911 Targa 4S (preliminary values): Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 11.0 – 10.8 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 248 – 244 g/km, CO₂ class G , CO₂ class weighted combined G , 911 Carrera 4S (preliminary values): Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 11.0 – 10.5 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 249 – 237 g/km, CO₂ class G , CO₂ class weighted combined G , 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet (preliminary values): Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 10.9 – 10.7 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 247 – 242 g/km, CO₂ class G , CO₂ class weighted combined G
With the debut of the new 911 Carrera 4S – as coupé, cabriolet and Targa 4S – a total of six derivatives of the sports car are now available with all-wheel drive. In addition, in the 60th anniversary year of the 911 Targa, there is now a choice of two variants of the body style that was originally introduced to the US market as the ‘safety cabriolet’.
Porsche is expanding its 911 series with three models. The latest edition of the Carrera 4S is being launched as a coupé and cabriolet. Together with the Targa 4S, they expand the model lineup beneath the significantly more powerful GTS models. This premiere doubles the number of all-wheel-drive variants of the 911, bringing the total to six. Its extensively revised powertrain gives the all-wheel-drive sports car a significant boost in emotionality compared to its predecessor models. Additional individualisation options and an expanded list of standard equipment round off the overall package.
About half of all customers who choose the S variants of the 911 opt for all-wheel drive, and for good reason: it ensures maximum traction in poor weather. Particularly in regions with changeable climates or demanding road conditions, the 911 with all-wheel drive inspires additional confidence behind the wheel. Like all the all-wheel-drive models of the 911, the S variants are also designed with rear-biased driving dynamics. If required, the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system provides more drive torque to the front axle, thereby increasing traction and driving stability. As with predecessor models, the clutch assembly in the front differential, which is still water-cooled, is controlled electromechanically. Only the gear ratio has been slightly adjusted. The 911 Targa body style is available exclusively with all-wheel drive.
Improved driving performance
The new all-wheel drive variants of the 911 adopt the upgraded drive system of the Carrera S. Its 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine produces 353 kW (480 PS, 911 Carrera S: Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 10.8 – 10.3 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 244 – 232 g/km, CO₂ class G , CO₂ class weighted combined G ). That is 22 kW (30 PS) more than in the predecessor model. This increase in performance is partly due to the optimised intercooler system, the design of which is carried over from the 911 Turbo. An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) transmits power to all four wheels. The 911 Carrera 4S Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds (with Sport Chrono Package) and to a top speed of 308 km/h.
Sixty years of the 911 Targa: an idea with a history
For 60 years, the 911 Targa has combined the pleasure of a convertible with the year-round comfort of a coupé. The original version of this model was Porsche’s response to discussions and concerns in the US market regarding the safety of traditional convertibles. The Targa body style made its debut in September 1965 at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main and was dubbed as the ‘safety cabriolet’.
Like so many Porsche innovations, the elegant, wide roll bar is inspired by motorsport. With a removable roof and folding rear window, the car provided safety-conscious drivers the sensation of travelling in a full convertible. Porsche derived the Targa name from the famous Sicilian endurance race, the Targa Florio.
Today, the Porsche 911 Targa is an icon in its own right, constantly further developed in terms of engineering and design over six decades. With the introduction of the 993-generation 911 Targa in 1993, there was no longer a need to remove the roof manually. Since 2006, the 911 Targa has been available exclusively with all-wheel drive.
From 2014 onwards, fully automatic roof mechanisms have been used: in 19 seconds, the coupé-like sports car is transformed into an open-top vehicle in a spectacular choreographed sequence. The glass rear window folds backwards and the roof segment folds elegantly. The wide roll bar and the wraparound rear window are a clear reminiscence of the original model. The roof module of the current Targa is available in four colours: black, blue, red and brown.
Enhanced equipment
The standard equipment has been significantly upgraded compared to the previous models. This includes 20/21-inch staggered-fitment Carrera S wheels with an updated design, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and a sports exhaust system with a distinctive sound typical of the 911.
Equipped as standard is the braking system carried over from the GTS models, with red brake callipers and 408-millimetre discs at the front and 380 mm at the rear. The 911 Targa 4S features rear-wheel steering as standard. While the Cabriolet and Targa are equipped with rear seats, Porsche delivers the coupé as a two-seater as standard. A rear seat system can be configured at no extra cost.
