• Sony has confirmed players won't need constant internet access to play digital PlayStation games
• A 30-day license verification countdown has been introduced fpr new digital games
• A one-time online check will be required to validate the game license

Sony has finally responded to the ongoing PlayStation license controversy, confirming that a constant internet connection won't be required to play digital games.

Earlier this week, a new '30-day license check' was spotted on digitally purchased PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 games, immediately raising concerns among users. It was initially thought that the system would revoke game licenses if players didn't log in to their PSN account or connect their console to the internet.

This would apply to digital games bought after the latest March system update, and reportedly not impact previous purchases.

"Potential major DRM issue rolled out by PlayStation (and Xbox as well, allegedly). All new PSN purchases now have a 30 day validation countdown. Already investigating to find out more details," spotted X/Twitter user 'DoesItPlay'.

However, Sony has now addressed the issue and, at the same time, quelled worries by confirming that users only need to be connected to the internet and complete a one-time license authentication. Beyond that, no further checks will be required.

"Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual," a Sony Interactive Entertainment spokesperson told GameSpot. "A one-time online check is required to confirm the game's license, after which no further check-ins are required."

Thankfully, the new system shouldn't cause too much trouble for users, but any PS5 and PS4 digital games bought from the PS Store going forward will need to be authenticated once.

It's suspected that the license check is to prevent potential refund scams, specifically filing for a refund and then immediately disconnecting from the internet to continue playing the game.

In other news, Sony has begun rolling out its new PlayStation age verification system in the UK and Ireland as part of the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA). The process is currently optional, but will become mandatory in June 2026.

Those who don't complete age verification will lose access to many PlayStation communication features like text and voice chat, messaging, Discord voice chat, streaming features, and more.

Users should receive an email asking them to complete the age verification steps. If you haven't received yours yet, you can check out the official FAQ to get started.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1054) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• THERE
• CHECK
• MARK
• TRUE
• ALARM
• HOUR
• TYRANNOSAURUS
• TICK
• TIME
• SHOCK
• CROSS
• YORE
• SHAKE
• HUR
• DISTURB
• TESLA

NYT Connections today (game #1054) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Scare someone
• GREEN: Strike off your to-dos
• BLUE: The letter after S
• PURPLE: Sounds like ownership

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1054) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: UNNERVE
• GREEN: REMOVE, AS AN ITEM FROM A LIST, WITH "OFF"
• BLUE: WHAT "T" MIGHT STAND FOR
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1054) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1054, are…

• YELLOW: UNNERVE ALARM, DISTURB, SHAKE, SHOCK
• GREEN: REMOVE, AS AN ITEM FROM A LIST, WITH "OFF" CHECK, CROSS, MARK, TICK
• BLUE: WHAT "T" MIGHT STAND FOR TESLA, TIME, TRUE, TYRANNOSAURUS
• PURPLE: HOMOPHONES OF POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES HOUR, HUR, THERE, YORE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

As a perpetual maker and crosser-offer of to-do lists I spotted the green group containing CHECK, CROSS, MARK, and TICK immediately. Like many, I am sure, I add things to my to-do lists that I’ve already done just so I can have the pleasure of checking them off. I think I need help!

Meanwhile, the most un-nerving thing about the yellow group is that I did not see it sooner. 

The same could be said for HOMOPHONES OF POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES — I spent far too long thinking HUR was connected to the classic film Ben Hur — while I only got WHAT "T" MIGHT STAND FOR because the four words began with that letter; Googling afterwards I discovered that the TESLA in this context was a unit of measurement and nothing to do with Elon Musk's cars.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, April 29, game #1053)

• YELLOW: STEP IN A PROCESS LEVEL, PHASE, ROUND, STAGE
• GREEN: SOUND LIKE THUNDER BOOM, CLAP, ROLL, RUMBLE
• BLUE: KINDS OF PUPPETS HAND, SHADOW, SOCK, STRING
• PURPLE: STANDING ___ JOKE, ORDERS, OVATION, ROOM

• Neverness to Everness has launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile
• It's a free-to-play open-world game with a huge city to explore
• It features a wanted level, customizable cars, and more

Craving some open-world action ahead of the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch later this year? This new free PlayStation 5 game should be on your radar.

Neverness to Everness launched earlier today, offering a huge and immersive world to explore. It's set in Hethereau, a fictional urban metropolis with an aesthetic reminiscent of modern American and East Asian cities, which players can freely traverse on foot or via a range of customizable vehicles.

Although it's not available right now, developer Hotta Studio has already confirmed an upcoming Porsche collab, which will add the real-world Porsche 918 Spyder to drive.

Like any good open-world game, the city is home to loads of different activities. You can go fishing to unlock skins, play a variety of mini-games like Mahjong, visit a wealth of in-game shops, and even jump into some cooperative online multiplayer modes. There are loads of collectibles, too, plus a healthy dose of side quests to keep you busy.

Although Neverness to Everness has an unapologetically anime-inspired art direction, it's elevated by some pretty impressive tech. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it features global ray tracing for realistic lighting and Nvidia DLSS support.

A modern urban fantasy

I've been dipping in and out of the game throughout the morning, and feel like I've only really scratched the surface of what's there. It looks like the game will even feature light romance options, raising an overall bond level with unlocked characters, and even the option to move in with your favorite.

