Category: 4. Technology

EA’s next Battlefield game is supposedly arriving sometime in spring 2026, but its development is reportedly fraught with issues, leading some of its developers to worry that certain parts of the game won’t be well-received. According to a lengthy Ars Technica piece about the game’s development troubles and problems facing AAA titles’ development as a whole, EA had lofty goals for the next Battlefield (codenamed Glacier) to the point that team members working on the project think they’re near unrealistic.

The publisher’s executives apparently believed that Glacier could match the popularity of Call of Duty and Fortnite and set a 100 million player target over a certain period of time. An employee told Ars that the franchise has never achieved those numbers before, with Battlefield 2042 getting only up to 22 million players within that same period. The first Battlefield, which was the most successful in the franchise so far, only got to “maybe 30 million plus” within that timeframe.

One of the reasons why Fortnite has over 100 million active users is because it’s free-to-play. In CoD’s case, well, aside from having free-to-play titles, it’s also the biggest gaming franchise and has a lengthy history, so it’s no surprise that it already has a solid fanbase who would play its latest releases. Players had to pay for previous Battlefield games up front, but executives thought that if EA made Glacier free-to-play like its competitors, it could achieve the same numbers. And that is why the publisher promised a free-to-play Battle Royale mode with a six-hour single player campaign for the upcoming game.

Ridgeline, the external studio working on the single player mode, however, shuttered in 2024 after working on the project for two years. The studio reportedly found EA’s objectives unachievable, since it was expected to reach milestones in the same rate as more established studios when it didn’t have the same resources. Now, three other EA studios (Criterion, DICE and Motive) are working on the single-player mode. But since they had to start from scratch, single player is the only Glacier game mode remaining that has yet to reach alpha status.

Due to the wider scope of the next title in the franchise and the issues it has faced, it has become the most expensive Battlefield to date. It had a budget of $400 million back in 2023, but the current projections are now apparently “well north” of that. Whether the next Battlefield launches on time remains to be seen. Ars‘ sources said that if it does ship as intended, they expect some features and content to be cut from the final product.

Romero Games has announced the cancellation of its upcoming first-person shooter due to its publisher cancelling funding for the game.

Studio director Brenda Romero shared on social media that it was a “strategic decision made at a high level within the publisher” that was “way above our visibility or control”.

“Last night, we learned that our publisher has cancelled funding our game along with several other unannounced projects at other studios,” Romero wrote. “We deeply wish there had been something, anything, we could have done to prevent this outcome.”

She continued: “This absolutely isn’t a reflection of our team’s work, performance, or the quality of the project itself. We hit every milestone on time, every time, consistently received high praise, and easily passed all our internal gates. We are incredibly proud of the work being done, and the talented team behind it. The best we’ve worked with.”

As a result, an unknown number of employees have been let go from the studio.

“We’re currently evaluating next steps and working quickly to support our team,” Romero added. “Many of us have worked together for more than a decade, some for over 20 years. It’s an extremely difficult day, and we’re heartbroken that it’s come to this.

“If you know of any opportunities or ways you can help our incredible team, please reach out. Thank you to everyone who’s offered support and kindness and encouragement during this difficult time.”

A former employee suggested that the decision to cancel this unannounced project, and the subsequent layoffs, was made due to the Microsoft layoffs announced yesterday.

As a result of the layoffs, which affected around 9,000 employees according to CNBC, Xbox closed The Initiative, cancelled Perfect Dark, Everwild, and Zenimax Online Studios’ MMO, codenamed Blackbird.

Almost 50% of employees at Forza Motorsports creator Turn 10 were let go, and Call of Duty studio Raven Software were also affected.

GamesIndustry.biz will keep its coverage of the Xbox layoffs updated as more information about which studios or part of the division are affected.

In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Sam Porter Bridges once again makes the journey across the hauntingly beautiful and dangerous terrain. This time, he’s not doing it solo—or at least, not without some hard-core machinery assistance. Skeletons-exoskeleton suits-are some of the most precious weapons in Sam’s arsenal.

The Battle Skeleton

Your first exoskeleton is the Battle Skeleton, and that’s exactly what you’d expect – a combat-centric slice of kit that transforms Sam into a frontline bruiser. You’ll crack it open in Order 10, when you link the Western Environmental Observatory to the Chiral Network.When activated, this skeleton enhances Sam’s stamina, makes him faster, and most critically, enables you to carry more equipment all while delivering decent damage resistance. In the more combat-heavy sequel, that last bit is a life saver. Upgrades are linked to your relationship with the Observatory, so the better your relationship, the better your skeleton.Tip: Pre-ordering players or deluxe edition buyers will receive exclusive Silver or Gold variants that beautifies and potentially increases durability.

