HiTLeR

V1 , Text & effect ❤️

No optional updates next month, as remaining staff focus on the main security patches Windows 10 updates for December will be limited to crucial security fixes only – in other words, the monthly patch Tuesday cumulative updates – with no optional updates to follow later in the month. Microsoft explains that the security updates for December are effectively being prioritized because staff members will be on vacation for the holiday season, so the optional (not security-related) updates are being shelved to allow for software engineers to focus on the main fixes. How to speed up Windows 10 We solve 100 common Windows 10 problems How to uninstall a Windows 10 update As Windows Latest spotted, Microsoft wrote in a support document for the latest November security patches: “Because of minimal operations during the holidays and the upcoming Western new year, there won’t be any preview releases for the month of December 2020. Monthly servicing will resume with the January 2021 security releases.” Those preview releases are the optional updates released in the third and fourth weeks of the month, referred to as ‘C’ or ‘D’ updates due to their timing. Patch Tuesday updates arrive on the second Tuesday of the month, therefore they’re ‘B’ patches, due in the second week (there are no ‘A’ updates, as usually nothing happens in the first week of the month). Smooth sailing? The optional updates will resume in January, as mentioned, and hopefully by focusing on the main fixes in December, this will ensure a better chance of them running smoothly. After all, things haven’t been going all that well for Windows 10 updates in recent times, as we’ve seen – so this would seem like a sensible move by Microsoft. Fresh bugs that have hit Windows 10 updates of late include a problem that caused serious issues with the operating system’s interface, and another pesky little gremlin which is affecting gamers. In all likelihood, we won’t see much in the way of new preview builds for Windows 10 testers over the holiday season either (or if there are any, changes will doubtless be kept to a minimum).

In brief: AMD touted a new Smart Access Memory feature for its RDNA 2 graphics cards (Radeon RX 6000 series) as something exclusive to an all-AMD configuration, but Nvidia says it will soon enable similar functionality for RTX 30 series Ampere GPUs that work will work when paired with either an AMD or Intel CPU. When AMD launched its Radeon RX 6000 series graphics cards earlier this month, it was shown featuring double the performance of the previous generation (AMD's numbers, not ours, yet). The RDNA 2 architecture afforded those gains relying on three nifty tricks to achieve some of the purported performance claims: a 128 MB Infinity Cache, RAGE Mode, and Smart Access Memory. Of those three, only Infinity Cache is a true AMD exclusive. RAGE Mode is essentially an overclocking profile in the Radeon Software, and its results may vary depending on the silicon lottery. Smart Access Memory (SAM) as a performance-boosting technology is an interesting feature that AMD says will only work when pairing a Ryzen 5000 series CPU with a Radeon 6000 series graphics card on a 500 Series motherboard. Essentially, it allows dynamic expansion of the data channel between the CPU and the graphics memory (VRAM) to improve overall performance -- up to 11 percent according to AMD. In a typical PC configuration today, only a small portion of the frame buffer (typically 256 MB) used by the GPU is exposed over the PCIe bus. Smart Access Memory is marketing speak for something called 'resizable base access register (BAR),' which is actually part of the PCIe 3.0 and later spec, and supported through the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) v2. So far, AMD has created the perception that this technology was exclusive to its RDNA 2 graphics cards, but recently Nvidia told GamersNexus that its Ampere cards also support resizable BAR and achieve similar performance gains when they have it enabled. However, that will come through a future software update, with no indication as to when. AMD's RX 6000 series cards are set for release next week (reviews!!), which is a tight window for Nvidia if it wants to have the drivers ready by then. Interestingly, Nvidia intends to make this work with both AMD and Intel CPUs and on either PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 3.0 motherboards, throwing the ball in AMD's court to do the same. This means AMD will likely be the first to support resizable BAR, but Nvidia may eventually have it working on many more configurations. And if it brings the same performance gains as it does for RDNA 2 cards to Ampere, it might change the picture we've seen in AMD's glossy benchmarks. One way or another, it remains to be seen if you will be able to get ahold of a Ryzen 5000 CPU, RTX 3000 or Radeon RX 6000 graphics card before the year is over.

