EA will debut new anti-cheat tech with ‘FIFA 23’ on PC

Electronic Arts is determined to keep cheaters at bay. The company has developed a kernel-level anti-cheat system for PC that it will deploy alongside FIFA 23 when the game arrives on September 30th. According to the publisher, the move was necessary to “ensure fair play” by taking on PC cheat developers who are increasingly building kernel-level exploits that OS-level anti-cheat tools are unable to detect.

In a blog post, EA’s senior director of game security and anti-cheat Elise Murphy wrote that the company created EA AntiCheat (EAAC) because “third-party anti-cheat solutions are often opaque to our teams, and prevent us from implementing additional privacy controls or customizations that provide greater accuracy and granularity for EA-specific game modes.” It should also be able to address security issues head on.

EAAC won’t be used in all EA games, though the publisher says it’s necessary for competitive titles with an online focus, such as FIFA 23. This year’s edition includes cross-play support and, in theory, EAAC should prevent console players from having to deal with PC cheaters. The company may take different anti-cheat approaches in games without leaderboards or a competitive system. As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see EA add EAAC to the likes of Apex Legends, but it seems unlikely to be patched in to the 2021 Game of the Year (don’t take my word for it) It Takes Two.

The tool will only be active when a game with EAAC is running on your PC. It will be uninstalled when you remove all EA games that require it (you can uninstall EAAC manually, but the likes of FIFA 23 won’t be playable). Murphy wrote that “EAAC will have negligible impact on your gameplay,” so it shouldn’t diminish performance.

As far as system privacy and security goes, Murphy says that EAAC will only examine the files it needs to for anti-cheat reasons. EAAC will hash the information that it does collect and jettison the original data. The tool won’t collect data from your browsing history, apps that don’t interact with EA games or anything else that’s irrelevant to its purposes, according to the blog post.

EA isn’t the first publisher to adopt a kernel-level anti-cheat approach. Riot and Activision use similar tools in Valorant, Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Warzone.

‘Clean Energy Charging’ is coming to iPhones this year

Even though iOS 16 is only just in the hands of most iPhone users, Apple has already revealed some details about what’s ahead for the operating system. A feature called Clean Energy Charging, which the company will roll out in the US as part of an update later this year, will optimize charging times to take into account when the power grid is using more sustainable sources of energy. Apple says the aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of iPhones.

The feature complements the Optimizing Battery Charging option Apple introduced a few years ago to maximize battery health. With this setting enabled, your iPhone will figure out your daily charging routine and limit the battery’s charge to 80 percent until close to when you’re going to start using your iPhone (or Mac, since that has the feature too).

In addition, iCloud Shared Photo Library is coming later this year. That will create a separate iCloud library that up to six people can access. Apple will also introduce support for the Matter smart home standard once that becomes available sometime this fall.

Those with an iOS 16-compatible iPhone now have access to a boatload of new features, primarily to do with personalization. The Live Activities function should make it easier to track certain things in real time, such as the status of a delivery and sports scores. The option to edit and unsend messages in iMessage will be a big deal for many, as will the ability to copy and paste an object from one photo to another.

Peloton’s connected Bike rentals are now available across 48 states

Peloton is expanding a rental program for its Bike and Bike+ fitness equipment. Now, anyone in the contiguous US (sorry, Alaska and Hawaii) can try one of the connected exercise bikes at home without having to shell out at least $1,445. The company started testing the program in select markets earlier this year. It’s worth noting that the rentals may still not be available in some remote locations.

A Bike rental costs $89 per month, while Bike+ costs $119 per month. You’ll need to pay a $150 setup fee as well. Both options include an All Access Membership, which features Peloton’s swathe of live and on-demand fitness classes. You can return the equipment for free at any time. After 12 months, you’ll be able to buy the Bike or Bike+ at a reduced rate ($895 and $1,595, respectively).

