Monthly Archives: December 2024

All winners and biggest reveals : NPR

The titular Astro Bot looms over an orchestra enjoying a medley from the soundtracks to the six Sport of the 12 months nominees.

The Sport Awards


cover caption

toggle caption

The Sport Awards

For a spherical up of our favorites of 2024, try NPR’s Video games We Love.

Astro Bot claimed 4 wins, together with Sport of the 12 months, on the 2024 Sport Awards.

The PlayStation 5 unique has gamers run, hover-jump, and rocket-blast to gather stranded robots throughout a cartoony galaxy. Whereas the sport celebrates three a long time of Sony’s console historical past, Studio Director Nicolas Doucet credited Nintendo in a misty-eyed acceptance speech (although he prevented mentioning the competitor by title):

“I used to be a child in 1989, I obtained a grey field and there was a sport packed in — it was referred to as Tremendous Mario Brothers and it was actually, actually nice,” stated Doucet. “I wish to pay tribute to the corporate who actually confirmed us innovation and high quality persistently, and impressed us to make the sport that we made.”

Nintendo, in the meantime, went house empty-handed after an evening outlined by sweeps, shock reveals, fourth-wall breaks and movie star appearances from the likes of Harrison Ford and Snoop Dogg.

Only a sampling of the various Jokers of Balatro, winner of three prizes at The Sport Awards.

Playstack


cover caption

toggle caption

Playstack

Balatro, a poker-style sport from solo-developer LocalThunk, received “Greatest Debut Indie,” “Greatest Impartial Sport” and “Greatest Cell Sport.” Regardless of this dominance, the consultant who accepted awards on LocalThunk’s behalf tried to shout out the indie scene extra broadly, calling out pixel western Arco by title.

Massive-budget video games in any other case stole the highlight. The ceremony started with an official reveal trailer for The Witcher 4 and the shock announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign, a co-op spinoff to the 2022 hit. The studio head behind 2021 Sport of the 12 months winner It Takes Two additionally unveiled the two-player journey Break up Fiction, out subsequent March.

Breaking Unhealthy‘s Aaron Paul and famend voice actor Laura Bailey confirmed off the following sport they carried out in: a tongue-in-cheek superhero story named Dispatch. And simply when the present appeared recent out of revelations, The Final of Us developer Naughty Canine dropped a cinematic trailer for a completely new franchise, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Host Geoff Keighley additionally acknowledged mass layoffs within the trade — one thing critics lambasted him for ignoring in 2023’s ceremony. He even introduced a brand new “Gamechanger Award,” which went to Amir Satvat, an worker of gaming tycoon Tencent who additionally runs a pro-bono help website for builders searching for work.

Muppet critics Statler and Waldorf mock the proceedings at The Sport Awards.

The Sport Awards


cover caption

toggle caption

The Sport Awards

Nevertheless it would not be The Sport Awards with out the Muppets. Garrulous grumps Statler and Waldorf co-opted frequent criticisms of the awards in a sequence of working gags. After one rapid-fire battery of bulletins, they jabbed that “it was like the sport commercials with award interruptions!”. However as the published stretched towards its fourth hour, in addition they expressed the exhaustion many within the viewers appeared to be feeling, “my Ultimate Fantasy is for this present to be over.”

Most embellished video games

Astro Bot — 4 wins (together with Sport of the 12 months), 7 nominations

Metaphor: ReFantazio — 3 wins, 6 nominations

Balatro — 3 wins, 5 nominations

Black Fable: Wukong — 2 wins, 5 nominations

Helldivers 2 — 2 wins, 4 nominations

Senua’s Sage: Hellblade 2 — 2 wins (together with lead actor Melina Juergens’ win for Greatest Efficiency), 4 nominations

A screenshot from Elden Ring: Nightreign — shock introduced at The Sport Awards.

Bandai Namco


cover caption

toggle caption

Bandai Namco

A fast observe earlier than itemizing the total winners: NPR is likely one of the greater than 130 retailers that contributed ballots to The Sport Awards, which picked winners based mostly on these tallies and an open on-line voting system.