Developed by: Bluepoint Games , JapanStudio Published by: Sony Interactive Entertainment , PlayStation Studios Genre(s): Action , Role-Playing There's much to praise about the remake of Demon's Souls. It's a remarkable technical showpiece for the PlayStation 5; a gripping gameplay experience that oscillates between exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and downright heartbreaking; and a faithful recreation of the seminal title that birthed the Souls-like subgenre. But developer Bluepoint's greatest achievement is that it took something I'm intimately familiar with and made me feel like I was venturing into the unknown. Fundamentally, Demon's Souls for PS5 is what it has always been. Barring some small tweaks, the design of the game is identical to From Software's original. The core mechanics are unchanged, the enemies are placed in the same positions and behave in the same ways, the devious tricks and traps are still there, ready to catch the unfamiliar off-guard. And yet, while retreading a well-worn path through the kingdom of Boletaria, I find myself without the confidence I should have. I'm cautiously approaching basic enemies with my shield raised, knowing their every move and how to overcome them, but fearing them still. I stand paralyzed at the end of narrow stone tunnels ominously lit by flickering torches, knowing exactly what awaits in the darkness, but still needing to will myself forward. And as monstrous demons step into arenas in which I've bested them dozens of times, I begin to doubt my chances at victory once more. Yes, Demon's Souls is undoubtedly an impressive technical achievement. But what makes it special is how Bluepoint has applied its own creative vision to From Software's original to remake the game not just as it was, but as it was meant to be, realizing its full potential. The result is a title that pays homage to From Software's work, but at the same time stands as brilliant in its own right. In breathing new life into Boletaria, Bluepoint has taken some artistic license with From Software's work, for better or worse depending on your perspective. While the body of the game may look vastly different, its soul remains intact--I could feel as much as I stood in familiar places and absorbed the overwhelming amount of new details. As a result, it was as if I were experiencing the game all over again with a fresh pair of eyes, and in doing so, the emotions I felt on my first time through were stirred once more. Stepping into The Nexus, the hub area for the game, felt like coming home, but what I once perceived to be an abandoned prison for the souls of wayward warriors now felt like a welcoming place of respite. Candles bathed the cold otherworldly architecture in a warm glow, statues were shrouded in brilliant, hopeful white light, and a fuller, richer version of the orchestral theme played to drive home the melancholic mood of the hidden temple. Every facet of the environment is rich in detail, from the rippling water in the central pool to the intricate stone carvings and metal detailing on the archstones used to transport you to distant lands in search of demon's souls. Even the people who occupy The Nexus have more detail, which in turn gives them greater depth. Stockpile Thomas, a forlorn figure who sits in a nook of The Nexus and offers to look after your excess items and equipment, tells his story in a way that wasn't possible before. His wife and child were killed and his ineptitude in battle meant he was unable to save them. This is the first time in many hours of playing Demon's Souls that I've been able to read the expressions on Thomas's face, and the pain is visible as he recounts his tragic loss. His eyes look reddened and puffy, as if he'd just been crying. Though their lines may be brief, the voices of these characters sound familiar--some have been re-recorded with the same actors, while others are new. The way Blacksmith Ed chastises you for not making use of his services, the Maiden in Black's oft-repeated prayer whenever she uses her abilities to strengthen you, Patches' insincerity as he tries to hide his deceitful nature--it all sounds right, and where new or tweaked writing and vocal performances appear, they still evoke the intended effect. That is true of every area in the game. Each of the five archstones takes you to locales that are jaw-dropping visually and distinct atmospherically. The Boletarian Palace lies in ruin, with battlements barely standing or entirely destroyed. Mindless dreglings wander around, attacking you on-sight with a frenzy of sword swings ending in an exasperated sigh of exhaustion. This is a game that, in numerous ways, serves as a showcase for all of the PS5 signature features, and hearing Demon's Souls is as gratifying as seeing and playing it. Thanks to the 3D audio through headphones, the heavy and threatening breathing of a Blue Eye Knight told me it was nearby before I could even see it. Buzzing flies and the ragged caws of pecking crows made the sight of a decaying horse carcass all the more unsightly. And as archers fired arrows, the sound of them whizzing by my ears revealed just how narrowly I had escaped. Unlike Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro--From Software's follow-up games--Demon's Souls has a loose structure to progression. It encourages, and sometimes by way of insurmountable enemies, deadly bosses, and locked doors, forces you to travel to locations on other archstones until you are equipped to forge ahead again. This means it can be difficult to get comfortable with any location--it's always ushering you toward dangerous unknowns, and Bluepoint's technically and artistically stunning graphics mean each new area is an absolute joy to behold, as well as an anxiety-ridden nightmare to venture through even for veterans. [Bluepoint's Demon's Souls remake is] a title that pays homage to From Software's work, but at the same time stands as brilliant in its own right. Crucially, in each location, the new effects, beautiful lighting, and gorgeous modeling never upend From Software's intent and, in fact, create a truer representation of it. Advancement in technology and game design have given Bluepoint tools to do what From Software couldn't on the PS3 back in 2009. The maze of tunnels in Stonefang feels even more claustrophobic and as you venture deeper, the rippling steam coming off lava makes the sweltering hot environment feel oppressive. The Valley of Defilement's wet wooden scaffolding looks perilous to walk along, and torches burn bright blue, violently moving as if agitated by an unseen toxic gas--you feel gross just standing there. Bosses are treated with the same kind of care, either true to the original or changed to more closely embody the spirit of it. The Vanguard looks less like one of those rubber Monsters In My Pocket toys from the '90s and more like a disgusting demonic executioner. The Tower Knight looms above you, striking a presence that is both heroic and terrifying, and when it hurls a soul spear in your direction, the booming sound and the screen shake accompanied by the DualSense's arresting vibration will make you think twice about stepping out into the open. The Flamelurker fight, because of how good the animation work is, made me feel like I was a matador trapped in a lava pit with a demonic flaming bull constantly bearing down on me. The thundering sound of its erratic movement coupled with the intense visual feedback turned it into a desperate, panicked battle for survival. Technically, Demon's Souls is astounding. On Performance Mode, it displays gorgeous visuals rendered at 1440p and upscaled to 4K at a consistent, smooth frame rate. Cinematic Mode runs at native 4K, but this seems to come at the cost of performance, as I found the frame rate to be much less consistent. I stuck to Performance Mode, and did so with the new offset camera view, which I found to frame the game in a more cinematic way. Features such as the ability to make the UI dynamically fade in and out do a great deal to improve immersion. There are also multiple graphical filters available, including the more muted, greener palette of the original PS3 release (although I think Bluepoint's version, with its richness and vibrancy, should be the way you play the first time through). If it wasn't clear, Demon's Souls on PS5 is one of the best-looking and -sounding games I've ever played. Outside of its presentation, Bluepoint has employed a defter touch. As mentioned previously, Demon's Souls on PS5 plays very much the same, mechanically speaking. However, Bluepoint has clearly spent a great deal of effort on improving the feedback so everything is more impactful. There's a weightiness and heft to the game that is communicated visually and through audio. Everything from movement to attacks, evasion, and even consuming items has a physicality to it. There's a real sense of inertia and momentum as your blade cuts through the air, and noticeable resistance as it meets the steel of armor or the flesh of an enemy. Heavy weapons come crashing down in an incredibly satisfying way, and you'll be thankful for your shield every time an enemy's attack bounces off it. If you pick a magic-based build, you can send your spell off into the distance and watch as it travels, lighting up everything it passes before erupting like a little star going supernova. Even though enemies haven't changed as far as the kinds of attacks they do, when they use them, or how much health they possess, the visual feedback instills a greater sense of danger. You don't want to get hit by things because it looks and sounds like they hurt, on top of actually taking massive chunks out of your health bar. The physicality now supports and reinforces the deliberate, methodical nature of Souls combat. And that's what stripped me of some of my confidence; the difference in the way it feels--along with actually being a little rusty--has forced me to once again respect Demon's Souls, because it is as ruthless as it has ever been, and in many cases more ruthless than the Souls games that followed it. New additions such as unique attack and finisher animations give weapons more of an identity then they had in the original, and landing ripostes is such a rush that you'll want to try and parry every enemy. But by sticking so closely to From Software's framework, Bluepoint has also carried forward some of the more idiosyncratic aspects of the Demon's Souls gameplay experience. Although World Tendency is explained a bit better and more readily visible to the player, that doesn't make the underlying issues of it any better. It's still, for all but the most learned players, quite obtuse as a concept. World Tendency can skew the state of the various locations towards white or black, depending on certain actions that you take or happen to you, though these aren't ever explained. Most players will notice their health is capped while in Soul form and use an item to restore their human form to access the restricted pool, not knowing that dying in human form makes the world skew towards black tendency, where enemies hit harder. The idea of a player struggling, dying, and the game becoming harder as a result is suspect, but it is nonetheless intact in the remake. Demon's Souls for PS5 also features the same finicky multiplayer system that it had on PS3, and that From Software's games continue to have. There are specific conditions that need to be met and items employed to enable jolly cooperation, but the information around this isn't surfaced in a clear, visible way for newcomers to understand. It then falls on the player to figure it out through a frustrating process of trial and error, seek out guidance from someone in the know, or go hunting for information in a sea of forums and threads written around the 2009 version of the game. But I can't fault Bluepoint for leaving it untouched, warts and all. The studio is in the unenviable position of remaking one of the most beloved games of all time, which has an incredibly passionate and vocal fanbase. And what might seem like a reasonable change to one person could be an undermining of what makes the game unique, distinct, and memorable to another. While the dissonance between the game's modern look and feel and some of the more outdated aspects of its design is noticeable, it doesn't impact the experience significantly. Although I would have liked to see Bluepoint address the more obviously flawed elements, playing it safe and honoring the work and legacy of From Software and Demon's Souls was the right move. Quirks aside, Bluepoint's remake is an unmitigated success. It is a technical tour de force and a true showpiece for the PS5 and the power of Sony's next-generation console. But, more importantly, it's also a creative marvel coming from a studio that is clearly showing the world it has its own voice. Bluepoint has taken From Software's original game and expressed it in a richer and fuller way, and in doing so given me something I thought was impossible: the opportunity to relive the experience of falling in love with Souls games for the first time.