There's even a basic wanted level system that punishes you for taking vehicles that don't belong to you by force or hitting others with attacks à la Grand Theft Auto.

The main story has the player step into the shoes of an unnamed Anomaly Hunter, an individual tasked with taking down sinister paranormal entities terrorizing the city.

The translation seems a bit rough so far, especially compared to the more polished writing of competitors like Zenless Zone Zero, but it still provides some decent framing for missions, which so far have involved plenty of hack-and-slash combat.

It's a gacha game, so of course has a cast of colorful characters that you can unlock through progression or by dropping some real-world cash on an in-game purchase.

In the build-up to launch, the game hit more than 35 million pre-registrations, and if you're interested in diving in now that launch day has arrived, it's available for PC, PlayStation 5, iOS and Android.

• Take-Two Interactive CEO, Strauss Zelnick, says the Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing campaign will begin soon
• He previously said the main marketing campaign would begin around summer
• The next Take-Two earnings call is set for May 21

Rockstar Games' silence on Grand Theft Auto 6 has left gamers worried it may face another delay, but a recent development suggests its November 19, 2026, launch date is locked in.

In an interview with Variety, cited in a new Game File report, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, gave an update on GTA 6's planned marketing schedule, stating it's coming 'soon'. That said, he declined to give a specific date.

This comes after Zelnick previously stated marketing would begin around the summer. The CEO also expressed confidence that Rockstar Games wouldn't have any more delays in the pipeline, stating: "We don't spend money on marketing until we're pretty close to release."

Summer is now fast approaching, so it's safe for fans to predict that either a new trailer or a major update from Rockstar will arrive in late May to kickstart the marketing wave for arguably the most anticipated game of all time, thus far.

If marketing begins without the dreaded delay message, it may be enough to suggest that GTA 6 will indeed launch on November 19, 2026, considering Zelnick's statement insinuating that launch dates are locked in once the main marketing campaign begins.

In that case, it's now a waiting game to see whether Rockstar is confident enough to stick to its current November date, and with Take-Two's next earnings call set for May 21, updates are certainly imminent. Notably, the earnings call is within the same time period GTA 6 was initially set to launch in (May 26), so it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Rockstar use this time as the beginning of marketing.

Most importantly, the months ahead should be exciting for gamers, with Summer Game Fest in June, featuring several new game announcements, and possibly something fresh on GTA 6.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1053) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• ROUND
• SHADOW
• RUMBLE
• ORDERS
• OVATION
• SOCK
• HAND
• ROLL
• CLAP
• JOKE
• BOOM
• STAGE
• LEVEL
• STRING
• ROOM
• PHASE

NYT Connections today (game #1053) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: The next chapter in the process
• GREEN: Goes with lightning
• BLUE: Kermit’s one of these
• PURPLE: Begin with the opposite of sitting

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1053) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: STEP IN A PROCESS
• GREEN: SOUND LIKE THUNDER
• BLUE: KINDS OF PUPPETS
• PURPLE: STANDING ___

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1053) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1053, are…

• YELLOW: STEP IN A PROCESS LEVEL, PHASE, ROUND, STAGE
• GREEN: SOUND LIKE THUNDER BOOM, CLAP, ROLL, RUMBLE
• BLUE: KINDS OF PUPPETS HAND, SHADOW, SOCK, STRING
• PURPLE: STANDING ___ JOKE, ORDERS, OVATION, ROOM

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I took a gamble with my first guess. The word OVATION I have only ever seen connected to the word standing and ROOM made sense in regard to phrase “standing room only” but I was less certain about ORDERS and JOKE.

Fortunately the gamble paid off and I was rewarded with a purple first.

Not that I was too quick to go on a victory lap, as I completely missed the second hardest/blue group KINDS OF PUPPETS and came very close to putting together a group connected to boxing — SOCK, SHADOW, RUMBLE — before submitting the four tiles that became SOUND LIKE THUNDER.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, April 28, game #1052)

• YELLOW: ENTREATY APPEAL, BID, CALL, REQUEST
• GREEN: LAUNDRY DAY VERBS DRY, FOLD, SORT, WASH
• BLUE: THINGS THAT COME IN "BOOKS" CHECK, COUPON, MATCH, STAMP
• PURPLE: SUN_____ DIAL, FLOWER, SCREEN, TAN

• Samsung has joint-developed a nano-material to create a 3D/2D switching light-field display
• Glasses-free 3D with wide viewing angles and very high resolution
• Likely to appear in phones, tablets and commercial displays first

Are 3D TVs coming back? Not anytime soon, but a new kind of 3D display tech is still quite exciting, and Samsung has teamed up with Korean private research university POSTECH to make a breakthrough. It's developed a way of switching between very high-resolution 2D and realistic, glasses-free 3D.

We've seen glasses-free 3D from both TCL and Visual Semiconductor recently, and they both use plenoptic displays, aka light-field displays. Samsung's version of a light-field screen uses what are described as a "metasurface lenticular lens" layer of "nanoscale structures" to "transition seamlessly between flat (2D) and stereoscopic (3D) images".