Full Winners

Sport of the 12 months

  • WINNER: Astro Bot
  • Balatro
  • Black Fable: Wukong
  • Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio

Greatest Sport Course

  • WINNER: Astro Bot 
  • Balatro
  • Black Fable: Wukong
  • Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio

Greatest Narrative

  • WINNER: Metaphor: ReFantanzio
  • Ultimate Fantasy VII Rebirth
  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Silent Hill 2

Greatest Artwork Course

  • WINNER: Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Astro Bot
  • Black Fable: Wukong
  • Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Neva

Greatest Rating and Music

  • WINNER: Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth 
  • Astro Bot
  • Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Silent Hill 2
  • Stellar Blade

Greatest Audio Design

  • WINNER: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2  
  • Astro Bot
  • Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 6
  • Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Silent Hill 2

Greatest Efficiency

  • WINNER: Melina Juergens, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Hannah Telle, Life is Unusual: Double Publicity
  • Briana White, Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Humberly González, Star Wars Outlaws
  • Luke Roberts, Silent Hill 2

Innovation in Accessibility

  • WINNER: Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
  • Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 6
  • Diablo 4
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard
  • Star Wars Outlaws

Video games for Affect

  • WINNER: Neva
  • Nearer the Distance
  • Indika
  • Life is Unusual: Double Publicity
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
  • Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Greatest Ongoing Sport

  • WINNER: Helldivers 2
  • Future 2
  • Diablo 4
  • Ultimate Fantasy 14
  • Fortnite

Greatest Neighborhood Assist

  • WINNER: Baldur’s Gate 3
  • Ultimate Fantasy 14
  • Fortnite
  • Helldivers 2
  • No Man’s Sky

Greatest Impartial Sport

  • WINNER: Balatro
  • Animal Effectively
  • Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
  • Neva
  • UFO 50

Greatest Debut Indie Sport

  • WINNER: Balatro
  • Animal Effectively
  • Manor Lords
  • Pacific Drive
  • The Plucky Squire

Greatest Cell Sport

  • WINNER: Balatro
  • AFK Journey
  • Pokémon Buying and selling Card Sport Pocket
  • Wuthering Waves
  • Zenless Zone Zero

Greatest VR/AR Sport

  • WINNER: Batman: Arkham Shadow 
  • Arizona Sunshine Remake
  • Asgard’s Wrath 2
  • Steel: Hellsinger VR
  • Metro Awakening

Greatest Motion Sport

  • WINNER: Black Fable: Wukong
  • Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 6
  • Helldivers 2
  • Stellar Blade
  • Warhammer 40,000: Area Marine 2

Greatest Motion/Journey Sport

  • WINNER: Astro Bot
  • Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown
  • Silent Hill 2
  • Star Wars Outlaws
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge

Greatest RPG

  • WINNER: Metaphor: ReFantazio
  • Dragon’s Dogma 2
  • Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Greatest Preventing Sport

  • WINNER: Tekken 8 
  • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
  • Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO 
  • Marvel vs Capcom Preventing Assortment: Arcade Classics 
  • MultiVersus 

Greatest Household Sport

  • WINNER: Astro Bot
  • Princess Peach: Showtime!
  • Tremendous Mario Social gathering Jamboree
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge
  • The Plucky Squire

Greatest Sim/Technique Sport

  • WINNER: Frostpunk 2 
  • Age of Mythology: Retold 
  • Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess 
  • Manor Lords 
  • Unicorn Overlord

Greatest Sports activities/Racing Sport

  • WINNER: EA Sports activities FC 25
  • F1 24
  • NBA 2K25
  • Prime Spin 2K25
  • WWE 2K24

Greatest Multiplayer Sport

  • WINNER: Helldivers 2
  • Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 6
  • Tremendous Mario Social gathering Jamboree
  • Tekken 8
  • Warhammer 40K: Area Marine 2

Greatest Adaptation

  • WINNER: Fallout
  • Arcane
  • Knuckles
  • Like a Dragon: Yakuza
  • Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Most Anticipated Sport

  • WINNER: Grand Theft Auto 6
  • Demise Stranding 2: On the Seaside
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • Metroid Prime 4: Past
  • Monster Hunter Wilds

Content material Creator of the 12 months

  • WINNER: CaseOh
  • IlloJuan
  • Techno Gamerz
  • TypicalGamer
  • Usada Pekora

Greatest Esports Sport

  • WINNER: League of Legends
  • DOTA 2
  • Counter-Strike 2
  • Cell Legends: Bang Bang
  • Valorant

Greatest Esports Athlete

  • WINNER: Faker – Lee Sang-hyeok
  • 33 – Neta Shapira
  • Aleksib – Aleksi Virolainen
  • Chovy – Jeong Ji-hoon
  • ZyWoO – Mathieu Herbaut
  • ZmjjKk – Zheng Yongkang

Greatest Esports Crew

  • WINNER: T1 (League of Legends)
  • Bilibili Gaming (League of Legends)
  • Gen.G (League of Legends)
  • NAVI (Counter-Strike)
  • Crew Liquid (DOTA 2)

Participant’s Voice

  • WINNER: Black Fable: Wukong
  • Genshin Affect
  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Wuthering Waves
  • Zenless Zone Zero

Rachel Notley quittera son siège de députée à la fin du mois

L’ancienne première ministre et ex-cheffe du Nouveau Parti démocratique (NPD) de l’Alberta Rachel Notley a annoncé sur les réseaux sociaux qu’elle démissionnera de son siège de député d’Edmonton Strathcona le 30 décembre.