Both songs amazing but my vote goes to DH2 i like it more than DH1

V2 , Better effect & text

On Thursday, the US special envoy for Iran affirmed the continuation of the sanctions campaign against Tehran under the Biden administration, even as the president-elect pledged to return the United States to the nuclear deal with world powers. Elliott Abrams, who also serves as the US special representative for Venezuela, said sanctions targeting Iran over its human rights violations, ballistic missile program and regional influence "will continue." He added that this, in addition to the constant scrutiny by United Nations inspectors and American partners in the Middle East, would maintain this pressure. Iran now possesses much more uranium than it is permitted under the agreement, from which President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew in 2018, and the Middle East is also suffering from tensions in Tehran and Washington, which pushed the two countries to the brink of war at the beginning of the year. "Even if we go back (to the agreement) and even if the Iranians are ready to come back," Abrams said in an interview with The Associated Press. With this newly enriched uranium, you will not have really solved these basic questions about whether Iran will be allowed to violate the long-term commitments it has made to the international community. ” Iran's mission to the United Nations has not yet responded to a request for comment on Abrams' remarks, noting that Iranian politicians have increasingly discussed the possibility of the United States returning to the agreement that restricted Tehran to enrich uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Abrams replaced Brian Hook as the envoy on Iran, who announced that he had left his post in August after facing Trump's maximum pressure campaign. Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, which would have been less than 300 kilograms under the agreement, is more than 2,440 kilograms (5,380 pounds), according to the most recent report by UN inspectors. This is likely to be enough material to build at least two nuclear weapons, experts say, if Iran chooses to continue working on the bomb. Iran is enriching uranium up to 4.5 percent, which is higher than permitted under the agreement, but still well below the levels of nuclear weapons manufacture of 90 percent. Tehran abandoned all restrictions on uranium enrichment months after Trump withdrew from the deal, even as the agreement's other international partners - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany - tried to save it in vain. Meanwhile, Iran began construction work at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility underground after the outbreak of a fire and explosion, which it described as a "sabotage" act at a factory for assembling advanced centrifuges last July. Abrams described the construction as "another Iranian challenge" to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is still carrying out inspections at Iran's nuclear sites, and condemned Iran's slowdown in allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency to investigate a suspicious site outside Tehran, where enriched uranium particles were discovered. Iran has consistently emphasized the peacefulness of its nuclear program, but the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran “carried out activities related to the production of a nuclear bomb” in an “organized program” until the end of 2003. Abrams stated that Iran is seeking to use US citizens who are still being held in its prisons, as bargaining chips in future negotiations.

Experiment with various fruits and unrefined sugars until you hit the right balance of texture and flavour Is sugar an essential ingredient in baking? What substitutes can I use, or can I simply just cut back on the quantity? Alex, Bath It’s first worth understanding what role the sweet stuff plays in bakes, Alex, and few are more clued up on the subject than Nicola Lamb, pastry chef and co-owner of pop-up bakery Puff. “Baking is a team effort of all the ingredients, and sugar is a big player,” she says, citing moisture, texture, caramelisation, flavour and longevity among its attributes. In the name of research, Lamb baked three sponges: one using the sugar quantity specified in a recipe, the second using half and the third using none. The result? The sugarless cake was dense, pale and dry (“People would still believe it was a cake, just not a very good one”), while half measures made a crumb that was soft but dense, and tasted “OK”. So, in short: yes, you can mess around with the sugar in cakes, but accept that the taste and texture won’t be the same. “You just have to make that deal with yourself,” Lamb adds. There’s no getting away from the fact that sugar substitutes require experimentation. Fruit is a po[CENSORED]r option, because of its natural sugars, although Jerrelle Guy, author of Black Girl Baking, wouldn’t swap like for like because “their properties are very different”. Instead, use fruit (or veg) as a foil for adding less sugar to quick breads, cakes and brownies, or things that call for “fudginess and moisture”. Muffins are another good starting point, says Feast regular Benjamina Ebuehi, author of The New Way to Cake: “They’re quite forgiving, so start by removing 20-25% of the sugar, add a little apple sauce and see what that does.” Then, up the apple: “Try different percentages until you find your sweet spot.” Dates are another option: Lamb boils them until tender, then blitzes and adds to banana bread or chocolate cake. In her book Baking with Less Sugar, Boston baker Joanne Chang soaks hers with a little baking soda to “break down the sometimes leathery skin”, before adding to shortbread (nine to 12 dates for 12 biscuits). Chang is also a fan of fruit juice in pound cakes, sorbets and ice-creams. In her carrot-pineapple cake recipe, she simmers 335ml apple juice and the juice from a 225g tin of pineapple chunks for 20-25 minutes, until reduced to 180ml. She then whisks this into the wet ingredients, before folding in the dry. Then there are syrups, honey, molasses and unrefined sugars, such as coconut, to play with. This route isn’t plain sailing, either, especially when liquids are involved. “You can’t subtract one thing without throwing off the rest of the equation,” Guy says. “If the sugar is just adding flavour [rather than tenderness, structure, aeration, etc], then maybe swap in maple syrup or honey.” You could do this for custard, too, “but use at least 25% less volume, or you could make it excessively sweet”. As in life, it’s all about priorities. Lamb takes the “sugar hit” when it comes to her favourite bakes, and looks to cut down elsewhere: “A great mascarpone with some roast fruit can also be a satisfying dessert.”