This is an important development because as trade site The Elec explains, conventional light-field displays tend to use bulky lenses, deliver narrow viewing angles, have relatively low resolution and can require real-time eye tracking to deliver 3D. Samsung's design addresses these issues.

What's so special about Samsung's 3D screen tech?

Like other light field displays, Samsung's system transmits light from multiple directions simultaneously to mimic the way light reaches the eye from real objects, which makes it possible to trick the brain to deliver glasses-free 3D. It means there's no limited 'sweet spot' you need to be in to see the 3D effect. But without decent viewing angles for general usage, most displays will still be of limited use. Enter Samsung and its metasurfaces.

Samsung's apparently metasurfaces deliver complex optical functions without the bulk of existing lenses, and Samsung's lens can change its focal properties to deliver either 2D or 3D through a simple change of voltage. According to The Elec, the lens currently delivers viewing angles of up to 100 degrees while only being 1.2mm thick.

That's the good news. The bad news is that you shouldn't expect to have this tech in your home any time soon. Samsung's lens was 25 centimetres square, which is only around a quarter of the size of a smartphone display, let along a TV.

The first commercial applications of the technology are likely to be either small, but that could be fun. Imagine if your iPhone could reproduce your photos in 3D, thanks to the depth maps it already captures in photos? Or the what if the Nintendo Switch 3 actually turns out to be the Switch 3DS, with a return to glasses-free 3D gaming?

It's very possible that actually the first applications will be for big spenders, such as retail and other business displays.

Will the tech make it into TVs? I'm not sure, and I'm speaking as someone who both owned and loved a 3D TV. It seems that every generation has to go through the '3D is the future! / actually no it isn't!' cycle: the 3D cinema boom of the 1950s, the second 3D cinema boom of the early 80s, the Avatar-led 3D cinema and 3D TV boom of the 2010s…

So if that schedule repeats, we're due the next 3D boom in the 2040s. Which gives Samsung plenty of time to perfect its tech.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

• Former Naughty Dog artist Heather Cerlan revealed that the controversial death in The Last of Us Part 2 was divisive internally
• Cerlan says the studio was "split" on the decision
• The death was hugely controversial among fans back in 2020

Spoilers ahead for The Last of Us Part 2

A former Naughty Dog developer has revealed that the controversial death in The Last of Us Part 2 was also a divisive element within the studio.

If you've played The Last of Us sequel, you'll know that Joel Miller, the protagonist of the first game, is brutally killed by Abby Anderson in an act of revenge at the beginning of the story.

At the time of the game's release in 2020, Joel's death caused a huge uproar among fans, with many hating the decision. Others praised the bold move for subverting expectations and delivering one hell of an emotional journey for Ellie.

Now, in a lengthy interview with Kiwi Talkz, Heather Cerlan, who worked as an artist on The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part 2, Uncharted 4, and The Lost Legacy, confirmed that the death was just as controversial at Naughty Dog as it was among fans.

"Oh yeah, most of the studio was like, 'really you're going to?...'", Cerlan said, before trailing off to avoid spoilers.

"I think the studio was pretty split on like, the outcome of what happens," she continued. "Yes, absolutely. It was controversial internally, too."

Joel's death also leaked ahead of the game's official release, which led to online abuse and death threats being sent to Abby's actress, Laura Bailey, and her new-born son.

Bailey later opened up about the abuse she received in Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part 2.

"Every time I went online, that's all I saw. Death threats and threats of violence, and the worst of it, the really hardcore death threats got past along and they [the police] made sure they weren’t anyone who lived close by," Bailey said at the time.

"They were threatening my son, who was born during all of it, and yeah, it was rough. But, you know, more than anything, it just kind of like taught me to keep a distance."

Naughty Dog is currently working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The star of the game, Tati Gabrielle, shared in an interview last year that she was aware of the hate The Last of Us: Part 2 cast members, like Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, and Troy Baker, received back in 2020, and that director Neil Druckmann had been preparing her for a similar situation.

"Neil's been bootcamp-ing me," Gabrielle said. "I know Troy's experience, I know Ashley's experience… I know Laura Bailey's experience.

"I got a lot of love, but there was a lot of hate over me being a woman, me being a woman of color, me having my head shaved, all these things that I didn't even actually initially see — I'm out of the social media zeitgeist for that reason — but once I did, Neil was like, 'Ignore it. No matter what, me and you, we're going to make something beautiful. We're going to make something that we're proud of.'"

• New indie game Drunken Goddess Reflux has been revealed
• It has players taking shots to save their soul in a twist drinking game
• It has already hit 50,000 Steam wishlists and releases later this year

Developer Who You and publisher Alliance Arts has revealed Drunken Goddess Reflux, an upcoming PC indie game all about trying to outdrink a demon as part of a desperate effort to save your soul.

Played from a first-person perspective, it has you selecting shots to drink in a seriously boozy game of Russian Roulette. You're up against a pink-haired demon, who's desperate to kill you in a big way to make you spend eternity together.

"It's puke or be puked on for your soul," the Steam store page succinctly reads.

Between taking shots, you have to carefully manage your drunkenness level, going to extreme measures like stabbing yourself in the wrist with an ice pick to keep your alertness up.