J’écris avec des sentiments partagés pour annoncer qu’aujourd’hui, j’enverrai une lettre au président de l’Assemblée législative de l’Alberta pour l’informer de mon intention de démissionner de mon poste, a-t-elle indiqué sur les réseaux sociaux.

Ça a été un honneur indescriptible de représenter les gens de mon quartier et de ma communauté pendant près de 17 ans.

Une quotation de Rachel Notley, députée d’Edmonton Strathcona

Cette annonce ne surprend pas Frédéric Boily, professeur en sciences politiques au Campus Saint-Jean de l’Université de l’Alberta. Il souligne que cela était attendu puisqu’un nouveau chef du NPD de l’Alberta, Naheed Nenshi, a été élu en juin.

Frédéric Boily voit cette démission comme une transition prévue, un processus regular dans le cadre du renouvellement du management au sein du NPD de l’Alberta.

Rachel Notley a été élue députée pour la première fois en 2008. Elle a conduit le NPD de la province à la victoire en remportant les élections de 2015.

Elle a toutefois essuyé deux échecs consécutifs aux élections générales de 2019 et 2023. Plus tôt cette année, Rachel Notley avait renoncé à la chefferie du NPD de l’Alberta, laissant la place à Naheed Nenshi.

L’héritage de Rachel Notley

Lorsqu’on lui demande de citer un second marquant de ses 17 années en politique, Rachel Notley met en avant la réalisation du Centre de cancérologie de Calgary. Ce projet, qu’elle qualifie de symbole d’espoir est, selon elle, l’un des héritages durables de son gouvernement.

Pour Frédéric Boily, l’héritage le plus marquant de Rachel Notley a été sa capacité à amener les néo-démocrates au pouvoir et à renverser la dynastie conservatrice, en 2015.

Il souligne également son charisme et sa capacité à faire des positive factors électoraux, ainsi que ses réalisations en tant que première ministre, comme l’augmentation du salaire minimal et la gestion de la province lors d’une période économique difficile. Bien que son gouvernement n’ait pas été réélu en 2019, M. Boily estime que son héritage reste significatif.

La première ministre de l’Alberta, Danielle Smith, a réagi à la démission de Rachel Notley, exprimant son respect pour son mandat de quatre ans comme première ministre de la province et sa longue carrière politique.

Au sujet d’une élection partielle à Edmonton Strathcona, Mme Smith a expliqué qu’elle attendait de voir les intentions du chief du NPD provincial, précisant qu’elle n’avait pas encore pris de décision quant à la planification d’une élection dans cette circonscription.

Naheed Nenshi à Edmonton Strathcona

Des sources néo-démocrates ont indiqué à Radio-Canada que le chef du NPD albertain, Naheed Nenshi, va se présenter comme candidat à la députation dans la circonscription qui sera laissée vacante par Rachel Notley. Il n’a toutefois pas encore annoncé sa candidature.

Des élections partielles pourraient être déclenchées dans la circonscription d’Edmonton-Strathcona d’ici le printemps 2025.

Photograph : Radio-Canada / Bassirou Bâ

Sur YouTube, Naheed Nenshi a déclaré qu’il ne voulait pas empiéter sur la journée de Rachel, c’est sa journée.

Alors aujourd’hui, soyons très reconnaissants envers elle. À un second donné, le gouvernement provincial déclenchera des élections partielles dans la circonscription d’Edmonton Strathcona. J’ai déjà dit que si un poste se libérait à Calgary ou à Edmonton, je l’envisagerai. Nous devons discuter avec les habitants d’Edmonton Strathcona pour savoir si cela a du sens.

Quel avenir pour Rachel Notley?

Rachel Notley dit qu’elle ne se considère pas à la retraite, mais envisage de nouveaux projets. Elle n’a pas précisé la nature de ceux-ci et dément par ailleurs une rumeur selon laquelle elle pourrait être nommée à un poste ministériel fédéral. Pour ce qui est de mes prochaines activités, j’en dirai plus dans les semaines à venir, a-t-elle déclaré lors d’une conférence de presse, jeudi.

Elle se dit toutefois ouverte à d’autres expériences, mais insiste sur le fait qu’elle ne quittera pas l’Alberta, où elle est profondément ancrée. Je ne vois pas remark je pourrais quitter l’Alberta. Nos racines ici sont profondes.