Porsche equips the interior of the all-wheel-drive sports car with a leather package. In addition, matrix LED headlights and wireless smartphone charging are also included as standard. Other features include electrically folding exterior mirrors with mirror surround lighting, the Light Design Package, automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, and lane departure warning. A wide range of other options for individualisation are available on request, including a wide variety of colour and material combinations as well as sound, assistance and roof systems.
The development landscape has just undergone a dramatic shift. Microsoft’s VS Code team has taken a bold step toward democratizing AI-powered coding by open-sourcing its GitHub Copilot Chat extension under the MIT license. This milestone represents more than just another code release; it’s a fundamental reimagining of how AI tools should be developed and deployed in the developer ecosystem.
Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation
The decision to make VS Code an open-source AI editor addresses a growing concern in the developer community: The black-box nature of AI coding assistants. Until now, developers have been using powerful AI tools without understanding their inner workings, from prompt engineering techniques to context handling strategies. This transparency gap has hindered innovation, making it challenging for developers to fully optimize their AI-assisted workflows.
By open-sourcing the Copilot Chat extension, Microsoft has lifted the veil on these critical components. Developers can now examine exactly how agent mode functions, understand what context gets sent to large language models and study the prompt engineering strategies that make these tools effective. This level of transparency transforms AI coding from a mysterious process into something developers can understand, modify, and improve.
Community-Driven AI Development
The open source approach leverages the same community dynamics that made VS Code itself a success. Over the past decade, VS Code has evolved from a Microsoft project into a community-driven platform, with thousands of extensions and contributions from developers worldwide. Now, the VS Code team is applying this proven model to AI functionality.
This community-centric approach promises to accelerate innovation in ways closed development cannot match. When developers can see precisely how AI features work, they can identify areas for improvement, fix bugs, and adapt functionality to meet specific needs. The collective intelligence of the open-source community often surpasses what any single organization can achieve, regardless of its resources.
Practical Benefits for Development Teams
The immediate practical implications are significant. Development teams can now audit AI functionality to ensure it meets their security and compliance requirements. Organizations with strict data governance policies can examine exactly what information is transmitted to language models and modify their behavior accordingly.
For individual developers, this transparency enables more effective prompt engineering and a better understanding of AI behavior. Instead of treating AI coding assistants as unpredictable tools, developers can study successful patterns and apply them more systematically. The ability to examine system prompts and implementation details provides insights that can improve AI-assisted productivity across entire teams. “This marks Microsoft’s follow-through to open source GitHub Copilot Chat, announced at Microsoft Build 2025,” said Mitch Ashley, VP practice lead of software lifecycle engineering at The Futurum Group. “GitHub Copilot Chat serves as the direct interface between the developer and the underlying AI code generation and agent capabilities available through VS Code and GitHub Copilot Agent. This transparency helps build trust with developers as AI takes on increased workloads for developers.”
Technical Architecture and Integration Strategy
The VS Code team’s technical approach demonstrates thoughtful planning for long-term sustainability. Rather than keeping AI functionality in a separate extension indefinitely, they plan to integrate components directly into VS Code’s core. This integration strategy ensures that AI becomes a first-class citizen in the editor, rather than an afterthought.
The decision to maintain issue tracking in the central VS Code repository further reinforces this integration philosophy. It signals that AI functionality isn’t a side project but a central part of VS Code’s future direction. This architectural approach provides a foundation for more sophisticated AI features while maintaining the editor’s performance and reliability standards.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
This move represents a broader shift in how technology companies approach AI development. As AI becomes integral to software development workflows, the traditional closed-source model creates dependencies that many organizations find uncomfortable. Microsoft’s decision to embrace transparency could pressure other AI tool providers to follow suit.
The implications extend beyond individual developer productivity. Educational institutions can now use real AI implementations to teach prompt engineering and AI integration techniques. Researchers gain access to production-quality AI coding systems for academic study. Security researchers can audit AI tools for potential vulnerabilities or biases.
Challenges and Considerations
Open-sourcing AI functionality presents its challenges. The VS Code team must strike a balance between transparency, performance optimization and consistency in user experience. Managing community contributions while maintaining code quality requires significant investment in review processes and documentation.
The partial approach, open-sourcing chat functionality while keeping inline completions closed, reflects these complexities. This staged rollout allows the team to learn from community feedback before expanding the open-source scope to more complex features.