Every set of drinks has its own unique effects, forcing you to strategically select what to down and what to skip. You can earn special Trick Cards with powerful effects by successfully staving off drunkenness, or nose around the bar to find spirits that offer special skills.

You're not the only one getting tipsy, though, and the rules of the game begin to break down the further you progress, something that you can exploit to gain a further edge.

The game's colorful character art was drawn by popular Japanese online artist and animator odyk, the same illustrator behind the bright designs of the recently released Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis. It also features a bombastic theme song performed by American YouTuber Demondice.

According to the developers, Drunken Goddess Reflux has already hit 50,000 Steam wishlists — a milestone marked with some cute celebratory art. It's set to release later this year, and for more information, you can follow the publisher on X.

• The Steam Controller will officially release on May 4 for $99
• Valve hardware engineer Steve Cardinali says the controller is releasing first because "there's no RAM in it"
• The Steam Controller, Machine, and Frame were delayed earlier this year

Valve has announced that it will release the Steam Controller next month, before the Steam Machine, amid the ongoing RAM shortage crisis.

Earlier this week, Valve confirmed that the Steam Controller will launch on May 4, 2026, for $99 / £85 / $149 AUD.

The news follows a blog post in February, in which the company delayed its plans to release the Steam Machine, Frame, and Controller in early 2026, citing "the memory and storage shortages".

"When we announced these products in November, we planned on being able to share specific pricing and launch dates by now," Valve said at the time.

"But the memory and storage shortages you've likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then. The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing."

Valve noted, however, that its goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year had not changed, but now the Steam Controller will arrive first.

Speaking in a new interview with Polygon, Valve hardware engineer Steve Cardinali explained that because the controller doesn't have RAM, it's in a position to launch it soon.

"This doesn’t have RAM in it, and it’s not as complicated to start getting out the door for us," Cardinali said. "We’re ready for it. We wanted to build up quantity so that we could try to address everybody who wants one at launch, but it’s possible that the demand for it far exceeds our expectations."

However, despite recent RAM shortages and the fact that the Steam Controller is releasing to market first, the hardware engineer states that there was never a plan to launch all three pieces of hardware together.

"From the beginning, these were all different products. We had always thought, obviously we want them to work together well — especially the Steam Machine and the Steam Controller, they’re in a lot of ways a pair made in heaven — but we saw no need to ship the Controller at the same time as the Machine," Cardinali said.

"The really only hard deadline is we didn’t want to ship the Steam Machine before the Steam Controller. We want to have that out for the Steam Machine… It wasn’t really ever the plan to ship them together unless it landed nicely that way. So there’s no point in holding it back while we work through the other stuff."

TechRadar's managing editor, core tech, Matt Hanson, reviewed the Steam Controller, calling it a "massive improvement over the flawed original, offering some great innovations while also coming with a more conventional – and user-friendly – design."

• Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem's first DLC is imminent
• Director Koshi Nakanishi said the mini-game DLC will be a single-player mode based on the main game's battles
• Producer Masato Kumazawa urged players to finish the main game in order to access the DLC

Capcom's 2026 hit, Resident Evil Requiem, has two DLCs currently in production — and fortunately, one of them is coming sooner than anticipated.

In an interview with Denfaminico Gamer (which we have machine translated), Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa, and director Koshi Nakanishi told players to ensure they finish the game's main story to access the upcoming mini-game DLC in May.

The pair was queried over Requiem's announced DLCs, and Nakanishi reassured fans that work on the story DLC is well underway, stating: "At this stage, all I can say is that it's currently under development, so please look forward to it."

However, when asked about the mini-game DLC, Nakanishi confirmed that the "development of the mini-game is already in the final stages." They also said it will be a single-player mode, which will be "based on the battles in the main game." Nakanishi believes fans who were hoping for more fun will enjoy it, urging players to be excited, saying, "sharpen your tomahawk and wait."

The mini-game's description is brief from Nakanishi, but it sounds very similar to the franchise's beloved Mercenaries game mode, which usually features multiple regions from the main game used as maps for players to cycle through.

Most importantly, though, Kumazawa said, "This mini-game content is unlocked after clearing the main story. So if you're planning to play it, clearing the main story during Golden Week would be just right for you to be able to play it."

This is often the case with Resident Evil games, and extra modes only become available once the main campaign is complete. It also appears as though Capcom is poised to release the DLC during Japan's Golden Week or very shortly after, placing the launch date sometime in early May, so fans won't have to wait long to continue their journey through Requiem.

• Final Fantasy 14 Online's next expansion, Evercold, launches in January 2027
• The MMORPG is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in August
• Existing subscribers will need to pay for a separate subscription to play on Switch 2

Square Enix has announced Evercold, the sixth Final Fantasy 14 Online expansion launching in January 2027, alongside a Nintendo Switch 2 release, but there's a big catch.

The news comes from FF14 NA FanFest, where the game producer and director Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida unveiled Evercold's first teaser trailer. It will kick off a new era with the "Godless Realms Saga" story arc following the conclusion of the game's Hydaelyn-Zodiark saga.

Yoshi-P also announced that the critically acclaimed, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) will finally be coming to Switch 2 in August.

However, while players won't need to purchase a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play, they will need to buy a separate FF14 subscription even if they already play on another platform.

