their actions. As a parent himself, he wrote Joel with a piece of his own soul, which is exactly what a strong storyteller should do — but that doesn't mean there aren't any personal lines of justice for the creative. Druckmann elaborated:

"And that's the part where I think when people sometimes ask me like, 'Do you think Joel did the right thing or the wrong thing?' Like, for me, I always say, 'I hope I would have the willpower that Joel has in that same situation.' I don't think I would. Except for the Marlene part. To me, that's the part where he goes too far."

Why Marlene Matters

It is far less emphasized in the HBO series, but Marlene has been Ellie's quiet and distant protector ever since she was born. As much as Joel wants to believe Marlene is blinded by her cause and doesn't understand the full extent of Joel's potential loss, she's probably the only one in the room that knows the full extent of it. In the season finale cold open, we are shown the details of Marlene's connection to Ellie's mother, Anna (Ashley Johnson, the original Ellie performer), and their lifelong friendship.

In that sense, I agree with Druckmann's argument that this is Joel's final turning point. Obviously, Joel's slaughter of the Fireflies is already crossing an indefensible line for some, but by taking an unconscious Ellie for himself and murdering the only other proper adult figure she's ever known, he's forcefully cutting her off from finding belonging outside of himself.

But for Joel, a hardened survivor, this is an act of self-preservation. "You'd just come after her," he justifies before shooting Marlene once again. Beyond this moment, there's no turning back.

Read this next: The 10 Most Intense Scenes From The Last Of Us Season 1

The post The Last Of Us Finale Moment Where Joel Goes Too Far, According To The Creators appeared first on /Film.

Cybercriminal gangs now releasing stolen photos of cancer patients, student records. From a report: In February, attackers from the Russia-based BlackCat ransomware group hit a physician practice in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, that's part of the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). At the time, LVHN said that the attack "involved" a patient photo system related to radiation oncology treatment. The health care group said that BlackCat had issued a ransom demand, "but LVHN refused to pay this criminal enterprise." After a couple of weeks, BlackCat threatened to publish data stolen from the system. "Our blog is followed by a lot of world media, the case will be widely publicized and will cause significant damage to your business," BlackCat wrote on their dark-web extortion site. "Your time is running out. We are ready to unleash our full power on you!" The attackers then released three screenshots of cancer patients receiving radiation treatment and seven documents that included patient information. The medical photos are graphic and intimate, depicting patients' naked breasts in various angles and positions. And while hospitals and health care facilities have long been a favorite target of ransomware gangs, researchers say the situation at LVHN may indicate a shift in attackers' desperation and willingness to go to ruthless extremes as ransomware targets increasingly refuse to pay. "As fewer victims pay the ransom, ransomware actors are getting more aggressive in their extortion techniques," says Allan Liska, an analyst for the security firm Recorded Future who specializes in ransomware. "I think we'll see more of that. It follows closely patterns in kidnapping cases, where when victims' families refused to pay, the kidnappers might send an ear or other body part of the victim." Researchers say that another example of these brutal escalations came on Tuesday when the emerging ransomware gang Medusa published sample data stolen from Minneapolis Public Schools in a February attack that came with a $1 million ransom demand. The leaked screenshots include scans of handwritten notes that describe allegations of a sexual assault and the names of a male student and two female students involved in the incident.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A couple of days ago, people accused Archangel Studios of stealing animations from Elden Ring. As the developers claimed, though, those animations are part of an asset pack that is currently available for purchase on the Epic Games Store. Naturally, the devs contacted Epic Games who commented on the integrity of this asset pack. From … Continue reading Epic Games comments on Elden Ring’s stolen animations accusations →

The post Epic Games comments on Elden Ring’s stolen animations accusations appeared first on DSOGaming.

For those wondering how Cloudflare keeps their thousands of servers around the world up-to-date for the latest BIOS and firmware, Cloudflare's engineering blog has put out an interesting post that outlines their process of handling system BIOS updates as well as various other firmware updates...

In 30 minutes or less, TikToker and Chicago-based server Kristen Sotakoun can probably find your birth date. She’s not a cybersecurity expert, despite what some of her followers suspect, but has found a hobby in what she calls “consensual doxxing.”

“My first thing is to be entertaining. My second thing is to show you cracks in your social media, which was the totally accidental thing that I became on TikTok,” Sotakoun, who goes by @notkahnjunior, told me.

It’s not quite doxxing, which usually refers to making private information publicly available with malicious intent. Instead, it’s known in the cybersecurity field as open-source intelligence, or OSINT. People unknowingly spell out private details about their lives as a bread crumb trail across social media platforms that, when gathered together, paint a picture of their age, families, embarrassing childhood memories and more. In malicious cases, hackers gather information based on what you or your loved ones have published on the web to get into your accounts, commit fraud, or even socially engineer a user to fall for a scam.