KBB Editors’ Overview KBB Overall Rating: 4.2 out of 5 The 2021 BMW X7 is a luxury 3-row midsize SUV/crossover. As the number implies, it’s bigger than the X5. It’s actually the largest vehicle BMW makes. There’s plenty of room for adults in every row, along with a commodious cargo area and an extensive menu of upscale features. Being a BMW, however, it still rides and handles in an engaging way. Not with the same precision as, say, an M3, but the X7’s road-going talents are nevertheless remarkable for its size. The X7 was an all-new vehicle for the 2019 model year, so its style and technology remain fresh. This year sees the introduction of the Alpina XB7, a specially tuned version also built in Spartanburg with the regular X7 and available from BMW dealers with a full factory warranty. Rivals in this rarefied class include the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7, Lincoln Aviator, and Lexus GX. The GLS-Class is slightly larger; the Aviator and GX are considerably less expensive. How Much Does the 2021 BMW X7 Cost? The so-called entry-level model is the 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i, with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $74,900. A $995 destination charge brings that to $75,895. The 2021 X7 M50i starts at $100,795. If anyone is considering the Alpina XB7, they should have a budget of at least $143k. Adding options to any X7 will naturally push all these figures higher. It’s possible to take an M50i to $125k. The 2021 X7 is more expensive than the Audi Q7, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the venerable (old) Lexus GX. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is about the same. Although not as performance-oriented, a nicely equipped Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90, or Infiniti QX60 (new for 2021) would all be around $25k less than a new X7. Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new X7. In the resale value stakes, the X7 retains its worth as well as the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, slightly less than the Range Rover Sport and Volvo XC90, and higher than the Infiniti QX60 and Cadillac Escalade. Driving the 2021 BMW X7 At high speeds, the X7 feels wonderfully stable and planted. And amazingly quiet, creating the deceptive notion that the X7 is moving slower than it really is. The ride is enhanced by an air suspension that nullifies most jolts, yet without the slightly unnerving floating feeling over rough surfaces. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 is a smooth engine with linear power delivery and negligible turbo lag. Not quite as eager, obviously, as the raging 523-horsepower V8 in the M50i, but the xDrive40i is almost $25,000 less than its V8-powered stablemate, and that can buy a lot of options. The xDrive40i is estimated to average around 21 mpg. The V8-powered M50i achieves 17 mpg. The inline-6 is also the quieter engine, which will appeal to many drivers who think a luxury SUV should be silent as well as swift. Sport mode firms up the suspension and lowers ride height by almost an inch, which drops the center of gravity a little for optimum cornering ability. The automatic transmission’s shift points also occur higher up the engine’s rev range, and the action becomes even quicker. Sport mode also energizes throttle response. Just for the fun of it, the Alpina XB7’s twin-turbocharged V8 makes a mighty 612 horsepower and propels this almost 6,000-pound beast from standstill to 60 mph in a phenomenal four seconds flat, on the way to a top speed of 180 mph. Favorite Features SLIDING 2ND-ROW SEATS This motorized feature is standard with either the 2nd-row bench seat or the captain’s chairs, helping accommodate passengers of all sizes. And elongated rear doors provide easy access. ONE-TOUCH FOLDING SEATS A set of switches located handily in the luggage area allow the middle and 3rd-row seats to be folded for maximum cargo space. With both rows folded, that adds up to 90.4 cubic feet. Push another button, and the X7 lowers to making loading large and/or heavy items a bit easier. 2021 BMW X7 Interior The 2021 X7 can be ordered as a 7-seater with a center bench or a 6-seater with captain’s chairs in the second row. Either way, this large and lavish BMW SUV has an arguably handsome cabin, with lots of fine leather and attractive wood trim. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is modern and highly configurable, and the seventh generation of BMW’s multifunction iDrive controller takes its usual spot on the center console, backed up by a few (much appreciated) physical buttons. Overall space is excellent. There’s enough headroom and legroom for 6-footers to sit comfortably in either of the two back rows. The 2nd-row seats also tip forward to aid entry and exit. There are, however, some changes for 2021. Certain options are no longer available, such as black Vernasca leather with contrast stitching, or brown-metallic ash wood trim. And buyers can’t specify an Alcantara (simulated suede) headliner in the same color as their upholstery. On the plus side, the xDrive40i gains heated armrests/steering wheel/front seats as standard. 2021 BMW X7 Exterior The largest double-kidney grille to ever grace a BMW leaves even a casual observer in no doubt of the X7’s manufacturer. There’s also the familiar silhouette — like an X5, only stretched. Relatively slim headlights emphasize the X7’s width. The “hockey stick” features along the bottom of the flanks are reminiscent of the 7 Series flagship sedan. The rear end’s design of a chrome bar between compact LED taillights does the same thing. Vermont Bronze Metallic is no longer among the paint choices. 2021 BMW X7 Standard Features Changes in standard equipment for the 2021 X7 see the addition of Android Auto smartphone integration, a 12-month all-access subscription to SiriusXM with 360L, remote start, and heating elements wherever hands, elbows, and posteriors come to rest (up front, at least). Other equipment in the X7 xDrive40i includes 21-inch alloys wheels, air suspension, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, panoramic moonroof, simulated leather upholstery, tinted rear privacy glass, power-adjustable steering column, power-adjustable seats in all three rows, quad-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch digital driver information display, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Wi-Fi, wireless smartphone charging, and a 205-watt/10-speaker audio system. Among the standard driver assistance features are forward-collision warning with pedestrian protection and automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, front/rear parking sensors, and speed limit information. 2021 BMW X7 Options The Executive package for the xDrive40i (reduced this year from $4,100 to $3,850) brings several desirable extras such as a head-up display, gesture control for the infotainment system, soft-closing doors, glass controls, and a 464-watt/16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. The Driving Assistance Professional package adds an extended traffic-jam assistant, evasive steering assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The Parking Assistance package steers the X7 into parallel and perpendicular spaces, adds a 360-degree camera system, and a drive recorder. The X7 M50i has many of these extras as standard. It also comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, plus M Sport differential/brakes/exhaust system. Other options include 5-zone automatic climate control, massaging/multi-contour front seats, 2nd-row captain’s chairs, aluminum running boards, rear-wheel steering, and (in the M50i) a 1,500-watt/20-speaker surround-sound system from Bowers & Wilkins. BMW has stopped offering a rear-seat entertainment system for the 2021 X7. And the Night Vision feature. 2021 BMW X7 Engine The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 in the X7 xDrive40i now has a mild hybrid system. It’s a 48-volt setup that provides the energy for the engine’s stop/restart system and ancillaries like the water pump. Drive belts are no longer required, so parasitic losses are reduced. It doesn’t have much impact on fuel economy or engine output. This unit makes 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 in the X7 M50i develops 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The new-for-2021 Alpina XB7 takes that engine and boosts it to 612 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is deployed in every 2021 X7. All-wheel drive is standard across the range, and maximum towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.