The Path Forward
The VS Code team’s roadmap demonstrates a commitment to gradually expanding open-source AI functionality. Plans to provide inline completion capabilities through the open-source extension demonstrate long-term dedication to the transparency vision. A partnership with the broader open-source AI community suggests that the success of this initiative depends on ecosystem-wide collaboration.
This milestone represents more than a technical achievement; it’s a fundamental shift toward more democratic, transparent and community-driven AI development. As artificial intelligence reshapes software development, having open, auditable and modifiable AI tools becomes increasingly important for maintaining developer agency and innovation.
The future of coding is undoubtedly AI-assisted, but Microsoft’s approach ensures that the future remains open, transparent and community-controlled. For developers who value understanding their tools and shaping their evolution, this represents a significant step toward a more empowering development environment.
Honor launched the Honor Magic V5 on Wednesday July 2, as it looks to challenge Samsung in the foldable space.
Honor
Honor on Wednesday touted the slimness and battery capacity of its newly launched thin foldable phone, as it lays down a fresh challenge to market leader Samsung.
The Honor Magic V5 goes will initially go on sale in China, but the Chinese tech firm will likely bring the device to international markets later this year.
The company, which spun off from Chinese tech giant Huawei in 2020, is looking to stand out from rivals with key features of the Magic V5, like artificial intelligence, battery and size.
Honor said the Magic V5 is 8.8 mm to 9mm when folded, depending on the color choice. The phone’s predecessor, the Magic V3 — Honor skipped the Magic V4 name — was 9.2 mm when folded. Honor said the Magic V5 weighs 217 grams to 222 grams, again, depending on the color model. The previous version was 226 grams.
In China, Honor will launch a special 1 terabyte storage size version of the Magic V5, which it says will have a battery capacity of more than 6000 milliampere-hour — among the highest for foldable phones.
Honor has tried hard to tout these features, as competition in foldables ramps up, even as these types of devices have a very small share of the overall smartphone market.
Honor vs. Samsung
Foldables represented less than 2% of the overall smartphone market in 2024, according to International Data Corporation. Samsung was the biggest player with 34% market share followed by Huawei with just under 24%, IDC added. Honor took the fourth spot with a nearly 11% share.
Honor is looking to get a head start on Samsung, which has its own foldable launch next week on July 9.
Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president at the International Data Corporation, said the Magic V5 is a strong offering from Honor.
“This is the dream foldable smartphone that any user who is interested in this category will think of,” Jeronimo told CNBC, pointing to features such as the battery.
“This phone continues to push the bar forward, and it will challenge Samsung as they are about to launch their seventh generation of foldable phones,” he added.
The thinness of a foldable phone has become a battleground for smartphone makers to appeal to consumers who want the large screen size the device has to offer without extra weight.
At its event next week, Samsung is expected to release a foldable that is thinner than its predecessor and could come close to challenging Honor’s offering by way of size, analysts said. If that happens, then Honor will be facing more competition, especially against Samsung, which has a bigger global footprint.
“The biggest challenge for Honor is the brand equity and distribution reach vs Samsung, where the Korean vendor has the edge,” Neil Shah, co-founder of Counterpoint Research, told CNBC.
Honor’s push into international markets beyond China is still fairly young, with the company looking to build up its brand.
“Further, if Samsung catches up with a thinner form-factor in upcoming iterations, as it has been the real pioneer in foldables with its vertical integration expertise from displays to batteries, the differentiating factor might narrow for Honor,” Shah added.
Vertical integration refers to when a company owns several parts of a product’s supply chain. Samsung has a display and battery business which provides the components for its foldables.
Honor talks up AI
Smartphone players, including Honor, have also looked to stand out via the AI features available on their device.
In March, Honor pledged a $10 billion investment in AI over the next five years, with part of that going toward the development of next-generation agents that are seen as more advanced personal assistants.
Honor said its AI assistant Yoyo can interact with other AI models, such as those created by DeepSeek and Alibaba in China, to create presentation decks.
The company also flagged its AI agent can hail a taxi ride across multiple apps in China, automatically accepting the quickest ride to arrive? and cancelling the rest.
As reliably as the sun rises and sets, Porsche is fleshing out the 911 lineup. Following last year’s facelift, Porsche just revealed the new all-wheel drive “S” variants, Carrera 4S coupe and Cabriolet, plus Targa 4S. The headline? More power and standard equipment than their predecessors, and a healthy price increase, too.