49ers Drop Week 15 Matchup to the Rams; Five Takeaways from #LARvsSF

All Protection within the First Quarter

The primary quarter of this primetime recreation was made up of largely punts – seven between the 2 groups within the first quarter alone. The 49ers defensive unit was chargeable for forcing the Rams into five-straight punts to start out the sport (three three-and-outs) and didn’t permit a Los Angeles first down till roughy three minutes into the second quarter. San Francisco had a number of close to interceptions with the assistance of strain from the D-line and stable protection from cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and security Talanoa Hufanga. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw delivered three whole tackles within the first quarter together with the primary hit of the sport.

Second-year kicker Jake Moody was chargeable for San Francisco’s first factors of the sport and solely certainly one of two discipline targets within the first half by both staff. Moody sailed his 53-yard kick straight via the uprights to cap off the 49ers five-play, 39-yard second offensive possession.

Moody was additionally chargeable for placing up the 49ers first factors of the third quarter. San Francisco drove down the sector 34 yards to the Rams 29-yard line, and Moody took care of the remainder, drilling it from 47-yards out.

The Return of Dre Greenlaw

The veteran linebacker’s 2024 season debut is within the books, and his return offered a pleasant increase for the second degree of San Francisco protection. He closed out the night time tied for second-most tackles on the staff (eight) with Hufanga and behind Warner, who tallied 15. Greenlaw appeared minimally within the second half of Thursday night time’s contest on account of some Achilles soreness, per head coach Kyle Shanahan.

One of many Rams finest photographs at a landing was foiled by a full effort from all three ranges of the protection late within the third quarter. Los Angeles picked up some offensive momentum and had been capable of drive the ball down the sector to the 49ers eight-yard line on a 17-play drive. On third-and-four, the line of defense flushed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford out of the pocket and right into a throw on the run to tight finish Colby Parkinson that was tipped and in addition defended with sticky protection by security Tashaun Gipson Sr.. The defensive unit was capable of drive the Rams to accept a discipline aim and restricted their result in three factors. Whereas the 49ers had been capable of maintain the Rams out of the top zone all night time, Los Angeles netted two fourth quarter discipline targets to seal the sport.

  • LB Dee Winters exited the sport late within the first quarter with a neck harm. He was listed as questionable however did return to motion simply earlier than the beginning of the second quarter.
  • S Ji’Ayir Brown was listed as questionable to return with a groin harm within the third quarter.
  • LB Dre Greenlaw skilled Achilles soreness and fatigue in his first recreation again.

Turok: Origins debuts at The Game Awards 2024

Dinosaur is again on the menu due to Turok: Origins, which was revealed at The Sport Awards 2024 on Thursday evening.

A revival of the traditional first-person shooter franchise, the Saber Interactive-developed Turok: Origins (see the trailer right here) shifts gameplay to an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective.

“Play because the legendary Turok warriors to face off towards ferocious dinosaurs and a terrifying alien risk that seeks to destroy all human life within the galaxy,” the sport’s official web site reads. “Unleash devastating assaults in your enemies with weapons and talents, and harness fallen enemies’ DNA to improve your arsenal. Embark on a high-stakes journey — solo or with mates — to unravel mysteries that maintain the important thing to saving humanity.”

Primarily based on the comedian e-book of the identical identify, Turok first debuted on the Nintendo 64 in 1997 and spawned a number of sequels. Extra lately, the franchise was rebooted with 2008’s Turok, a critically panned effort from now-defunct Propaganda Video games.

Turok: Origins is deliberate for PlayStation 5, Xbox Collection X, and PC. No launch date has been specified.

Superstition, tattoos and origins, explained

As we speak is Friday the thirteenth, an incidence that occurs solely a few occasions a yr.

That is the second Friday the thirteenth of 2024, simply two months after the final one in September. It additionally occurs to be Taylor Swift’s birthday, and somebody might be further fortunate on the day with an upcoming Mega Thousands and thousands drawing. There’ll solely be one Friday the thirteenth in 2025, in June.

The day has come to be related to superstition, luck and magic, although it has some shocking origins. Trepidation round Friday the thirteenth could have been amplified by the slasher-movie collection, nevertheless it possible has non secular origins.

Whether or not you are fastidiously stepping over sidewalk cracks on Friday or leaning into the custom of discounted tattoos on the spooky day, here’s what to learn about Friday the thirteenth.

See the map:The most well-liked superstitions by state

Origins of Friday and the quantity 13

The precise origins of Friday the thirteenth could also be considerably of a thriller of its personal, however many agree it has roots in Christian tales.

Some tie the quantity to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ and is regarded as the thirteenth visitor to reach on the Final Supper, in line with Historical past.com.

Avoiding a connection between two in any other case unrelated occasions is a part of people’ tendency to have interaction in “magical considering,” in line with Dr. Phil Stevens, a retired anthropology professor from the College at Buffalo and the creator of the e-book “Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.”

Different examples of this embrace luck allure or gadgets changing into extra worthwhile after they had been owned by celebrities.

