Following layoffs at Polygon after its sale to Valnet, former Polygon writers Ryan Gilliam and Jeffrey Parkin have launched Big Friendly Guide, a new website focused on video game guides available at bigfriendly.guide. The site aims to help gamers enjoy their favorite games with comprehensive guides, and most content will be free and not paywalled. While initial revenue will come from ads, the founders plan to build a supportive community through a Patreon and a subscriber-only Discord and podcast. They welcome community suggestions for guides and intend to maintain their passion for creating helpful content rather than pursuing large financial gains. This follows other ventures by ex-Polygon staff, contributing to the indie gaming media scene.
Taylor Swift has announced that she now owns all of the music she has ever created, after purchasing the masters of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital. Previously, the masters were owned by entertainment executive Scooter Braun, who acquired them through the purchase of The Big Machine Label Group in 2019. Swift expressed gratitude for finally gaining full autonomy over her music, including her music videos, concert films, album art, photography, and unreleased songs. She credited the support from her fans for her re-recorded Taylor's Versions albums and The Eras Tour concerts as key to enabling the buyback. Braun stated he is happy for Swift following the transaction.
Over 300 quality assurance workers at ZeniMax, part of the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA union, have reached a tentative contract agreement with Microsoft. This marks the first contract agreement at Microsoft since the video game industry began its unionization efforts about four years ago. The union, formed in 2023 and recognized by Microsoft under its labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, has negotiated contract terms including wage increases, protections against arbitrary dismissal, and crediting guidelines. These gains are significant for QA workers, who are among the lowest-paid in the industry. A ratification vote is scheduled for late June. This agreement sets a precedent for future union negotiations within the video game industry, especially within Microsoft and its subsidiaries.
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has launched, the original Nintendo Switch remains popular among millions of users. This guide highlights the best wireless controllers for the Switch, focusing on comfort, reliability, and unique features. The Joy-Cons that come with the console are convenient but not ideal for long gaming sessions due to their small size. We cover several wireless controllers, such as the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and Max, Hori Split Pad Pro for handheld mode, and 8BitDo's Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Pro 2. Our picks prioritize Bluetooth connectivity, build quality, customization options, and value. Some third-party controllers may lack features like HD rumble, motion controls, NFC for Amiibo, and console remote power on. Testing included various game genres and usability factors like button feel, connectivity, and ergonomics. We also mention an adapter by 8BitDo that allows using other Bluetooth controllers with the Switch. Upcoming new controllers are expected with the Switch 2 launch, but current Switch controllers, particularly the Pro Controller, will work with it. This guide helps Nintendo Switch owners find the best controller to match their gaming style and platform needs in 2024.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has signed the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act (LB504), aimed at reducing children's time spent on social media and protecting their mental health. The law requires major platforms to offer chronological feeds instead of recommendation algorithms, allow users to limit time spent online, and restrict notifications during night and school hours. It also enforces stricter privacy settings for minors, limiting data collection and targeted advertising. While similar laws exist in California and Maryland, they face legal challenges from tech group NetChoice, which argues the law may pose security risks and conflict with COPPA. Nebraska's law will take effect on January 1, 2026, with fines for violations starting July 1, 2026.
Microsoft has rolled out a major update to its Windows Notepad app for Canary and Dev Channel testers on Windows 11. The update introduces text formatting options such as bold, italic, hyperlinks, lists, and headings accessible via a new formatting toolbar. Notepad now supports Markdown input and syntax views, allowing users to toggle between them. Users can clear formatting easily or disable the feature altogether in settings. Additionally, Notepad has integrated an AI-powered Write feature that helps draft text based on user prompts, making the app resemble Microsoft Word more than ever. This marks a significant evolution for Notepad, which had remained largely unchanged for decades but is now gaining numerous advanced features following the removal of WordPad from Windows.
Elon Musk appeared at the White House with a black eye, which he said resulted from playful rough-housing with his young son. During a press conference with President Trump, Musk showed the injury while reflecting on his turbulent five-month tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite claims of saving the government trillions by cutting waste, his efforts largely failed, including cuts linked to significant humanitarian consequences. Concurrently, Tesla is facing declining market share and its first sales drop in years, contributing to Musk's declining popularity and reported exhaustion due to backlash against his ventures. Tesla's board has been rumored to seek a new CEO, though they have denied these claims.
Grindr has introduced 'Right Now,' a new feature designed to speed up connection-making on the hookup app by offering a social media-style live feed. This feature shows a stream of recent posts with text and photos that disappear after an hour, allowing users to indicate if they are looking to host. Initially tested in select markets, 'Right Now' is now available to all users, with free hourly sessions in some locations and plans for more purchasable sessions. The feature aims to reduce guesswork and match users with like-minded people quickly. This launch is part of Grindr's broader strategy to integrate generative AI-powered features, such as chat summarization and an AI assistant named Wingman, to enhance user engagement and generate revenue. Grindr's CEO emphasizes the company's commitment to being an AI-native startup, leveraging AI for productivity and future growth.
A group of young individuals, ranging from 7 to 25 years old, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging executive orders that promote fossil fuels and allegedly violate their constitutional rights by undermining climate action. The plaintiffs argue that these orders, which favor fossil fuel production and hinder renewable energy, contribute to increased pollution, climate change, and health risks, especially citing the case of two brothers suffering from wildfire smoke-induced health problems. The suit claims the administration's actions infringe on their Fifth Amendment rights and demand the blocking of such policies. The case highlights growing youth-led legal efforts to combat climate change and protect environmental health.
Two Amazon influencers, Sydney Nicole Sloneker and Alyssa Sheil, have asked a judge to dismiss a copyright lawsuit involving claims of content similarity. The case, one of the first of its kind in the influencer industry, centered on allegations that Sheil copied Sloneker's photos and videos promoting Amazon products. However, evidence showed Sheil had taken some disputed photos first. Sloneker decided to withdraw her lawsuit due to the financial and time burdens of a trial, while Sheil denies any wrongdoing and plans to continue creating Amazon-related content. This case highlights broader issues about influencer content ownership, social media algorithms, and the competitive nature of content creation online.