Like the rear-drive Carrera S coupe and Cabriolet, the new all-wheel drive models get a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six making 473 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The power increase is largely thanks to intercoolers from the 911 Turbo, Porsche says, and the horsepower figure matches the old Carrera GTS’s, though torque is slightly lower. As with its rear-drive siblings, the only transmission available is an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch. Porsche is, so far, limiting the manual to just the purist-aimed Carrera T and GT3.
Photo by: Porsche
Photo by: Porsche
The new 4S models also get a standard Sports Exhaust and larger brakes from the old Carrera GTS model. As before, adaptive dampers, a rear limited-slip differential, and 20/21-inch wheels are standard, while sport suspension, rear-wheel steering, the Sport Chrono package, and carbon-ceramic brakes are optional. However, the Targa 4S gets rear-steer standard.
Inside, there’s more leather trim standard than before, and the rest of the upgrades Porsche gave the 911, including somewhat controversially, a digital gauge cluster. The coupe comes standard as a two-seater now, with 2+2 seating a no-cost option, and standard on the Cabriolet and Targa.
Porsche says in the US, around half of all 911 “S” models are all-wheel drive, so these are an important addition to the lineup. And until now, for the face-lifted model, the entry-level all-wheel drive 911 was the hybrid Carrera 4 GTS. So, these cars usefully lower the barrier of entry.
Not that they’re cheap. Preliminary pricing for the 2026 Carrera 4S coupe is $156,450—over $16,000 more than the 2024 model, though Porsche stresses this is subject to change. There’s more standard equipment and performance than before, but still, that’s a large gap. The preliminary cost for the Carrera 4S Cabriolet is $169,650 while the Targa 4S is $171,350. Not that Porsche customers will balk at these prices. Demand for new 911s seems to far outstrip supply.
The Google Photos app has been updated to make it easier to navigate your gallery and view image information. Google says the photo view — the screen that appears when you open an image in Google Photos — has been redesigned to provide a “simpler, more modern, and more intuitive UI” while adding a new light mode, glanceable photo details, and streamlined action menus.
These changes are available now for iPhone users, and will be coming to the Google Photos app for Android “soon,” according to Google. The update doesn’t remove any of the previous functionality provided by the app, but some features may have been relocated.
The biggest visual change is the introduction of light mode, which will automatically match the photo view background to match your device’s system theme. Information is now also displayed at the top of each photograph that provides the date, time, and location where it was captured. Some pill-shaped “badges” are sometimes located underneath those details that allow users to play or pause a Live or Motion photo, change the photo’s category, save shared images, and manage storage.
Several actions can now be found under the three-dot menu at the top right of the photo view, including About, Create, Cast, Save as, Download or Delete from device, and Google Lens. The latter was previously located on the photo view taskbar, and has now been replaced with an “Add to” menu that allows users to archive photos, organize them into albums, or secure them in a locked folder.
Lastly, photo stacks and bursts can now be managed via their own three-dot menu, which will appear beside whatever thumbnail is currently selected. Here you’ll find options to change the top image, remove images, unstack, or select multiple photos to take bulk actions.
Xiaomi can fuel phones and cars with same self-made chips, but not this year Huawei Central
Xiaomi files for trademark of new in-house chipset XRING 02 – report Seeking Alpha
The U.S. Won’t Be Happy: Xiaomi’s New Chip Is So Advanced Even the Chinese Government Has Praised It The Daily Galaxy
Xiaomi XRING 02 Rumored To Be Under Evaluation For Not Just Smartphones And Tablets, But Also Cars And Other Applications; No Word If TSMC’s Newer Lithography Can Be Utilized Wccftech
Xiaomi’s new chip impresses China—the US won’t be happy Glass Almanac
On May 15, 2025, fans got the surprise they’d been waiting for: Blue Protocol: Star Resonance, the long-anticipated anime MMORPG from Shanghai Bokura Network Technology, is officially coming to the West via publisher A Plus in 2025. The news followed hot on the heels of the game’s Chinese beta, and the hype hasn’t stopped building since.
To keep the momentum going — and true to its community-driven development ethos — Bokura extended a rare opportunity to the game’s largest English-speaking fan hub, Star Resonance Database. Through a series of curated questions sourced from the Discord server, players got the chance to directly engage with the team behind the game.