This means, if you're playing on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox with a subscription, you'll still need to pay for a subscription on Switch 2.

It's worth noting, however, that the Switch 2 subscription will be 50% off if you already have a running subscription.

"After discussions with Nintendo, it was decided that the Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy 14 would require a separate subscription," said Yoshi-P via translator Michael-Christopher Koji Fox. "Again, this was decided after many months of discussions with Nintendo, and I understand that this is different to how we’ve done things before."

There's no release date for the Switch 2 edition just yet, but Square Enix is planning an early access period to test server stability before launching the full game.

Alongside this, Yoshi-P also revealed 'Evangelion - Ghosts of Desire', the new alliance raid crossover series with the hit anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, that will arrive alongside Evercold, as well as some massive changes to the MMO's battle system overhaul with the introduction of the 'Reborn' and 'Evolved' modes.

Reborn mode will be based on the current combat system and Job mechanics, while Evolved mode "offers greater emphasis on job identity", updating combat rotations and changing some abilities. However, Evolved will only apply to existing Jobs, not the two new Tank and physical ranged DPS Jobs that will arrive with Evercold.

The expansions will also overhaul gear progression with 'Adventurer Activity', which will change from a daily to a weekly-based reward system, expanded character customization - but no butt sliders, according to Yoshi-P - a level cap increase from 100 to 110, and much more.

Additionally, with the release of Patch 7.5 today, the MMO's free trial is expanding to include Shadowbringers. This means all content from up to Patch 5.58 will be offered at no extra cost, including the base game, A Realm Reborn, and the Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers expansions.

• Sony is under fire for new rumored '30-day license check' for digital purchases on PS5 and PS4 consoles
• The DRM feature was spotted by several users, and seems to only impact purchases made after the March system update
• Sony is yet to explain whether the feature is intentional or a bug

Sony has been under fire over the last few months over significant price hikes on PlayStation 5 and PS Portal hardware amid the ongoing memory crisis and wider economic struggles. Unfortunately, the company is back in the spotlight again, for the wrong reasons — and arguably the worst yet.

As reported by VideoCardz, several PlayStation users spotted a new '30-day license check' on digitally purchased games on PS5 and PS4. This supposedly revokes game licenses if users don't log in or connect their console to the internet within 30 days, meaning that they can no longer be played until the console is connected to the internet again.

This seemingly only applies to games that have been bought after the latest March system update, and reportedly won't impact previous purchases.

Unsurprisingly, the situation has left several users panicking, effectively labelling the measure as a new form of console digital right management - or DRM.

Comment from r/GamingLeaksAndRumours

Comment from r/GamingLeaksAndRumours

It has also sparked comparisons to Microsoft's Xbox One controversy back in 2013, when it revealed a DRM feature that required users to be online every 24 hours or games would stop working, alongside frustrating restrictions on game resales.

Notably, Sony famously mocked Microsoft with a short video on how to share games on PS4, but now in 2026, Sony is seemingly following suit. That's, of course, if this new license check is intentional.

Concerned users have already reached out to PlayStation's chat support, and based on the replies, it appears as though this new DRM measure is indeed intentional, despite suggestions that it may be a bug. We've reached out to Sony for a statement, but haven't received a response yet.

If this is a fully intended feature, then it will undoubtedly place Sony in consumers' bad books. Microsoft was forced to walk back on its initial DRM feature thanks to strong backlash, and it won't be a surprise to see the same pressure mounted on its rival this time around.

• Directive 8020 executive producer Dan McDonald says Supermassive Games also knew its next game would be set in space
• McDonald says the reason for the game's setting is because it's "fun"
• He adds that the anthology series allows the team to "do something different from the other big franchises"

According to Directive 8020 executive producer, Dan McDonald, Supermassive always knew that it would make a Dark Pictures game set in space.

In an interview with TechRadar Gaming ahead of the game's launch on May 12, McDonald revealed that the "quick, easy answer" for Directive 8020's space setting was simply because it's "fun", and that the team always knew what the fifth game in the Dark Pictures anthology would be.

"From the moment we started the series, we knew we were going to space, and we initially started off with eight ideas, which turned into the first five games, and, you know, we've got more in progress," McDonald said. "Game five was always going to go into space. We always knew we were going to go there."

Every Dark Pictures title is different, and as McDonald goes on to explain, this allows Supermassive to explore other horror concepts, whether it be the witch trials, a ghost ship, a group of friends stranded on a mountain with cannibalistic monsters, or, in Directive 8020's case, a sci-fi story featuring a terrifying creature that can mimic anyone.

"We do something different from the other big franchises. You know, we love Silent Hill, we love Resident Evil and that kind of thing. And their games are different every time, but they sit on Earth, it's similar locations and stuff. We get to change it up every time," McDonald said.

"When you look at horror franchises or movies or games, the sci-fi space is huge. Obviously, there are games like Alien Isolation and Dead Space. And we've all been talking about the Alien: Earth TV series, and there's just so many different places we can go. And that's why I say it's fun. It's really fun and also challenging for the team."

With that being said, the developer explained that Directive 8020's new direction, this meant the developers couldn't reuse assets from previous games, and they had to redesign most things.