Sotakoun mostly just tracks down an anonymous volunteer's birth date. She doesn’t have malicious intent or interest in a security career, she said she just likes to solve logic puzzles. Before TikTok, that was spending a ride home from a friend’s birthday dinner at Medieval Times discovering the day job of their “knight.” Sotakoun just happened to eventually go viral for her skills.

So, to show me her process, I let Sotakoun “consensually doxx” me. She found my Twitter pretty quickly, but because I keep it pretty locked down, it wasn’t super helpful. Information in author bios from my past jobs, however, helped her figure out where I went to college.

My name plus where I studied led her to my Facebook account, another profile that didn’t reveal much. It did, however, lead her to my sister, who had commented on my cover photo nine years ago. She figured out it was my sister because we shared a last name, and we’re listed as sisters on her Facebook. That’s important to note because I don’t actually share a last name with most of my other siblings, which could’ve been an additional roadblock.

My sister and I have pretty common names though, so Sotakoun also found my stepmom on my sister’s profile. By searching my stepmom’s much more unique name on Instagram, it helped lead Sotakoun to mine and my sister’s Instagram accounts, as opposed to one of the many other Malones online.

Still, my Instagram account is private. So, it was my sister’s Instagram account – that she took off “private” for a Wawa giveaway that ultimately won her a t-shirt – featuring years-old birthday posts that led Sotakoun to the day I was born. That took a ton of scrolling and, to correct for the fact that a birthday post could come a day late or early, Sotakoun relied on the fact that my sister once shared that my birthday coincided with World Penguin Day, April 25.

Then, to find the year, she cross-referenced the year I started college, which was 2016 according to my public LinkedIn, with information in my high school newspaper. My senior year of high school, I won a scholarship only available to seniors, Sotakoun discovered, revealing that I graduated high school in 2016. From there, she counted back 18 years, and told me that I was born on April 25, 1998. She was right.

“My goal is always to find context clues, or find people who care less about their online presence than you do,” Sotakoun said.

Many people will push back on the idea that having personal information online is harmful, according to Matt Edmondson, an OSINT instructor at cybersecurity training organization SANS Institute. While there are obvious repercussions to having your social security number blasted online, people may wonder what the harm is in seemingly trivial information like having your pet’s name easily available on social media. But if that also happens to be the answer to a security question, an attacker may be able to use that to get into your Twitter account or email.

In my case, I’ve always carefully tailored my digital footprint to keep my information hidden. My accounts are private and I don’t share a lot of personal information. Still, Sotakoun’s OSINT methods found plenty to work with.

Facebook and Instagram are Sotakoun’s biggest help for finding information, but she said she has also used Twitter, and even Venmo to confirm relationships. She specifically avoids resources like records databases that could easily give away information.

That means that there’s still a lot of data out there on each of us that Sotakoun isn’t looking for. Especially if you’re in the US, data like your date of birth, home address and more are likely already out there in some form, according to Steven Harris, an OSINT specialist that teaches at SANS.

“Once the data is out there, it’s very hard to take back,” Harris said. “What protects people is not that the information is securely locked away, it’s that most people don’t have the knowledge or inclination to go and find out.”

There are simple things you can do to keep attackers from using these details against you. Complex passwords and multi-factor authentication make it harder for unauthorized users to get into your account, even if they know the answers to your security questions.

That gets a bit more complicated, though, when we think about how much our friends and family post for us. In fact, Sotakoun said she noticed that even if a person takes many measures to hide themselves online, the lack of control over their social circle can help her discover their birth date.

“You have basically no control on your immediate social circle, or even your slightly extended social circle and how they present themselves online,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/it-took-a-tiktoker-barely-30-minutes-to-doxx-me-120022880.html?src=rss

A new Golang-based malware dubbed GoBruteforcer has been found targeting web servers running phpMyAdmin, MySQL, FTP, and Postgres to corral the devices into a botnet. "GoBruteforcer chose a Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) block for scanning the network during the attack, and it targeted all IP addresses within that CIDR range," Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 researchers said. "The threat actor

Patch Tuesday: Microsoft warns vulnerability (CVE-2023-23397) could lead to exploitation before an email is viewed in the Preview Pane.

The post Microsoft Warns of Outlook Zero-Day Exploitation, Patches 80 Security Vulns appeared first on SecurityWeek.

A cybercrime group has been exploiting a Microsoft SmartScreen zero-day vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-24880 to deliver the Magniber ransomware.

The post Microsoft SmartScreen Zero-Day Exploited to Deliver Magniber Ransomware appeared first on SecurityWeek.

[link] [165 comments]

Fortinet says recently patched FortiOS vulnerability was exploited in sophisticated attacks targeting government entities.

The post Fortinet Finds Zero-Day Exploit in Government Attacks After Devices Detect Integrity Breach appeared first on SecurityWeek.