“So 13 is related to that horrible occasion. And Friday, the thirteenth you get a double whammy. You get each of those components coming collectively: the taboo in opposition to 13, and the crucifixion, which was on a Friday,” Stevens mentioned in an interview with USA TODAY final yr.

Friday the thirteenth superstitions

Listed below are some widespread superstitions related to dangerous luck on Friday the thirteenth:

  • Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is claimed to deliver seven years of dangerous luck, so deal with glass fastidiously at the moment.
  • Strolling below a ladder: This superstition stems from the concept that strolling below a ladder disrupts the triangle, a logo of life, and invitations misfortune.
  • Spilling salt: Unintentionally spilling salt has been seen as dangerous luck for hundreds of years. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to thrust back evil.
  • Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, typically related to witches and dangerous omens, are thought of unfortunate, particularly after they cross your path on Friday the thirteenth.
  • Stepping on Cracks: The rhyme “step on a crack, break your mom’s again” comes from the concept that stepping on cracks invitations dangerous vitality or hurt.

To reverse your fortunes, some actions related to bringing good luck embrace:

  • Carrying a fortunate allure: Objects like four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, or rabbit’s ft are believed to deliver good luck and safety from dangerous vibes.
  • Knocking on wooden: This age-old superstition is believed to stop dangerous luck or jinxes. In case you say one thing hopeful, knock on wooden to “seal the deal” and preserve success in your facet.

Why tattoos are additionally related to Friday the thirteenth

Whereas the superstitious could also be avoiding taking any dangers on Friday the thirteenth, these trying to get tattoos might be in for deal.

On Friday the thirteenth, many outlets run particular promotions charging steeply discounted costs to get work accomplished, typically for a flat fee at and even below store minimal (the minimal payment a store will normally cost on a tattoo to cowl the price of the essential provides and overhead).

The common hourly value most artists cost is between $100 to $200 plus, making these flash gross sales a terrific deal. Whereas inexpensive predesigned flash tattoos and flash gross sales are usually not unusual practices all through the remainder of the calendar yr, Friday the thirteenth is the someday you’ll be able to rely on discovering a wealth of markdowns at a number of outlets close to you.

The trendy view of Friday the thirteenth as a tattoo vacation is commonly credited again to co-owner of Elm Avenue Tattoo in Dallas Oliver Peck, who chances are you’ll acknowledge from TV present “Ink Grasp” and his temporary marriage to Kat Von D (he later left the present after a blackface controversy).

In reference to Friday the thirteenth tattoo promotions, Peck beforehand informed Vice that he “undoubtedly wasn’t the primary particular person to do it,” saying he drew some inspiration from fellow artist Dave Lum’s Halloween specials, however that he did “make it an occasion.” He threw his first main Friday the thirteenth perform in 1995 on the now-defunct Pair O’ Cube in Dallas, a marathon session of tattooing the quantity “13” on as many individuals as potential in a 24-hour interval.

His swing at creating his personal custom caught on, as he and his co-workers started internet hosting these 24-hour tattoathons every year, at one level successful a spot in Guinness E-book of World Information for tattooing the quantity 13 on 415 folks in 24 hours on Friday, June 13, 2008.

A model of this story was beforehand revealed on Sept. 12, 2024.

Kinsey Crowley is a trending information reporter at USA TODAY. Attain her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and comply with her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.

Turok Returning as a Co-Op Dinosaur-Hunting Action Game and Ditching First-Person – The Game Awards 2024

Turok is again, however the well-known dinosaur hunter is wanting a bit completely different. At Thursday’s Recreation Awards, Saber Interactive formally introduced Turok: Origins — a “new evolution” of the basic dinosaur-hunting franchise that first debuted on the Nintendo 64 and PC in 1997.

In a marked shift for the franchise, Turok: Origins will function third-person motion as a substitute of being a first-person shooter. Moreover, multiplayer will probably be absolutely built-in into its essential marketing campaign, with Turok supporting as much as three gamers through co-op.

Turok: Origins’ title hero will don a high-tech “biomorphic go well with” that permits him to make use of DNA captured from enemies, which grant him talents like the facility to summon lightning. It should function semi-open environments, with completely different planets linked by way of portals. Saber Interactive can also be promising some “fairly epic boss fights.”

Turok: Origins Recreation Awards Trailer Screenshots

Turok: Origins is below growth for the Xbox Collection X|S, PC, and PS5 and can make the most of Unreal Engine 5. It stems from a brief string of sequels launched across the flip of the century by long-defunct writer Acclaim, after which it was rebooted on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC in 2008 by the equally defunct Disney Interactive (below its extraordinarily short-lived Touchstone Video games label). Whereas a deliberate sequel was canceled following the shuttering of developer Propaganda Video games, the unique N64-era Turok trilogy has since been remastered for contemporary gadgets over the previous decade by sport preservation specialists Nightdive Studios.