"There are no trees in space for example," he said. "There is one tree on this ship, but there were no trees in space. There are no trees on the planet they go to. So there's a whole bunch of new skills that people working on the game have to express and learn.

"There are also new situations for us to do. If you think about the spaceship, when the journey first starts, you've got this big ship, but it's basically a tin can, and the only thing outside of that tin can is death. It’s a vacuum of space and it's isolating and there's a whole bunch of things you can play on and do differently. So yeah, that's why we've done it."

In the same interview, McDonald also revealed that Supermassive added the game's Turning Points system, a feature that allows players to rewind their decision mid-game, for fans who feel "disheartened" when they're unable to keep every character alive.

The fifth game in the Dark Pictures Anthology will be available next month for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

• Directive 8020 executive producer Dan McDonald says Supermassive Games was looking to add a rewind feature to its games "for a long time"
• The studio wants to support players who feel discouraged when they can't keep every character alive
• McDonald says Turning Points was also added for players who like to unlock everything

Supermassive Games is aware that fans feel "disheartened" when they're unable to keep every character alive in its Dark Pictures games, which is one of the big reasons upcoming entry Directive 8020 has a new rewind feature.

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming, executive producer Dan McDonald revealed that the game's Turning Points system, which allows players to rewind their decision mid-game, is a feature the team has been looking into "for a long time."

"On our previous games, going all the way back to Until Dawn, but also all the Dark Pictures games, as soon as you make a choice that’s locked in. So if you turn off your console, too late, there’s no save scumming for you. You’re stuck with decisions," McDonald said.

However, with Directive 8020, Supermassive decided to implement a rewind option because it knows many players like the challenge of trying to keep every character alive, but feel discouraged when they fail.

"We know a lot of our players, the first time they play through, they want to keep everyone alive. And it can be really disheartening when you mess up and your favourite character has died," he explained.

"Whilst we want you to experience that loss, in fact, one of my favourite things is making players cry as well as jump, we also want you to play a game that you want to experience.

And so if you want to be able to turn it back and undo it, we want to enable that and let you experience it the way you want."

McDonald continued, saying that from research and talking to fans, he knows that "a big percentage of our hardcore fans" will play the games "six, seven, eight times because they want to get all the different endings" and understands the desire to chase achievements.

In previous Dark Pictures titles, when players failed a quick-time event (QTE), they were stuck with the consequences of their actions. Offering players a rewind feature was something the team wanted to "support".

"I know from playing games myself that I like collecting things. I like finding everything, I like that little endorphin rush of unlocking a new thing," McDonald added. "You know, the Lego games do that brilliantly. There's a whole bunch of mini figures that you'll unlock, that you'll never use once you get Superman or Iron Man or whoever, but you still want to get them all.

"We want the players to experience that kind of feeling. And so Turning Points really helps do that."

Directive 8020 is the fifth game in the Dark Pictures Anthology and will release on May 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1052) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CALL
• TAN
• DRY
• FLOWER
• CHECK
• DIAL
• FOLD
• BID
• MATCH
• SORT
• STAMP
• APPEAL
• WASH
• SCREEN
• REQUEST
• COUPON

NYT Connections today (game #1052) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Plea deal
• GREEN: Things you do to clothes
• BLUE: They share a format with fiction
• PURPLE: Begin with a short bright word

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1052) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: ENTREATY
• GREEN: LAUNDRY DAY VERBS
• BLUE: THINGS THAT COME IN "BOOKS"
• PURPLE: SUN_____ 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1052) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1052, are…

• YELLOW: ENTREATY APPEAL, BID, CALL, REQUEST
• GREEN: LAUNDRY DAY VERBS DRY, FOLD, SORT, WASH
• BLUE: THINGS THAT COME IN "BOOKS" CHECK, COUPON, MATCH, STAMP
• PURPLE: SUN_____ DIAL, FLOWER, SCREEN, TAN

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

While I was thrilled to complete this game it was one that came with regret as I only saw the purple/hardest group of four words that begin SUN_____ with just eight tiles left — and there is no glory in that.

Initially I came close to selecting a group that was about collecting flowers, but beyond DRY it all felt too vague and fortunately I submitted the far more likely group of LAUNDRY DAY VERBS.

I was stumped by THINGS THAT COME IN “BOOKS” and I think that’s down to a mixture of cultural differences — COUPON books are not really a thing in the UK — and redundant objects in the form of MATCH books and CHECK books, both of which I have not seen for nearly a decade.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, April 27, game #1051)

• YELLOW: SALAD INGREDIENTS RANCH DRESSING, RED ONION, ROASTED CHICKEN, ROMAINE LETTUCE
• GREEN: CLASSIC FILMS RAIN MAN, REAR WINDOW, RESERVOIR DOGS, ROMAN HOLIDAY
• BLUE: "THE SIMPSONS" CHARACTERS RADIOACTIVE MAN, RALPH WIGGUM, REVEREND LOVEJOY, ROD FLANDERS
• PURPLE: ENDING IN NBA PLAYERS RAGING BULL, REGINA KING, ROE BUCK, ROTARY CLIPPER

• Crimson Desert's Steam player count is still higher than several live-service games a month after its launch
• The South Korean Prime Minister has praised Pearl Abyss, and says it has 'opened a new chapter for K-content'
• Crimson Desert has sold over five million copies and has stronger player retention than Elden Ring did a month after launch

Pearl Abyss' Crimson Desert has been almost untouchable since its launch in March, as it's still firmly placed in the center of gamers' discussions, and the charts alongside recent high-level praise only further reinforce its current dominance in the single-player genre.