71% of human operated ransomware cases are initiated by an unmanaged device, usually internet facing, that is compromised and is then used to move laterally and compromise more devices. Starting today, when a device that is not enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is suspected of being compromised, as a SOC analyst, you will be able to “Contain” it. As a result, any device enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will now block any incoming/outgoing communication with the suspected device.

While devices enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be isolated to prevent bad actors from compromising other devices, responding to a compromised device not enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be a challenge for organizations today, especially where:

• No Network Access Control enforcement means isolation of an IoT device requires physical access.
• Locating the device and its owner may take time.
• It takes time to close the loop between the SOC analyst identifying the threat and the network team/IT remediating the threat, meaning that in many cases the device may have already compromised others.

Microsoft has made significant efforts to create visibility into devices that are unknown to the organization,  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-defender-for-endpoint/endpoint-discovery-navigating-your-way-through-unmanaged-devices/ba-p/2248909 and we’re happy to announce that we have added a new response action, that provides the ability to “Contain” devices that are not enrolled.

 

 

 

Fig. A – Contain device option in the device response action menu.

 

 

Fig. B – Illustration of enrolled Microsoft Defender for Endpoint devices blocking communication to/from an unmanaged device.

 

Note: Only devices running on Windows 10 and above will perform the Contain action meaning that only devices running Windows 10 and above that are enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will block “contained” devices at this time. Please stay tuned as we continue to build out additional platform support for this feature in the future.

 

Additional information on how the Contain feature works:

 

• If a contained device changes its IP address, then all devices enrolled in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint will recognize this change and start blocking communications with the new IP address. The original IP address will no longer be blocked (It may take up to 5 mins to see these changes).
• The Role Based Access Control (RBAC) permissions required to contain devices are similar to device isolation. Any admin that can isolate a device can perform a “Contain” action
• In cases where the contained device’s IP is used by another device on the network, there will be a warning while containing with a link to advanced hunting (with a prepopulated query). This will provide visibility to the other devices using the same IP to help you make a conscious decision whether or not to contain the device.
• In situations where the contained device is a network device, a warning will appear with a message that this may cause network connectivity issues (for example, containing a router that is acting as a default gateway), at this point, you’ll be able to choose whether or not contain the device.

How to get started?
For detailed information on this capability, please visit our documentation.

What's the time? Witch time

After Bayonetta 2 hit in 2014, the series became so much more than just a one and done successor to Devil May Cry. It was a fully-fledged universe that many fans started to grab on to; as evidenced by the discussion behind the recently-released Bayonetta 3 story beats. Now it even has its own spinoff! Thankfully, it still keeps the same witchy style intact, but with a considerably different genre shift.

[caption id="attachment_368425" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (Switch)
Developer: Platinum Games
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: March 17, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an action puzzle game with a major emphasis on the puzzle aspect.

Initially you'll control Bayonetta herself (Cereza) as part of a wonder years, witch-in-training prologue before picking up Cheshire; a demon companion that does most of the fighting, and a bit of puzzle-solving. The duo will work in tandem (independently through left analog stick control for Cereza, and right analog stick control for Cheshire), with Cereza using her magic powers to lock down enemies and create exploration-based opportunities, while Cheshire can more directly swipe at and damage foes. You'll need to dodge enemies with both halves, adding a neat wrinkle to the urgency of the action.

Slowly, you'll get acquainted with all of the game's mechanics, eventually gaining access to a skill tree for each character (which opens up advance moves like projectile countering and combos). In addition to moving the duo from each story-progressing sequence to the next, you'll wander around a forest playground of sorts connected by save points and challenge rooms: some of which require future abilities to fully complete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF0TfX02Mw4

I was surprised at how easy it was to acclimate to the idea of Cereza and Cheshire working both together and separately. Controlling them both is easy as the locales aren't too sprawling (albeit sometimes of a cramped variety), and it's rewarding to pull of even simple combos and clear simple puzzles. An example includes putting Cheshire on a lift raised by Cereza to unlock a seal on a chest; and having Cereza then ride the platform (raised by Cheshire) to grab the loot. These sorts of puzzles raise a bit in complexity over time, but it's nearly always fun to see a theoretical point A (the edge of a cliff) and point B (where the treasure is) and figure out how to connect the dots between the two.

Whoever thought of "hug mode" needs a raise. Using the L button, Cereza can grab and hug Cheshire's smaller stuffed animal form, which lets you move around the world as a single unit. It's a nice respite from controlling both characters, and is even directly woven into some of the game's puzzles. You can use it basically at any time, though you understandably may need to split them off for combat or puzzle-solving (like tossing Cheshire up a ledge in hug form to open up a path or avoid a substance that keeps Cheshire at bay).