News of broader availability of the rental program comes after it emerged that two of Peloton’s co-founders are departing the company. As CNBC notes, John Foley is stepping down as executive chairman. Karen Boone will take over as the chair of the board. Chief legal officer Hisao Kushi, another co-founder, is leaving and will be replaced by Tammy Albarrán, Uber’s chief deputy general counsel.

Additionally, chief commercial officer Kevin Cornils, who joined Peloton in 2018, will move on later this month amid a broader organizational shakeup. Chief strategy officer Dion Sanders will take on many of Cornils’ duties in a new role as chief emerging business officer.

These executive changes are the latest developments in a turbulent year for Peloton as CEO Barry McCarthy tries to resolve the company’s woes. Just as McCarthy took over the position from Foley earlier this year, Peloton laid off around 2,800 workers. In July, Peloton let go around 570 employees in Taiwan amid a shift away from in-house manufacturing, and last month, the company cut another 784 jobs in the distribution and customer service departments. It will rely on third-party companies for deliveries.

Whether McCarthy’s ambitious plan to steady the Peloton ship pays off remains to be seen. It’s been a rough year financially for the company to say the least. McCarthy told shareholders last month that, despite incurring an operating loss of $1.2 billion last quarter, he sees “significant progress driving our comeback and Peloton’s long-term resilience.”

McCarthy said this week that Peloton would start selling its products in some brick-and-mortar stores after announcing the closure of many of the company’s own retail locations. It recently listed its equipment on Amazon for the first time. McCarthy also mused on making it easier for people to access third-party content on Peloton’s displays, something that’s already possible to do by jailbreaking the device.

‘GoldenEye 007’ is coming to Nintendo Switch Online’s Expansion Pack with online play

You’ll soon have a way to play one of the most beloved Nintendo 64 games on your Switch without having to jailbreak the console. During today’s Nintendo Direct, it emerged that GoldenEye 007 is coming to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. What’s more, you’ll be able to hop into the iconic multiplayer mode with your friends through online play. Nintendo didn’t say when the first-person shooter will arrive on Switch, other than to say it’s “coming soon.” In the meantime, you can check out a new documentary about the game.

On top of that, GoldenEye 007 is coming to Xbox Game Pass. Rare says the game has been “faithfully recreated for Xbox consoles.” It will feature split-screen local multiplayer (but no online play), achievements, 4K resolution and a seemingly smoother framerate. In fairness, it would be tough to have a lower framerate than the N64 version.

Nintendo also revealed a bunch of other N64 titles that it will gradually add to the Expansion Pack service. Pilotwings 64, Mario Party and Mario Party 2 will all be available later this year. In 2023, Mario Party 3, Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Stadium 2, 1080 Snowboarding and Excitebike 64 will join the lineup.

‘Fire Emblem Engage’ is coming to Switch on January 20th

Today’s Nintendo Direct kicked off with a bang, with the reveal of a new, mainline Fire Emblem game. You won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on Fire Emblem Engage either. It’s coming to Nintendo Switch on January 20th. 

A thousand years after four kingdoms and heroes from further afield worked together to imprison a Fell Dragon, this so-called great evil is poised to re-emerge. Your task is to collect Emblem Rings that are scattered across the world in order to bring peace to the Continent of Elyos.

Along with the announcement, Nintendo offered a first look at gameplay. Fire Emblem Engage appears to have grid-based, real-time strategy elements, along with turn-based battles and open-world exploration. The game will feature a new cast of customizable characters, though you’ll be able to summon heroes such as Marth (who’s making his return to the Fire Emblem series) and Celica in your quest. 

You can pre-order Fire Emblem Engage now from the Nintendo eShop. A physical Divine Edition with a steelbook and art case will be available too.

The 2021 Apple TV HD has hit an all-time low of $99

If you’ve been on the lookout for a new Apple TV but don’t want to break the bank, it’s worth considering a solid deal on the most recent HD model. The 2021 Apple TV HD has hit an all-time low of $99 on Amazon. That’s $50 off the regular price.