As reported by GamesRadar, Crimson Desert still has a high Steam player count a month after its launch, with a 24-hour peak of 134,225 players, as shown on SteamDB. Notably, this 24-hour peak is higher than those of several active and popular live-service games, such as Arc Raiders (104,355), Marvel Rivals (133,145), and Battlefield 6 (57,117).

This is very rare for a single-player game, particularly one that is just over a month old. While the game's huge open world likely has a part to play in its current player count, the player retention is ultimately a testament to how well Pearl Abyss has crafted the game, as many gamers often abandon games that are similar due to open-world fatigue.

As a matter of fact, Crimson Desert has been so successful that it has caught the eye of South Korean Prime Minister, Kim Min-Seok, who recently said: "It [Crimson Desert] has captivated the hearts of users worldwide with a living game world created entirely from start to finish using their [Pearl Abyss'] own technology," which is known as the Black Space engine.

"By naturally incorporating Korean elements such as Taekwondo and Korean cuisine, it has opened a new chapter for K-content. This achievement marks a significant turning point, demonstrating that the domestic game industry can expand and leap forward across various platforms, including consoles."

It's worth noting that the game has successfully sold over five million copies, and as highlighted by Forbes, has managed to retain more players a month after launch than the critically acclaimed Elden Ring did when it launched in 2022. That's a big achievement that not many single-player open-world games have matched.

At this rate, it doesn't seem as if the spark that Pearl Abyss has lit within the single-player genre will die out any time soon, and after passing the 200-hour mark in Crimson Desert without feeling bored myself, it all makes sense.

• Valve is reportedly gearing up to announce the price and release date of the Steam Machine
• This comes at the same time that the Steam Controller is suspected to launch ahead of the Steam Machine
• Reports suggest Valve has been contemplating selling the Steam Machine at a loss, similar to the Steam Deck

Valve's Steam Machine has been in the pipeline for launch since its initial reveal in November 2025, but has suffered delays due to the ongoing memory crisis. Fortunately, the latest rumor suggests the tide may be turning in favor of gamers who have been anticipating the console-like PC.

According to Insider Gaming, Valve is edging closer to announcing the Steam Machine's price and release date. This comes after recent sightings of the Steam Controller on Steam's backend, imports, and users noticing the accessory's presence on the Komodo Station store (official online Steam store in Asia).

Those findings have led many to believe the Steam Machine isn't too far off from an official announcement from Valve, and Insider Gaming's Mike Straw adds some credence to gamers' speculation, stating: "I’m to understand that Valve is getting closer to confirming everything."

Perhaps most importantly, Insider Gaming's report highlights that Valve has been "going back and forth internally on pricing" and whether it would be able to "take a loss on the cost", at the very least on a short-term basis. That shouldn't come as a surprise, since the memory crisis is causing havoc for PC hardware manufacturers.

Valve taking a loss on the cost of the Steam Machine sounds familiar, as Valve boss Gabe Newell implied the Steam Deck was sold at a loss, describing the pricing as "painful" but "critical" to ensure the device got in the hands of as many consumers as possible.

History could repeat itself, but within more troubling times for Valve, as the hardware market's current state is unprecedented — and just like any gaming console or PC, the Steam Machine will require both RAM and storage, with the latter also seeing higher prices at both manufacturer and consumer levels.

There won't be a clear answer on Valve's choice regarding the Steam Machine's price until an official announcement arrives, but if it's priced at or below the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles that have received recent price hikes, then it places Valve in a strong position to compete in the console gaming space.

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1051) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• RADIOACTIVE MAN
• RAGING BULL
• RED ONION
• REGINA KING
• RESERVOIR DOGS
• REVEREND LOVEJOY
• ROMAN HOLIDAY
• ROASTED CHICKEN
• ROE BUCK
• REAR WINDOW
• ROMAINE LETTUCE
• ROD FLANDERS
• RAIN MAN
• ROTARY CLIPPER
• RALPH WIGGUM
• RANCH DRESSING

NYT Connections today (game #1051) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: A healthy lunch
• GREEN: 5-star movies
• BLUE: Straight outta Springfield
• PURPLE: Think: Basketball teams

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1051) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SALAD INGREDIENTS
• GREEN: CLASSIC FILMS
• BLUE: "THE SIMPSONS" CHARACTERS
• PURPLE: ENDING IN NBA PLAYERS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1051) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1051, are…

• YELLOW: SALAD INGREDIENTS RANCH DRESSING, RED ONION, ROASTED CHICKEN, ROMAINE LETTUCE
• GREEN: CLASSIC FILMS RAIN MAN, REAR WINDOW, RESERVOIR DOGS, ROMAN HOLIDAY
• BLUE: "THE SIMPSONS" CHARACTERS RADIOACTIVE MAN, RALPH WIGGUM, REVEREND LOVEJOY, ROD FLANDERS
• PURPLE: ENDING IN NBA PLAYERS RAGING BULL, REGINA KING, ROE BUCK, ROTARY CLIPPER

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

Usually when I am faced with a slightly different Connections grid my brain goes into panic mode, resulting in completely bafflement. Not today.