As you progress and earn more tools of the trade, both combat and exploration get more interesting. Cheshire can sport multiple forms, which can be used to solve puzzles; and creates more open-ended situations where the solution to a particular collectible drop or a critical path puzzle is less obvious. After the hour-ish long first tutorial-like area Bayonetta Origins opens up more, but without feeling overwhelming or like there's tons of padding. You'll come across a reasonable amount of collectibles during your journey, and the paths don't become too labyrinthine and boring, even later on.

[caption id="attachment_368435" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

All along the way you'll get constant tidbits on Cereza's backstory, which in turn inform future Bayonetta timeline events. While you don't need to be a pure Bayonetta fan to really enjoy the mostly self-encapsulated story, it does help: especially during some of the game's more eventful series references. As someone who loves this world, it's interesting to see first-hand how Cereza grew up and the circumstances surrounding that, as well as what led to the imprisonment of her mother (and how she personally dealt with it).

Bayonetta Origins isn't a prestige drama by any means, but the entire vibe is extremely amenable to fans. There's always the risk of over-explaining things (which some fans took umbrage with in the third game), but the way Bayonetta Origins operates is relatively melancholy and muted, and doesn't quite sink to the depths of "just say the line!" depravity.

The bit that should appeal to pretty much everyone is the storybook aesthetic. It's so much better looking in motion, as the backgrounds really pop and feel alive in incredibly nuanced ways. The animation on Cheshire in particular (especially when changing forms) is mesmerizing, which is fun to look at during some of the game's slower moments, and during the higher octane battles. I love how Cheshire clambers up walls and has exaggerated slashing motions: it feels true to Platinum's sense of "functional style."

[caption id="attachment_368439" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

At $60, the low key nature of Bayonetta Origins and the fact that some of it is going to appeal to Bayonetta fans isn't going to do it any favors. But when I was playing through it, I was reminded of a few '90s classics like The Lost Vikings and the quirkiness of the Gobliiins series. It's a really breezy game to play if you're enamored by the storybook look and feel, which does some of the heavy lifting.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon appeared first on Destructoid.

Following the deal with NVIDIA for GeForce NOW, Microsoft has signed a similar ten-year deal with Boosteroid, an independent provides of PC games via the cloud, bringing all of its games to the service - including Activision Blizzard's, should the $68.7 billion deal pass the regulators' approval. Obviously, this is part of Microsoft's efforts to appease the likes of UK CMA and US FTC, who remain most critical of the acquisition while the European Union is reportedly about to wave it through.

Phil Spencer, CEO of Gaming at Microsoft, stated:

We believe in the power of games to bring people together. That's why Xbox is committed to give everyone more ways to play their favorite games across devices. Bringing Xbox PC games to Boosteroid members, including Activision Blizzard titles such as 'Call of Duty' once the deal closes, is yet another step in realizing that vision.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President at Microsoft, added:

This partnership builds on the $430 million in technology and financial assistance we have provided Ukraine since Russia's unlawful invasion, and it exemplifies the steps we will continue to take to support Ukraine's 160,000 software developers. It also adds to our recent agreements with Nintendo and NVIDIA, making even more clear to regulators that our acquisition of Activision Blizzard will make 'Call of Duty' available on far more devices than before.

Indeed, Boosteroid is located in Ukraine, with offices in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Two of the offices in Kharkiv have been hit by Russian missile attacks, but the company has continued its growth undeterred and recently announced upcoming support for Mac, Chromebooks, Android set-top boxes, and LG televisions. Even Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Vice PM and Minister of Digital Transformation, applauded the deal. For his part, Boosteroid CEO Ivan Shvaichenko said:

Boosteroid shares Microsoft's vision of bringing games to as many people, places, and platforms as possible. It has long been our goal to provide gamers with an opportunity to enjoy their favorite titles on any device close at hand. Today's announcement is yet another step in this direction. Also, with our development team based in Ukraine, we appreciate Microsoft's ongoing commitment to Ukraine, and we will be working together on an initiative supporting our local game development community to invest further in the economic recovery of the country.

Boosteroid has over 4 million users. You can learn more about the service on the official website.

The post Microsoft Signs 10 Year Deal to Bring All of Its Games to Boosteroid Cloud Service by Alessio Palumbo appeared first on Wccftech.

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A new CISA pilot program to warn critical infrastructure organizations if their systems are unpatched against vulnerabilities exploited in ransomware attacks.

The post CISA Program Warns Critical Infrastructure Organizations Vulnerable to Ransomware Attacks appeared first on SecurityWeek.

Cyberattacks have exposed a myriad of vulnerabilities in our healthcare infrastructure, and will continue to do so as new and innovative medical technologies are developed.

The post How the Best CISOs Drive Operational Resilience appeared first on SecurityWeek.

Terminal Velocity: Boosted Edition is now available for Windows via the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam as well as for Switch, with versions for other consoles to follow. This puts you behind...