Roy, Bokura’s founder and seasoned game producer — who’s been a driving force behind MMO titles like Dragon Nest Mobile and Ragnarok Origin: Love at First Sight — answered the community’s most burning questions, and didn’t hold back.
Q1: MMOs nowadays try to cater to every type of player (PvE, PvP, roleplayers, casuals, hardcore, etc.), but this often leads to a lack of proper direction and focus, resulting in none of the content reaching its full potential. In the case of Star Resonance, who is the main target audience, and which content areas will you primarily focus on?
A: Many members of our team, including myself, are anime enthusiasts. Combined with my years of experience as an MMO producer, I’ve always dreamed of creating an MMO with a distinct anime aesthetic. We know this is an ambitious vision because today’s market lacks games that truly cater to both anime enthusiasts and traditional MMO players. That’s exactly who we’re building this game for: players who, like us, love deep MMO experiences and vibrant anime-style worlds.
The game’s core gameplay will focus on a PvE battle and casual gameplay hybrid model. That said, as we continue updating the game and gathering player feedback, we may expand into other areas in the future.
Q2: Monetization is one of the biggest concerns for Western players compared to the Eastern player base. Generally, players don’t want others to gain an unreasonable progression advantage by spending money. Specifically, the Chinese beta test revealed that the game has a premium to in-game currency conversion system without any daily or weekly restrictions, similar to many recently criticized MMOs in the West. Are you planning to adjust this for the Western community? If so, what is your current approach?
A: As mentioned earlier, our game focuses on a PvE battle and casual gameplay hybrid model, so we certainly don’t want a P2W environment here. While we do offer pay-for-convenience options (like currency conversion), none of these provide exclusive advantages. All progression items can be earned through gameplay, and the Trading Center ensures that even paid boosts indirectly benefit the broader community by circulating resources.
These systems are designed to help players with limited playtime or those joining later to catch up, rather than creating an imbalanced situation. We believe this approach will create a relatively balanced gameplay experience, fostering a fair ecosystem and a healthier in-game economy. We also recognize that players may want to support the development team through these optional purchases, allowing us to continue creating more high-quality content for everyone.
Q3: Content is another critical factor in MMOs. What kind of vertical progression-related content can casual and hardcore players currently expect to engage in Blue Protocol: Star Resonance?
A: We believe combat and progression are the heart of the MMO experience, so we’ve designed these systems to cater to all types of players. Through extensive iteration, we’ve created a battle system that’s easy to pick up for newcomers but deep enough to challenge veterans.
For hardcore players, we’ve built a robust PvE ecosystem — from class customization to dungeons and open-world encounters. As players grow stronger, they’ll test their skills in high-stakes battles, including five-player dungeons and 20-player raids, all while earning exciting rewards. Each season will introduce fresh content like new classes, dungeons, and PvE modes to keep the experience dynamic.
For casual players, we’re crafting a relaxed, social playground with features like house-building, life skills, fishing, etc. And we are also planning seasonal events for social play. Over time, we’ll add more social mini-games, aiming to create a vibrant world that feels like a shared amusement park for everyone.
Our goal is to create a playground where every player, whether competitive or casual, can find their own adventure.
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance Exclusive Images
Q4: Many MMOs tend to introduce more and more systems over time. This often leads to a high barrier of entry to the game and overwhelms the active player base. To avoid this, it is much simpler to expand the currently existing systems (e.g., adding skills, expanding talent trees, etc.) instead of adding new ones. What is your design philosophy when considering the future development of the game?
A: We’re intentional about keeping progression systems streamlined. Our philosophy is simple: Whether you’re a new player just starting out or a veteran returning after a break, we want you to jump back in effortlessly, without cramming a ton of new mechanics. That’s why we focus on expanding existing systems — adding depth, new goals, and fresh twists — rather than piling on entirely new mechanics. Long-term, this keeps the experience fresh but familiar, ensuring that players always have meaningful ways to grow without feeling overwhelmed.
Q5: MMOs often face the issue of mandatory progression-related content being too grindy, difficult, or time-consuming for the majority of the player base. Easing the difficulty for progression-related content, adding social-focused content for after progression, and including optional but challenging content for those seeking a challenge seem to be effective solutions. What is your current stance on this, and how do you plan to address it?