Turok: Origins doesn’t but have a launch date. You possibly can learn the whole lot else introduced at The Recreation Awards 2024 proper right here in addition to our full record of winners.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s Information Director in addition to co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Ship her a DM at @the_katbot.

Brief history and 7 superstitions to know

Friday the thirteenth has arrived within the last month of the yr, however this one may convey a bit additional magic.

With the Geminids meteor bathe illuminating the night time sky, it’s an ideal alternative to depart superstition behind and make a want on a taking pictures star.

And in the event you miss the meteors, don’t fear—you may nonetheless lean into these quirky traditions and remodel this so-called unfortunate day right into a celebration of fine fortune and enjoyable.

Extra:December to convey Geminid, Ursid meteor showers, bare eye view of Jupiter — the way to view

The place did Friday the thirteenth come from?

Friday the thirteenth’s popularity for unhealthy luck largely originates from non secular and cultural beliefs. In Christianity, it’s related to the Final Supper, the place Judas, the thirteenth visitor, betrayed Jesus, resulting in his crucifixion on a Friday, in keeping with USA TODAY.

Norse mythology additionally contributes, with the thirteenth god, Loki, bringing chaos and loss of life.

This superstition deepened over time, significantly after the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October thirteenth, 1307, additional cementing the day’s unfortunate standing.

When is the subsequent Friday the thirteenth?

Subsequent yr, the one Friday the thirteenth will fall in June.

The next yr, 2026, will characteristic three Friday the 13ths—spanning February, March, and November—the utmost potential in a single calendar yr.

7 Friday the thirteenth superstitions to both keep away from or pursue

Keep away from:

  • Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is claimed to convey seven years of unhealthy luck, so deal with glass rigorously right now.
  • Strolling underneath a ladder: This superstition stems from the concept strolling underneath a ladder disrupts the triangle, an emblem of life, and invitations misfortune.
  • Spilling salt: Unintentionally spilling salt has been seen as unhealthy luck for hundreds of years. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to beat back evil.
  • Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, usually related to witches and unhealthy omens, are thought of unfortunate, particularly once they cross your path on Friday the thirteenth.
  • Stepping on Cracks: The rhyme “step on a crack, break your mom’s again” comes from the concept stepping on cracks invitations unhealthy power or hurt.

To pursue:

  • Carrying a fortunate appeal: Objects like four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, or rabbit’s toes are believed to convey good luck and safety from unhealthy vibes.
  • Knocking on wooden: This age-old superstition is believed to forestall unhealthy luck or jinxes. If you happen to say one thing hopeful, knock on wooden to “seal the deal” and hold success in your aspect.

Canucks Game Day update: J.T. Miller will play against the Florida Panthers

The Stanley Cup champions are on the town. J.T. Miller will play. The Vancouver Canucks certain want him.

Get the newest from Patrick Johnston straight to your inbox

Printed Dec 12, 2024  •  Final up to date 20 hours in the past  •  3 minute learn

J.T. Miller of the Vancouver Canucks goes for the puck in opposition to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Heart Nov. 02, 2024 in San Jose, California. Picture by Ezra Shaw /Getty Pictures

Florida Panthers vs. Vancouver Canucks

Article content material

Really useful Movies

Article content material

Commercial 2

Article content material

When: Thursday, 7 p.m. PT, Rogers Enviornment

TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650

The excitement: J.T. Miller is again.

The Vancouver Canucks’ star final performed Nov. 17 vs. Nashville however then took private go away, for causes that haven’t been totally divulged however which have implied to be mental-health associated.

Chatting with reporters Thursday morning after collaborating within the staff’s morning skate forward of the house recreation vs. the Florida Panthers, Miller stated he didn’t wish to get into the explanation why he took a go away, however that he was able to return and able to make the identical impression on the lineup he all the time has.

“Excited to play. I wish to play, and you understand, clearly it’s enjoyable recreation to play in opposition to the defending champions. So simply completely happy to be across the guys and looking out ahead to tonight,” he stated.

Article content material

Commercial 3

Article content material

It was robust to be away from his teammates, he acknowledged.

“It sucks, it doesn’t matter what it’s for. , that is the ‘household away from household’ right here, and also you miss the blokes and simply excited to be round them and get again and compete,” he stated.

He claimed to not know that followers had been chanting for him in current dwelling video games, in addition to throughout final week’s WWE Survivor Collection occasion at Rogers Enviornment.

“No matter it was, I recognize it,” he stated.

He’s clearly able to play, however is aware of it might not go precisely that easily.