Microsoft on Wednesday issued a preview of Office for the Mac that will run natively on Apple's upcoming ARM-based laptops. The Redmond, Wash. company also modified its Intel-based macOS Office applications so that they run on Apple's newest, Big Sur, and have been optimized for translation by Rosetta 2 — the built-in technology that makes it possible to run older software on the ARM silicon inside the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini. In effect, Microsoft now has two lines of Office for the Mac. [ Related: Microsoft joins other major developers on road to Apple Silicon ] The latest, a Universal App iteration of Office, was released to the Beta channel of Office Insider, Microsoft's preview program, on Nov. 11, according to Erik Schwiebert, a principal software engineer for Apple products at Microsoft. A Universal App is one with binaries that run on Intel-based and Apple Silicon Mac hardware. (On Tuesday, Apple unveiled three Mac models powered by its own ARM-based silicon, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) dubbed M1. While those machines — configurations of the MacBook Air, the 13-in. MacBook Pro and the Mac Mini — can be ordered now, they are to be delivered to buyers in a few days and reach retail on Nov. 17.) Users must have an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 account to join Office Insider, and thus experiment with the Beta of the Office Universal App. Instructions on installing the Beta are available here. Also this month, Microsoft updated the Office applications — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive — to include "the latest optimizations for macOS Big Sur, which is the first operating system to support Apple Silicon." On M1-powered systems, Big Sur — aka macOS 11 — relies on Rosetta 2 to run existing Intel-based applications. Rosetta does this by translating Intel-based code into code that runs on the M1 SoC. Rather than do that in real time, again and again each time the application is launched, Rosetta 2 can do the translation once, prior to the first time the app is run on Apple silicon, then stores the translated code for subsequent use. "The first launch of each Office app will take longer as the operating system has to generate optimized code for the Apple Silicon processor," a Microsoft support document said. "Users will notice that the apps 'bounce' in the dock for approximately 20 seconds while this process completes. Subsequent app launches will be fast."

MSI (via harukaze5719) has registered today multiple custom GeForce RTX 3060 Ti models with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). As always, we don't expect every single one from the EEC listing to hit the market, but it gives us a good sense of what's to come. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is a rumored Ampere graphics card from Nvidia that reportedly arrives with 4,864 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR6 memory. The mid-range performer would fit right under the GeForce RTX 3070 in Nvidia's product stack. The performance gap might not be very substantial considering that the GeForce RTX 3070 only has 21% more CUDA cores than the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, and both seemingly feature an identical memory configuration. The EEC registration shows up to four custom iterations with their respective overclocked variants. In total, MSI could unleash up to eight potential models at launch. The fastest and flashiest models will likely hail from the Gaming series, while the Ventus series will accommodate the more discrete designs. GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming X Trio GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming Trio GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Ventus 3X OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Ventus 3X GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Ventus 2X OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Ventus 2X GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Fan OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Twin Fan The EEC submission's biggest surprise is the mention of the Twin Fan series, which is a moniker that MSI hasn't before. Zotac is the only manufacturer to use the Twin Fan designation in its GeForce products, so MSI might be intruding into its rival's territory. Assuming that the Twin Fan models make it to the store shelves, they will likely be the most affordable MSI options. For now, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti appears to cost up to $450. The problem is that the GeForce RTX 3070 starts at $499, so the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti might not look as attractive. It's reasonable to speculate that the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti may cost between $400 and $450, but a sub-$400 price tag would be more ideal. The feasible specifications for the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti have been out for a while now, and one overseas retailer even bragged about having it in stock already. The real question isn't whether the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti exists but, rather, when Nvidia will launch the Ampere-powered graphics card. Some rumors point to December 2, but there has been no evidence of it.

ofc DH1 nice song & better than DH2 , Have a Beautiful Girls 😅

Musician Name : Brandan Benson Birthday / Location : November 14, 1970 (aged 50), Royal Oak , United States Main instrument : guitar Musician Picture : Musician Awards & Nominations : - Best Performance : Other Information : Brendan Benson is an American singer and musician, born on November 14, 1970 in Royal Oak in the United States.

The Emirates Airlines Group revealed today, Thursday, that it recorded losses of $ 3.8 billion in the first half of the current fiscal year (2020-2021), compared to profits of $ 320 million for the same period of the previous year. In a statement, the group stated that total revenues fell by 74 percent to record 3.7 billion US dollars, explaining that the results were directly affected by the unprecedented restrictions on flights and travel around the world due to the emerging corona virus pandemic. The statement quoted Emirates Airlines Group Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as saying that the current financial year began amid a global shutdown due to the pandemic, as air passenger traffic was interrupted in an unprecedented way in the aviation and travel sector, which resulted in the group's first loss since 30 years He mentioned that with the disappearance of passenger traffic, the group was able to quickly transform to serve the demand for goods and other opportunities, "This helped us to restore our revenues from zero to 26 percent compared to our situation at the same time last year," which contributed to reducing some losses. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed stressed that Emirates Airlines is facing "strong headwinds", but thanks to the flexibility of its management and its accumulated experience, it can cross this challenge and look to the future. He explained that the group was able to benefit from its own cash reserves, indicating that "through our shareholders and the financial community we continue to ensure that we have sufficient financing to maintain the business during this difficult period." Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed pointed out that the group's shareholders were recently able to inject funds worth $ 2 billion by investing in capital, "and they will support us in the path of recovery." The Emirates Airline Group’s employee base shrank significantly until the end of last September 30, by up to 24 per cent, bringing the total to nearly 81,000 employees, while the company confirmed in its statement that it “continues to consider every way to protect the skilled workforce, including participation in saving programs. Jobs wherever you find ” It is noteworthy that the Emirates Airlines Group was founded in 1985 and is wholly owned by the government of Dubai, and is considered one of the largest airlines in the world, with more than 260 aircraft of various models and covering more than 120 destinations around the world.

