Technology

SpongeBob​ SquarePants and PowerWash Simulator Join Apple ​Arcade ‍Lineup

apple Arcade subscribers have a fresh ⁢wave ⁣of content to enjoy ⁤with the addition of ⁢ SpongeBob ⁤SquarePants: Super Squad‍ Showdown and PowerWash ⁤Simulator, alongside several other new‌ titles and updates. The games are now ‌available as part of the ‍subscription ⁢service, offering ad-free and in-app purchase-free ​gaming on Apple devices.

Apple ‌Arcade provides access to over 270 games ‌for $6.99 per month,or is included as part of an ​Apple One bundle. The service delivers a curated selection of mobile games across a variety of genres, ‍appealing to ‍a broad range of players. This latest update reinforces Apple’s commitment to providing⁤ a robust and evolving gaming experience for⁣ it’s⁣ subscribers.

Glassbreakers: Champions ‍of ‌Moss also debuted this week, inviting players to “Lead your ​squad of ‌champions ⁢into a fast-paced ‍and immersive arena ‌where tactics, magic, and power collide. Master the battle in‍ this real-time clash of Champions!” according to ⁢the game’s description.‌

Players⁤ can access Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss and the other new titles through​ the Apple Arcade tab in the App Store. A standalone Apple Arcade subscription costs $6.99/month.

Samsung’s New 9100 Pro SSD Shatters Speed Records,But Shows Peculiar Benchmark Results

SAN FRANCISCO,CA‍ – Samsung’s recently released 9100 Pro SSD is delivering blistering performance,exceeding advertised speeds in some tests,but exhibiting⁤ unexpectedly low scores ⁢in the 3DMark Storage benchmark,according to a new review. The drive, ‍designed for PCIe⁢ 5 nvme slots, is aimed at users demanding the fastest possible storage⁤ for large file ‍transfers and demanding applications.

Testing conducted by‍ IGN with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D,⁤ asus ROG Crosshair X670E Hero motherboard, and 32GB of 5,200MHz RAM, showed the 9100 Pro surpassing it’s rated read ⁤and write performance in CrystalDiskMark. ⁢A 10GB file transfer to the drive took just 3.9 seconds ‍(write), while transferring back was even faster at 3.4 seconds (read), positioning it among the fastest ‍drives currently available.

Gaming performance was also strong, with final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark loading ‌in 6.2 seconds, with‍ all scenes loading under two seconds. While not dramatically faster than high-end PCIe 4 SSDs,the results ⁣were still considered “plenty fast.”

However,⁤ the 3DMark Storage benchmark​ yielded a ⁤score of 3,269 ​points with an⁢ average access time of ⁢55 ​microseconds – significantly lower than the 5-6,000+ scores achieved by competing drives.⁢ Multiple test runs produced the same result, and the reviewer noted the issue​ persisted even with ample SLC capacity. Samsung has been​ contacted for comment.

despite the high performance,⁣ the‌ drive generates significant heat, becoming hot to the touch. While the controller itself remained cool (under 40 degrees ‌Celsius during​ testing), the reviewer recommends a heatsink or ⁤active cooling solution.

The review was conducted‌ on a⁣ Windows 11 24H2 installation with the latest drivers and BIOS ⁣updates.

“Elden Ring Nightreign” ⁣Expands hunt with “The Forsaken hollows” ⁢DLC

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe and FromSoftware have launched “The ⁤Forsaken Hollows,” a new downloadable content pack for the multiplayer co-op ‌survival action game ⁣”Elden ​Ring Nightreign.” The DLC‌ introduces two new playable ⁣archetypes – the⁣ Scholar and ‌the Gravedigger – joining ‌the Nightwalkers in‌ their pursuit.

The Scholar⁤ utilizes deep arcane⁣ knowledge and spellcasting prowess to control ‌the battlefield, while the Gravedigger, a faith-driven warrior commissioned ⁢by ‌her monastery, employs supernatural strength for devastating attacks.

“The Forsaken ⁣Hollows” ⁤also expands the game world with ⁣new areas and challenges within Limveld, featuring⁢ two new bosses to overcome on the third day of play. A⁣ dynamic new feature,”Shifted Earth,” alters the map’s ‍layout under specific conditions,offering a fresh ​experience for players.

“Elden Ring‌ Nightreign” is available on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2622380/ELDEN_RING_NIGHTREIGN/. Additional details, including edition information,​ can be found at ​ https://www.zockerheim.de/?s=Elden+Ring+Nightreign.