“I’m certain rust is anticipated. I believe this weekend’s 4 weeks, so I imply, it’s gonna be: attempt to preserve it simple on myself, play my recreation,” he stated. “Simply actually attempt to make it simple on myself. Attempt to preserve it easy, play bodily, you understand, issues that I can management.”

Commercial 4

Article content material

• Rick Tocchet stated that Miller would have Brock Boeser, enjoying his five hundredth recreation, again with him. And he’s enjoying Nils Höglander on left wing.

Having Miller will get the lineup again to its correct steadiness, too, he stated.

“We’ve been combating velocity by means of the center. I believe (JT) coming again goes to assist slot everyone,” he stated.

• Derek Forbort was additionally set to return to the lineup, skating on the third pairing with Mark Friedman, who performed Tuesday rather than Erik Brännström. Brännström’s defensive play has slipped a little bit, Tocchet stated, however felt the Swede would get again within the lineup quickly. He’s had some good practices not too long ago he believes.

With eight wholesome defencemen — Vincent Desharnais it coping with a chilly however is in any other case high quality — Tocchet stated he’s prone to begin simply utilizing his depth defencemen in a rotation.

Commercial 5

Article content material

• Regardless of Thatcher Demko’s robust recreation on Tuesday, Kevin Lankinen will get the beginning.

The historical past: Miller scored the extra time winner in opposition to Florida when the 2 groups met within the Sunshine State in October. That was the Canucks’ first win of the season and kicked off a run of eight-straight street wins for the Canucks.

Article content material

The hope: The Canucks want higher begins, and so they want extra general power. Thursday’s the evening, they’ll say.

The worry: The Panthers, the Stanley Cup champions, are vastly improved from the staff that stumbled to open the season and misplaced to the Canucks. They’ve gained three straight — and 6 of their final seven video games — and are flying excessive basically. Can the Canucks sustain?

The highest weapons: Jake Debrusk has six targets in 5 video games. Elias Pettersson has eight factors.

Commercial 6

Article content material

The wounded: Canucks: Derek Forbort (leg, day after day), J.T. Miller (private go away, day after day), Filip Hronek (shoulder, eight weeks). Panthers: none.

The quote: “Each good staff within the league is constructed down the center, you understand, one-two punch, and we’re lucky to have that. We’re lacking a kind of guys.” — Conor Garland on his pal J.T. Miller.

The newest: Derek Forbort is again wholesome. Will he lastly draw again into the lineup? Rick Tocchet stated he was a “robust chance” to play in opposition to the Panthers. He practised Wednesday alongside Mark Friedman, who performed Tuesday vs. St. Louis.

The lineup: 

DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sherwood

Höglander-Miller-Boeser

Joshua-Suter-Garland

Heinen-Blueger-Sasson

Hughes-Myers

Soucy-Juulsen

Forbort-Friedman

Lankinen

The prediction: The Canucks nonetheless aren’t firing on all cylinders. However they’ve received their No. 1 goalie again, with the Canucks enjoying stout defensive hockey in entrance of him. Plus Florida bleeds targets in opposition to. The setup is there. Watch Vancouver take at 4-2 win.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

Really useful from Editorial

  1. Canucks Espresso: How Quinn Hughes is brewing uncommon back-to-back Norris Trophy consideration

  2. J.T. Miller replace: Canucks star takes a major step to return from go away of absence

Article content material

Canucks’ J.T. Miller to return vs. Panthers

VANCOUVER — Star centre J.T. Miller will return to the Canucks’ lineup on Thursday when Vancouver hosts the Florida Panthers.

The 31-year-old ahead took an indefinite go away from the group final month for private causes. He declined to say Thursday why he stepped away from hockey.

“I am right here with the group, and I am able to sit up for what is going on to occur sooner or later, not essentially what has occurred previously,” he informed reporters after the morning skate.

Miller has six targets and 10 assists in 17 video games this season however has not performed since Nov. 17.

He is missed 10 video games, throughout which the Canucks (14-8-5) went 5-3-2.

The centre wasn’t removed from the minds of Vancouver followers throughout his go away and chants of “J-T Mill-er!” broke out throughout a number of video games.

“It’s simply an instance of how a lot he means to the group and the town. He’s such an enormous piece to our group,” mentioned Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. “However typically there’s issues larger than hockey. And props to him for stepping away and taking good care of these issues.”

Getting again within the lineup Thursday could include some rust, Miller admitted.

“I feel this weekend is 4 weeks (off), so I am going to attempt to preserve it straightforward on myself, play my recreation,” he mentioned. “Simply actually attempt to make it straightforward on myself, attempt to preserve it easy, attempt to play bodily — issues that I can management.”

The six-foot-one, 218-pound ahead from East Palestine, Ohio, put up a career-high 103 factors final season, then added one other 12 within the playoffs.