The Boost Skeleton

Trying to outrun BTs, MULEs or just the rain itself? Enter the Boost Skeleton, a battery powered engineered for one thing ,speed and momentum. It opens up on Order 21, when you finish the delivery associated with The Dowser, a prepper unlocked by the main story.This exoskeleton reintroduces the fan-favorite speed-based mechanics from the original game, and it’s particularly helpful whenever Sam has to traverse ground quickly. In combat, linking it with jump strikes transforms Sam into a man-missile.Tip: Boost Skeletons suck battery quickly, combine it with mobile generators or location-based recharge nodes.

The Bokka Skeleton

Don’t let the poetic moniker fool you, the Bokka Skeleton is for gnarly terrain. This skeleton doesn’t come around until much later, Order 30, and is unlocked by bonding with East Fort Knot.Built for elevation and rough trails, this is the frame you’ll count on when the route goes alpine and ruthless. Unlike the rest, it’s not associated with that same prepper Bokka (weird, right?). Instead, it’s a story unlock that indicates you’re entering the most challenging terrains to date.Tip: Without the Bokka Skeleton, you’ll exhaust your stamina quicker, stumble over rocks, and risk hurting your load or worse.

Tips and Tricks

Whether you’re striding into battle, running across chiral wastelands, or scaling a snowy cliff, the right skeleton could wonder-carry you home.

Ring’s indoor camera that has a motorized base to give you a 360-degree view is cheaper than ever in a Prime Day deal. The Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam normally goes for $80, but it’s dropped to just $40 for the Amazon savings event. That’s even lower than the previous all-time low price of $50 that we’ve seen during other sales. The Pan-Tilt camera comes in five colors: Black, Blush, Charcoal, Starlight and White.

Ring introduced the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam in 2024. It can spin a full 360 degrees on its base, and tilts up and down with a tilt range of 169 degrees. That makes it especially helpful for keeping tabs on pets and other goings-on in the home. It offers live views in addition to 24/7 recording, and supports two-way talk for when you want to check-in with a family member. The Pan-Tilt Cam also offers HD color video day and night.

The camera has a physical shutter as well, for when you want to be sure it’s not watching. Sliding this will cover the camera, and Ring says it’ll also disable the audio and video feeds. Setup should be easy with the Ring app, but if you aren’t already in the Ring ecosystem, you’ll need a subscription to use this camera. Ring offers three subscription options at $4.99, $9.99 and $19.99 per month.

For many people living in the post-physical-office era, it’s the ultimate nightmare: Being in a video call only to realize there’s something utterly inappropriate going on in your background. Or foreground.

A new FaceTime feature in iOS 26, highlighted by iDeviceHelp, puts an end to at least some of the possibly unpleasant scenarios, as it pauses the video if someone is undressing during a FaceTime call.

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The video for other participants will be paused, and you’ll see a message saying “Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive. If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.” Two possible options are presented: Resume Audio and Video, or End Call.

As 9to5Mac noted, Apple actually announced something similar last month, as part of new family tools that are coming for child accounts.

“Communication Safety expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photos,” said Apple in an announcement at the time.

It appears, however, that this has been expanded to all users. The feature is currently live in the iOS 26 developer beta; we’ll see if it sticks once the iOS 26 public beta launches, which should happen sometime in July.

Updated July 3 with more details of price cuts for iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Apple’s latest Pro model iPhone, the iPhone 16 Pro, costs $999 and up. If you want to buy it cheaper, you can’t get discounts from Apple. Amazon, however, sells the iPhone 16 Pro in Renewed Premium condition, and the prices have just gone down in many cases. There have also been big price cuts on the larger-screened model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The deals highlighted in this post were independently selected by the Contributor and do not contain affiliate links.

ForbesApple iPhone 17: Key Design Upgrade Promised In New LeakBy David Phelan

Renewed Premium is the highest tier of refurbished models on Amazon, and “The inspection and testing process typically include a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, and a thorough cleaning process carried out by the qualified supplier, or by Amazon,” as the company puts it.

The screen has no scratches and a body with no signs of cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, and more) visible when the holding the product 30 centimeters away. They are fully functional and with battery at least 90% of original battery life. Here are the details of what’s on offer now from Amazon — even before the upcoming Prime Day sales.