A: Making core progression both enjoyable and accessible has always been one of our top priorities. We’re adopting a seasonal approach. Not only to introduce fresh content but also to revitalize existing activities with thematic updates, ensuring even veteran players find new excitement in familiar gameplay. We’re also deeply committed to enhancing social experiences. Social interaction is the heart of our game, and every piece of content is designed to bring players together. After all, the most memorable moments often emerge from player-driven interactions. To foster this, we’re building a more diverse game ecosystem that caters to different playstyles — whether it’s PvE, casual gameplay, or relaxed social activities. For example, we’ve invested significant effort into developing the housing system. While it was not available in the test server yet, we’ll continue expanding it through seasonal updates, enriching its depth, variety, and overall appeal to strengthen player connections. By consistently refining and expanding content this way, we aim to create a vibrant, inclusive world where every player finds their place.
Q6: The community would love to see the game include content that enriches exploration, similar to timed or dynamic events present in other MMOs. These are unscheduled events that randomly appear throughout the world while bringing the community together. Are there any plans for such content?
A: As fellow MMO players, we absolutely love dynamic events like these. They’re a fantastic way to encourage exploration and spontaneous player interaction. However, with our current development resources, we’re prioritizing refining the game’s core experience first. That said, we’re actively evaluating the potential for unscheduled world events and similar content in future updates. Stay tuned for more details as we expand the game’s horizons!
Q7: Undoubtedly, the game’s player base will include many anime enthusiasts. Can we expect collaborations with anime franchises in the future?
A: Absolutely! As an anime-inspired MMO, our game naturally aligns with anime and manga IPs. We are also excited about future collaborations and are confident about the BPSR’s potential in this aspect. The real question is: Which IP should we team up with first? Our community team will soon launch surveys to gather your voices and preferences because we want these partnerships to reflect what you truly love. Stay tuned, your dream crossover might be closer than you think!
Q8: Currently, direct player-to-player trading is not possible, and gear cannot be traded in the auction house. However, the shared warehouse system allows players to have a shared space with a limited number of friends for trading, which is especially beneficial for the life skill profession aspect of the game. Unfortunately, only a limited number of life skill materials can be placed in the shared warehouse. Do you plan to address this limitation?
A: At the current stage, we’re not planning to lift these restrictions. Past experience showed that allowing ability-enhancing items in shared storage led to players feeling forced to create multiple alternate accounts. That’s why we’ve limited such items while still maintaining a system where friends can share resources. We want to encourage cooperation without creating pressure to grind on alts.
Q9: The current life skill system heavily favors players who have the time to create and play alternate characters, as life skill energy is character-specific. Most casual players don’t have the time or interest in creating alternate characters. How do you plan to address this and similar issues related to this in the future?
A: We actually do not encourage multi-character gameplay — our shared storage system is intentionally designed this way to avoid grinding on alts. We hope the players create alternate characters to experience different character body types and genders, not optimization for the main character.
We’ve reworked the Life Skill system to optimize the experience for casual players and players who are dedicated to Life Skills. Here’s what we’ve done so far:
Make energy only affect trade
Allow free gathering/crafting without energy cost
Add more recipes so dedicated Life Skill players won’t hit progression walls
Q10: The auto-combo system currently allows players to stand in place and attack nearby monsters with skills in random order. This does not include auto-pathing or full auto-combat, which is great. However, the MMO audience in the West strongly dislikes automated combat systems and is concerned about this feature being expanded, potentially trivializing combat and breaking immersion if many players are seen AFK-farming simple monsters. Do you plan to adjust this system for the Western audience to avoid these issues?
A: Our vision is to create a fun world for players to explore, so we’ve implemented auto-combat and auto-pathfinding in a very careful way. We want the auto function to solely reduce meaningless grind time in low-difficulty areas without compromising core gameplay. For a long-term MMO, some convenience features are necessary for players to handle relatively repetitive and low-difficulty features. Additionally, we’ve strictly controlled the rewards from monster grinding, which will minimize the impact of players’ AFK farming.
Q11: Regarding the Western server structure, will it be split into regions, or can we expect a single mega-server where everyone can play together?
A: We’ve heard much feedback on this matter, and we completely agree that players should play together. While physical distance creates technical challenges, we’re actively working toward a mega-server solution and hope to deliver satisfying results.
Q12: Which languages will be supported at the game’s release, and do you intend to support more languages in the future?