Two weeks ago, the government announced that chlorine-washed chicken from the US was off the menu in any trade deal. It also said that the newly established trade and agriculture commission was to be put on a statutory footing. It would provide independent advice on post-Brexit trade deals as they pass through parliament. Campaigners celebrated what looked like another government U-turn. The UK’s high food and animal welfare standards would be defended. Hurrah, and so on. Well, up to a point. There was a more reliable way to protect those standards. During its passage through parliament there were three attempts to amend the agriculture bill so as to enshrine them in law. The government voted them all down. It hasn’t even come up with a basic trade policy which establishes what its red lines are. And as it stands, the review process for each trade deal lasts only three weeks, which is completely inadequate for such extraordinarily complex treaties. Finally, each trade deal will now be taken on a case-by-case basis in the Commons, where the government has a robust 80-seat majority. Can we guarantee standards will be upheld by this government? No, we cannot. Why does any of this matter? After all, eating a portion of US-raised, chlorine-washed chicken is unlikely to harm, let alone kill you. But in the long term it may well fundamentally damage the UK’s food system and standards. Let’s go back a bit. As members of the European Union we were part of a trading bloc that banned both chlorine-washed chicken and growth hormone-injected beef. The US has always argued these products are safe, but has not challenged the ban. Now we are outside the EU we’re going to need a new deal with the US. US cheerleaders often argue that there’s chlorine in our swimming pools and it’s harmless. The chlorine isn’t the issue. It’s about why it’s used: to deal with pathogens as a result of terrible US animal welfare standards. There’s also good evidence that chlorine washing doesn’t kill those pathogens; it just makes them non-culturable in the lab. These are serious issues, but there’s another. Low-welfare animal husbandry systems are used on a mass scale for one reason: it’s cheaper. Surely we’re all for cheaper food, especially when so many people are dependent on food banks? It’s more complicated than that. Our heavily stacked supermarket shelves may suggest we are food secure, but as Prof Tim Lang argued in his book, Feeding Britain, we are anything but. We produce only 60% of the food we eat and when exports are taken in to account it’s 50%. Why? Because UK agriculture has been ravaged by a culture of overly cheap food pursued by our sophisticated supermarket sector. Farms have simply gone out of business. If cheap, low-standard products are allowed in from the US and elsewhere, British farming will be forced into a cost-cutting war, which will undermine its standards but also threaten its economic base. More farms may go out of business. We risk becoming ever more dependent on those imports. And just slapping tariffs on low-welfare products, as has been suggested, won’t solve the problem. Once they are allowed in, the haggling will begin and inevitably, over time, the tariffs will come down. Surely consumers could just vote with their wallets and not buy those products? In the shops yes. In unlabelled food service – in the school meals our children eat, in the sandwiches we buy from supermarkets – we’ll never know. It’s all a deeply unappetising prospect. And nothing the government has announced recently assures me it won’t come to pass.

There are few vehicles that blend the practicality of a compact SUV with the spirited handling of a sports sedan, but Mazda manages to do just that with the 2021 CX-5. In addition to its crisp road manners, the CX-5 also deftly blends sophisticated exterior design with an upscale interior. All this comes at a price that’s competitive with rivals like the Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. The CX-5 offers comfortable seating for four and will handle five in a pinch. Mazda offers a choice of front- or all-wheel drive as well as a base normally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower or an optional turbo version of that powerplant which puts out 250 horsepower. There’s a total of six trim levels to choose from, each with their own distinct personality. Prices range from the base front-drive Sport at $26,370 to the AWD-standard Signature for $38,505. All prices include $1,100 in destination charges. While in the past, we’ve recommended the Touring trim level, we like the new Carbon Edition package that incorporates many of the features of the Touring Preferred grouping with things like carbon fiber-inspired trim, red leather seats, blacked-out exterior mirrors, black 19-inch wheels, and a special Polymetal Gray paint scheme. This version starts at $29,955 for the front-drive normally aspirated model. AWD adds just $1,400, but if you live in a mild climate, we’d forgo that upcharge in favor of the 250-horsepower turbo engine which adds $1,805 for a total of $31,760. Here’s the complete rundown on 2021 Mazda CX-5 trim levels: 2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport $26,370 (FWD)/$27,770 (AWD) 2.5-liter engine FWD or AWD 10.25-inch information screen 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels Automatic LED headlights Cloth seats Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Full package of advanced driving aids 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring $28,110 (FWD)/$29,510 (AWD) Rear privacy glass Heated front seats Leatherette & simulated-suede seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Rear air-conditioning vents & USB ports 6-speaker audio system Auto-leveling LED headlights 2021 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition $29,955 (FWD)/$31,355 (AWD) Naturally aspirated or turbo engine Polymetal Gray paint Red leather seats Black 19-inch alloy wheels Gloss-black door mirrors Black honeycomb trim on dash and door panels 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring $31,50 (FWD)/$32,960 (AWD) Naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine Digital gauges Bose 10-speaker audio Leather upholstery Power moonroof Paddle shifters Power liftgate LED taillights 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels 2021 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve $36,385 Turbocharged engine All-wheel drive Head-up display Traffic Sign Recognition Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Automatic folding mirrors 2021 Mazda CX-5 Signature $38,505 Premium Nappa leather seats Real wood trim Navigation system 360-degree surround-view camera Smart City Brake Support-Rear Driver Attention Alert