The lowest storage is 128GB and it is available from Amazon in four colors. Black titanium costs $840, a price which has dropped recently and is $159 less than the new price. Desert titanium is $848.44, natural titanium $864.97 and white titanium $869.99. All are slightly lower prices than earlier in June.

For the 256GB storage option, which costs $1,099 new, and prices are as follows: $936.55 for black titanium, $923.06 for white titanium, which is just over $175 off the price new. It’s even better for desert titanium at $910.13 and $935 for natural titanium.

The 512GB storage prices for Renewed Premium in unlocked condition are these: Desert titanium is $1,089.97, that’s $209 less than the brand-new price. White titanium is $10 more at $1,099.97. There’s no availability for black or natural titanium, right now.

Finally, for the top storage level, black titanium is available for $1,109, which is $390 less than the $1,499 new price. Desert titanium is more, $1,239.97, natural titanium $1,150 and white titanium is $1,189.99. These prices are the same as or slightly higher than they have been in recent weeks.

All very well, but what about if the iPhone 16 Pro display isn’t quite big enough for you? There’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max, available in three storage capacities (there’s no 128GB model for the Max).

The 256GB storage model is available from Amazon in Renewed Premium condition. Three of the four, desert titanium, natural titanium and white titanium are all priced at $1,099, which is $100 less than the new price of $1,199. The black titanium is not as good value: it costs $1,152.09.

The 512GB model costs $1,399 new. For Renewed Premium, the best price in this capacity are black titanium and white titanium, both $174 off the new price at $1,225. Desert titanium is $1,299.99 and natural titanium a little less at $1,279.

Finally, there’s the 1TB storage option, $1,599 when you buy it new from Apple. Here in Renewed Premium, the best price is for desert titanium and natural titanium, which are each $1,420 — a $179 savings. Black titanium is priciest at $1,569.97 and white titanium clocks in at $1,459.

ForbesApple iPhone 17 Series: The Best Views Yet Of All The New Designs Just LeakedBy David Phelan

Following the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023), Zenith and Time+Tide now introduce the third and final chapter in their collaborative Surfer Trilogy. This latest limited edition, the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, builds on the openworked aesthetic and mechanical architecture of the existing white Defy Skyline Skeleton model, while combining its full white ceramic case with a lighter, ocean-inspired dial design. It concludes the trilogy with a bold and technically coherent take on Zenith’s Defy platform.

The 41mm case of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer is crafted from white ceramic, lightweight, highly scratch-resistant, inherently modern in appearance and pleasantly tactile. The case features the sharp facets and geometric contours typical of the Defy line, highlighted by brushed and polished surfaces. The screw-down crown bears the Zenith star logo, the dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while the caseback, also with sapphire crystal, lets you view the movement. Water-resistance is 100m.

The defining element of the “White Surfer” is its skeletonised dial with a vertical gradient that transitions from darker to light blue. This graduated finish spans the signature-shaped bridges, evoking a descent from deep sea to surface light. As with the original Night Surfer, the star logo is filled with Super-LumiNova, a rather unique touch.

Time is indicated by centrally mounted rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock, a 1/10th of a second sub-dial, driven directly by the escapement, adds functional dynamic. The hour markers are integrated into the architectural framework of the skeleton dial, in line with the Defy Skyline Skeleton’s design language, applied to the minutes track running the dial´s periphery and treated with Super-LumiNova.

Powering the watch is the El Primero 3620 SK, an automatic, high-frequency movement derived from Zenith’s famed chronograph calibre. Here, the chronograph module has been omitted in favour of a 1/10th of a second counter, offering a continuous readout linked to the 5Hz escapement. The movement delivers a 55-hour power reserve and includes a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting. To match the dial, the calibre is finished in light blue tones across the mainplate, bridges, and star-shaped rotor, with straight graining and circular brushing visible through the caseback.

The White Surfer Ceramic by T+T is presented on an integrated white ceramic bracelet, secured by a folding clasp. A white rubber strap with a patterned surface is also included, and both the strap and bracelet can be easily swapped using Zenith’s toolless quick-change system.

The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic is limited to 100 pieces worldwide. It is available via Time+Tide, Zenith boutiques, and authorised retailers globally. Price is CHF 18,900 or EUR 20,500. More details about the watch at shop.timeandtidewatches.co.uk and www.zenith-watches.com.