A: At launch, we’ll support English localization with Japanese VO. We’re currently working hard on localization QA to ensure Western players get the best first impression. Additional languages may come based on player feedback — we welcome your suggestions!
Q13: Will a housing system be available at the game’s release? If so, what features can players expect?
A: We have good news for those who love to decorate their places: the housing system will be available at launch! Players can claim their own homestead at no additional cost, which consists of two parts: an island and a house, both exclusively for the player’s use. Players can invite up to four friends to cohabitate (five people total) and manage the house together. The system offers high freedom of customization. Things like building partition walls, arranging furnishings, and more will be possible. The house also includes farming features where grown crops can be sold to merchants for housing currency to be exchanged for furniture and other items. Additionally, some furniture can be crafted through life skills.
Q14: The website already shows the silhouette of a class using a guitar, which might be available at release. Do you plan to add more classes to the game? If so, at what intervals?
A: Correct! The Guitarist class will also be available at launch. They also come with two styles: One has more DPS abilities that make it easier to play solo in the open world. The other one specializes in support with strong healing and buffing abilities.
As for future classes, we surely have plans to add more classes post-launch. Stay tuned for updates!
Q15: You recently revealed that the game will have controller support. Does this mean there are plans to release the game on consoles in the future? Will it be playable on the Steam Deck?
A: We’re implementing controller support starting with mainstream models, with plans to expand compatibility. Regarding consoles and Steam Deck, while we have nothing certain to announce yet, I’ll say we are open to all possibilities!
Q16: Based on the Chinese beta test, it seemed that character customization options, as well as the variety of costumes and accessories in the game, were very limited. Can we expect more options in these areas for the Western release? If so, what additional options can players look forward to?
A: We’ll continuously add more outfits and cosmetics, including mix-and-match pieces, to allow players to express themselves as they want. While the core customization categories will remain the same, we will add more options for players to choose from: more eye shapes, hairstyles, etc.
Q17: Are there any plans to make a character creator available before the game’s release, allowing players to take their time creating a character in advance?
A: We also believe this is a good idea, and a character creation code system on the client side has been developed. The function needs to be tested, but I’ll say it is very possible that players can see it at launch.
Q18: The community is eager to test and play the game in the West as soon as possible. Can you provide any hints/teasers about future tests or the release date?
A: We’re preparing the beta for global now. Having seen CN players enjoy two tests, we know fans all over the world are excited to try BPSR. While I can’t share exact dates yet, the wait won’t be much longer.
Q19: Can we expect more regular opportunities like this, both before and after the game’s release, for the community to provide feedback and ask questions? Additionally, will there be future developer live streams for the Western audience in English or with subtitles?
A: Yes. We have developer talks for English fans planned. Other programs, like developer live streams, are also possible. Stay tuned for more!
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance launches in 2025 for iOS, Android, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Advanced treatments, known as immunotherapies that activate T cells—our body’s immune cells—to eliminate cancer cells, have shown limited efficacy as standalone therapies for glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain tumor. This is due to their minimal response to glioblastoma and high resistance to treatment.
Now, a KAIST research team has now demonstrated a new therapeutic strategy that can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for brain tumors by utilizing gut microbes and their metabolites. This also opens up possibilities for developing microbiome-based immunotherapy supplements in the future.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on July 1 that a research team led by Professor Heung Kyu Lee of the Department of Biological Sciences discovered and demonstrated a method to significantly improve the efficiency of glioblastoma immunotherapy by focusing on changes in the gut microbial ecosystem.
The research team noted that as glioblastoma progresses, the concentration of ‘tryptophan’, an important amino acid in the gut, sharply decreases, leading to changes in the gut microbial ecosystem. They discovered that by supplementing tryptophan to restore microbial diversity, specific beneficial strains activate CD8 T cells (a type of immune cell) and induce their infiltration into tumor tissues. Through a mouse model of glioblastoma, the research team confirmed that tryptophan supplementation enhanced the response of cancer-attacking T cells (especially CD8 T cells), leading to their increased migration to tumor sites such as lymph nodes and the brain.
In this process, they also revealed that ‘Duncaniella dubosii‘, a beneficial commensal bacterium present in the gut, plays a crucial role. This bacterium helped T cells effectively redistribute within the body, and survival rates significantly improved when used in combination with immunotherapy (anti-PD-1).