Buy Apple TV HD (2021) on Amazon – $99

While this isn’t the cheapest streaming media player around, it does grant access to the Apple ecosystem on your TV. You’ll be able to play Apple Arcade games, share content from iPhone to your TV via AirPlay, listen to Apple Music and use Apple Fitness+. Apple TV HD supports HomeKit as well, so you can get a live feed of compatible cameras and control certain smart home devices.

Of course, you’ll be able to stream TV and movies using the device. Along with Apple TV+, you can access Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and other services. Apple TV HD comes with a new Siri remote with a touch-enabled clickpad, the option to connect AirPods to listen privately and Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound support.

One thing Apple TV HD doesn’t do, unfortunately, is stream video in 4K (the name might have given that away). For 4K streaming, take a look at the 2021 Apple TV 4K, which isn’t too much more expensive at the minute. The 32GB model is $120 and the 64GB version is $140, for savings of $60 on both models. We gave the most recent Apple TV 4K a score of 90 in our review. Given the fairly steep discounts, it’s worth wondering if Apple is trying to clear out some stock just ahead of new Apple TV models hitting the market.

Buy Apple TV 4K 32GB (2021) at Amazon – $120Buy Apple TV 4K 64GB (2021) at Amazon – $140

The next Nintendo Direct streams on September 13th

This is not a drill (or a tweet from a phony Nintendo account). Nintendo has at long last revealed when its next showcase takes place. It has set a Nintendo Direct for September 13th at 10AM ET. You can watch the stream on Nintendo’s YouTube channel or below.

It’s worth noting that the Nintendo UK YouTube channel won’t stream the Direct live “as a mark of respect during this period of national mourning,” following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Direct will be still available on demand on the channel as of 4PM UK time on Tuesday.

You can expect around 40 minutes of announcements, updates and trailers this time around, with a focus on games coming to Nintendo Switch this winter. Expect the likes of Bayonetta 3 to feature. Fingers crossed for more details on the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as well, including the actual name of the game and a firm release date.

There will surely be a bunch of surprises. It’s always fun when Nintendo announces a game at a Direct and releases it on the Switch eShop on the same day. Here’s hoping Vampire Survivors is one of them. Maybe the Advance Wars remake will get a new release date too.

This marks the second full-fledged Nintendo Direct of the year. There have been several more narrowly focused Nintendo events in recent months, including an Indie World Showcase in May, followed by Directs focused on Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Splatoon 3 and third-party games. 

Marvel is getting the ‘Pokémon Go’ treatment thanks to Niantic

Marvel has teamed up with Pokémon Go developer Niantic to create an augmented reality mobile game that will be available worldwide next year. In Marvel World of Heroes, you can create your own superhero in a Marvel game for the first time, according to a Niantic blog post. 

Players will be able to forge their hero’s identity and origin story. They’ll be tasked with patrolling their neighborhood to thwart crimes, take on missions and fend off interdimensional threats and super villains. As you level up, you’ll unlock more gear and abilities. You’ll be able to team up with your friends, as well as the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America and Wolverine. It seems players can also visit multiple alternate realities — in a virtual sense, anyway.

If you’re interested in checking out the game, you can pre-register on the Marvel World of Heroes website. As it often does, Niantic will soft launch the game in select markets before rolling it out more broadly. 

Marvel’s Midnight Suns will arrive on December 2nd

Marvel’s Midnight Suns has a new release date, and it’s sooner than you may have expected. It was revealed during the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase that the tactical RPG from Firaxis will hit PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on December 2nd. The Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will arrive at a later date.

The game was initially slated for October, but publisher 2K announced last month that it was pushing back the release date until sometime later in its fiscal year, which ends in March. Thankfully, you won’t have to wait that long to play it. In the meantime, the first Marvel’s Midnight Suns prequel short will hit Marvel’s YouTube channel on October 31st.