Somehow I managed to see all four groups immediately and decided to play a new game: guess which one of them warranted being the purple/hardest group. The singular NBA teams seemed the most obscure, so I went with that.

The only thing that gave me pause was RADIOACTIVE MAN, which I was uncertain was a character from The Simpsons but very certain did not belong among the CLASSIC FILMS.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, April 26, game #1050)

• YELLOW: STIPULATION CATCH, CAVEAT, FINE PRINT, STRINGS
• GREEN: VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS PITCH, RANGE, REGISTER, TONE
• BLUE: CHARACTERS IN "DICK AND JANE" DICK, JANE, MOTHER, SPOT
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH FACES BUILDING, CLIFF, CLOCK, POLYHEDRON

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1050) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SPOT
• CLIFF
• PITCH
• BUILDING
• MOTHER
• CLOCK
• CATCH
• STRINGS
• REGISTER
• FINE PRINT
• JANE
• TONE
• POLYHEDRON
• CAVEAT
• RANGE
• DICK

NYT Connections today (game #1050) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: An agreement with reservations
• GREEN: Singing vocabulary
• BLUE: Featured in popular children’s fiction
• PURPLE: A word that rhymes with “races” in common

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1050) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: STIPULATION
• GREEN: VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS
• BLUE: CHARACTERS IN "DICK AND JANE"
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH FACES

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1050) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1050, are…

• YELLOW: STIPULATION CATCH, CAVEAT, FINE PRINT, STRINGS
• GREEN: VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS PITCH, RANGE, REGISTER, TONE
• BLUE: CHARACTERS IN "DICK AND JANE" DICK, JANE, MOTHER, SPOT
• PURPLE: THINGS WITH FACES BUILDING, CLIFF, CLOCK, POLYHEDRON

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

My first quartet of tiles today fell into the category of a yellow group I thought was going to be purple.

Whenever this happens I know that I am in for a tough game and today’s was no exception, as I could barely see two words that could be linked — let alone four.

SPOT, DICK and JANE sounded like Children’s book characters, so I took a gamble and added CLIFF (something to do with Clifford the Big Red Dog perhaps?). After getting the “one away” message, MOTHER seemed the next most obvious. Next, with just eight tiles left I saw VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS immediately.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, April 25, game #1049)

• YELLOW: BODY COVERINGS ENAMEL, HAIR, NAIL, SKIN
• GREEN: MASSES, IN IDIOMS CROWD, HAYSTACK, MILLION, OCEAN
• BLUE: OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT COPPER, DICK, FLATFOOT, GUMSHOE
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "THROW" CAST IRON, CHUCK E. CHEESE, HURLY-BURLY, PITCHFORK

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #1049) - today's words

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HAYSTACK
• PITCHFORK
• COPPER
• OCEAN
• CAST IRON
• ENAMEL
• HURLY-BURLY
• NAIL
• DICK
• CHUCK E.
• CHEESE
• HAIR
• CROWD
• GUMSHOE
• SKIN
• MILLION
• FLATFOOT

NYT Connections today (game #1049) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Human protection
• GREEN: Phrases including a large amount
• BLUE: retro ways to describe a detective
• PURPLE: Begin with a word for “toss”

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #1049) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BODY COVERINGS
• GREEN: MASSES, IN IDIOMS
• BLUE: OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "THROW"

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #1049) - the answers

The answers to today's Connections, game #1049, are…

• YELLOW: BODY COVERINGS ENAMEL, HAIR, NAIL, SKIN
• GREEN: MASSES, IN IDIOMS CROWD, HAYSTACK, MILLION, OCEAN
• BLUE: OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT COPPER, DICK, FLATFOOT, GUMSHOE
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "THROW" CAST IRON, CHUCK E. CHEESE, HURLY-BURLY, PITCHFORK

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 mistake

Today’s green group MASSES, IN IDIOMS was one that I put together without properly thinking about it, but the phrase “needle in a haystack” had been in my mind earlier in the game as I made a mistake inexplicably linking HAYSTACK, PITCHFORK, MILLION and NAIL.

I’m really not sure what I was thinking there, but I pulled myself together enough to get OLD TIMEY SLANG FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. This is an area where they could have come up with 160 different tiles, such is the variety of nicknames for bobbies and narcs.

Alas, today the purple group passed me by — largely because I’d wrongly assumed some inside knowledge about CHUCK E CHEESE was required, when all that was actually needed was knowledge of the word "chuck".

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Friday, April 24, game #1048)

• YELLOW: PIZZA INGREDIENTS CHEESE, DOUGH, PEPPERONI, TOMATO SAUCE
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH OCTOPUSES ARMS, INK, INTELLIGENCE, SUCTION CUPS
• BLUE: THEY HAVE BLADES GRASS, HELICOPTER, ICE SKATES, LAWN MOWER
• PURPLE: WHAT "CAB" MIGHT REFER TO CABIN, CALLOWAY, RED WINE, TAXI