Furthermore, it was demonstrated that even when this commensal bacterium was administered alone to germ-free mice (mice without any commensal microbes), the survival rate for glioblastoma increased. This is because the bacterium utilizes tryptophan to regulate the gut environment, and the metabolites produced in this process strengthen the ability of CD8 T cells to attack cancer cells.
This research is a meaningful achievement, showing that even in intractable brain tumors where immune checkpoint inhibitors had no effect, a combined strategy utilizing gut microbes can significantly enhance treatment response.”
Professor Heung Kyu Lee
Dr. Hyeon Cheol Kim of KAIST (currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Biological Sciences) participated as the first author. The research findings were published online in Cell Reports, an international journal in the life sciences, on June 26.
This research was conducted as part of the Basic Research Program and Bio & Medical Technology Development Program supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Source:
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
Journal reference:
Kim, H. C., et al. (2025). Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by brain tumors modulates the efficacy of immunotherapy. Cell Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115825.
The brutal, dystopian thriller Squid Game is one of the most popular shows Netflix has ever produced, spawning a cottage industry of pop culture merchandise and endless memes. Now the brightly colored styles of Squid Game are colliding with the incredibly popular online fighting game Fortnite.
As the third season of Squid Games airs on Netflix, learn all about the Squid Game skins, wraps, emotes and back bling that have been added to Fortnite.
What is Squid Game adding to Fortnite?
A new island, Squid Grounds, has been added to the Fortnite battle royale mode, Reload.
Squid Game skins items like back bling, wraps and emotes have also arrived on Fortnite.
Squid Game-themed skins in the shop include the red-clad guards and green-clad competitors.
“You’ll recognize plenty of returning weaponry for the Squid Grounds update, though the Glider and Boogie Bomb are making their first-ever appearance in Reload,” a representative for Fortnite promises in the caption for the YouTube trailer showing off the game additions.
And on Fortnite.com, the game goes into a bit more detail.
“Find familiar playground locations from the games, complete with staged town sets and a hollowed-out labyrinth cutting underneath the island’s rolling hills,” the site says. “You can even play Red Light, Green Light at your own risk.”
How to win playing Fortnite Squid Game
After the new map, skins, emotes and other items, there’s still more to come.
Squid Grounds Console Cash Cups, which are Battle Royale Duos tournaments, will be available on July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1,
The games are open to players on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Top performers earn cash prizes.
How much do Squid Game skins in Fortnite cost?
Squid Game game focuses on people so far in debt they must risk their lives. Some Fortnite players are joking about that similarity, because playing with the new skins can be pricey.
The Squid Game main bundle currently costs 3,000 V-Bucks (the game’s currency), although it shows that it has been marked down from 15,000 V-Bucks. Fortnite.com says that the bundle includes the Games Guard outfit, the Ddakji Defender outfit, the Green Light Guardian, Marble Maven, Dalgona Destroyer, Tug of War Titan, Pentathlon Perfector, Jegi Juggler, Flying Stone Fighter, Gong-gi Great, Games Manager outfit and Glass Bridge Survivor outfit.
The Squid Accessories bundle currently costs 700 V-Bucks, although it also shows that it has been marked down, this time from 1,600 V-Bucks. The bundle includes the Lil’ Prized Piggy Bank emote, Delicious Dalgona back bling, Ddakji Box back bling and Squid Shapes wrap.
Guard and manager skins are both currently selling for 1,500 V-Bucks each, and the male and female player skins cost 1,200 V-Bucks each. Maybe you can find a deadly tournament to enter to win enough … oh, wait.
Fortnite fans seem excited about the new additions regardless.
“The fact that we’re getting elimination-based gaming inside elimination-based gaming is peak 2025 meta,” said one X user.
Remember the deadly version of “Red Light, Green Light” from Squid Game? That game, and a version of its unnerving robot doll, show up in Fortnite, too.
Fortnite/Screenshot by CNET
Another user said they’d prefer to see Squid Game take a role in the standard battle royale Fortnite game.
“This seems like a good idea, but why is Squid Game in Reload and not the Battle Royale game mode?” they asked on X. “I don’t know a lot of people who play Reload, me including [sic]. The last time I played Reload was when the game mode first came out.”
Another person suggested this might be because the Battle Royale season theme — superheroes — doesn’t fit with Squid Game.