So, Apple has launched the new M1 processor and its transition from x86 to ARM has begun. In other words, Apple is ditching Intel. It is actually happening. But does any of this matter to PC gamers? Why should you care what Apple puts in its shiny, overpriced junk? The short answer is that neither the M1 nor an ARM chip of any hue is going to be powering a gaming PC any time soon. That’s obvious enough. But M1 is still important for all of us. Because it might very well force Intel and AMD to dramatically up their x86 games. Despite the huge hype surrounding AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 processors, it’s about time that happened. Because here’s the thing about PC processors. Their per-core and per-clock or instructions-per-clock (IPC) performance has barely budged in years. Really. When it comes to gaming, Ryzen 5000 is now broadly on par with Intel’s five-year-old Skylake architecture. It’s really only through adding extra cores that CPU performance has improved substantially in the last decade. And M1 might change that for the better. Hold that thought. First, don’t worry about the immediate noise and shouting and hullabaloo about Apple’s new Jesus chip. It will be tiresome, especially if early leaked benchmarks in metrics like Geekbench showing M1 blowing away eight-core Intel-powered MacBooks prove broadly accurate. But none of it will be immediately relevant to the PC. Further out, however, M1 could be a turning point. Including for us PC gamers. If M1 proves that ARM can compete with or even beat x86 for IPC performance, it will put a totally different spin on the traditional dichotomy that says ARM is only good for efficiency and you need x86 for serious work. And games. Actually, ARM chips clearly are very good for efficiency, which is why the new Apple MacBooks with the M1 have as much as double the battery life using exactly the same batteries as their Intel predecessors. But Apple is also claiming the M1 has the fastest CPU cores in the world. Period. That’s quite a statement, but some analysis by Anandtech suggests it at least needs to be taken seriously. The M1, like the A14 in the latest iPhones, sports Apple’s latest Firestorm CPU cores. They’re compatible with the ARM instruction set, but like all of Apple’s ARM chips right back to the A6 as seen in the iPhone 5, the cores are Apple’s own design. It’s just like x86 and Intel versus AMD. Same instruction set, bespoke core designs. Anyway, Apple’s latest Firestorm cores have massive eight-wide decode capability. For context, both AMD and Intel’s latest and most advanced CPU cores are four-wide machines. Instruction decode width is far from the only or even single most important measure of CPU core capability. But it is one obvious measure by which Apples cores are clearly both complex and capable. Dig deeper and there is further architectural evidence of Firestorm’s processing muscle. Whether it’s the depth of the out-of-order pipeline or the number and capability of integer and floating point ALUs, Firestorm often at least matches and sometimes dramatically exceeds Intel and AMD’s finest. Put simply, Apple has pulled out all the stops to achieve maximum instruction-level parallelism. The IPC performance of Firestorm is extraordinary by ARM standards. And it might just be better overall than Intel or AMD can currently offer. Of course, clockspeed also plays a major role in actual performance. But Firestorm certainly looks like it blows away the traditional assumption that the ARM ISA (and in turn the chips based on it) are at an inherent disadvantage when it comes to pure performance. Whatever, if Apple proves that ARM is competitive with x86 in its traditional competence—high performance—the implications for Intel in particular will be clear enough. If it doesn’t up its game, Intel could find ARM taking over in everything from servers to workstations and conventional laptops. Yes, it would take years for that transition to happen and gaming PCs would be last in line, if at all. But the mere threat ought to be a strong motivating factor. More generally, if Apple keeps upping the IPC of its ARM chips, the rest of the industry will almost certainly react. As it so often does, Apple will act as a trend setter. Just as all smartphones today have been improved by Apple’s attention to certain details, PC processors will be improved by the example Apple sets. Like it or loathe it, Apple does have a track record for pushing certain technologies to new heights and in turn upping everyone’s game. And that’s why M1 and its successors could well be the kick in the rear the PC processor industry needs.

Report finds consumers are looking for safer and more secure ways to pay Payment fraud continues to be a major area of concern for businesses and consumers alike in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a new report from Paysafe, businesses have to go the extra mile to reassure customers that their systems are safe and secure during online transactions. Data from the report shows that 55% of online businesses are worried about the increasing risk of fraudulent payment transactions. Many see it as a potential barrier for attracting more potential customers from shopping online. The report also reveals that 76% of businesses have noticed a change in the way consumers are making payments, with customers opting for more secure methods wherever possible. Some 40% of the 1100 small to medium-sized businesses questioned for the report said they felt that customers were looking for more robust payment options before making a purchase. However, business owners reported that it was proving difficult to implement more secure processes while at the same time providing a smooth customer experience. Have a look at the best accounting software The best tax software around today Check out the best money transfer apps and services Commenting on the research, Danny Chazonoff, Chief Operating Officer at Paysafe, said: “Protecting ourselves from fraud has long been reported as a concern among businesses and consumers, but our research shows that security has become more of a priority than ever, and there are a few reasons for this. The economic impact of COVID-19 has led to a natural desire from both consumers and businesses to protect their finances. Coupled with that, we know that criminal activity such as fraud historically rises during national and global crises, and this pandemic has been no exception.” Adequate protection Paysafe also conducted research among 8,000 consumers in April of this year. The findings revealed that 34% of people wanted adequate protection against loss from fraud, while 32% said that keeping their financial data safe from fraudsters was a key factor on choosing their payment method. Meanwhile, 51% stated that they would use any type of security measure if it ensured their purchase was secure. A further 25% said they’d be happy to put up with more inconvenience during a purchase rather than jeopordise the security of their financial data. Chazonoff added: “We’re also seeing more consumers than ever shopping online, given shielding, lockdown restrictions and less desire to leave the house. The 18% of consumers who told us they’d shopped online for the first time following the initial lockdown may have concerns around trying new payment methods. Other consumers who are perhaps already used to shopping online might be interacting with new businesses, which they’re unfamiliar with, affecting their willingness to share financial details. For online businesses which want to attract and retain customers from these two groups offering greater choice at the checkout will be essential.”

