Entertainment

The video game industry "is currently in an unusual state of flux," says Jeffrey L. Wilson, PCMag’s managing editor for apps and gaming, citing high-profile delays (Grand Theft Auto VI's release has been pushed back again, to November 2026) and several studios cancelling games, downsizing, or outright closing. “On the flip side," Wilson adds, "there are more ways to play your favorite titles. Xbox's Gears of War is on PlayStation, PlayStation's Hell Divers 2 is on Xbox, and both console manufacturers support PC. With development costs skyrocketing, it makes sense to put games on as many platforms as possible, which is a win for consumers.” And consumers are still spending. Console gaming is huge, up 5.5% since last year and accounting for $45.9 billion of the gaming industry's market in 20...

Debuting on Broadway in 2003, Wicked, based on a novel by Gregory Maguire, retells the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba. Now, over 20 years later, the musical has been adapted into two movies each based on a different act of the show: 2024's Wicked and 2025's Wicked: For Good. Directed by Jon M. Chu, both of the films star Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, and Jeff Goldblum. Ever since the early days of Wicked's success on Broadway, rumors of a cinematic adaptation have swirled; however, Marc Platt, producer of both the musical and the film, revealed that its journey onto the big screen actually stretched back to the Wicked book's release in 1995. "When I first re...

After he stopped touring full time as a musician several years ago, Aaron Humble increased his pace of sending out feelers to conductors of groups that fly in musicians for a week-long project that often ends in a CD-quality recording.As it often goes, he didn’t hear back from one of the groups he reached out to — True Concord Voices and Orchestra based out of Tucson, Ariz.On a gig months later in Santa Fe, N.M., the Cal State San Marcos associate professor of music was approached by a fellow tenor explaining how a group in Tucson needed another tenor for an upcoming project.Humble booked the trip and enjoyed a week of recording and camaraderie.“The first conversation I had with the conductor was him sort of sheepishly saying, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry that I never responded, but I do really ...

What does SACHI's MEXC listing mean for the gaming community?The listing of SACHI on MEXC is a significant development for the gaming community. It enhances liquidity and provides a platform where the community can come together globally. This strategic listing opens avenues for fresh players and investors to delve into the SACHI universe, fostering a vibrant community focused on its gaming model. Such a move boosts visibility while enabling easy trading and staking opportunities, which are critical for the SACHI ecosystem. What is the "play-first, wallet-later" model SACHI employs?SACHI adopts a "play-first, wallet-later" approach, allowing users to engage with premium gameplay without needing a crypto wallet upfront. This model diminishes entry barriers, inviting casual gamers into the W...

AARP is gearing up to celebrate the best films and TV shows of the year with its annual Movies for Grownups Awards, and the nominations are about to be revealed live. On Wednesday, November 19, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Alan Cumming will go live on Instagram and Facebook to announce the 2026 nominees, honoring standout storytelling that resonates with the influential 50-plus audience. The livestream begins at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET on AARP's official social channels, with the full nomination list posting immediately afterward at AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards official website.Article continues below advertisementAARP's Movies For Grownups Continues To Champion Age-Positive StorytellingLISA OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGANow in its third decade, Movies for Grownups has remained a lead...

If you know Thomas Dolby only as the man who “blinded us with science,” his upcoming San Francisco show is a chance to rediscover just how wildly inventive and influential his 35-year career has been.Dolby didn’t just help define the sound of the British New Wave; he expanded what pop music could be. An early MTV icon, he blended electronics, humor and cinematic imagination into videos that still feel ahead of their time. And the same year he topped the pop and dance charts, he co-wrote and produced the rap 12-inch, Whodini’s “Magic’s Wand.”His fingerprints are everywhere: as a producer and synth savant for Foreigner, Def Leppard, George Clinton and Joni Mitchell; onstage with Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and David Bowie at Live Aid.Dolby has also built a parallel life as a technologist, ...

Rebecca Heineman, a pioneering figure in the video game industry and co-founder of Interplay Productions, has died at age 62 after a brief battle with cancer, IGN reported.Friends and colleagues confirmed her passing on Bluesky, describing her as a “trailblazing game industry bad-ass” and “one of the most brilliant programmers around,” IGN said.According to Primetimer, Heineman first made headlines in 1980 when, at just 14, she won the national Space Invaders championship, becoming the first recognized U.S. video game champion. That victory launched a career spanning more than four decades, during which she co-founded Interplay in 1983 and helped create iconic titles like “Wasteland,” “Fallout” and “Baldur’s Gate.”Beyond her programming achievements, Heineman was a vocal advocate for LGBTQ...

Keep reading to find great recommendations for little streamers, including feel-good stories, upbeat Super Heroes, and plenty of sing-along moments.Parents and caregivers know that not all kids’ programming is created equal. To help you find the best family-friendly movies and shows on Disney+, we combed through a fresh lineup of hits that balance fun, heart, and gentle life lessons. Whether your little one lights up for beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, gravitates toward pint-size Super Heroes, or loves an epic musical voyage, this watch guide has an option that will keep the whole family smiling. Discover favorites such as Bluey or find new adventures with Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends – all ready to add to your Watchlist today.Shows for Preschool KidsMic...

Jack McMahon, a vital member of the Portland music community for half a centery, has died at age 76. Photo: Owen Carey The quinces on my kitchen counter are starting to look a little mottled. I probably should cook them, but they’re the last of a small bag of the fruits given to me by my friend and co-worker, Jack McMahon, from a tree in his yard. Once these are gone, I won’t be getting any more. So there they sit, hard and bitter, as indigestible as grief. Jack McMahon, an admired singer-songwriter and a beloved stalwart of the Portland music scene since the early 1970s, died unexpectedly in late October at age 76. Having written about music for many years in Portland, I’d known Jack glancingly. In the past few years I got to know him a bit better, working alongside him at Music M...

Dungeons & Dragons has soared in popularity in ways that many of us D&D nerds would never have anticipated. In the gaming sphere, there are multiple titles taking place in the canon universe; and, in the case of Baldur's Gate 3, winning Game of the Year for it. However, there is one major drawback when it comes to D&D games: these games are missing crucial elements of D&D itself. Related ...