Picked fifteenth general by the New York within the 2011 draft, he is at present in his sixth season with the Canucks following stints with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

He was named to the U.S. group for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off event final week.

“I’m excited. He’s excited. The gamers are excited,” Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet mentioned of Miller’s return. “He’s among the best gamers within the league. So once you get a man like that again within the lineup, meaning so much.”

Miller provides velocity by means of the center of the ice and an emotional depth, Tocchet added.

“I simply suppose that the perspective firstly of the video games, he actually brings that, places the opposite group on their toes proper off the bat,” the coach mentioned. “He performs with loads of FU, and it is contagious. I feel having a man like him, he’ll assist drag guys into the battle. I feel that is what he is actually good at.”

  • NHL on Sportsnet

    Livestream Hockey Night time in Canada, Scotiabank Wednesday Night time Hockey, the Oilers, Flames, Canucks, out-of-market matchups, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the NHL Draft.

    Broadcast schedule

Miller is the newest participant to rejoin a Canucks group that has been stricken by accidents early this season.

All-star goalie Thatcher Demko made his first begin of the marketing campaign Tuesday after sitting out practically eight months with a knee damage. Winger Dakota Joshua missed the beginning of the season as he recovered from remedy for testicular most cancers. Sniper Brock Boeser was sidelined practically three weeks by a concussion. Filip Hronek, one of many group’s prime defenceman, stays out after recovering from a “process” for a lower-body damage.

The group has discovered methods to win regardless of holes within the lineup, Miller mentioned.

“Clearly, with myself and Fil and Demmer and having some accidents, there’s been guys which have stepped up, and it has been good to see,” he mentioned.

“It was a heck of a highway journey by these guys, loads of journey, loads of video games, after which come again residence and get a pair factors. So clearly, it has been good, however we have got a tough schedule the subsequent week.”

Who is eligible for Epic Games FTC settlement?

Tennessee Fortnite avid gamers may quickly see a bit of additional cash because of a Federal Commerce Fee refund.

The FTC introduced Monday that it’s going to ship the primary of a complete of $72 million in refunds to clients of Epic Video games, the makers of the massively fashionable Fortnite recreation, who had been reportedly duped into making purchases within the recreation. The refunds observe a 2022 settlement during which Epic Video games agreed to pay Fortnite gamers who fell sufferer to its “illegal billing practices,” in keeping with the FTC.

Here is a take a look at how a lot Epic Video games is anticipated to refund, how gamers get their refund and extra.

How a lot does Epic Video games need to refund to Fortnite gamers?

Epic Video games agreed to pay $245 million in refunds to Fortnite gamers.

What’s Epic Video games accused of doing?

Whereas Fortnite is free to play, there are many issues which might be charged for in-game.

Gamers are in a position to buy in-game objects and experiences – identified amongst avid gamers as microtransactions – reminiscent of costumes and dance strikes. Whereas not an unusual characteristic within the gaming world, Epic Video games reportedly used “darkish patterns” that hid in-game purchases, permitting kids to rack up unauthorized fees with out parental consent, in keeping with the FTC. The “darkish patterns” is a design tactic that can be utilized to trick gamers into doing issues they may not usually do, like shopping for in-game objects and such.

The offenses outlined within the criticism occurred between 2017 to 2022, and in keeping with the FTC, the tactic made it so {that a} single unintended press of a button would trigger gamers to incur fees that they hadn’t agreed to. Some reportedly occurred when gamers tried to wake the sport from sleep mode or simply tried to view an merchandise that was accessible for buy.

And if a participant tried to dispute the costs, Epic Video games reportedly would shut off entry to the account, inflicting them to lose entry to all of the content material they bought.

When was the Epic Video games settlement reached?

The FTC and Epic Video games reached a settlement in December 2022. It’s also the biggest refund the FTC has secured within the video gaming trade.

Am I eligible for an Epic Video games, Fortnite refund?

Round 630,000 Fortnite gamers are a part of the primary section of the refunding and are anticipated to obtain and common fee of round $114. Individuals who had been affected by the FTC declare would have acquired a kind to fill out and chosen a type of fee as soon as a settlement was achieved.

For many who crammed out the declare kind, they’ll have 30 days to redeem PayPal funds and 90 days to money checks, the FTC mentioned.

Suppose you might be eligible, however have not crammed out a declare kind? Don’t be concerned you continue to have time.

Folks can file a declare till Jan. 10, 2025, and you may submit a declare on-line at ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds.

When will the remainder of the Fortnite refunds be distributed?

The FTC has not set a timeline for when the remainder of the funds will probably be distributed however will distribute extra refunds at a later date, in keeping with a information launch from the company.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.