Data de lançamento inicial: 28 de agosto de 2020 Motor: Frostbite 3 Série: Madden NFL Computador principal: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X e Ceres S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, WWE WWE Desenvolvedores de software: Electronic Arts, A Tepron Modos: videogame individual, videogame em equipe Madden 21 wants to make football fun again. That's been the prevailing direction of the venerable gridiron series since the unveiling of the new Superstar KO mode in last year's game. It felt like a statement. Gone were the stately simulations of America's many mega-stadiums and the dulcet professorial tones of play-by-play. Instead, players drafted an elite squad of all-pros and went for the jugular in a veritable thunderdome. No punts, no field goals, and no reason to call anything other than the ballsiest deep throws from the playbook. After a victory you earned the right to claim a player from the opponent's roster, like looting a corpse in an MMO. It seemed intended to warp football gaming back to the late '90s. Madden was finally getting cozy with NFL Blitz. And now, in 2020, EA has doubled down. The premier new game mode in Madden 2020 is called The Yard, which as a lifetime football fan, immediately brought to mind the halcyon days of NFL Street. The lore, I guess, is that a bunch of NFL millionaires grew tired of playing for paychecks in front of a nation of fans, and instead have taken their grievances to the vacant lot next door. The Yard is played in a six-on-six format, and is governed by backyard rules; the same players compete on both offense and defense, each team gets three offensive drives, and potential blitzers need to do the classic "one-Mississippi two-Mississippi" count before busting through the line of scrimmage. The Yard is also probably more fun than the rest of Madden's offerings. In my second game, I learned that I could flip the ball to anyone who wasn't running downfield. The pigskin slings to the running back, then to a screening receiver, and then back to the quarterback, blowing the staid rules of the game wide open. After scoring, you elect to either attempt a one point conversion, two point conversion, or three point conversion, each of which require you to gain exponential amounts of yardage. After four decades, EA has learned a strange lesson: People love Madden the most when it aims higher than just football. Like so many other annualized franchises, Madden has otherwise fallen into its own cozy pattern. Madden 21 is rarely flagrantly disappointing, but there is a diminishing aura when we return year after year to find so many focal points unchanged. Franchise mode is back as a near-perfect facsimile of its past incarnations. Take control of an ailing franchise—the New York Jets, the Detroit Lions, whatever—and attempt to whip them into respectability with cornerback drills and intensive scouting reports. I've never been the type to go deep into the nuts and bolts of Madden's more sim-y qualities, but it's nice to know that the option remains on the table for the world's armchair GMs. There are times where I wonder if perhaps there is a way to offer a sports management experience that is a little less stuffy than the deep recesses of EA's spreadsheet morass, but then again, negotiating contracts with veteran linebackers is supposed to be a little bit boring. The same can be said for Madden Ultimate Team, the infernal card-collecting closed economy that asks players to assemble a top-tier team through either a boatload of microtransactions or an absurd amount of grinding. I booted up the mode, completed the first challenge, and was immediately rewarded with a Blake Bortles card, who is most famous for being the worst starting quarterback for a playoff team in recent memory. I traded him in for a small bounty of points that, eventually, will allow me to increase the speed of a wide receiver by a fraction of a percent. The barrier of entry to actually competing in Ultimate Team is so wide, that I simply cannot muster the time or energy to commit. Why would I want to play with running backs with a 75 overall rating, when I could switch over to any of the other modes and run around the field as Saquon Barkley? Whenever I watch yet another video of a teenager opening $1,000 worth of packs my eyes roll into the back of my head. The only true tragedy of Madden 21 can be found in the Face of the Franchise mode, which represents the death knell of EA's belabored attempts to bring a story mode to their football games. This tradition began in Madden 18 with Longshot, a well-executed saga of trauma and the restorative power of sports, as we watched Devin Wade slowly rehabilitate himself into a leader and a star. (The whole drama was anchored by Mahershala Ali, who adds prestige to anything he touches.) I kinda enjoyed the second chapter of Longshot in 2018, where Wade continued his journey as the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. But the cracks were beginning to show already, and this year's edition is a complete mess. You create a fresh new quarterback, and quickly find yourself mired in an absurdly bland high school football drama. You're the new star on the block, who used to play hockey, and now you're about to supplant the golden boy starter from his perch! That golden boy happens to have an entirely undefined congenital heart condition, and you both are joined at the hip through toils at the state championship level, the College Football National Championship, and beyond without a single moment of meaningful character development or resonant moral complexity. The narrative never gets off the rails it sets out for itself. I threw five touchdowns in the semi-finals and my coach still told me I'd be lucky to be a third round pick. It is amazing how bad EA has gotten at telling football stories in such a short amount of time. Longshot should've been a jumping off point, but instead they've completely lost their way. There is no interiority, no nuance, and no real connective theme; at one point I run into a digital Snoop Dogg who is wearing a golden EA medallion around his neck. We've lost our way. But hey, the football is still fun. That's been the saving grace of Madden for several years now. All the mechanics you're familiar with are right at place; spin, juke, hurdle. Hold down the trigger to sprint, and tap the receiver's button to air out a lob. (Yes, you can run plays with your keyboard, but nobody recommends that.) As always, EA promises a slew of new gameplay wrinkles—you can now combine all of your ballcarrier moves seamlessly with the right stick—but casual players like me never seem to notice those inclusions. In fact, the new feature I've appreciated more are a few tooltips on the HUD that let me know how some of Madden's more arcane procedures work when the game senses I might be screwing up. For instance, I now know exactly how to execute an RPO, or how to audible out of a traditional return scheme when my opponent comes out in an onside kick format. Thank you Madden, for assuming that I'm an idiot at all times. Of course, everything in Madden 21 is coated in a conspicuous games-as-a-service veneer—even The Yard, positioned as a casual's Mecca, comes with vanity customizations, a web of different builds and classes, and an interminable statgrind to the stars. You can ignore all of that if you want—that's the way I've played this franchise for years—but the predation still makes itself known at every corner. If you simply must spend your hard-earned wages on a goldenrod football uniform for your gridiron avatar, then you've come to the right place. The game is also currently in the midst of a Steam review bomb by aggrieved players complaining about a wide variety of technical jank. I haven't seen much of that myself outside of some screen tearing and never-ending matchmaking queues, but I did play a round of Superstar KO that forgot to load in the astroturf. It was just me, my opponent, and a languid expanse of dull green. Postmodern and hilarious to be sure, but a bit unbecoming for a game that's stuck to such a rigid formula. 2020 marks the third year Madden has been back on PC since the franchise's prodigal return to the platform in 2018. The novelty hasn't worn off for me yet. There is still something inherently weird and exciting about playing such a console-targeted franchise on my desktop; to type in my player's name and college with a keyboard. But that won't sustain many players for long. Madden is desperate for some new ideas, so let's hope some of 21's more exotic ventures foreshadow a more substantial rebuild in the future.

on my opinion i think you deserve a chance