Source: press release

Indie ​Title “A Tyndalston Story”​ Aims to Challenge Grand ​Theft Auto’s ‍Dominance

Tyndalston, ‌ [Date of Publication] – An ambitious indie game, “A Tyndalston Story,” is generating buzz as it prepares to launch, directly positioning itself as ⁤a competitor to industry giant Grand Theft Auto. Developed by a small team,the game distinguishes itself ​through a focus on the ⁣brutal realities of⁤ debt,survival,and the‌ moral‍ compromises demanded by​ a relentlessly unforgiving urban environment.

Unlike the ‍often-fantastical power fantasies of ‍ GTA, “A ⁣Tyndalston‌ Story” centers‍ on Samson McCray,​ a character trapped in a⁣ spiraling debt within the dark city of tyndalston.The core gameplay mechanic revolves around a daily cost – ​a constantly increasing debt – forcing players to make difficult choices with significant consequences. Every decision impacts ⁤how the city and its inhabitants react to​ McCray, ‌presenting a stark choice: fight ⁢to ⁣survive⁢ or succumb to the overwhelming pressure. ​The developers emphasize that violence, ‍adaptability, and strategic thinking are essential for survival,‌ but come at a personal‌ cost.

The game’s unique premise – “Every day costs you something” – sets it apart. As debt mounts, the city’s treatment of the player character shifts, creating a dynamic and‍ reactive world. ​ A recently released trailer showcases the gritty atmosphere and⁣ desperate struggle for survival at ​the heart​ of the experience. “[The game] ​focuses on personal guilt, consequences and ⁢survival,” according to promotional materials.

[Link to YouTube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbFnkUlyZlo]

Congress Warns NASA:​ Artemis Plan Faces Scrutiny, Accountability⁤ Demanded

WASHINGTON D.C. – A panel of space policy experts warned ‌Congress today that NASA’s current Artemis program is unsustainable and requires notable overhaul, with‌ calls for‌ stricter accountability for delays and cost overruns. The warnings came during a hearing focused on ⁣the future of⁢ U.S. space ​exploration.

Former NASA Administrator Scott ⁣Griffin delivered a stark⁣ assessment, advocating for a‍ complete reset of the Artemis program ​beyond the ⁣planned Artemis III‍ mission. “The⁢ Artemis III mission and those beyond ⁤should be canceled and we⁤ should start over, proceeding with ‌all purposeful speed,” Griffin stated, sharing a link to his proposed ⁣choice architecture – a​ plan reminiscent of his earlier “Apollo⁣ on ⁢Steroids” concept, which was previously deemed unaffordable within‌ NASA’s existing budget (link to plan, Apollo on⁤ Steroids ‌reference).

Other panelists offered⁢ broader recommendations.⁤ Clayton​ Swope, ​Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project at the⁤ Center for Strategic and International Studies,⁢ emphasized NASA’s ‌role in driving U.S. innovation and national security, highlighting⁤ the success of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program in fostering a growing lunar industry.He ⁢stressed the importance of continued NASA‌ investment in basic research and⁤ growth as a key advantage over‍ China. ‍”Without science, we would never have had something like the ​Manhattan Project,” Swope said.

However, a central theme of the hearing was the need for⁢ greater accountability. Dean Cheng of the Potomac Institute⁢ for Policy‍ Studies ‌argued that both NASA and Congress​ must enforce consequences for failing to meet ‌objectives. ⁣

“One, it needs to be bipartisan, to make vrey clear throughout our system that⁤ this is something that everyone is pushing for,” ⁣Cheng explained. “And two, that there are consequences, budgetary,‍ legal, and or ‌else,‌ to the agency, to supplying companies.​ If thay‌ fail to deliver on ‌time ⁣and ‍on budget, that it‍ will not⁤ be a ‘Well, okay, let’s​ try again next year.’ There need to be consequences.”

The call for accountability stems from​ a pattern of significant delays and budget overruns plaguing‌ major NASA exploration programs over the past 15 years, ‍including the Orion ‌spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, and associated ground systems. ​ These programs have largely been funded through cost-plus contracts, limiting​ NASA’s⁤ ability ‍to enforce deadlines. ​Congress has historically approved continued funding despite these setbacks.

The ​panel’s ​warnings signal growing⁢ frustration with the‍ current trajectory of ​the‍ Artemis program and a demand for a more disciplined ⁣and results-oriented approach⁣ to U.S. space ‍exploration.